What's New

Referral of Separated Immigrant Families to Health Centers for Health Services

On December 11, 2023, the Ms. L. vs. ICE settlement was approved by the District Court for the Southern District of California, providing certain benefits to Class Members. We issued a bulletin yesterday to inform health centers that Ms. L Class Members are eligible to seek health services at health centers and that Seneca Family of Agencies will pay the co-pays, sliding fee discount schedule charges, or nominal fees on behalf of Class Members. Read the bulletin.

National Advisory Council on Migrant Health Meeting

The National Advisory Council on Migrant Health (NACMH) will hold an in-person meeting in Sacramento, California, on Wednesday, May 15, and Thursday, May 16. The event is open to the public; you may also attend virtually. Visit the registration page.

NACMH advises and makes recommendations to the HHS Secretary on policy, program development, and other topics related to Migrant Health Centers and other organizations that serve migratory and seasonal agricultural workers and their families.

Save the Date: Quality Improvement Fund Primary Care Innovation Forum

We will feature Optimizing Virtual Care (OVC) awardees at our first-ever Quality Improvement Fund (QIF) Primary Care Innovation Forum. They will present new or enhanced strategies that focus on using technological innovation to boost access, clinical quality, and coordination and to promote health equity. We will share the registration form soon. Visit our website to learn about OVC.

Tuesday, June 25
12:30-5:00 p.m. ET

TOMORROW: Behavioral Health Service Expansion Funding TA Session

HRSA is making available $240 million to increase support for HRSA-funded health centers to respond to the need for mental health and substance use disorder services. Applications are due in Grants.gov on Wednesday, May 22, and HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) on Friday, June 21.

Visit the Apply for FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion webpage for the Notice of Funding Opportunity, technical assistance (TA) information, and other resources. We will host a TA webinar for applicants:

Wednesday, May 1
2:00-3:15 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session

QIF – Transitions in Care for Justice-involved Populations

Health centers will use this funding to strengthen transitions in care for people who will soon be released from jail or prison and return to live in the community. This funding will increase access to community-based, high quality primary care services for justice-involved individuals reentering the community (JI-R).

Visit the Apply for QIF-TJI webpage for resources. Applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, June 10, and EHBs by 5:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 2. 

We encourage you to share feedback on our DRAFT Health Center Program Policy Guidance Regarding Services to Support Transitions in Care for Justice-Involved Individuals Reentering the Community (PDF) via the BPHC Contact Form (Policy > Comment on Draft Policy > Submit Draft JI-R Individuals Policy Feedback).

Health Center Program GeoCare Navigator Training

Join our upcoming training on the Health Center Program GeoCare Navigator to explore its functionality.

Tuesday, May 7
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

We will share the recording, but we encourage you to attend live so you can ask questions. Submit questions about the training via the BPHC Contact Form (Health Center Data and Research > HCP GeoCare Navigator > Technical Use Questions).

FQHCs Financial and Operational Performance Analysis 2019-2022 Capital Link’s new report provides an aggregate financial and operational profile of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Visit their site to learn more and download the report. TOMORROW: Capital Link will talk more about the report at their webinar: Financial and Operational Benchmarking Trends and Techniques Wednesday, May 1 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET Registration page

New Heat-related Resources for Your Patients and Community The Heat and Health Initiative aims to protect people from the harms of heat exposure. CDC, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS), developed resources that can help people stay cool, stay hydrated, and know the symptoms of heat-related illness. The HeatRisk Forecast Tool provides a seven-day national-scale heat forecast that indicates when temperatures reach levels that could harm health. CDC’s HeatRisk Dashboard is a portal to their new heat resources; it includes the HeatRisk Forecast Tool, details on local air quality, and actions to stay safe on hot days or days with poor air quality. CDC clinical guidance enables clinicians and patients to create personalized plans to help ensure safety during warmer months. Even though heat can impact anyone’s physical and mental health, some health issues raise risk. The guidance focuses on children with asthma, pregnant women, and people with cardiovascular disease.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Cooling Season Toolkit The HHS Administration for Children and Families’ (ACF) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps keep families safe and healthy by reducing their energy costs. Its federally funded assistance reduces the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs. ACF released a new toolkit to help you reach households who may need help with cooling bills. It contains flyers, videos, and social media posts; content is available in multiple languages. Visit ACF’s website to learn more and access the toolkit.

Health Centers: Revenue, Grant Funding, and Methods for Meeting Certain Access-To-Care Requirements

The U.S. Government Accountability Office reviewed health centers' revenue and more for 2018-2022. Visit their site to learn more and access the full report.

Behavioral Health

Partnering with Schools to Address Youth Mental Health

Join us to hear how you can partner with schools to address mental health needs. Speakers will overview how to establish partnerships, discuss examples, and share resources from the Partnering with Schools to Improve Youth Mental Health initiative. (Visit the School-Based Health Alliance’s (SBHA) website to learn about the initiative.) They will also cover the multi-tiered systems of support framework used in schools, and how you can adapt to provide optimal support to schools. The end time reflects a 15-minute period for peer-to-peer discussion after the hour-long presentation.

Thursday, May 23
1:00-2:15 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CE available for behavioral health professionals**

Biden-Harris Administration Releases National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and First-Ever Federal Action Plan

Last week, the Biden Harris Administration, through HHS, released the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and accompanying Federal Action Plan. Read the press release.

The strategy is a bold new 10-year, comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to suicide prevention that provides concrete recommendations for addressing gaps. This coordinated and comprehensive approach relies upon critical partnerships and people with lived experience. Visit HHS’ plan website to learn more and get resources.

Workforce

Learn About HRSA Funding Opportunities for Nurses Join HRSA’s webinar to learn about grants, scholarships, and loan repayment programs available to students, clinicians, and organizations. Consider sharing with your network. Wednesday, May 8 2:30-4:30 p.m. ET Registration page

National Health Service Corps Provides More in 2024

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is accepting applications for three loan repayment programs, each with different award amounts and eligibility requirements based on your credentials and discipline. Applications are due by 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 9. Learn more in a bulletin from the Bureau of Health Workforce.

Onboarding: The Beginning of Employee Well-being

Have you ever considered how an effective onboarding process can enhance workforce retention? Join our webinar to learn how to craft and implement an onboarding plan that supports workforce well-being and equips employees for success and growth over the long term.

Wednesday, May 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Pride Month 2024 Workshop: Create a New Tool to Promote LGBTQIA+ Health Access and Equity

This workshop from the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership (NCMLP) and the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center will boost your knowledge, skills, and tools to address health disparities. With other participants, you will develop a new tool for Pride Month and an implementation plan for putting it into practice. Visit the application page for dates and times.

Additional Resources

Umu Talk Podcast Pacific Pathways: Bridging Mental Health Gaps for Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders in Alaska

A podcast from the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) highlights the lived experiences of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community health workers (CHWs) and partners. A recent episode features CHWs from Pacific Community of Alaska discussing mental health in their community through their personal experiences. Visit AAPCHO’s website to listen.

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Training Calendar

Visit our online calendar for details on these and all scheduled events.

Through May 7

Developing an Emergency Preparedness Plan for Your Health Center Activity Session
Hosted by Community Health Center, Inc. (CHC)
Tuesday, April 30
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

NACHC UDS+ Testing Forum
Hosted by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)
Tuesday, April 30,
and Wednesday, May 1
1:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Advancing Health Equity for Patients Impacted by the Criminal Justice System
Hosted by NCMLP
Tuesday, April 30
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Diabetes Care Management Webinar Series
Hosted by Renaye James Healthcare Advisors (RJHA)
Sessions take place from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET

Part 1: Tuesday, April 30
Registration page

Part 2: Tuesday, May 14
Registration page

Fostering Effective Mental Health Services in Community Health Centers Webinar Series
Hosted by NACHC
Sessions take place from 3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Series registration page

Part 1: Tuesday, April 30

Part 2: Wednesday, May 22

Nurturing Mothers: A Webinar Series on Breastfeeding Support and Maternal Mental Health
Hosted by the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium and the National Center for Health in Public Housing
Sessions take place from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Series registration page

Part 1: Continuity of Care: Addressing Maternal Mental Health and Postpartum Support
Wednesday, May 1

Part 2: Continuity of Care: Strengthening Maternal and Child Health through Strategies for Effective Breastfeeding Support Programs
Thursday, May 2

Financial and Operational Benchmarking Trends and Techniques
Hosted by Capital Link
Wednesday, May 1
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Adverse Childhood Experiences Among School-Aged Children
Hosted by SBHA
Wednesday, May 1
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Celebrating the 2024 Increase Access to Care for Agricultural Workers Promising Practices Award Recipients
Hosted by the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH)
Wednesday, May 1
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

HITEQ on the Horizon Series: UDS+ and Race, Ethnicity, and Language Collection Roundtable
Hosted by the Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center
Thursday, May 2
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Advancing Quality Improvement in Team-Based Care Activity Session
Hosted by CHC
Thursday, May 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Avoiding Dehydration
Hosted by NCFH
Thursday, May 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Integrated Care for AA and NH/PI Youth Patients
Hosted by AAPCHO
Thursday, May 2
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Health Center Program GeoCare Navigator Training
Tuesday, May 7
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Planning Ahead for Extreme Weather & Environmental Impacts on Aging
Hosted by the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders
Tuesday, May 7
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Understanding Harm Reduction Approaches to Address IPV, HT, Exploitation, and Homelessness in Health Centers (in English with live interpretation in ASL and Spanish)
Hosted by Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation and NHCHC
Tuesday, May 7
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Upcoming

Maternal Health and Essential Community Connections
Hosted by RJHA
Wednesday, May 8
Noon-1:15 p.m. ET
Registration page

Closing the PrEP Care Gap with TelePrEP
Hosted by the HITEQ Center
Wednesday, May 8
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Advancing Health Equity
Hosted by NACHC, featuring Capital Link
Wednesday, May 8
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

HRSA Nursing Workforce Funding Opportunities
Wednesday, May 8
2:30-4:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Advancing Team-Based Care to Address Maternal Mental Health Disparities Webinar Series
Hosted by CHC and Health Outreach Partners
Series registration page

Part 1: Wednesday, May 8
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET

Part 2: Wednesday, May 22
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET

The State of AA and NH/PI Health at Community Health Centers Two-part Series
Hosted by AAPCHO
Series registration page

Part 1: An Analysis of the 2022 UDS Data
Thursday, May 9
5:00-6:00 p.m. ET

Part 2: Community Voices Bringing UDS Data to Life
Tuesday, May 21
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET

HITEQ Highlights: Engaging Partners and Technology to Support Care of Justice-Involved Patients
Hosted by the HITEQ Center
Monday, May 13
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

The Role of Community Health Centers in Eliminating Hepatitis C in the United States
Tuesday, May 14
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

The STI Prevention Allocation Consequences Estimator (SPACE Tool 2.0)
Hosted by CDC
Tuesday, May 14
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

HITEQ on the Horizon Series: Demystifying Current and Future Clinical Quality Measure Reporting: UDS+ and the Adult Weight Screening and Follow-up Measure Roundtable
Hosted by the HITEQ Center
Thursday, May 16
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Tools and Strategies for Health Centers to Screen and Address Tobacco Use Among MSAW Patients
Hosted by NCFH
Thursday, May 16
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

HITEQ Highlights: Advancing Interoperability & Health Information Exchange for Health Centers
Hosted by the HITEQ Center
Tuesday, May 21
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.