NAP and SAC NOFOs Released, TWM Wrap-up

HRSA Health Center Program Primary Health Care Digest

June 4, 2024

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New Access Points

New Access Point Funding Opportunity

Last week, HRSA announced that applications to establish New Access Points (NAPs) are now open to expand access to affordable, high-quality primary health care, including mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services, for underserved communities and populations. HRSA will only be able to make awards for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) if Congress appropriates additional funds for the Health Center Program in fiscal year (FY) 2025. Read the bulletin.

Visit the NAPs technical assistance (TA) webpage for the NOFO and resources to help develop your application. We will host a Question and Answer webinar for applicants. This webinar will be presented in English with live interpretation in Spanish:

Thursday, June 13
1:00-2:15 p.m. ET
Registration page


Service Area Competition

SAC NOFOs Released for January 1 and February 1 Starts

HRSA released the FY 2025 Service Area Competition (SAC) NOFO for service areas with a January 1, 2025 (HRSA-25-012), or February 1, 2025 (HRSA-25-013), period of performance start date. With each SAC funding opportunity, organizations compete for funding to provide comprehensive primary health care in service areas already served by the Health Center Program.

The table below lists application deadlines for all released FY 2025 SAC NOFOs. TA materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.

Start Date
(in 2025)

NOFO #

Grants.gov
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET

HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks
Due by 5:00 p.m. ET

January 1

HRSA-25-012

July 29

August 26

February 1

HRSA-25-013

July 29

August 28


Did you miss it?

Here are a couple of our most popular items from May. As a reminder, visit the online archive for recent Digest issues and bulletins:

In addition, our April bulletin on avian flu remains useful, linking you to the latest information.


Jump To: Behavioral Health | HIV | Hypertension | Workforce | Additional Resources |
              Training Calendar


HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs) host or developed many of these events and resources. For more from the NTTAPs, visit the Health Center Resource Clearinghouse.


What's New

Today with Macrae Q&A

TWM Wrap-up

If you missed last week’s TWM webcast, access the slides and the recording on our website. The resources we shared are included in the “Did You Miss It?” section.

Our thanks to former BPHC Associate Administrator Dr. Marilyn Gaston for joining Jim for a wide-ranging and spirited discussion of her experience leading the program in the 1990s. We expect the Health Center Program history video we shared and the related web content to be available later this month. Don't worry — we'll let you know!

Upcoming TWM webcasts will be on Thursday, June 27, and Thursday, July 11. More details soon.


NEW DATE: First Annual Emergency Management Process Webinar

Health center staff, you can now register for our first annual emergency management process webinar:

Tuesday, June 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

We’ll cover communications, grant-related actions, CMS’ emergency preparedness rule, and resources.


COVID-19 Survey Availability

We have received a lot of questions related to the timing of the Health Center COVID-19 Survey. It typically opens between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. ET on the first Friday of the month and closes the following Thursday at 11:59 p.m. local time. We included an example and details on how to get notified when the survey opens in last week’s Digest. Read that announcement.


GSS Survey

LESS THAN ONE WEEK LEFT: Participate in the Grantee Satisfaction Survey

HRSA’s Grantee Satisfaction Survey closes next Monday, June 10. Your feedback is critical to ensuring we continue to improve and support your work in the best way possible. Your insights are invaluable to us, and taking the survey will only take 20 minutes.

Project Directors received the survey and reminders by email. Questions or concerns about the survey? Email HRSA Grantee Survey. Together we can make a difference!


Quality Improvement Fund Primary Care Innovation Forum

We’ll feature the first Quality Improvement Fund (QIF) cohort, the Optimizing Virtual Care awardees, at our first-ever forum. We’ll use the event to launch new TA to support innovation. Presentations will focus on virtual care strategies using technology and innovation to enhance access to care, improve clinical quality and coordination, and promote health equity. We strongly encourage health center staff interested in providing virtual care to register — you’ll receive updates about the forum, and the presentations and recording afterwards.

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


Patient-Centered Medical Home Health Equity TA Symposium

Registration is now open for this annual symposium, which we host in partnership with The Joint Commission. Join your peers and experts to hear about and discuss best practices and lessons learned in health equity, quality improvement, and accreditation and recognition. Visit the event website (link is below) to learn more and register.

Tuesday, July 16, and Wednesday, July 17
Noon-4:00 p.m. ET
Symposium website


Participate in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey

Each year, CDC invites selected health centers to participate in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) Health Center Component. They launched this year’s effort in March. If your health center received an invitation, we encourage you to participate!

NAMCS results highlight the important work and needs of health centers and inform research, policy, and actions to address emerging public health challenges. The survey provides detailed insight into ambulatory care at the level of individual visits — complementing the aggregate, health center-level information from UDS. NAMCS data is confidential, and its use is limited, with public data aggregated for confidentiality.

If your health center is invited, contact CDC by email or phone (800-307-0134 or 301-458-4050) to confirm participation and continue to respond to emails and phone calls for further instructions. Participants may be eligible for compensation of up to $10,000 to help defray related expenses. Learn more on CDC’s website.


Understanding and Overcoming Barriers to CEO Succession Planning

CEO succession planning is an important board role, but one that may challenge boards. Visit the Health Center Resource Clearinghouse to see a new resource from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) that defines this planning. It also identifies obstacles to planning and offers solutions.


Value-Based Payment Learning Series

NACHC designed this learning series to meet health centers and their partners wherever they are along the value-based payment readiness continuum, whether that’s in the planning, implementing, or optimizing stage. This is for leadership and those who work in financial, clinical, or quality improvement roles. Visit the series page on NACHC’s website for details and registration.


New CDC Heat and Health Index

The Heat and Health Index — a complement to other recently released HHS heat-related tools — helps identify communities where people are most likely to feel the effects of heat on their health. It incorporates information on community characteristics, such as pre-existing health conditions, socio-demographic factors, and features of the natural and built environment. Visit CDC’s website to access the index.


USDA Summer Nutrition Program

USDA’s Summer Nutrition Programs for Kids

These USDA programs can help your health center tackle childhood hunger during the summer months. Families now have more choices and convenience to support their children and teens’ nutrition needs. The programs offer free summer meals for kids 18 and under and new grocery benefits for eligible school-aged kids. Visit USDA’s SUN Programs website to find out more and access campaign materials to get the word out in your community.


Behavioral Health

HRSA Program Ensures More Eligible SUD Disciplines for Loan Repayment

HRSA’s SUD Treatment and Recovery (STAR) Loan Repayment Program expands access to SUD treatment by extending loan repayment opportunities to providers such as bachelor’s-level SUD counselors, behavioral health paraprofessionals, and clinical support staff. The STAR Loan Repayment Program provides up to $250,000 to eligible health professionals in exchange for a six-year, full-time service commitment. Visit HRSA’s website to apply by 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 27.


Loan Repayment Available for Pediatric Specialty, Child, and Adolescent Mental Health Providers

HRSA's 2024 Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program is open to eligible clinicians who provide pediatric specialty care or mental health treatment and support to children and adolescents. Clinicians who commit to serving for three years at an approved site in a health professional shortage area, medically underserved area, or to providing care to a medically underserved population can receive up to $100,000 in loan repayment support. Visit HRSA’s website to apply by 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 9.


CDC State Tobacco-Related Disparities Dashboard

The state tobacco-related disparities dashboard, available on CDC's website, is an intuitive visualization platform. Use it to quickly explore cigarette smoking prevalence and related disparities in states by numerous factors. It can help you identify opportunities for improvement and action.


Naloxone 2.0 – Evidence-based Distribution Models

Join to learn best practices (including the best venues) for naloxone distribution and identify why needs-based naloxone is necessary to decrease overdose.

Thursday, June 13
1:00-1:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
**0.5 CE available for behavioral health professionals**


HIV

Ending Stigma through Collaboration and Lifting All to Empowerment

We’re collaborating with the National Minority AIDS Council and others on this webinar developed to help you recognize the signs and impact of stigma in health care. Participants will be provided with practical solutions from HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau-funded project ESCALATE on how to reduce stigma as a health care team.

Tuesday, June 11
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Hypertension

Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package

New Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package

Visit the Million Hearts website to download their Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package. This quality improvement guide is full of tools and resources gathered from and tailored for clinical teams caring for pregnant and postpartum women in outpatient settings. Share it with your colleagues and networks. Select at least one change idea to implement and collaborate with others to expand the reach of this important work.


Workforce

Creating Policies and Processes to Support Workforce Well-being

Join us to walk through key facets of just culture (a concept that promotes open and honest discussion of safety events to support continuous improvement), psychological safety, and tools to improve workforce trust and engagement. You will gain strategies to build an inclusive workplace, prevent harm and bias, and empower staff to identify inefficiencies and co-design solutions.

Wednesday, June 26
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Effective Onboarding for Workforce Well-being

Are you interested in identifying onboarding strategies for your organization? View our recent webinar, “Onboarding: The Beginning of Workforce Well-being,” then join our interactive office hour session to share your questions. Our experts will also address common challenges and share strategies. You will be able to identify at least one way to improve your organization’s onboarding process.

Thursday, June 27
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


HRSA Loan Repayment Programs for Behavioral Health Professionals

See the announcements above.


Additional Resources

Webinar Recording Available: Genital Herpes: Approaches to Diagnosis and Management

Our April 24 webinar for clinicians and other providers covered the epidemiology of genital ulcer disease (typically caused by genital herpes). Speakers used examples to teach recognition and assessment of genital herpes. They also addressed the limitation of serological testing, disease management, and prevention strategies. Complete our form to access the webinar recording.


Utilizing Pharmacotherapy to Manage Obesity and Overweight Conditions

Join our webinar to hear from experts on the benefits and risks of the six FDA-approved anti-obesity medications (including semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide). We will also highlight how you can use HRSA's 340B discount program to help patients access medications to help achieve and maintain a healthier weight.

Monday, June 10
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


AANHPIs Served at Health Centers

New Report: The Health of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Served at Health Centers: An Analysis of the 2022 UDS

The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations’ (AAPCHO) report examines patient demographics and use of health services at health centers serving Asian Americans (AAs) and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders (NH/PIs). It highlights the differences between the data for these centers and the national averages from the 2022 UDS data set. Download the report (PDF).


Community Health Center Strategies for Diabetes Prevention for Asian Americans

Community Health Center Strategies for Diabetes Prevention in AAs

AAPCHO’s report outlines considerations, context, and strategies for improving diabetes prevention among AA patients. The resources, tools, and promising practices come from health center participants and guest speakers from three learning collaboratives (2021-2023). The report includes quality improvement and prevention strategies that center cultural humility and person-centered care within and beyond the health center walls. Visit AAPCHO’s website to download.


In case you missed it:
Visit the Primary Health Care Digest archive.

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Training Calendar

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

Through June 11

HITEQ on the Horizon Series: What is the Future of AI in Health Centers? Roundtable
Hosted by the Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center
Tuesday, June 4
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

The Impact of Menopause on Women: Considerations for Health Care and the Workplace
Tuesday, June 4
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Establishing a Meaningful Quality Improvement Program
Hosted by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care
Tuesday, June 4
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page (free account registration required)

2024 UDS Changes
Wednesday, June 5
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Diversifying the Health Center Workforce: Elevating Cultural Humility & Equitable Care
Hosted by the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s STAR2 Center, Migrant Clinicians Network, and the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Wednesday, June 5
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Naloxone 1.0 – Get to Know Naloxone
Thursday, June 6
1:00-1:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
**0.5 CE available for behavioral health professionals**

Crafting Effective Trainings to Strengthen the Health Center Medical-Legal Partnership Workforce
Hosted by the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership (NCMLP)
Thursday, June 6
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Value-Based Payment Learning Series
Hosted by NACHC
Session 1: Planning for Volume-Based to Value-Based Payment Thursday, June 6
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Series registration page

Overcoming Common Challenges in Action Planning
Thursday, June 6
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease: Population Health Strategies to Improve Quality of Care and Reduce Cardiovascular Risk
Hosted by the National Center for Farmworker Health
Thursday, June 6
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Strategies to Improve Early Recognition of Pregnancy Associated Cardiomyopathy
Hosted by NACHC
Thursday, June 6
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Optimizando los programas de HRSA para desarrollar la fuerza laboral de salud latina/hispana (Leveraging HRSA Programs to Build the Latino/Hispanic Health Workforce — in Spanish, with live interpretation in English)
Monday, June 10
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Utilizing Pharmacotherapy to Manage Obesity and Overweight Conditions
Monday, June 10
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Ending Stigma through Collaboration and Lifting All to Empowerment
Tuesday, June 11
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

SDOH Screening for Children and Adolescents
Hosted by the School-Based Health Alliance (SBHA)
Tuesday, June 11
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

HITEQ Highlights: Integrating Patient Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure Within Office-Based Hypertension Management
Hosted by the HITEQ Center
Tuesday, June 11
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page


Upcoming

Post-partum Connections and Education
Hosted by Renaye James Healthcare Advisors
Wednesday, June 12
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Meeting the Needs: Aging Patients Facing Long-term Homelessness
Hosted by the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
Wednesday, June 12
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Retention Planning: Build It and They Will Stay
Hosted by the ACU’s STAR² Center
Wednesday, June 12
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Naloxone 2.0 – Evidence-based Distribution Models
Thursday, June 13
1:00-1:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
**0.5 CE available for behavioral health professionals**

Million Hearts Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring Forum
Co-hosted by NACHC and CDC (with CDC funding)
Thursday, June 13
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

NAP Funding Question and Answer Webinar (in English, with live interpretation in Spanish)
Thursday, June 13
1:00-2:15 p.m. ET
Registration page

Ditch the Pitch: Building Effective Messaging for Different Medical-Legal Partnership Audiences
Hosted by NCMLP
Thursday, June 13
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Supporting Transitions from Medical Respite Care: Roles for Providers and Community Partners
Hosted by CSH
Monday, June 17
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Health Center 2030: Five Critical Skills for Leading the Digital Transformation
Hosted by NACHC
Tuesday, June 18
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Emergency Preparedness in School-Based Telehealth
Hosted by SBHA
Tuesday, June 18
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Emergency Management Process
Tuesday, June 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Creating Policies and Processes to Support Workforce Well-being
Wednesday, June 26
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Effective Onboarding for Workforce Well-being
Thursday, June 27
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Empowering Communities: The Role of Health Centers in Addressing SDOH and Advancing Health Equity
Hosted by Capital Link
Thursday, June 27
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.