What's New

Compliance Tip: Collaborative Relationships

Provide documentation to meet the program requirement for Element c of Collaborative Relationships. If expanding your HRSA-approved scope of project, you must: Obtain letters or other appropriate documents that describe areas of coordination or collaboration with health care providers serving similar patient populations in the service area (health centers, rural health clinics, local hospitals including critical access hospitals, health departments, other providers including specialty providers, as applicable); or Document attempts to coordinate or collaborate with these health care providers on the specific request or application proposal if such letters or documents cannot be obtained. Reminder: To demonstrate compliance, the letters of support or other documentation must reference the change in scope request or application. See chapter 14 of the Compliance Manual for more. Our monthly tip series aims to help you maintain continuous compliance. Published in the final Digest issue of each month since June, we’ve done tips on sliding fee discounts, board composition, and more. Visit our online archive.

Behavioral Health Service Expansion Awards

Last week we announced the FY 2024 Behavioral Health Service Expansion (BHSE) awards. Read the press release on HHS’ website and find awardees on HRSA’s website. Awardees, access TA for managing your award on HRSA’s Manage the FY24 BHSE Award webpage. You can also register for a TA webinar: Thursday, October 3 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET Registration page We’ve published videos of two incredible patients sharing their personal behavioral health stories on our Health Center Stories website.

Upcoming 2024 UDS Reporting TA Webinars

We’re continuing our series of 90-minute TA webinars to support 2024 Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting. The first three October sessions will discuss reporting requirements for clinical quality measures across UDS clinical tables. Sessions take place from 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET on the dates below. See the flyer (PDF) for registration links and information on all the remaining sessions. UDS Clinical Tables Part 1: Screening and Preventive Care Measures Wednesday, October 2 UDS Clinical Tables Part 2: Maternal Care and Children’s Health Measures Wednesday, October 9 UDS Clinical Tables Part 3: Chronic Disease Management Measures Wednesday, October 23 Reporting UDS Financial and Operational Tables covers reporting requirements for Tables 8A (and FTE on Table 5), 9D (and insurance and managed care on Table 4), and 9E, and discusses common reporting errors including 340B pharmacy and managed care reporting. Tuesday, October 29

Deadline Reminder: FY 2025 BPR Non-Competing Continuation for March 1 Budget Period Starts

Budget Period Progress Report (BPR) submissions for Health Center Program award recipients with a March 1 budget period start date are due in EHBs by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, October 4. TA materials are available on the BPR TA webpage.

Risk Less. Do More. Get Ready for Fall Respiratory Virus Season

HHS recently launched a campaign to encourage vaccine uptake. Learn how you and your health center can help: Visit HHS’ Risk Less. Do More. campaign website for downloadable resources. Watch a recording of the September 16 webinar featuring CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen and launching the campaign. Reminder: In last week's Digest, we shared CDC’s COVID-19 and flu vaccination recommendations.

In Historic Step, HRSA Makes First Ever Multi-Vendor Awards to Modernize the Nation’s Organ Transplant System and End the Current Contract Monopoly

HRSA recently announced the first ever multi-vendor contract awards to modernize the nation’s organ transplant system to improve transparency, performance, governance, and efficiency of the organ donation and transplantation system for the more than 100,000 people on the organ transplant waitlist. Read the press release on HHS' website.

Notice of Pre-Application TA Webinar: State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives to Accelerate Implementation of Actionable Knowledge into Practice

AHRQ is developing a Healthcare Extension Service to accelerate the implementation of patient-centered outcomes research evidence through improvements in policy, payment, and practice. It also aims to reduce health care disparities, especially among people who receive Medicaid, are uninsured, or who are medically underserved. Visit the request for application website or register for a pre-application webinar.

Friday, September 27
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

National Hispanic Heritage Month

New Webpages in Spanish

We honor Hispanic Heritage Month and our commitment to making our vital content available in Spanish like these newly translated webpages:

• What is a Health Center? webpage (English version)
• Become a Health Center webpage (English version)

Join us in thanking the dedicated group of staff members working diligently to support this priority.

Access all HRSA’s Spanish-language web content via this online hub. Share your comments about it through the BPHC Contact Form (General/Other HRSA > Other Topics): Are these resources helpful? What would you like to see translated in the future?

En español:

Nuevas páginas web en español

Honramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana y nuestro compromiso de hacer que nuestro contenido vital esté disponible en español como estas páginas web recién traducidas:

• ¿Qué es un centro de salud? (versión en inglés)
• Conviértase en un centro de salud (versión en inglés)

Únase a nosotros para agradecer al dedicado grupo de miembros del personal que trabajan diligentemente para apoyar esta prioridad.

Acceda a todo el contenido web en español de HRSA a través de este centro en línea. Comparta sus comentarios al respecto a través del formulario de contacto de BPHC (General/Other HRSA > Other Topics): ¿Son útiles estos recursos? ¿Qué le gustaría ver traducido en el futuro?

Behavioral Health

Integration of Behavioral and Oral Health

The Journal of the California Dental Association’s May 31 issue focuses on the integration of behavioral and oral health. The guest editor and some authors are affiliated with the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA). The issue includes:

• A feature on health centers that have developed systems for conducting behavioral health screenings and referral management in dental settings.
• A review of the bi-directional relationship between behavioral and oral health.
• A framework for integration within predoctoral education.

Workforce

Managing Workload through Task Distribution, Staffing, and Scheduling

Join our 30-minute webinar to explore innovative strategies for improving your health center’s workload. We’ll feature research findings and success stories from experts in the field. Don’t miss your opportunity to learn practical approaches to mitigate staffing shortages and enhance team dynamics.

Thursday, October 3
3:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

NTTAP Learning Collaboratives

See the application pages for dates, times, and more information:

• HRSA Loan Guarantee Program
  Do you anticipate conducting a capital project in the next one to three years? Are you considering the benefits of HRSA’s Health Center Facility Loan Guarantee Program? Join Capital Link for guidance and tips on key elements and application requirements. You’ll learn about the application, approval, and loan closing process along with steps for successful capital project planning. Visit the application page to apply by THIS Friday, September 27.
  
  
• Prioritizing What Matters to Older Adults Living with Chronic Disease
  Experts from the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders will focus on age-friendly approaches to encourage the development and maintenance of healthy lifestyle behaviors in older adults. You will discuss special considerations for chronic disease self-management in an aging population, including physiological changes and social risk factors. Visit the application page to apply by Friday, October 18.
  
  
• Exploring CHW Sustainability Through Reimbursement Model Case Studies
  Explore sustainable funding for CHW programs by examining reimbursement models, enhanced integration within health care systems, and how CHWs improve health outcomes. You will learn different models and receive practical resources to ensure that CHWs can continue delivering essential services and advancing health equity within your community. Visit the application page to apply by Wednesday, October 23.

Oral Health

Integration of Behavioral and Oral Health

See the announcement above.

Additional Resources

2024-2025 National Health Center Preparedness and Response Forum: Emerging Issues

Multiple NTTAPs have joined together for this series intended for staff at health centers that serve special populations, such as agricultural workers, individuals experiencing homelessness, public housing residents, and other underserved groups including older adults, and Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) patients. This webinar is part one of a four-part series focused on promising practices and will offer strategies for addressing emerging issues; the registration page lists all the topics and session dates.

Wednesday, October 16
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Integrating Culture and Family in Diabetes Management of Social and Structural Impacts on Diabetes and Comorbidities Management for AANHPI Populations Learning Series

This self-paced learning series features case studies for interventions to support chronic disease management by AANHPI patients. The newly released module 5 features a discussion on integrating patients' cultural contexts and family dynamics to enhance diabetes care and improve health outcomes. Visit the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations' website for the series.

CDC’s New "Grow Up Healthy" Growth Chart

CDC's new "Grow Up Healthy" growth chart (PDF) features recommended immunizations and expected developmental milestones for babies/children ages 2 months to 5 years. Get up to 10 printed copies shipped to your health center for free. Email CDC and include:

• Health center name
• Mailing address
• Contact person name, email address, and phone number
• Quantity of growth charts you would like (max of 10 per health center)

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

Do you forward the Digest to others?
Encourage them to subscribe.

Training Calendar

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

Through October 1

Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Tuesday, September 24
3:00-4:15 p.m. ET
Join the session
Join by phone: 833-568-8864
Webinar ID: 160 886 0506

Mpox Surveillance, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Wednesday, September 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Strengthening Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Residency Programs through Academic, Clinical, & Community Partnerships
Hosted by Community Health Center, Inc.
Wednesday, September 25
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Teaching Health Center Primary Care Residency Fair
Wednesday, September 25
6:00-8:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

2024 National Healthy Aging Symposium
Co-hosted by the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and Trust for America’s Health
Thursday, September 26
1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Workforce Well-being in Health Center Strategic Plans
Thursday, September 26
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

UDS Clinical Quality Measures Deep Dive
Thursday, September 26
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

REACHing the Mental Health Needs of Agricultural Workers and Their Families (in English with live interpretation in Spanish)
Hosted by the National Center for Farmworker Health
Thursday, September 26
2:30-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

An Introduction to Anal Cancer and Anal Dysplasia Screening
Hosted by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Tuesday, October 1
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

HITEQ Highlights: Dashboard Design Guide Spotlight for Health Centers
Hosted by the Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality (HITEQ) Center
Tuesday, October 1
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

How Health Centers are Leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act
Hosted by the HHS Office of Assistant Secretary for Health
Tuesday, October 1
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Upcoming

Strengthening Behavioral Health Services for Hispanic/Latino Populations (in Spanish with live interpretation in English)
Wednesday, October 2
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

UDS Clinical Tables Part 1: Screening and Preventive Care Measures
Wednesday, October 2
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Managing Workload through Task Distribution, Staffing, and Scheduling
Thursday, October 3
3:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Communicating with and about People with Disabilities
Hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing
Wednesday, October 9
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Supporting IPV Survivors through Harm Reduction (Health Cares about Domestic Violence Day) (in English with Spanish and ASL interpretation)
Hosted by Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation
Wednesday, October 9
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

UDS Clinical Tables Part 2: Maternal Care and Children’s Health
Wednesday, October 9
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Expanding Access: Integrating Telebehavioral Health and Telehealth Solutions for Communities Served by Health Centers Series
Hosted by the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
Thursday, October 10; Thursday, October 17; and Thursday, October 24
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Babies Born with Congenital Syphilis: What Happens Next?
Hosted by Renaye James Healthcare Advisors (RJHA)
Wednesday, October 16
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

National Women’s Blood Pressure Awareness Week Resource Round-up Panel
Hosted by the HHS Office on Women’s Health
Wednesday, October 16
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

2024-2025 National Health Center Preparedness and Response Forum – Emerging Issues
Hosted by multiple NTTAPs
Wednesday, October 16
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Pediatric Dental Care: Building a Successful Program
Hosted by RJHA and NNOHA
Thursday, October 17
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Improve Health Care Delivery to Military Veterans
Hosted by the National Association of Community Health Centers
Thursday, October 17
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**CE available**

Integrating Behavioral Health into Pediatric Care, Part 1
Hosted by RJHA
Friday, October 18
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Caring for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth at Health Centers
Hosted by the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Wednesday, October 23
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

UDS Clinical Tables Part 3: Chronic Disease Management Measures
Wednesday, October 23
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Reporting UDS Financial and Operational Tables
Tuesday, October 29
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.