Expanded Hours Awards, CX Feedback Sessions, Today with Macrae Next Week

HRSA sent this bulletin at 01/14/2025 01:25 PM EST

HRSA Health Center Program Primary Health Care Digest

January 14, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles. We’re monitoring the impact, and are especially heartbroken to know several health centers have lost sites. That likely means that some staff have lost their homes as well. You have our sympathy and strength as you move forward despite pain and grief.

We also know that many of you are assisting those in need — after all, that’s what health centers do in a crisis. To you, we extend our deep gratitude. Please take care of yourselves even as you take care of others.

Sincerely,

Jim, Tonya, Onyeka
On behalf of all of BPHC

$60 Million Awarded to Health Centers to Add Early Morning, Night, and Weekend Hours

Today, HRSA announced a $60 million award to 125 HRSA-funded health centers to expand their hours of operation and improve access to health care services. Health centers that received this new funding will add an average of 20 hours of operation a week to support the critical clinical and administrative staff necessary to add early morning, night, and weekend hours. Read the press release.

See a list of awardees on HRSA’s website.

Awardees, access technical assistance (TA) for managing your award on the Manage the FY25 Expanded Hours Award webpage.

We Value Your Voice: Join Our Virtual CX Feedback Sessions

As part of our Customer Experience (CX) Transformation Initiative, we are committed to creating meaningful improvements in how we serve you and all our strategic partners. Your insights are vital to this effort.

We invite you to participate in one-on-one or group virtual sessions to share your experiences and provide feedback on your interactions with us. Visit the registration page to sign up! Slots are available until Friday, February 21.

We designed these sessions to be flexible and tailored to your schedule. Each conversation will be confidential and focused on understanding your unique needs and experiences. This is an opportunity to voice your perspectives, highlight what’s working well, and identify areas where we can grow. Your input will directly influence our plans to enhance our services.

National Health Center Training and TA Needs Assessment Presentation

Last fall, we invited you to complete the National Health Center Training and TA Needs Assessment. Join the National Association for Community Health Centers (NACHC) to hear about the results. Speakers will share the initiative’s background and key findings. The session also includes time for your questions.

Friday, January 31
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

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

What's New

NEXT WEEK: Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates

Join Jim and a special guest as we recognize Cervical Health Awareness Month and share the latest funding and program updates.

Thursday, January 23
3:00-4:15 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Join by phone: 833-568-8864
Webinar ID: 161 905 0795

TUESDAY: Deadline for Comments on Proposed 2025 UDS Changes

Comments on proposed changes to the Uniform Data System (UDS) instrument beginning with the 2025 performance year are due next Tuesday, January 21. Visit the Federal Register Notice website to learn more and submit your comments. (See last week’s Digest for information about 2024 UDS legacy reporting.)

Less Than One Month Left for Comments on Our Draft Scope Policy Manual

We need your input on our draft Health Center Program Scope of Project Policy Manual (Scope Policy Manual) (PDF) by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, February 10. Submit feedback via the BPHC Contact Form. The Scope Policy Manual consolidates and updates scope of project-related policies into a single, user-friendly resource for the first time. It clarifies expectations for providing care that maximizes efficiency, access, quality, and impact. See our bulletin from last month for more details.

Is Your Project Director Up to Date?

A health center’s leader (CEO or similar role) is typically identified as the Project Director (PD) in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs). If you don’t update EHBs when there’s a leadership change, it can delay your health center’s notice of time-sensitive requirements. To avoid late or unacceptable submissions — and a condition on your award — take time TODAY to review your PD and, if needed, submit a task in EHBs to make an update. Learn more in a bulletin.

HRSA Federal Grants Bootcamp

HRSA’s five-day bootcamp will help community-based organizations understand, apply for, and manage federal funding. Sessions are from 2:00-4:30 p.m. ET each day from Monday, February 3, through Friday, February 7. Whether you’re a current or prospective grantee, consider attending. Visit the registration page to learn more. HRSA’s Minority Colleges, Universities, and Community Colleges TA initiative hosts this bootcamp.

Cervical Health Awareness Month

THURSDAY: Improving Patient Engagement in Cervical Cancer Prevention

Join experts from HRSA’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau to learn about their new toolkit “Improving Patient Engagement in Cervical Cancer Prevention: Communication Toolkit for Health Centers and Safety-net Settings of Care.”

Thursday, January 16
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

The toolkit includes social media posts, posters, and a cervical screening follow-up card. Visit HRSA’s website to download the toolkit in English and Spanish.

NEXT WEEK: Learn About Our “Reducing Disparities in Cancer Screening Series”

Our new TA program, “Reducing Disparities in Cancer Screening Series,” can help you boost your cancer screening rates. It includes opportunities to earn CE and CME, join a community of practice, and learn to use evidence-based tools to reduce screening disparities. Join our webinar to get an overview of the program:

Wednesday, January 22
Noon-12:45 p.m. ET
Registration page

Advancing Cervical Cancer Screening and Implementation Strategies

Join us to hear from Dr. Margaret Gray, President and CEO of Family Health Care Clinic, about practical aspects of implementing an effective cervical cancer screening program. We’ll also hear from a gynecologic oncology expert on evidence-based screening guidelines and innovative approaches to cervical cancer prevention.

Thursday, January 30
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Behavioral Health

Join a Community of Practice

Editor’s note: Behavioral health professionals may earn CE for attending sessions. In previous issues, we incorrectly said the sessions offer CME.

Come learn from experts and peers about how to boost your behavioral health efforts in one of our eight-session communities of practice. Visit the registration page for each opportunity for dates, times, and more details.

Behavioral Health Strategies in Primary Care
We’ll discuss patient-centered care planning and consultations, strategies for enhancing cultural relevance in clinical practice, motivational interviewing practices, methods to support behavioral activation, and more. Visit the registration page.
A Behavioral Health Integration Primer for Health Centers
New to behavioral health integration or need a refresher? Experts will help you implement and sustain effective integrated care models for their care settings. Visit the registration page.
Strategies to Support School-Based Youth Behavioral Health
This opportunity is for school-based health center staff. Join to learn approaches you can use to build safe and affirming environments, train staff, enhance collaboration with community organizations, and promote positive peer relationships. Visit the registration page.

Incorporating Peer Support into SUD Treatment Learning Collaborative

Join the National Center for Health in Public Housing’s (NCHPH) four-week learning collaborative for an interactive review of promising practices, clinical interventions, and social services support recommended for people with a substance use disorder (SUD). Material will balance the clinical primary care and associated social services realms, including those directly relevant to program managers, community health workers, social workers, and nurses. Visit the application page for details.

Recruitment Boot Camp: Mental Health Staff Edition Learning Collaborative

Building on the success of the previous boot camps, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s STAR² Center team’s four-session learning collaborative will focus on the successful recruitment and retention of mental health providers. Visit the application page for details and to apply by next Monday, January 20.

Webinar Recording: Overview of Integrated Care Models, Structures, and Processes

Speakers introduced key models and strategies of integrated care, such as team-based care, collaborative care planning, and expanded staff roles. Watch the recording to explore how integrated care operates in real-world settings and learn about evidence-based health behavior interventions.

Workforce

Building a Trauma-Informed Workplace Culture

Join us for a case study on how AccessHealth integrated trauma-informed care principles into their organizational culture to enhance social support for staff. You will explore practical strategies and hear the challenges and outcomes from a health center colleague.

Tuesday, January 28
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

NTTAP Learning Collaboratives

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

Incorporating Peer Support into SUD Treatment
See the announcement above.
Recruitment Boot Camp: Mental Health Staff Edition
See the announcement above.

Oral Health

Community Engagement and Oral Health Access for Individuals in Public Housing

Join a webinar hosted by the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) and NCHPH to learn strategies for programs to connect people living in public housing to oral health care services. 1.0 CDE will be offered.

Thursday, February 20
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Additional Resources

TOMORROW: Facilitating Connections between Federally Qualified Health Centers and Housing Agencies

NCHPH and HUD invite you to join an interactive session that will explore partnership strategies and share a beta version of HUD’s new Locator Tool. It will include breakout rooms tailored to different collaboration stages to ensure you get information you can use.

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

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 January 21

2025 Documentation and Coding Webinar Series
Hosted by NACHC
Tuesdays, January 14 and 21
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Supporting Work-Life Balance During Staffing Transitions
Wednesday, January 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Facilitating Connections between Federally Qualified Health Centers and Housing Agencies
Hosted by NCHPH and HUD
Wednesday, January 15
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Infectious Disease Outbreaks and Impact on LGBTQIA+ People
Hosted by the New England AIDS Education and Training Center, in collaboration with the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Thursday, January 16
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Improving Patient Engagement in Cervical Cancer Prevention
Thursday, January 16
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Supporting and Understanding Tobacco Cessation Programs in Public Housing Primary Care Webinar Series
Hosted by NCHPH and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council
Thursdays, January 16 and 23
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

The Role of Health Centers in Reducing the Burden of Radon-Induced Lung Cancer
Hosted by the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium and NCHPH
Tuesdays, January 21 and 28
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Upcoming

Reducing Disparities in Cancer Screening Series
Wednesday, January 22
Noon-12:45 p.m. ET
Registration page

Congenital Syphilis Learning Series
Hosted by Health Outreach Partners and Migrant Clinicians Network
Wednesdays, January 22 and 29
1:00-2:30 p.m. ET
Registration page

Enhancing Oral Health Care Access with Community Health Workers
Hosted by NNOHA and MHP Salud
Thursday, January 23
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CDE available**

Medicaid and Housing-Related Services – What Health Centers Need to Know
Hosted by Corporation for Supportive Housing
Thursdays, January 23 and 30
2:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Thursday, January 23
3:00-4:15 p.m. ET
Join the day of the session
Join by phone: 833-568-8864
Webinar ID: 161 905 0795

A Systems Approach to Sustainable Integrated Behavioral Health
Tuesday, January 28
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 behavioral health CE available**

Building a Trauma-Informed Workplace Culture
Tuesday, January 28
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Securing a Strong Connection to High-Quality Telehealth for Older Adults
Hosted by the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders
Wednesday, January 29
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Advancing Cervical Cancer Screening and Implementation Strategies
Thursday, January 30
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Partnering with Legal Aid Providers to Improve Behavioral and Mental Health – Webinar Series: Part 1
Hosted by the National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership
Thursday, January 30
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

National Health Center Training and TA Needs Assessment Presentation
Hosted by NACHC
Friday, January 31
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

UDS Legacy Reporting Office Hour
Wednesday, February 5
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

How to Manage Acute Care Conditions in Pediatric Patients
Hosted by Renaye James Healthcare Advisors (RJHA)
Thursday, February 6
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CME available**

The Fourth Trimester, Part 1: Working Towards Positive Outcomes in the Postpartum Period Through Screening, Education, and Care Coordination
Hosted by RJHA
Wednesday, February 12
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CME available**

Pediatric Depression Screening: A Guide for Success
Hosted by RJHA
Thursday, February 13
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CME available**

An Overview of Diabetes Prevention Programs and Diabetes Self-Management Education Services Programs
Hosted by RJHA
Tuesday, February 18
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CME available**

Health Center Preparedness and Response Forum: Extreme Heat
Hosted by multiple NTTAPs
Wednesday, February 19
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page

Community Engagement and Oral Health Access for Individuals in Public Housing
Hosted by NNOHA and NCHPH
Thursday, February 20
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
**1.0 CDE available**

Webinars are hosted by HRSA unless otherwise noted.