What's New
Deadline Reminder: Service Area Competition Applications for May 1 and June 1 Starts
Service Area Competition (SAC) HRSA-23-022 applications for May 1 starts are due in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) by 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 10.
SAC HRSA-23-023 applications for June 1 starts are due in:
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Grants.gov: Monday, November 14, by 11:59 p.m. ET.
- EHBs: Wednesday, December 14, by 5:00 p.m. ET.
Technical assistance (TA) materials are available on the SAC TA webpage.
TOMORROW: Special Edition of HAB You Heard: CMS Public Health Emergency Unwinding
HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) invites health center staff to join this session. Stephanie Costello of CMS will highlight how to prepare for the public health emergency (PHE) unwinding.* Other speakers will provide important monkeypox updates, highlight new tools and resources from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Special Projects of National Significance STI initiative, and feature a new recipient.
Wednesday, October 26
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
*HHS recently renewed the COVID-19 PHE declaration for another 90 days. The extension means that states must continue to maintain continuous coverage for Medicaid beneficiaries as a condition of receiving enhanced federal Medicaid funding. Medicare telehealth flexibilities continue as well.
Early Experience of the Quality Improvement Award Program in Federally-funded Health Centers
HRSA-funded researchers analyzed associations between health center characteristics and receipt of Quality Improvement Awards (QIA) from 2014-2018. Almost all participating health centers (99.7%) received at least one QIA during the study period, and health centers with Electronic Health Record (EHR) reporting and Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition earned higher award funding even after excluding bonus payments for these two capacities.
Although the QIA program has since evolved into other value-based funding mechanisms, the findings suggest that investments in EHR and PCMH recognition may have supported broader clinical quality improvement and that health centers are able to implement value-based payment initiatives to improve patient experiences and health outcomes. To read the published article, and other articles about quality care delivered by health centers, visit our Health Center Library.
National Advisory Council on Migrant Health Meeting
The National Advisory Council on Migrant Health (NACMH) will hold a two-day in-person meeting Wednesday, November 2, through Thursday, November 3. The event is open to the public. Visit the NACMH webpage to view the agenda.
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 (MSAW) and their families.
Fight the Flu
CDC’s new Vital Signs report underscores the importance of increasing access to vaccines and addressing vaccine confidence among racial and ethnic minorities. Their website includes information for health providers and resources you can use to encourage patients and others in your community to get vaccinated.
Monkeypox Updates
COVID-19
Novavax Monovalent COVID-19 Booster Update
On Wednesday, October 19, CDC recommended the Novavax monovalent COVID-19 booster for use in adults ages 18 years and older. See the CDC media statement.
This action allows adults the option to receive a Novavax monovalent booster, instead of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 bivalent booster, if they have completed their primary series vaccination but have not previously received a COVID-19 booster and if they cannot or will not receive mRNA vaccines.
See these CDC resources for more information:
COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine Booster One-Pager
We updated our Bivalent COVID-19 Booster One-Pager (PDF). It provides a quick look into who is eligible for the new bivalent booster vaccines, how to promote booster uptake in your communities, and how health centers participating in the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program can order them.
CDC recently recommended the Moderna COVID-19 bivalent vaccine and the pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 bivalent vaccine for use as a single booster dose in younger age groups. In addition, CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended updates to the 2023 childhood and adult immunization schedules to incorporate additional information for approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines. See the CDC statement.
Recording: COVID-19 Response Program Office Hours
Last week’s office hours highlighted important updates on the pediatric bivalent boosters. Watch the recording (password: VmpPSmz3) or see the slides (PDF).
Though some information may be geared toward COVID-19 Response Program participants, these sessions are open to all HRSA-supported health centers. Visit the registration page to register for the remaining 2022 sessions: Tuesday, November 15, and Tuesday, December 13.
Special and Vulnerable Populations COVID-19 Forum
HRSA-funded National Training and Technical Assistance Partners (NTTAPs) have extended this ongoing series. Please note, however, that previous registrations will not carry over.
Join to hear discussion of how COVID-19 has impacted health centers and the special populations they serve. Representatives from BPHC's Office of Quality Improvement, will provide up-to-date information about assistance for health centers.
Friday, November 18
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
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Behavioral Health
National AIDS Education and Training Center Program Resources for Clinicians Providing Care to People with Substance Use Disorders
The National HIV/AIDS Strategy Federal Implementation Plan (2022-2025) acknowledges people who inject drugs as one of several priority populations that continue to experience disparities across various HIV-related outcomes. Substance use and HIV care integration is one approach to provide comprehensive, person-centered medical services – yet clinics encounter differing challenges and opportunities when trying to implement an integrated model of care.
Speakers from HRSA and the HRSA-funded AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) National Clinician Consultation Center, in partnership with the AETC National Coordinating Resource Center, will share resources, like a new Substance Use Disorder Toolkit, and opportunities.
Wednesday, October 26
Noon-1:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
FDA/NIH Public Workshops on Medical Device Innovations and Opioid Use
These workshops will promote medical device innovation through discussions with stakeholders about important factors to inform the conduct of clinical studies for medical devices to diagnose, monitor, and manage individuals across the spectrum of opioid use, with a goal to foster the safe use of opioids.
Patients, caregivers, health care providers, and other stakeholders will share their perspectives on using opioids, living with opioid use disorder (OUD), and important features of clinical studies for novel devices designed to predict, diagnose, and monitor OUD as well as prevent overdoses.
Diagnostic and Monitoring Medical Devices for Opioid Use
Monday, November 7
10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
Risk Prediction Devices of Opioid Use and OUD – Opportunities and Challenges
Tuesday, November 8
10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET
Registration page
HIV
National AETC Program Resources for Clinicians Providing Care to People with Substance Use Disorders
See the announcement above.
Hypertension
Health IT Checklist for Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Software
The Health IT Checklist for Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Software (PDF) is a quick-reference guide that complements the National Association of Community Health Centers’ (NACHC) SMBP Implementation Toolkit (PDF). The checklist offers providers a way to quickly see which products meet their needs. It also highlights the specifications developers should integrate into their products to better align with provider needs.
The Public Health Informatics Institute created this checklist with CDC funding. Find other CDC-funded SMBP-related materials on their website.
NACHC is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Workforce
What Health Centers Can Do to Advance the Vital Role for Community Health Workers and Peers in SDOH Screening for Positive Outcomes
MHP Salud, the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) will highlight the value of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Peer Specialists in health centers through social determinants of health (SDOH) community connections. Featured resources will focus on strategies identified through the voice of lived expertise and education partners.
Wednesday, November 2
2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
The three host organizations are all HRSA-funded NTTAPs.
National Diabetes Prevention Program: Family Engagement in Public Housing Communities
Hosted by the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium (NNCC), this learning collaborative will showcase health centers implementing comprehensive and culturally competent strategies in diabetes prevention programming. Participants will explore best practices for increased patient, family, and community engagement and discuss SDOH and cultural competency in programmatic design and implementation. Content is tailored to health centers serving residents of public housing. View the registration page for more details or to apply by Friday, November 4. NNCC is a HRSA-funded NTTAP.
Telehealth
HRSA’s Office for the Advancement of Telehealth Newsletter
Find out about the latest telehealth updates, best practices, funding opportunities, research, and more. Sign up for email updates from HRSA’s Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. The most recent issue highlights resources for billing telebehavioral health services and a tip sheet featuring six ways for patients to take charge of their health.
Additional Resources
TOMORROW: CDC and HRSA Partner for Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention: Guidance for Clinicians
HRSA invites clinicians to join a webinar during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 23-29). Speakers will provide the latest information about preventing exposure to lead, testing, and medical management of children with lead poisoning. You’ll learn about CDC’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and more.
Wednesday, October 26
3:00-4:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Health Center Role in Housing Innovations: Coordinated Entry
Connections to housing for patients experiencing homelessness and housing instability is more urgent than ever. CSH’s new guide highlights opportunities and action steps for health centers to engage with their local homeless Coordinated Entry system and connect patients to housing resources they need.
Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults Living in Public Housing
Speakers will review the continued impact of social isolation and loneliness on the health and well-being of an aging population, particularly for those living in public housing. Participants will be able to understand disparities in social and mental health concerns experienced by older public housing residents; identify best practices for screening and documenting risk factors related to social isolation and loneliness; and implement strategies to increase social connectedness for older public housing residents.
Thursday, November 3
1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
Registration page
Hosted by the National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH) and the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders (NCECE), both HRSA-funded NTTAPs.
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