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Contents
 Clinical
 
GPO
 Health Access
 Workforce
 Funding Opportunities
 Partner News & Events
Focal Point is NCCHCA's twice-weekly newsletter during COVID-19. Questions or suggestions about this newsletter? Email us. If you received this newsletter from someone else but would like to be added to our list, you can sign up here
Clinical

Webinar: Monkeypox Updates for Providers
TODAY, July 28 | 6:00pm – 7:15pm
(Register)

The NC Department of Health and Human Services is committed to ensuring that providers have timely and relevant information about the monkeypox outbreak and response efforts in North Carolina. NC AHEC is partnering with NC DHHS to hold a webinar to provide this information.  Providers will have an opportunity to hear information and ask questions to NC DHHS leaders regarding access to testing, treatment, and vaccines and other issues related to this outbreak.


NCDHHS Again Expands Eligibility for Monkeypox Vaccination, Encourages Steps to Reduce Spread

The North Carolina Department of Health and Humans Services has expanded the list of higher-risk people who are eligible to receive the monkeypox vaccine to help prevent spread in the state. Vaccinations to protect against monkeypox are now available for:

  • Anyone who had close contact in the past two weeks with someone who has been diagnosed with monkeypox, and

  • Gay or bisexual men or transgender individuals who report any of the following in the last 90 days:

    • Having multiple sex partners or anonymous sex

    • Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection

    • Receiving medications to prevent HIV infection (PrEP)

Read more from the July 25 press release.

GPO

AccuVax Helps NeighborHealth Provide Top-Tier Care to the Raleigh Community

With a sudden rise in patients and demand for vaccines, like hundreds of similar organizations, NeighborHealth Community Health Center needed to update how they stored vaccines, managed inventory, and kept up with compliance using only the team they had in place. That’s why in 2020, NeighborHealth turned to AccuVax by TruMed for its vaccine storage needs. With the help of AccuVax, NeighborHealth has been able to meet the challenges that come with ensuring the highest-quality care for the underserved community in Raleigh, North Carolina.

(Read the full AccuVax blog post)

Health Access

Murphy, Burgess, Herrell Introduce Bill to Permanently Expand Access to Telehealth Services for Rural America

On June 27, Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) was proud to vote YES on a crucial bipartisan telehealth expansion package which passed the House by a vote of 416-12. Among many provisions, legislation included a measure to extend telehealth services for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) by two years. 

In response to the temporary two-year telehealth extension, Reps. Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), Yvette Herrell (NV-02) and Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) introduced a measure to permanently codify these telehealth services for FQHCs and RHCs. While the two-year extension was important, it did not go nearly far enough.

“In my rural Eastern North Carolina district, access to telehealth is paramount – especially given today’s record-high gas prices and ever-increasing inflation,” said Rep. Murphy. “If there is anywhere in America where we should absolutely codify these telehealth policies, it’s in our rural communities." 

"We applaud Dr. Greg Murphy for recognizing that telehealth expands access and reduces barriers to care for Medicare patients, particularly patients facing challenges with access to transportation, work and family schedules, and travel times," said Chris Shank, President and CEO of the North Carolina Community Health Center Association. “By establishing permanent Medicare coverage for telehealth services provided by Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics, this bill will ensure that patients can continue to access high-quality care from their homes long after the Covid public health emergency ends.” 

(Read the full release.)
Gov. Cooper's Spokesperson Signals Hospitals Hold the Key to Passing Medicaid Expansion

Ford Porter, a spokesperson for the governor, said that Cooper and his staff “continue to talk with legislators and health care stakeholders about the importance of expanding Medicaid.” “It’s positive that both chambers now support expansion and right now hospitals hold the key to getting this done. We hope that parties can return to the table soon and work toward a deal,” Porter told The N&O via email.
(Read the full News & Observer article.)


Medicaid Expansion Advocates Gather for Vigil at NCGA as Short Session Opens

On July 26, 2022 the People's Budget Coalition held a vigil in front of the NC General Assembly to honor North Carolinians who have died in the health coverage gap, and to urge our lawmakers to expand Medicaid immediately. Dr. Joel Lutterman, Chief Medical Officer at Advance Community Health, spoke about the importance of Medicaid Expansion to Community Health Centers and the patients they serve. Dr.Lutterman's remarks are queued in the Health Action NC video at this link.


Factsheet on Health Care Options for Ukrainian Refugees
CMS recently published a factsheet on coverage options for refugees arriving to the United States from Ukraine. Certain Ukrainian nationals may be eligible for Medicaid, CHIP, and subsidized ACA Marketplace plans. Individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid or CHIP may be eligible for Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA), which is administered through state Medicaid programs. 
Workforce

NCCHCA Workforce Development Workgroup
August 24, 2022 | 10 AM ET
Click Here to Register
Join your CHC colleagues to share information, challenges, and best practices on workforce planning, development, and partnerships in your CHCs. Our August meeting will refocus our group on the practical nuts and bolts of strategic workforce planning and our collective work on this effort. We’ll continue with the next edition of Resiliency Reset, and highlight a potential training partnership opportunity.


Star² Center Guide: Best Practices for Adapting to Remote/Hybrid Workforce in Team Based Care
Click Here to Access
A new resource from ACU’s STAR² Center and the Health Information Technology, Evaluation, and Quality Center provides health center leadership with new approaches to support staff engagement, as well as ideas and best practices on how to adapt policies and procedures for this remote and hybrid workforce.

Funding Opportunities

HRSA Announces Availability of Nearly $15 Million to Expand and Support the Nursing Workforce
Registered Nurse Training Program
Deadline: August 19, 2022

This funding opportunity will provide awards totaling $4.75 million over three years to increase the number of nursing students trained in acute care settings, with an emphasis on addressing and responding to social determinants of health factors and improving health equity.

Clinical Faculty and Preceptor Academies Program
Deadline: August 22, 2022

This funding opportunity will provide awards totaling $10 million over four years to grow the nursing workforce by recruiting, training and supporting clinical nursing faculty and preceptors.


NEW: Department of Labor Growth Opportunities Round 2
Deadline for Round 2: October 5, 2022
Application Link

The Department of Labor (DoL) recently announced awards for Round 1 of the Growth Opportunities (GO) initiative. I am reaching out to you today to ask for your assistance in promoting the Round 2 GO competition (FOA-ETA-22-03).

GO aims to help youth avoid violence and build conflict resolution skills; introduce and prepare youth for the world of work; help youth identify career interests and attain skills and good work habits; and provide income to youth to start them on the path of earning living wages. The grant awards prioritize projects serving high-crime, high-poverty areas, as well as communities where students of color have disproportionate rates of expulsions and suspensions. For more information on this initiative, please see the GO overview.

DoL intends for approximately 50 percent of Round 2 funds to be awarded to applicants that have not received a previous Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) grant, subject to receiving sufficient fundable applications. We need your help reaching these organizations and making them aware of the GO Round 2 opportunity! Applications must be received by October 5, 2022, for Round 2 consideration.

Partner News and Events

Comments Requested: HHS Initiative to Strengthen Primary Care
Deadline: August 1, 2022
(Link)

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) seeks input from individuals; paid and unpaid caregivers; community-based organizations; health care providers; professional societies; community health centers and Rural Health Clinics; state, local, tribal, and territorial governments and public health departments; educators; academic researchers; global partners; health insurance payers and purchasers; health technology developers; and policy experts.  Respondents are asked to provide information on successful models or innovations that improve primary health care, as well as successful strategies to engage communities.


STAR2 Center Training Opportunity: Developing Clinical Leaders at Every Level
August 2, 2022 | 2:00-3:15 p.m. ET
Contact Narine Hovnanian to register.

ACU’s STAR2 Center will provide practical strategies to help health centers build leadership skills for all types of clinical providers in a training that is part of ACU’s 2022 Conference, “Resilience & Transformation in Care.” You’ll explore how to develop career paths and opportunities for advancement for rising clinical leaders. Join the training in-person in Washington, D.C., or online.


NACHC Health Center Advocacy Webinar: Engaging Frontline Staff in Advocacy
Thursday, August 4, 2022 | 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Click here to register

Midterm elections are in full swing and a busy year of #ValueCHCs advocacy lies ahead. Now is the perfect time to prep your advocacy action plan! Join us to learn about the current Congressional landscape and hear from fellow advocacy leader, Marina Abt at Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers in Cashton, WI. She’ll share tips on engaging frontline staff in the advocacy process, which was a key component of their success in becoming a Gold Advocacy Center of Excellence (ACE). This session is open to all advocates. Members of the Advocacy Leadership Program (ALP) will earn credit for attending. 


CHW Integration Technical Assistance and Coaching

NC AHEC Practice Support launched technical assistance services for practices interested in CHW integration and program optimization. An initial pilot for practices is underway, and we are actively recruiting for a second cohort for August 2022. 

Participating practices will receive evidence-based practice support coaching, resources and tools to help enhance your CHW program, and the opportunity to learn directly from AMH practice peers who are also working on CHW program implementation or optimization. These services are available at no charge. Visit the NC AHEC Practice Support webpage for more information, or contact them at practicesupport@ncahec.net if you are interested in participating.


Celebrate National Health Center Week
August 7-13, 2022
Register Your NHCW Event

We’re just 10 days out from the start of National Health Center Week (NHCW) and we are excited to celebrate the work and accomplishments of our Community Health Centers!

Key Reminders:

  • Enter your NHCW event details on this brief form if you haven't already so NCCHCA staff can help promote it and consider plans to attend. (We'll also submit your event to the NACHC HealthCenterWeek.org site for you.)
  • Invite a State Legislator, Member of Congress, or Candidate to your NHCW event. Use the NACHC template invitation letter.

To keep NHCW engaging and fun, NACHC has created several opportunities to get involved:

  • TikTok/video contest – highlight your passion and the innovative ways your CHC serves your community

  • Health Center Bingo – play to learn more about each other and the CHC mission; consider a CHC-wide contest or encourage staff to enter the national drawing

  • Vot-ER Resources – encourage staff, patients, board members, and community partners to register to vote with resources from Vot-ER

  • Door Cling – look for a special edition door cling that was mailed to your health center and post it in a prominent spot to spark conversation about the importance of CHCs as health care homes


2nd Annual Virtual Statewide Quality Forum
August 11, 2022 | 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Register

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Benefits and North Carolina AHEC, in conjunction with the five Medicaid managed care health plans, will host the 2nd Annual Virtual Statewide Quality Forum to help providers, practice managers, and quality managers succeed with Medicaid Managed Care quality initiatives. Join us for this informative session which will cover: 

  • Statewide Medicaid Standard Plan Metric Outcomes
  • AMH Metrics: Maximizing Data Capture
  • AMH Support

Attend Vot-ER’s FREE Virtual Civic Health Conference: Be Inspired. Build Community. Take Action
Friday, August 12 | 11 AM- 2:50 PM; Saturday, August 13 | 11 AM-2 PM
Sign up
The 2nd Annual Civic Health Conference, hosted by Vot-ER will be held on Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13. Explore the critical role healthcare professionals have in improving the health outcomes of patients through civic engagement. This conference is specially designed for physicians, nurses, social workers, and all professionals across the healthcare sectors to learn how to:

  • Integrate civic engagement into your healthcare practice

  • Build and mobilize teams at your institution

  • Gain practical guidance on how to earn leadership support at your institution

  • Explore techniques to expand civic programming at your organization


NEW: Advocacy Webinar Series from the NC Center for Nonprofits
August 16 & 30; September 13, 2022; 1:00-2:30 pm
(More information and registration)

Join the NC Center for Nonprofits for Making Your Nonprofit’s Case, the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits' new 3-part advocacy series, which will offer concrete tools for everyone to be an effective advocate for their cause.

  • August 16 – Making Your Nonprofit’s Case: Back to Basics – Define your nonprofit’s goals, audiences, and resources as you develop advocacy strategies and tactics to make your case with funders, policymakers, and other decision makers 
  • August 30 – Making Your Nonprofit’s Case with Storytelling – Study proven narratives and practical storytelling tools to make the case for your programs and mission 
  • September 13 – Making Your Nonprofits Case with Quantitative Data – Identify and track the data that supports the need for your programs and services.

Register for the full series or individual webinars. Registration for the full series begins at $60 and closes August 15. Registration for individual webinars begins at $25 and closes the day before each webinar.


Medicaid Managed Care Webinar Series
Every 3rd Thursday of the month | 5:30-6:45 PM

Hosted by Shannon Dowler, MD, Chief Medical Officer, NC Division of Health Benefits. Moderated by Hugh Tilson, Director of the NC AHEC Program. Register for sessions and access past archives on this webpage.
  • August 18, 2022 | Medicaid Hot Topics
  • September 15, 2022 | Medicaid Hot Topics
  • October 20, 2022 | Medicaid Hot Topics
  • November 17, 2022 | Medicaid Hot Topics
  • December 15, 2022 | Medicaid Hot Topics

2022 NACHC Community Health Institute (CHI) Conference & 340B Day in Chicago
August 28-30, 2022
Register
The NACHC Community Health Institute (CHI) and EXPO is the largest annual gathering of health center clinicians, executives, consumer board members, along with State and Regional Primary Care Associations and Health Center Controlled Networks. The conference is scheduled to kick off in Chicago, IL from August 28 to 30, 2022 at a time when health centers are charting a new course in a rapidly changing health environment and being called upon to assume a larger role in the nation’s health care system.


Save the Date for NCCHCA’s 2022 Clinical Conference: Breaking Down Barriers

October 20-21 | Winston-Salem

We look forward to welcoming you at our 2022 Clinical Conference, which will be a valuable opportunity for professional development and networking. Please mark your calendars for October 20-21 and be on the lookout for more details and a registration link coming soon. We look forward to seeing you there!

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