MACHC
Weekly E-Blast:  
Voicing the latest news on Communities in Need
In This Issue

Enrollment Period ends
 February 15, 2015!!!
Have news to share with us? Want to be featured on our next E-Digest? Want to read about something in particular? Please email us at aneeqa@machc.com. 

Let's Stay Connected
    
***This will be the last E-Blast this year. We will commence our weekly E-Blasts starting 
January 12, 2015.***
MACHC wishes you HAPPY & SAFE Holidays!
December 22, 2014
MACHC HAPPENINGS

MACHC EVENTS

NEW DATES:

Dates changed to accommodate for holidays and attendance of the maximum number of participants on call.

(2) Transformational Call (*bi-weekly) 

January 13th, 2015; 
January 27th, 2015;
10 am - 11 am
1-866-740-1260 Access Code: 4319483

To get on call listserv, email aneeqa@machc.com

Audience: MD and DE  Member FQHC Leadership

Topic:Discuss State and FQHC updates, trends, best practices, obstacles and issues. These are disc ussed and issues are brought to the respective official's attention. These topics are included in MACHC's advocacy efforts on behalf of FQHCs.

 

(3) TWO COMBINED WORKSHOPS in HALF A DAY!

Sliding Fee Scale Workshop 
by Feldesman Tucker's Marcie Zakheim (registration combined with FTCA registration)
Monday January 5, 2015
Time: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Place:  BECO Conference Center
10461 Mill Run Circle
Suite 110
Owings Mills, MD 21117
  • Key requirements and optional components of HRSA's SFDP policy (e.g., fee and sliding fee discount schedules, nominal fees, eligibility verification policies, and billing and collection policies), which was issued September 2014, and how they differ from previous policies / requirements.
  • Fundamental legal and operational implications, and the board's role in approval, of the SFDP
    Real-life scenarios and strategies for developing and implementing the SFDP that complies with the requirements and balances the dual purposes of ensuring access to care and maximizing revenue.
    Registration coming soon. Please SAVE THE DATE!
AND
Federal Tort Claims Act Training by Feldesman Tucker's Martin Bree
Monday, January 5, 2015
Time: 1 pm - 3pm

With FTCA Application deadline in March, 2015 just around the corner, MACHC brings you a comprehensive FTCA Training for member health centers and partners. During the TA, Marty Bree from Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell, LLP, will respond to questions related to the FTCA Program including, but not limited to, what the program covers, deeming process, gap insurance, etc...

The participants will:       
*Understand the underlying legal foundation of the health center FTCA program
*Be able to identify the significant gaps in coverage and how to overcome them
*Learn the options available to respond to denial of coverage
Price: MACHC Members: FREE
MACHC Non-Members: $125
Owings Mills BECO Conference Center
10461 Mill Run Circle
Suite 110
Owings Mills, MD 21117
  • OTHER EVENTS

    •  

    (1) Health Center Advocacy 101 webinar in Spanish

    Thursday, January 8th at 3PM ET 
    PLEASE NOTE THIS WEBINAR WILL BE CONDUCTED ENTIRELY IN SPANISH
    . If you or your friends, family, or colleagues speak Spanish and want to learn more about Health Center Advocacy or simply need a refresher, register for this webinar today. We'll go over the basics of Health Centers as well as the importance of advocacy along with some basic do's and don'ts. We will also discuss and take questions on current Health Center Advocacy issues including the Health Center Funding Cliff and NACHC's campaign to fix the cliff,
    Access is the Answer. Health Centers have a lot to fight for - make sure you are armed with the information you need to do all you can as a Health Center Advocate in a new year of challenges. You can click here to register, and don't hesitate to email grassroots@nachc.com
    with any questions.

     

     

     

    (2) 2015 NACHC Policy & Issues Forum

    Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC

    March 18-22, 2015

     

    Emergency Preparedness Events: 

     

    SAVE THE DATE: Assisting two FQHCs with Planning for Onsite Drill/Exercise in February 5th & 6th, 2015. The FQHC sites are Community Clinic Inc in Silver Spring, MD (2/5/15) and Family Health Centers of Baltimore in Baltimore, MD (2/6/15) from 8 am - 1 pm.  

     

    FDA updates on saline drug shortage

    0.9% sodium chloride injection (normal saline), B. Braun Medical Inc. of Bethlehem, Pa., will temporarily distribute normal saline in the United States from its manufacturing facility in Germany. FDA is temporarily exercising its discretion regarding the distribution of B. Braun's saline product from Germany, in addition to Baxter's saline product from Spain and Fresenius Kabi's saline product from Norway, to help address this critical shortage, which poses a serious threat to patients.

    FDA inspected B. Braun's facility in Melsungen, Germany where its normal saline product is made to ensure the facility currently meets FDA standards. FDA asks that health care professionals contact B. Braun directly to obtain the product. 

    In addition to this source of normal saline as well as B.Braun's normal saline that is manufactured in the U.S. , FDA will continue working with Baxter Healthcare Corp., Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC., and Hospira Inc. while they continue distributing their respective saline products and  seek to restore their supply of normal saline for U.S. hospitals and health clinics.

    While the shipments described above continue to help reduce current disruptions, they will not resolve the current shortage of 0.9% sodium chloride injection.  Preventing drug shortages

    is a top priority for the FDA, and we are doing everything within our authority to alleviate this and other drug shortages.

     

    Question: On the Public Health and Healthcare Systems Emergency Planners Ebola Update conference call, there was a discussion regarding reimbursement for expenses incurred for Ebola.  Reimbursement is for devoted time to Ebola.  Discussion was directed to hospitals and Departments of Health.  Is there is any reimbursement for FQHC's/health centers because a few of our health centers have devoted much time, money and effort towards ebola training? Should this reimbursement come from the State or does it have to come out of the HPP Funds provided to the PCA?

     

    Answer: The reimbursement is not a sure thing at this time. This will only happen if there is a federally declared emergency which will activate the Stafford Act. We are just encouraging our partners to track expenses in the event that there is a  federally declared emergency due to Ebola response.  Please refer to the link below to learn more about the Stafford Act.

     https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/15271?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3564 

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    BPHC All-Programs Webcast Recording and Ebola Presentation

    The All Programs webcast recording is now available for viewing. The webcast provided updates to all BPHC programs (Grantees, Look-Alikes, Cooperative Agreement Partners - NCAs, PCAs, and BPHC Staff) on current BPHC activities and future plans for Fiscal Year 2015. The Ebola Presentation featured speakers from other federal agencies who presented on current Ebola response activities.

     

    Updated Health Care Resources for Suspected Cases of Ebola Virus Disease 

    HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HRSA, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) continue to work with other U.S. government agencies, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other domestic and international partners in an international response to the current Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The following Ebola resources, among others, are also available for use: 

     

  • Timeline of What's New 
  • Latest CDC Outbreak Information
  • Determining Risk of Ebola Transmission in Healthcare and Community Settings
  • Video & Slides: What you REALLY needs to Know about Ebola
  • Factsheet: Why Ebola is Not Likely to Become Airborne (pdf)
  • Top 10 Things You Really Need to Know about Ebola (pdf)
  • Audio Replays and Transcripts of Ebola past Calls and Webinars.
  • View all CDC Ebola updates and resources.
  • View all ASPR Ebola updates and resources

    •  

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     

    ATTENTION MD FQHCS 

     

    1. MACHC's Table Top Exercise (see slides attached) After Action Report Improvement Plan (AARIP). Please find AARIP attached here. Additionally, the Situational Manual discussed during the discussion is attached here. 

     

    2. DHMH Satellite Phone Recall FQHCs that still have the satellite phones distributed by DHMH 4 years ago, please send them back to: 
    L. Kay Webster, MPH

    Office of Preparedness & Response

    Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

    300 W. Preston Street, Ste. 202

    Baltimore, MD  21201 

    3. Please get in touch with your Regional Coordinators if you have not already done so and be more active in your Regional Coalition. You should already have their contacts in emails I have sent within this year numerous times. Please find them below: 

     

    Regions I and II Health Care Coalition 

    [Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington Counties]

    Alison Robinson

    Allegany County Health Department

    12501 Willowbrook Road
    Cumberland, MD  21502
    301-759-5238 (Office)

    443-934-2232 (Mobile)

    301-777-2069 (Fax)
    alison.robinson@maryland.gov 

     

    Region III  Health and Medical Task Force

     

    [Baltimore City; Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties]

    Edward Johnson

    Harford County Health Department

    120 S. Hays Street, Suite 230
    Bel Air, MD  21014 
    410-877-1031 (Office)

    443-388-6290 (Mobile)

    410-420-3448 (Fax)
    edward.johnson@maryland.gov

     

    Region IV -

    [Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties]

    Aniket Telang

    Kent County Health Department

    A.F. Whitsitt Center

    300 Scheeler Road

    P.O. Box 229
    Chestertown, MD  21620

    410-778-4861 (Office)

    443-690-3091 (Mobile)

    aniket.telang@maryland.gov

     

    Region V  Emergency Preparedness Coalition

    [Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's Counties]

    Kamelah Jefferson

    Prince George's County Health Department

    9201 Basil Court, Suite 318

    Largo, MD  20774

    301-883-7632(Office)

    443-462-0230 (Mobile)

    kamelah.jefferson@maryland.gov 

     

     

    4. Find ATTACHED (Please click here) the guide was developed to provide hospitals in California with a useful tool for developing and implementing effective respiratory protection programs, with an emphasis on protecting health care workers from aerosol transmissible diseases. It was prepared by the Occupational Health Branch (OHB) of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) with funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOS H) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL).  It sure looks like something that we can perhaps modify for Maryland.  
    Also attached, you will find the template for setting up a respiratory protection program in hospitals.  

    5. SAVE THE DATE: Assisting two FQHCs with Planning for Onsite Drill/Exercise in February 5th & 6th, 2015. The FQHC sites are Community Clinic Inc in Silver Spring, MD (2/5/15) and Family Health Centers of Baltimore in Baltimore, MD (2/6/15) from 8 am - 1 pm. 
    N95 Masks POD (training) are in the horizon after the drill and release of After Action Report.

    6. Quality Improvement and Ebola webinar was Dec 2nd. How did you feel about it? Please send comments/suggestions to Judy Litchy-Hess.
     
    *** Look for the latest EP related updates RIGHT HERE!
    MACHC SPOTLIGHT

    Walnut Street Community Health Center held a ceremony on Monday, December 15, marking the launch of a capital project to renovate an unoccupied office building in Hagerstown (MD) to become a state-of-the-art healthcare facility. Earl Stoner, Board President, speaks to guests about the move to the new site and the change in name to Family Healthcare of Hagerstown.

     

     

     

    Access is the Answer Phase Two Continues

    Health Center Advocates should begin reaching out to newly elected Members of Congress and continue strengthening relationships with current Members in the months to come. Take these three simple action steps as part of phase two of Access is the Answer to demonstrate to your Members the outpouring of support for Health Centers and to help secure a fix to the Health Center Funding Cliff: 

    1) Collect Local Support Letters from state and local elected officials and community partners.

    2) Place an editorial in a local media outlet regarding the cliff and its impact in your community.

    3) Meet with Members of Congress and educate new Members about Health Centers and the cliff.

    If you missed the national TeleForum launching Phase Two of Access is the Answer, check out the transcript and recording of the call. You can find more information on the Campaign for America's Health Centers website. 

     


    Have you checked out the NEW MACHC website?

    ***If there are any job openings at any of MD or DE health centers, please email them to us at junaed@machc.com to be posted on our website.
    Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
    National News

    FY 2015 Spending Package Clears Senate; Heads to President for Signature

    Last week, the Senate passed the FY 2015 omnibus appropriations bill by a vote of 56-40. The spending package includes $5.1 billion in total funding for the Health Centers program in FY 2015. While this concludes the annual funding process for FY 2015, it does not address the Health Center funding cliff which will occur absent Congressional action before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2015. It is imperative, given the time crunch and field of competing priorities in the new Congress, to continue to advocate for action around the pending expiration of the Health Center Fund. The spending package now heads to the President's desk for signature. NACHC's press release on the legislation can be viewed here.

    State Round-up: Conversations about Medicaid Expansion Gain Momentum

    Since November's midterm elections, there has been a flurry of Medicaid expansion activity in the states. A great deal of debate in these states is expected before waiver applications land at CMS. However, if successful, the poorest populations in another five states could gain Medicaid coverage

    HRSA Issues Revised Site Visit Guide to Include Requirements from New Policies

    NACHC Collecting Health Center Stories to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Health Centers Program

    Starting early next year, Community Health Centers will celebrate 50 years as a vital movement in expanding access to care to millions of people nationwide. NACHC will host anchor events and a communications campaign with the goal of celebrating the people and achievements of the Health Center Movement and bringing attention to the value of Health Centers to the American healthcare system, particularly as the threat of the funding cliff draws nearer. For its communications efforts, NACHC is identifying Health Center stories that showcase the value of Health Centers and the immediate threats they face with cliff. Please send your stories and examples along with a brief description of a story as well as your and your center's contact information, location, and state to NACHC's communications team at asimmons@nachc.org and mballantyne@nachc.org

    The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), in collaboration with Hudson Headwaters Health Network/Pharmacy Services, has developed a 340B Program Toolkit intended to provide training and technical assistance to health centers participating in or considering the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program.

    Counting costs: New rule asks vending machine operators to post calorie data

    By 2016, vending businesses will be required to comply with a new regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. The regulation will require vending companies to post calorie information for each vending item. This new regulation has earned some praise from companies, while other companies are discouraged by the idea of the new regulations because it will potentially cost them more money.

    Dr. Thomas Frieden is visiting West Africa this week to see what measures need to be taken to find new Ebola cases and isolate them. Since February, there have been nearly 18,000 deaths from Ebola worldwide and more than 6,000 deaths. "Even in this epidemic, we are stopping individual outbreaks. The challenge is doing it at a scale and with a speed that we've never done before," said Frieden. 

     

    Senate narrowly confirms new surgeon general

    On Monday, the Senate approved Dr. Vivek Murthy to be the new U.S. surgeon general. There was some opposition to him based on his political advocacy around gun control, while others are glad to have that position represented in the public health discussion.  

    A ProPublica analysis of Medicare data and the doctors who prescribe narcotics the most often showed worrisome data. In 2012, 12 of the top 20 doctors who prescribed these medications faced charges from the state medical board or criminal charges related to their practice. Within the past year, Medicare has started using data to analyze and identify doctors who may not be prescribing drugs in an ethical manner. 

    In a 15 year study, Dutch researchers studied the benefits and risks to women in different age groups from taking aspirin to reduce cardiovascular disease and some cancers. The researchers concluded that for women over the age of 65, the benefits outweighed the risk, but for women under age 65, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding outweighed the benefits.  

    HHS Awards $36.3 Million for Health Center Quality Improvement

    Last Tuesday HHS Secretary Burwell announced the release of over $36 million in ACA money to reward Health Centers with achievements in chronic disease management, preventive care, and EHR use to report quality data. The funding will go to 1,113 Health Centers in all 50 states.
    FY 2015 Appropriations Package Released

    With the current short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) set to expire at midnight tonight, Congressional negoiators released a FY 2015 spending package Tuesday night. The bill, known in DC as the "CRomnibus", includes 11 of the 12 full spending bills for FY 2015 with the exception of the Department of Homeland Security, which would be funded through February 27th on a short-term basis. The spending bill includes NACHC's requested $1.4 billion increase in funding through the Health Center Fund. In FY 2015, $5.1 billion in funding will be available for the Health Centers Program. However, the longer term shortfall known as the "Primary Care Cliff" was not addressed as part of the package and will have to be addressed next year. NACHC's statement on the legislation can be viewed here, and a more detailed rundown of what's in it and prospects for passage can be found here.

    35 U.S. Hospitals Designated as Ebola Treatment Centers
    CDC and state health officials have identified and designated 35 hospitals as Ebola treatment centers, with more expected in the coming weeks. Ebola treatment centers have been assessed to have current proficiencies, training and resources to provide the complex treatment necessary to care for a person with Ebola while minimizing risk to health care workers.

    $1.1 Trillion FY 2015 Spending Package Heads to President for Signature

    Over the weekend, the Senate passed the FY 2015 omnibus appropriations bill by a vote of 56-40. The spending package includes $5.1 billion in total funding for the Health Centers Program in FY 2015. While this concludes the annual funding process for FY 2015, it does not address the health center funding cliff which will occur absent Congressional action before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2015. It is imperative, given the time crunch and field of competing priorities in the new Congress, to continue to advocate for action around the pending expiration of the Health Center Fund. The spending package now heads to the President's desk for signature. 

     

    Scope Alignment Validation Update

    BPHC has completed the last phase of administrative changes to Form 5A: Services, consistent with the actions and the timeline described in the Scope Alignment Validation Follow-up Actions document (pdf) on the  BPHC Scope of Project webpage. Some health centers will need to take further action to make corrections to their Forms 5A and/or 5B in cases where BPHC was not able to make a requested change. 
    State News
    DELAWARE

    Office of Drinking Water ensures safe drinking water for Delaware 

    The Delaware Division of Public Health's (DPH) Office of Drinking Water (ODW) enforces the Safe Drinking Water Act and regulates about 490 public water systems, ranging from community water systems that serve cities, towns, and developed areas, to small day care facilities, schools, and convenience stores served by private wells.
    Most community water systems collect their own water samples and report the results to ODW monthly. DPH staff review all reported sample results to determine if water systems are in compliance.
    If a water system exceeds a regulated maximum contaminant level, it must notify its customers about the violation. The notification must identify potential health risks, recommend consumer action, describe corrective efforts, and provide a contact's name and phone number.
    For more information, visit the ODW website at

    www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/hsp/odw.html.

     

    Flu vaccine may not work; 'severe' season expected

    With word that this year's flu vaccine won't protect people from one of the strains out there, Delaware health officials are urging everyone to take extra precautions.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday a mutated form of the H3N2 virus has been reported in almost all states, and the flu vaccine on the market does not prevent it from spreading.

    There have been seven hospitalizations so far this flu season in Delaware. Of the 168 confirmed flu cases, Division of Public Health officials estimate that about 85 were caused by H3N2. They aren't sure Friday whether the hospitalizations were related to the mutated strain.
    MARYLAND

    With the Ebola death rate climbing and scares across the country, it raises an important question: How prepared is your state to handle an outbreak?

    A report from Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that Maryland tied in first place for not just best prevention, but detection, diagnosis, and response to outbreaks as well.
    Finance & Business

    Small businesses with 50 workers or less provide health care coverage to about 20 million people in the U.S. Due to the cost, many of them are going to stop providing coverage in favor of using the health exchanges. However, some small companies are taking advantage of rules which will allow them to keep their insurance plans which were in place before the Affordable Care Act was implemented. 
     

    The
    Latest News on ACA
     
    OUR WORK IS NOT OVER


     

    Upcoming health center O/E QPR dates are the following:

    Thursday, January 1, 2015: HC O/E QPR available in EHB

    Monday, January 12, 2015: QPR deadline

    Monday, January 26, 2015: HC O/E QPR data to be emailed to PCAs

    A recording of the call, held on November 20, 2014, is available at:


     

    Outreach and Enrollment (O/E) Resource of the Week: #GetCovered Recipe Card  

    There's a good chance it'll take less time to apply for health coverage than to make a holiday dinner. Share this recipe card with those who need coverage sign-up. The Marketplace gives consumers up front information about plan premiums, design and financial assistance. Consumers should complete an application or update their information, and make sure they have the most financial help possible.
     
     

    Assister Winter Webinar Schedule

    Below is a list of dates for upcoming assister webinars.  Additionally, please note that there are no webinars scheduled for Friday, December 26, 2014 (the day after Christmas) and for Friday, January 2, 2015 (the day after New Year's Day).

    Upcoming Webinar Schedule:

    •  
    • Friday, December 12 at 2:00 pm EST
    • Friday, December 19 at 2:00 pm EST
    • Friday, December 26 - NO WEBINAR SCHEDULED 
    • Friday, January 2 - NO WEBINAR SCHEDULED
    • Friday, January 9 at 2:00 pm EST
    • Friday, January 16 at 2:00 pm EST
    • Friday, January 23 at 2:00 pm EST
    • Friday, January 30 at 2:00 pm EST 

       


    Updated Health Center Outreach and Enrollment Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) Resources 

    Health Center Outreach and Enrollment QPR updates for the 2015 enrollment period were highlighted in BPHC's FY 2015 QPR presentation. BPHC has also updated QPR Frequently Asked Questions. For additional assistance, please visit BPHC's Outreach and Enrollment webpage or email bphc-oe@hrsa.gov. 


     

    Marketplace Eligibility 201


    NEW Reminder: Marketplace Call Center and SHOP Call Center Hours
    • Health Insurance Marketplace Call Center: For customer service support, to start or finish an application, compare plans, enroll or ask a question.
      1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).  Available 24/7. Closed Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
    • SHOP Call Center: For customer service support, including assisting employers and employees apply for and enroll in SHOP.
      1-800-706-7893 (TTY: 711).  Available M-F 9:00am-7:00pm ET.  From November 15, 2014 -December 31, 2014 open on weekends from 9:00am-5:00pm
    Transformational Team Talk & Outreach Upates

    Maryland--Call Center Note:

    Direct Line for Navigators and CAC to MHBE Call Center--Regarding the Call Center # 844-224-6762 It should be noted that: If you need customer assistance from the call center, CAC's should call this number.

      

    REMINDERS for your consumers:

    Dates to Know

    Starting Nov. 9: Compare plans and prices at the all-new MarylandHealthConnection.gov

    Starting Nov. 15: Get in-person help enrolling. Look for details soon.

    Starting Nov. 19: Enroll on your own online at MarylandHealthConnection.gov

    Dec. 18:  Deadline to apply for financial help with your plan that starts Jan 1. Create a new account and application by Dec. 18 or any financial help you received in 2014 will end, and your coverage will continue at the new, full price. Learn more here.

    (Enrolled in Medicaid? You'll be contacted to renew.)

    Feb. 15: Open enrollment ends for 2015

     

    5 Steps to Stay Covered

    1) Review: Plans change, people change. Review your coverage and look for a letter from your plan about how your benefits and costs may change next year.

    2) Update: Starting Nov. 19, go to MarylandHealthConnection.gov and create a new account and application (even if you had one in 2014). Make sure your household income and other information are up-to-date for next year.

    3) Compare: Compare your current plan with other plans that are available in your area.

    4) Choose: Select the health plan that best fits your budget and health needs.

    5) Enroll: Make sure to apply and choose your plan by Dec. 18 to have any financial help you qualify for start Jan. 1.

    Then be sure to pay your insurance company's bill by the first day of the month you have coverage.
    Grants & Funding Opportunities


    HRSA began issuing FY 2014 base adjustments last week for health center grantees in accordance with program statute and the FY 2014 budget as enacted by Congress. Health Center grantees should see new Notice of Awards in EHB in the near future. To compute base adjustments, HRSA is using a base amount for all grantees, and providing additional amounts based on each cCenter's total patient population, uninsured patient population and Patient Centered Medical Home recognition status.

     

    Reminder: Outreach and Enrollment (O/E) Ongoing Funding 

    Health centers that received O/E grant funds in July 2013 have already received the ongoing O/E funds in their base award to cover the months between July 1, 2014 through the end of their FY 2014 budget period. Health centers should be preparing for the upcoming open enrollment period that begins on November 15, 2014. Contact bphc-oe@hrsa.gov with any questions or concerns related to O/E.

     


         Federal Surplus Personal Property Program 

    Application Deadline: None  

    Eligible state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations, including health centers, can obtain property that the federal government no longer needs through the Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program.

     

    BJ's Charitable Foundation

    Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
    Funding for hunger prevention, self-sufficiency, healthcare, and education to those who are underserved. 
     
    Application Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
    Provides seed funding to emerging nonprofits, or to new projects of established organizations in the areas of education; environment; health and human services; and hunger and nutrition. Pennsylvania is one of 13 eligible states.
     
    Application Deadline:  Applications Accepted on an Ongoing Basis
    The Community Response Fund supports organizations, activities, and events that address access to needed oral health care and community resources that improve oral health. Programs that address an immediate response to an urgent issue that impacts access to clinical care, provide short-term access to needed care for the underserved, or sustain organizations experiencing short-term challenges are the focus. A limited number of program concepts that provide longer term solutions or essential services for particularly underserved populations will also be considered. The program will also support Missions of Mercy clinics.

    The next NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Application Cycle is expected to open in January 2015. To expedite the application review process, potential applicants and facility administrators are encouraged to have the eligibility of their current facility location reviewed for participation in the NURSE Corps LRP Eligible NURSE Corps sites or Critical Shortage Facilities (CSFs) are defined as a health care facility located in, designated as, or serving a mental health or primary medical care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).

    Potential applicants and facility administrators may submit their facility information toCSF_Request@hrsa.gov beginning November 6 through December 2, 2014. Notification of facility eligibility will be confirmed by December 31, 2014 via email.

    When submitting a health care facility to the NURSE Corps LRP for consideration, please provide the following information:

    1. Name of the facility and its specific location (i.e., satellite facility cannot use main facility address)
    2. Full mailing address of the facility  including street address, City, State, and Zip code 
      (Do not use P.O. Box)
    3. Facility profit status; Refer to pages 8-9 of the 2014 NURSE Corps LRP APG for a complete list of eligible facilities.
       

    If you have any questions about this process, you may contact our Customer Care Center at 1-800-221-9393 Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays), 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
    Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Corner 

    The VA Releases New Resources

    The Department of Veterans Affairs has been busy working on the implementation of the Veteran's Choice Act, passed into law earlier this summer. It recently released two fact sheets on key programs aimed at providing increased access to primary care: the Veterans Choice Programand thePatient Centered Community Care Program (PC3). 

     

    Report Offers Advice on Behavioral Health Integration in PCMHs

    The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS) recently released Advancing Behavioral Health Integration Within NCQA Recognized Patient-Centered Medical Homes to support safety-net providers across the country in gaining recognition under the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Program. The report details the specific elements of behavioral health required in PCMH recognition.

    Clinical Quality 

    Updated HIV Prevention Guidelines 

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with HRSA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published a new evidence-based guideline, Recommendations for HIV Prevention with Adults and Adolescents with HIV in the United States, 2014. The recommendations comprise an all-in-one set of comprehensive interventions for clinical providers, nonclinical providers, as well as staff of health departments and HIV planning groups focused on optimizing health outcomes for people with HIV and reducing their risk of exposing others to HIV.
     

    Maternal Child Health Evidence-Based Resources

    A new resource, Identifying and Using Evidence-Based/Informed Resources to Address MCH Issues, is now available for health professionals and students to help them identify and use evidence to address maternal and child health (MCH) issues. The selected trainings, produced by the MCH Navigator at Georgetown University, includes descriptions of and links to conference and webinar archives, interactive modules, online courses, and presentation slides. 

    Health Observances This Week

    Safe Toys & Gifts Month


     

    According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 251,700 toy-related injuries in 2010 throughout the United States. 72% were to people less than 15 years of age. Additionally, in 2007 alone, toymakers recalled over 19 million toys worldwide because of safety concerns such as lead paint and small magnets.

    When it comes to toys and gifts, the excitement and desire to get your children their favorite toys may cause shoppers to forget about safety factors associated with them. Before you make these purchases, it is critical to remember to consider the safety and age range of the toys.

    Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month.  The group encourages everyone to consider if the toys they wish to give suits the age and individual skills and abilities of the individual child who will receive it, especially for infants and children under age three.

    This holiday season (and beyond), please consider the following guidelines for choosing safe toys for all ages:

    • Inspect all toys before purchasing. Avoid those that shoot or include parts that fly off. The toy should have no sharp edges or points and should be sturdy enough to withstand impact without breaking, being crushed, or being pulled apart easily.
    • When purchasing toys for children with special needs try to:  Choose toys that may appeal to different senses such as sound, movement, and texture; consider interactive toys to allow the child to play with others; and think about the size of the toy and the position a child would need to be in to play with it. Consult the "AblePlay" website at http://www.ableplay.org/ for more information.
    • Be diligent about inspecting toys your child has received. Check them for age, skill level, and developmental appropriateness before allowing them to be played with.
    • Look for labels that assure you the toys have passed a safety inspection - "ATSM" means the toy has met the American Society for Testing and Materials standards.
    • Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (give a helmet with the skateboard)
    • Keep kids safe from lead in toys by:  Educating yourself about lead exposure from toys, symptoms of lead poisoning, and what kinds of toys have been recalled; being aware that old toys may be more likely to contain lead in the paint; having your children wash their hands frequently and calling your doctor if you suspect your child has been exposed to lead. Consult the last two websites listed below for more information.
    • Do NOT give toys with small parts (including magnets and "button" batteries which can cause serious injury or death if ingested) to young children as they tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the piece can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for kids under age three.
    • Do NOT give toys with ropes and cords or heating elements
    • Do NOT give crayons and markers unless they are labeled "nontoxic".

    For more information:

    • Call Prevent Blindness America at (800)331-2020
    Has your FQHC joined the National Branding Campaign?

     

    With more than 43 billion people  eligible to enroll in private insurance starting this October 1, FQHCs strive to create an identifiable unifying identity for themselves. This is where the National Branding Campaign for Our Health Centers comes into place. 

    The campaign is a national branding effort to strengthen recognition of our Health Centers as a unified and nationwide network of quality community-based primary care providers.  Initially created at the state level by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) and its membership, the National Association of Community Health Centers has expanded the campaign nationwide.

     

    The FQHC Brand Components  

    MACHC recently hosted a Branding Webinar for MD and DE Health Centers with CEO of PACHC, Cheri Reinhart and Event and Communications Coordinator, Kirsten Keyes, as guest speakers. If you missed the webinar and would like access, please click here.

    Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers | | aneeqa@machc.com |
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