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


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. 
April 19, 2016
MACHC SPOTLIGHT
SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE 
MACHC wants to congratulate CCI, West Cecil and Greater Baden on yet another successful LDI. We appreciate all your participation, which always prove to make LDIs an interactive learning environment. We have already started seeing our progress in operations, I hope you all have started to notice the difference too!



MACHC HAPPENINGS
  
MACHC EVENTS
   
(1) Cultural Competency Conference (Pick one day) - Dover Downs, DE
Thursday, May 19th AND Friday, May 20th, 2016

(2) 
Outreach & Enrollment Call 
Friday, May 20, 2016
11am- noon
1-866-740-1260 Access 4319483
Who: Outreach Staff
Discuss state updates, best practices, barriers/issues that need attention and provide any support and advocacy where needed.

(3) MACHC Clinical Informatics/Quality/Finance Conference 
Thursday, June 16th, 2016
Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD
Transformation inHealthcare Delivery: Shifting from Volume to Value
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers provides an opportunity for community health centers providers / clinicians and other safety net providers to receive professional development and ongoing education while networking with colleagues in the primary care settings across Delaware, Maryland and other states in the region. Transforming health care payment and delivery systems is essential in order to achieve improvements in health care quality and reductions in costs that are needed to achieve the Triple Aim.  This conference seeks to share information and educate attendees on concepts of volume to value in all four breakout tracks - Finance, IT, Clinical and Quality. This is a conference you will not want to miss!   Register Here
  • OTHER EVENTS

    • (1) Practice Operations Management, Level II(POM II) Training 
    April 20-21, 2016 | Charlotte, NC
    NACHC is pleased to present the Health Center Practice Operations Management Training - Level II (POM II). POM II offers health center Chief Operating Officers, Practice/Clinic and other managers, and Board Members an opportunity to learn and apply the critical management and leadership skills necessary to optimize performance. This training features a multidimensional approach to effective management and continuous improvement the areas in the health center: profitability, staffing, and patient workflow.

    (2.)  Serving the Homeless Community: New Findings on the Impact of the ACA Medicaid Expansion  Register Here
    Tuesday, April 26 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET    
    The Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion provided a significant opportunity to increase health coverage and improve access to care for individuals experiencing homelessness, who historically have had high uninsured rates and often have multiple, complex physical and mental health needs.


    (3) An In-Depth Look at FTCA Coverage for Health Centers.  Learn More
    Nashville, TN - May 4 & 5, 2016
    Philadelphia, PA - June 7 & 8, 2016
    Operating a health center within the confines of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) has never been more challenging. The myriad requirements and involvement of various agencies coupled with increased accountability and responsibility can make providing health care services to your patients a risky proposition. This training provides information from trusted and experienced health center attorneys, Marty Bree, Molly Evans, and Matthew Freedus, who for years have provided advice and counsel on the day-to-day issues that arise around FTCA at health centers.
    Emergency Preparedness Events: 

    MACHC's ICD-400 Training 
    Facilitated by Duane Taylor, CEO MACHC    
    April 20th 2016  1:00 -2:00 p.m. EDT
    A webinar Outlook invite will be sent to Emergency Management staff
    If you would like to be included on the list of invites, please email Aneeqa Chowdhury (aneeqa@machc.com)
    This course provides training and resources for personnel who require advanced application of the ICS. This course expands upon information covered in ICS-100 through ICS-300 courses. These earlier courses are prerequisites for ICS-400.
    While FEMA provides standard course materials, this course is typically coordinated and taught in the field by State or other agencies. It is intended for senior personnel who are expected to perform in a management capacity in an area command or multiagency coordination entity.

    New Zika materials available from DPH
    targeting pregnant women and New Zika materials their male partners are available at DPH's Zika page, http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/zika.html:
    * Flyer for pregnant women in English: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/zikaflyerforpregnantwomen.pdf
    * Flyer for pregnant women in Spanish: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/zikaflyerforpregnantwomensp.pdf
    * Flyer for pregnant women in Haitian Creole: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/zikaflyerforpregnantwomenhc.pdf
    For facts about Zika and mosquito control:
    *In English: http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/zikafaq.pdf
    *In Spanish: http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/zikafaqsp.pdf
    *In Haitian Creole: http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/files/zikafaqhc.pdf

    Get to Know Your Regional Coordinators!
    Please get in touch with your Regional Coordinators if you have not already done so and be more active in your Regional Coalition. MACHC has reached out to you in order to make sure you know who your coordinators are and has planned MINI GRANTS as incentives to help with travel for the Coalition meetings.
    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]
    *VACANT*
    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 

    [Baltimore City; Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties]
    *VACANT*
    Harford County Health Department
    120 S. Hays Street, Suite 230 
    Bel Air, MD  21014 
    410-877-1031 (Office)
    443-388-6290 (Mobile)
    Region IV 
    [Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester Counties]
    Kristin McMenamin
    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)
    410-778-4862 (Fax)

    Region V  Emergency Preparedness Coalition
    [Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's Counties]
    Casey Owens
    Office of Preparedness & Response
    Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
    300 W. Preston Street, Ste. 202
    Baltimore, MD  21201 
    casey.owens@maryland.gov


    Preparedness Resources 
    September is National Preparedness Month, a time for everyone to plan how to stay safe and communicate during the disasters that can affect your community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) developed resources that can help you spread the word about preparedness in your community.
    , and public service announcements. 
     
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 

    How Prepared Is Your Community for an Emergency? 

    Download the kit checklist: 

    Family communication and evacuation plan: 


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    *** Look for the latest EP related updates RIGHT HERE!
    Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
    National News
    Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) is a national advanced primary care medical home model that aims to strengthen primary care through a regionally-based multi-payer payment reform and care delivery transformation. CPC+ will include two primary care practice tracks with incrementally advanced care delivery requirements and payment options to meet the diverse needs of primary care practices in the United States (U.S.). The care delivery redesign ensures practices in each track have the infrastructure to deliver better care to result in a healthier patient population. The multi-payer payment redesign will give practices greater financial resources and flexibility to make appropriate investments to improve the quality and efficiency of care, and reduce unnecessary health care utilization. CPC+ will provide practices with a robust learning system, as well as actionable patient-level cost and utilization data feedback, to guide their decision making.  
    CPC+ is a five-year model that will begin in January 2017.

    CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield's (CareFirst) four-year investment in patient-centered medical home (PCMH) programs operated by 11 safety net health centers helped improve care for more than 68,000 low-income and chronically ill patients throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. However, challenges related to staffing, information technology infrastructure and other key areas can adversely affect the implementation of comprehensive PCMH models in safety net settings.
    These findings and other key learnings will be discussed when CareFirst CEO Chet Burrell, leaders of safety net health centers involved in the program and other national experts meet during a symposium to be held at the Newseum in D.C. on April 11. To leverage the findings from its initial program, CareFirst, which is co-hosting the event with the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC), also will announce plans to award another $3 million to safety net PCMH programs later this year.
    "This initiative has reinforced our belief that patients' relationship with their primary care physician is the most important factor in determining health care outcomes," said Maria Harris Tildon, CareFirst's Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Community Affairs. "While there are challenges to effectively coordinating care in a patient-centered medical home, we're encouraged with the progress our safety net health partners have made and want to continue to support the delivery of patient-centered care in safety net centers."
    The event marks the culmination of CareFirst's Safety Net Center Patient-Centered Medical Home Initiative, which started in 2012 with the company's $8.5 million investment in the following safety net health centers: Arlington Free Clinic; Baltimore Medical System; Calvert Healthcare Solutions; Chase Brexton Health Services; Choptank Community Health System; Community Clinic Inc.; Health Care for the Homeless; Mary's Center; Primary Care Coalition; Total Health Care; and Unity Health Care.
     
    Total Health in America
    Factors and Barriers
    • Forty-three percent of Americans agree stress from either work, family or both is a key barrier to better total health.
    • Seventy-five percent of Americans believe that financial situation is a critical component of Total health, preceded only by physical and mental health.
    • Seventy-five percent of Americans who don't have enough time to take care of their heath attribute this to stress from family or work.
    Solutions
    • 40 percent of Americans think stress management programs are one of the top three services insurance companies could provide to better support total health.
    • Eighty-seven percent of Americans believe their civic leaders should make total health a priority in their communities.
    Top five things Americans say civic leaders can do to health the community better their total health.
    1. Create safer neighborhoods (forty-four percent)
    2. Better job opportunities (thirty-seven percent)
    3. Improved access to health care (thirty-three percent)
    4. Improved quality of health care (thirty percent)
    5. Better parks and recreation (twenty-nine percent)
    Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee moved forward with the formal process of considering the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 appropriations bills by releasing specific funding levels for each of the 12 appropriations bills. Typically, the House and Senate passed budget resolution would establish the total discretionary funding levels for the Appropriations Committee in both the House and Senate. This year, as outlined in a previous blog post here, the House and Senate have been unable to come to agreement and pass a budget resolution. In the absence of a formal budget resolution, both chambers are moving forward with consideration of their FY2017 appropriations bills by using the total discretionary funding level outlined in the two year budget deal, the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA), Congress passed with President Obama's approval last year.

    Comment Period Re-Opened for 340B Drug Pricing Program Ceiling Price and Manufacturer Civil Monetary Penalties
    HRSA is reopening the comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled "340B Drug Pricing Program Ceiling Price and Manufacturer Civil Monetary Penalties" (80 FR 34583 (June 17, 2015)) for an additional 30 days for the purpose of inviting public comments on several specific areas. The Federal Registernotice to re-open the comment period on the NPRM was published on April 19, 2016 (81 FR 22960 (April 19, 2016)) and will be open for public comment through May 19, 2016.(See: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-04-19/pdf/2016-09017.pdf)  HRSA encourages all interested parties and stakeholders to submit comments. Please refer to the Federal Register publication for instructions about how to submit comments.

    Look Out for More HRSA Funding for IT Coming Up...
    The HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) announced during the NACHC Policy & Issues Forum its plan to help health center grantees prepare for the future with the last of the health center Affordable Care Act funding.  Here is what we know:
    • The funding is being referred to as Delivery System Health Information Investment
    • $90 million in one-time funding to health center grantees will be made available on a base-plus formula basis
    • The funding can be used to support interoperability, to update/refresh/optimize current health information technology, or other health information technology needs
    • The funding may not be used to support staffing
    • Health centers will have the opportunity to decide how to use the funding in a way that makes the most sense for their center
    • BPHC said strategic aggregation of the funding with other health centers will be permitted
    The funding announcement should be released in the coming months. It's time to start planning now!
     
    HRSA Releasing New Individualized Health Center Patient Targets
    The HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) will distribute 2016 Patient Targets to health centers next week.  The updated targets for current grantees will reflect the base value (the highest of the average number of patients served in 2011, 2012 or 2013 based on UDS) plus any additional Patient Target numbers projected in expansion/supplemental funding applications for your health center. For new health centers, the Patient Target used in the application that initiated funding under the Health Center Program will be used. Some important points:
    • The Patient Targets will be sent to health center authorizing officials and project directors; if there have been changes in these positions, please ensure that the Electronic Handbook (EHB) is updated
    • Health centers will have until May 12 to submit questions and suggestions and any Patient Target inconsistencies within a supplemental funding opportunity to PHCPatientTargets@hrsa.gov
    • HRSA has updated the Patient Target FAQs and they will be available on the website
    • Service Area Competition (SAC) applications must project to serve at least 75% of the Service Area Announcement Table to be eligible for funding
    • HRSA expects Patient Targets to be reached by the end of the SAC funding period
    • SAC application patient projections should be realistic, unduplicated and achievable; should consider all relevant factors; and should be annualized since UDS reports are submitted annually
    • The SAC process is the only mode by which a health center may establish a lower Patient Target; a health center may reduce its Patient Target by up to 25% during the SAC with a maximum impact to grant funding of 2%
    Beyond the three-year SAC period, HRSA is still determining how health center funding and service areas will be impacted if a health center fails to achieve its Patient Target projection by the target date. 

    The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has recently released Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2016-03, Calendar Year 2017 Requirements for Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Coverage for Health Centers.  This PAL clarifies and details the requirements for CY 2017 FTCA deeming and redeeming applications for Health Center Program grantees. FTCA redeeming applications must be submitted through EHB on or before May 24, 2016

    As the health law turned six Wednesday, federal officials proposed the expansion of a Medicare diabetes prevention program funded by the landmark measure.
    The pilot program, developed and administered by the YMCA, helped Medicare enrollees at high risk of developing the disease improve their diets, increase their exercise and lose about 5 percent of their body weight.
    State News
    DELAWARE
    Join us for the The News Journal's Imagine Delaware: Combating Diabetes event April 27 at Cab Calloway School of the Arts focused on diabetes in the state, which many health officials warn is near epidemic proportions, mostly because of weight and poor eating habits. But many cases can be controlled if people know they are prediabetic and take control of their diet and exercise.
    The event will have two parts: A vendor fair featuring groups that offer healthcare or services to treat diabetics or help people avoid diabetes and then, from 5 to 7 p.m., a panel discussion about the issues facing healthcare, society and individuals because of diabetes.
    MARYLAND
    Cassandra Fair enjoyed exercise class. Anita Maynor received resume writing tips and job leads. Others got blood pressure screenings, legal advice or access to organic food.
    All of this happened under the same West Baltimore roof that houses the new Community Engagement Center, the brainchild of the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
    Although it officially opened Saturday in Poppleton with a festival beginning at 10 a.m., the center quietly began operating in October. It's a kind of one-stop shop for various services the campus has offered its neighbors for years, plus new offerings like exercise and wellness classes and workforce training and job fairs that officials believe are needed urgently in the community.

    Spellman, 45, who lives in Baltimore, was directed to information about a trial underway at nearly two dozen institutions, including the University of Maryland School of Medicine. The so-called Sonata trial is named for a device that uses heat to zap the common, noncancerous growths rather than a scalpel to cut them out, something she didn't want and said she couldn't afford.
    Surgery is by far the most frequent treatment for fibroids, which afflict up to 80 percent of women of childbearing years, and doctors say most people are like Spellman and don't know there are other options available and in the works. Up to a quarter of sufferers have symptoms, and many live with the excessive bleeding, cramping and pressure because they want to avoid invasive procedures that come with risks and recoveries lasting weeks or months.
    Finance & Business
    On the world business stage, the Lower Shore may be best known for its chicken meat.
    But smaller businesses can tap into international markets as well. And the state of Maryland has tools employers can use to get their goods and services out there.
    That's the message economic development officials are looking to send at an April 14 forum.
    "We're trying to introduce resources that are available from the state and federal government to help companies explore international markets or participate in international trade," said Dave Ryan, head of Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development. "The larger companies tend to be well-versed in that, but some of the smaller companies are not."
    Officials with all three lower counties are participating.

    A Kaiser Health News article reports on a new study that found may families without insurance could be getting more help.  A third of people without health insurance live in families that received a federal earned income tax credit (EITC) in 2014, but the Internal Revenue Service doesn't tell those tax filers that their incomes likely mean they would qualify for Medicaid or subsidies to buy coverage on the Marketplace.  The researchers conclude that's a lost opportunity to identify people who are eligible but not receiving government assistance to gain health coverage.
    The
    Latest News on ACA
    OUR WORK CONTINUES

    In states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, low-income adults were more likely to see a doctor, stay overnight in a hospital and receive their first diagnoses of diabetes and high cholesterol, according to a study published Monday.
    Yet researchers found no improvement in adults' own assessments of their health, a conclusion echoed by similar studies, the authors wrote in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
    Two factors might explain the lack of perceived improvement. People did not sign up for Medicaid as soon as it expanded in January 2014 so there was little time to better their health. Also, survey participants' increased contact with health providers and fresh knowledge about their health might have negatively affected their opinions, the authors said.

    There's still time to register!!!!
    Enroll America Conference May 11-13, 2016
    For more info about the conference, look below:
    http://stateofenrollment.org/?utm_source=EA_homepage&utm_medium=main&utm_campaign=EA_homepage
    Join Enroll America at the State of Enrollment Conference in Washington, D.C., May 11-13.
    With over two days of plenaries, workshops, trainings, and networking events, the conference offers valuable opportunities to share ideas, learn from each other and plan for the future as we continue to help Americans enroll in and retain health coverage. Connect with peers and partners from across the country as we take a critical look at what worked better during the third open enrollment period for the health insurance marketplaces, what barriers remain to enrolling and retaining consumers in health coverage, and how we can continue working as a community to build and sustain momentum in our ongoing effort to get America covered for years to come.

    A new brief from NASHP looks at how the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) has and continues to be an important source of coverage for low-to-moderate income children, but federal funding for this program is uncertain beyond September 2017. With support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, NASHP convened a stakeholder group of health policy experts that included national advocates and state officials representing Medicaid, CHIP and health insurance exchanges to explore the policy options states may have to maintain children's coverage into the future. This brief provides an overview of children's current coverage options and summarizes the themes from the stakeholder group's discussions that identified potential options for ensuring strong children's coverage into the future. 

    Marketplace Announces 2017-2019 Open Enrollment Dates
    • 2017 Benefit Year (OE4): November 1st, 2016-January 31st, 2017 (coming up!)
    • 2018 Benefit Year (OE5): November 1st, 2017-January 31st, 2018
    • 2019 Benefit Year (OE6): November 1st, 2018-December 31st, 2018
    NEW: Ending Special Enrollment Period (SEP) Retroactive Coverage
    On April 1st,  the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance announcing that after March 31, 2016 the Marketplace will no longer be accepting new requests for Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for retroactive coverage back to 2015. All retro SEP requests received after this date will receive a max retro date of January 1, 2016.
    MACHC Conference Call Updates
    Marketplace Announces 2017-2019 Open Enrollment Dates
    • 2017 Benefit Year (OE4): November 1st, 2016-January 31st, 2017
    • 2018 Benefit Year (OE5): November 1st, 2017-January 31st, 2018
    • 2019 Benefit Year (OE6): November 1st, 2018-December 31st, 201

    Join MACHC's next Outreach & Enrollment Call ON FRIDAY, 
    May 20, 2016.
    We took a poll at the past conference call but would like to continue to ask you to submit the following: What would you like to included as part of Maryland & Delaware's Outreach & Enrollment assistance from MACHC? Please send Aneeqa Chowdhury an email at aneeqa@machc.com.

    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.
    Grants & Funding Opportunities




    Ongoing Accepted Applications

    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.

    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.


    Rural Health Funding Opportunities

    Community Response Fund
    The Community Response Fund supports organizations, activities, and events that address access to needed oral healthcare 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.
    DEADLINE: ongoing basis
    ELIGABILITY: The DentaQuest Foundation makes grants to a variety of organizations that are engaged improving oral health. Grants are not made to individuals.
    CONTACT: Matthew Bond, Grants and Programs Manager: Matthew.Bond@DentaQuestFoundation.org 

    340B Peer-to-Peer Program
    The purpose of the 340B Peer-to-Peer Network is to connect 340B entities and stakeholders with high performing sites, called leading practice sites that have exemplary 340B pharmacy service offerings. These sites serve as guides for covered entities that are interested in improving patient care. This approach provides the opportunity for practice sites to reach their peers and strengthen the 340B program from inventory management to quality care initiatives.
    Sites that receive the status of a 340B Peer-to-Peer recognized site will be asked to dedicate two members of their team to share their expertise and leading practices - for a limited amount of time per month - with other safety-net organizations to help these organizations achieve results and establish sound business practices.
    FUNDING AVALIABLE: Peer-to-Peer annual stipends of $10,000/year
    ELIGABILITY: Applications must be submitted by a 340B entity listed on the Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) 340B database as a participating 340B entity.
    Healthcare Connect Fund
    The Healthcare Connect Fund provides funding to healthcare providers for telecommunications and internet access services, as well as network equipment, at a flat discounted rate of 65%. Participants can apply as a member of the consortium or a stand-alone entity.
     
    FUNDING AVAILABLE: Participants will receive a flat rate discount of 65%. There is an annual spending cap of $400,000,000.
    ELIGIBLITY: Rural public or nonprofit healthcare providers (HCPs) are eligible. Consortia may be comprised of both rural and non-rural HCPs. All consortia must consist of more than 50% rural participation within three years of receipt of the first funding commitment obtained through the HCF Program. Connections to, and equipment located at, eligible off-site data centers and administrative offices are eligible for support.
    CONTACT: rhc-assist@usac.org

    USAC Rural Health Care Telecommunications Program
    Health care providers are permitted to apply to receive reduced rates for a variety of telecommunications services under the Rural Health Care Program. Health care providers may seek support for multiple telecommunications services of any bandwidth and for monthly Internet service charges.
     
    FUNDING AVALIABLE: The level of support depends on the HCP's location and the type of service chosen. Health Care Providers are permitted to apply to receive reduced rates for a variety of telecommunication services under the RHCD program. HCPs may seek support for multiple telecommunications services of any bandwidth.

    As a result of recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) action, health care participants may be eligible to receive a 25% discount on their monthly Internet service charges. These services are limited to the monthly Internet net access charge, monthly charges for web hosting and web addresses.
    ELIGIBILITY: Community health centers or health centers providing health care to migrants
    CONTACT: rhc-admin@universalservice.org

    Wells Fargo Corporate Giving Programs
    Wells Fargo supports nonprofit organizations that work on a community level in the areas of human services, arts and culture, community development, civic responsibility, education, environmental consciousness, and volunteerism.
    CONTACT: Ashley Williams -- Community Support Rep -- Wells Fargo
    ashley.l.williams@wellsfargo.com   

     
    Maryland Small Grants Program
    The Maryland Small Grants Program awards funding to nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to poor and vulnerable populations.
    FUNDING AVALIABLE: Award Ceiling: $50,000
    CONTACT: Amy Kleine, Program Director, Basic Human Needs
    410-654-8500, ext. 268
    Email: akleine@hjweinberg.org


    Accelerating Community-Centered Approaches in Health
    Accelerating Community-Centered Approaches in Health will support innovative population health programs and policies that work to improve health at the community level, including the use of new financial models to achieve cost effective solutions.
    CONTACT: Phone: 248.643.9630
     

    Commonwealth Fund Health Grants
    The Commonwealth Fund promotes a high performing healthcare system that achieves better access, improved quality, and greater efficiency, particularly for society's most vulnerable, including people with low-incomes, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
    The Fund supports independent research on healthcare issues and makes grants to improve healthcare practice and policy. The Commonwealth Fund actively seeks to support projects on innovative approaches to addressing problems within its areas of focus.
    CONTACT: Email: grants@cmwf.org
    Phone: 212.606.3800

    USDA Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program
    The USDA Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program provides loans, grants, and loan guarantees for essential community facilities in rural areas. Priority is given to healthcare, education, and public safety projects. Funds may be used to construct, enlarge, or improve facilities.
    AVALIABLE FUNDING: Amount varies. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants.
    CONTACT: Bill McGowan, State Director
    1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200
    Dover, DE  19904
    Voice: (302) 857-3580 www.rd.usda.gov/de
    www.rd.usda.gov/md
    PCMH Corner 
    No PCMH News this week, please check next week :)
    Clinical Quality 
    Primary Care Providers Working in Mental Health Settings Improving Health Status in Persons with Mental Illness
    This is an online curriculum created by the SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions (CIHS) and the Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network to acquaint primary care providers with the unique aspects of behavioral health settings, the people they'll see in these settings and the opportunities to improve the health of people living with mental illnesses. Register here.

    AHRQ's 2016 TeamSTEPPS® Master Trainer Online Courses 
    AHRQ's accredited TeamSTEPPS® (Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) training curriculum is an evidence-based approach to improve communication and teamwork among healthcare professionals. It includes a comprehensive set of ready-to-use materials and a training curriculum to successfully integrate teamwork principles into a variety of settings.  More information and resources is available at     TeamSTEPPS.

    Check out *FREE* NACHC Resources Available
    • Governance resources.  Includes resources on conflict of interest, strategic and capital planning, succession planning, creating an annual board work plan, board self evaluation, evaluating the CEO and more.
    • Human resources.  Includes guidance on employee harassment policies and procedures, affiliations with residency training programs, developing an employee handbook, duty to disclose adverse information, the do's and don'ts of employee termination, legal developments in joint recruitment and retention, HR recordkeeping requirements and more.
    • Policy development.  Includes guidance on consent and confidentiality considerations for providing sexual and reproductive health care to minors.
    • Other hot topics.  Including: 340B compliance; self audits; contract pharmacy arrangements; payment reform readiness; factors that support development of a great health center; service area overlap; and much more.
    If there is a fee for an item, it will indicate so in the catalog.  If no fee is indicated on the listing, the resource is free to download.  You do not have to be a NACHC member to register for access to the site, but you do need to register to access the materials.
    Health Observances This Week

      

    Alcohol Awareness Month 
    Drinking too much alcohol increases people's risk of injuries, violence, drowning, liver disease, and some types of cancer.
    The good news? We can all do our part to prevent alcohol misuse or abuse.
    Make a difference: Spread the word about strategies for preventing alcohol misuse or abuse and encourage communities, families, and individuals to get involved.
    How can Alcohol Awareness Month make a difference?
    We can use this month to raise awareness about alcohol abuse and take action to prevent it, both at home and in the community.
    Here are just a few ideas:
    • Encourage friends or family members to make small changes, like keeping track of their drinking and setting drinking limits.
    • Share tips with parents to help them talk with their kids about the risks of alcohol use.
    • Ask doctors and nurses to talk to their patients about the benefits of drinking less or quitting.
    How can I help spread the word?
    We've made it easier for you to make a difference. This toolkit is full of ideas to help you take action today. For example:
    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 |
    4319 Forbes Blvd. Lanham, MD 20706    |    www.machc.com    |    301.577.0097
     

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