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. 
June 27, 2016
MACHC SPOTLIGHT


Congratulations To The Following Member FQHCs on Receiving The Oral Services Award:
Maryland------5 awards totaling $1,750,000
Health Center GranteeCityAward Amount
CHASE BREXTON HEALTH SERVICES, INCBALTIMORE$350,000
COMMUNITY CLINIC, INC., THESILVER SPRING$350,000
FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS OF BALTIMOREBALTIMORE$350,000
HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS, INC.BALTIMORE$350,000
WALNUT STREET COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, INC.HAGERSTOWN$350,000
Delaware-------2 awards totaling $700,000
Health Center GranteeCityAward Amount
LA RED HEALTH CENTER, INC.GEORGETOWN$350,000
WESTSIDE FAMILY HEALTHCARE, INC.WILMINGTON$350,000



HHS awards $156 million to health centers to expand oral health services
Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced nearly $156 million in funding to support 420 health centers in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to increase access to integrated oral health care services and improve oral health outcomes for Health Center Program patients.
This funding enables health centers to expand integrated oral health care services and increase the number of patients served. With these awards from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), health centers across the country will increase their oral health service capacity by hiring approximately 1,600 new dentists, dental hygienists, assistants, aides, and technicians to treat nearly 785,000 new patients.
"Oral health is an important part of our overall physical health and well-being," said Secretary Burwell. "The funding we are awarding will reduce barriers to quality dental care for hundreds of thousands of Americans by bringing new oral health providers to health centers across the country."

National Health Center Week
August 7-13, 2016
Visit the Health Center Week website to access the NHCW Kick-off webinar recording and slides. The webinar featured Health Center leaders from Georgia and Virginia who shared best practices on how to plan and host successful Health Center Week celebrations. Also, be sure to take advantage of support and resources designed to help with event planning and implementation - visit the NHCW website. Plan ahead and inform us, your PCA, about any NHCW Happenings and whether we can assist in coordination of having your Congressman at your event. Remember, this week is the best week to showcase your health center successes
.
MACHC HAPPENINGS
  
MACHC EVENTS

(1) Gearing Up for National Health Center Week 2016
Thursday, June 30, 2016 10:00 am      Register HERE
Starting to think about National Health Center Week, but not sure where to begin planning? Do you want the latest information on sponsorships, engaging elected officials, and social media strategy? Join your colleagues in Maryland and Delaware for NHCW 2016 updates including event ideas, planning essentials, finding funding, and incorporating advocacy into your events. Learn from your Maryland and Delaware colleagues about the most successful events they've hosted, and get the ideas and motivation you need to make NHCW 2016 the most successful so far.

(2) Mastering the Art of Minute Talking
July 12, 2016 
12pm-1pm
*For webinar link, please email Deitra Bell at deitra@machc.com


(3)  TO BE RESCHEDULED: 
Outreach & Enrollment Webinar with Enroll America  
Check next week for webinar link or ask Aneeqa to add you to OE Team listserv
641-715-3580 / Access Code: 941-597 / Login: https://enrollamerica.adobeconnect.com/_a1138253866/sageneral
  • OTHER EVENTS

    • (1) WHAT: Conference "Assessing the Implications of Parental Incarceration on Families"  June 29-July 1
    WHERE: Hilton Baltimore, 401 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
    MORE INFO: Free event, but space is limited. For more information and to participate,  register here.
    This conference will focus on the complex challenges that children and youths of incarcerated parents experience directly, while also encouraging fruitful dialogue and leadership development about our roles in advancing adequate and effective solutions. Join the Family League in sparking a powerful movement to improve communities impacted by parental incarceration in Baltimore and beyond. 

    (2) WHAT: Tim's Day- Annual Wellness and Resource Fair
    WHEN: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 2.
    MORE INFO: Free admission. For more information visit their webpage or send an email.
    Tim's Day is an all-day Wellness and Resource Fair for all, with every resource towards reaching those at-risk for/currently living with hear-related illnesses.  Giveaways and entertainment.  Free healthy/snacks, cooking demos, inspirational speakers, and fitness demos.  Lots of fun for the kids with a Kids Play area that includes fitness games, arts & crafts, and more.
    (3) Webinar: NCCRT Webinar on FIT Testing
    Wednesday, June 29, 2016 12:00 pm 
    The purpose of the webinar is to review the rationale for FIT-based testing programs, and discuss strategies for successful implementation of stool-based testing programs. Register Here
    WHERE: Druid Hill Park, Liberty Pavilion Flat, Liberty Heights Avenue, 3001 East Drive, Baltimore, MD 21217

    (4) SAVE THE DATE
    ParkWest's Janie B Geer Scholarship Fund Golf Classic Monday, August 8, 2016
    The Woodlands Golf Course
    2309 Ridge Road, Windsor Mill MD 21244 

    (5) 2016 COM­MU­NITY HEALTH INSTI­TUTE & EXPO More info here
    August 28-30, 2016
    Hyatt Regency Chicago
    151 East Wacker Drive
    Chicago, IL
    Health cen­ters, PCAs and HCCNs will have the oppor­tu­nity to hear about issues such as:
    * Fed­eral fund­ing oppor­tu­ni­ties * Out­reach and enroll­ment
    * Patient nav­i­ga­tors
    * Nego­ti­at­ing con­tracts with man­aged care plans and ven­dors
    * FQHC reimbursement/payment reform activ­i­ties under Med­ic­aid, Medicare and the Mar­ket­place
    * Work­force (vet­er­ans, suc­ces­sion plan­ning)
    * Clin­i­cal work­force recruit­ment and reten­tion
    * Clin­i­cal care team inte­gra­tion
    * PCMH recog­ni­tion and accred­i­ta­tion
    * Tele-behav­ioral Health
    * Qual­ity, com­pli­ance and sus­tain­abil­ity
    Emergency Preparedness Events: 

     
    Monitoring Zika-Related Birth Defects - deadline July 1
    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are making funds available to state governments for rapid response surveillance of birth defects possibly linked to Zika virus infection during pregnancy.  The information will be used to inform public health intervention.  Currently, the CDC reports 1,440 cases of infection in U.S. territories; the vast majority of these are locally-acquired cases in Puerto Rico (1,386), while 755 cases of travel-related infection have been reported in mainland states.  The CDC's current map of areas where mosquitos with the potential to carry Zika have been found include the entire southern portion of the U.S.   While these cover many rural counties, research about these mosquitos show that they're found more often in urban areas. You can learn more about Zika, find guidelines for providers and read the Draft Interim Response Plan on the CDC website.

    As doctors treated the horrific injuries of victims shot in the Pulse nightclub massacre here, a mistaken report of a gunman nearby forced officials to briefly lock down the emergency room; the medical staff shoved heavy X-ray machines against the doors, creating a makeshift barricade in a treatment bay. Emergency room physicians ran low on tubes needed to reinflate the lungs of patients shot in the chest. The doctors scrambled to make sense of gunshot wounds because paramedics had rushed victims in with no time to assess their conditions. The hospital's emergency preparedness manager, asleep at home, received an urgent email but did not respond until awakened by text. 

    On The Horizon...
    • MACHC Pre-Semi Functional Exercise, Technical Assistance session on dissecting Federally Qualified Health Center Emergency Preparedness Plans to find gaps.
    • Semi-functional exercise with all FQHCs as observers

    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]
     
    Kathleen Long
    Office phone: 410-877-1003
    Work cell: 443-388-6290
    Office address: 120 S. Hays Street
    Bel Air, MD  21014
    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]
    Corinne Edds
    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: 


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     
    *** Look for the latest EP related updates RIGHT HERE!
    Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
    National News
    Today, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced more than $742,000 in funding to three health centers in American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands to help combat the Zika virus.
    These funds will be used to expand preventive and primary care services, outreach, and patient education and screening. The three health centers and their 12 delivery sites in American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands served nearly 26,000 patients in 2014, including more than 6,000 women age 15 to 45.
    "We are working to learn as much about the Zika virus as we can, as quickly as we can, and make sure the public is informed about the steps they can take to minimize their risk, as well as the risk to their families and communities, of getting Zika." said Secretary Burwell. "Our goal is to reduce the risk of Zika virus, especially among pregnant women and women of childbearing age. We are taking the necessary steps now, like today's funding announcement to support Zika preparedness and response efforts."
    HRSA announced the FY 2016 DSHII supplemental funding opportunity for existing Health Center Program award recipients to provide strategic investments in health information technology enhancements. These investments will accelerate health centers' transition to value-based models of care, improve efforts to share and use information to support better decisions, and increase engagement in delivery system transformation. HRSA will award approximately $90 million in formula-based supplements through this one-time supplemental funding opportunity.
    The DSHII supplemental funding application instructions are available on the technical assistance website. Applications are due in HRSA's Electronic Handbook (EHB)no later than July 20, 2016 at 5 p.m. EST. 
    HRSA will hold a technical assistance webinar for applicants on Monday, June 27 at 4 p.m. ESTto provide an overview of this funding opportunity and respond to questions. Visit the technical assistance website for information on participating in the webinar and to access the 11-page instructions document, sample application forms, and other application resources.

    Availability Date and Application Deadlines for Service Area Competition (SAC) Funding Opportunity Announcement January 1, 2017
    On June 15, BPHC released the FY 2017 SAC funding opportunity announcement (HRSA-17-050) for service areas with a January 1, 2017 project period start date (current project period end date of December 31, 2016). Current award recipients, refer to box six of your most recent Notice of Award (NoA) to confirm your current project period end date.
    Applications are due to Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, August 16, and in HRSA's Electronic Handbooks (EHB) by 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday, August 31. Technical assistance materials are available on the SAC technical assistance website.

     
    The National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) seeks to recruit teams from 20 health centers to engage in a 12-month Dental Dashboard Collaborative (August 2016-September 2017) to enhance the quality of oral health care provided to health center patients through the implementation of evidence-based, clinical, preventive, and operational practices. Teams will learn and apply the Model for Improvement, and develop measurement processes to report on a set of dashboard measures that includes the HRSA sealant measure. The application deadline is July 1. Contact  
    Deborah Cutter Reiling with questions. Please indicate your intent to participate by sending the completed Team Enrollment Form to NNOHA Collaborative.  View more information.
    State News
    DELAWARE
    Delaware's General Assembly is facing a challenging week ahead with growing pressure to make difficult budget cuts. We recognize that tough decisions must be made and that funding reductions seem inevitable. However, eliminating funding for vitally important health care programs cannot be an acceptable solution to the puzzle of how to balance Delaware's budget.
    Recently, the General Assembly's Joint Finance Committee proposed to eliminate all programmatic funding for the Delaware Institute for Medical Education and Research and the Delaware Institute for Dental Education and Research. Eliminating funding for this program would be highly inadvisable and shortsighted.
    The purpose of the DIMER and DIDER programs is twofold - to help medical- and dental-school students from Delaware repay their student loans, and to reserve medical- and dental-school spaces for Delaware residents. These programs provide strong encouragement to medical and dental students to return to Delaware to practice their professions.
    MARYLAND
    State workers and their union called on the Hogan administration Thursday to hire more staff and improve training at mental health care facilities, pointing to injuries employees have suffered as a result of assaults by patients.
    Members of AFSCME Council 3 gathered outside a union hall in Hagerstown to describe the dangers they say they face when caring for mentally ill and developmentally disabled patients at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's Potomac Center in Western Maryland and similar facilities around the state.
    "Even though this is a difficult job, it is necessary," said Ginger Noble, president of AFSCME Local 354 in Washington and Frederick counties. "We want to work with management to urge our elected leaders to invest more in a safer level of staff, better training and improved programs to better serve the patients who desperately need us."
    Union officials say injuries suffered during assaults have increased at health department facilities over the past year. They blame understaffing.
    Health department spokesman Christopher Garrett did not comment on whether assaults had increased.
    Finance & Business
    Oscar Health was going to be a new kind of insurance company. Started in 2012, just in time to offer plans to people buying insurance under the new federal health care law, the business promised to use technology to push less costly care and more consumer-friendly coverage. "We're trying to build something that's going to turn the industry on its head," Joshua Kushner, one of the company's founders, said in 2014, as Oscar began to enroll its first customers. These days, though, Oscar is more of a case study in how brutally tough it is to keep a business above water in the state marketplaces created under the Affordable Care Act. 

    When You Dial 911 And Wall Street Answers
    The business of driving ambulances and operating fire brigades represents just one facet of a profound shift on Wall Street and Main Street alike, a New York Times investigation has found. Since the 2008 financial crisis, private equity firms, the "corporate raiders" of an earlier era, have increasingly taken over a wide array of civic and financial services that are central to American life. Today, people interact with private equity when they dial 911, pay their mortgage, play a round of golf or turn on the kitchen tap for a glass of water. Private equity put a unique stamp on these businesses. Unlike other for-profit companies, which often have years of experience making a product or offering a service, private equity is primarily skilled in making money
    The
    Latest News on ACA
    OUR WORK CONTINUES

    O/E QPR Reminder
    The Outreach and Enrollment (O/E) Quarterly Progress Report (QPR), covering the period of April 1 through June 30, 2016, will be available on July 1 and is due on Thursday, July 14. Health centers should report only on activities for this specific reporting period. View Frequently asked questions and other resources. Questions should be directed to bphc-oe@hrsa.gov 

    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
    Families USA June webinar: Optimizing special enrollment periods 
    Register now for our June 23 webinar on special enrollment periods (SEPs). This webinar will highlight assisters who have used SEPs to reach unique populations, including the justice-involved population and immigrants. The webinar will also explain the recent policy changes and developments related to SEP policy. 

    MACHC's Outreach & Enrollment Webinar with Enroll America  Friday, June 24, 2016  11am- noon
    Check next week for webinar link or ask Aneeqa to add you to OE Team listserv
    641-715-3580 / Access Code: 941-597 / Login: https://enrollamerica.adobeconnect.com/_a1138253866/sageneral

    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


    HRSA Funding Opportunity to Support Leadership Training for People Living with HIV
    The needs of people living with HIV have continued to evolve over time, and it is essential that the diverse perspectives and experiences of people living with HIV continue to be an integral part of program planning and implementation at all levels. To ensure that people living with HIV are engaged and their voices continue to be heard, HHS has directed $2.5 million from the Secretary's Minority AIDS Initiative Fund to support a new initiative to provide leadership training for people of color living with HIV.
    HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau is leading this effort and recently published a Funding Opportunity Announcement, Leadership Training for People of Color Living with HIV.

    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 
    BPHC is pleased to announce the availability of funds to acknowledge health centers that have been recognized as Patient Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) by July 1.The award amount of the PCMH recognition award in FY 2016 will be determined based upon the availability of federal funding. The table of health centers with valid PCMH recognition status and the number of sites with PCMH recognition is posted on the
    If you have questions pertaining to your health center PCMH recognition information, please email the HRSA BPHC Quality Division Inbox with subject heading "2016 Health Center PCMH Quality Awards." Please be sure to include documentation of PCMH recognition (for each site, if applicable) on or before July 1.

    Free PCMH Technical Assistance is Available through NCQA's Government Recognition Initiative Program (GRIP) Register here
    The National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) Live Open Forum will address questions related to PCMH 2014 standards, the application, and survey process. NCQA staff will respond to your questions. You may attend the Open Forum as many times as you need.
    Clinical Quality 
    Quality Payment Program Webinars 
    CMS is providing opportunities to better understand the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) under the new proposed rule for the Quality Payment Program.  Physicians and other eligible professionals in rural areas that serve Medicare beneficiaries may be subjected to requirements under MIPS.  MIPS would evaluate the quality of care delivered based on four performance categories: resource use, quality, advancing care information (use of electronic health records), and clinical practice improvement activities.  
    Register now for the MIPS: Clinical Practice Improvement Activities (CPIA) Overview on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at 12:00 pm ET and a MIPS Scoring Overview on Friday, June 24 at 12:00 pm ET. 
    Space for these webinars is limited and registration is required.  After your registration is completed, you will receive a follow-up e-mail with step-by-step instructions on how to log-in to the webinar. CMS encourages review of the proposed rule ( CMS-5517-P) prior to these listening sessions and reminds that the feedback you give will not be considered formal commenting.  Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by 5pm on Monday, June 27, 2016.  

     CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain - Wednesday, June 22, 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET.
    According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the rate of opioid-related overdose deaths in rural areas is 45 percent higher than in urban areas.  This webinarprovides recommendations for safer and more effective prescribing of opioids for chronic pain in patients 18 and older in outpatient settings outside of active cancer treatment, palliative care, and end-of-life care. During this COCA Call, clinicians will hear an overview of the CDC recommendations and learn when and how opioids should be initiated for chronic pain, how to assess risk and address harms of opioid use, and when and how opioids should be discontinued.

     
    Implementing Syringe Services - Thursday, June 23, 1:00 - 2:30 pm ET.  
    This webinar will cover the available guidance on syringe exchange from HHS, CDC, and HRSA into easy-to-understand and actionable terms. Participants will also hear from organizations that experienced HIV outbreak in rural Indiana and other communities who are building strong partnerships with their health departments needed to effectively address the HIV and harm reduction needs in their communities.

    Rural-Urban Differences in Practices for LGBT Patients - Monday, June 27th at 3:00 pm ET.
    This month's webinar from the Rural Population Health Learning Collaborative will feature David Tillman, Chair and Assistant Professor of Public Health at the Campbell University School of Public Health, Buies Creek, NC in a discussion about the impact of rural isolation for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) patients.  Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android at https://zoom.us/j/7069532956  , or dial:
    +1 415 762 9988 (US Toll) or +1 646 568 7788 (US Toll).  Learn more about the challenges to LGBT healthcare at the Rural Health Information Hub.
      Register Now:  3RNet Annual Conference - September 13-15.  The National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network (3RNet) is now accepting registration for its annual conference in Nashville, TN.  Members and nonmembers are 

    Training Programs and HHS Region III brings you the following webinars:
    August 3, 2016: Opioid Prescribing: Safe Practice, Changing Lives* (Choose to attend this event  in-person in Philadelphia, PA, or participate by webinar!)

    NACHC Webinars to Improve Compliance, Finance, Operations
    The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is offering several webinars to support health centers in making the best of the present, remain in compliance and prepare for the future.  There is no fee for any of the webinars, but registration is required.  
    For a FULL List of Webinars, CLICK HERE 
    Ask the Experts Webinar Series: State Policy & Behavioral Health 
    • Behavioral Health Integration--Tuesday, June 14, 2PM ET
    • Substance Use Disorder--Tuesday, June 21, 2PM ET
    • Behavioral Health Workforce--Tuesday, June 28, 2PM ET
    • Behavioral health experts will speak to state health policy challenges and opportunities related to behavioral health integration in health centers
    2016 Maryland Patient Navigation Network Annual Meeting & TrainingMaryland Patient Navigation NetworkTuesday, June 14, 2016 from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM (EDT)                 Towson, MD
    Register Here
    Benefits Include:
    • Hearing from national and local speakers that are experts in topics pertaining to patient navigation and cancer care 
       
    • Learning about resources available to cancer patients and their families
       
    • Networking with other navigators across the state
       
    • Certificates of attendance will be distributed
    Health Observances This Week
     


    June is Scleroderma Awareness Month
    For more than 20 years, the Scleroderma Foundation, its Chapters and Support Groups have recognized June as Scleroderma Awareness Month, marking it with annual awareness and fundraising events, as well as obtaining presidential, state and local proclamations.  The Scleroderma Foundation has joined the Federation of European Scleroderma Associations (FESCA), the Scleroderma Society of Canada, and other international scleroderma organizations in recognizing June 29 as World Scleroderma Awareness Day.
    On June 29, the world's scleroderma community comes together to recognize World Scleroderma Day. On this day in 1940, internationally-renowned Swiss painter Paul Klee died. He had scleroderma and his artwork was widely influenced by his experience with the disease. We take this time to remember the the life and death of Paul Klee, as well as all those who struggle with scleroderma. We work together with scleroderma organizations around the world to help fight for better treatments and improved care for people living with scleroderma.

    How You Can Help
    There are many different ways that you can help join the fight. Here are just a few examples:
    • Wear teal. Teal is the color associated with scleroderma awareness.
    • This year, our goal is to have scleroderma trend online. Please take the time on June 29 to post on Facebook or Twitter, using the hashtag #scleroderma in your message.
    • We also urge you to contact your local media to let them know that scleroderma is an important subject to you, and you'd like them to produce more stories about the disease to help educate the public about this devastating and mysterious illness.
    • For individuals who live in the U.S., please take this opportunity to tell your Congressional leaders about the Scleroderma Research and Awareness Act. Get started at www.scleroderma.org/advocacy
    • Learn more about scleroderma and Scleroderma Awareness Month at www.sclerodermaawareness.org
    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.

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