Category: HRSA

Now Available – White House Social Determinants of Health Playbook

December 14, 2023

Now Available – White House Social Determinants of Health Playbook

The social and economic conditions of the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes. The following resources build on the Administration’s work to advance health equity by acknowledging that peoples’ social and economic conditions play an important role in their health and well-being.

Virtual Conference: Medical Leadership in Disaster Preparedness and Response, February 7-8, 2024

December 14, 2023

Virtual Conference: Medical Leadership in Disaster Preparedness and Response, February 7-8, 2024

Are you currently responsible for the medical direction of a health care entity in the event of a disaster? Are you interested in serving in that role in the future? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) is hosting the Medical Leadership in Disaster Preparedness and Response Virtual Conference February 7-8, 2024.

This two half-day virtual, interactive conference will feature individuals who have a medical direction role during disasters for their health care facility, public health department, emergency medical services agency, health care coalition, or other entity discussing the spectrum of their medical leadership responsibilities and some of the specific challenges of the role.

All participants are encouraged to attend the entire virtual conference, but participants must register for each day they would like to attend

What to Expect:

Day 1 – February 7 12:30 – 5:00 PM ET

  • Providing a framework for disaster medicine leadership
  • How we can measure our effectiveness
  • The intersection of clinical care and emergency management
  • Preparing future leaders for the role

View Agenda

Register Here for Day 1

Day 2 – February 8 12:30-5:00 PM ET

  • Medical Operations Coordination Centers
  • Crisis Standards of Care
  • Disaster medicine in rural areas
  • Equitable disaster planning and access to care
  • The role of public/private partnerships

Register Here for Day 2

Register Now as space is limited

Technical Assistance Webinar – Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) – HRSA-24-018, Monday, December 11 from 2:30 – 4:00

December 11, 2023

Technical Assistance Webinar – Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) – HRSA-24-018, Monday, December 11 from 2:30 – 4:00

Don’t miss today’s Technical Assistance (TA) webinar for the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program.

When: Today, Monday, December 11, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

The Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) aims to have applicants maximize patient and family engagement to address care gaps and improve health outcomes for older adults by integrating geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties using the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework.

Eligible Applicants include:

  • Schools of Allopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Nursing, Allied Health, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Public Health, Optometry, Chiropractic, Veterinary Medicine or Podiatric Medicine
  • Physician Assistant Education Programs
  • Graduate programs for Health Administration or Behavioral Health and Mental Health Practice, including:
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Clinical Social Work
  • Professional Counseling
  • Marriage and family therapy
  • Health care facilities
  • Programs leading to certification as a certified nurse assistant
  • Partnership of a school of nursing and health care facility
  • Partnership of a program leading to certification as a certified nurse assistant, and a health care facility
  • Community-based organization, if otherwise eligible
  • Tribes, and Tribal organizations, if otherwise eligible

HRSA anticipates awarding $43 million to approximately 43 recipients through this funding opportunity.

Applications accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on February 26, 2024

Read More about HRSA-24-018

Register Here for TA Webinar

Using Telehealth for HIV Care

December 5, 2023

Using Telehealth for HIV Care

It’s critical for providers to understand the complexity of a patient’s daily life and support them with quality care.

Regular appointment attendance can help patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) slow the progression of the disease, reduce risk of transmission, and improve health outcomes.

Factors like time and transportation challenges, the stigma surrounding HIV, and a shortage of HIV care providers can make following a care plan difficult.

Incorporating telehealth into a primary care practice can overcome these barriers by giving patients a sage, convenient way to access HIV prevention and care services.

In recognition of the recent World AIDS Day, HRSA’s best practice guide has resources to use telehealth for HIV.

Included in the guide:

Access Best Practice Guide

Calendar Year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Summary

December 5, 2023

Calendar Year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule Summary

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Learning Network released a summary of the CY24 PFS final rule with information on key changes.

The Medicare Telehealth Services section includes information on:

  • New codes
  • Continuing flexibilities
  • Payment rate and more

Read More

Center for Rural Health Releases Communication Toolkit

December 5, 2023

Center for Rural Health Releases Communication Toolkit

The Center for Rural Health (CRH), housed within the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences, recently updated its Communication Toolkit. The toolkit is designed to help Critical Access Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, public health departments and other healthcare organizations in navigating the realm of communications. It has sections on communicating with a target audience, working with the media, and how to successfully use tools, such as social media and website analytics, to share information with the public.

Helpful items in the toolkit:

The toolkit is free and open to the public and may be helpful for:

  • Marketing coordinators
  • Public relations directors
  • Social media marketers
  • Communication managers
  • Foundation directors
  • Website specialists
  • And other similar positions

Access Communication Toolkit Here

Application Assistance for Rural Residency Funding – Apply by February 12

December 4, 2023

Application Assistance for Rural Residency Funding – Apply by February 12

Learn more about what’s needed to apply for the newest funding opportunity for establishing rural residencies, the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program (RRPD) – HRSA-24-022. The FORHP-supported RRPD provides start-up funding for new residency programs to address physician workforce shortages in:

  • Family medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Psychiatry
  • General surgery
  • Preventive medicine
  • Obstetrics and gynecology

Eligible applicants are rural hospitals and graduate medical education consortiums that may include:

  • Universities
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities
  • Tribal organizations

A maximum of 15 awardees will receive up to $750,000 for a three-year grant period to develop new and sustainable programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, especially programs specifically designed for underserved areas and populations.

Research has shown that physicians from a rural background and those trained in rural settings are more likely to continue practicing in rural areas after completing their residencies.

Medically Underserved Areas/Populations and GME

Application Assistance

Updates to Requirements for Buprenorphine Prescribing

December 4, 2023

Updates to Requirements for Buprenorphine Prescribing

As announced by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in January 2023, clinicians no longer need a federal waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for treatment of opioid use disorder. Clinicians are still required to register with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency to prescribe controlled medication.

On June 27, the DEA began to require that registration applicants – both new and renewing – affirm they have completed a new, one-time, eight hour training. Exceptions for the new training requirement are practitioners who are board certified in addiction psychiatry, and those who graduated from a medical, dental, physician assistant, or advanced practice nursing school in the U.S. within five years of June 27, 2023.

Watch this 11-minute video that explains the changes

Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) still have the opportunity to apply for a $3,000 payment on behalf of each provider who trained between January 1, 2019 and December 29, 2022 (when Congress eliminated the waiver requirement). Approximately $889,000 in program funding remains available for RHCs and will be paid on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

Please contact DATA2000WaiverPayments@hrsa.gov for additional information.

See Training Requirements

Apply for DATA 200 Waiver Training Payment

Trends in the Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

December 4, 2023

Trends in the Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

A review of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System showed the prevalence of COPD has remained stable overall, but with disparities based on rural residence. Specifically, between the years 2011 and 2021, prevalence increased for adults 75 years and older, for those living in rural areas, and for those who smoked.

Researchers suggest the COPD National Action Plan provides a comprehensive framework for COPD prevention, treatment, and management strategies. These can be tailored to address risk factors specific to various populations. In rural areas, for example, there are higher rates of smoking, history of asthma, and exposure to lung irritants, but limited access to pulmonologists.

The Rural Health Information hub (RHIhub) recently updated the Rural Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Toolkit, with models for effective COPD programs, issues to consider when implementing, and resources for funding and sustainability.

Overview of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Rural Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Toolkit

New Funding Opportunity – Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) – HRSA-24-018

December 1, 2023

New Funding Opportunity – Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) – HRSA-24-018

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a New Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to educate and train the health and supportive care workforces to care for older adults by collaborating with community partners.

The Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) – HRSA-24-018 aims to have applicants maximize patient and family engagement to address care gaps and improve health outcomes for older adults by integrating geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties using the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework.

Eligible Applicants

  • Schools of Allopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Nursing, Allied Health, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Public Health, Optometry, Chiropractic, Veterinary Medicine, or Podiatric Medicine
  • Physician Assistant Education Programs
  • Graduate programs for Health Administration or Behavioral Health and Mental Health Practice, including:
    • Clinical Psychology
    • Clinical Social Work
    • Professional Counseling
    • Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Health care facilities
  • Programs leading to certification as a certified nurse assistant
  • Partnership of a school of nursing and health care facility
  • Partnership of a program leading to certification as a certified nurse assistant and a health care facility
  • Community-based organizations, if otherwise eligible
  • Tribes, and Tribal organizations, if otherwise eligible

HRSA anticipates awarding approximately $43 million to approximately 43 recipients through this funding opportunity

Contact Information for questions:

Jennifer Solomon, GWEP@hrsa.gov, (301) 443-0024

See Full Announcement

Apply Now