Rural Spotlight

State Strategies to Improve Behavioral Health for Those Experiencing Homelessness

May 20, 2024

State Strategies to Improve Behavioral Health for Those Experiencing Homelessness

The Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) issued an Informational Bulletin to highlight available Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) opportunities to improve access to mental health (MH) and substance use disorder (SUD) services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

It discusses Medicaid demonstrations, the Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) Guidance and HRSN Framework to provide clinically appropriate services such as housing transition services and case management, and demonstration projects to improve access to the full continuum o9f care for SUD treatment, including in short-term residential treatment and inpatient settings.

It also provides a list of resources for improving access to MH and SUD treatment and to support for people with these conditions who are experiencing or at risk for homelessness.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, about 18 percent of people experiencing homelessness live in largely rural Continuums of Care, which are local planning bodies responsible for coordinating the full range of homelessness services in a geographic area.

Read CMCS Bulletin

Webinar: Understanding Housing as a Social Driver of Health for Rural Residents – Wednesday, May 29, 1:00 p.m. ET

May 20, 2024

Webinar: Understanding Housing as a Social Driver of Health for Rural Residents – Wednesday, May 29, 1:00 p.m. ET

During this one-hour webinar, presenters will share recent research findings on rural/urban differences in housing cost burden and quality of housing stock.

This webinar will also include results from a series of key informant interviews on challenges and opportunities to support housing and improve health for rural residents.

After attending, participants will be able to describe differences between rural and urban residents in basic housing access and quality measures.

Attendees will also be able to identify opportunities to improve housing as a social driver of health through policy and programming.

Registration is free and required. Attendance of the live webinar is limited to 500  persons. If you are unable to attend, you will be able to access the recording.

Cost:  Free

When: Wednesday, May 29, 1:00 p.m. ET

Register Here

Webinar: The Impact of Menopause on Women: Considerations for Health Care and the Workplace – June 4, 1:00 p.m. CT

May 20, 2024

Webinar: The Impact of Menopause on Women: Considerations for Health Care and the Workplace – June 4, 1:00 p.m. CT

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) Office of Women’s Health (OWH) and the US Department of Labor’s Women’s bureau invite you to a webinar, “The Impact of Menopause on Women: Considerations for Health Care and the Workplace.”

This webinar will feature speakers from HRSA OWH, the US Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, the Mayo Clinic and Coastal CARE Clinics.

The webinar will highlight workplace accommodations for women experiencing menopause and considerations for health care providers when treating women with menopause.

Cost: Free

When: Tuesday, June 4, 1:00 p.m. CT

Register Here

Cyber Safety for Small, Medium & Large Healthcare Organizations

May 17, 2024

Cyber Safety for Small, Medium & Large Healthcare Organizations

Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) is any information that can be used for identity theft, financial fraud or damage the patient’s reputation.

Data classification is based on understanding where this type of data resides, where it is accessed, and how it is shared.

An organization needs to identify the types of data files and types of records relevant to each category of classification such as sensitive, internal use or public use, which in turn can help your organization decide how it should be protected.

Threats Data Classification Mitigates:

  • Ransomware attack
  • Loss or theft of equipment or data
  • Insider, accidental or malicious data loss

Click Here to download this FREE resource

FREE Healthcare Supply Chain Risk Management Webinar – June 12

May 17, 2024

FREE Healthcare Supply Chain Risk Management Webinar – June 12

Register now for the free Healthcare Supply Chain Risk Management webinar, presented by David Sims, CHMSP and CEO of Security First IT.

The webinar will cover the following key topics:

  • Importance of vendor vetting & supply chain risk management
  • Understanding supply chain risks in healthcare
  • Key components of vendor vetting
  • Implementing a risk management framework

When: Wednesday, June 12, 12:00 p.m. CT

Cost: Free

Register Here

New Botnet Video – Cyber Safety is Patient Safety

May 17, 2024

New Botnet Video – Cyber Safety is Patient Safety

The HHS 405(d) Knowledge on Demand page has added a new free educational video on Botnets.

This video helps users identify and be aware of the threat of botnet by understanding what it is and how it works.

Organizations can use this video and share with others that may or may not know the term botnet, or the threat that looms.

Click Here to access the free video

Safety of Outpatient Health Care

May 17, 2024

Safety of Outpatient Health Care

Despite considerable emphasis on delivering safe care, substantial patient harm occurs. Although most care occurs in outpatient settings, research into adverse events (AE) in this setting remains sparse in comparison to acute care.

Seven percent had at least one AE, most commonly adverse drug events, and 23% were potentially preventable. Most AE originated from care in the physician’s office.

The conclusion was made that outpatient harm was relatively common and often serious. Adverse drug events were most frequent. Rates were higher among older adults. Interventions to curtail outpatient harm are urgently needed.

For more information about this study, go to the National Library of Medicine.

NRHA Today – Newsletter

May 17, 2024

NRHA Today – Newsletter

The National Rural Health Association has released the latest version of “NRHA Today”.

Click Here to Access Newsletter

Become a New Site for the National Health Service Corp – Apply by June 25

May 16, 2024

Become a New Site for the National Health Service Corp – Apply by June 25

Eligible health care facilities can apply to become National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved sites. The application for new sites interested in becoming NHSC-approved is now open through June 25 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

NHSC approved sites provide outpatient, comprehensive primary health care services to people in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

Benefits to becoming an NHSC-approved site include assistance in recruiting, hiring and retaining quality providers through programs such as the NHSC Rural Community Loan Repayment Program.

Learn More about becoming an NHSC site.

Get help with your application:

HRSA’s National Hansen’s Disease Program

May 13, 2024

HRSA’s National Hansen’s Disease Program

Since 1984, The Health Resource and Services Administration’s (HRSA’s) National Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) Program (NHDP) has served as the epicenter of Hansen’s disease, including free consultations, trainings, and medications for leprosy treatment at no cost to the patient.

The NHDP Program’s Clinical Center is located in Baton Rouge, LA and also manages an ambulatory care network of 16 Federally supported outpatient clinics across 10 states and Puerto Rico where patients can receive the following medical care for Hansen’s disease-related condition, free of charge:

  • Antibiotics
  • Pathology diagnostic services
  • Physician visits at NHDP and clinics

For more information:

Hansen’s Disease Resources: