UPCOMING TRAINING
& EVENTS
click link(s) for details
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December 24-25
TPCA Closed for Christmas
January 1, 2020
TPCA Closed for New Year's Day
January 15
January 20
TPCA Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
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Are you attending an event at TPCA?
Click here for a list of nearby hotels!
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Attention
health centers!
Please send
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If you would like to be added to the
TPCA Update
mailing list, please
click here.
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This publication is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,830,669, with 15 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit
HRSA.gov
.
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Tennessee State Loan Repayment Program 2019 Application Cycle Now Open
(From TDH)
-- The Tennessee State Loan Repayment Program (TSLRP) provides educational loan repayment to qualified primary care practitioners in exchange for an initial twp-year service obligation to practice full-time or part-time at an ambulatory public, non-profit, or private non-profit primary care site located in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or a facility designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or Rural Health Clinic (RHC).
Regional, local, and metro health departments must be a primary care entity located in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in order to qualify.
Eligible practitioners include physicians; nurse practitioners; certified nurse mid-wives; physician assistants; pharmacists; general practice or pediatric dentists; psychiatrists; psychiatric nurse specialists; health service psychologists; licensed clinical social worker; marriage and family therapists; and licensed professional counselors.
Eligible applicants can receive a maximum of up to $50,000 for an initial two-year service obligation. TSLRP award amounts are determined by annual funding availability, which may cause variations in the final award amount from year-to-year.
The application cycle is open until January 7, 2020
.
Click here
to complete the online application.
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SNAP Rule
On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a
final rule
that would tighten work requirements for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The requirement would affect childless, able-bodied adults between the ages of 18-49. These recipients are currently limited to three months of benefits over the course of a three-year period unless they work 20 hours per week.
The new rule restricts states’ ability to use waivers to provide SNAP in areas with high unemployment. Under the new rule, waivers would be limited to areas with unemployment of 6 percent or higher. The USDA estimates that 688,000 recipients could lose SNAP benefits under the rule, which is set to go into effect on April 1, 2020.
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TennCare Block Grant Proposal
The 30-day federal comment period for Tennessee’s block grant proposal is open through December 27. November 20 marked the deadline for the Bureau of TennCare to submit its Medicaid block grant proposal,
Amendment 42
, to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). TennCare made minor alterations to the proposal following the state’s public comment period and a series of public hearings. To submit comments, log on to the
CMS website
. TPCA is working closely with our partners, including NACHC, as we respond to the block grant proposal.
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Federal Funding
On November 21, Congress passed a second continuing resolution to keep the government open and health centers funded through December 20. The short-term spending bill provided an extension for discretionary and mandatory funding, including the Community Health Center Fund, National Health Service Corps, and Teaching Health Centers Program.
Congress continues to work toward a larger spending package that may include long-term funding for community health centers. There is still time to join in
Dialed-In December
by calling your Members of Congress and urging them to invest in the future of health centers.
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TPCA Health Center Photo Contest Winners Announced
Community health centers all across Tennessee play an important role in serving their patients and communities. TPCA recently asked our members to share images that show their health centers and people at their best. Congratulations to our winners: Cherokee Health Systems; Community Health of East Tennessee; Chota Community Health Services; Connectus Health; Dayspring Health; Erlanger Community Health Centers; Hardeman County Community Health; HOPE Family Health; and Rural Medical Services.
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Health Centers in the News
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Healthcare Leaders Recognized with TPCA Awards of Excellence
Congratulations to the recipients of 2019 Awards of Excellence who were recognized at the recent TPCA President's Dinner:
- Dana Henderson, COO, HOPE Family Health -- Susan P. Smith Award, for her outstanding contributions in advancing health center programs and working to strengthen the partnerships between health centers and TPCA staff.
- State Senator Jeff Yarbro, District 21, Davidson County -- Irwin Venick Advocate Award, for his work to support, promote, and improve access to comprehensive, high-quality, cost-effective health care for all Tennesseans.
- Commissioner Lisa Piercey, Tennessee Department of Health -- Kathy Wood-Dobbins Executive Leadership Award, for her leadership and advocacy resulting in support and recognition for quality primary care provided by health centers in Tennessee. View Commissioner Pierecey's remarks here.
- Senator Lamar Alexander -- William V. Corr Award, for his support of health policy and development. View Senator Alexander's remarks here.
Click
here
to view photos from the event.
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TPCA Staff Recognized at President's Dinner
Several TPCA staff members were recognized for their service and contributions during the President's Dinner:
- Sarah Hill, Training Coordinator, received both the All-Star Award and the Innovation Award for her work.
- Libby Thurman, Chief External Affairs Officer, received the Staff Spotlight Award, which gives health centers the opportunity to recognize a TPCA employee who has provided exceptional support throughout the year.
- Rhonda Keen, Executive Assistant/Office Manager, was recognized for 10 years of service.
- Bethany Anderson, Network Analyst, was recognized for 15 years of service.
Click
here
to view photos from the event.
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New Resource to Help Health Center Staff Prepare for Site Visits
The Onsite Interviews and Interactions Resource explains how the site visit team will interact with health center staff and review health center systems and procedures during the site visit.
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HRSA-Wide Approach to Address Intimate Partner Violence Published in Public Health Reports
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TPCA Clinical Pharmacists Collaborative
TPCA is launching the Clinical Pharmacists Collaborative Workgroup in January 2020, and all health center pharmacists are invited to be a part of it.
The workgroup’s objective is to provide a collaborative opportunity to discuss how clinical pharmacists are integrating into the clinical team at health centers and improving health outcomes for patients with chronic disease. Pharmacists will share promising practices and have opportunities to present on key issues. The focus will be on provisions of care for chronic disease, with an emphasis on diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia.
The workgroup's kickoff meeting will take place on
Friday, December 13, at 3 p.m. (Central)
and will include a presentation on "The ABCs of CBD" by Dr. Ben Gross from Lewis Health Center.
If you are interested in participating in the workgroup, please send an email with your contact information to lisa.juran@tnpca.org to be added to the mailing list.
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Introducing HRSA’s Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health TA
(From HRSA)
-- HRSA recently announced the new HRSA Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health TA. The Center will provide training and TA on evidence-based interventions and promising practices to support the integration of behavioral health and substance use disorder services in primary care settings. Learn more at an upcoming webinar:
Tuesday, December 10
3-4 p.m. (Eastern)
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