Dear Colleague,

The health center workforce faced challenges even before the onset of COVID-19, and the stress, burnout, and moral injury of the pandemic have placed unprecedented strains on our community. Nevertheless, our network has and continues to rise to the task of helping to advance health equity for all. This week, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is celebrating those achievements, reflecting on the 50-year history of the National Health Service Corps, and looking forward to exploring new strategies to support our community at our Workforce Symposium on May 2-3.

As we prepare to convene in Nashville, TN, we invite you to join us in-person and read more below about new publications and learning opportunities from ACU including:
Read Our Updated Fact Sheets on the National Health Service Corps
Read about the 50-year history and impact of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) in our fact sheets. Our NHSC Program overview examines the Corps' programs, field strength, and funding history, as well as the NHSC's diversity and professions. Our NHSC Funding publication includes further information on the Corps' funding and examines the vital need to expand the initiative, which faces a funding cliff after FY2023. Sign up to become an advocate and raise your voice in support of the NHSC!
Celebrate With ACU at Our NHSC 50th Anniversary Gala on Aug. 1
Registration is open for ACU's NHSC 50th Anniversary Gala! On August 1, this event in D.C. will honor the NHSC’s 50 years of connecting clinicians with under-resourced communities with festivities, films, and speeches from Corps luminaries such as Eric Redman—former Congressional staffer and author of The Dance of Legislation.
NHSC Members & Alumni: Help Inform Our NHSC TA Initiative
If you are a Corps member or alumnus, we want to hear from you! ACU is seeking individuals interested in supporting our NHSC Pathway Readiness Technical Assistance Initiative by serving on committees, assisting trainings, and mentoring participants. Learn more about this opportunity to share your experiences and support NHSC clinicians or contact us.
More Ways to Celebrate #NHSC50: Share Your Story or Share the Word
For Dr. Crysta Chatman of our member Unity Health Care, the NHSC allowed her to partner with the community at a CHC and to work with NHSC alumni "committed to fighting systemic racism and improving equity," an experience which "has been beyond rewarding." She and others are joining a yearlong celebration led by the Bureau of Health Workforce: learn how you, too, can get involved and share your experiences with the hashtag #NHSC50.
Learn Best Practices in Suicide Prevention, JEDI, Eye Health & Vision Care, & Workforce in Our New Centers of Excellence Briefs
ACU has begun a new Centers of Excellence initiative to identify key standards and develop supportive resources to help health centers develop their capacity to improve health equity as true Centers of Excellence. In its initial stage, the initiative has focused on developing best practice briefs on four crucial areas of CHC services, including eye health and vision care; justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; suicide prevention in primary care; and workforce retention and recruitment. Read the guides and contact us with questions.
Only 12 Days Left: Don't Miss Our Workforce Symposium in Nashville, TN
Now is the time to register and book your room for our STAR² Center's Workforce Symposium, Going Beyond Buzzwords: Striving for a Thriving Workforce! Join us from May 2-3 at the Graduate Hotel in Nashville, TN, to learn how to promote resilience and transformations in care to support CHC teams in highly interactive workshops and breakout sessions. Browse our agenda and register now to hear workforce updates from HRSA officials, explore how to unravel bias and build cultural sensitivity, create psychological safety for employees, and more.
Join Us in D.C. or Online for ACU's 2022 Conference on July 31-August 3
Preparations are underway for ACU's 2022 Conference, Resilience & Transformation in Care, taking place in-person in Washington, D.C. and virtually from July 31-Aug. 3! We are excited to offer CME-accredited trainings and keynotes including BPHC Associate Administrator Jim Macrae, as well as poster presentations, networking, award ceremonies, and much more. Stay tuned for a full agenda and save your spot now for Early Bird rates: ACU Members and students enjoy significant discounts.
Don't Forget: Nominate Outstanding Individuals & Organizations for Awards at Our Conference
Awardees Will Receive Free Registration
ACU is honored to represent clinicians, administrators, and advocates dedicated to improving health equity for under-resourced populations, and we will acknowledge outstanding individuals and organizations with awards—and free registration—at our Conference. Submit a nomination by May 6 for our awards: Clinician of the Year, Organizational Excellence, Health Professional in Training, Congressional Champion, or Marc Wetherhorn Advocate of the Year.
Upcoming Webinar Explores Leadership's Role in Building Workforce Resiliency
April 27: 3-4 p.m. ET
As health center teams struggle with burnout, leaders must provide structural support and take a top-down approach to stress management, relieving the burden of action on individual staff to engage in self-care. Sign up to join expert trainers April Lewis and Matt Bennett in this discussion of leadership’s role in building teams and supporting stress management to increase workforce resiliency.
In Case You Missed It: New Webinar Series Explores Eye Health and Vision Care at CHCs
April 28 & June 9: 3-4:30 p.m. ET
Many patients in economically marginalized communities face barriers to accessing proper eye and vision care, but health centers can help address this. Learn how in ACU's new webinar series, "Eyes on Access," with Prevent Blindness and the National Association of Community Health Centers. Attendees will learn about the importance of integrating vision services at health centers, listen to staff and patients at CHCs providing vision care, and more.
Don't Miss the Last Webinar in Our PCA & HCCN Workforce Professional Development Series
Tuesday, June 14: 2-3 p.m. ET
Join us for the last session as our STAR2 Center's workforce professional development series concludes on June 14. Prior sessions explored workforce action planning, best practices for using data, and a discussion of Health Professions Education & Training Plans. This semi-monthly series aims to bolster workforce efforts at PCAs and HCCNs and to help teams provide a robust support system for recruitment and retention at health centers. View past sessions and join us for the final webinar in June!
View Archived Webinars on Strengthening Partnerships & Crisis Communications
ACU recently partnered with Healthcare Ready on two webinars:
Join ACU's Team as a JEDI Intern
Are you a creative individual with a passion for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in health care? We are seeking an intern to join our JEDI team to assist with short form videos for social media, develop educational materials, coordinate learning collaboratives, and more. Email your resume and a cover letter to Sabrina Edgington, Senior Director of JEDI Initiatives.
In Case You Missed It: NHSC Scholarships and Site Applications & Nurse Corps Opportunities Are Open
New HRSA Funding Opportunity: Community Health Worker Training Program
The Health Resources and Services Administration is seeking applications to expand the public health workforce through its Community Health Worker Training Program. This multiyear program focuses on education and on-the-job training to expand critical health care to under-resourced communities. Learn more in an upcoming webinar on May 11 and apply.
Publications & Resources
Webinars
From the Blog & Podcast
Policy Updates
ACU is here to help: if we can do anything to better support your work to improve care and advocate for patients living in historically marginalized communities, please contact our Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly with any feedback. Thank you for all that you do.
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