Dear Colleague,
Throughout September, ACU is honoring Suicide Prevention Month. Approximately half of all individuals who die by suicide visit their primary care provider in the month before their passing, and healthcare workers of all disciplines have crucial opportunities to intervene. Simple strategies can help save lives, just as the incorporation of other difficult-to-access services such as eye health and vision care at health centers can help improve them.
This week, we're releasing a variety of new resources to help health centers respond to these needs—and bolster the workforce that makes such efforts possible. Read more below about new webinars on suicide prevention for elderly patients and health center vision care, insights on retaining and recruiting medical and dental assistants, updates from ACU's community, our latest advocacy for patient civic engagement, and more.
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Learn How Healthcare Workers Can Help Prevent Geriatric Suicide in Tuesday's Webinar
Sept. 27: 1-2 p.m. ET | 1.0 CME Credit Available
Elderly individuals are at the greatest risk for completed suicide of all age groups in the U.S., but primary care providers (PCPs) and teams working with these patients have vital opportunities to intervene. Join Dr. Virna Little, Chief Clinical Officer at Concert Health, to understand unique factors in geriatric suicide and learn how to recognize warning signs and implement evidence-based interventions—and access a new toolkit on geriatric suicide prevention.
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In Case You Missed It: 988 Suicide Lifeline Now Available
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available via the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 988lifeline.org. The 988 Lifeline launched in July to provide 24/7 access to mental health crisis care, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) data show that the Lifeline saw a 45% increase in overall contacts compared to August 2021, answering 152,000 more contacts and improving response times from 2.5 minutes to 42 seconds. HHS also announced $35 million in grants to improve 988 services in tribal areas.
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New Webinar: Learn About the Feasibility of Opening Optometry Services at Your CHC
Wednesday, Nov. 2: 3-4:30 p.m. ET
Are you planning to offer vision services at your health center and need to prepare for what comes next? Join ACU, Prevent Blindness, and the National Association of Community Health Centers for a webinar to learn about budgeting, best practices for hiring and staffing, and strategies for overcoming challenges as you take the next steps in providing vision services to patients.
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Reminder: FQHC Vision Grant Applications Open This Fall
With the support of the Centene Foundation for Quality Health Care, ACU will accept applications from FQHCs and lookalikes this fall for $25,000 grants to help start or expand permanent, comprehensive eye health and vision care programs. ACU has helped numerous health centers create or expand programs, and you could join them: learn more.
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New Publication Highlights Strategies to Attract and Retain MAs and DAs
Retaining medical assistants (MAs) and dental assistants (DAs) is more challenging than ever. ACU’s STAR2 Center recently engaged two focus groups of health center staff to share strategies and lessons learned to reduce the attrition of these critical staff members. Prepared by Ann Loeffler, MSPH, PMP, this new publication compiles these findings and provides insight from participants on ways to retain MAs and DAs in the workforce. Our recent webinar series provides further insights.
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In Case You Missed It: Archived Webinar on Communication Across Generations Available
Did you miss the ACU STAR2 Center’s recent webinar exploring multigenerational conflict in the workplace, or want to review what you learned? The recorded webinar and slides are now available. Learn about the dangers of generational stereotypes, the importance of context, and concrete strategies for communicating across generations.
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Resources Explore Building Inclusive Organizations, Perspectives on Racism, & More
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Get to Know Albany Area Primary Health Care in Our Latest Allying for Health Equity Blog
Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC) provides care to over 45,000 medically under-resourced patients in Southwest Georgia and is the area’s largest CHC. A longtime ACU Member, AAPHC works toward health equity and building healthy communities through local partnerships, bringing care directly to patients in need, and leveraging programs such as the National Health Service Corps. Learn more and read other posts in Allying for Health Equity.
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Explore the Latest Issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
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Welcoming Our Latest Member
ACU welcomes Community Medical Centers (CMC) as our latest Organizational Member. CMC started as a volunteer effort in the late 1960s and is now a growing network of neighborhood health centers serving over 100,000 patients in San Joaquin, Solano, and Yolo Counties in California. They are one of the area’s largest safety net providers and offer integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and supportive services. Is your organization committed to health equity? Learn about ACU membership and contact us with any questions.
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ACU Joins Coalition in Sending Recommendations on How HHS Can Strengthen Civic Participation
On Sept. 19, ACU joined the Healthy Democracy Healthy People coalition in sending the Biden Administration recommendations to strengthen civic and voter participation through HHS. Civic health is linked with community health, and greater civic engagement can help address political determinants of health. The letter calls on HHS to build on its efforts to support civic engagement by including an increase in voting in its Healthy People 2030 campaign, offering clear guidance on what HHS agencies can do, and more. Read the letter and join us as an advocate to stay updated on new developments.
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ACU Member Testifies at Congressional Hearing on Climate Change's Impact on CHCs
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Don't Forget: NHSC Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (S2S LRP) Applications Open Soon
The National Health Service Corps' S2S LRP will begin accepting applications soon! Open to students in their last year of medical, nursing, or dental school, the program offers up to $120,000 in loan repayment in return for serving for at least three years at an NHSC-approved site in medically underserved areas. This is an excellent opportunity for students to help pay off their loans while expanding access to care for under-resourced communities.
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The Latest from ACU's Career Center
Our Career Center is a great resource for job seekers or healthcare organizations looking to hire quality staff to serve under-resourced populations. ACU Members get premier access by logging in to our member portal and using the discount code. View recent postings:
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Funding Opportunities
Deadline: Oct. 22, 2022
SAMHSA
Deadline: Oct. 25, 2022
Deadline: Jan. 9, 2023
ACU
Opening this fall
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Upcoming Webinars:
Archived Webinars:
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STAR² Center Talks Workforce Success Podcast: Seasons 1-3
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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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