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WVPCA Weekly Outlook
A Newsletter on Community Centered Healthcare
October 22, 2021
In This Issue...
WVPCA News - Behavioral Health Corner
Outreach and Enrollment - Emergency Management News - State News
National News - Funding and Financial Opportunities
Training Opportunities
News Flash!
Broadband plan to exclusively benefit West Virginians without current internet access
Read the entire article from WVNews here.

FDA OKs mixing COVID vaccines; backs Moderna, J&J boosters
Read the entire article from AP News here.

Lawmakers approve redistricting maps, vaccine mandate exemptions
Read the entire article from WVNews here.
WVPCA News
Welcome Kevin Treadway as New Data Analyst
We are pleased to announce that Kevin Treadway, MS, has joined the WVPCA team as our Health Data Analyst. In this position, Kevin will manage the Patient Experience Survey Program, oversee the development of customized UDS reports for our health center network, and support the use of data to drive quality improvement and demonstrate health center value.

Kevin has previously worked in a FQHC setting, performing the role of Clinical Data Analyst at MCR Health and Summit Community Care Clinic. Kevin is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University (MS Data Science) and a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado (BS Chemistry). 

Kevin is a WV native who enjoys white water rafting. He is passionate about working in non-profit health and is thrilled to be serving health centers and patients in his home state. 

Please join us in welcoming Kevin in his new role at the WVPCA.
Webinar Series: 2021 UDS Virtual Training - SAVE THE DATE
The Uniform Data System (UDS) virtual training will be made up of two live 3-hour training sessions, each with a 15-minute break and and one live 30-minute Q&A session. The training sessions will be held in the morning, on the following days: Tuesday, November 16th, and Thursday, November 18th. The Q&A session will follow the training held on Thursday, November 18th. The UDS Training is aimed at those who are responsible for gathering and reporting the data elements included in the UDS Report, as well as management and clinical staff who need to understand the definitions and concepts used, and those who use the data in their program management and quality improvement activities.
Registration information coming soon.
Shared Decision-Making Contraception Counseling and Support Training
The West Virginia Primary Care Association has partnered with the WV Perinatal Partnership and WV FREE to bring a contraception shared decision-making training to health centers.

• Learn to provide shared decision-making counseling for contraception.
• Trainings are appropriate for clinical and non-clinical staff, as using the same reassuring and non-judgmental language is imperative to build rapport and allow the free flow of information.
• Health centers will receive additional free resource materials for use with your patients.
• Participants will learn how to reduce barriers to the full spectrum of contraceptive options.
• Free CEUs for nurses and social workers.
• The training will be offered live via Zoom on October 27 

This training is only available to health centers serving the counties of Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, and Putnam. 

Below you will find the links to the registration, sign-in and pre-survey that are required for CEUs. 
 
Registration link:

Funding for this opportunity is provided by the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.

For more information, please contact Emma White at emma.white@wvpca.org or 304-531-3365
Four Ways to be Sensitive to Trauma at Work
COVID-19 has a word associated with it that we keep learning more about. That word is trauma. The effects of this are widespread and may be different for many people. Perhaps you have seen some symptoms of this in your extended family, co-workers or employees, such a change in relationships, anxiety or depression features, or poor work performance. Being more aware of these potential signs and leading with compassion is essential in supporting those who are suffering from trauma.
The 2022 Assister Readiness Webinar Series Week Two Modules are now Posted!
Modules for the second week of the 2022 Assister Readiness Webinar Series for PY2022 are now posted and ready to view! These modules cover topics relating to Helping Consumers Enroll in Marketplace coverage. You can find the recordings and transcripts for the Helping Consumers Enroll Assister Readiness Webinar Series modules here.

As a reminder, the 2022 Assister Readiness Webinar Series is a supplement to the PY2022 web-based Assister Certification Training. This series will be delivered in two weekly installments and will help get you ready to serve Marketplace consumers during the 2021 open enrollment period. Each installment will include three viewable, on-demand educational modules, and a corresponding LIVE webinar that will give you a chance to ask questions.  

The Live Webinar Q&A for the Week Two Modules will take place on 10/27/21 at 2pm Eastern Time. Please stay tuned for the webinar information!
CDC COVID-19 Updates
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides daily updates and guidance, including a section specific to rural health care, COVID-19 Vaccination Trainings for new and experienced providers, and Tips for Talking with Patients about COVID-19 VaccinationNew: COVIDVaxView: A Data Dashboard.
State News
St. Mary's Offers TIC Free Webinar
St. Mary's Department of Spiritual Care and Mission will be hosting a Trauma Informed Care Webinar on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 starting at NOON. This informative FREE Webinar is sponsored by The Department of Spiritual Care & Mission, the Tri-State Spiritual Care Providers, the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education and Faith Health Appalachia.

Trauma Informed Care (TIC) promotes culture and diversity, provider knowledge, staff health, reduction of workplace violence, improvement of patient outcome and satisfaction, decreased hospital visits, decreased re-traumatization and forges cross-collaborative relationships between medical and community organizations to interrupt intergenerational transmissions of adversities and to improve upon large system issues, minimizing silo approaches to health or social needs. 
 
Program Objectives:
  • To explain how behaviors are impacted by adverse childhood experiences, and how these behaviors increase the risk for adult health issues
  • To illustrate how adult health is impacted due to the biological changes from adverse childhood experiences, even without the conventional risk factors
  • Describe definition of TIC
 
To register, please send an email to greg.creasy@st-marys.org or call 304.526.1188.
Save the Date for #MATRC2022
Lung Cancer Screening Leadership Forum
Join colleagues in Ohio and West Virginia for a virtual learning session focusing on Lung Cancer Disease Burden, Prevention and Early Detection, COVID-19 screening challenges and solutions. The American Cancer Society will be hosting this Lung Cancer Forum on November 4, 2021 starting at 9AM ET. CE credits are available.

This program is presented in collaboration by the American Cancer Society, with The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Summa Health and supported by the Ohio Partners for Cancer Control and Mountains of Hope.  

For more information email Shauna Shafer at shauna.shafer@cancer.org.

Thursday, November 4, 2021 | 9:00AM ET
2021 WV Addiction Conference Announced
National News
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). October has been a time to acknowledge domestic violence survivors and be a voice for its victims. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.

Although there has been substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner, and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. Millions of Americans live in daily, silent fear within their own homes. 

Domestic violence and health care are closely linked. According to a survey of contacts with the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 53% of respondents reported that an abusive partner has also controlled and/or restricted access to healthcare.
NHSC Loan Repayment Program Open for Applications: Physician Assistants Now Eligible
The 2022 National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) application cycle is now open. This year, individuals can apply if they are a physician assistant (PA) student in the final year of school. Additionally, individuals can apply for awards of up to $120,000 if they are a final year student studying to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Medical doctor (MD/DO) or Dentist (DDS/DMD). In exchange, an individual must commit to three years of providing primary care services at NHSC-approved sites in high-need underserved areas. The application deadline is Thursday, November 4, 7:30 pm. 
Funding and Financial Opportunities
Opportunities to Support COVID-19 Response
The WV Bureau for Behavioral Health currently has three funding opportunities to support the ongoing COVID-19 response in the state. Community Health Centers are encouraged to apply. 

  1. BPH AFA 2021 Addressing COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Racial and Ethnic Minorities in West Virginia
  2. BPH AFA 2021 Addressing COVID-19 Health Disparities in Rural Areas of West Virginia
  3. BPH AFA 2021 COVID-19 Vaccination Equity and Prioritizing Populations Disproportionately Affected by COVID-19

Please note the application deadline is November 18, 2021, for each. 
HHS Announces ARP Funding
for State Loan Repayment Programs
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing the availability of $100 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for state-run programs that support, recruit, and retain primary care clinicians who live and work in underserved communities. This funding represents a five-fold increase to the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP), and helps improve health equity by ensuring that clinicians working in high-need communities remain in them.

HRSA’s Bureau of Health Workforce is accepting applications for these grants from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. HRSA estimates that it will make up to 50 awards of up to $1 million per year, over the program’s four-year project period.
New COVID-19 Provider
Funding Application Portal Open
Health care providers can apply for $25.5 billion in provider relief funds. The package includes $8.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) resources for those who serve rural patients covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It also includes $17 billion for Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 for a broad range of providers experiencing changes in operating revenues and expenses.

Providers may apply for both programs with a single application. HRSA is hosting technical assistance webinars for applicants. 

Application Due Date: Tuesday, October 26, 11:59 p.m. ET.
Upcoming Training Opportunities

SAVE THE DATE
Today with Macrae: Health Center Program Updates
Join Jim to hear about BPHC REACH, funding, progress reporting and more.

Tuesday, November 9, 2021
3:00 PM ET
Access info coming soon
Organizational Self-Care: Creating a Culture of Self-Care at Your Organization
Health center staff play many roles from advocate, educator, and coordinator to a service provider - which can be challenging and overwhelming.

In this 60-minute webinar, Health Outreach Partners will provide an overview of individual and organizational self-care frameworks and highlight resources available to support health centers adopt practices that encourage staff wellbeing, satisfaction, and retention. By the end of this webinar, participants will learn how to describe the principles of self-care, identify successful organizational self-care practices, and learn collective practices to prevent staff burnout.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021
2:00 PM ET
Community Health Center Resources
Jackson Kelly attorneys provide limited consultation to all members of the WVPCA at no charge, as part of the WVPCA contract. There is no limit to the number of calls which any member may make. All inquiries within the scope of professional competence of firm attorneys will be addressed. Inquiries which require expertise not available through the firm will be promptly identified and, when requested, Jackson Kelly will assist in referring the matter to accounting firms, insurance agents, or others as circumstances warrant.

All inquiries, responses and consultation services provided by the firm lawyers will be provided without additional charge beyond the retainer amount, except for matters which require formal opinions, representation of record in litigation, transactional work, e.g. the purchase or sale of real property, or matters which require continued representation, research or consultation beyond a single inquiry or document review.

Justin M. Harrison is a labor & employment lawyer with Jackson Kelly PLLC. He is available for consultation through a special retainer relationship with the WVPCA. Justin can be reached at 304.340.1358 and via email at justin.harrison@jacksonkelly.com.
ECRI Institute
Risk Management Manual for Health Centers Now Available!
The Risk Management Manual for Health Centers is now available on the ECRI Institute Clinical Risk Management Program website! Designed to support a proactive approach to risk management at health centers and free clinics, the Manual provides background, tips, and how-tos in a manageable format.

Specific areas that are covered include:
Risk Management Programs & Plans
Claims and Lawsuits
Role of the Risk Manager
Patient Grievances and Complaints
Communication with Patients
Credentialing and Privileging
Communication among Providers, Staff, and Community Partners
Tracking Systems for Diagnostic Tests, Referrals, and Hospitalizations

View an archived webinar that provides a guided tour of the Manual and key features. For access to the ECRI Institute Clinical Risk Management Program website or any other questions, email clinical_rm_program@ecri.org.
WVPCA Staff
Sherri Ferrell, MBA | Chief Executive Officer
Debra Boyd | Chief Financial/Chief Operations Officer
Joshua Austin | Policy & Communications Director
Paula Beasley | Education & Communication Coordinator
Jennifer Boyd, PA-C, PCMH-CCE | Clinical Consultant
John Kennedy, MA | School-Based Health/Behavioral Health Coordinator
Pam Moore | Member Relations Coordinator
Shannon Parker, MBA, PCMH-CCE | Director of Health Center Operations
Ruby Piscopo | Outreach & Enrollment Coordinator
Amanda West | Staff Accountant
Emma White, RN, PCMH-CCE | Clinical Quality Improvement Coordinator
Kevin Treadway | Health Data Analyst
To sign up to receive the WVPCA Weekly Newsletter:
1700 MacCorkle Avenue, SE
Charleston, WV 25314
Phone: 304.346.0032
Toll Free: 1.877.WVA HLTH
This project is/was supported partially/fully by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U58CS06834 State and Regional Primary Care Associations. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.