TPCA created a COVID-19 Resources page that contains information and tools for health centers and the general public on a variety of COVID-19 related topics including COVID-19 vaccines, updates, human resources & operations, telehealth, and PPE.

TPCA Members may also access the COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit for the latest in TN COVID-19 Vaccine distribution as well as timely and relevant resources.

TPCA provides training and technical assistance in workforce development for Community Health Centers (CHCs). We work closely with CHCs to link them to resources that will assist them in recruiting, developing, and retaining clinical and administrative staff. View more information.

The Strategic Workforce Planning Toolkit provides a list of toolkits, reports, templates, and previously recorded trainings available to health centers to assist with developing or enhancing trainings program and partnerships.

If you have any questions about any of these resources, please email Dr. Desiree' Kelly at desiree.kelly@tnpca.org.

According to the AAMC, only 11% of physicians are practicing in rural areas. So, it stands to reason that most physicians focus their search on larger metropolitan areas because they are more familiar with these locations, either by personal experience or name recognition. This doesn’t mean that a more rural location wouldn’t be a good fit for them, it just means they need to be informed about what a rural location can offer them.

Determining whether a candidate would be interested in your rural opportunity starts with learning about the physician!  Instead of asking a candidate if they are interested in a rural area, focus the conversation on talking points that have nothing to do with “Zip Code”.

Thank you to all the community health center advocates who joined TPCA and their colleagues in Nashville for TPCA's Annual Hill Day at the Tennessee State Capitol! Health centers advocated for the following issues related to post-COVID-19 transformation, access to care, and funding:

Congress passed a $1.5 T FY2022 omnibus appropriations bill two weeks ago, which extended Medicare telehealth flexibilities for 5 months after the end of the federal Public Health Emergency (currently set to expire on July 15, 2022) and includes $1.7B for community health centers.

Congress is now turning their attention to the FY2023 budget process. President Biden is expected to submit his FY2023 budget request within the next few weeks.

Congratulations to Cempa Community Care for their Small Business Award from the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce!

Read more from The Chattanoogan >>>

NACHC will host a webinar with national Medicaid policy experts to discuss the impact and implications related to the end of the federal PHE and related Medicaid redetermination and flexibility processes.

Topics will include the new CMS guidance on Medicaid redeterminations and renewals and state efforts to keep patients covered by Medicaid and Marketplace plans. The end of the PHE will be the most significant coverage event since the Affordable Care Act passed – join this call and stay informed.

Community health centers are eligible to apply for $49 million to support organizations with outreach and enrollment efforts, particularly for children, parents, and pregnant women.

Applications are due on March 28.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) citizens are a diverse

community. However, they share a common need for culturally competent health care that recognizes and responds to specific risks and challenges due to social and structural inequities such as stigma and discrimination. This virtual learning session aims to educate stakeholders on the needs and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community and inform how HRSA health centers can effectively address local needs and disparities, and identify opportunities to advance health equity through training, education, and collaboration with local community organizations.

Rural community health centers have until April 1, 2022 to apply for a reduction on broadband costs through the FCC’s Healthcare Connect Fund. The Healthcare Connect Fund (operated under the FCC’s Rural Healthcare Program) provides a 65% discount on eligible broadband connectivity expenses for eligible rural health care providers, including CHCs. All rural CHCs are encouraged to apply for funding.

Community health centers in non-rural areas may also apply if they are in a consortium with eligible rural providers. The FCC recently changed the rules to ensure that rural CHCs will always receive the full amount of funding for which they are qualified.