Dear Colleague,

Mental health matters. From 2000 to 2020, the overall suicide rate in the U.S. increased by 30%, and new CDC data has highlighted a further troubling rise in 2020-2021 after a period of brief decline. This crisis affects both patients and healthcare professionals, with providers, nurses, and other care team members alike demonstrating increased suicide risk. This month, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is recognizing the crucial need for greater suicide prevention and workforce wellness in Mental Health Awareness Month.

Learn about a new Suicide Safer Care webinar and archived publications, workforce wellness and mental health workforce resources from our STAR2 Center, new recruitment and retention webinars and trainings, eye health and vision care resources, policy news, and much more below.
Join Our Webinar on Practical Suicide Prevention Strategies for Primary Care
Tuesday, July 11: 2-3 p.m. ET
Half of all patients who end their lives by suicide visit primary care providers in the month before their passing, making these visits vital chances to intervene. However, many clinicians working in primary care settings receive little education in prevention. Join ACU, the American Association of Teaching Health Centers, and the National AHEC Organization for a webinar to learn how to identify patients at risk, assess severity, and implement evidence-based micro-interventions in primary care. Register for a discussion useful for practicing clinicians and students alike.
Browse Suicide Safer Care Resources on Addressing Suicide Risk in Patients & Providers
ACU's Suicide Safer Care program offers a variety of resources and trainings to help health centers address and help prevent suicide in patients as well as in healthcare providers and their teams. Browse our publications on suicide prevention in primary care, explore unique considerations in addressing suicide risk in healthcare professionals, or view archived webinars on our website. Is your health center or primary care association interested in a training on suicide prevention? Contact us for more information.
Strengthen Your Mental Health Workforce & Support Staff Wellness with Our STAR2 Center
It is vital for health centers to strengthen and sustain a thriving mental health workforce and to bolster employee wellness, and our STAR2 Center offers a host of resources to help organizations achieve both goals. Review our offerings to understand how to retain and recruit mental health providers, prepare them for leadership, and equitably compensate these employees, or browse a repository of workforce self-care resources, learn how to better support staff mental health, and more. Need further help? Contact us for more information.
Explore Our 2023 Conference's Dedicated Tracks on Clinical Practice, Community Engagement, Workforce, & More
Did you know that full session descriptions are now available for each of the four in-depth tracks available at ACU's 2023 Conference, "Transformation: Elevating Care, Clinicians, & Communities," in Washington, D.C.? Browse sessions and pre-conference trainings in our agenda featuring dedicated tracks on Clinical Practice, Community Engagement and Advocacy, Development and Training Programs, and Workforce Recruitment and Retention. Whether you're a clinician, advocate, or administrator, you'll find engaging workshops at #ACUConf and keynote speeches from national public health leaders! Sign up now for 20+ CME-accredited workshops, pre-Conference trainings, networking, and more on July 23-26.
P.S. Register by June 9 for Early Bird savings! ACU Members/students get major discounts.
Breaking: Sen. Sanders' New Proposal to Boost Health Workforce and CHC Funding
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chairman of the Senate HELP Committee, just released a proposal to address increasing health workforce shortages and the ongoing dire financial situation for health centers across the country. This five-year plan would provide roughly $130 billion for CHCs and $60 billion to grow the workforce. Sanders highlighted that the package would allocate $15 billion for graduate education programs with a focus on expanding primary care access. This proposal is a huge step in the right direction to increase our healthcare workforce. While there is a long struggle ahead, we should capitalize on this momentum by continuing to engage our representatives. Raise your voice for increased funding for the National Health Service Corps (see below) and CHCs, and join us as an advocate!
Take Action! Email Your House Rep. & Ask Them to Support the National Health Service Corps
Just 136 days remain until all funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) expires. Furthermore, even if flat funding is renewed, the NHSC will face its second consecutive year of decreased funding. We need your help to keep building bipartisan support in Congress: House Representative Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D-DE) recently introduced H.R. 3080, the Health Center Service Expansion and Provider Shortage Reduction Act, which would authorize $480 million in further funds for the NHSC over the next five years. Contact your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor the bill using our easy form in less than a minute.
There's Still Time to Register for Next Week's Virtual 2023 Workforce Summit
May 23 and 24: 12-5 p.m. ET
Don't forget to save your spot at the 2023 Biennial Workforce Summit presented by ACU's STAR2 Center, Community Health Center, Inc., and NACHC. This two-day virtual event will offer strategies to help health centers overcome emerging workforce challenges and needs by cultivating inclusive cultures for the CHC workforce, advancing career pathways, supporting workforce wellness environments, and much more.
Learn Strategies for Successful Coaching and Mentoring Programs in Our Upcoming Webinar
Tuesday, June 13: 1-2 p.m. ET
Coaches and mentors can have a positive impact on health center staff’s ability to carry out their role, improve satisfaction, and increase a sense of belonging for staff from a variety of backgrounds. Join ACU’s STAR² Center for this session, which will explore the financial support needed for successful coaching and mentoring programs, detail strategies for implementing coaching as a tool that supports individuals' needs, and highlight considerations for inclusive mentoring.
Learn About ACU's 2023 Vision Services Grantees and Stories of Patient Impact
Since 2018, ACU has assisted 29 health centers in establishing or expanding permanent eye health and vision care programs. With the support of the Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare, we recently awarded six new CHCs with funding to grow their services. Learn about the current and past awardees and read patient impact stories. Do you have questions about vision services at your own CHC? Contact us for free technical assistance featuring the guidance of our Vision Services Committee members from across the U.S.
Recap the Billing for Vision Services Webinar and Ask Questions in an Office Hours Session
Thursday, May 18: 3 p.m. ET
Did you miss our latest "Eyes on Access" webinar with NACHC and Prevent Blindness? Join an office hours session on May 18 at 3 p.m. ET for a review of this recent session and participate in a Q & A about vision services billing at your organization. Access the recording and explore the archives in this vision services webinar series.
Welcoming Our Latest Member
ACU welcomes the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center (PA AHEC) as our latest member. PA AHEC works to improve health and wellness by developing and providing education programs to enhance community health and broaden the distribution of a diverse health workforce, particularly for underserved Pennsylvanians. Is your organization committed to health equity? Learn more about ACU membership and contact us.
Healthcare Facilities: Apply by June 22 to Become an NHSC-Approved Site
Eligible healthcare organizations have just over one month to apply to become a National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved site. Approved sites can utilize the Corps' scholarship and loan repayment programs to recruit and retain clinicians to serve in health professional shortage areas. Learn about site requirements and apply by June 22 for this opportunity to help build your workforce and foster healthy communities.
Participate in the MUCH Survey to Inform Strategies to Support Providers & Improve Care
The Moral Uncertainty in Community Health (MUCH) survey seeks to learn from clinicians at health centers, migrant health clinics, and other institutions about real-world challenges and professional concerns. Conducted by The Hastings Center in collaboration with the Institute for Community Health and Albany Medical College, this ten-minute survey will help inform research about the difficulties faced by many community health practitioners.
New Webinar on Telehealth & the Public Health Emergency's End
Wednesday, May 24: 10-11:30 a.m. or 2-3:30 p.m. ET
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) ended on May 11, with significant implications for the healthcare, including telehealth. Some telehealth flexibilities will continue following the end of the PHE. This webinar from WPS Government Health Administrators will detail the status of telehealth flexibilities, teaching physician supervision by audio/video communication, CMS information, billing information, and more.
New from ACU's Career Center: Chief Medical Officer Position in Pueblo, CO, and More
Our Career Center is an excellent resource for job seekers or organizations seeking to hire quality staff to serve medically under-resourced populations. ACU Members get premier access by logging in to our member portal and using the discount code. This week, ACU is excited to highlight a new Chief Medical Officer position with our member Pueblo Community Health Center in Pueblo, CO, as well as:

Don't forget: ACU offers free vision care job posts for FQHCs and lookalikes. Learn more.
What We're Reading & Watching
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: "Climate, Health & Equity: Toward a Sustainable Future" (Video)
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.
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