Dear Colleague,

This week, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) is sharing new resources to help bolster the community health center (CHC) workforce, advocate for expanded funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and CHCs, and incorporate justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout our services. Read below to find new resources on policy and advocacy and JEDI, webinars on value-based care and Medicaid redetermination, a health center onboarding checklist, new NHSC loan repayment opportunities, and more.
National Health Service Corps Funding Expires This Year: Help Us Advocate to #SavetheNHSC!
The future of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), health centers, and other vital programs for medically underserved populations are at risk. We need your voice to help us protect and expand these vital programs, especially the NHSC, which has NO guaranteed funding beyond FY23: become an ACU advocate now. Learn more about the 50-year history and impact of the NHSC in expanding access to care for patients who need it most in our NHSC Program overview and NHSC Funding fact sheet, and raise your voice for the NHSC!
ACU Executive Director Calls for Greater CHC Funding in Senate HELP Committee Hearing
As health centers face unprecedented challenges, from Medicaid Unwinding and setbacks for the 340B Drug Pricing Program to expiring American Rescue Plan funding, more investment is critical to support CHCs' lifesaving work. ACU's Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly testified last week to the value of CHCs and called for greater funding in a U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing, “Community Health Centers: Saving Lives, Saving Money,” in Washington, D.C. Read our recap and view her and others' testimonies.
New Webinar: Learn How Health Centers Can Prepare for Medicaid Unwinding
Wednesday, Mar. 22: 1-2 p.m. ET
Nearly half of the 30 million health center patients in the U.S. are enrolled in Medicaid, and the unwinding process will have significant ramifications for health centers. Supporting CHC patients is crucial as they determine if they are still eligible, need to renew coverage, or find new sources of coverage. Join ACU, the Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH), and Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC) for a discussion on best practices to prepare for Medicaid redetermination.
In Case You Missed It: Recommendations on Addressing Hate Crimes in Primary Care Settings
In 2020, hate crimes in the U.S. rose to their highest levels in 12 years, and many other incidences of hate-based verbal abuse, assault, and property damage went un- or underreported. The U.S. Departments of Justice and HHS recommend engaging healthcare providers, clinics, and health systems to help address these incidents. To that end, ACU's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee has developed recommendations to support administrators and clinicians who are delivering services for people who may have experienced hate crimes or incidents.
Register Now for Pre-Conference Workshops, CME-Accredited Sessions, and More at Our 2023 Conference
We hope to see you at ACU's 2023 Conference, “Transformation: Elevating Care, Clinicians, & Communities!” On July 23-26, our Conference will unite hundreds of clinicians, administrators, advocates, and health leaders to explore how to expand access to care and improve care for under-resourced populations. Stay tuned for our full agenda and register by June 9 for Early Bird savings on 20+ CME-accredited sessions, Pre-Conference Trainings on the CHC workforce and JEDI, a dedicated Hill Day for advocacy visits, keynotes, networking, and more! ACU Members and students receive considerable discounts.
Explore Best Practices with Our Health Center Onboarding Checklist
ACU's STAR² Center has released a new Health Center Onboarding Checklist that provides a structure and process for welcoming and integrating new hires at your organization. Read the publication to learn about the importance of onboarding, its components, and how to apply justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout these processes. The checklist also includes editable templates that you can easily modify to meet your CHC's needs.
New Training Explores Advancing Mission & Driving Health Equity with Value-Based Care
Thursday, Mar. 16: 1-2 p.m. ET
Health centers are at the forefront of advancing health equity, but their ability to do so is often hampered by low margins and limited resources. However, value-based care (VBC) offers an alternative to fee-for-service reimbursement based on quality rather than quantity. Join our webinar with On Belay to learn how embracing VBC can improve margins, help improve quality of care, and foster health equity.
New Webinar Details Why Representation Matters in the Healthcare Workforce
Thursday, Mar. 16: 2-3 p.m. ET
Don’t miss next week’s last session in the ACU STAR2 Center’s Workforce Professional Development series. The final webinar in the series will explore why “Representation Matters: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Among Healthcare Professionals.” Gain valuable insights into workforce issues and how representation can bolster recruitment and retention at CHCs, and view prior sessions on manager training, crafting job announcements, and using the NHSC to recruit clinicians.
Celebrate Innovation in the SDOH Academy's Upcoming Webinar Series
April 11th and 18th: 2 p.m. ET
The Social Determinants of Health Academy (SDOH) invites you to celebrate innovation and register for a two-part webinar series in April recognizing the exceptional work of health centers addressing SDOH. A panel of experts in the field will discuss what innovation means, how to address barriers to implementing programs focused on SDOH, and the future of this important work.
In Case You Missed It: View Our Webinar on Pay Equity for Mental Health Workforces
Learn how equitable compensation can bolster the recruitment and retention of a thriving mental health workforce in the ACU STAR2 Center’s recent webinar. This session also explores how compensation equity and pay transparency are intrinsically linked to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. Access the recording and slides.
Further Workforce Resources
Welcoming Our Latest Member
We are excited to welcome Georgia Mountains Health Services as ACU's latest organizational member. Founded in 1984, this federally qualified health center is the only non-profit organization with a full-time medical and dental staff providing care in north Georgia. Is your organization committed to health equity? Learn more about ACU membership and contact us.
Explore the Latest Issue of ACU's Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
The February edition of ACU's Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved celebrates Black History Month with a focus on Black health and healthcare. This edition explores stress and oral health-related quality of life in college-educated Black men, PTSD and depression in Black women, and much more. ACU Members can log in to our member portal for free access to this and all JHCPU issues.
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program Applications Are Open
HRSA's National Health Service Corps has opened applications for its Loan Repayment Program (LRP), Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP, and Rural Community LRP. These programs are excellent opportunities for clinicians of numerous disciplines to help repay their student loans while expanding access to care in under-resourced communities. Apply by April 25.
The Latest from ACU's Career Center
Our Career Center is an excellent resource for job seekers or healthcare 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 highlighting the following optometric positions:

  • Optometrist, Delaware Valley Community Health (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Optometrist, Salina Family Healthcare Center (Salina, KS)
  • Optometrist, Neighborhood Health Center (Buffalo, NY)
Don't forget: ACU offers free vision care job posts for FQHCs and lookalikes. Learn more.
Funding Opportunities
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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