The WVPCA's HCCN will continue to build upon previous HCCN project periods to partner with Health Centers in strengthening some of the core infrastructure Health Centers need to be high-performing providers in their communities, with a focus on:

Please join the West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA) as we have partnered with Connect Consulting Services, to host a De-Escalation/Active Shooter Table Top Exercise. This is an in-person functional and tabletop exercise with law enforcement coordination which includes writing an After-action Report that can be used by WVPCA members to meet their CMS Emergency Preparedness Community Exercise requirement. Presented by a FEMA trained Master Exercise Practitioner that covers the scenario of Workplace Violence/De-escalation and Active Shooter/Threat event with After-action Report Forms.

This workshop is scheduled for Thursday, August 25, 2022, at the Holiday Inn & Suites in South Charleston. The cost of this training is $50 per CHC staff member. For overnight accommodations, please contact the Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West, an IHG Hotel DIRECTLY at 304-744-4641 and reference WV Primary Care Association (Group Code- PCA). The group rate is $109.00 and includes breakfast, ground-level parking, and high-speed internet. To ensure access to this room block, make reservations by August 4, 2022.

TARGET AUDIENCE: This event is intended for Health Center Emergency Management Personnel, Facility/Clinic Managers, and other applicable staff.

This learning event is not open to non-CHC staff. 

The West Virginia Primary Care Association (WVPCA), is partnering with Comagine Health to provide a two-day workshop on the value of National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition and to lead participants through an exploration of current PCMH processes within their organization.

TARGET AUDIENCE: This workshop will be tailored to CHCs who have yet to achieve NCQA PCMH recognition, those who have dropped their recognition, or those who are considering allowing their recognition to lapse. 

This workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, August 2, 2022 AND Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at the TransCanada building (home of the WVPCA office) in Charleston. The cost of this training is $75 per CHC staff member.

For overnight accommodations, please contact the Holiday Inn & Suites Charleston West, an IHG Hotel DIRECTLY at 304-744-4641 and reference WV Primary Care Association (Group Code- PCA). The group rate is $109.00 and includes breakfast, ground-level parking, and high-speed internet.

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has announced that Community Star nominations are now open through August 1, 2022. The annual Community Stars Recognition Program, in conjunction with National Rural Health Day (November 17), honors those making a difference in rural health through collaboration, education, innovation, and communication. 

Registration is now open for the Annual Appalachian Addiction & Prescription Drug Abuse Conference. Last year, there was over 450 attendees representing eleven (11) different disciplines. This conference is being held September 22 – 24, 2022 at the Waterfront Marriott in MORGANTOWN, WV. The schedule of quality speakers include topics of relevance such as: the prescription drug abuse crisis, suicide prevention & resources, proper prescribing and integrating opioid addiction treatment with MOUD, transformation of the brain, from addiction to recovery, substance induced vs co-occurring disorders with clinical vignettes & trauma therapy and adjuncts-EMDR, acupuncture, polyvagal theory and psychedelics and showcase of West Virginia’s drug diversion courts to just name a few.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Marlene Hall, mdhall@wvmphp.org or 304-933-1030.

The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) is piloting an intensive justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) train-the-trainer event for community health center champions working toward organizational JEDI goals. Representatives from two health centers will participate in this training in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 20-21. Each participating health center will receive a $2,500 stipend to help cover the costs for sending their representative(s). The deadline to apply is Friday, August 12, 2022.

The U.S. transition to 988 began last week. 988 is the easy-to-remember number to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This transition is an important step to strengthening and transforming the crisis care continuum in the U.S.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 988 Partner Toolkit includes new materials, like social media tools, to educate your community. 

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.

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.

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.