|
Dear Mariah,
With another government shutdown likely to be narrowly averted, funding for the National Health Service Corps and other vital health extender programs will likely receive extensions, although long-term solutions remain uncertain. In this shifting landscape, our shared work continues, and the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) is advocating tirelessly to make long-term funding for the NHSC and other programs a reality. We're also announcing engaging webinars and opportunities to support our shared vision of health equity for all—including in our new Call for Abstracts for our 2024 Conference.
In this issue of Clinician & Community, you'll find information on how to submit an abstract for #ACUConf, as well as how to register for new webinars on building Health Professions Education and Training programs, compensation wellness for the CHC workforce, Medicaid unwinding, PCA workforce networking, and suicide prevention in primary care. You'll also find policy updates, a look back at our JEDI Champion training, new loan repayment and fellowship opportunities from our field, and more.
| |
|
Our 2024 Conference Call for Abstracts Is Open! Submit a Workshop or Poster Proposal by Feb. 9
ACU is now accepting workshop and poster abstracts for our 2024 Conference, Envisioning a More Equitable Future: Advancing Stakeholder-Centered Innovation! To be held in person in Washington, DC, on August 4-7, 2024, this year's Conference spotlights the importance of including stakeholder voices and input–whether patients, staff, communities, or partners–when shaping innovations in workforce development, clinical practice, or community engagement and advocacy to help bring holistic, equitable, and inclusive care within reach for underserved populations. The event will also feature an exciting new track dedicated to eye health and vision care! We're now seeking in-person workshop and poster proposals reflective of our theme in any one of numerous tracks by Feb. 9.
| |
|
Register Now for Our 2024 ACU STAR2 Center Workforce Symposium
April 29-30 in Nashville, TN
ACU is excited to invite health centers, primary care associations, and health center-controlled networks to join us in advancing the healthcare workforce at our STAR² Center’s 2024 Workforce Symposium: Inclusive Innovation: Putting People First! On April 29-30 in Nashville, TN, our interactive Symposium will explore cutting-edge workforce retention and recruitment practices, advocacy and federal updates, JEDI integration, and more. A separate, in-depth Comprehensive Workforce Plan Workshop, Choose Your Own Workforce Adventure, will follow on May 1-2. Learn more and register for one or both events or contact us for more information, and we'll see you in Music City!
| |
|
Join the Kickoff Webinar for BPHC's Workforce Well-being Training and Technical Assistance Center
Wednesday, Nov. 29: 2-3 p.m. ET
A thriving healthcare workforce is the heartbeat of any community's well-being. On Nov. 29 at 2 p.m. ET, join a kickoff webinar for the launch of the Bureau of Primary Health Care’s (BPHC) Workforce Well-being Technical Assistance. This presentation will share how BPHC will leverage the invaluable data from the HRSA Health Center Workforce Well-being Survey to shape the future of healthcare workforce well-being, showcasing the data-driven technical assistance to come over the next two years.
| |
|
Learn About Compensation Wellness for Staff in Our Upcoming Webinar
Tuesday, Nov. 28: 3-4 p.m. ET
Staff wellness is critical to reducing turnover and is inextricably linked to adequate compensation that takes into consideration inflation and housing challenges. Join ACU's STAR2 Center for a webinar to discuss best practices for promoting staff wellness through appropriate and transparent compensation, including benefits and “thriving” wages. Gain a better understanding of financial wellness and leave with resources, techniques, and action items to support staff wellness through compensation and benefits.
| |
|
New Webinar Explores Building HP-ET Programs and Increasing Representation in the Workforce
Wednesday, Nov. 29: 1-2 p.m. ET
Health Professions Education and Training (HP-ET) programs provide an opportunity for health centers to recruit, develop, and retain employees by exposing them to education and training and providing a pathway to fill critical roles from within the communities they serve. Register for our upcoming webinar highlighting examples of HP-ETs, including programs created through partnerships with educational institutions, healthcare organizations, or self-sustained within the health center.
| |
|
ACU's Caregiver Webinars Continue with a Session on Equity and Unconscious Bias
Monday, Nov. 20: 2-3:15 p.m. ET
Home health workers and others types of caregivers provide a perspective into patient care that is not readily visible in clinic visits alone. The second session in our six-part series explores equity, unconscious bias, and other critical considerations when working with healthcare consumers and their caregivers. Sign up to learn from experts, healthcare consumers, and caregivers about challenges, opportunities, and strategies for working in this important healthcare space. View the webinar and slides from session one.
| |
|
Join Our Partners at Advocates for Community Health for a Webinar on Medicaid Eligibility Redetermination
Wednesday, Nov. 29: 12-1 p.m. ET
The unwinding of Medicaid continuous enrollment has led to coverage disruptions for millions of patients and revenue declines for health centers. Community organizations, health centers, navigators, and other stakeholders can play a key part in providing education and assistance needed to re-enroll. Join Advocates for Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, and Medicaid Health Plans of America to learn more about the impact of Medicaid unwinding and eligibility redeterminations and how health centers can help patients address potential loss of coverage.
| |
|
Join ACU's New Bi-Monthly PCA Workforce Networking Sessions
Inaugural Call: Thursday, Nov. 30: 1 p.m. ET
ACU will begin hosting free networking calls for the primary care association (PCA) workforce beginning on Nov. 30. Taking place every two months, these virtual events will include policy updates, information about ACU and STAR2 Center resources, events, and programs, and an opportunity to connect with colleagues on workforce issues. Learn more and sign up now, or contact us with any questions.
| |
|
In Case You Missed It: Read Our Fact Sheet on Resilient, Trauma-Informed Workforces
As challenges continue, health centers must understand how to develop trauma-informed practices that prioritize staff well-being and resilience. Our STAR² Center's fact sheet explores what it means to be trauma-informed, explains individual and organizational resilience, and outlines how CHCs can support staff well-being in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and other struggles.
| |
|
Further Workforce Resources
| |
|
New Webinar: Preventing Suicide in Indigenous Youth in Primary Care & Beyond
Friday, Dec. 8: 1-2 p.m. ET
Suicide is a leading cause of death in youth aged 10-14, and the crisis disproportionately impacts youths who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Indigenous children are particularly at risk with suicide rates nearly 3.5 times the national average. To help organizations better care for Indigenous pediatric patients, our webinar on Dec. 8 will detail unique considerations in suicide in Indigenous youth, share lessons learned from experts in tribal health, and detail evidence-based practices that clinicians can integrate in primary care to recognize warning signs and prevent suicide.
| |
|
Join the Next Webinar in Our Series on Preventing Suicide in CHC Patients & Staff
Next Session on Dec. 12 at 12-1 p.m. ET
Nearly half of people who end their lives by suicide visit a primary care provider in the month before their passing, and as key providers of primary care, CHCs have vital opportunities to identify and care for patients at risk. Learn evidence-based suicide prevention strategies in our ongoing webinar series with the Missouri Primary Care Association. The next presentation, "Preventing Suicide in Clinicians & Staff," on Dec. 12 will examine how CHCs can help address the risk of suicide in staff. Register now for this and other remaining webinars or view recordings and slides from last week's first sessions:
| |
|
Thank You to Everyone Who Joined Us for Our 2023 JEDI Champion Training
Last week, ACU convened with healthcare leaders and staff from across the U.S. in Nashville, TN, for our first Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Champion Training. In interactive workshops on topics ranging from navigating how to foster psychological safety in the workplace to best practices to ensure cultural humility and address racial bias in care, attendees learned strategies and tools to build energy and momentum to advance JEDI at their organizations. Thank you to everyone who joined us with grace, compassion, and thoughtfulness to learn and share their own insights while building fellowship in our common cause to advance JEDI. Review the program or browse ACU's JEDI resources.
| |
|
In Case You Missed It: ACU & the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Are Partnering to Address Lifestyle-Related Chronic Disease Health Disparities
ACU has just entered a new strategic partnership with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) to equip hundreds of thousands of physicians with education and training to further their practice and better treat chronic disease among medically underserved patients. The collaboration will help clinicians treat, prevent, and even reverse lifestyle-related chronic disease health disparities with disproportionate impacts on communities of color, while advancing organizations' work to diversify the medical workforce.
| |
|
Apply for NHSC's Students to Service Loan Repayment Program (S2S LRP)
Deadline Approaching: Apply by Dec. 7
Are you a student in your last year of medical, physician assistant, nursing, or dental school? You may be eligible for the National Health Service Corps' S2S LRP. This program offers up to $120,000 in loan repayment in return for serving for at least three years at an NHSC-approved site in medically underserved areas. This year's program features a supplemental Maternity Care Target Area Supplemental Award of up to $40,000 for eligible disciplines. Join the Q&A session on Nov. 30 and apply by Dec. 7.
| |
|
Commonwealth Fund Accepting Applications for Minority Health Policy Fellowship: Apply by Dec. 1
The Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at Harvard University is designed to prepare physician-leaders, particularly physicians from groups underrepresented in medicine, to become leaders who improve the health of historically marginalized populations. Apply by 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 1. for this one-year, degree-granting, full-time fellowship beginning in July 2024. Each fellowship provides an $80,000 one-year stipend, full tuition, and financial assistance with other related expenses.
| |
|
New from ACU's Career Center: President/CEO at Northside Center 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 President and Chief Executive Officer position with Northside Center for Child Development in New York, NY, as well as:
|
Don't forget: ACU offers free vision care job posts for FQHCs and lookalikes. Learn more.
| |
Publications & Opportunities | |
|
|
Upcoming Events:
Publications:
Partner Webinars:
| |
|
Upcoming Webinars:
Archived Webinars:
| |
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.
| | | | |
