Dear Colleague,

Vision loss can cause devastating effects on quality of life, and eye health plays an integral role in overall health. Simply put, eye care is health care. Yet despite its vital importance, many patients in underserved areas continue to face barriers to access this care. In May, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved invites you to join us in honoring Healthy Vision Month and the need to ensure access to quality eye health and vision care for all.

Find new ACU vision resources, including our latest FQHC vision grants to six health centers, ongoing free technical assistance for health centers, and "Eyes on Access" webinar series below. Read on as well for #ACUConf news, policy updates on Medicaid work requirements and Unwinding process, new JEDI and Suicide Safer Care resources, workforce trainings, and more below.
Congratulations to ACU's 2023 Vision Services Grantees and 2023-24 Committee
Since 2018, ACU has assisted over 20 health centers in establishing or expanding permanent eye health and vision care programs. With the generous support of the Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare, we're excited to award six additional health centers this year with funding to develop and grow their vision services, including:
Cumberland Family Medical Center
Russell Springs, KY
Hilltown Community Health Center
Worthington, MA
Great Lakes Bay Health Centers
Saginaw, MI
North Olympic Healthcare Network
Port Angeles, WA
HASC Diagnostic & Treatment Center
Brooklyn, NY
Swope Health
Kansas City, MO
Read more about past awardees and how they have used the $25,000 grants to improve the eye health of patients in their communities, or view our newly updated roster of 2023-24 Vision Services Committee members, which guide our ongoing efforts.
Explore Best Practices for Vision Care at Health Centers in the "Eyes on Access" Webinar Series
With their focus on whole-person care, CHCs are uniquely positioned to offer vision services. But getting started can be challenging, requiring an understanding of best practices for care integration, how to overcome resource shortages and billing complexities, and more. To help CHCs in their efforts, ACU is hosting an ongoing "Eyes on Access" series with NACHC and Prevent Blindness. Register for a new office hours session on May 18 at 2 p.m. CT on billing for vision services or review archived webinars:
Prevent Blindness Webinar Explores Inherited Retinal Diseases & Children's Vision
Tuesday, May 16: 3-4:30 p.m. ET
Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) can cause severe vision loss or even blindness, and many children live with these conditions. Join our partners at Prevent Blindness for a webinar on May 16 exploring the causes, diagnosis, and genetic testing for IRDs, as well as treatment and support for children and families at health centers and elsewhere. Eye care and primary care providers, school nurses, and others working with children are encouraged to attend this free training.
Need Technical Assistance to Get Started with Eye Health & Vision Care? Let Us Help!
Do you have questions about starting or expanding vision services at your health center? ACU offers free technical assistance for CHCs to support successful and sustainable programs with the guidance of our Vision Services Committee of optometrists, administrators, academics, and advocates from across the U.S. To get started, simply contact us!
Don't Miss New Sessions in Our 2023 Conference Agenda: See What's in Store & Register to Join Us at #ACUConf (July 23-26)
Did you know that full session descriptions are now available for ACU's 2023 Conference, "Transformation: Elevating Care, Clinicians, & Communities," in Washington, D.C.? Browse CME-accredited sessions and pre-conference trainings in our agenda, including a newly added workshop on "Supporting a Thriving Healthcare Workforce through State Funding" with experts from HealthLinc, the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers, and the California Primary Care Association! Whether you're a clinician, advocate, or administrator, you'll find engaging workshops in our symposium's four tracks. Sign up now for 20+ CME-accredited workshops, pre-Conference trainings, networking, and more.
P.S. Register by June 9 for Early Bird savings! ACU Members/students get major discounts.
Meet Our 2023 Conference Keynote Speakers
Other speakers will be confirmed soon!
Associate Administrator of the Bureau of Health Workforce & NHSC Director
Writer, Activist, & President of Harvard Medical School's Student Council
Associate Administrator of the Bureau of Primary Health Care
ACU Urges Congress to Expand Medicaid Coverage, Not Limit It with Work Requirements
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill to raise the debt ceiling that includes significant Medicaid work requirements. If implemented, these requirements would jeopardize approximately 21 million Americans' health coverage and access according to a new HHS Medicaid analysis. Studies show that these requirements reduce enrollment and limit access to care, but don't actually increase employment. ACU urges Congress to expand Medicaid coverage, rather than potentially limiting it for Americans who need it most.
Preparing for Medicaid Unwinding: The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Ends on May 11
As our community knows, the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency will end on May 11, resulting in a Medicaid unwinding process that could lead to 15 million Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program enrollees losing eligibility. CHCs will see significant impacts, but resources are available to help health centers respond effectively. Read ACU's primer on the unwinding or view further resources:
In Case You Missed It: Free E-Courses on Racism in Healthcare & Having Tough Conversations
ACU's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiative recently developed new, free e-courses to equip healthcare workers with foundational information in JEDI concepts and principles. Take micro-learning courses on "Understanding Racism in Healthcare" and "Having Tough Conversations: Creating a Brave Space Filled with Grace" to learn introductory concepts and receive a downloadable certificate of completion. This JEDI Orientation Series for Healthcare Workers is funded in part by UnitedHealthcare.
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 receive little education in prevention. Join ACU and the American Association of Teaching Health Centers for a webinar to learn how to identify patients at risk and intervene in primary care. Register for a discussion useful for practicing clinicians and students alike.
Don't Miss the Virtual 2023 Workforce Summit
May 23 and 24: 12-5 p.m. ET
There's still time to register for our 2023 Biennial Workforce Summit presented by ACU's STAR2 Center, Community Health Center, Inc., and NACHC. This virtual event will offer strategies to help health centers overcome and meet emerging workforce challenges and needs by cultivating inclusive cultures for the CHC workforce, advancing career pathways, supporting workforce wellness environments, and much more.
View Our Archived Webinar on Preparing the Mental Health Workforce for Leadership Roles
Did you miss last week's session on how to identify and prepare mental health practitioners for leadership roles at health centers? View the recorded webinar to learn why the mental health workforce is uniquely positioned to serve in CHC leadership. The session explores career pathways, the role of training for future leadership, and more.
In Case You Missed It: Read Our Blog on Holistic Post-Pandemic Recovery for the CHC Workforce
The COVID-19 pandemic forced already overburdened health center staff into the role of frontline disaster responders, exacerbating existing moral distress, burnout, and fatigue. Our recent post in ACU's Allying for Health Equity blog explores what we can do to support our workforce in holistic recovery by improving work environments, preparing for future crises, and building resiliency. Read the post and find further CHC workforce resources in our STAR2 Center.
Welcoming Our Latest Member
ACU welcomes the Arkansas Office of Rural Health and Primary Care as our latest organizational member. As a primary care office, this organization promotes the development of community-based healthcare services and systems throughout Arkansas to ensure that well-managed, quality health services are available to all. Is your organization committed to health equity? Learn more about ACU membership and contact us.
National Health Service Corps Site Applications Are Open: Apply by June 22
The National Health Service Corps can play a vital role in helping organizations serving populations in health professional shortage areas to recruit and retain clinicians, and NOW is the time to apply to become an NHSC-approved site! Many institutions are eligible, from health centers and critical access hospitals to free clinics, and some are eligible for automatic approval. Learn about site requirements and the application process on the NHSC's website and apply by June 22 for this chance to help build your workforce with Corps clinicians.
Find Key COPD Resources in the American Lung Association's Awareness Campaign
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of disability and death, and millions of Americans may have the disease without knowing it. Early diagnosis is key. The American Lung Association has launched an educational campaign to help people learn about COPD's early warning signs and talk to providers about risk factors and symptoms.
New from ACU's Career Center: Medical Director Position in Dorchester, MA, and More
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 excited to highlight a new Medical Director position with our member Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center in Dorchester, MA, as well as:

Don't forget: ACU offers free vision care job posts for FQHCs and lookalikes. Learn more.
What We're Reading
Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health: "Federal Grants are Essential to Community Health Centers"
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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