Dear Colleague,
In the U.S., "nearly one in every three people live in an area with too few doctors," said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), addressing the U.S. Senate in a recent speech. "Our healthcare system is under-staffed, under-funded, and under-equipped." Now more than ever, as funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and other vital health extender programs hangs in the balance and our healthcare workforce confronts numerous challenges, we must continue to support the clinicians and health centers that medically underserved communities depend on.
This week, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is continuing to mobilize our community to preserve funding for the NHSC while supporting our workforce with resources and trainings. Learn how you can support the NHSC below and find new resources including webinars on training mental health leaders and our virtual Workforce Summit, new Corps resources including a white paper and mini-guide to utilizing the NHSC to recruit and retain clinicians, as well as updates on our upcoming 2023 Conference.
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Take Action: Ask Your Senators to Support Funding for the National Health Service Corps
With just 178 days left until the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)'s funding expires, we need your help to urge your Senators to support the Corps! Thanks to your efforts, many House Representatives signed a letter in support of the NHSC. This is a major win, and with efforts now moving to the Senate, we need advocates to keep up the momentum and support recent bipartisan support in this chamber! We're asking for your immediate action to urge your Senators to support a letter from Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) to the Senate Appropriations Committee calling for robust funding for the NHSC and Nurse Corps. Read our talking points and call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or use our easy email form.
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Read Our New White Paper on the National Health Service Corps
ACU's latest publication showcases the NHSC's 50-year legacy of success, as well as its funding history, the looming FY23 fiscal cliff, and our call to Congress to preserve and expand this vital program. Read our white paper to learn more about the Corps' structure and role in increasing clinical diversity, recent milestones and threats in the Corps' funding, and why Congress must act to ensure longterm, sustainable funding.
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Senator Durbin (D-IL) Calls for Bipartisan Efforts to Renew NHSC Funding
On March 30, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke in the U.S. Senate calling for bipartisan efforts to help address the U.S. healthcare workforce shortage by passing legislation to preserve funding for the NHSC. "One of the biggest drivers of America's healthcare worker shortage is the cost of medical education," Durbin said. "With the [NHSC] and Nurse Corps, aspiring healthcare professionals have another option." His speech supports recent bipartisan legislation that he and Senator Rubio (R-FL) introduced calling on renewed NHSC funding.
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Further NHSC & Policy Resources
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Join BPHC's Jim Macrae & Other Exciting Keynote Speakers at Our 2023 Conference
ACU is honored to welcome James (Jim) Macrae, Associate Administrator of HRSA's Bureau of Primary Health Care, as the first keynote speaker at our 2023 Conference, "Transformation: Elevating Care, Clinicians, & Communities!" From July 23-26 in Washington, D.C., #ACUConf will offer 20+ CME-accredited workshops featuring strategies to ensure high-quality and inclusive care for all, support and elevate our healthcare workforce, and advance health equity in historically marginalized populations. Register now to join us at these sessions, two in-depth Pre-Conference Workshops, a dedicated Hill Day for advocacy visits, networking opportunities, and more!
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New Webinar Focuses on Preparing the Mental Health Workforce for Leadership Roles
Monday, April 24: 4-5 p.m. ET
As CHCs continue to see a growing need for well-trained staff ready to take on leadership roles, it is vital to look broadly at the entire workforce, including those working in mental health. Join ACU’s STAR² Center to learn why mental health clinicians are uniquely positioned to excel as organizational leaders. The webinar will provide knowledge and tools on the importance of leadership training and career pathways to advance the mental health workforce.
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SDOH Academy's Innovation Webinar Series Begins Next Week
April 11 and 18: 2 p.m. ET
Celebrate innovation with the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Academy in a new webinar series. Register for two engaging sessions highlighting the exceptional work of health centers addressing SDOH. An expert panel will discuss what innovation means, how to address barriers to implementing programs on SDOH, and the future of this critical work.
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Registration Is Open for the Virtual 2023 Biennial Workforce Summit
May 23 and 24: 12-5 p.m. ET
Health centers, health center-controlled networks, and primary care associations are invited to attend the 2023 Biennial Workforce Summit next month. Presented by ACU's STAR2 Center, Community Health Center, Inc., and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), this virtual event will convene diverse teams and guest speakers for two days of workforce-focused learning and networking opportunities.
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New Blog Post Explores How Organizations Can Recruit & Retain Clinicians through the NHSC
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) plays a vital role in connecting organizations with clinicians to help improve access to care in medically underserved communities. The newest post in ACU's official Allying for Health Equity blog explores how organizations can become NHSC-approved sites to recruit new clinicians through the Corps, as well as how institutions can best retain and support existing NHSC clinicians in their roles through efforts including ACU's NHSC: Empowering Clinicians for Resiliency & Transformative Care initiative. Read the post and contact us for more information on our NHSC initiative.
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Further Workforce Resources
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Welcoming Our Latest Member
ACU welcomes Community Health Centers of Arkansas (CHCA) as our latest organizational member. Established in 1985, CHCA provides training and technical assistance to health centers to improve care delivery throughout the state, serving 12 community health centers and their 190+ service locations across Arkansas. Is your organization committed to health equity? Learn more about ACU membership and contact us.
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Apply Now for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program & Scholarships
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New Webinar Explores Depression Screening Barriers and Challenges
April 11: Sessions at 11 a.m. ET and 6 p.m. ET
Join WPS Government Health Administrators for a webinar exploring issues faced by medical professionals when deciding to screen Medicare patients for depression. Join a morning or evening session and hear remarks from staff based on WPS depression screening survey responses, pre-submitted questions and comments, as well as a live Q and A.
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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 positions:
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Don't forget: ACU offers free vision care job posts for FQHCs and lookalikes. Learn more.
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What We're Reading (and Watching!)
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Upcoming Webinars:
Archived Webinars:
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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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