Dear Colleague,
In 2022, we will be honored to continue supporting your tireless work and advocacy for underserved populations across the U.S. To that end, this week we're looking not only back at our 25 years of service but at the future of health center workforce development, support, and advocacy. Read below to learn about a new advocacy success, upcoming webinars and resources to support self-care, suicide prevention, and recruitment and retention for the health center workforce, NHSC opportunities, and more.
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Advocacy Alert: White House and HHS Commit to Improve Access to Voter Registration Through Healthcare.Gov
ACU is excited to have taken part in a coalition of partners with Vot-ER and other advocates in helping to make possible a new commitment from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve patients' civic engagement. Last week, the White House released updated agency-level voter access plans including an HHS pledge to improve access to voter registration for those enrolling in insurance with Healthcare.gov. Paired with a recent advocacy victory for NHSC and healthcare workforce funding, this is a promising development in efforts to improve underserved communities' access to care and civic engagement. Thank you for your advocacy and support! There's still more to be done: if you haven't yet, please join us an advocate and stay tuned for future alerts.
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Don't Miss Tomorrow's Webinar on Self-Care, Leadership, and Patient Outcomes
Thursday, Dec. 16: 1-2 p.m. ET | CME Available
There's still time to register for the finale of our ACU Conference Encore webinar series: join trauma expert Matt Bennett for a discussion of "The Connection Between Self-Care, Leadership, and Patient-Outcomes" at 1 p.m. ET tomorrow. This free, CME-accredited training will help leaders and managers understand the impact of trauma from COVID-19 and other national crises on the healthcare workforce and provide strategies to address the systemic issues that led to burnout before the pandemic. Don't miss it: register now for this last session in our series featuring workshops from our 2021 Conference.
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Register for Our Webinar on Addressing Suicide Risk in Providers and Staff
Thursday, Dec. 16: 1-2 p.m. ET
It's not too late to register for tomorrow's webinar on Suicide Safer Care (SSC) techniques to help support staff through organizational approaches to address suicide risk and prevent deaths by suicide. As detailed in our latest fact sheet, healthcare professionals are more likely to die by suicide than the general population, and an estimated 300 physicians die by suicide in the U.S. each year. COVID-19 has exacerbated the stress and burnout already felt by many healthcare team members, but many do not seek treatment for fear of stigma. Join us to learn more and understand how organizations can implement effective suicide prevention and postvention strategies during and beyond the pandemic.
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Relevant Resource: Organizational Approaches to Address Suicide Risk in Providers and Staff
ACU's latest fact sheet examines the scope of suicide risk in healthcare professionals and provides organizational SSC approaches to support primary care providers and team members while reducing suicide risk—including managerial training to address suicidality, approaches to creating cultures of wellness, and postvention strategies. Read the document or browse other SSC resources.
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Join Our STAR² Center's PCA & HCCN Workforce Professional Development Series
Next Webinar: Wednesday, Feb. 16: 2-3 p.m. ET
If you missed today's session, there's still time to join our STAR² Center's next webinar in our dedicated workforce professional development series for workforce staff from primary care associations and health center controlled networks. From December 2021 to June 2022, this semi-monthly series will share expert insights from the national, regional, and state levels with the learning cohort. These webinars aim to bolster workforce efforts internally at PCAs and HCCNs and help teams provide robust support for recruitment and retention at their health centers. Topics covered will include workforce action plans, using data in workforce planning, employee satisfaction, and more!
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Apply to Join Our Implementing & Responding to Staff Satisfaction Surveys Learning Collaborative by Jan. 7, 2022
Is your health center conducting staff satisfaction surveys but seeking ways to improve, or is your team unsure of how to start? In either case, we invite you to join our new learning collaborative on best practices for conducting and following up on staff satisfaction surveys. Apply now to join our cohort in five virtual sessions on January-March 2022. Conditionally accepted applicants will receive notice by Jan. 11, and to confirm acceptance, FQHC leadership must commit to the member's participation by Jan. 17.
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Apply for Our Strategic Workforce Planning for HP-ET Retention & Recruitment Learning Collaborative by Jan. 19, 2022
Recruiting and retaining providers is a challenge for health centers, and given the increased pressures of a global pandemic, the Great Resignation, and a pending Great Retirement in healthcare, organizations must approach workforce development and “grow-your-own” efforts strategically. Join ACU's STAR² Center and Wipfli for a five-part learning collaborative to learn how to develop a Strategic Workforce Plan focusing on Health Professions Education & Training (HP-ET) strategies to enhance capabilities to recruit, develop, and retain provider workforces. The collaborative will take place from February-April 2022, and applications are due Jan. 19: learn more and apply!
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In Case You Missed It: Read Our STAR2 Center's BPHC-Approved Definition of a Comprehensive Workforce Plan
Our STAR² Center’s latest publication provides a definition of a comprehensive workforce plan that has been reviewed and approved by the Bureau of Primary Health Care. The robust definition also outlines vital components for health centers to consider in ongoing workforce planning. The definition encompasses multiple elements including visions, assessments, retention strategies, recruitment strategies, development strategies, and action plans. This dynamic document should be revisited regularly by health center teams to address the evolving needs of the workforce, patients, and community.
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Revisit the Impact of COVID-19 on FQHC Workforces, Chief Workforce Officers, and More in Our STAR2 Center Podcast
Have you listened to our STAR² Center Talks Workforce Success podcast yet? With a new season on the way, now is a great time to revisit the first ten episodes of our podcast exploring crucial issues for the health center workforce through engaging chats with health center leaders and experts. The first two seasons examine the role of chief workforce officers as well as COVID-19's impact on workforces, and more is still to come! Listen to recent podcasts and stay tuned for future episodes.
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One More Look Back at 25 Years of ACU
ACU marked its 25th anniversary in 2021, and this remarkable year has been a reminder of the power of your work, your support, and your advocacy. In 1996, clinicians caring for the underserved—members and alumni of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)—united to form our network to improve the health of underserved communities and support the clinicians caring for them. 25 years later, ACU has become the leading national voice for the NHSC and health center workforce. But our mission remains unchanged, and in 2022, we look forward to working further with you to better achieve it. Visit our 25th Anniversary site to learn about our history, read interviews, and more.
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Call for Podcast Interviewees: Share Your Self-Care Story
Our STAR² Center is looking for health center clinicians, leaders, and staff interested in participating in a 20 to 30-minute interview for a podcast series focusing on the need for organizationally supported employee self-care. Tell your story about how you engage in self-care and how your organization supports it: fill out this form to indicate your interest. Thank you for your interest and the work you do to serve underserved populations, as well as the work you do to care for yourself and staff in trying times.
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Registration Has Opened for the 2022 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition
ACU is excited to be a collaborator of HIMSS22, and we invite you to register for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's (HIMSS) 2022 Conference. A premier global healthcare conference, HIMSS22 will explore the power of innovation to reimagine health through cutting-edge thought leadership and resources, policy announcements, and networking. Digital, in-person, and hybrid attendance options are available, and ACU members will receive a discount! To receive the discount, visit the HIMSS website and select “Register Now," and then select our name from the “Conference Collaborating Organizations” drop down in the registration process and enter the code HIMSS22C.
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Deadline Extended: Applications for the NHSC's Loan Repayment Programs Due Feb. 3
The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has extended the deadline for applications for its Loan Repayment Program (LRP), Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP, and Rural Community LRP. Providing up to $100,000 in loan repayment assistance in return for serving 2-3 years at facilities in health professional shortage areas, these programs are excellent opportunities for physicians, nurse practitioners, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other professionals to pay off their loans while improving the health of underserved communities. Learn more and apply by Feb 3.
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Now and in 2022, ACU will remain here for you: if we can do anything to better support your work to improve care and advocate for patients who are underserved, please contact our Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly with any feedback. Thank you for all that you do.
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