Dear Advocate,

Eye health and vision care are critical to individuals' overall health and quality of life, but far too many underserved patients face considerable barriers to accessing these services. This week, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved is releasing our new call for applications for $25,000 grants to help federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) start or expand permanent vision care programs as part of our ongoing Eye Health and Vision Care program. Learn how to apply for these grants and other opportunities below.
Help Your Health Center Begin or Expand Vision Services: Apply for Our Grants by May 31
Numerous barriers hinder underserved patients' access to eye and vision care, and although health centers are uniquely positioned to provide these services, many FQHCs lack the resources to deliver them. To address this, ACU is partnering with the Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare to provide $25,000 grants to FQHCs to assist with start-up costs and expansion of permanent vision care programs. These funds can support either services or equipment at FQHCs planning to provide comprehensive eye exams. Apply by May 31.
Congratulations to Our Previous 2021 Grant Recipients
ACU is also excited to announce the recipients of our previous 2021 vision care grants offered with the support of the Centene Foundation for Quality Healthcare and the American Optometric Association Foundation. These organizations include:
  • East Harlem Council in New York, NY
  • Omni Family Health in Bakersfield, CA
  • Regional Health Care Clinic in Sedalia, MO
  • Spectra Health in Grand Forks, ND
  • Treasure Coast Community Health in Vero Beach, FL
  • Valley Healthcare System in Talbotton, GA
Thank you to all organizations which applied. ACU offered this support as part of our ongoing Eye Health and Vision Care Program to increase access to care.
New Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved Supplement Explores TechQuity
ACU's official Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved has released a supplemental issue exploring opportunities to leverage technology to achieve health equity, or TechQuity. Learn about the strategic development and deployment of technology and how it can influence workforce diversity, data trust, equity dashboards, transparent AI, and more in this issue. ACU Members: remember to log in using the special link in our member portal for free access to this and other issues.
Learn How Strategic Planning Can Engage FHQC Workforces in our STAR2 Center Talks Workforces Success Podcast
Listen to insights on how to use strategic planning to empower and engage health center workforces in the first episode of our STAR2 Center Talks Workforce Success Podcast. Chief workforce officers (CWOs) are integral to health centers' efforts to build strong workforces, and our podcast's first episode explores this in an interview with Scott Owens, CWO at Mountain Family Health Centers in CO. Listen to the conversation or read the transcript, discover other episodes, or read our CWO Toolkit.
Join the Wait List for the Free Virtual 2021 Biennial Workforce Summit
Though our registration list is full, you can still apply to join the waiting list for the 2021 Virtual Biennial Workforce Summit on May 27-27! Held by ACU's STAR² Center, Community Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute, and the National Association of Community Health Centers, the free event will explore FQHC workforce issues during and after COVID-19; technology; and DEI. The sooner you join the waiting list, the better your chances of being able to attend the event!
Archived Webinars in Our Mitigating Burnout & Maintaining Provider Satisfaction During Vaccination Rollouts Series Are Now Available
Did you miss an entry in our STAR² Center's webinar series on efforts to support provider satisfaction and address burnout during COVID-19? View webinar recordings and slides from each session:

NHSC Loan Repayment Program Deadlines Extended
There's still time to apply for loan repayment program opportunities from HRSA's National Health Service Corps! Apply by May 27 for the NHSC's Loan Repayment Program (LRP), Substance Use Disorder Workforce LRP, or Rural Community LRP. The NHSC received an additional $800 million in funds in the American Rescue Plan, supporting the largest number of NHSC clinicians ever. Because of this, sites with low HPSA scores are likely to be more competitive and are encouraged to apply.
Honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
This May, please join ACU in honoring the history and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) across the U.S. In a year marked by rising xenophobia, violence, and racism amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more critical to recognize the diversity, resilience, and strength of AAPI communities. Learn more about how you can celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and take action to Stop AAPI Hate.
New Learning Opportunities and Webinars on Care for the Underserved
Our partners are hosting a variety of learning collaboratives and webinars of interest to clinicians providing care to underserved populations:
TODAY, May 5: 2-3 p.m. ET
National Health Service Corps
May 7: 1-2 p.m. ET
HRSA & National Training and Technical Assistance Partners
May 8: 2-3:30 p.m. ET
HHS Office of Minority Health, National Park Service, and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
Starts June 2021 | Apply by May 14
National Council for Behavioral Health
What We're Reading: Recent Articles Spotlighting Racial Equity and Health Centers' Role During COVID-19
As always, ACU is here to support you in our shared mission to care and advocate for patients in underserved communities. Our work is always more effective with your guidance: please contact our Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly with any suggestions. Thank you for the life-saving and life-changing work you do everyday.
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