One in three Tennessee families struggle with diaper insecurity and several organizations are banding together to give away free diapers to bring much needed attention to the issue during National Diaper Need Awareness Week.

In late September, UnitedHealthCare, Nashville Diaper Connection and Connectus Health partnered at Robert Churchwell Elementary School to give free diapers and flu shots.

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Congress Passes Continuing Resolution 

President Biden signed a short-term continuing resolution on Friday, September 30 to keep the government funded through December 16. The continuing resolution will keep programs, including health centers, funded at current levels until Congress can pass a more comprehensive spending package. The House and Senate won’t both be in session until after the mid-term elections in November.

The CR included the following:

• Permanent extension of FTCA coverage for Volunteer Health Professionals - View NACHC's press release
• $12 billion for Ukraine
• $1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
• $20 million for water infrastructure projects in Jackson, Mississippi

BPHC Resumed Accepting FTCA Applications for Volunteer Health Professionals

BPHC is beginning to accept applications again for the FTCA Volunteer Health Professionals Program now that it has been permanently extended in the continuing resolution. BPHC had stopped accepting applications in May in anticipation of the program sunsetting at the end of the fiscal year. 

Congress Passes the MOBILE Health Care Act

The House passed the MOBILE Health Care Act on September 29, and the bill has been sent to President Biden's desk for his signature. The bill had already been passed by the Senate. The MOBILE Health Care Act will allow BPHC to award New Access Point funding for acquiring, leasing, and/or renovating mobile medical equipment or vehicles (even if they are not associated with a permanent, full-time site).

NACHC endorsed the legislation and released a statement upon its passage. Every member of Tennessee's Congressional delegation voted in favor of the bill.

Tennessee Home Care Resources from Homecare.org

Cognitive decline, deteriorating health, and limited mobility are just a few of the issues that come with aging, and that can make it harder for seniors to live independently. However, with proper preparation, appropriate home care services, and a strong network of support, seniors can thrive at home.

To help aging adults and their families navigate this option, we developed a resource that covers the programs, services, payment options, and providers for senior residents that are available in Tennessee. You can review Homecare.org's guides here: 

• https://www.homecare.org/tennessee

• https://www.homecare.org/does-medicare-cover-in-home-care/

• https://www.homecare.org/the-cost-of-24-7-in-home-care/

BPHC Awards for Health Centers to Address Maternal Mortality

Lat week, BPHC announced a competition for funding to address maternal mortality. These awards will be made through BPHC’s new Quality Improvement Fund (QIF), which supports innovation. All CHC grantees are eligible to apply, and BPHC expects to make a total of 12 awards of roughly $2 million each. 

Applications are due in Grants.gov by 11:59 PM (Eastern) on Monday, December 5, and in EHB by 5:00 PM (Eastern) on Friday, January 13, 2023. 

HHS Awards Funding to Train Community Health Workers

HHS awarded $225 million to 83 organizations as part of the Community Health Worker Training Program, a new multiyear program that will support training and apprenticeship to support an estimated 13,000 community health workers. These awards are one-time and were funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.  

HHS Community Care Hub Learning Network

HHS is inviting CHCs and other community-based organizations across the country to apply for the Community Care Hub National Learning Community. This network will provide access to vital peer support, technical assistance from national experts, and up to date information on resources, initiatives, and collaborations aimed at furthering the capacity of Community Care Hubs nationwide. 

Learn more about Community Care Hubs from Healthcare Innovation.

Complete the application >>>

Grants to Support Community Health Centers in Expanding Vision Services

Community health centers, including Look-Alikes, can apply to the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding to help start or expand permanent and comprehensive eye health and vision care programs. These grants are supported by the Centene Foundation for Quality Health Care, and applications are due December 31. 

View a description of how CHCs have used these grants since they began in 2018. 

Applications are due December 31.