Dear Colleague,

Our 2023 Conference is just around the corner! Only 11 days remain until the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved unites clinicians, administrators, and advocates from across the U.S. in Washington, D.C., and we cannot wait to join you in exploring strategies to elevate care, clinicians, and communities while driving health equity. Learn more about the latest developments with #ACUConf below, the newest development in our campaign to preserve funding for the National Health Service Corps, as well as new resources on suicide prevention, workforce recruitment and retention, and more below.
It's Not Too Late: Join Us for In-Depth Workshops, a JEDI Pre-Conference Training, & More at Our 2023 Conference
Less than two weeks remain until our 2023 Conference, “Transformation: Elevating Care, Clinicians, & Communities,” but there's still time to register! #ACUConf will unite hundreds of clinicians, administrators, advocates, and students on July 23-26 in Washington, D.C., to explore strategies to ensure accessible, quality care for medically underserved populations. Browse sessions in our schedule-at-a-glance and register now: spots still remain for 20+ CME-accredited sessions, our Pre-Conference Training on Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, networking, and more! Members and students receive significant discounts.
Welcoming Our Latest Keynotes: Sandy Hook Promise's Jessica Neely & HRSA's Carole Johnson
ACU is honored to announce our latest Conference keynote speakers: Carole Johnson, Administrator of the Health Resources & Services Administration, and Jessica Neely, National Crisis Center Director at Sandy Hook Promise. Neely will also lead a panel discussion on youth mental health featuring Shelley Spires, CEO of Albany Area Primary Health Care, Dr. Virna Little, Co-Founder of Concert Health, and others. Learn about our full line-up of speakers and register to join them in D.C.!
Thank You to Our Sponsors
ACU is thrilled to partner with Centene, On Belay Health Solutions, SMART Conversations, and Aetna as sponsors at our 2023 Conference. Is your organization interested in exhibiting at or sponsoring #ACUConf? Learn more.
ACU Leads Coalition in Stakeholder Letter to Senate HELP Committee to Preserve Funding for the National Health Service Corps
Leading a coalition of 65 public health organizations, advocacy groups, and primary care associations, ACU has published a stakeholder letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee requesting renewed and increased mandatory funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). ALL funding for the NHSC ends on Sept. 30 (the end of Fiscal Year 2023), and the urgent need for Congress to act now to preserve this vital program connecting clinicians with patients in medically underserved and health professional shortage areas cannot be overstated.
The letter urges the Senate's HELP Committee to unite behind the proposed bipartisan legislation, the Restoring America's Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act. Co-authored by Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Rubio (R-FL), the bill would fund the NHSC for the next three years, averting a devastating funding cliff and keeping intact the vital capacity of the NHSC at current levels. Without immediate action to extend and increase funding for the NHSC millions of patients could face severe impacts in their access to care and the already strained clinician workforce serving these communities will face even deeper shortages in areas of highest need. Simply put, the time to act is now. We need your help to keep up the momentum: review the letter and NHSC resources and become an advocate. And to those who will be joining us on Capitol Hill to advocate in-person after #ACUConf, thank you! Together, we CAN #SavetheNHSC!
Join Our Office Hours Webinar on Suicide Prevention in Primary Care
Wednesday, August 16: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET
Join ACU and the American Association of Teaching Health Centers, for a special office hours webinar on Suicide Safer Care. Suicide is a devastating public health crisis, but primary care clinicians can play a key role in identifying, assessing, and intervening with patients at risk. How can you or your organization incorporate suicide prevention in primary care? Join suicide prevention expert Dr. Virna Little for a dedicated Q&A session to ask for guidance on clinical pathways, sustainability concerns, supporting healthcare professionals at risk themselves, and more.
View Yesterday's Webinar on Suicide Prevention in Primary Care
Did you miss our presentation on suicide prevention in primary care for clinicians who are in training or newly practicing? You can now review the webinar and slides. Many clinicians in primary care have received little education in suicide prevention. View our webinar with the American Association of Teaching Health Centers and National AHEC Organization to learn how to identify patients at risk, assess severity, and implement micro-interventions.
Explore Our HP-ET Resources for Health Centers and C-Suite Leaders
New ACU STAR² Center publications highlight how Health Professions Education and Training (HP-ET) programs can help health centers maintain and grow a strong and effective workforce. Our C-Suite Toolkit explores how HP-ET programs can bolster staff recruitment and retention and support workforce development. Additionally, learn about projected workforce needs based on National Health Service Corps vacancy data and how HP-ET programs can help address the growing provider shortage
TACHC's Trauma-Informed Care Program the Focus of Episode 24 of the STAR2 Center Talks Workforce Success Podcast Series
Season five of ACU's STAR² Center Talks Workforce Success Podcast highlights organizations who successfully used, disseminated, or implemented STAR² Center resources. In Episode 24, the Texas Association of Community Health Centers discusses their Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) program as they prepare for their fifth cohort, as well as efforts to connect TIC and value-based care in Texas. Listen to the episode and explore our past seasons.
Review Best Practices in Suicide Prevention, JEDI, Eye Health & Vision Care, & Workforce in Our Centers of Excellence Briefs
ACU's Centers of Excellence initiative works to identify key standards and develop supportive resources to help health centers develop their capacity to improve health equity as true centers of excellence. Review our previous best practice briefs on crucial CHC services, from vision services and workforce development to suicide prevention in primary care and creating more inclusive, equitable care. Read the guides and contact us with any questions.
New Paper Highlights How Working with Minority-Serving Institutions Can Help Build a Representative Workforce
Establishing a workforce that represents your patient population requires inclusive and equitable recruitment and retention efforts. Partnering with minority-serving colleges and universities is one path for achieving greater diversity. A new resource from ACU's STAR² Center aims to help human resources professionals and health center leaders understand how to identify and collaborate with minority-serving educational institutions.
ACU Member Sun River Health Opens New Integrated Care Clinic with The Mental Health Association Westchester (MHA)
ACU congratulates Sun River Health on its recent opening of a new health center in White Plains, NY. The new facility, in partnership with MHA, provides integrative primary and preventive healthcare, behavioral healthcare, and substance use disorder treatment and recovery services for patients of all ages in one convenient location. A ribbon cutting and open house event was held on June 27.
Celebrate CHCs During National Health Center Week on August 6-12
Join us in highlighting community health centers across the country during National Health Center Week on August 6-12. This year's celebration honors the achievements and quality healthcare provided by CHCs in every state and territory each day. Find more resources and join the conversation using the #NHCW23 and #ValueCHCs hashtags on social media. Is your organization planning a Health Center Week event? Let us know and you could be highlighted in a future ACU newsletter!
It's Not Too Late: Apply by July 20 for HRSA's Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program
The Health Resources & Services Administration is still accepting applications for its Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program. Eligible clinicians providing pediatric medical subspecialty, pediatric surgical specialty, or youth mental and behavioral healthcare including substance use disorder treatment services may apply for up to $100,000 in loan repayment aid in exchange for working full-time for three years at an approved facility.
New from ACU's Career Center: OB/GYN Surgery Director at Jordan Valley CHC in Springfield, MO, and More
Our Career Center is an excellent resource for job seekers or 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 an OB/GYN Surgery Director position with our member Jordan Valley Community Health Center in Springfield, MO, as well as:

Don't forget: ACU offers free vision care job posts for FQHCs and lookalikes. Learn more.
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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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