|
Dear Mariah,
All eyes are on Congress this week as legislators advance a tentative funding deal that would provide increases in funding for National Health Service Corps (NHSC), health centers, and teaching health centers. As the package moves forward, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) is redoubling our advocacy and unveiling a variety of new presentations and resources to assist your workforce retention and recruitment efforts. Learn about these opportunities, including our upcoming 2024 Workforce Symposium, webinars on integrating caregivers in care teams, a new issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, and more below.
P.S. Have you taken our quick network survey? Please give us your feedback to inform our strategic planning to better support your work. And if you've already completed it, thank you!
| | |
|
ACU Applauds Increase for NHSC Funding Included in Tentative Funding Deal
Last Sunday, Congress released the legislative text for a $435 billion package which would include increases in funding for the National Health Service Corps, community health centers (CHCs), and teaching health centers through the end of 2024. The House plans to vote on this minibus funding deal today before sending the bill to the Senate. ACU is grateful for the bipartisan support for this legislation, and though more work lies ahead, this development is a testament to the voices of our advocates. Thank you for joining us in supporting the NHSC! Learn more and find a funding breakdown, and please join us as an ACU Advocate if you haven't already.
| |
|
Find Cutting-Edge Strategies for CHC Innovation at Our Workforce Symposium
April 29-30 | Graduate Hotel in Nashville, TN
Seats are filling up at our STAR2 Center's 2024 Workforce Symposium, Inclusive Innovation: Putting People First! Register now for nine exciting sessions in workforce retention and recruitment innovation on April 29-30 at the Graduate Hotel in Nashville, TN. Featuring advocacy updates from ACU Executive Director Amanda Pears Kelly, a deep dive on renovating CHC workforce culture with Corporate Transcendence, and more, this event is your chance to join health center, PCA, and HCCN staff from across the U.S. Learn more, book your lodging, and register for the Symposium and separate Comprehensive Workforce Plan Workshop for health centers on May 1-2.
| |
|
Optimize Your Marketing & Branding to Boost CHC Workforce Initiatives and More
The second day of ACU's 2024 Workforce Symposium will begin with an engaging presentation from ACU experts showcasing how health centers and other organizations can best tell their stories to potential providers and patients alike. Register to learn how to highlight your initiatives to a broader constituency, showcase stories for workforce recruitment and development, and more with this workshop’s strategies for marketing and social media.
| |
|
ACU Partnering with Corporate Transcendence to Help CHCs Transform Their Workforce Cultures
We're excited to enter a new strategic partnership with Corporate Transcendence to help CHCs transform their workforce cultures to become employers and providers of choice. ACU and Corporate Transcendence will introduce health centers to a comprehensive, scalable framework to engage and empower employees to achieve excellence in care and services to advance health equity. Learn about the partnership and how Corporate Transcendence can help your organization.
| |
|
Don't Miss the Final Webinar in Our Series on Creativity and Employee Well-being
March 27: 3-4 p.m. ET
Creative pursuits can play a transformative role in CHC employee well-being and be a respite from various mental health struggles. Learn more as ACU's STAR2 Center and the National Association of Community Health Centers continue to explore the intersection of art and healing as a key aspect of building a resilient, empowered, and engaged workforce in the final webinar of this engaging series and view the previous session.
| |
|
New Webinar Explores Fostering Teams: Promoting Cohesion, Effective Communication, and Problem-Solving
March 25: 3-4 p.m. ET
Make plans to join ACU and our partners in the BPHC Workforce Well-being Technical Assistance initiative for this exciting webinar on March 25. Learn conceptual frameworks for effective teams, gain tips for fostering teams in the workplace, tools for communication and collaborative problem-solving, and find resources to address drivers of workforce well-being.
| |
|
Learn How to Create Training Models to Support Retention in a New Webinar
March 26: 2-3 p.m. ET
ACU and the BPHC Workforce Well-being Technical Assistance initiative invite you to attend an interactive case study webinar on March 26 as we explore strategies for incorporating training programs for health center support staff. Presenters will discuss how various apprenticeship training models improve staff satisfaction and retention.
| |
|
In Case You Missed It: Access Our Archived Webinar on Employee-Focused Career Pathways
Building career pathways for the mental health workforce supports your health center’s retention strategies and helps to develop an engaged, satisfied workforce. This session from ACU's STAR2 Center explores behavioral health providers' wide range of skills and best practices for starting or expanding career and advancement pathways to attract and retain these practitioners and support staff.
| |
|
Join the Next Webinar in Our "Integrating Caregivers & Home Health Workers in Clinical Care Teams" Caregiver Series
March 26: 2-3:15 p.m. ET
ACU's "Beyond the Clinic: Caregivers and Home Health Workers" series continues with our next webinar on March 26. Join us as we focus on caregivers as allies for emotional support and learn from experts, healthcare consumers, and caregivers about this important aspect of care. Sign up now or catch up on prior sessions. If you registered for prior webinars in this series, you will receive an invitation with a link for the remaining sessions.
| |
Zero to Three Webinar: Go Team! Implementing a Team Approach to Primary Care for Your Youngest Patients
March 14: 4-5:30 p.m. ET
The Early Childhood Developmental Health Systems (ECDHS): Evidence to Impact Center invites you to a webinar on implementing a team approach to primary care for babies and young children. Learn the “who, what, why, how, and when” of team-based care, including specific models and strategies, and hear examples of what this could look like in your practice. Read about ACU's partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in support of ECDHS.
| |
|
Sign Up for the Final Webinar in SDOH Academy's National Webinar Series
March 14: 3-4:30 p.m. ET
Join the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Academy for the final webinar in the national webinar series aimed at deepening audiences’ understanding of incorporating and scaling innovative practices to address the latest challenges in social determinants of health. Learn valuable strategies to navigate emerging SDOH issues, foster proactive approaches, and build healthier communities. Explore past sessions or save your spot for the conclusion of this engaging series.
| |
|
Read the 35th Anniversary Issue of ACU's Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
The latest edition of ACU’s official Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved marks 35 years of the publication started by Dr. David Satcher, President of Meharry Medical College. This issue celebrates Black History Month by exploring the changing face of BIPOC health through the 20th and early 21st centuries, introducing the Together for CHANGE initiative to address widening gaps in healthcare for Black communities, and more. ACU Members: log in to our member portal for free access.
| |
|
Join a New Webinar Exploring Lifestyle Medicine & its Role in Health Equity, Clinician Resilience, & More
March 12: 1-2 p.m. ET
Join us and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine for "The Power of Partnership: Advancing Health Equity" on March 12. This webinar will introduce you to the clinical application of lifestyle medicine and its role in advancing health equity, discuss contributors to clinician burnout and strategies for clinician resilience, review scholarship opportunities to help diversify the workforce, and more.
| |
|
ACLM's National Training Initiative Scholarship Now Open to More Providers
Our partners at the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) have expanded eligibility for the 2024 Lifestyle Medicine National Training Initiative Scholarship Program to include not only physicians but also nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Two million dollars in matching funds will increase access to lifestyle medicine in under-resourced communities by supporting the training and certification for one primary care provider (MD/DO/NP/PA) in lifestyle medicine at each U.S. health center. Learn more and apply by March 31.
| | |
|
Join ACU in Envisioning a More Equitable Future at Our 2024 Conference on Aug. 4-7 in D.C.
Registration has opened for our 2024 Conference! Register to join hundreds of clinicians, administrators, advocates, and public health leaders at this singular annual gathering at the Westin Washington, DC Downtown on Aug. 4-7. Whether you're interested in Health Centers 101 or Suicide Safer Care, NHSC advocacy or optimizing workforce well-being, you'll find useful knowledge and practical strategies in our Conference's 20+ CME-accredited sessions, engaging keynotes from federal and public health leaders, and more. Sign up now for this event featuring a new track dedicated to eye health and vision care, multiple pre-conference workshops, and more!
| |
|
Consider Exhibiting at or Sponsoring Our 2024 Conference
ACU’s 2024 Conference presents unique opportunities to showcase your organization to clinicians, organizations, and advocates working to improve care for medically underserved populations. Learn about exhibiting and sponsorship options offering vital chances to raise your visibility and network with ACU's diverse community.
| | |
|
In Case You Missed It: Free Online Courses in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
Have you explored ACU's certificate-granting e-courses on Understanding Racism in Healthcare and Having Tough Conversations: Creating a Brave Space Filled with Grace? Now is a great time to review these courses and stay tuned for an upcoming course that will explore the core concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion and their importance in modern workplaces and society.
| | |
|
In Case You Missed It: Exploring Suicide Prevention as a Clinical Priority in ACU's Purpose in Practice Podcast
ACU's most recent Purpose in Practice podcast episode was a powerful conversation with suicide prevention expert Dr. Virna Little. Listen and learn about the overall scope of suicide as a public health crisis, ways to incorporate suicide prevention strategies into primary care visits, resources for clinicians and individuals, and more. Catch up on the show and contact us if you have an episode idea or would like to be a guest.
| | |
|
Explore Healthy Vision Resources During Save Your Vision Month
Healthy vision is a hallmark of overall health. During Save Your Vision Month ACU is raising awareness about common vision issues and highlighting resources to help protect your eye health. Read the National Eye Institute's tips for seeing your best, listen to ACU's recent podcast episode about improving the eye health of medically underserved communities, and explore our eye health and vision care resources for more information about our commitment to improving vision and eye health.
| |
|
Please Help Guide ACU's Work: Take Our Quick Survey
ACU tailors our work to respond to the needs of our members and network while ensuring quality and excellence in our programs and strategy. ACU's Board and Leadership will soon unite to develop the next iteration of our strategic plan to guide our direction, and we need your help to shape this initiative! If you haven't yet, please inform our strategic planning by taking a SHORT survey to help us understand what is most important to you and how ACU can support your work.
| |
|
Don't Forget: Share Your Subject Matter Expertise with ACU
ACU recently created a new database to better understand the insights of our community and partners so that we can identify subject matter experts (SMEs) to collaborate in our work and help us build effective, evidence-based programs and presentations informed by knowledgeable speakers and consultants. If you have workforce, clinical, or other expertise, we invite you to complete our SME form and share your areas of knowledge with us. Please complete the form or share this call for SMEs!
| |
|
HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Applications Are Open
Need help paying for your nursing degree? Apply to the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program! Open to enrolled students at accredited U.S. nursing programs without other service commitments, this program offers assistance to pay tuition, fees, and other educational costs in addition to a monthly stipend for living expenses. In return, Scholars agree to serve at a Critical Shortage Facility when they graduate. Special funding is available for RNs, NPs, and CNMs with specific foci. Apply by May 2, and don't forget that applications close tomorrow for HRSA's Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program!
| |
|
Applications are Open to Join the 2025 Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity Cohort
The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity program develops global leaders who understand the foundations of health inequity and have the knowledge, skills, and courage to build more equitable organizations and communities. Early- to mid-career professionals committed to becoming leaders in health equity are encouraged to apply for this program that runs from Jan.-Nov. 2025. Apply by April 11 and register for an informational webinar on March 21 at 10 a.m. ET to learn more.
| |
|
New from ACU's Career Center: Behavior Health Counselor at AACI 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 a Behavioral Health Counselor position with Asian Americans for Community Involvement in San Jose, CA, as well as:
-
Optometrist: La Casa Family Health Center. (Portales, NM)
-
Optometrist: Shasta Cascade Health Centers (Mt. Shasta, CA)
| |
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.
| | | | |
