Register Today for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association's 2024 Virginia Behavioral Health Summit in May

Registration today for the 2024 Virginia Behavioral Health Summit scheduled for May 16 in Richmond. The theme of the one-day event is “Connection: Building a Behavioral Health System that Serves All” and its purpose is to expand knowledge about behavioral health treatment and access for clinicians, healthcare administrators, policymakers, and community-based providers. The Summit will feature innovative behavioral health models, patient-centered strategies, an overview of the expansion of the crisis system across the state, and the opportunity to learn about advances in technology that can improve behavioral health resources. Read the full agenda and register on VHHA's website.

The 2024 Delta Dental Loan Repayment Program Application is Open April 8 - June 3

The Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation offers a one-year student loan repayment program for Virginia dentists and dental hygienists in exchange for 12 months of employment with a safety-net clinic. The 2024 application is open from April 8 to June 3. Click here to apply.

Who is eligible? Applicants need to:

• Be a licensed dentist or dental hygienist in good standing in Virginia;
• Be working full-time (32 hours per week minimum); and
• Agree to serve at least one year in a free or hybrid clinic or a federally-qualified health center in a Health Professional Shortage Area in Virginia.

Questions? Contact Olivette Burroughs at olivette.burroughs@vdh.virginia.gov or 804-864-7435.

Check Out the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinic's Virtual Summit



Open to members of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (VAFCC), as well as other safety net and nonprofit organizations, the VAFCC Virtual Summit is scheduled for June 10-14. The agenda is full of engaging and informative sessions on wellbeing, Trauma-Informed Care, obesity education, clinical services, and workplace productivity. Registration is free for members, and $100 for non-member organizations. Read the full agenda and register here. 

Registration Now Open for the Next Tooth Talk Roundtable

Register today for the next Tooth Talk Roundtable, which is scheduled for 10AM-12PM on Tuesday, June 18^th. This will be an exciting session focused on what’s on the horizon for the dental safety net in Virginia, and is an opportunity to (virtually) connect with and learn from your colleagues from around the state. Topics will include legislative updates, dental workforce data and trends, and resources and opportunities related to oral health. Sign up for the Tooth Talk listserv to stay in the loop, and reach out to Alan Nicholas with any questions. 

Consider Attending the National School-Based Health Care Conference - June 30 - July 2



Are you interested in learning about school-based health centers (SBHC) and how to start one? More than 3,500 school-based health centers nationwide now deliver integrated, patient-centered care, screenings, and preventive services to children and adolescents, including a growing number here in Virginia.

On June 30-July 2, join providers, educators, and advocates from across the US at the School-Based Health Alliance annual conference, “Engaging Communities, Fostering Partnerships,” in Washington, DC. Conference attendees will explore ways SBHCs serve rural, urban, and suburban schools and communities by promoting wellness and health equity. Click here to learn more and register! 

Nominate an Outstanding Physician Today!

The Medical Society of Virginia’s 2024 Salute to Service award nominations are now open! These awards recognize outstanding efforts by a physician, medical student, or resident who has substantially improved patient care, and MSV will accept nominations on its website until June 30, 2024. Award categories include: Service to the Uninsured and Underserved; Service to the Profession; Service for Advancing Patient Safety and Quality Improvement; Service by an Early Career Physician; and Distinguished Medical School Faculty Service Award. Submit a nomination here, or email foundation@msv.org with any questions. 

New Profile of Virginia's Uninsured Data Released

VHCF’s 2024 Profile of Virginia’s Uninsured, developed by the Urban Institute, is complete and available on VHCF’s website! This year’s report shows the lowest uninsured rates in Virginia since VHCF began tracking them in 1996 (7.7% or 544,000 nonelderly Virginians).

The 2024 Profile draws from the US Census’ American Community Survey and the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (both from 2022). It provides a wealth of information about the uninsured in the Commonwealth, including: 

• Estimates of their number, percentage and general demographics;
• Separate analyses of uninsured across the Commonwealth by region; and
• Estimates of access to primary care, oral health, and behavioral health services.

Greater Richmond SCAN leads and convenes the Greater Richmond Trauma-Informed Community Network (TICN), which is gearing up to mark the fifth annual Resilience Week Virginia May 5-11! Visit the Greater Richmond TICN’s Resilience Week VA Events page to see some of the activities taking place that week. Events include a block party, virtual and in-person trainings, and more!

If you’re already a member of your local TICN, great! Now is the time to help plan Resilience Week activities in your area, spread the word about events, and highlight the importance of resilience in your communities. If you’re not already a member of your local TICN, check out the list of Virginia TICNs here. 

Check out this summary of approaches and models for integrated primary and behavioral health services from the National Academy for State Health Policy. 

Don't forget about the professional development funds available to you! VHCF offers up to $650 per organization per year to pay for professional development. Recent applicant organizations took advantage of this opportunity by obtaining certifications, completing required continuing education units, or attending coursework related to their area of practice. Click here to learn more about professional development funding for your organization.

Is it time for you to update or create a new strategic plan? VHCF provides up to $3,500 to underwrite the development of a new strategic plan. 

Contact Andrea Lancaster or Alan Nicholas to learn more about VHCF’s Professional Development and Strategic Plan funding.

The Behavioral Health Hub listserv is a venue for the behavioral health community to share new resources, tips, and opportunities related to the delivery of behavioral health services. Emails are typically sent weekly, and listserv members are invited and encouraged to actively share information they think would be helpful and any challenges they are facing. With 1,000+ members from all regions of Virginia and a wide variety of organizations, the Hub is a great way to stay connected and updated on the latest news and trends in behavioral health. Subscribe here.

VHCF also has a variety of informational resources to help you and your staff meet your goals. Don't see what you are looking for? Let us know!

• The next virtual Tooth Talk Roundtable is scheduled for 10 am - 12 pm on June 18. Register today!

• VHCF currently offers two different live, online SignUpNow trainings. One covers the “ins and outs” of eligibility requirements, application procedures, and post-enrollment information for Virginia’s Medicaid/FAMIS programs for children, adults, and families. The other covers information for Virginia’s Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid-covered groups. Learn more about both trainings and upcoming dates here. 

• Upcoming virtual trainings for both new and experienced users on how to use The Pharmacy Connection (TPC) for new and experienced users are scheduled through November. For more information or to register for a training, click here.

Does your organization have innovative programs or creative solutions to share?

We'd love to hear from you so we can help share it with others. Please contact Andrea Lancaster or Alan Nicholas with your stories!