The Rural Health Works Regional Workshop will provide training in (1) economic impact, (2) community health needs assessment toolkit, and (3) specific rural health needs assessment for new or expanded healthcare services. The training is designed for professionals from agencies that are involved or plan to be involved in providing assistance to communities in any of these areas. Online registration will be limited to 25-30 participants and will be on a first come, first serve basis. This workshop is a collaboration between the Nevada Office of Rural Health, Nevada Primary Care Association, Nevada Rural Hospital Partners, and Center for Economic Development along with the University of Nevada School of Medicine.  More information can be found at this link.

The Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Shortage Designation Branch will be updating all Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in July 2017 with a new automated process. Historically, the majority of HPSAs have been updated on a rolling basis with individual applications submitted by the Primary Care Office (PCO) over a three year period. 

In October 2016, HRSA will analyze all current HPSAs and generate scores that will be compiled into an impact analysis report. This impact analysis will not officially change any current HPSA scores, will not be published in the HRSA Data Warehouse or NHSC Jobs Center and will not be used for programmatic purposes. It will a useful tool to prepare for the July 2017 HPSA score recalculation. HRSA is developing a communication plan to ensure all stakeholders are engaged in this process. The PCO will also distribute information as it becomes available.

The Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) Shortage Designation Branch is currently proposing updates to the process by which facility auto-Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scores are generated. HRSA recently offered a webinar for health care facilities that will be affected by this update to outline the proposed changes and the reasoning behind them. These updates could have significant effects on current auto-facility scores. Here are a few highlights, from the webinar, of changes to the scoring process:

1. All facility auto-HPSA scores will be re-scored in July 2017.

2. Each facility will receive an individual score. Institution-wide scores will not be used anymore.

3. Uniform Data System (UDS) data will not be used for calculation of facility HPSA scores. 

We strongly recommend that all facilities affected by this change listen to the webinar and provide feedback to  HRSA and the  PCO regarding concerns about this process. A recording of this webinar is available online at this link.

The Nevada Instant Atlas is a powerful resource that allows community organizations to view and analyze county-level health workforce and population health data. In addition to this powerful, user-friendly resource, the Office of Statewide Initiatives also has compiled the data sources used in the Instant Atlas and presented them online at this link. These data sources provide a wealth of resources for community organizations.

High Sierra Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a small public health non-profit, invites students to join us to promote health and wellness and healthcare 

career awareness in Northern Nevada! Our Student Ambassador program is a unique way to gain non-profit and public health experience while acquiring professional growth and development. Applications are due by September 14th.  Save the Date: New Ambassador Orientation, Sept. 15th and 16th, times TBD.

For more information, email Andraya at [email protected]