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Partnerships - Education - Advocacy - Resources

Engaging Rural Communities in Drug Take Back Webinar

Join RHA of TN to learn how to contribute to national awareness, obtain resources, and hear past success stories of the implementation of Drug Take Back programs throughout rural communities. 


National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is dedicated to educating the public on a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. Learn more about how to safely dispose of prescription drugs, including the potential abuse of medications.


This webinar will be April 4th at 11:00am CST. Register Here!

Rural Health Clinic Network Orientation Webinar



Join RHA on March 24th for a Rural Health Clinic Network Orientation Webinar. This will be an opportunity to learn about the RHC Network Development work that has been occurring, provide feedback, discuss upcoming Advisory Committee elections, member events, and important updates about the PHE unwinding.

This meeting will be at 10:30am CST. Register Here.




Regional Events


RHA's West TN Regional Event will be held on March 23rd at Union University in Jackson, TN. The agenda for this event can be found here.

East TN Regional Event will be held at East TN State University in Johnson City on April 6th. That agenda can be found here. Register and find out more about these in-person meetings here.

Events are free to members; $25 for non-members

Find all upcoming events on our calendar here.


Call for Speaker Proposals


The Rural Health Association of Tennessee's 29th Annual Conference will be held November 15-17, 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee.


We are now accepting presentation proposals. Proposals should highlight replicable programs, research, and/or collaborative efforts aimed at improving health and access to care in rural Tennessee.


The deadline for proposals is May 30th! Make sure to submit your proposal before the upcoming deadline. We want to hear from you!


Submit your proposals here.

Events

  • Rural Suicide Prevention Workshops This comprehensive training for service providers in rural communities includes special focus on youth, substance use, and Indigenous communities. The interactive workshop features video demonstrations, active discussion groups, and access to the latest research on best practices. Attendees will get free, ongoing support- including online discussion forums and monthly Q&A video calls- for one year after the workshop. Find more on the trainings happening on March 21st, May 23rd, and July 25th here


  • NACo on Strengthening Rural Child Care Workforce The National Association of Counties (NACo) focuses on rural and smaller suburban counties in an hour-long discussion on long-term strategies to finance and sustain investments. A recent brief from the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services recommends creation of a Childcare Shortage Area designation similar to the Health Professions Shortage Area designation that informs policymaking. Find out more on March 21 at 1:15 pm CST. Register here.


  • Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Post-Baccalaureate Program Find out more about this 2-year, post-baccalaureate program which is seeking rural residents that are interested in cancer research. Living stipend is provided. Register for the town hall meetings on March 21st or March 30th to hear about the program and ask questions. Find more information here.



  • Community Health Worker Webinar Series Join the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) for their webinar "Session 3: CHW Sustainability Strategies: Advancing Practice and Policy" which will be held on March 30th at 2:00pm CST. This session will offer a window into how the appropriate infrastructure, developed for and with CHWs, has led to the development of policy strategies for sustaining the CHW workforce. Presenters will share the approaches that they used to leverage the unique opportunities in their jurisdictions to overcome barriers and will provide practices that include examples of standardized training, certification programs, and reimbursement models that may be applicable and replicable to others. To register, click here.


  • BMI and Beyond: Considering Context in Measuring Obesity and its Applications The National Academies' Roundtable on Obesity Solutions will host a two-part workshop series titled, "Exploring the Science on Measures of Body Composition, Body Fat Distribution, and Obesity." The first workshop will explore the current science on measures of body composition and body fat distribution with a focus on the strengths and limitations of body mass index (BMI) as a measure of adiposity and health. Presentations will address how BMI is perceived and used globally across different sectors, ethnic groups, cultures, and across the lifespan and more. To learn more about this April 4th webinar and register, click here.


  • Community of Practice The Community of Practice is a new initiative from The Tennessee Department of Health focused on supporting County Health Council (CHC) work. This kick-off event is an all-day free conference for those who support health councils. The event will include interactive workshops, diverse panels, and networking opportunities with people across the state and regions. These events will be hosted in each Grand Division. Find out dates and more here.


  • NRHA’s Annual Rural Health Conference NRHA would like to extend an invitation to the 46th Annual Rural Health Conference from May 16-19, 2023 in San Diego, California. The Annual Rural Health Conference is an opportunity to help raise the standard for rural health with over 80 innovative, practical, and cost-saving sessions. Find the agenda and register here.


  • Writing Your Own Story at Tennessee Disability MegaConference On May 25-26, join many Tennessee Disability Partners in person for Tennessee’s premiere disability conference that brings professionals, family members, and self advocates from all across the state to a single place for discussion and learning. Find out more here.




Resources

  • Adverse Childhood Experiences ACEs are stressful or traumatic events, including abuse and neglect. They may also include household dysfunction such as witnessing domestic violence or growing up with family members who have substance use disorders. ACEs are strongly related to the development and prevalence of a wide range of health problems throughout a person’s lifespan, including those associated with substance misuse. Creating and sustaining safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for all children and families can prevent ACEs and help all children reach their full potential. Find out more about ACES here. 


  • Find Help Now Resource A new substance abuse treatment locator website from the Tennessee Department of Health is available at FindHelpNowTN.org. This site links individuals directly to care and help if they are struggling with a substance use disorder. This website guides individuals to location-based openings and services available at substance use treatment facilities. Site users can search facility listings using up to 60 different features such as the type of treatment needed, insurance programs, payment methods and availability of wrap-around services. Visit the website here.


  • Approaching the end of the PHE and its implications for RHCs The National Association of Rural Health Clinics has published a resource for rural health clinics (RHC) to help navigate the end of the PHE. The article covers general flexibilities before diving deeper into RHC-specific waivers. Find this resource for RHCs and rural providers in general who are navigating the end of the PHE here.


  • Approaching End of Public Health Emergency If you missed HHS IEA COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Transition Briefing earlier this month, the recording can be found here. As part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) ongoing efforts to provide up-to-date information to prepare for the end of the PHE for COVID-19, which is expected on May, 11, 2023, they are providing a new overview fact sheet on CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the Transition Forward from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Over the next several months, CMS will work to ensure a smooth transition back to normal operations. The fact sheet provides clarity on several topics including: COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments; Telehealth services; Health Care Access Find the fact sheet here.


  • Rural School- and Community-Based Programs Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth In-school discrimination, bullying, and harassment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) youth has been associated with many negative health outcomes, including higher rates of depression, substance use, and suicidality. For LGBTQ+ youth living in rural areas, these issues may be compounded by less visibility and fewer resources specifically for LGBTQ+ residents. Find out more from this research here.


  • State-Based Recommendations to Support Rural Ambulance Agencies This policy brief discusses challenges faced by rural ambulance agencies and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. It identifies state-based policy opportunities to support rural ambulance agencies and covers EMS as an essential service, professional management, EMS zones, and standby costs. Find the policy brief here.

 

  • TennCare Dental Benefits Approximately 600,000 adults on TennCare are now eligible for extensive dental benefits. Last year, Governor Lee proposed, and the General Assembly approved a $25 million investment to offer dental care to persons 21 years and older on TennCare. Children and pregnant women on TennCare, already receive dental benefits. Members can receive regular exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, crowns, and more. To find a dentist in-network, members can use the “Find a Dentist Tool”, which is also available through TennCare’s website.


  • Rural Health Training Program East Tennessee State University's College of Public Health has partnered with the Association of Schools and Programs to develop a 10 module series "Rural Health Training Program." These self-paced modules are completely free and can be accessed here. Learn more about the modules here.


  • Certified Men's Health Educator Training: The Certified Men’s Health Educator (CMHE) training course is aimed at healthcare professionals and others who are passionate about helping boys, men, and their families achieve true health and wellness—and re-imagining the healthcare system in a welcoming, guy-friendly way. To learn more and register, click here.


  • Rural Health Information Hub The RHIhub is a great first stop when looking for information, opportunities, and resources on rural health. Access the RHIhub here.

Funding Opportunities

The below grants have been hand picked to offer new funding opportunities to our members.

Welcome to our New and Returning Members!

The below organizations have recently joined or renewed their memberships. Members can search our member directory to connect with other members when logging into the RHA of TN's website. While you're searching, update your profile!

Van Buren Co. CSH

Campbell Co. Health Department

West TN Healthcare Foundation

Manchester City Schools CSH

Project Access West Tennessee

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Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors

for making this communication and our annual conference possible.

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Decaturville, TN 38329
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