• HRSA Virtual Job Fair HRSA’s Bureau Health Workforce hosts this free, online event on April 19 at 5pm CDT to connect primary care clinicians and trainees with health care facilities that have job openings. To register, complete a clinician profile on the Health Workforce Connector.

• Bridging HIV and SUD: Innovations in the Field and Syringe Services Programs in Rural Communities The series will highlight various innovative models and approaches to treating substance use disorder in people at risk for and living with HIV. Register for the April 21st webinar here.

• The Ethics of Self Care: Taking Care of Yourself While Taking Care of Others Join TCCY, Carey Counseling Center, INC., and UT Martin Social Work Program for this in person event on April 26 in Martin, TN. Find the agenda and register here.

• Community of Practice The Community of Practice is a new initiative from The Tennessee Department of Health focused on supporting County Health Council work. This kick-off event is an all-day free conference for those who support health councils. Find out dates and more here.

• National Center for Training and Technical Assistance on Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) hosts no-cost System of Care Strategy Summit on May 10-11th. The SOC Summit offers an opportunity to share expertise and collaborate in supporting the well-being of children, youth, and families. Learn more here.

• Keeping Care in our Communities: Telehealth as a Lifeline for Rural Healthcare In this discussion-driven May 4th webinar, the panelists will share how to identify where telehealth can fit in your organization and how to get started. Learn more and register here.

• Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) Training This 60-minute virtual or in-person training teaches participants how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, engage troubled individuals about their suicide risk, offer hope to someone experiencing a suicidal crisis, and connect them with community resources. Click here for more information.

• Telehealth Training For Mental Health Professionals This free online training shares best practices in telehealth for behavioral health and suicide prevention. Each one-hour Zoom session is open to all mental health industry professionals and qualifies for continuing education clock hours. Click here for upcoming trainings.

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

• Writing Your Own Story at Tennessee Disability MegaConference On May 25-26, join Tennessee Disability Partners in person for Tennessee’s 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

• Call for Speaker Proposals RHAs 29th Annual Conference will be held November 15-17, 2023 in Knoxville. 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 31st. Submit your proposals here.

• Narcan Over-the-Counter The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Narcan, 4 milligram (mg) naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use – the first naloxone product approved for use without a prescription. View the announcement here.

• Breast Care Awareness License Plate TDH continues its efforts to promote breast cancer awareness with the premier of a new design for a license plate devoted to raising funds for the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Screening Program. New registrations for the Driving to a Cure specialty plate can be made in-person at any Tennessee County Clerk’s office.

• Overview of the Impacts of Long COVID on Behavioral Health A SAMHSA literature review summarizes the behavioral health implications regarding long COVID. Download the SAMHSA Literature Review here

• Rural Health Training Program ETSU'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.

• New Recommendations for Elder Care The National Advisory Committee for Rural Health & Human Services has released a new policy brief and recommendations on how to expand the Programs of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly in rural areas. Find the policy brief here.

• Colorectal Cancer Screenings Of cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so they can be removed before turning into cancer. Learn more here.

• CMS Releases Intermediate Policy on RHC Rurality Determinations An announcement from the National Association of Rural Health Clinics that the CMS has released interim guidance on Rural Health Clinic rural location determinations, which have been in limbo since the Census Bureau updated the rural/urban definition late last year. Find out more here.

• COVID-19 Vaccination Rates Lagging COVID-19 vaccination rates in nonmetropolitan areas of the United States have been long observed, with noncore counties having the lowest rates. This report shows that COVID-19 vaccination rates in noncore and micropolitan counties continue to lag than in metropolitan counties. Find the report here.

• 8 Guidelines for Improving Rural Health Equity Recent estimates attribute only 10 to 20 percent of health outcomes to medical care. Social determinants of health account for 80 to 90 percent of non-medical contributors. Find out more here.

• 2023 County Health Rankings National Findings Report Analyzes county-level health and wellness data, focusing on issues such as civic infrastructure and socioeconomic opportunity. Find the report 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.

• American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Health Policy Fellowship- Deadline April 30
• National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program - Deadline April 27
• SAMHSA Mental Health Awareness Training Grants - Deadline May 1
• NIH Evaluating Pandemic Era Food/Housing Policies on Disparity Populations- Deadline May 1
• SAMHSA Rural Emergency Medical Services Training- Deadline May 1 
• DOJ Mentoring for Youth Affected by Opioid and Other Drug Misuse - Deadline May 4
• SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program - Deadline May 9
• Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health - Deadline May 12
• SAMSHA National Strategy for Suicide Prevention -Deadline May 15
• Rural Health Care Coordination Program- Deadline May 15
• USDA Produce Prescription Program (Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive)-Deadline May 16