• Advancing the Community Health Worker-Webinar series: Join the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) in a four-part webinar series aimed at demonstrating how regions, states, tribal nations and territories are advancing the Community Health Worker (CHW) workforce by moving towards sustainability. This series will cover a range of topics from a national overview and history of CHWs to tools and resources being developed by and with CHWs and allies from across the country. This multi-region webinar series is hosted by OASH Regions 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7. The first session will be Thursday, January 26. To register, click here.

• Nursing Labor Update-View From the Mountaintops: Wednesday, Feb 2, 1:00 - 2:00 pm CST Michelle Hehman, MSN, RN, 15+ years of acute hospital experience and former nurse manager of Emergency Services, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and Jessica Flege, BSN, RN, CMSRN, 10 years of acute care management and certified Medical Surgical Nurse, will discuss the trajectory of the nursing industry and the impact that it is expected to have on staffing, as well as insight into how flexible staffing solutions can help to maintain optimal nurse-patient ratios. Click here to register.

• How Rural Providers Can Stay Profitable, Sustainable, and Mitigate Risk Through Accountable Care: Wednesday, Feb 15, 2:00 - 3:00 pm CST Rural providers in the ACO Investment Model (AIM) saved Medicare over $382 million in just three years. ACOscan be a viable business model to help rural providers meet financial goals and create healthier communities. Hear from professionals about the successes and best practices of thriving in accountable care. Click here to register.

• Child Advocacy Days 2023: We are excited to announce that Child Advocacy Days 2023 will be an in-person event held at Ray Stevens CabaRay on March 7-8. This year, CAD will feature impressive speakers, delicious food, and a live musical performance. Mark your calendars and make plans to join us for this event to celebrate Tennessee's commitment to children and youth! Registration is now open, click here!

• Rural Health Policy Institute-February 7-9th: NRHA’s 34th Rural Health Policy Institute is your chance to guide the future of rural health policy with NRHA leadership and advocate for issues you care about with new and returning members of Congress and the administration. Policy Institute will be held in Washington, D.C. You must be an NRHA member to attend. Find out more here.

• RHA of TN Community Healthcare Worker Registered Apprenticeship Signing-February 8^th: Join us as for a Community Healthcare Worker Registered Apprenticeship signing hosted on February 8^th at Lifespring Community Health in Chattanooga. 

• Dare to Lead, School Health Leadership Academy-February 8-10th: Join us for RHA of TN's first school health-specific leadership academy. Spots are limited so make sure to sign up soon. Find out more information here.

• Filling Your Cup, Comprehensive Self-Care Strategies for Wellness Professionals-February 13^th: Join us for this engaging presentation by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. To register, click here.

• Health System Support for Rural Value-Based Care-February 15th: This presentation follows the Value-Based Care webinar at 2 p.m. CST. In this webinar, Dr. MacKinney will provide a brief overview of healthcare affiliations today. He will then discuss findings from his recent health system interviews that explored the health systems' role in facilitating rural value-based care success. Finally, Dr. MacKinney will outline what rural value-based care support healthcare organizations should expect from health systems. Register here.



• SchoolCare Lunch and Learn: Join us on February 21^st from 11 am-12 pm CT for this informative lunch and learn session to learn about how SchoolCare can be integrated into your school district. To register, click here. 

Resources

• 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.

• CMS Announces Increase in 2023 in Organizations and Beneficiaries Benefiting from Coordinated Care in Accountable Care Relationship Announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services detailing three accountable care initiatives for 2023, the Medicare Shared Savings Program, the Accountable Care Organizations Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health (ACO REACH) Model, and the Kidney Care Choices (KCC) Model. These initiatives are expected to drive growth in participation, particularly in rural and underserved areas. 

• Hyde-Smith, Merkley Announce Establishment of CDC Office of Rural Health The FY2023 funding bill signed into law by President Biden in December included language establishing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Rural Health. The creation of this office will coordinate rural health efforts across CDC programs and develop a strategic plan for rural health at the agency.

• Filling the Gaps in the Behavioral Health Workforce Discusses the shortage of licensed behavioral health workers in rural and undeserved communities. Explores the roles of behavioral health support specialists (BHSS) and community-initiated care (CIC) to support licensed behavioral health professionals. Offers policy recommendations to strengthen the roles of the non-clinical workforce.

• The Health Equity & Access for Rural Dually Eligible Individuals (HEARD) Toolkit: Raising Rural Voices from New Mexico, North Dakota, and Tennessee to Create Action. Provides an overview on the access barriers and health disparities of Medicaid and Medicare dually eligible individuals residing in rural areas. Presents research and stakeholder feedback to provide information to policymakers. Discusses topics such as community planning related to equity and infrastructure, workforce capacity and community health workers (CHWs), and social determinants of health.

• Health Management Associates (HMA) toolkit provides a robust discussion of access challenges that dually eligible individuals face in rural areas and offers actionable solutions to address these challenges. Approximately 2.6 million dually eligible individuals live in rural areas, representing only 5% of the rural population. Their small population makes them vulnerable to slipping through the cracks and HMA’s toolkit is meant to help policymakers improve access for rural dually eligible beneficiaries.  

• 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.

• White House extended the public health emergency. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officially renewed the ongoing public health emergency (PHE) for the COVID-19 pandemic until April 11th. This is the 12th renewal of the PHE since January 2020. Each PHE declaration lasts for 90 days. The Administration has publicly committed to giving state governments and health care stakeholders a 60-day notice before the declaration expires, which would be February 11, 2023 for the current renewal.

• State of the Child in Tennessee The State of the Child report examines post-pandemic indicators of well-being to evaluate how Tennessee children are doing, what supports have worked and how Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth and TCCY can continue to invest in programs that improve outcomes for all children, youth and families. The report shows how additional state and federal intervention can build resilience and support the health and well-being of families with children. Increased investment in Tennessee children, youth and families can prevent these challenges or mitigate the negative effects.

Funding Opportunities

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

• School-Based Interventions to Promote Equity and Improve Health, Academic Achievement, and Well-Being of Students-Deadline February 11
• NOSORH Rural Health Grant Writing Institute-Deadline February 17
• Hillman Emergent Innovation Program- Letter of Intent Due February 28
• American College of Lifestyle Medicine HEAL Scholarship Program- Deadline March 1
• Quality Payment Program Exceptions- Deadline March 3rd
• Dental Faculty Loan Repayment Program- Deadline March 3rd
• A Strategic Approach to Advancing Health Equity for Priority Populations with or at Risk for Diabetes- Deadline March 7
• Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome- Deadline March 8th
• Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI)-Deadline March 20
• Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children's Health Grant Program- Deadline March 20