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Register for RHA of TN's 28th Annual Conference!
The Rural Health Association of Tennessee's 28th Annual Conference, "Collective Impact: A Call to Action," will be held November 16-18, 2022 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Register now here to get the early bird special price! Early-bird ends September 30th.

The draft agenda has been posted! Find out who you will be able to hear from this year at conference here.

Each year, RHA of TN presents awards to influential programs and people who are improving rural health in Tennessee. Find the award categories here. If there is someone you would like to nominate, please find the nomination form here. Send completed form to info@tnruralhealth.org. Deadline for submissions are August 15th.
Academic Poster Contest

This virtual research poster competition is a low-cost way for students, residents and faculty to share their research without the costs of producing a “hard-copy” poster.

Division winners and the overall winner will receive a gift certificate or modest cash award (check).

Submission Deadline: Monday, October 17, 2022 (No late entrants will be accepted). 

Announcements of the winners, Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Annual Conference luncheon (winners do not have to be present to win)

Find out more about contest divisions, rules, and submission instruction here.
Health Care Access in a Post-Pandemic World

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government increased funding to hospitals and clinics and incentivized states to pause terminating enrollees from the Medicaid program to help increase access to health care and ease the financial burden caused by the global public health emergency. With the end of the pandemic in sight, we all need to prepare for the unwinding of the public health emergency (PHE). TennCare (our state’s Medicaid agency) has estimated that 300,000 people will lose their Medicaid health insurance after the PHE ends. Hospitals and clinics are bracing for a significant reduction in funding, particularly in rural areas where providers were struggling even before the pandemic to provide health care to many uninsured people.
 
Join the Rural Health Association of Tennessee and the Tennessee Justice Center to learn how the PHE unwinding will impact access to health care in your community. Register for the August 10th free webinar here.
Events

  • Lunch and Learn on Behavioral Health and RHCs Join our RHC Network Director on August 12th from 11am to 12PM CT for the third presentation in the series which will be with special guest, Scott Robbins, Midwest Healthcare, INC. See our calendar for registration information and specific dates.

  • Effective Communication Strategies and Techniques for HPV Vaccination The Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable is hosting a virtual provider education seminar on effective communication strategies and techniques for increasing HPV vaccination. Providers and all HPV partners and allies are invited to hear more about effective communication strategies and techniques from pediatrician Dr. Mike Brown and Brittany Satterly, PharmD candidate 2024. Each speaker will provide a unique perspective on how they use communication to promote HPV vaccination. The virtual seminar will be 12:00PM CT on August 11, 2022. Register here

  • Disaster Available Supplies in Hospitals (DASH)  DASH is an online, interactive tool for hospital emergency planners and supply chain staff to estimate supplies that may be needed during various emergencies. The office for emergency preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will introduce stakeholders to the DASH tool in this hour-long webinar on August 15th at 11:30am ET. Register here.

  • The Relationship Between the Social Determinants of Health and the Opioid Epidemic Alliant Health Solutions is hosting a special webinar on Tuesday, August 16, from 12:30pm ET entitled “The Relationship Between the Social Determinants of Health and the Opioid Epidemic.” Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) has claimed nearly 500,000 lives in the last two decades. With accidental overdoses identified as the U.S. leading cause of death for people under age 50, the statistics are overwhelming. This presentation will define key concept relationships, explore evidence-based practices, and share how case managers can utilize SDoH to improve patient care related to opioid use disorder. To register, click here.


  • “Children Under Stress: Preventing ACEs and Supporting Childhood Well-Being” This webinar will be hosted by the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) on August 23rd at 2:00pm ET. Every year an estimated 3 million children in the United States are exposed to shootings and millions more are living with the far-reaching effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, more than 200,000 American children are now orphans, having lost a parent or primary caregiver to the pandemic. This webinar will explore actionable strategies to prevent ACEs and programs to support children and break the cycle of adversity. To learn more and to register, click here. 

  • Biennial Suicide Prevention Conference This virtual conference on August 23rd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST provides participants the opportunity to get informed, learn the signs and risk factors, discover resources, and learn how to prevent suicide. The event is hosted by the Suicide Prevention in the African American Faith Community Coalition (SPAAFCC) and offers attendees 3.5 CEUs. SPAAFCC empowers community members and faith leaders to work together, build awareness and provide practical toolkits around African American suicide prevention with a public health and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) approach. Click here to register.

  • Virtual Training about Stimulants in Tennessee The TN Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is now offering a free, virtual training about stimulants in Tennessee. Training is open to anyone. The 90-minute virtual training includes: Stimulant trends and data in Tennessee; Over the counter, prescription and illicit stimulants; and Illicit stimulant use, overdose and recovery. The following dates are available: Tuesday, August 23rd 9:30am CT and Thursday, September 22nd 12pm CT. Registration is available here.

  • Domestic Violence Webinar TDH wants you to join their Virtual Danger Assessment Training for Healthcare Providers. This training is designed to improve knowledge of identifying and addressing domestic violence. Although there are many forms of abuse, certain behaviors indicate that a victim is at a greater risk of being seriously injured or killed by their abuser. This training will explore what behaviors and circumstances increase a victim’s, how to assess a victim’s risk, and strategies to help clients seeks safety. This training will take place virtually on August 25th at 10:00am CST This training is done in partnership with the Office of Family Safety. Register here

  • Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Certificate Training Two Day Event August 24-25, 2022 Franklin, Tennessee This two-day course, taught by expert and engaging faculty, uses a thorough, evidence-based curriculum designed for psychiatrists, nurses, physicians, social workers, mental health providers, childbirth professionals, social support providers, and anyone interested in building skills for assessment and treatment of perinatal mood disorders. Your registration includes training manual, handouts, and certification of continuing education credits. Register for this event here.

  • "What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing” August Book Club "What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing” The book discusses a groundbreaking and profound shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” The event is on August 25th. Register here.

  • Rural Health Clinic Conference Join clinic and CAH stakeholders from across the country for NRHA’s Rural Health Clinic on Sep. 20-21, 2022 in Kansas City, MO, and Critical Access Hospital Conferences Sept. 20-23rd. Take advantage of the educational and networking opportunities designed for clinic and hospital professionals and board members serving rural America. Find out more and register here.

  • TPCA Annual Conference The Tennessee Primary Care Association’s Annual Conference will meet in-person October 5-7, 2022 at the Embassy Suites in Franklin, TN and will be focused on increasing community health centers’ ability to thrive in today’s dynamic health care environment. The sessions will showcase future directions, best practices, stories of successful collaborations, lessons learned and solutions to community health center issues. Don't miss this opportunity for face-to-face fellowship and peer networking. To view the agenda, click here. To learn more and register, click here.
Resources
  • Call for Board Nominations RHA of TN is putting a call out for board nominees. Nominees must be current members as of June 1, 2022. For more details and application instructions, visit RHA of TN's Blog here. The Rural Health Association of Tennessee's 28th Annual Conference, "Collective Impact: A Call to Action," will be held November 16-18, 2022 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee where new board members will be announced.

  • Fighting Fentanyl: The Federal Response to a Growing Crisis This hearing presents the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing on the government's response to the fentanyl crisis. Includes testimonies from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy regarding current efforts to address the expanding use of fentanyl across the U.S. Learn more here.

  • Advancing the Response to COVID-19 Blog Series: Denise Smith, MBA, CHW, PN As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our communities, OMH is following up with some of the presenters from its 2020 virtual symposium, Advancing the Response to COVID-19: Sharing Promising Programs and Practices for Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities. They invite you to follow this five-part series to learn how they have continued to make positive impacts in the communities they serve during the COVID-19 pandemic. New blogs are posted each Wednesday throughout July and early August. Read Ms. Smith's interview on the OMH Blog for Health Equity


  • Safe TN APP Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security invited Tennesseans to get ready for the new school year by downloading the SafeTN app. The SafeTN app gives every Tennessean a direct line for confidentially reporting suspicious or concerning activity within schools. Concerns and tips are vetted by law enforcement 24/7 to address circumstances like: Violence or assault, Threats of violence or a planned attack, and/or Physical injury or harm to self or others. To learn more, click here.

  • CMS releases maternity care improvement blueprint CMS recently unveiled its Maternity Care Action Plan to support the implementation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. The action plan takes a holistic and coordinated approach across CMS to improve health outcomes and reduce inequities for people during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. In addition to the action plan, CMS approved new actions in Connecticut, Kansas, and Massachusetts to extend Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage for 12 months after pregnancy. This extension of coverage was made possible by a new state plan opportunity established by the American Rescue Plan. Find the resource here.

  • NRHA Seeking Presenters on Oral Health Case Studies In partnership with the AIDPH Rural Oral Health ECHO, NRHA is seeking didactic presentations on oral health case studies, including clinical cases, programs, outreach efforts, funding needs, or issues related to the social determinants of health in rural communities. These tele-discussions are designed to explore real-life situations and receive expert feedback to build the capacity of health professionals. Monthly sessions focus on emerging topics in rural health collaboration and are supported by subject matter experts. Email Zil Joyce Dixon Romero with questions.

  • Awareness for Disparities in Organ Donation August is the month for bringing attention to the gap between the number of organ donors and the number of people who are African American, Hispanic, and Native American, or Asian/Pacific Islander who need life-saving organs or tissues. Of more than 100,000 people waiting for organ transplants, nearly 60 percent are from multicultural communities. Researchers have cited low socio-economic status as a primary driver of racial disparities. Rural location also presents barriers to patients needing transplant; those who are older, lacking advanced education, underemployed, or Medicaid beneficiaries are less likely to get on waitlists. Find resources here.

  • Chronic Conditions Common in Younger Adults Using self-reported answers found in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measured prevalence of chronic conditions for adults aged 18-34. Overall, about one-half reported at least one chronic condition, with the most common being obesity (25 percent), depression (21.3 percent), and high blood pressure (10.7 percent). In rural areas, almost 60 percent reported having at least one chronic condition. Find the research here.

  • The Vaccines for Children Program The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention oversee the purchase and distribution for all children under age 19 who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or are American Indian or Alaska Natives. This guide from the National Academy for State Health Policy explains current gaps in vaccine access for children and how states are addressing barriers to enrollment and cost burdens for providers. Find the guide here.


  • Recruiting for TN Needs Assessment Focus Groups TDH is actively recruiting participants for 2022 TN Needs Assessment Focus Groups! TDH hopes these groups will help them better understand health priorities, needs, and barriers related to prevention and care of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis, and substance use for people living in Tennessee. TDH hopes to get a better understanding of these experiences to help inform strategies and activities to address these health conditions over the next several years in Tennessee. Priority populations for these discussions are young adults (age 18-24), persons who use drugs, people living in rural TN areas, and Latinx men who identify as gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men. Interest forms can be found here: Young Adult Interest Form; Persons Who Use Drugs Interest Form; Rural Interest Form; Latinx Interest Form. Email endthesyndemic.tn@tn.gov with questions!

  • COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same healthcare visit with other vaccines, including flu vaccine. Administering the COVID-19 vaccines at the same visit as other vaccines is important because it increases the probability that people will be fully vaccinated. It is also an important part of immunization practice if healthcare providers are uncertain that a patient will return for additional vaccinations. People who have already been vaccinated can enroll in v-safe and record their doses. Parents or guardians can also enroll their vaccinated children in v-safe. People can tell CDC how they or their dependent feel after getting any does of the COVID-19 vaccine. The participation in v-safe helps CDC monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for everyone. Additional CDC resources on this topic can be found here: V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker ,Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) , Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination ,COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs for Healthcare Professionals

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline Beginning July 16th, 988 will become the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline will provide compassionate, accessible care and support via phone, text, or online chat to anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. Anyone can use 988 if they have thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. Find out more about the new lifeline here.

  • COVID-19 Tests by Mail Every household in the U.S. can now order an additional set of eight COVID-19 tests from www.covidtests.gov. The tests are free with free shipping. If you need assistance placing an order, call 1-800-232-0233.

  • Award Nominations Each year, RHA of TN presents awards to influential programs and people who are improving rural health in Tennessee. Find the award categories here. If there is someone you would like to nominate, please find the nomination form here. Send completed form to info@tnruralhealth.org. Deadline for submissions are August 15th.
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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!

Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors
for making this communication and our annual conference possible.
Mailing Address:
PO Box 656,
Decaturville, TN 38329
This service was supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, under GR-21-73441.The contents of this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of or endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.