New! Virginia Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program
The 2021 General Assembly established a $1.6 million Virginia Behavioral Health Student Loan Repayment Program (BH-LRP) to help recruit and retain behavioral health (BH) professionals to practice in underserved areas of the Commonwealth and/or provide counseling and treatment to underserved populations.
This program will repay a portion of an eligible BH professional’s student loan debt. In return, recipients commit to practicing in Virginia for a minimum of two years at an eligible site.
Applications for the first year of this program will be reviewed and acted on in two cycles:
- October 15, 2021 – December 15, 2021
- February 1, 2022 – April 15, 2022
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Medicaid’s New Adult Dental Benefit is Off to a Great Start!
More than 50,000 adults enrolled in Medicaid have already utilized the new adult dental benefit (mostly for extractions and restorative services) since it went into effect less than 4 months ago, on July 1! The new coverage has also encouraged more dental providers to accept Medicaid (72 have joined since July).
As part of the effort to promote the availability of this new coverage, DentaQuest and Patterson Dental Supply Company partnered with VHCF to provide 26,000 “goody bags,” which were shipped to 54 dental safety net sites throughout the state. These bags included oral hygiene products and an information card about the new Medicaid dental coverage, and are being distributed to new and former dental patients.
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Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace is November 1, 2021 – January 15, 2022
Most Virginians who purchase private health insurance from the federal Marketplace will need to sign up for 2022 coverage during the 11-week Open Enrollment Period. Those who do not sign up during Open Enrollment will not be able to sign up for 2022 coverage, unless they experience an unexpected event like losing other health insurance coverage (including Medicaid/FAMIS); move outside their current insurer’s covered area; or have a qualifying life event, like getting married or having/adopting a child.
Virginians interested in purchasing health insurance through the Marketplace can go here, go to healthcare.gov, or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) to apply on their own.
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For Some of Those Needing Health Insurance Coverage for the Remainder of 2021, Coverage is Available
Those who were eligible for unemployment benefits at any time during 2021 are now eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), during which they can buy health insurance through the federal Marketplace. This means they do not have to wait for the Open Enrollment Period to shop for a Marketplace plan.
This SEP is only available to Virginians through a special process. Find help in your area here.
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The Relationship Between Trauma-Informed Care and Racial Equity
Trauma-informed care seeks to both acknowledge the role trauma plays in people’s lives and the impact it has on their health and well-being, and to engage in practices that prevent retraumatizing individuals. For an approach to care to be truly trauma-informed, it must consider the critical impact of racism and racialized trauma on patient health and staff well-being. A new brief from the Center for Health Care Strategies outlines six considerations for health care organizations to integrate a focus on racial equity to enhance trauma-informed care approaches and promote racial justice. It draws on the experience of two FQHCs and offers clear and actionable steps and recommendations.
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What We’re Reading/Listening to
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The Pandemic Has People Stuck in a Bad Mental/Physical Loop – “The pandemic has increased psychological distress, which makes it more difficult for people to maintain their physical activity levels. This, in turn, further hurts their mental health, which makes them less likely to be active, and so on. Once you get on this roller coaster ride, it’s hard to get off. And all of this is exacerbated by the pandemic making it harder for people to find safe spaces in which to exercise.”
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Mental Health Providers Can’t Meet Growing Demand for Services - Full caseloads and provider shortages, seen throughout the Commonwealth, are making it increasingly difficult for people to access the care they need. This article highlights one man’s experience trying to find mental health care in Fredericksburg and the new program that helped him and others finally connect to available clinicians.
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Avoid ‘Mask Mouth’: 4 Ways to Reduce Oral Health Problems During the Pandemic – “As part of our new normal, face masks are helping to keep us safe from catching and spreading COVID-19. But dentists say the coverings can also be doing damage to our teeth. Dentists have dubbed the situation “mask mouth” as more cases of poor oral hygiene pop up, especially among young people who are wearing face masks at school for extended periods of time.”
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Upcoming VHCF Trainings/Meetings
Trainings on how to use The Pharmacy Connection
Beginner Trainings
Advanced Training
For additional training dates or more information click here or contact Lisa Hueston, TPC Program Manager, at (804) 828-5803.
SignUpNow Workshops
SignUpNow workshops teach the “ins and outs” of Virginia's Medicaid/FAMIS eligibility requirements, applications and application procedures, and post-enrollment information. Upcoming SignUpNow workshops will highlight important recent changes to Medicaid/FAMIS, including the new adult dental benefit, and new coverage for undocumented pregnant women, as well as the "ins and outs" of the eligibility requirements, application procedures, and post-enrollment information for Virginia's Medicaid/FAMIS programs:
- New adult coverage
- Programs for children and pregnant women (the FAMIS programs)
- Low Income Families and Children (LIFC) program
- Medicaid for Former Foster Care Youth
- Plan First (family planning)
Workshops will also feature important updates to childhood immunizations in Virginia.
Register for a virtual SignUpNow workshop here: www.vhcf.org/workshops. Please note: registration will close one week before each training date, so workshop materials to can be sent to attendees.
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Don’t Forget About the Funding Available for Capacity Building!
Are you (or a staff member) considering taking advantage of learning opportunities? VHCF has a variety of informational resources to help you and your staff meet your goals. Check out some of our resources for providers here! Don't see what you are looking for? Let us know!
VHCF offers funding for capacity building, including:
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Up to $3,500 to underwrite the development of a new strategic plan
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Up to $650 per organization per year to pay for professional development opportunities that enhance the skills or knowledge of health safety net staff or board members
Contact a Program Officer at (804) 828-5804 to learn more.
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Does your clinic have innovative programs or creative solutions to share?
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