National Children’s Dental Health Month

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Check out HRSA’s website throughout this month to learn how parents, caregivers, and health care professionals can advance oral health for everyone in a family.

You’ll also find tips about brushing, flossing, and seeking regular dental checkups. We welcome you to explore and share our suite of related oral health resources.

Learn more about oral health for young children.

Source: HRSA

New National Maternal Health Initiative

January 25 – HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson, joined by Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, launched a year-long Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative. The initiative will strengthen, expand, and accelerate HRSA’s maternal health work to address maternal mortality and maternal health disparities in partnership with mothers, grantees, community organizations, and state and local health officials across the country.

The kick-off event at the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington, DC, convened HRSA maternal health grantees from 11 states and the District of Columbia, as well as key national organizations and experts, providers, and individuals with lived experience. Attendees shared personal perspectives on maternal health care and support, the innovative ways HRSA grantees are making an impact on maternal health, and how they are addressing maternal mental health.

Read the release here.

Source: HRSA

COVID-19 Response Programs Transitioning to ASPR

With the transition of COVID-19 therapeutics to the commercial market, HRSA management of the COVID-19 therapeutics and testing supply ordering will end on Saturday, March 16. After that date, the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) will manage ordering through the Health Partner Order Portal (HPOP). Health centers participating in the Testing Supply Program or the Therapeutics Program can continue using HPOP to order no-cost COVID-19 testing supplies and free antivirals (Paxlovid and Lagevrio) until the federal supply of these products is depleted. 

See ASPR’s Frequently Asked Questions and Transition Guide for additional information.

Source: HRSA

New Federal Resources for Cybersecurity

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, announced new efforts in ongoing work to protect the healthcare sector from cyberattacks.  What’s new is a set of cybersecurity performance goals that are designed to improve the response to attacks and minimize residual risk.

Source: HHS

BHI Evidence Based Telehealth – New Funding Opportunity

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to integrate behavioral health services into primary care settings using telehealth technology. HRSA will award approximately $8.75 million to up to 25 grantees over a period of five years.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants shall be domestic public or private, non-profit, or for-profit entities that demonstrate they will provide services through a telehealth network. This includes faith-based, tribal, and community-based organizations. Please view the funding opportunity on grants.gov for complete eligibility information.

When are applications due?

The application is due March 22, 2024.

Source: HRSA

Health Centers: A Guide for Patients – Now Available in Spanish

HRSA recently introduced a handout (PDF) that explains to prospective patients what health centers are and what they do. It describes the services health centers offer and provides a link to the Find a Health Center tool.

To meet demand, they have now translated it into Spanish (PDF). Share the handout with members of your community who could benefit from receiving care at a health center.

Source: HRSA