Quick Finds: Promising/Best Practices

Organizational Self-Care Assessment Tool: Fostering a Culture of Wellness Among Health Center Staff (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Health Outreach Partners’ Organizational Self-Care Assessment Tool: Fostering a Culture of Wellness Among Health Center Staff webinar focuses on the importance of adopting organizational self-care practices in the health center setting. The training covers how the assessment tool can assess each organization’s employee wellness practices. Use the link here to access the tool. More Details...

Engaging Communities: The Crucial Role of Outreach in Rebuilding Public Health Trust: The Role of Outreach in Rebuilding Trust and Confidence in Public Health (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This 60-minute training aims to inform health centers and other community-based organizations about the importance of outreach and how it can help reduce mistrust in public health. Health Outreach Partners examined strategies for collaborating with relevant partners to enhance their services in communities with special populations. More Details...

National Health Center Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Needs Assessment 2023 Listening Moments Summary Report (2024). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This short report summarizes the methodology and key findings based on over 350 individual health center staff responses More Details...

CHWs: The Key Players in Heat Stress Management Strategies Among MSAWs (2024). Resource Type: Publication. Description: As global temperatures rise, Migrant Seasonal Agricultural Workers (MSAWs) are increasingly at risk for heat-stress health issues due to their work conditions. Proactively involving Community Health Workers (CHWs), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and local communities can raise awareness and provide essential support to mitigate these risks. By collaborating on education, emergency preparedness, and advocacy, stakeholders can take a strategic approach to improve conditions and health outcomes for MSAWs facing the impacts of climate change. More Details...

CHWs Supporting MSAWs' Health Across Life's Seasons (2024). Resource Type: Publication. Description: Community Health Workers (CHWs) are essential frontline public health workers with deep cultural understanding and adaptable skills. They play a crucial role in supporting Migrant Seasonal Agricultural Workers (MSAWs), who face unique challenges due to their transient work and diverse backgrounds. CHWs provide vital services such as healthcare access, language interpretation, legal guidance, and culturally appropriate support, ensuring MSAWs receive comprehensive care across different locations and life stages. This integrated approach supports positive health outcomes and addresses systemic barriers through community-driven initiatives. More Details...

Updated User's Guide Implementation of the Interprofessional Oral Health Core Clinical Competencies (2024). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This publication builds on the 2014 User's Guide for integrating oral health and primary care practice. The guide includes implementation strategies, examples, and health center promising practices for medical and dental integration. More Details...

Sexual Violence in Agricultural Worker Communities: A Guide for Clinicians (2024). Resource Type: Toolkit. Description: Clinician resource that provides guidance on how to identify and support survivors of sexual violence in agricultural worker communities, as well as best practices when reporting any incidents. Also included are stories from survivors and advocates, and additional resources for community support. Available in both English and Spanish. More Details...

Environmental Preparedness for Health Centers: HITEQ On the Horizon (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Climate change-induced weather events such as heat waves, poor air quality, and flooding are increasing in frequency and intensity. Health centers are challenged to maintain their own health IT and operations, ensuring continuity of care for their patients, particularly individuals who are more likely to be impacted by climate change-related disasters. More Details...

HITEQ Highlights: Integrating Patient Self-Monitoring Blood Pressure Within Office-Based Hypertension Management: HITEQ Highlights Webinar (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This session included topics such as the evidence base for a self-monitoring blood pressure program, best practices in hypertension management through a self-monitoring program, and technology barriers and challenges to remote blood pressure monitoring. More Details...

Clinical Quality Measures for Eligible Professionals: 2024 Update: A crosswalk of Clinical Quality Measures for UDS and other reporting from The HITEQ Center (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This spreadsheet developed by the HITEQ Center provides a crosswalk of Clinical Quality Measures and their electronic specifications as defined in the 2024 update for Eligible Professionals (Clinicians). More Details...

On the Horizon: UDS+ and Race, Ethnicity, and Language Collection: Roundtable Series (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: The Community Health Care Association of New York State and Sun River Health, a health center in New York, joined the HITEQ Center for a discussion on UDS+ and the collection of granular race, ethnicity, and language (REaL) data. Sun River Health shared their experience collecting REaL data, including how they\'ve updated and optimized systems, tracked their data, and addressed challenges. More Details...

Advancing Interoperability & Health Information Exchange for Health Centers - An Overview and Discussion on Enhancing Health Outcomes with the Oklahoma MyHealth Access Network: HITEQ Highlights Webinar (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: In this session participants learned what standards-based exchange is, why it is important, what it makes possible, and what they need to do. Dr. David Kendrick led the session to provide insight into how MyHealth Access Network provides advanced health information exchange, community-wide care coordination tools, and a robust decision support platform designed to support providers and patients in improving health outcomes. More Details...

Engaging Partners and Technology to Support Care of Justice-Involved Patients: Virtual Webinar (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: In this session, participants learned from Harris Health (Texas) and Community Medical Centers Inc. (California) to hear about their expanded services for behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment for justice-involved community members. Attendees learned from these two healthcare providers that have made a commitment to offering care to justice -involved patients, and their journeys to build positive partnerships improving access to service. More Details...

HITEQ On the Horizon: What is the future of AI in Health Centers? Collection: Roundtable series (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: The HITEQ Center is planning a series of discussions about what is on the horizon -- this includes the people, processes, and technologies related to UDS+, environmental impacts and environmental determinants of health (EDoH), and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Each session will be interactive and engaging and include time for health center sharing. This series is open to community health centers throughout the nation. More Details...

HITEQ On the Horizon: Environmental Preparedness for Health Centers: Roundtable Series (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Climate change-induced weather events such as heat waves, poor air quality, and flooding are increasing in frequency and intensity. Health centers are challenged to maintain their own operations and ensure continuity of care for their patients, particularly individuals who are more likely to be impacted by climate change-related disasters. In this session, health center participants and HITEQ facilitators discussed how health IT and EHRs can be used to identify and protect impacted populations. The discussion will be focused around three strategies: 1) developing a health center emergency response plan; 2) utilizing patient data to support patient resilience; and 3) developing communication outreach systems for weather emergencies. More Details...

HITEQ On the Horizon: Demystifying Current and Future Clinical Quality Measure Reporting: UDS+ and the Adult Weight Screening and Follow-up Measure Roundtable: Roundtable Series (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This session explored the current and future UDS clinical quality measure reporting, through one of the more complicated and expansive measures: Adult Weight Screening and Follow-up Clinical Quality Measure that is included in Table 6B and, in the future, UDS+ reporting. Attendees gained an understanding of the measure specifications, including defining the denominator and compliance. Common challenges as well as health center successes will be discussed. More Details...

Clinical Quality Measures 101: Applying This to Practice: Virtual Learning Collaborative (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: As health centers engage with more quality programs through payers, funders, and others there is a pressing need for health center staff to have a foundational understanding of clinical quality measures, quality programs, and how these fit together and fit into the patient care provided in health centers. This learning collaborative is appropriate for health center personnel looking for a simple, foundational understanding of the quality measures and related programs. More Details...

Solar Powered Healthcare: Resilience and Cost-Savings (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Learn why health centers are choosing solar power with battery backup as an affordable solution for both emergency and year-round use. Along with our CHARGE partners, the National Association of Community Health Centers and Collective Energy, we review how a solar+battery microgrid works and explore the cost-benefit analysis, new and proposed rules and rebates, the various incentives and initiatives, and financing options. We also share examples of health centers' experiences in choosing this affordable option. More Details...

Health Center Partnerships to Support Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Early experiences and choices have a profound impact on lifelong health. It is crucial to cultivate healthy habits during childhood and adolescence in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, promote physical and cognitive development, enhance resilience, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. However, children and adolescents often encounter obstacles in managing their health and lifestyle choices due to environmental factors, educational and social influences, and limited autonomy. NNCC introduced and discussed tools and resources for health care professionals/CHWs working in health center settings and the community. More Details...

Closing the PrEP Care Gap with TelePrEP: Training for Health Centers (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This training session was delivered by the HITEQ Center in collaboration with Housing Works, a health center based in New York City. Staff from Housing Works provided an overview of the TelePrEP model, considerations for implementation, and successes and barriers their TelePrEP program has faced. All health center staff were welcome to attend, and the content will be useful for all seeking to expand PrEP access for HIV prevention in their health center and community. More Details...

Advancing Equity: Community Health Workers' Role in Enhancing Breast Cancer Screenings and Linkage to Care (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This webinar explored breast cancer disparities and their impact on different communities. Health centers play a critical role in providing comprehensive care, especially in tackling disparities in breast cancer screenings and care among underserved communities. Viewers will discover how Community Health Workers (CHWs) can bridge gaps and facilitate screenings and care. Learn practical strategies and best practices to implement CHW programs within your practice effectively. More Details...

Health Center Resilience in the Face of Cyber Adversity: A Case Study of the Family Health Center of Worcester's Ransomware Incident, February 2024 (2024). Resource Type: Publication. Description: The use of ransomware -- malicious software that restricts access to computer systems with financial demands -- has escalated, targeting health centers and putting countless lives at risk. This dire reality came to the forefront during the alarming ransomware attack on the Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc. (FHCW), where the personal health information and care continuity for thousands of patients were compromised. This resource uses FHCW's experience as a case study to demonstrate the imperative of preparedness and the strength of a community-centered response in ensuring the continuity of healthcare services amidst the ever-growing tide of cyber vulnerabilities. More Details...

Advancing the use of SDOH Data to Support Value Based Care: National Training for Health Centers (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Is your health center interested in learning about how collection of social needs data can support your performance in providing value based care? This one-hour webinar, presented by Washington Association for Community Health, CHAS Health, and the HITEQ Center taught about best practices in SDOH screening and how health centers have used SDOH data for patient care, population health, and value based care. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and share the specific challenges they face regarding SDOH screening and use of data. All health center staff, particularly those involved in screening clients for social needs, connecting them to resources and using data to inform care, were welcome to attend. More Details...

How EHRs Can Be Leveraged to Streamline Social Needs Screening: Screening for Housing Status and other Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) measures Webinar (2024). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Is your health center planning, implementing, or revamping a social needs screening program? The National Health Care for the Homeless Council and the HITEQ Center hosted a free webinar on Tuesday, February 6th, 2024, from 2 - 3 pm Eastern (1 - 2 pm Central) where they taught participants how to screen for housing status and other Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) measures that can be introduced or better integrated into health center clinical workflows. Presenters shared guidance on implementing and systematizing social needs data collection in Electronic Health Records (EHRs), followed by a panel of expert health center representatives who spoke about their programs & journeys with social needs screening programs. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions, share successes, or discuss specific challenges they faced regarding social needs screening. While this webinar focused on health care for the homeless (HCH) health centers, anyone involved directly in social needs screening or interested in improving screening processes was welcome to attend. More Details...

Implementing Staff Satisfaction Surveys Infographic (2023). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This STAR² Center infographic is designed to support health center teams as they focus on staff resiliency, wellness, satisfaction, and engagement by guiding teams through the process of conducting staff satisfaction surveys.  More Details...

HITEQ Highlights: What to Do About Health IT Hazards Associated with Copy and Paste in the EHR: HITEQ Highlights Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Copy and paste functionality can support efficiency during clinical documentation, but may promote inaccurate documentation with risks for patient safety. This webinar discussed three key areas where health centers can consider implementing safe practice recommendations: Define copy and paste as a health IT safety issue by identifying the potential patient safety risks Review safe practice recommendations and implementation strategies to mitigate health IT-related hazards and safety issues Disseminate evidence, tools and practices for implementation More Details...

Assessing for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The Inclusion Scorecard for Population Health- a Coffee Break Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: In this Coffee Break webinar we introduce one of our newest resources: the Inclusion Scorecard for Population Health. As more health systems adopt new reimbursement models and strive for value-based care, a significant paradigm shift in healthcare must take place. The Scorecard plays an integral role in a site's effort to achieve the Quadruple Aim: better care, better patient experience, lowered costs and improved provider experience. Healthcare is no longer solely about what happens inside a facility-health outcomes are inextricably linked to the social drivers of health, culturally effective care, patient engagement and community resiliency. More Details...

HITEQ Highlights: PrEP Process Mapping Team Toolkit Demonstration: HITEQ Highlights Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Is your health center currently in the process of implementing or revamping your pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) workflow? Join this HITEQ webinar to learn how to use our PrEP Process Mapping Toolkit, which is designed to support team-based learning, reflection, and action on the use of process mapping as a tool to document PrEP clinical and EHR workflows. Your health center team can follow the steps outlined in the toolkit to develop a process map of an existing or planned PrEP service workflow and to identify opportunities to streamline and improve that workflow. More Details...

HITEQ Highlights: Crossing The Chasm of Innovation - One FQHC's Journey to Operationalize its Telehealth Strategy: HITEQ Highlights Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: In this HITEQ Highlights webinar, we focused on the intersection of telehealth strategy and operations. One health center\'s experience of leveraging telehealth as a tool for expanding service delivery and patient access will be a jumping off point from which to consider the benefits (and challenges) of dedicated telehealth resources within an organization. Participants learned how telehealth might benefit recruitment efforts and review relevant resources for ongoing telehealth support. More Details...

Tobacco Cessation: From Evidence to Practice: NCHPH Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This webinar presented by NHCHC and NCHPH focused on the epidemiology of tobacco use behaviors, tobacco-related inequities, and culturally-relevant tobacco use interventions and ways to integrate them into practice. More Details...

HITEQ Highlights: Enabling a Cyber-Resilient Health Center: HITEQ Highlights Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This HITEQ Highlight aimed to strengthen Health Centers' capacity to build their cyber-resiliency. We covered risk management tools, methods for guarding against cybersecurity assaults, operationalizing cybersecurity to mitigate risks, and breach mitigation tactics. Participants focus on safeguarding data across the entire enterprise and examined approaches to implementing cybersecurity infrastructure through risk management frameworks and strategic risk assessment. More Details...

Screening for Colorectal Cancer: A Patient-Centered Approach to Improving Marketing and Promotion: NCHPH Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Screening is an essential tool in the prevention of colorectal cancer. Nearly 2 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with colorectal cancer per year, a significant proportion of these cases could be prevented or diagnosed sooner in screening was more widely utilized by the public. More Details...

Best Practices for Phone and Virtual Interpretation in Health Centers (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This webinar is provided in conjunction with a newly created best practices resource in response to the demand for more language access services in health centers especially for Limited English Proficient (LEP) patients. This project is HRSA-funded. Presented on 11/30/2023 More Details...

Tobacco Cessation for Homeless Individuals and Public Housing Residents: A Brief Review: NCHPH Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: This webinar presented by National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) and National Center for Health in Public Housing (NCHPH) focused on introducing clinicians, health educators and CHWs to the rationale for doing smoking cessation with public housing and homeless individuals served by health center programs. This webinar also provided information on the seven FDA approved cessation medications as well as proven behavioral counseling techniques to help individuals stay quit permanently. More Details...

Enhancing Healthcare Access for Special Populations Through Telehealth and Home Visitation Services: NCHPH Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: Hosted by the National Nurse-Led Care Consortium and the National Center for Health in Public Housing, this 2-part webinar series discussed promising practices in home visitation and telehealth as ways to support improved access to comprehensive primary care for communities with high levels of disability, and isolation, lack of adequate transportation, and other social drivers of health that contribute to health inequities, particularly residents of public housing. More Details...

Successful Steps for Holistic Integration of Mental and Behavioral Health in Primary Care Learning Collaborative: Part Four (2023). Resource Type: In-Person Training. Description: Session 4 or 4 delves into various quality improvement techniques. Participants learned how to apply the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle effectively to bring about meaningful change within their healthcare settings. Practical tools and real-world examples guided participants in identifying areas for improvement and implementing evidence-based strategies. More Details...

Acting on Climate Change for a Healthier Future: The role of Health Centers: NCHPH Webinar (2023). Resource Type: Archived Webinar. Description: The health community recognizes the climate crisis as an existential threat to humanity and human health, requiring immediate and effective action across all sectors. Health centers are the first point of contact intended to provide comprehensive and coordinated health services and contribute to both climate change adaptation and mitigation via preventive health measures and integrated health services. More Details...

Successful Steps for Holistic Integration of Mental and Behavioral Health in Primary Care Learning Collaborative: Part Three (2023). Resource Type: Online Self-Paced Learning Modules. Description: Integrating behavioral health services into primary care requires effective financial planning and re-conceptualization of determining ROI. Session 3 of 4 focuses on enhanced billing practices tailored to integrated healthcare models and on determining the contribution of integrated BH to the finances of the primary care setting or the health system as a whole. More Details...

Enhancing Healthcare Access for Special Populations Through Telehealth and Home Visitation Services: Part Two (2023). Resource Type: In-Person Training. Description: Hosted by the National Nurse-led Care Consortium and the National Center for Health in Public Housing, this 2-part webinar series discussed promising practices in home visitation and telehealth as ways to support improved access to comprehensive primary care for communities with high levels of disability and isolation, lack of adequate transportation, and other social drivers of health that contribute to health inequities, particularly residents of public housing. More Details...

Successful Steps for Holistic Integration of Mental and Behavioral Health in Primary Care Learning Collaborative: Part Two (2023). Resource Type: Online Self-Paced Learning Modules. Description: Session two focused on enhancing understanding of integrated care models and aspects of gaining leadership support for successful implementation. Leadership endorsement is critical for the successful implementation of integrated care methods. Participants engaged in discussions centered around strategies to gain leadership buy-in. Case analyses and group exercises empowered attendees to identify key motivators for leaders and tailor their approach to effectively communicate the benefits of integrated care, thereby securing the necessary support. More Details...

Enhancing Healthcare Access for Special Populations Through Telehealth and Home Visitation Services: Part One (2023). Resource Type: Online Self-Paced Learning Modules. Description: The first session took place on November 7. We examined how home visitation can be integrated into the provider panel to expand access for aging and disabled patients residing in public housing. More Details...

Successful Steps for Holistic Integration of Mental and Behavioral Health in Primary Care Learning Collaborative: Part One (2023). Resource Type: In-Person Training. Description: Integrated healthcare is a unique way to detect and address the broad spectrum of psychological, biological, and social needs among primary care patients. In part one of this learning collaborative, participants explored different levels of engagement and examined this framework of collaboration and the different levels of integration; we also learned about key strategies for successfully implementing integrated health care in your healthcare setting. Participants were introduced to the framework for patient and family engagement and reviewed an organizational assessment to gauge where action can be taken. More Details...

Navigating Compliance Challenges with the Information Blocking Rule: A Collection of Case Studies: HITEQ Center and Feldesman Tucker Leifer Fidell LLP, September 2023 (2023). Resource Type: Toolkit. Description: The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology’s (ONC) 21st Century Cures Act Information Blocking Rule (Info Blocking Rule) prohibits covered actors – including health care providers, health IT developers of certified health IT, and health information exchanges/health information networks– from engaging in practices likely to interfere with, prevent, or materially discourage access, exchange, or use of electronic health information (EHI). The Info Blocking Rule includes eight exceptions that provide actors with certainty that, when their practice interferes with the access, exchange, or use of EHI and meets the conditions of one or more exception, such practice will not be considered information blocking.1 More Details...

PrEP Process Map Example: HITEQ Center, September 2023 (2023). Resource Type: Toolkit. Description: This resource is an example of a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Process Map. A process map is a picture of how a health center workflow moves from the start point to the end point. As you review the process map, make note of the design elements, such as use of colors, shapes, and icons, and the level of detail included in the map. You can download the process map in the Documents to Download section below. More Details...

Health Center Guidelines for Implementing FHIR and the Information Blocking Rule: HITEQ Center, September 2023 (2023). Resource Type: Toolkit. Description: The 21st Century Cures Act and the ONC Health IT Certification Program include rules for technical configuration and use of Health Level 7® (HL7) Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources® (FHIR) for health data exchange and accessibility. Health centers are directed to enable and publish their healthcare data locations, known as FHIR endpoints,* to and from their electronic health record (EHR). Part of the Cures Act, known as the Information Blocking Rule, mandates that patients have “easy” access to their digital medical information, costs and claims associated with their health record, and whom the data can be shared with. More Details...

BPHCurates: Child and Adolescent Health and Social Resources: Targeted Resources on Food Insecurity, Behavioral Health, Oral Health, Staffing Shortages, and Telehealth to Support Child and Adolescent Health (2023). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This resource packet provides health centers with resources to develop processes for improving service delivery and outcomes for children and adolescents, specifically related to telehealth, food insecurity, mental and behavioral health, oral health, and staffing shortages and retention. In addition, links to general child and adolescent health center technical resources are provided. More Details...

Stratifying Quality Measures by Housing Status and Location (2023). Resource Type: Online Self-Paced Learning Modules. Description: In this training, we learned how to impact communities meaningfully by utilizing data to improve screening, care quality, and health outcomes. NNCC and the Primary Care Development Corporation partnered to conduct a webinar that guided health centers serving public housing residents and other special groups on using UDS data for QI, care coordination, and care model design. More Details...

Organizational Self-Care Assessment Tool (2023). Resource Type: Toolkit. Description: The Organizational Self-Care Assessment Tool is designed to give you a snapshot of your organizational self-care practices, reflect on your strategies, and identify areas for future exploration. More Details...

Assessing Patient Satisfaction with Telehealth at Community Health Centers: A Policy Brief (2023). Resource Type: Publication. Description: This brief describes findings from a national assessment of health center patients’ experiences with telehealth and the policy implications of these findings. The assessment focused on three key aspects of telehealth utilization, including 1) ease of use, 2) interaction with the clinician, and 3) overall comfort/satisfaction. More Details...

Health Center and Supportive Housing Capital Development Partnerships Case Study: Portland, OR (2023). Resource Type: Publication. Description: The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the value of community health and housing collaborations aimed at improving housing stability and quality of life for vulnerable populations. Exploration of these health and housing partnerships is fueled by increased demands for affordable and supportive housing combined with the need for more effective service coordination. Partnerships that expand the community’s housing and service infrastructure—the physical space— also provide opportunities for health centers to enhance care coordination and participate in efforts to address housing as a significant driver for health outcomes. Learn more about the key steps and decisions Central City Concern and their community partners made on their path to building new health and housing collaborations in their community. More Details...