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Juli Hishida

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   Important Messages The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new BPHC Help Line to provide assistance to BPHC grantees and stakeholders. The BPHC Help Line can be accessed by calling 1-877-974-BPHC (2742) or emailing bphchelpline@hrsa.gov

The toll-free number and email are available to provide grantees and stakeholders with information and assistance in the following areas:
  • BHCMIS – System in EHB (Electronic Handbook)
  • Health Center Quarterly Reporting (HCQR)/ARRA 1512
  • Reporting Uniform Data System (UDS)
  • Federal Torts Claims Act (FTCA) for Health Centers and Free Clinics
The goal of the new, toll-free number and email is to provide a single point of contact for grantees and stakeholders with respect to the topics mentioned above. The new BPHC Help Line consolidates and replaces the previous system help numbers and the FTCA help line. The BPHC Help Line is available Monday to Friday (excluding Federal holidays), from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM (ET), with extra hours available during high volume periods.

Grantees are encouraged to contact the HRSA Call Center for EHB related issues such as account access, and password resetting at: 1-877-464-4772 or by emailing callcenter@hrsa.gov

BACKGROUND Since 2003, the National Health Care for the Homeless Council has been providing technical assistance to new Health Care for the Homeless grantees through a Peer-to-Peer Program that includes one site visit and ongoing mentoring. HRSA requested that the Council develop the program as it realized that new grantees are often unaware of the wide range of resources available to them. These resources offer HCH projects opportunities to increase knowledge, network with others doing similar work, and become integrated into the HCH community of service providers:
  • Learning opportunities available through onsite training, regional meetings and national conferences
  • Publications including newsletters and e-newsletters
  • Federal PINs and PALs (Program Information Notices and Program Assistance Letters)
  • Membership groups focused on specific interests of members: Respite Care Providers Network; Practice-Based Research Network; Pediatrics Interest Group; National Consumer Advisory Board; Health Care for the Homeless Clinicians’ Network
The Health Resources & Services Administration covers the cost of this technical assistance through a Training & TA Cooperative Agreement with the National Council.

PURPOSE Designed for new HCH grantees and other organizations interested in designing and implementing an HCH project, the Peer-to-Peer Program provides information on federal regulations related to operating a HCH project, information on best practices, and an orientation to the client population’s unique needs and characteristics. Resources on the left constitute a valuable orientation to homeless health care and the visiting consultant employs them during the Peer-to-Peer site visit.

While most of these resources are useful guides to day-to-day operation, they also contain helpful information for those preparing a grant application. The site visit itself provides a valuable opportunity to ask questions, learn from an experienced HCH project administrator and establish a relationship for ongoing mentoring.

PEER-TO-PEER VISITS After HRSA sends a Notice of Grant Award to the new grantee and notifies the National Council of the award, the Council’s Technical Assistance Coordinator contacts the grantee. Through off-site consultation, the grantee’s needs are determined and a visit scheduled. The HCH project’s administrative staff determines the optimal timing for the Peer-to-Peer visit, either early in project implementation or shortly after the project is up and running. The New Start Coordinator and the grantee’s administrator jointly set the visit’s agenda.

Carried out by an experienced HCH administrator, the typical Peer-to-Peer site visit is one day. Visits are customized to meet the identified needs and priorities of the particular grantee. It usually includes a site tour, meetings with various staff members, a review of the project’s policies and procedures, and a brief orientation to taking advantage of the information on both the HRSA and Council’s websites. Although the grantee’s administrative staff is familiar with the federal PINs and PALs, the consultant making the visit stresses the importance of these documents during the visit.