Partners in Policymaking is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 class!
Partners in Policymaking® is a FREE leadership and advocacy training program from the TN Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Partners in Policymaking is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 class!
Partners in Policymaking® is a FREE leadership and advocacy training program from the TN Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Mental Health Awareness Month, observed throughout May, serves as a crucial platform to educate, raise awareness, and reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues. It offers an opportunity for individuals, communities, and organizations to come together to promote understanding and support for those struggling with mental health challenges.
One of the primary goals of Mental Health Awareness Month is to destigmatize mental health conditions and encourage open conversations about mental well-being. By shedding light on the prevalence of mental illness and emphasizing that it is a natural part of the human experience, the month seeks to empower individuals to seek help without fear of judgment or discrimination. Through advocacy efforts and sharing personal stories, people are encouraged to recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health care and seeking support when needed.
Join RHA Regional Liaisons for our May findhelp 101 and 102 trainings. The two part training will teach nonprofits, government, healthcare, and education sectors how findhelp is working to connect people seeking help with services across Tennessee.
Introduction to findhelp.org (101)
Tuesday, April 23rd, we had the opportunity to host our last regional event of the season at Fall Creek Falls State Park and see our middle region members. Members had the opportunity to hear from professionals on topics including MAT in Emergency Department Settings, current drug trends, social drivers of health, and more!
The presentation topics and speakers can be found below:
Prescription Drug Takeback Day plays a crucial role in addressing the public health crisis of prescription drug abuse and misuse. Unused or expired prescription medications pose significant risks when left in homes, as they can be accessed by unauthorized individuals, including children, teenagers, and individuals with substance use disorders. Prescription Drug Takeback Day provides a safe and convenient way for individuals to dispose of these medications properly, reducing the likelihood of diversion, accidental ingestion, and environmental contamination.
Furthermore, Prescription Drug Takeback Day helps prevent prescription drug abuse by removing unused medications from circulation. Research has shown that a significant portion of prescription drug abuse begins with medications obtained from family members or friends, often without their knowledge. By encouraging individuals to safely dispose of unused medications, Takeback Day reduces the availability of prescription drugs for misuse and helps prevent the initiation of substance use disorders, particularly among young people who may experiment with prescription medications.
Governor Lee’s proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 – 2025 budget included proposed funding for most of the Rural Health Task Force's recommendations.
We are happy to share that the appropriations bill passed by Tennessee's 113th General Assembly. The table below outlines the approved rural health care initiatives, funding for FY 2024 – 2025.
May 22, 2024 RHC Lunch and Learn: Moving the Needle of Change - Caring for Patients with Opioid Use Disorder in Tennessee
Speaker: Kayla Williams Mehr, PMHNP | MOUD Clinical Specialist with Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS)
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is a vital campaign that emphasizes the significance of timely vaccination for infants and young children. Immunization during early childhood is crucial for protecting against vaccine-preventable diseases, safeguarding individual health, and promoting community immunity. NIIW provides a dedicated platform to raise awareness about the importance of infant immunization, educate parents and caregivers about vaccination schedules, and encourage healthcare providers to prioritize immunization efforts.
One of the primary objectives of National Infant Immunization Week is to ensure that infants and young children receive the recommended vaccines according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Vaccination schedules are carefully designed to provide protection against a range of infectious diseases, including measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, and influenza. By adhering to these schedules and ensuring that infants receive their vaccinations on time, NIIW helps prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and reduces the risk of outbreaks in communities.
We are excited to host the TN-RHC Network Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The meeting will cover RHC specific topics such as TennCare Updates, Emergency Preparedness, Compliance (Survey Tips and Strategies), Social Determinants of Health (data collection, coding and reporting), Quality Improvement projects, and more!
Location: The View at the Fountains, Murfreesboro, TN
Time: 8:30am - 4:00pm CST
Cost: Free for RHC Network Members/$50 for Non-Members.
The Healthy Smiles Student Loan Repayment Program provides educational loan repayment to qualified dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants in exchange for a service obligation to practice full-time at dental clinics located in medically underserved areas.
Practitioner Eligibility Requirements:
Regional events are an opportunity to learn more about our RCORP program. Register for your region to hear more about substance use disorder, mental health, and Rural Health Association program updates. Lunch will be provided to in-person attendees.
Cost: Free for members | $25 for non-members; a networking lunch will be included.
Brain Links is sharing a brief set of Criminal Justice resources as part of our Tennessee Brighter Futures (TBF) Collaborative. The TBF mission is Building brighter futures for Tennesseans by improving how systems of support collaborate to identify, educate and serve people with co-occurring needs.
Below is a snapshot of Criminal Justice Resources:
Tuesday, April 9th, we had the opportunity to host our regional event at Paris Landing State Park and see our west region members. Members had the opportunity to hear from professionals on topics including MAT in Corrections, current drug trends, social drivers of health, and more.
The presentation can be found below:
Adequate screening, detection, and treatment of syphilis during pregnancy is critical to reducing cases. The Tennessee Department of Health screening guidelines published in January 2024 include:
Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) is a critical initiative aimed at addressing the significant disparities in maternal health outcomes experienced by Black women in the United States. This dedicated week takes place from April 11th-17th and raises awareness about the disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity among Black women and advocates for policies and interventions to improve Black maternal health outcomes. In rural areas, where access to quality healthcare services is often limited and disparities in healthcare delivery are exacerbated, BMHW holds particular importance in highlighting and addressing the unique challenges faced by Black mothers.
In rural communities, Black maternal health disparities are compounded by factors such as geographic isolation, limited healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic barriers. Black women in rural areas often face barriers to accessing prenatal care, maternal health services, and obstetric care providers, leading to delays in receiving essential care and increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth. BMHW provides a platform to amplify the voices of Black mothers in rural areas, advocate for equitable access to healthcare services, and address systemic issues that contribute to disparities in maternal health outcomes.
Public Health Awareness Month holds particular significance for rural areas, where access to healthcare services and health education can be limited. In rural communities, residents often face unique challenges such as geographic isolation, limited healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic disparities, which can contribute to poorer health outcomes. Public Health Awareness Month provides a crucial opportunity to address these disparities by raising awareness about prevalent health issues and promoting access to healthcare resources in rural areas.
One of the key benefits of Public Health Awareness Month in rural areas is its role in increasing health literacy and empowering residents to make informed decisions about their health. By providing information about preventive measures, early detection of diseases, and healthy lifestyle choices, public health initiatives during this month can help rural residents take proactive steps to improve their well-being. This education is especially vital in rural areas where healthcare providers may be scarce, and individuals may have limited access to medical expertise.
The Rural Health Association of Tennessee's Call for Proposals for our 2024 Annual Conference is now open!
Join RHA as we celebrate 30 years of advocating for rural health in Tennessee. Submit proposals on your research, experience, collaborations, and projects related to the following:
Join us on April 17 from 11AM - 12PM for an informative lunch session hosted by Upper Cumberland Council on Children and Youth, Rural Health Association of Tennessee, and Power of Putnam. Discussion topics will cover substance use disorder, maternal health, emergency preparedness, and access to care in rural TN. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to grow and learn together!
Guest Speaker:
The Tennessee Department of Health is issuing an urgent alert regarding a recent surge in measles cases, both domestically and globally, necessitating heightened awareness and proactive measures. Regrettably, many instances of measles infections have gone undetected within healthcare and community settings, resulting in prolonged exposure periods and sustained disease transmission. It is imperative for clinicians to promptly identify suspected cases of measles, institute isolation protocols swiftly, and notify public health authorities by reporting any suspected cases to the Tennessee Department of Health at 615-741-7247.
Moreover, the Tennessee Department of Health offers measles testing services, available upon prior consultation and approval from the Vaccine Preventable Diseases team. Attached resources include the Tennessee Health Alert Network (TNHAN) measles notification, Project Firstline AAP's Think Measles Info Sheet, and the recent CDC Health Advisory on measles. TNHAN Members are reminded to keep their contact profile information updated to ensure effective communication channels. This collaborative effort aims to curb the spread of measles and safeguard public health within Tennessee and beyond. An Archive of TNHAN notifications sent to licensed medical professionals can be found, here.
The Rural Health Association is offering funding for paraprofessional trainings benefiting mental and behavioral health for HRSA defined rural organizations. If your business is interested in training someone in your community or a staff member, please reach out to our RCORP director Jessica Rackley at [email protected]. Below you can find a list of trainings eligible for funding:
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Training: Training for healthcare providers on evidence-based practices for treating substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid addiction. This can include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) training, counseling, and support services.
Mental Health First Aid Instructor training: Courses that teach individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in their community.
Cultural Competency Training: Training for healthcare providers on how to effectively address and treat the unique needs of diverse rural populations, including understanding cultural differences, stigma, and barriers to accessing care.
Integrated Care Models Training: Training on models that integrate primary care with mental health and substance use disorder services, aiming to provide a holistic approach to patient care.
Stipends for Peer Support Specialist Certification: Training for individuals with lived experience of SUDs to become certified peer support specialists, offering guidance and support to others undergoing treatment and recovery.
Prevention Strategies Training: Training on implementing community-based strategies to prevent substance misuse and addiction, including education on the risks of opioid use and strategies to reduce prescription drug misuse.
Stigma Reduction Training: Programs aimed at reducing the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders, encouraging individuals to seek help and support.
Leadership and Program Development Training: training on program development, management, and sustainability.