Apply Today! Community Health Worker Training Program of Tennessee

The Community Health Worker Training Program of Tennessee (CHWTPT) is a partnership between VUSN, the Tennessee Community Health Worker Association (TNCHWA) and the Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA). The program focuses on increasing the quantity and quality of certified community health workers (CHWs) working in Tennessee.

The program is comprised of virtual, competency-based training with an option for a field placement or apprenticeship, when applicable.

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Webinar and Training on MAT/MOUD (Medication Assisted Treatment/Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) and Stigma

Join RHA and Dr. Erica Schlesinger Hurst, Pharm.D., Assistant Chief Pharmacist with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) for a virtual training on MAT/MOUD (Medication Assisted Treatment/Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) and Stigma on August 22, 2023, from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CDT.  

Attendees will learn about and understand the change in brain function during active opioid use disorder, gain the ability to identify medications used to treat opioid use disorder, and have a comprehension of the various stigma affecting the treatment of opioid use disorder.

 

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Congratulations to our Workforce Development Program Participants!

Our participants completed their courses with our Workforce Partner, Professional Allied Health, in Memphis, TN, and received the following certifications: Phlebotomy - Jerrian Romero, Kenisha Whitelow, and Bralyn Harris, and CNA - Cache Lewis. 

The key to RHA’s success is our ability to customize the program based on the needs of the employer. By applying U.S. Department of Labor models to the healthcare setting, RHA supports employers and training partners looking to recruit, retain, and upskill healthcare workers.

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Come See Us June 24th at a Community Outreach Event in Chattanooga!

Come see us at this Community Outreach Event on June 24th, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at Resurrected Reformed Baptist Church located at 2230 E 18th St, Chattanooga, TN.

TennCare re-enrollment can be complicated and overwhelming - we'll be there to help you renew, apply for, and keep TennCare, and we will have a Spanish-speaking translation available!

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20 Top Rural Health Challenges Identified by HHS

For the first time across three decades of research, a greater proportion of Rural Healthy People respondents selected “Mental Health and Mental Disorders” and “Addiction” in their lists of top Healthy People priorities for rural America, than did “Health Care Access and Quality.”

Read the findings of the Rural Healthy People study here.

Call for Board Nominations (2024)

From RHA of TN's Past President of RHA of TN's Board of Directors:

I am excited to issue a call for nominations from our members that would like to serve on the Board of Directors. The board provides governance, direction, and oversight of the Association and its many programs, projects, and activities. There are 3 seat openings (1 - West, 1- Middle, and 1 - East) for the 2024 - 2026 term.

Board positions are for a three-year term, with an option to renew for another three years after the conclusion of the first term. The commitment involves 4 meetings annually, attendance at the annual conference, and serving on at least 1 committee of the board. To be eligible, an individual must be a member in good standing and live in Tennessee.

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TN AHEC is Accepting Applications for the 2023-2025 Cohort Through August 1st

The Tennessee Area Health Education Center (TN AHEC) Scholars Program is part of a national initiative to prepare tomorrow’s health professionals to become leaders in inter-professional, transformative practice settings, and to serve in areas and populations with the greatest needs. The program promotes a coordinated approach to education and training for graduate level health professions students with the knowledge and skills to provide culturally competent, quality health care services, especially in rural and medically underserved areas. 


For more information about the program, contact Natasha Yokley at 
[email protected]. Ready to apply? Access the application by clicking here.

We Can't Wait to See You at the 29th Annual Conference, November 15 - 17, 2023

We invite you to be a part of the conversation around rural health care by registering for our 29th Annual Conference, "Shining a Light on Rural Health, Advocating for a Brighter Future!" Enjoy networking with like-minded professionals, learning from industry experts, attending engaging sessions, and being part of shaping the future of rural health care in Tennessee. 

To register, and for more information about hotel accommodations and sponsorship opportunities, click here.

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Congratulations to the following RHA Members who are Among the First to be Awarded Grant Support as Part of TDH's Healthcare Resiliency Program

Congratulations to the following RHA members for their recent grant awards from TDH in the state's commitment to healthcare resiliency and transformation in the following categories: 

Practice Transformation and Extension Grant Program – Hospitals
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Unity Medical Center, Macon Community Hospital

Practice Transformation and Extension Grant Program - Other Health and Healthcare Service Providers
Access Medical Care of Monroe County, Bledsoe County School District, Bradley County Schools, Dayton County Schools, East Tennessee State University, Healing Hands Health Center, Inc. , Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, Inc., Servolution Health Services, Inc., UT Health Science Center, Van Buren County Schools.



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Join Us for a Virtual Training Webinar on Naloxone

Join us for a virtual training webinar on Naloxone on June 27th from 11 am - 12 pm CDT! Topics to be covered include the causes and impacts of the overdose epidemic, the impact of substance misuse on the brain, harm reduction principles, recognizing and responding to an overdose, and how to administer Naloxone. 

Presenter:
Marissa Valentine
Sevier County Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist (ROPS)
Sevier County Office of Alcohol and Drug Programs
Sevier County C.A.R.E.S.

Register

Frequently Asked Questions: CMS Waivers, Flexibilities, and the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provides answers to general and program-specific inquiries including Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and private insurance in an informative publication available here.

Annual Conference: Call for Proposals

RHA's 29th Annual Conference's, “Shining a Light on Rural Health: Advocating for a Brighter Future,” Call for Proposals is now open!

We are now accepting presentation proposals. Proposals should highlight replicable programs, research, and/or collaborative efforts aimed at improving health and access to care in rural Tennessee. The deadline for proposals is May 31st. Make sure to submit your proposal before the upcoming deadline.

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Now Hiring! RHA's Healthcare Occupation Event is Open Through June 30th

Rural Health Association of Tennessee’s Job Board features more than 100 jobs from 50+ hiring employers across the state, including hourly and salaried positions. Connect with potential employers, apply for jobs, and set up interviews through our Job Board.

Join us in this virtual event by applying for open positions across the state! 

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In-Person TennCare Assistance Every Friday in May and June

Rural Health Association is ready to assist patients in keeping their TennCare Coverage! Trained assisters will be at Saint Louise Clinic in Murfreesboro each Friday in May and June from 9am - 1pm CT to help individuals determine if they are still eligible for TennCare and provide other helpful information. Can’t attend the event? Call 866-675-7092 or click here to schedule an appointment with a trained assister.

The address for Saint Louise Clinic is 1020 N Highland Ave A, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.

TennCare Re-Enrollment Event in Anderson County

Do you have TennCare or serve those who do? Mandatory re-enrollment of TennCare, Tennessee's state Medicaid program, has started, and we are here to help! We are partnering with Anderson County and Clinton City Schools to participate in their Family Resource Fair!

Join us to if you are in need of help with re-enrollment on May 11th, from 3:00pm-6:00pm at the Clinton Community Center, 101 S. Hicks St., Clinton, TN 37716

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Signs of Suicide Training for Parents and Guardians

Signs of Suicide Training for Parents and Guardians Webinar

Join RHA of TN during Mental Health Awareness Month in May to learn about the Signs of Suicide (SOS) for parents and guardians. Presenting this SOS Training is Fiona Hoehn, Mental Health Training Coordinator for Mental Health of America of the Midsouth. Fiona is certified to instruct Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), and Signs of Suicide. This is an hour-long universal suicide prevention training for parents and guardians that teaches how to recognize warning signs of suicide in youths.  

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Provider Recruitment and Retention: Using the National Health Service Corps

Rural Health Association of Tennessee invites you to learn more about provider recruitment and retention and how to become a National Health Service Corps Site. Elizabeth Burrows with Burrows Consulting will be presenting this webinar on May 23rd at 10am CST.

Learning Objectives include: 

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RCORP Drug Take-Back Event Flyer

RCORP Drug Take-Back Event Flyer

Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) has released an RCORP Drug Take-Back Event Flyer. Attached below is a flyer template with space for event details and a logo, as well as a PDF of instructions for using the flyer template. If you have a drug take-back event coming up, get the word out by using the resources below!

View the instructions and editable flyer here.

RHA Spring Regional Events

Join us this spring! 

Regional events are an opportunity to learn more about health issues affecting your community, such as substance use disorder, maternal health, and more. Lunch will be provided to in-person attendees.

A Town Hall, moderated by Jacy Warrell, RHA's CEO, will be available from 2:00-3:00pm. 

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Rural Health Workforce Ready

Rural Health Association of Tennessee (RHA) released a Rural Health Workforce Ready report featuring successes  from their pilot workforce development program aimed at addressing the state’s workforce shortages.

The program launched in West Tennessee with funding from Delta Regional Authority and Amerigroup before expanding to other parts of the state. Over the past two years, RHA has assisted more than 300 aspiring healthcare professionals seeking certification and employment. To support career pathway development, RHA partnered with K-12 schools and community colleges to train more than 700 students in goal setting, healthcare careers, and communication skills.

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