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# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"} Late Breaking News {#late-breaking-news .CAP-Head-1}

Greetings!

######## Staff Updates: We are sad to announce that Christi Bordeaux, one of the original project managers for the Community Access Program (CAP), has accepted a position at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington, DC effective October 21, 2002. She will bring to bear her organizational expertise and commitment to communities by serving the disaster deployment cadre in the office of personnel in the DC headquarters of FEMA. She will be greatly missed by the CAP community! In the interim, several new program managers have been added and assigned to grantees. Please check [www.capcommunity.hrsa.gov](http://www.capcommunity.hrsa.gov/) (click on "contacts") to find your central office program manager. 

**New Grantees:** CAP welcomes our 22 new CAP sites in 15 states. New
grantees received nearly \$19 million in fiscal year 2002 CAP funds.
These programs join 136 continuing grantees, bringing the CAP family to
a total of 158 programs in its third year of operation. A complete list
of the new grantees can be found on the CAP website.

**Peer to Peer Request:** A request for Peer to Peer assistance has come
in from Jefferson County Department of Health. This CAP community is
looking for someone who would be willing to share their knowledge and
experience regarding Cultural Competency: i.e. curriculums, guidelines
or any other materials/program experience in this area! If any CAP
community can offer assistance or advice please contact: Greg Townsend,
CAP Project Director at (205) 930-1578, or email Greg at
Greg.Townsend@jcdh.org.

**TA REQUEST REMINDER**: For general TA requests, please submit these
via the CAP website online *TA Request Form*. Please make sure that the
form is filled out correctly-listing your CAP Primary Contact and all
other requested information. Incomplete TA forms will result in delayed
action on your TA requests.

Thanks!

Diana

# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"} CAP TA Calls {#cap-ta-calls .CAP-Head-1}

##  {#section .CAP-Head-2}

## Technical Assistance Calls {#technical-assistance-calls .CAP-Head-2}

Technical assistance calls for grantees are held every other Thursday
from 2 to 3 PM EST. The schedule for December appears below. To
register, search for summaries or materials from prior calls, or
download materials for upcoming calls, please go to the CAP Website:
**www.capcommunity.hrsa.gov**. Please remember that the site is password
protected. Grantees should contact their primary contact to receive the
password. Once you register for the call, please be sure to download the
materials that will be used during the call. You should immediately
receive a confirmation note by email that includes the call-in number
for the call. If you have difficulty registering or do not receive the
call-in number, please contact **scampbell@mac1988.com** or call
301-468-6006 x437.

With the exception of calls related to legal issues, many TA calls are
summarized and posted on the CAP website
(***www.capcommunity.hrsa.gov***). Legal issue briefs are posted on the
site under legal issues and require a password, which may be obtained by
emailing Sherilyn Adams (**sadams@hrsa.gov**). You may also request an
audiotape copy of any previous calls (up to one month after the call) by
contacting Shandy Campbell at the email above.

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"}
**GRANTEE NEWS**

**Griffin Health Services Corporation**

***Derby, Connecticut***

Congratulations to CAP Grantee Griffin Health Services Corporation! On
October 9, 2002, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced the selection
of Griffin Health Services Corporation as a new National Community
Centers of Excellence in Women\'s Health (CCOEs). The CCOE program
provides recognition and resources to community-based programs that
unite promising approaches in women\'s health. Griffin\'s program
coordinates all aspects of issues related to women\'s health throughout
the life span and is designed to address the cultural

and socioeconomic challenges to quality health care for underserved
women. Executive Director Susan Rosen noted that the CAP collaborative
played an integral role in achieving this recognition by bringing area
health and human service partners together to improve overall health
infrastructures. Another Griffin achievement is VAMS, an electronic
referral system that now has the ability to refer patients to 27 partner
organizations. Griffin also works closely with MCAP, their peer CAP
community in Middlesex, Connecticut to share expertise on eligibility
and enrollment systems. Visit the Griffin website at:
www.valleyhealthaccess.org.

**Brooklyn Alliance to Strengthen the Safety Net**

***Brooklyn, New York***

#### The Brooklyn Alliance to Strengthen the Safety Net held multiple Women's Initiative events in October to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month in their ongoing efforts to improve the health care status of Brooklynites. As part of this initiative, they sponsored a team of key organizations within their coalition to participate in the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk that took place on Sunday, October 20, 2002 at Prospect Park. Their group of 29 walkers together raised approximately \$4000 for this event! A membership to a partner YMCA was awarded for raising the most money for the team and a raffle with prizes donated by local vendors was also held. A successful Women's Health Forum series for the Council of Pakistan Organization was also conducted. Sessions were well attended and included discussions on breast cancer, diabetes and asthma with talks given by representatives from the American Cancer Society and Health Plus.

#### 

#### Pima Community Access Program 

**(PCAP)**

#### *Tucson, Arizona*

The Pima Community Access Program (PCAP) recently received significant
media coverage! Both *Inside Tucson Business* and *The Arizona Daily
Star* highlighted PCAP's work to link uninsured, low-income Pima County
residents with an affordable, comprehensive and coordinated network of
health care providers. The project represents an unprecedented effort of
Tucson's top health care organizations and community leaders who have
joined forces in the development of the unique program. It is hosted and
coordinated by Tucson's El Rio Santa Cruz Neighborhood Health Center.

Highlighted achievements include seven area clinics, six hospitals and
over 600 private health care providers that have joined in providing
affordable health care services to over 3,000 PCAP members enrolled to
date. To learn more about PCAP's coverage model, visit
http://www.pcap.cc/.

# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"} Grant Opportunities and awarDs {#grant-opportunities-and-awards .CAP-Head-1}

######## Youth Violence Prevention Grants 

######### Deadline: January 22, 2003

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
has announced that approximately \$4 million in 2003 funds is expected
to be available for 24 grants to public and private organizations for
community collaborations to prevent youth violence and promote youth
development. Grants will range between \$150,000 and \$200,00 per year
for two years. Funding is dependant on Congress' enactment of SAMHSA's
appropriation when the new session convenes. For more information,
visit: www.healthinschools.org/2002/nov26b_alert.asp

Grant Funds for Rural Transportation Still Available

######### Deadline: Rolling

CAP staff began discussions with the Federal Transit Administration
(FTA) at the Department of Transportation almost two years ago to
provide additional funds and technical assistance to CAP communities
seeking to adopt new transportation technologies to enhance access to
health care. FTA has committed a portion of the funds for CAP
communities, so we urge you to apply and to do so quickly. Further
information and request for grant proposals may be viewed at:
http://www.fta.dot.gov/research/fleet/

its/otrfp.html. Technical questions or concerns

may be directed to Mr. Ronald Boenau or Mr. William Wiggins via phone at
202-366-4995 or via e-mail at Rural.RFP@fta.dot.gov.

**Grants Available for Reducing Harmful Effects of Tobacco**

*Deadline: Rolling throughout 2002*

####### 

The American Legacy Foundation has announced it will make one-year
non-renewable

grants of up to \$50,000 each for programs that reduce and prevent
harmful effects of tobacco use on women and families. The new grants are
part of a larger effort, \"Circle of Friends: Women Unite to Be
Smoke-Free.\" For guidelines and more information, visit
www.americanlegacy.org.

# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"} conferences, programs, and other news {#conferences-programs-and-other-news .CAP-Head-1}

### **Third Party Reimbursement Training and TA for HRSA Grantees and Subgrantees**

### In September 2001, HRSA embarked on a three year program to improve the Third Party Reimbursement (TPR) status of HRSA grantees and subgrantees. HRSA has contracted with a team of experts to provide TPR training and technical assistance to HRSA grantees in each state. The focus of the TPR training will be to improve existing operational, business, and billing systems to allow grantees in each state to fully claim allowable reimbursements under the state Medicaid plan, S-CHIP, and other available sources of third party reimbursement. Following the training, HRSA grantees and subgrantees will be able to access technical assistance services from the HRSA contractor. The technical assistance will include written and online materials, telephone consultations, and on-site visits by a team of experts. 

The schedule, location and brochures of upcoming day and a half training
sessions can be found on www.hrsa.gov/tpr (Click on \"Training\").
**Please Note:** Participation is limited but there is no registration
fee. For questions, contact the Third Party Reimbursement Project at:
tpr@hrsa.gov or (301) 443-1516.

#### 

#### Cyber Seminars in Health Services Research Methods

#### 

#### AcademyHealth, a professional organization for health services research, offers live Cyber Seminars in Health Services Research Methods to enable health services researchers, policy analysts, and other public health practitioners the opportunity to learn about existing and cutting-edge research methods from the experts without leaving their home or office. Utilizing web and telephone connections, these two-hour interactive seminars feature real-time Q & A, polling, and the potential for live data manipulation by faculty. They are also good for training groups. Audio and web-based seminars are offered during the first and second weeks in November and December, 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. EST. 

#### 

#### Upcoming session topics for the live seminars include: Friday, November 8, 2002: Hierarchical Modeling; Thursday, November 14, 2002: Using Focus Groups in Your Research: Basic Techniques, Challenging Issues and Practical Tips; Thursday, December 5, 2002: The Quality Toolbox; Thursday, December 12, 2002: Qualitative Data Analysis as an Attractive Nuisance. For more information or to register, visit: http://www.academyhealth.org/seminars/. 

**Evaluators Institute 2003 Program**

*January 13-18, 2003*

*San Francisco, CA*

The Evaluators\' Institute offers short-term professional development
courses for practicing evaluators. Registration is now open for the next
Institute program, which will be held January 13-18, 2003 in San
Francisco, California. Eighteen courses are scheduled, covering a
variety of topics such as: The Basics of Program Evaluation, Outcome and
Impact Assessment, Participatory, and Collaborative & Other Alternative
Approaches to Qualitative Inquiry and Implementation Analysis. To learn
more about the Institute, find out how to register, and determine if you
qualify for a discount or scholarship, visit
www.EvaluatorsInstitute.com.

# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.25972222222222224in" height="0.28125in"} REPORTS AND ISSUE BRIEFS {#reports-and-issue-briefs .CAP-Head-1}

**Cultural Competence in Health Care**

A new report from The Commonwealth Fund, ***Cultural Competence in
Health Care: Emerging Frameworks and Practical Approaches,*** spotlights
a diverse group of health care organizations striving to improve access
and quality of care for a growing minority and immigrant population.
According to the report, these organizations are working to dismantle
the cultural and communication barriers to good health care through
innovative programs that develop minority leadership, promote community
involvement, and increase awareness of the social and cultural factors
that affect health beliefs and behaviors. The report also provides a
comprehensive framework for health care organizations seeking to address
cultural barriers in health care delivery. It follows recommendations
from the Institute of Medicine report, *Unequal Treatment,* highlighting
cultural competence as part of a comprehensive effort to address racial
and ethnic disparities in health care. To read, download, or order the
report visit: http://www.cmwf.org/publist/publist2.asp? CategoryID=11).

**Exploring the Limits of the Safety Net**

According to new research published in the November/December issue of
Health Affairs, uninsured patients who get their care at Community
Health Centers (CHCs) are less likely than insured CHC patients to get
needed diagnostic, specialty, and behavioral health care services such
as mammograms, cardiology, and psychiatric care. The report,
***Exploring the Limits of the Safety Net: Community Health Centers and
Care for the Uninsured*** is based on findings from a survey of
executive directors and medical directors at 20 urban and rural CHCs in
10 states. The study highlights the increasing strain placed on
resources and staff as CHCs try to stretch limited primary care budgets
to serve uninsured patients and others in their communities in the
absence of expanded health insurance coverage. For more information or
to order the report visit:
http://www.healthaffairs.org/1100_table_contents.php#healthtracking.

##  {#section-6 .CAP-Head-2}

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.26319444444444445in" height="0.25in"}
**web resources**

##  {#section-7 .CAP-Head-2}

**Evaluation Focus**

Looking for additional program evaluation resources? The following sites
may assist you in your search:

-   The CDC\'s Framework for Program Evaluation of Public Health
    Programs provides a strong resource on operating principles for the
    improvement of public health activity planning and management. The
    Framework can be accessed at: http://www.cdc.gov/eval/
    framework.htm. CDC also offers a video course, workbooks and other
    training resources.

-   The Public Health Foundation's distance learning clearinghouse,
    www.TrainingFinder.org, lists over 650 online public health courses.
    A keyword search on \"program evaluation\" will pull up several
    available distance-learning courses on the topic.

-   The Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET) in partnership with
    the American Hospital Association (AHA) operates a web-based
    outcomes network toolkit that can be accessed at:
    http://www.act-toolkit.com/ The program offers various community
    health and human services organizations a tool for evidence-based
    planning, collaboration, action and analysis, and uses a logic model
    approach to organizing a program plan or evaluation.

**National Education Statistics**

The National Center for Education Statistics Common Core of Data (CCD)
has just completed a major redesign of their website. CCD is a
comprehensive, annual, national statistical database of information
concerning all public elementary and secondary schools (approximately
95,000) and school districts (approximately 17,000). The CCD contains
useful data in databases and downloadable files such as numbers of
students eligible for free lunch, schools participating in Title I
programs,

and other data. For more information visit: http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/.