January 15 - HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson, joined by Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (D-IL), co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, announced new funding, policy action, and a comprehensive report at the final event of the year-long Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative at HRSA headquarters in Rockville, Maryland. The initiative, launched in January 2024, has successfully strengthened and accelerated HRSA's maternal health work through innovative partnerships and coordinated efforts across 11 states and the District of Columbia. The initiative advances the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis, and has been supported by congressional champions for maternal health. Read the press release. Read the From Initiative to Impact report on HRSAâs Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative. View first year highlights of HRSAâs Enhancing Maternal Health Initiative. January 14 - HRSA announced a $60 million investment in 125 HRSA-funded community health centers that serve nearly 4.2 million people to expand their hours of operation to improve access to health care services. Health centers receiving this new funding will add an additional 20 hours of operation a week on average to support the critical clinical and administrative staff necessary to add early morning (before work), night and weekend hours. Read the press release. | January is Cervical Health Awareness Month. HRSA is proud to lead the Federal Cervical Cancer Collaborative (FCCC). The FCCC is comprised of key federal partners across HHS and aims to improve cervical cancer care in HRSA-supported safety-net settings. To support staff at health centers and safety-net settings, HRSA and the FCCC have released two toolkits, available in English and Spanish. The Toolkit to Build Provider Capacity can help providers improve equitable access to cervical cancer prevention, screening, and management. The FCCC recently released a companion toolkit, Improving Patient Engagement in Cervical Cancer Prevention. Register to join the HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau on Thursday, January 16, 2-3 p.m. ET to learn about improving patient engagement in cervical cancer prevention. | The U.S. National Hansenâs Disease Program, run by HRSA, recognizes World Leprosy Day as a critical opportunity to raise awareness about leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. We aim to educate the public about the disease, combat the stigma associated with it, and honor those who have been affected. Our national program plays a crucial role in promoting early detection and treatment and supporting patients. World Leprosy Day is a reminder of the ongoing need for education and global efforts to eliminate the disease and its stigma. | AHN OB/GYN mobile health van creates access to care for McKeesport, beyond Community Care of West Virginia in Rock Cave awarded $500,000 to expand health center hours DC health roundtable discusses how to improve care for moms and babies Junction City medical center receives federal funding to expand hours HRSA invests $60 million to expand hours at community health centers National Hotline Provides Crucial Support to New and Expecting Parents Oklahoma clinics receive $920K for expanded hours Watch Laura Cheever Reflect on Her Federal Health Career at HRSA and the Future of the HIV Response | | |