September 23, 2026

What's New

Fiscal Year 2027 SAC Updates

HRSA released the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Service Area Competition (SAC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for service areas with an April 1, 2027 (HRSA-27-005) performance period start date.

Health centers scheduled to compete for their current service areas in January, February, or March 2027 will receive extensions as follows: 

• January 1 or February 1, 2027: Extension through June 30, 2027
• March 1, 2027: Extension through July 31, 2027

HRSA will provide these health centers with additional instructions on the information they must submit to receive the extension and the timeline for when they will be required to submit their next SAC application.

• Find details for each announced service area on the Service Area Announcement Table (SAAT).
• Access available NOFOs on Grants.gov.
• Find technical assistance (TA) materials on the SAC TA webpage.

The table below lists the application deadlines for the FY 2027 SAC NOFO currently available on Grants.gov (HRSA-27-005), as well as anticipated dates for subsequent FY 2027 SAC funding opportunities. Additional FY 2027 SAC funding opportunities will be posted on Grants.gov as information becomes available. Please note the date each SAC application is anticipated to become available in HRSA’s Electronic Handbooks (EHBs).

If you have questions, contact the SAC TA Team using the BPHC Contact Form (Applications and Funding > Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) > Service Area Competition (SAC)).

HHS Invests $51 Million to Expand Dental Care for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

HHS, through the HRSA, today announced $51 million in awards to 28 HRSA-funded health centers to improve access to dental care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and intellectual disabilities.

The new Quality Improvement Fund – Improving Access to Dental Services for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (QIF-DNDD) investment will help health centers build on evidence-based models and test innovative approaches to improve dental care for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The funding will support expanded and tailored preventive and other dental services, strengthen the health center workforce, and identify promising approaches that can be replicated in other communities.

Read the press release for more information.

New Scope Manual Resource: Summary of Changes 

HRSA released the Health Center Scope of Project Policy Manual: Summary of Changes. This resource highlights key changes in the Health Center Program Scope of Project Policy Manual (Scope Manual) compared with previous program guidance. 

Visit the Scope of Project Resources webpage for additional resources and technical assistance materials. HRSA will continue to update this page over the next few months. 

Still have questions about the Scope Manual? Share them with us via the BPHC Contact Form. Select “Health Center Program Policy and Information,” then “Scope Manual General Inquiry.”

FTCA Fall Speaker Series: Compliance in Practice

Join the Health Resources & Services Administration Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) for the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Deeming Clinic: Fall Compliance Series. This three-part series is designed to help deeming clinic staff, providers, and volunteers build and maintain compliance across key program areas, from cybersecurity and infection control to legal obligations under the FTCA program. Sessions are held on Wednesdays, October 7, 14, and 21 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET.

What You Can Expect: 

• Expert guidance from BPHC staff and subject matter specialists

• Practical tools to support deeming compliance across clinical, legal, and operational areas 

• Direct question and answer with program experts and peer learning opportunities 

Attend one session or all three. Each webinar stands alone and addresses a distinct compliance area. Registration is open to deemed health centers and free clinic staff, providers, volunteers, and administrators. See more information below under “Upcoming Events.”

Submit Feedback on National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)

Since 1957, CDC has fielded the annual National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) which serves as a major source of general statistics on the health of the U.S. population. This year, CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics is proposing updates to modernize its NHIS data collection process in 2028. Please review and submit feedback on the proposed NHIS redesign by October 20, 2026. The redesign includes proposed changes to the NHIS adult and child questionnaires and will shape NHIS data collection for the next decade. Comments may be submitted through the Federal Register Notice , either directly online or by uploading a file.

Uniform Data System (UDS) Updates

Register for 2026 UDS Reporting Webinars

BPHC’s annual UDS reporting technical assistance (TA) series is currently underway. This series will run through January 2027 and will help health centers submit accurate, timely, and complete 2026 UDS reports, which are due February 15, 2027. Health center staff who prepare UDS report submissions are encouraged to register and attend this series. 

Early October sessions include:  

The Foundation of the UDS: Counting Visits 
We’ll review what qualifies as a countable visit in the UDS and explore the key components of the visit definition and demonstrate how visits provide the framework for patient activity reported through the UDS report. This training is for health centers. 

Thursday, October 1 
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET 
Register for the session

PCA and HCCN UDS Training  
BPHC is hosting this Uniform Data System (UDS) training for Primary Care Associations (PCAs) and Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs). We’ll provide an overview of key resources available to health centers to support timely annual reporting, answer common questions about the UDS, and highlight areas where PCA/HCCN staff can assist health centers. This training is only for PCA/HCCN staff.

Thursday, October 8 
2:00-3:30 p.m. ET 
Register for the session 

UDS Clinical Tables Part 1: Screening and Preventive Care Measures 
We’ll review the reporting requirements for screening and preventive care measures across the UDS clinical tables, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, tobacco, depression, adult body mass index (BMI), and HIV screenings. This session is ideal for clinical staff, quality improvement professionals, and data/reporting personnel responsible for UDS reporting. 

Thursday, October 15 
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. ET 
Register for the session 

Annual UDS Primary Care Association (PCA) State/Territory Based Training 

Primary Care Associations are hosting virtual and in-person UDS technical assistance trainings nationwide from October to December. Health center staff who are responsible for preparing UDS data report submissions are also encouraged to attend. Contact your PCA representative to schedule a training. 

General UDS Training Information

View the training flyer to see webinar topics, dates, times, and registration links. Visit the UDS TA webpage for additional resources. Submit any inquiries related to UDS reporting updates via the BPHC Contact Form (Uniform Data System > UDS Reporting). 

Funding Reminders

Fiscal Year 2027 BPR NCC Released for 2027 Budget Period Starts

HRSA released the fiscal year (FY) 2027 Budget Period Progress Report (BPR) Non-Competing Continuation (NCC) instructions for Health Center Program award recipients. Please see table below for more information.

Refer to line 26, “Project Period Start Date - End Date,” on your most recent H80 Notice of Award. Health Center Program award recipients with a period of performance end date on or after September 30, 2027, are required to complete a FY 2027 BPR.

The table below lists application deadlines for all FY 2027 BPR NCCs. TA materials are available on the BPR TA webpage.

If you have questions, reach out to the BPR Response Team using the BPHC Contact Form (Applications and Funding > Progress Reports (BPR/ Non-Competing Continuation) > Budget Period Progress Report (BPR)).

Reminders

Important Reminder: Scope System Improvements and CIS Module Closure

HRSA is updating the Electronic Handbooks (EHBs) scope module in November 2026 to simplify the change in scope (CIS) request process and strengthen the CIS review process. Please review the recently issued Program Assistance Letter (PAL) 2026-04: Health Center Program Scope of Project System Improvements (PDF) for more details on the changes.

HRSA will temporarily close the CIS Module to make these updates.

• The EHBs CIS module will be unavailable October 20–November 19, 2026.
• The updated module will reopen on November 20, 2026.

If you have questions on the upcoming system improvements and your change in scope requests, visit the Health Center Program Compliance Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), or contact your Project Officer using the BPHC Contact Form.  

Please read our recent Bulletin for important information to help you prepare for the system closure. 

Upcoming Events

BPHC Program Updates

Tuesday, September 29
2:00 –3:00 p.m. ET
Join the Webinar

A Health Center's Journey to Ending Hepatitis: The North East Medical Services Experience
Strengthen your health center’s Hepatitis B (HBV) prevention and treatment efforts by joining our upcoming webinar featuring Amy S. Tang, MD, Director of Viral Hepatitis and TB Programs at North East Medical Services (NEMS). Learn how NEMS has built a comprehensive HBV program that integrates screening, vaccination, treatment, monitoring, and patient outreach into primary care.  

Tuesday, September 29
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET
Register Here

Hypertension Control Opportunity: Accelerating Chronic Disease Management Through SMBP and Community Wellness
Learn about a new TA opportunity to help health centers adopt and expand self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) to improve hypertension control. Building on HRSA’s National Hypertension Control Initiative, the program will provide support and guidance for SMBP integration and community wellness programming. Beginning in December 2026, up to 50 health centers will join a 12-month cohort for training and peer learning on clinical management, patient engagement, devices and technology, workflows, data, and sustainable funding. Attend this webinar to review TA activities, timelines, participation expectations, and program goals. The application opens at the end of the session. 

Wednesday, September 30 
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. ET 
Register for the webinar 

Celebrate National Recovery Month with BPHC! 
Join the Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC)  for a National Recovery Month webinar highlighting how health centers are integrating comprehensive substance use disorder treatment and recovery services into primary care. Hear from innovative health centers and BPHC partners implementing care delivery models that reduce stigma, strengthen the behavioral health workforce, and enhance recovery outcomes that last. National Recovery Month is an opportunity to honor this momentum, recognize those who make recovery possible, and encourage every provider to help build recovery‑ready communities  

Wednesday, September 30 
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET 
Register for the webinar

FTCA Fall Speaker Series: Compliance in Practice

CDC Infection Control and FTCA Compliance
Reviews Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection control guidelines as they apply to deemed health center settings, including prevention protocols, quality improvement and quality assurance integration, and risk management considerations. 

Wednesday, October 7
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Register for the webinar or series

General Law Division FTCA Deeming Requirements 
Includes key legal considerations for FTCA deemed health centers, including the scope of malpractice coverage, the administrative claims process, and common liability questions addressed by HRSA's General Law Division.  

Wednesday, October 14
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Register for the webinar or series

Cybersecurity and FTCA Deeming 
Covers cybersecurity best practices for deemed health centers, including safeguarding patient data, responding to security incidents, and meeting federal data protection standards relevant to FTCA deemed organizations. 

Wednesday, October 21
1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Register for the webinar or series