Free Grant Writing Resource

For Health Centers, PCAs, HCCNs, and NTTAPs

Reference Guide and Checklist

HRSA-Compliant Communications

Terms to Avoid & What to Write Instead

This practical reference guide is designed to help HRSA award recipients align their grant-related activities and communications with recent Executive Orders and current HRSA expectations.

If you work at a HRSA-funded FQHC, PCA, or NTTAP, you likely already know that HRSA has asked awardees to avoid using certain concepts and terms in grant-funded communications—but since this guidance hasn’t been shared in writing, it can be hard to reference quickly or share consistently across teams.

As a former director responsible for the HRSA NTTAP grant at a national organization serving FQHCs, I created this guide to help fill that gap.

While not an official HRSA document, it reflects the guidance many awardees have received directly from BPHC and is intended to support clarity, compliance, and consistency.

Inside the guide:

  • Words and phrases to avoid—grouped by topic for easy scanning

  • Suggested alternative language (when available)

  • Printable Quick Search & Replace Checklist, which you can also access here.

Grant Writing & Communications Support

With over a decade of experience at a HRSA-funded NTTAP, I provide grant writing and advisory support to help FQHCs, PCAs, and NTTAPs meet reporting requirements with clarity and compliance. Whether you need an extra set of hands or strategic guidance, I can jump in wherever you need support.