DIGEST Newsletter
May 2023
HCLHIC Quarterly Meetings
Register for the next HCLHIC Quarterly Meeting on July 20, 2023 at 8:30am to 10:30am (in-person or hybrid).

or call 410-313-6204 with any questions.
HCLHIC Community Corner
Howard County Interactive Food Connection Map
The Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC) has developed an interactive Food Connection Map to assist residents in locating food and nutrition resources available throughout the County. The map can be found on the HCLHIC website here: https://www.hclhic.org/foodmap.

This map was created by the Howard County Health Department as part of the LHIC Food Security Committee's goal to increase access to and awareness of culturally appropriate, accessible, affordable, and nutritious food to Howard County residents.
Owen Brown Place Planting Party
The Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition (HCLHIC) is hosting a Planting Party to set up container gardens with fruits and vegetables for residents of Owen Brown Place in Columbia.

This is a collaborative initiative with the University of Maryland Extension SNAP-Ed and Master Gardeners with the assistance of Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and other volunteers as part of the Howard County Food Security Committee’s initiative to reduce food insecurity among residents.

This event is for Owen Brown Place Residents only.
Healthy Beginnings
HoCo Health Podcast - Black Maternal Health
The Health Department recently recorded a podcast about Black Maternal Health Week. Each year, in the United States, about 700 people die during pregnancy or in the year after. Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women.

Every pregnancy-related death is tragic, especially because two in three of them are preventable. This podcast introduces the Howard County community to ongoing and new Health Department programs aimed at improving the health of mothers, birthing persons, and families.
Howard County Public School System Rainbow Conference
The HCPSS Rainbow Conference will be held on Saturday, May 6th from 9am - 5pm. The conference will be hybrid with opportunities for both virtual and in-person participation. ALL are welcome to join us for the children and YA book talk sessions, Pride Outside session, Exhibition Hall, and outdoor activities. Also featured will be "Prom wear Pop-Up" where high school students attending prom can take home party clothing, free of charge. For more information scan the QR code on Rainbow Conference Flier or Register HERE.
Renewal of Maryland Medical Assistance
Changes are coming to Medicaid this year, renewals won't be automatic. Individuals on Medicaid may no longer be able to continue receiving benefits if they have not completed their renewal. Check in to make sure your contact information, including your mailing address, is up to date so that you can receive important notices on any changes to your health insurance. Call 410-313-5845 or email medicaid@howardcountymd.gov to learn more! 
Free Smartphones Program
Eligible Food Stamp and Medicaid recipients may qualify for a free phone. To be eligible you need:
  • Proof of MD residence (photo ID, mail with name and address).
  • Must be at least 18 years of age and ONE of the following:
  • Medicaid insurance card
  • Award letter for: Food stamps, SSI, VA, or Housing Choice Voucher Program (Sec. 8) within the last 12 months or with expiration date.

To apply, go to the Free Smartphone Application or call 410-313-7504 or 410-313-5845.
Healthy Living
New ACS FY 2022 Self-Sufficiency Indicators Report 
Association of Community Services (ACS) of Howard County released their new FY 2022 Self-Sufficiency Indicators Report for Howard County. The report features indicators in the areas of finance, housing, food, childcare, and healthcare, and captures the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is designed as a companion to update the data presented in the deeply comprehensive FY 2021 report. Visit this website for reports and resources here: https://www.acshoco.org/self-sufficiency-indicators/.  
Turquoise Takeover and Lung Cancer Action Week
Although the lung cancer survival rate has increased nearly 40% over the past 10 years, the disease still takes the lives of more than 373 of our friends, neighbors and loved ones every day. The American Lung Association's LUNG FORCE initiative will unite America in support of defeating lung cancer, the nation’s leading cancer killer, during Turquoise Takeover and Lung Cancer Action Week (May 8-14, 2023). Each May, join the celebration of turning the nation turquoise to raise awareness for lung cancer, raise funds and inspire Americans to take action to prevent lung cancer and detect it earlier. For more information visit LUNGFORCE.ORG.
Howard County Farmers' Markets Are Open!
Here is another great reason to eat fresh! Howard County offers farmers markets multiple days a week throughout the county, meaning that farm fresh produce is much closer than you think. Find out all the locations and times: https://hceda.org/farm-agriculture/locations/farmers-markets/

For additional food resources and food map, visit:
Celebrate May with Bike to Work Week 2023!
This year’s annual Bike to Work Central Maryland week celebration will take place Monday, May 15th through Sunday, May 21st with Howard County’s in-person event the morning of Friday, May 19th in Downtown Columbia at 7 - 9am.

Participating riders qualify for free t-shirts, giveaways and prizes, all while discovering the advantages of a cleaner, healthier commuting option. Register!
Free & Low Cost Physical Activity Flyer
The Howard County Local Health Improvement Coalition started a Movement Workgroup to engage community members of all ages in healthy lifestyle activities and to promote exercise and movement throughout the year.

The Movement Workgroup created a free & low-cost physical activity flyer! The flyer has a QR code in the lower right-hand corner that will take you to a comprehensive listing from CAREAPP, of all the free and reduced cost physical activity programs in Howard County. Learn more here!
Healthy Minds
The Howard County Health Department is pleased to invite parents and caregivers to learn more about Social Media: Solutions for Summer and Beyond. This series of virtual workshops is broken down with a content-focus on the age of the children. Please be aware of the specific date for the specific age and register for that specific session. Participants can register for more than one session. All sessions run from 6:30 to 8 pm on the respective evenings. REGISTER

  • May 9th - Presentation + Q&A for Parents of Children ages 3-8
  • May 10th - Presentation + Q&A for Parents of Children ages 9-12
  • May 11th - Presentation + Q&A for Parents of Children ages 13-17
No Menthol Sunday: Focus on Victory, Go Against the Grain
Faith-based congregations in Howard County are invited to participate in No Menthol Sunday on May 21st to combat Big Tobacco's intentional and harmful impacts on the Black community. This year's theme is Focus on Victory, Go Against the Grain.

No Menthol Sunday Toolkits are available for the public and contain templates, fact sheets, meeting announcements, sermon topics, social media posts/hashtags, and even church fans: https://www.nomentholsunday.org/resources. These resources are being provided through the Center for Black Health and Equity. 
PACT Act Veterans Claims & VA Health Care Elgibility Fair
Calling all Veterans come out and visit the VA Health Fair on May 3rd from 9am to 3pm. There will be resource tables and a chance to chat with representatives from VA (benefits, health care and burial), the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, the Howard County Office of Veterans and Military Families, and a variety of other local and state organizations serving Veterans. Register to attend. Access additional Veterans Resources.
Howard County Health Department Peer Recovery Specialists
Howard County Health Department (HCHD) Peer Recovery Specialists are certified health workers by the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral Health Professionals Certification Board. With training in advocacy, ethics, mentoring and education, and Harm Reduction. The HCHD Peers provide judgement-free and stigma-free support to anyone seeking guidance related to substance use and/ or co-occurring disorders; wherever a person may be in their own recovery process. Contact Peer Recovery Support Staff directly:
667-203-1253 or 667-203-1264.
May is Mental Health Month and Older American's Month
Office of Aging and Independence (OAI) is celebrating May with Older American's Month and Mental Health Month. The theme "Look around and look within," is a time to consider how the environment and the world around us affects our mental health, especially for caregivers.
 
OAI's Caregiver Support Program helps family caregivers who want to provide care for older adults in their homes for as long as possible, and addresses mental health concerns. 
Howard County Office on Aging and Independence 50+ Centers
Howard County 50+ Centers offer endless opportunities for older adults to maintain a healthy mind and body - during Older Americans Month and all year long. Choose from a wide variety of in-person or virtual fitness classes, explore your passion for flower arranging, fashion or birding, or join in for lunch at a center near you to reconnect with old friends. For a look at what's coming up this month, view the May lunch menus.
Opioid Overdose Response Training
The Howard County Health Department offers FREE Opioid Overdose Response Program monthly virtual trainings. In-person training and Narcan distribution also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-2pm at the Harm Reduction RV in the Health Department parking lot. Call Bureau of Behavioral Health at 410-313-6202, orpresponse@howardcountymd.gov.