December 1, 2022
HCLHIC Digest: Your Monthly News & Updates
HCLHIC Quarterly Meetings
Register for the next HCLHIC Quarterly Meeting on January 19, 2023 at 8:30am in-person or hybrid.

or call 410-313-6204 with any questions.
Employment Opportunities
Community Health Workers Needed
The Howard County Health Department (HCHD) is seeking to recruit certified Community Health Workers (CHW) to serve as a link between health and social service programs and the community. CHWs must reside in the following zip codes: 21044, 21045, 20723, 20763, 20794.
 
CHWs will receive a small stipend, travel reimbursement, and additional support to provide health education materials and referral resource connections. 
 
Interested individuals may contact Emily Phillips, Health Disparities Project Coordinator, at 410-313-0632 or ephillips@howardcountymd.gov. 
Grant Award Announcement
HCHD Awards $47,500 in Grants to Five Local Organizations
Howard County Health Department (HCHD) has awarded $47,500 in grants to 5 local organizations to reach populations identified as having a known health disparity related to tobacco/vape use, diabetes, and chronic disease; and to advance health equity efforts.

FY23 Grantees awarded include:
  1. Accessible Resources for Independence https://arinow.org - Disability and Health Awareness Campaign will promote and provide referrals for individuals with disabilities to smoking cessation resources and services and evidence-based health promotion/chronic disease management programs.
  2. Food and Care for All, Inc. https://www.fcfaglobal.org - Preventing Chronic-Diseases and Tobacco-Use in Howard County (P-CAT-Howard) program will facilitate interactive in-person and online group discussions about access to health services, healthy food choices and weight loss support, and smoking cessation. To enroll, text “JOIN P-CAT” to 240-691-3561 or email talaosanni@fcfaglobal.org
  3. JustLiving Advocacy, Inc. https://www.justlivingadvocacy.org – CommUNITY Wellness Initiative will implement social media campaigns and grassroots outreach efforts in Elkridge and surrounding areas to educate community members about heart disease, diabetes, tobacco & smoking cessation.
  4. Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center, Inc. https://grassrootscrisis.org – Chronic Disease Prevention Healthy Eating Program will prepare and serve diabetes-friendly meals to shelter residents using menus provided by a registered dietician.
  5. LindaBen Foundation, Inc. https://lindabenfoundation.org – Wellness Equity through Tobacco, Diabetes, and Chronic Disease Awareness Project will raise awareness and provide education about diabetes and tobacco through social media posts, family educational sessions, and interactive youth workshops.
Infectious Disease Updates
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
There are currently high rates of RSV across Maryland and Howard County, especially among children. RSV is spread through droplets from a person who coughs or sneezes, especially in or near the eyes, nose, or mouth. Symptoms of RSV show up within 4 to 6 days after a person is infected. Find information about Transmission, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment of RSV from the Maryland Department of Health here.
Healthy Beginnings
End the Experiment: Vape-Free Tips and Resources Tool
End the Experiment: Vape-Free Tips & Resources is a new tool available to Maryland youth and young adults. This toolkit is intended for those interested in learning the facts about e-cigarettes and supporting friends and family to be vape-free. Vape-Free tips and resources can be accessed by clicking on "Help Others Go Vape Free" on the menu bar or by scrolling down to the middle of the webpage. To access the toolkit webpage, visit: https://www.smokingstopshere.com/vape/. 
Professional Development Class on School Phobia
Gen Psych is conducting a free online training for professional development on school phobia. The class will focus on the difference between school phobia, school avoidance, and school refusal in the assessment and treatment of school phobia. Zoom meeting details: December 13, 2022 at 10 am. RSVP to Ira Hays at ihays@genpsych.com.
Walking All Year Round: Maryland's Official State Exercise
This holiday season the HCLHIC gives thanks to all our partners, members, staff and the community for participating in and planning Walktober2022 in HoCo. We are truly thankful for the 12 organizations that arranged 22 walk/move events totaling over 597 participants and 849 miles walked!

All Marylanders are encouraged to make walking a regular habit, not just during Walktober. MDH just made it a lot easier to create a walk, become a walk leader, or join an already existing walk as a walker anytime of the year. Be a part of the walking movement to make at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly your year round habit!
Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV
Thursday, December 1, 2022 is World AIDS Day, a day to unite to help end HIV and remember those lost to AIDS-related illnesses. This year’s theme for World AIDS Day is “Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV.” It encourages people to unite globally to eliminate the disparities and inequities that create barriers to HIV testing, prevention, and access to HIV care.

The HCHD provides ANONYMOUS and CONFIDENTIAL HIV/AIDS testing & counseling.
Testing is free and occurs every Friday from 9:30am to 3:00pm (appointment preferred, but walk-ins are welcome). Call 410-313-7500 for information and clinic availability.
Build Healthy Eating and Lifestyle Habits with P-CAT
Food and Care for All, Inc. Preventing Chronic-Diseases and Tobacco-Use in Howard County (P-CAT-Howard) program will facilitate interactive in-person and online group discussions about access to health services, healthy food choices and weight loss support, and smoking cessation. The program also entails the following: hybrid focus group, free health services, free classes, nutrition education and motivational activities. To enroll, text “JOIN P-CAT” to 443-722-1170 or email contactus@fcfaglobal.org.
1.65M Grant for Patuxent Branch Trail Upgrade to Improve Accessibility
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced that a $1.65 million grant has been awarded to Howard County to upgrade the surface of a 1.3-mile dirt and gravel section of the popular Patuxent Branch Trail in Savage and Kings Contrivance that will improve its accessibility for all. The grant, awarded through the State of Maryland Transportation Alternatives program, is funded with federal dollars and the project was selected by the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board.
Healthy Minds
National Caregiver Support Program
The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides various supports that help family and informal caregivers care for older adults and others in their homes for as long as possible. Under the program guidelines, the Office on Aging and Independence provides caregivers information about available services, assistance gaining access to the services, individual counseling and support groups, respite care and caregiver education, and supplemental services. For more information, or to schedule a free Care Talk appointment at a center near you, contact Caregiver Specialist Earnestine Thomas at ethomas@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-5969 (voice/relay).
Congregational Depression Awareness Program
The Congregational Depression Awareness Program (CDAP) is a 5-week, 10-hour course for volunteers from local religious communities who are interested in coordinating depression awareness and support programs in their congregations. Classes will held virtually on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30pm on the following dates: Feb. 21st, Feb. 28th, March 14th, March 21st and March 28th. To apply for CDAP, visit: https://forms.office.com/r/JVT9ScRUCt
Howard County Office on Aging and Independence Newsletter
The 50+ Center offer a wide variety of programming each day. Click to subscribe and get information on activities at 50+ Centers, Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) programs, and health and wellness offerings. Check out the OAI digital newsletter!