UPDATE: Pathways to Health Equity

The nine Pathways to Health Equity grantees awarded earlier this year have begun to implement their projects. The CHRC and HERC Advisory Committee are providing an ongoing technical assistance (TA) program for all Pathways grantees, including bi-weekly TA sessions on Wednesday mornings. The most recent session was held on July 27, and the next two sessions will be August 10 and 24. TA sessions are recorded, and all TA session materials are available on the HERC webpage.

This month’s newsletter highlights the Pathways to Health Equity grant awarded to the St. Mary’s County Health Department. This 2-year grant will support the establishment of a behavioral and primary care Health Hub in Lexington Park. The Hub was a recommendation of the St. Mary’s County Equity Task Force. In addition to bringing needed behavioral health and primary care services to the community, the program includes law enforcement referrals and ED diversions; case management to connect clients to partner organizations addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH); and respite care post-hospital discharge.

The St. Mary’s County Health Department is currently recruiting for staff positions to support this project. They are seeking to hire a Behavioral Health Hub Director, Youth Mentor, and Program Evaluator. Interested applicants may follow the links above or contact tammym.loewe@maryland.gov.

To sign up for the Health Equity Resource Community (HERC)/Pathways Mailing List, visit Sign Up. 

Grantee News

Potomac Healthcare Foundation Completes 3-year Opioid Recovery Program Grant

Potomac Healthcare Foundation, a non-profit behavioral health provider, recently completed a CHRC grant program to establish two recovery houses in West Baltimore for underserved, low-income young adults with opioid addiction.  The program provides a supervised, developmentally appropriate recovery environment with support for outpatient treatment and adherence to medication for youth and adolescents ages 18-27.  Linkages to care are made from detoxification, inpatient addiction programs and other acute settings with a "warm handoff" and rapid initiation of outpatient treatment. Relapse prevention medications for opioid use disorder are a core feature of the program, in contrast to many recovery houses where they are not allowed or discouraged. The home-like environment provides a “launching pad” for independent living skills and stabilization in the community.

During the three years of the grant, a total of 75 youth received treatment.  The six-week retention rate was 84% and the twelve-week retention rate was 64%. Some residents stayed a year or more. None of the individuals receiving treatment were admitted to the ED for overdose.  The majority of residents gained employment or enrolled in educational programs. The grantee reported that linkages to community medical and mental health providers resulted in avoidance of considerable ED and urgent care utilization. Going forward, the program will be sustained through a grant from the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration.  Recently, the Carroll County Health Department awarded Potomac Healthcare a grant to replicate the program there. 

For potential referrals, please contact:

Michelle Jones mjones@marylandtreatment.org, or Charla Carr at 240-285-6682.

For more information on CHRC grants to increase access to behavioral health services and address the opioid crisis, click HERE.

“Give Kids a Smile” Event

American Diversity Group and Wisteria Dental Care are hosting an event to provide free dental care to uninsured children in Montgomery County.  It will also include fun activities and food trucks. The event will be held in Germantown on August 20.  Pre-registration is required; no walk-ins.  For more information, click HERE.

MDH is Recruiting for Maternal Mortality Review Team 

The Maryland Health Department’s Bureau of Maternal and Child Health seeks applications for its multi-disciplinary Maryland Maternal Mortality Review Team. The mission of the program is to review the issues surrounding pregnancy-associated deaths, identity interventions, and promote change among individuals, health care systems, and communities to prevent maternal deaths, reduce maternal morbidities, and improve population health. Interested individuals should apply through the Office of Appointments and Executive Nominations (OAEN) website.

For more information, contact Nina Martin at mdh.marylandmmr@maryland.gov.

MDH is Hiring for School-Based Health Centers Program Manager

The Maryland Department of Health’s Bureau of Maternal and Child Health is currently recruiting for a Program Manager to join the rapidly growing Maryland School-Based Health Center (SBHC) Program.  This supervisory position will provide leadership and day-to-day management of the SBHC program, including its grants, program activities, data collection and analysis, and reporting. Applications are due August 12.  For more information, click HERE.  

Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council

The Opioid Operational Command Center is currently seeking individuals to serve on the Opioid Restitution Fund Advisory Council. The mission of the Council is to provide guidance on the use of legal settlement funds received from prescription opioid manufacturers and distributors. Health policy experts, members of the treatment and recovery communities, representatives of community organizations, individuals with lived experience, and family members of individuals with substance use disorders are welcome to apply. 

The application deadline is August 26. Click HERE to apply. 

Please contact help.oocc@maryland.gov for additional information.

Community Health Worker Training grants

The Maryland Department of Health, Office of Population Health Improvement, has reissued a Request for Applications (RFA) for the development and implementation of new community health worker (CHW) certification training programs. Proposals are due August 8. For more information, click HERE.