September Newsletter

September 16, 2014  |  Issue No. 1

Welcome to our monthly newsletter!

The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission will be providing monthly updates about the work of our grantees and the impact of their programs.  We will also be including updates on the Health Enterprise Zones Initiative, which the CHRC jointly implements with the Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.  We look forward to keeping you informed as the CHRC works to fulfill our statutory mission of expanding access to health care services in underserved communities and improving overall population health in Maryland.

- Mark Luckner, Executive Director 

Regional Forums to Take Place This Fall This fall the CHRC will host four regional forums across the state to explore strategies for successful hospital-community partnerships.  The first of the four regional forums will be held on Monday, September 29 at 10:30 am at the Western Maryland Health System, 12500 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland, MD  21502. There is no charge or registration fee, but you must RSVP to attend.

CHRC's 2014 Request for Proposals The CHRC’s RFP released earlier this year generated a total of 65 applications requesting $31.2 million, and 20 grants totaling $2.85 million were awarded.  The Commission targeted six types of projects: (1) reducing infant mortality;   (2) increasing access to dental services;   (3) expanding primary care access; (4) integrating behavioral services in the community; (5) building capacity of safety net providers; and (6) addressing childhood obesity.

Conference on Maryland's HEZ Initiative Supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, DHMH and the University of Maryland School of Medicine hosted Maryland Health Enterprise Zones: Using Incentives to Drive Local Progress. The event brought together more than 200 stakeholders to ensure health equality and improved health care for all Marylanders.

Two New Commissioners Appointed  Earlier this year, Governor Martin O’Malley appointed two new individuals to serve as Commissioners on the CHRC: Elizabeth Chung, Executive Director, Asian American Center, Frederick; and Barry Ronan, CEO and President, Western Maryland Health Center.  Click here for a list of all 11 Commissioners serving on the CHRC.

Maryland Community Health Resources Commission

45 Calvert St. Room 336, Annapolis, MD 21401  /  phone - 410.260.6290  /  fax - 410.626.0304

dhmh.maryland.gov/mchrc