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Click here to view this email as a URL. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDDHMH/bulletins/40bf553
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Maryland Community Health Resources Commission
Dr. Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, Chair, Dr. Sadiya Muqueeth, Vice Chair
Commissioners: Dr. Bryan Buckley, U. Michael Currie, Flor Giusti, LCSW-C, David Lehr, Robbie Loker, Dr. Terris King, Dr. TraShawn Thornton-Davis, Jonisha Toomer, LCPC,
Crystal Carr Townsend, MPA
Mark Luckner, CHRC Executive Director
February 27, 2026 - Issue 124
CHRC News
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 CHRC Chair Destiny-Simone Ramjohn PhD (center), Commissioner Michael Currie (right), CHRC Executive Director Mark Luckner (left).
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Commissioner Spotlight
Chair Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, PhD
Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, Ph.D., is a nationally recognized health equity and community impact executive with decades of experience advancing care integration, community engagement, and population health strategies that strengthen coordination across the health care continuum. Following her Senate confirmation this month, and nine months into her tenure as Chair, we sat down for a conversation on advancing equity, strengthening community based primary care, and measuring what matters most.
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1. How is CHRC “meeting the moment” for the Maryland’s communities?
At the center of our work is a clear commitment to align resources with Governor Wes Moore’s equity agenda. This means ...
CHRC Annual RFA
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The CHRC met on February 24 and voted to release the CHRC annual Request for Applications. The RFA will have six areas of focus: hospital-community partnerships, medically vulnerable populations including older adults and individuals with disabilities, chronic disease, maternal and child health, dental, and behavioral health. The RFA will be released next week, posted on the CHRC website, and emailed to our distribution list. Letters of Intent will be due in mid/late March, and complete proposals will be due later this spring. |
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 Left to right: Commissioner David Lehr, Executive Director Mark Luckner, Karen Thompkins and Martin Raffel (GMBC), Chair Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, PhD.
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CHRC Chair Dr. Destiny-Simone Ramjohn and Executive Director Mark Luckner, together with Health Equity Resource Community (HERC) grantee Karen Thompkins and Martin Raffel from Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), were invited to present at the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC). The presentation, entitled, The Power of Partnerships, focused on CHRC programs that reduce avoidable hospital utilization.
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CHRC Staff Transition
The CHRC would like to thank Angelina Oputa for her work as Consortium Program Manager over the last year and a half. Angelina's final day with the CHRC was February 25.
We will certainly miss her presence on the team, but we wish her nothing but success as she finishes her PhD and pursues new opportunities.
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The Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports’ most recent Request for Applications (RFA) generated 58 proposals requesting $152 million. Applicants proposed a wide range of interventions, from prevention to small group support to intensive individualized interventions, and more. Omnibus proposals were received to support services in 14 Community Supports Partnerships representing 20 jurisdictions of the state, and individual proposals were received for services in the four jurisdictions not yet covered by full Community Supports Partnerships. All proposals must have the support for their local school system. Awards will be announced later this spring, and grants will be implemented during the 2026-2027 school year.
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Presentation to the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) |
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Family Resource Guides in Spanish
Consortium Family Resource guides are now available in English and Spanish. These guides identify Consortium services and provide contact information on a school-by-school basis.
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Health Equity Resource Communities (HERC) News
Faith-Health Alliance Presentation
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On February 25, 2026, CHRC Executive Director Mark Luckner and Health Equity Resource Communities (HERC) Program Director Nellie Washington participated in a Health Care Access Town Hall held at the Maryland State House in Annapolis and hosted by Maryland Churches Promoting Health in Communities of Color. The discussion focused on chronic disease prevention, treatment, and medication access in Maryland, highlighting key policy issues and the vital role of Black and Brown churches in advancing health equity. |
 Nellie Washington and Mark Luckner speak at the Faith-Health Alliance
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LIVES TRANSFORMED
Jesse's Story: St. Mary's County Nurse-Family Partnership
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 Jesse and her daughter celebrate at the graduation ceremony.
 Jesse and her nurse, Liza.
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Jesse was navigating one of the most difficult chapters of her life. She was experiencing homelessness and domestic violence, raising a young daughter, and pregnant with her second child. Seeking a path forward, she enrolled in the St. Mary’s County Health Department’s Nurse-Family Partnership program, launched through a grant from the CHRC. The program pairs expectant mothers with nurses who provide home visits, prenatal and postnatal care for mothers and babies, parenting support, and life coaching. Services span from early pregnancy through the child’s second birthday.
With steady encouragement, connection to resources, and guidance from her nurse, Jesse began to rebuild. She set goals and achieved them -- returning to school to earn her associate’s degree, obtaining her driver’s permit, and securing stable housing. Along the way, she cultivated confidence, independence, and a strong foundation for her growing family. Today, Jesse is a proud mother of two healthy children, with a third child on the way. Her journey reflects courage, determination, and the power of compassionate support.
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In February, Jesse and other resilient mothers graduated from the program. CHRC Commissioner Robbie Loker attended their graduation ceremony and offered the Commission’s congratulations to all the graduates.
For more information about the Nurse-Family Partnership, contact Jennifer Cass at jennifer.cass@maryland.gov, (301) 475-6778, or visit smchd.org. Residents of St. Mary's County may complete this referral form, email smchd.maternalchildhealth@maryland.gov or call (301) 475-4330.
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 Commissioner Loker, the St. Mary's County team, and other program supporters celebrate the graduates.
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National Kidney Month
March is National Kidney Month, a time when communities across the country raise awareness about kidney disease. Did you know 15% of U.S. adults - 35.5 million people - are estimated to have chronic kidney disease? Click HERE for tips to support kidney health.
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To contact the CHRC, email mdh.chrc@maryland.gov or call 410-260-6086. The reply-to mailbox for this newsletter is not monitored.
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