The Coalition for a Healthier Frederick County, the Frederick County Health Department, and Frederick Health have been working together and with the community for over a year on the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). This process was based on the guidance of NACCHO’s (National Association of County and City Health Officials) MAPP 2.0 (Mobilizing Action through Planning and Partnerships) and included more community involvement and input than ever before. The culmination of this process is the selection of the new 2025-2028 local health improvement priorities for Frederick County, which are:

• Food & Nutrition: Lack of Access to Affordable Healthy Food

• Housing: Inadequate Affordable Housing Supply

• Mental Health: Lack of Awareness of Accessibility of Resources

• Mental Health: Stigma Around Mental Health

• Racial Equity & Justice: Institutional and Systemic Racism

Do you have questions or want to learn more about the 2025-2028 Local Health Improvement Process (LHIP) priorities? The Coalition will be hosting a webinar on Friday, February 14 at 2:00pm to review the new priorities, share next steps, and answer questions live. Click the button below to register for the webinar.

The Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Public Input Session, hosted in partnership with the Frederick County Health Department, Frederick Health, and the Coalition for a Healthier Frederick County, invites you to share your insights to help shape Frederick County’s health priorities over the next 3-year Local Health Improvement Process (LHIP) cycle.

The event will take place on Wednesday, January 22 from 9:00am - 12:00pm at the Frederick Health Village. This will be a hybrid event. The snow date is Tuesday, January 28 from 9:00am - 12:00pm, same time and location.

Based on primary and secondary data, the four identified pressing health issues in Frederick County that will be discussed, along with the subject matter expert who will be speaking on each, are as follows:

1. Racial Equity and Justice: Dr. Denise Rollins, Founder, Whole Heart Center, and Danielle Haskin, Director, Frederick County Health Department’s Equity Office

2. Housing: Vincent Rogers, Director, Frederick County Division of Housing

3. Food/Nutrition: Alysia Feuer, Executive Director, Farm to School Frederick

4. Mental Health/Social Isolation: Andrea Walker, Director of Behavioral Health Services, Frederick County Health Department and Suzi Borg, Director of Crisis Services Division, Mental Health Association of Frederick County
   

All are welcome to attend! Refreshments and light breakfast items will be generously provided through a donation from Wegmans, with additional support from the Coalition for a Healthier Frederick County.

To enter the Frederick Health Village:

Please park in the West Lot (follow the signs), walk through the long white canopy, and someone will be at the door to grant you into the building.

To attend in-person or virtually, register at https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0udO2qrj4sHtJ30IHLQcUHqiT7FPDzmGL9.

Support your employees and strengthen your business by creating a recovery-friendly workplace. This series provides businesses with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to address mental health and substance use disorders (SUD) effectively. Each session stands alone, so you can choose one or attend all three to earn progressive recognition levels and exclusive resources. 

What You’ll Gain by Participating 

• Frederick County and Maryland Recovery-Friendly Workplace Status: Receive a certificate, digital badge, and cling to showcase your commitment to recovery-friendly practices. 

• Business Cost Analysis and Recovery-Friendly Assessment: Gain insights into the financial and cultural impact of supporting employee recovery. 

Recognition Levels 

• Attend One Session: Bronze-Level Maryland Recovery-Friendly Workplace. 

• Attend Two Sessions: Silver-Level Maryland Recovery-Friendly Workplace. 

• Attend All Three Sessions: Gold-Level Maryland Recovery-Friendly Workplace. 
  

Session 1: Foundations of a Recovery-Friendly Workplace, January 16 from 9:00am - 11:00am

Session 2: Building Recovery-Friendly Practices, January 23 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Session 3: Sustaining a Recovery-Friendly Workplace , January 30 from 9:00am - 11:00am

Choose one or attend all three sessions to gain practical tools, resources, and recognition for your business’s commitment to recovery-friendly practices. 

Members of the Mental Health Workgroup will be presenting at Session 1 on January 16.

Learn more by clicking here. Register here.

The Coalition for a Healthier Frederick County is opening up a request for proposals (RFP) proposals for our Health Equity Initiative.

We will be holding an Information Session on Wednesday, January 15 from 11:00am - 12:00pm EST via Zoom to review the RFP, explain what will be required of the chosen vendor, and address any questions you may have.

Please register here.

It is apparent that health disparities affect Frederick County, adversely impacting some groups more than others. Because of that, we are seeking support to:

• Develop and Implement a Health Equity Framework and Toolkit: Collaborate with the Health Equity Committee, Coalition board, and Coalition staff to create a comprehensive framework that incorporates health equity principles, best practices, and a toolkit to guide internal operations and external communications, fostering shared understanding and equitable outcomes. Deliverables include a phased project plan, training model for staff and board, and strategies for integrating health equity techniques into Workgroup action plans.

• Establish Reporting, Evaluation, and Accountability Structures: Define benchmark metrics, create internal and external reporting frameworks to assess progress, and ensure transparency through monthly project summary reports and lessons learned repositories.

The selected partner will play a vital role in advancing health equity by collaborating with our Coalition, stakeholders, and the community to ensure measurable and meaningful impact.

For additional details about the Health Equity RFP, visit https://healthierfrederick.org/healthequityrfp. Please contact Malcolm Furgol, Executive Director, at Malcolm@HealthierFrederick.org with any questions.

Join us at Hood College on Thursday, November 21 from 1:00 - 2:30pm for their November Public Health Seminar Series in the Hodson Auditorium located in Rosenstock Hall.

The seminar will feature leaders from the Coalition for a Healthier Frederick County's Local Health Improvement Process (LHIP) Workgroups. Hear about the Workgroups' impact on the community, their personal and professional journeys, ways to get involved, and more.

You won't want to miss it! Registration is not required.

Join us to hear updates from the Coalition and our dedicated partners, the Frederick County Health Department and Frederick Health. We will also hear from the Local Health Improvement Plan (LHIP) Workgroups; Type 2 Diabetes and Mental Health.

Stay up to date on important initiatives taking place in our community.

The meeting will take place at the Frederick Health Village with both virtual and in person attendance options. Light refreshments will be offered.

Use the button below to register. Registration is required. A meeting link will be sent to the provided email.

Join us to hear Frederick County community health updates, as well as the progress of the community LHIP workgroups.

For any questions or comments, please reach out to Summer at Summer@HealthierFrederick.org

Registration is required to receive the zoom information. Click the button below to register!

Data disaggregation is not just a technical matter; it's a crucial step towards equity and fairness in healthcare and beyond. By disaggregating data, we uncover hidden disparities and ensure that all voices are heard and represented. 

We are extending this invitation to all Maryland Local Health Improvement Coalitions (LHICs), Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and local and state representatives. Your presence and insights are crucial as we work together to address data equity issues in our communities. 

Colors of Pride will serve as an exciting launch to Pride Month, aiming to address the stigma surrounding mental health and emphasize the transformative potential of artistic expression in fostering a healthy and diverse community. Through an array of engaging events, including the highly anticipated Community Arts Celebration, this campaign will shine a spotlight on local Queer artists, organize interactive workshops, and create a welcoming space that promotes well-being and acceptance.

We invite you to join us in breaking barriers, celebrating diversity, and discovering art's profound impact in constructing a thriving community!

Click the button below to register!

Frederick County Workforce Services in partnership with The LHIP Mental Health Workgroup of the Coalition for a Healthier Frederick County presents:

RECOVERY IS GOOD BUSINESS! 

Improving mental health and supporting those with substance use disorders are key to a healthier workplace. About 16.2 million workers face serious mental health challenges, and 20.3 million people deal with substance use issues, with most of them working. These issues can lead to financial losses for companies due to increased healthcare expenses and greater absenteeism. By helping employees with these issues, companies can save money and have happier, more productive teams.

Join our interactive workshop to transform your workplace into a recovery-friendly environment! Discover the essentials of hiring and supporting staff navigating mental health and substance use recovery.

Empower your business with strategies for cost savings and foster a supportive, inclusive culture!

All participants will earn a Recovery is Good Business Partner certificate.

Register by clicking the button below!

Join us to hear Frederick County community health updates, as well as the progress of the community LHIP workgroups.

For any questions or comments, please reach out to Ashley at Ashley@HealthierFrederick.org

Registration is required to receive the zoom information

Click here to register on zoom.

The Mental Health Workgroup of the Frederick County Local Health Improvement Process (LHIP) is launching a community-wide campaign, “From the heART: Creative expressions in mental wellness.” This campaign aims to foster an inclusive and compassionate community by embracing the power of art to challenge societal stigmas surrounding mental health.

This event will showcase how survivors have utilized art in their healing journey. The event will include an art exhibit, engaging conversations, and interactive art through World Cafe round table discussions. Attendees will have a chance to hear from artists and speakers panel, followed by performances from local artists who have used art in their mental wellness journey. Resource tables from local providers will also be available.

July 18, 2023 from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Hosted virtually.

We will be making a big announcement... bring your colleagues, family, and friends!

Interested in attending? Email Ashley at arbennet@frederick.health to be added to the Zoom invitation.