Local Health Improvement Process

The process for local health improvement follows a circular path that starts with gathering data on the status of the community's health, followed by convening community members to review the data assessment, and then developing priorities for local health improvement and carrying out strategies to address the priorities for local health improvement. 
  

Priorities for Health Improvement in Frederick County 

Following the completion of the 2016 Frederick County Health Assessment, a Priority Setting Summit was held on September 13, 2016 to establish the priorities for local health improvement through a process of engaging community members, presenting the most recent community health needs assessment and other relevant data, group brainstorming of potential priorities and then individual voting for the top priorities. 

The three priorities identified for health improvement in 2016 are listed below, along with contact information for the work group leads and scheduled meetings. 
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences Work Group - lead is Malcolm Furgol (mfurgol@uwfrederick.org) 
    • Monthly meetings on the first Thursday at 2-3pm at Mental Health Association, 226 S. Jefferson St, Frederick, MD, starting Jan. 20, 2017. Please enter through the George Shields Community Services Entrance (to the left as you face the building).
    • Current Action Plan
  • Behavioral Health Work Group - leads are Suzi Borg, Peter Brehm, Melinda Hite, and Cynthia Terl (lhipbh2017.2020@gmail.com)
  • Senior Work Group - lead is Thea Ruff (DeptofAging@frederickcountymd.gov)
    • Monthly meetings on the second Wednesday at 2-3:30pm at the Mental Health Association, 226 S. Jefferson St, Frederick, MD
    • Current Action Plan
A public meeting will be held in June 2018 (date TBD) from 5-6:30pm at the C. Burr Artz Library Community Room. All work groups will provide an update on their progress. There will be a special presentation on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
  • Presentation (pending)
    A public meeting was held on February 6, 2018 from 5-6:30pm at the C. Burr Artz Library Community Room. All work groups provided an update on their progress. There was a special presentation on Stigma.
    A public meeting was held on October 19, 2017 from 5-6:30pm at the C. Burr Artz Library Community Room. All work groups provided an update on their progress. There was a special presentation and discussions of the Senior Support work group.

    A public meeting was held on     June 20, 2017 from 5-6:30pm at the C. Burr Artz Library Community Room. All work groups provided an update on their progress. There was a special presentation and discussions of the Behavioral Health work group.

    A public meeting was held on February 21, 2017 from 5-6:30pm at the C. Burr Artz Library Community Room. Work groups presented their goals, objectives, and strategies and a presentation was given on Adverse Childhood Experiences. Presentations from this update can be viewed below:

    If you are interested in joining one of the work groups, please contact the work group lead(s) and cc Lori Dembeck at ldembeck@frederickcountymd.gov.


    Previous Health Priorities


    Following the completion of the 2014 Frederick County Health Needs Assessment, a second summit was held February 4, 2014.  
     
    The priorities identified for health improvement in 2014 are: 

    The first summit to establish priorities for local health improvement was held October 5, 2011.

    All     Summits were sponsored by the Frederick County Health Department, Frederick Memorial Hospital, and the Frederick County Health Care Coalition. 

    Frederick County Local Health Improvement Plan     - Turning Priorities Into Action!

    • A local health improvement plan (LHIP) is more than just a document. It provides a framework for accountability, local action, and public engagement to advance the health of Frederick County residents. A positive health status provides the foundation for a thriving community and economy.
    • View the 2014-2016 Local Health Improvement Plan for Frederick County that describes the local health improvement efforts including the action plans developed by persons volunteering to participate in the work groups formed to address each of the established priorities for local health improvement
    • View the 2012 final progress report submitted to the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission describing the action taken and improvements made by the Local Health Improvement Coalition with the first year of grant funding received from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission
    • The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has requested that each jurisdiction in Maryland develop a Local Health Improvement Plan by early 2012. You can view Maryland's State Health Improvement Plan by clicking the link in the Reference Materials section below.
    Goal of the Local Health Improvement Process
    • The goal of the local health improvement plan process is progress in health through accountability, local action, and public engagement.
    • Through the local health improvement plan process Frederick County will support the attainment of goals of Maryland's State Health Improvement Plan.
    • Initial steps taken by the Frederick County Health Care Coalition as part of the Local Health Improvement process:
      • Gather health related data
      • Present that data to the Frederick community
      • Convene a Health Priority Planning Summit on October 5, 2011 for all interested persons
      • Develop a Local Health Improvement Plan centered around the 3-5 top priorities for local action identified during the Health Priority Planning Summit
      • Convene work-groups for each local priority to establish associated objectives, strategies, measures and responsible entities
      • Evaluate progress continually
      • Report back to the Frederick community on a periodic basis

    Reference Materials