Garrett County Health Planning Council
Stategic Plan
2008-2012
Promoting and protecting
the health
of Garrett County.
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Result : Achieve and maintain optimal health and independence for vulnerable populations.
Aging Population |
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Recommendations |
Current Status/Resources |
Action Plan Notes and Ideas |
Educate the senior citizen population about support programs available to them so they can • remain in their homes for as long as possible, and • remain independent as long as possible |
Area Agency on Aging Programs- Meals on Wheels, Senior Centers / Meal Sites, health insurance counseling and advocacy Adult Evaluation Review Services Mt. Glade Medical Adult Day Care Home Health |
Increase support services for in-home care and chore aids |
Prepare for the increased demand for end-stage health care as Baby Boomers age. (i.e. Hospice, Alzheimers care, nursing home and retirement facility space) |
Hospice Home Health Nursing Homes Hospital Community Action -Housing, Garrett Transit, AAA |
• Provide continuum of resources for aging with a needs assessment and 1-on-1 contact • Increase senior assisted living apartments to help provide in-between care |
Provide opportunities and education for and about preventive health care for older adults (i.e. adult immunization, healthy eating, physical activity, routine health care, medication safety) |
Senior Centers Health Department Health Care Providers- |
Work with Area Agency on Aging |
Develop a resource directory for senior citizens and the disabled population |
Community Action Appalachian Crossroads Senior Centers BBQ news magazine |
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Disabled Population |
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Current Status/Resources |
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Support services that inform consumers and caregivers about availability and appropriate use of services, such as:
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Western MD online Resource Directory
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Family voucher programs for housing for families with disabilities
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Increase support services to those with disabilities |
Mt. Glade Medical Adult Day Care Appalachian Crossroads |
Expand transportation services for those with disabilities |
Continue efforts to implement ADA recommended and/or required environmental changes (handicap ramps, parking, wider aisles in stores, etc.) |
Garrett Organization for the Handicapped Appalachian Parent Association |
Form study group; to make recommendations to Health Planning Council |
Economically Disadvantaged Population |
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Current Status/Resources |
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Maintain an ongoing emphasis on the provision and delivery of health programs and services for uninsured and under-insured. |
Mtn. Laurel Medical Center |
Improve utilization of the Mtn. Laurel Medical Center for the uninsured |
Increase support for, awareness of, and access to housing assistance programs |
Community Action Habitat for Humanity |
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Develop health insurance co-ops or low premium options for uninsured and under-insured |
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Expand employment with benefit options
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Expand current public transportation options |
Community Action
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Expand transportation options especially after hours and weekends |
Support and expand outreach and enrollment efforts for income-eligible programs |
Social Services Income Maintenance Program Adult Evaluation Review Services |
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Simplify enrollment forms for assistance programs |
Community Action Health Department |
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Improve system integration by using collaborative grant writing within agencies to develop programs to help fill the gap in existing health care services |
GC Partnership Health Department Community Action Other community agencies |
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Mentally Ill/ Substance Abuse Population |
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Current Status/Resources |
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Maintain and expand current mental health services available |
GCHD Behavioral Health Department of Social Services Core Service Agency |
Expand array of services |
Educate the community regarding mental health services available and reduce the stigma associated with using the services |
Health Department Garrett County Memorial Hospital-ED FQHC Core Service Agency |
Promote screening programs for emotional wellness beginning in early childhood through adulthood
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Improve inter-agency cooperation and referral programs |
Department of Social Services Health Department |
• Observations for Head Start, Early Head Start and health department • Promote learning readiness |
Create new programs for emergency mental health /crisis counseling |
Garrett County Memorial Hospital GCHD Behavioral Health Local physicians |
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Develop a Meals on Wheels mental health outreach program |
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Train current Meals on Wheels staff to recognize potential mental health problems in the clients they serve |