Health and Human Services Archives

NACo: Train County Workforce in Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trains the county workforce to aid in early recognition of mental health challenges. With proven outcomes, it creates a culture of care and mitigates the impacts of mental health illness on the work environment. According to the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, depression and anxiety challenges cost U.S. employers $44 billion annually, with the World Health Organization calculating the global impact at $1 trillion per year in lost workplace productivity. In…

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May 8, 2025

Business Affairs / County News / Environment / Health and Human Services

Minneapolis’ Introduces Cloud Tools for Efficiency in Permitting

Minneapolis is showing how local governments can harness cloud-based tools to transform permitting, reduce paperwork, improve service delivery, and save staff time. Minneapolis hosts around 500 food-related events each year, many with amplified music. Each requires a permit and inspection, which used to mean an immense amount of paperwork and a slow, manual process for the city’s Health Department. As reported by Route Fifty, Minneapolis staff previously sorted through handwritten permit applications, made paper copies…

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May 7, 2025

Health and Human Services

Protecting the People Who Protect Our Health

Health care workers are pillars of every Maryland community, but some face violence on the job. Respecting and protecting them isn't just right; it’s essential for a strong local care system. As reported by Maryland Matters, health care in Maryland is grounded in trust between patients, providers, and the communities they serve. Every day, health care workers show up with dedication and compassion to care for others. But behind the scenes, a troubling trend is…

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May 2, 2025

County News / Health and Human Services

Federal Judge Allows Class-Action Lawsuit Over Missed Nursing Home Inspections

A court will now consider whether the State’s backlog of overdue inspections, some reportedly four years behind, violates residents’ rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As reported by Maryland Matters, a federal judge recently ruled that a lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) over missed nursing home inspections can proceed as a class-action case. This decision could have widespread implications for thousands of Maryland residents living in nursing homes overseen by…

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May 1, 2025

Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development

How a Delaware County Is Transforming Homeless Services

When Delaware’s New Castle County transformed a shuttered hotel into the Hope Center, it reimagined what emergency shelter could be, pairing housing with healthcare, education, and support services. When COVID-19 threatened Delaware’s most vulnerable residents, New Castle County saw an opportunity in crisis. With CARES Act funds and inspiration from California’s Project Roomkey, the county purchased the Sheraton Wilmington South hotel and launched the Hope Center in December 2020. Initially intended as temporary housing, the…

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April 24, 2025

County Budgets / Health and Human Services

Budget Committees Seek to Clarify Core Public Health Funding Formula Base

The Joint Chairmen’s Report captures key budget decisions with big implications for policy issues such as public health. This year’s 632-page report includes new language clarifying how Maryland will calculate future funding for core public health services. As part of the FY 2026 budget deliberations, the Maryland General Assembly added clarifying language to the budget appropriation for core public health services that could affect how funding for Local Health Departments (LHDs) is calculated moving forward.…

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April 24, 2025

Health and Human Services

Public Health Commission’s Interim Report Sets Stage for Final Recommendations

Maryland’s Commission on Public Health has released its Interim Report, and final recommendations are due this fall. Earlier this year, the Maryland Commission on Public Health released its 2024 Interim Report—a key milestone in Maryland’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and modernize our state and local public health systems. While the report was published in January, its findings and the work ahead remain highly relevant as the Commission moves toward developing final recommendations due this fall.…

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April 23, 2025

County News / Health and Human Services

General Assembly Targets Nursing Home Inspection Backlog

Nursing homes provide critical care to some of Maryland’s most vulnerable residents, making it essential that they adhere to strict health and safety regulations. According to a Maryland Matters article, as of the end of March, nearly 60% of the state’s 220 nursing homes had received an inspection within the past 16 months—the federal benchmark for timely oversight. That’s a marked improvement from last June, when only 21% met that threshold. But the reality remains…

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April 23, 2025

Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

Judge Continues Pressure on MD Health Department Over State Hospital Bed Shortages

An Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge expressed disappointment and persistence, raising constitutional violation concerns while questioning state health officials over the increasing backlog of patients awaiting treatment. As previously covered on Conduit Street, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is struggling to admit committed individuals for treatment in state hospital facilities. During a court ordered report last week, MDH testified in front of Anne Arundel Circuit Court Judge Ronald A. Silkworth on what actions they…

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April 22, 2025

Health and Human Services

Apply Today for CareFirst & Baltimore Ravens “Huddle Up for Health” Health Equity Grant

The Baltimore Ravens and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) are accepting applications for their 2025 Huddle Up for Health Community Health Equity Grant. Focused on providing awareness and support to the community by addressing health disparities, the “Huddle Up for Health” program initiative stems from the decades-long partnership between the Baltimore Ravens and CareFirst, a Platinum MACo Corporate Partner! The program will again fund a grant for a select local mental health-focused nonprofit with an increased…

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April 21, 2025