Health and Human Services Archives

“Forever Chemicals” Leave a Lasting Mark at Bay Head Park

Once a Cold War missile site, Anne Arundel’s Bay Head Park still carries the lasting footprint of military-era “forever chemicals.” As reported in a recent Eye on Annapolis article, Bay Head Park in Anne Arundel County has a long and complex history, one that stretches from Cold War military operations to a modern-day environmental health challenge. Testing and research at the former Navy site introduced PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” into local soil and water, leaving…

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October 28, 2025

Government Liability and Courts / Health and Human Services / Public Safety and Corrections

New Guidance on Intersection of State-Federal Civil Rights Protections in Maryland

As new federal policies are implemented, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights have published guidance to help local government agencies understand the types of protections required by Maryland law and federal law. Local governments are service providers and employers for Maryland residents and need to be acutely aware of how Maryland law intersects with federal civil rights protections, in light of recent initiatives by the federal government. As Maryland…

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October 23, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources / Policy Deep Dive

Changes AHEAD in MD’s Health Care Model?

Maryland’s hospital payment system has long kept costs low, hospitals stable, and care accessible, but the model now faces a major turning point. As the state’s Total Cost of Care waiver nears expiration and Maryland prepares to transition to the federal AHEAD model, potential sweeping changes to hospital payments and healthcare costs could have significant effects on counties as employers and public sector health plan sponsors. Introduction For decades, Maryland has stood apart in how…

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October 23, 2025

County News / Health and Human Services / NACo and Federal Issues

MD Hospital Association To Host Summit on the Future of Health Care

Maryland’s health care landscape is changing fast. Federal policy shifts are reshaping everything from hospital payments to public health programs. Join the Healthy Hospitals. Healthy Communities. Ideas Summit on November 13 to collaborate and plan for what’s next. There are evolving federal policies on the AHEAD model, Medicaid, and SNAP that are reshaping health care in Maryland. To help local leaders navigate what’s ahead, the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA) will host the Healthy Hospitals. Healthy…

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October 22, 2025

Health and Human Services

Once Eliminated, Measles Is Back: Hitting 30-Year High

Once considered eliminated in the US, measles is spreading again. Rising case numbers across the nation highlight the growing impact of declining vaccination rates and renewed challenges for public health. A recent NPR article reports that measles cases are rising nationwide, with the CDC confirming 1,596 cases so far this year, the highest annual total in more than 30 years. Experts warn the actual number may be closer to 5,000, as outbreaks continue in several…

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October 16, 2025

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources

Health Care Costs Keep Climbing for Public Employers

Public employers face rapidly rising health care costs, straining already-tight local budgets. While there are a few immediate fixes, long-term solutions are possible through coordinated action. In a Governing article, health care premiums for 2026 are set to rise far faster than inflation or tax revenues, leaving public employers and employees alike bracing for another expensive year. With costs driven by new treatments, high-priced drugs, and aging workforces, local governments are likely to face increased…

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October 16, 2025

Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development

Counties Are Tackling Child Homelessness in Communities

Child homelessness often happens quietly and goes unseen in our communities. Counties play an important role in providing resources for families in crisis. In a recent article from NACo, counties across the nation are stepping up to confront an often-hidden crisis: child homelessness. While adult homelessness is visible on streets and in shelters, most children without stable housing are out of sight, sleeping in motels, doubling up with relatives, or moving between temporary homes. According…

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October 9, 2025

County Government and Structure / County News / Health and Human Services / Transportation and Public Works

Queen Anne’s Appoints Anne Sparks as Director of Aging and Transportation

Queen Anne’s County has announced the appointment of Anne Sparks as the new Director of Aging and Transportation. This appointment comes as part of the County’s restructuring of the Department of Community Services into two stand-alone departments: Housing and Family Services, and Aging and Transportation. From the county press release: “This position ultimately stems from the forward thinking of the County Commissioners who approached the idea of hiring a Chief of Aging a few years…

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October 2, 2025

County News / Environment / Health and Human Services / Parks and Recreation

Calvert County Parks & Rec Unveils New Orienteering Course

The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation announces the unveiling of a new orienteering course at Ward Farm Recreation & Nature Park in Dunkirk. The course was designed by Eagle Scout Seamus Casada of Troop 789. An orienteering course is a mapped route that guides participants through a series of checkpoints called controls, which participants must find using a map and compass. It is a sport that combines navigation, physical activity, and decision-making. The…

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October 2, 2025

County Budgets / County News / Education / Health and Human Services

Montgomery Expands School-Based Food Assistance to Support Thousands of Families

The Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR), in partnership with the Office of Grants Management (OGM), has awarded a total of $2,303,775 to 13 organizations through the FY26 School-Based Food Assistance (SBFA) Grant Program. From the county press release: “As a former teacher, I knew students who came to school hungry and relied on the meals they received there," said County Executive Marc Elrich. "That experience has always stayed with me, and it is…

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October 2, 2025