Healthy St. Mary’s Elections in November

Posted for Medstar St. Mary’s Hospital

The four action teams of the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership (Access to Care, Behavioral Health, Healthy Eating & Active Living, and Tobacco Free Living) will hold elections to determine two Co-Chairs each during their respective meetings in November.

The Access to Care Action Team addresses care barriers in St. Mary’s County and contributes to the strategic planning to provide access in the local health improvement plan. The Access to Care Action Team in a community is critical to promoting the health of its population.

Several factors influence how well residents can access the health care they need; these include:

• Availability of health care providers – primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, and dental
• Residents’ access to affordable health care, needed medications, health insurance, and the availability of health care providers that take their health insurance
• Reliable and easily accessed transportation to health care providers and institutions
• Cultural sensitivity of health care providers and the ability of residents to understand their health needs and health plan of action

The Behavioral Health Action Team is dedicated to improving behavioral health outcomes in St. Mary’s County, including those related to mental health and substance abuse prevention and control. The action team is currently assessing behavioral health needs and identifying strategies to address these needs for inclusion in the behavioral health portion of the local health improvement plan.

The BHAT Parent Education work group met over the summer to identify parent education opportunities available in St. Mary’s County throughout the current school year. The identified opportunities provide parents with knowledge and skills to prevent substance abuse, mental illness, and other adverse childhood experiences in their families. The work group is happy to provide, on request, several sets of materials free to the community. Click here to download materials or contact Matthew Reisdorph to order at 301-475-4200, ext. 1681 or [email protected].

The Healthy Eating & Active Living action team brings together community organizations, residents and other community coalitions to coordinate their actions around healthy eating, active living, and weight management.

The HEAL action team is currently assessing community needs. Across the next few months the team will select objectives, identify evidence-based strategies to address needs, and collaboratively implement strategies that work to improve community health.

The next HEAL action team meeting will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2014 from 1:00 – 2:30 PM at the Department of Land Use & Growth Management.

The Tobacco Free Living Action Team addresses the number one cause of preventable deaths in this country: use of tobacco products and exposure to second-hand smoke.  Community-level action is needed to most effectively help tobacco users quit use of cigarettes and other tobacco products, prevent youth and others from starting to use tobacco products, and help nonsmokers avoid exposure to second-hand smoke. The team has begun the strategic planning process for the Tobacco Free Living portion of the local health improvement plan.

St. Mary’s County Health Department offers FREE Smoking Cessation classes and other resources for individuals who are ready to quit tobacco. Call 301-475-4074 or click here for more information or to enroll in the following session: Oct. 28 – Dec. 16, Tuesdays 6 – 7 pm at St. Mary’s County Health Department

Selected Co-Chairs will represent their action teams on the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership Steering Committee.  Click here for more information on the position of Co-Chair or to submit a nomination. Descriptions of co-chair duties are listed below.

Nominations for co-chairs may be submitted online from now until Nov. 4. You must be present at the November meeting of your action team if you would like to vote. November meeting dates for three of the teams have been set:

Behavioral Health Action Team, Nov. 10, 5:30 – 7  pm, at the Lexington Park Library.

Access to Care Team, Nov. 18, 3 – 4 pm, at the St. Mary’s County Health Department.

HEAL Action Team, Nov. 20, 1 -2 pm, the Potomac Building at the Governmental Center in Leonardtown, MD.

The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership is seeking representation from local organizations, agencies, and individuals who are interested in supporting the mission and collaborative process. Membership opportunities include:

• Networking and collaboration with others committed to health improvement in St. Mary’s County
• Participation in local efforts to make a difference in public health
• Professional education and information
• Public recognition of participation and support

Most importantly membership provides the opportunity to help build a healthier St. Mary’s, providing the foundation for healthy community and economy.

Joining the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership is free, and we welcome interest from any interested organizations or community members. To become an official member access the Membership Form here.

Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership Action Team co-chairs:

Job Description:
§ Serve as liaison for the Action Team to Steering Committee and overall HSMP
§ Determine Action Team meeting dates and times (with assistance from Coalition Coordinator)
§ Develop Action Team agenda (with assistance from Coalition Coordinator)
§ Serve as moderator of Action Team meeting
§ Designate a recorder for each Action Team meeting
§ Contact and coordinate with members about Action Team responsibilities (with assistance from Coalition Coordinator)
§ Maintain/expand current membership (with assistance from Coalition Coordinator)
§ Represent HSMP in the community
§ Consult with Coalition Coordinator as needed
§ Promote collaboration, conflict resolution and decision-making
§ Be open to diverse opinions and points of view

Time Commitment:
§ Attend Action Team meetings, Steering Committee/HSMP meetings and major events
§ One-year availability

Qualifications:
§ Ascribe to HSMP mission, goals and bylaws
§ Possess strong leadership and organizational skills
§ Be familiar with or willing to learn principles of parliamentary procedure