“The Community Health Resources Commission is an important partner in Maryland’s ongoing efforts to expand access to health care in underserved communities,” commented Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor. “These grants will have a major impact in reducing health disparities.”
The CHRC is a quasi-independent commission within the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH). Its 11 members are appointed by the Governor. Over the last five years, the Commission has awarded 122 grants, totaling $31 million, supporting programs in all 24 jurisdictions of the state. These grants have collectively provided access to health care services to more than 138,000 Marylanders. In addition to its grantmaking activities, the CHRC jointly implements the Maryland Health Enterprise Zones (HEZ) Initiative with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and supports the State Health Improvement Process.
This year, the Commission will look for proposals for six types of projects:
(1) Promoting comprehensive women’s health services and reducing infant mortality rates;
(2) Expanding access to dental care;
(3) Supporting new access points and expanding primary care capacity;
(4) Functionally integrating behavioral health services;
(5) Building safety net provider capacity; and
(6) Preventing/reducing childhood obesity.
“The Commission is dedicated to addressing the greatest unmet health care needs in the community,” commented John A. Hurson, Chairman, Maryland Community Health Resources Commission. “We are looking to support programs that are innovative and sustainable.”
In recent years, the Commission has worked with DHMH to support programs that will help reduce infant mortality, expand access to dental care for low-income children, increase access to behavioral health services in the community, and invest in health information technology.
“The Department appreciates the work of the CHRC to increase the capacity of safety net providers to deliver care in the community,” commented Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Secretary, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. “The Commission’s grants will help support Maryland’s overall goals of improving health outcomes and controlling health care costs.”
Click here to access a copy of the Call for Proposals (FY 2014 CHRC Call for Proposals). A public conference call will be held on Thursday, October 31 at 10:00 a.m. to answer questions from potential interested applicants. The public may participate by calling 1.866.247.6034; Access Code: 4102607046. Letters of Intent are due to the Commission by 3:00 p.m. on November 7, and full grant proposals are due to the CHRC by 12:00 noon on December 3, 2013. Grant awards will be made by the CHRC in mid-January, 2014.
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