Program Structure

The Planning, Quality, and Core Service Program ensures the health department accomplishes its mission by providing support in needs assessment, program planning, program monitoring and tracking, and improving the quality of health services. The program divides its work into the following functional units: Planning, Quality & Accreditation, Local Behavioral Health Authority, and Local Management Board.

Planning: tracks community health needs, organizes strategic planning, coordinates grant activities, protects patient rights through Institutional Review Board activities, and participates in a variety of health planning committees and councils.

The Worcester County Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) are developed by Worcester County Health Department with the assistance and advice of the Worcester County Local Health Improvement Coalition, partner organizations, and community members.

Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) are part of an ongoing broader community health improvement process that provides a framework to improve the health of the communities.

The Worcester County CHA and CHIP are developed by Worcester County Health Department with the assistance and advice of the Worcester County Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC), partner organizations, and community members. The Worcester County LHIC is part of the Maryland State Health Improvement Process (SHIP). Worcester County LHIC membership is open to public. 

For information call 410-632-1100 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Community Data: The Planning and Quality Program produces data reports on the health needs of Worcester County. These reports are available for download on this website.

 2023 Worcester County Opioid Community Response Plan

2022-2026 Community Health Improvement Plan

2021 Community Health Assessment 

2021 Worcester County, MD Heroin/Opioid Response Plan 5th Edition

2020 Community Themes and Strengths Assessment 

2020 Worcester County Heroin/Opioid Response Plan

2017 Community Health Assessment

2017 Community Health Improvement Plan

2019 Worcester County, MD Heroin/Opioid Community Response Plan

2018 Worcester County Health Department Annual Report

County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

Worcester County Network of Care 

Quality & Accreditation:establishes and maintains agency accreditation, coordinates and facilitates quality improvement activities, provides staff training, and develops and maintains agency dashboard measures.

• The Joint Commission: Worcester County Health Department’s behavioral program is fully accredited by The Joint Commission, which requires strict adherence to the highest standards of quality and safety in patient care.
  
  
  
• Public Health Accreditation Board: As of 2014, Worcester County Health Department has received additional accreditation, with a primary focus on the provision of top quality core public health services, under the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). 

Worcester County Local Behavioral Health Authority (formerly Core Service Agency): serves as the local behavioral health authority responsible for the planning and monitoring of mental health and substance abuse programming.

Local Management Board: brings together existing resources at the local level and uses them in innovative ways; ensures implementation of localized, inter-agency service delivery systems for children, youth, and families through a partnership with the Government Office of Children.

Worcester County Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC): is a group of jurisdictional-level stakeholders that includes Worcester County partners and community members. Worcester County LHIC membership is open to the public.