The Garrett County Local Management Board, The Maryland State Department of Education, Garrett County Department of Social Services, Garrett County Health Department, Garrett County Board of Education, Garrett County Community Action, Garrett County Judy Center, Garrett County Regional Medical Center, Garrett College, Dove Center, James Isaac House, Garrett County Lighthouse, Maryland Extension Office, Christian Crossings/Christian Coalition, Mountain Haven, Garrett County Rotary Club, Maryland Job Service, HART for Animal, Western Maryland Consortium Job Training, Appalachian Crossroads, Goodwill, House of Hope, Burlington- United Methodist, Ruth Enlow Library, Maryland Bar Lawyer Referral, Legal Aide, Veteran of Foreign Wars, Habitat for Humanity, Lions Club, Allegany College of Maryland, DORS, Oak Park Church of the Brethren, Warm the Children, Garrettland, Guardian Apartments, Meadow View Apartments, Mountain Laurel Federally Qualified Health Center, District Court/Public Defenders, Gail Smith, MCHP, Loch Lynn Church of God, Cornerstone Church, Bethel UMC, MLP.

The Garrett County Early Care Healthy Families program provides ongoing home visits from registered nurses and trained paraprofessionals to low-income, at-risk mothers and families.  Through home visitation, these families receive the care and support they need to have a healthy pregnancy, provide responsible and competent care for their children, and become economically self-sufficient.  Early Care Healthy Families is a key component of the Early Care System of Care (ECSOC) at the Garrett County Health Department.  ECSOC serves as a centralized intake for family support programs.  The program provides one single point of entry for access, assessment, and referral to local family support services for expecting families and families with newborns who reside in Garrett County.  Healthy Families Garrett County is an accredited program that implements evidence-based home visiting services according to Healthy Families America (HFA) Best Practice Standards (BPS).  The mission of the Early Care Healthy Families program in implementing the evidence-based curriculums is to enhance family functioning and promote child health and development by creating for all prospective and new parents' home-visiting support at their level of need and/or desire.

The Early Care Healthy Families program includes; at-risk pregnant mothers and families with newborns up to age three months, who reside in Garrett County, meet Healthy Families America assessment criteria, and meet one or more of the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services priority areas.

1.  Reducing the impact of parental incarceration on children, youth, families, and communities;

2.  Reducing youth homelessness;

3.  Improving outcomes for disconnected/opportunity youth;

4.  Reducing childhood hunger;

5.  Increasing opportunities for community-based programs and services for youth (including diversion) and/or,

6.  Preventing out-of-State placements

Highlights for FY23:

• Accreditation:  Healthy Families Garrett County was expedited through the re-accreditation process in good standing through June 2027.
• Program Update:  Early Care Healthy Families program served 83 families in FY23 with 1,133 home visits completed.  96% (80/83) met at least one (1) of the "Strategic Goal Populations" while 48% (38/80) met more than one (1) of the goal populations.
• Outreach Events:  Three outreach events took place in the second half of FY23 including a Community Baby Shower hosted by the Judy Center, the Health Fair at the Garrett County Fairgrounds, and a School Readiness Fair sponsored by the Judy Center.
• Socialization:  Beginning in the 4th quarter an online graphic design tool, Canva, was used following each socialization to make a short video of the event.  The videos were shared on the Health Department website each month from April - June.  Little Mover events included a hayride, a petting zoo, and searching for painted rocks.
• Cooking Project:  New recipes for the second half of the fiscal year included any-time pizza, hard-boiled eggs and avocado toast, and creamy tomato and spinach pasta.  Incentives for families included a budget binder, kitchen towel, medium bowl, piggy bank, whisk, and garlic press.
• FES Update:  43 individuals served; 18/43 (42%) did not have a high school diploma at intake, 12 received services to assist in moving towards a high school diploma, 3 enrolled in online high school programs, 1 obtained a high school diploma through GED testing; 17/43 (40%) received services to promote or link to training, 1 enrolled in dental assistant program and completed an externship, 1 completed the red hat mining certification training, 1 enrolled in online chiropractor pre-requisite program, 1 enrolled in CCMA course, 1 enrolled in ED2Go Financial Education course, 1 completed online childcare courses and obtained employment in a daycare, 1 is taking online classes at Garrett College, 1 enrolled in Liberty University online, 1 completed Grammer for English as a Second Language through ED2Go, 5 remained in process at the end of FY23, 3 are no longer pursuing an education goal.
• Reducing Childhood Hunger:  Food Security Screening and Referral:  Assessment is conducted on enrollment, annually, as needed.  Referrals are ongoing (SNAP, WIC, Food Banks, Brown Bag, Free Meals, Public School Summer Meal Program, etc.). Education is provided throughout the course of services through curriculum and other material (verbal and written) on nutrition, accessing resources, and stretching food dollars.  Grocery Cards & formula are available through MIECHV American Rescue Act funds.  This includes pre-paid grocery cards to Shop N Save Oakland, Shop N Save McHenry & Casselman Grocery.  Formula is available in the office.  The Cooking project is offered monthly to families screening positive on the food security screening and those who have an employment/education goal.

Highlights for HFY1 23: 

• New Client Enrollment:  There was a 150% increase in new family enrollment during the second quarter.  Five (5) new enrollments occurred in the first quarter and fifteen (15) in the second.  
• Program Update:  Early Care Healthy Families program served 63 families in the first quarter of FY23 with 550 home visits completed.  95% (60/63) met at least one (1) of the "Strategic Goal Populations" while 47% (28/60) met more than one (1) of the goal populations.
• Accreditation:  Healthy Families Garrett County accreditation process has begun with a review scheduled for February 26-28th, 2023.
• Outreach Events:  Five (5) Community Block Parties took place during the first quarter of FY23 where Healthy Families staff shared program brochures, a safe sleep display, and car seat installation tips.  
• Cooking Project:  This project is now a 12-month program including a PowerPoint lesson on financial goal planning and family mealtime engagement suggestions as well as budget-friendly recipes.  
• Socialization:  "Little Movers" continues into the 2nd quarter with events occurring monthly.  The December event was "Winter Wonderland Fun" and was held at the Garrett County Health Department.
• FES Update:  36 individuals served;  15/36 (42%) served do not have a high school diploma; 12 received services to assist in getting a high school diploma, 5 are under 18 years of age - homeschooling; 12/36 (33%) received services to promote or link to college/training; 20/36 (56%) face transportation barriers; 18 received assistance in working towards and/or obtaining a driver's license; 21/36 (58%) are employed; 14 assisted with employment through job searches, gas cards, application assistance, and obtaining work clothing.

FY23:   HFGC continues to operate under the HFA Policy on Disease Outbreak and Health Crisis which allows virtual visits.  The majority of home visits were conducted face-to-face during the first and second quarters of FY23.  Supervisors are attempting to complete as many missed visits as their schedule allows when staff is out with COVID or on extended leave.  In an effort to boost staff satisfaction, HFGC is reviewing telework options.  A Remote Work Survey was sent to staff in December 2022 to obtain feedback on options and to learn more about how home visit completion would remain a priority even during remote working.  The results of the survey will be reviewed at the January 2023 staff meeting.