Maryland Community Health Resources Commission Provides Grants to Serve Vulnerable Residents and Promote Health Equity – State of Reform

The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) has voted to approve a total of 17 grants totaling $7.2 million to support innovative, replicable, and sustainable projects across the state that will serve vulnerable populations and promote equity in matter of health. These programs are expected to serve more than 6,600 residents across the state of Maryland.

Grants awarded in fiscal year 2022 by the CHRC support three types of projects: (1) addressing the prevention and management of chronic diseases, including diabetes and its comorbidities, hypertension, heart disease and others ; (2) promoting behavioral health and the ongoing impact of the opioid crisis; and (3) promoting maternal and child health services.

“The Board congratulates these 17 nominees for developing these important programs,” said CHRC Chair Ed Kasemeyer. “These grants will help make needed investments in underserved communities across our state.” Since its inception in 2005, the CHRC has awarded 665 grants totaling $119.1 million, supporting projects in every jurisdiction in the state. These projects have collectively served more than 517,000 Marylanders.

“I appreciate the Commission’s focus on the state’s top health priorities,” said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “The Commission has been an invaluable partner in our state’s ongoing efforts to address diabetes and the ongoing impact of opioids.”

CHRC’s FY2022 Request for Proposals generated 48 requests requesting a total of $27.7 million. For more information on the 17 grants awarded by the CHRC through this year’s call for proposals, please visit the CHRC website at: https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/Pages/home.aspx. The Commission will start preparing the next annual RFP (for FY2023) later this fall. Further details will be posted on the Commission’s website at: https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/Pages/notices.aspx.

In addition to its regular competitive bidding, CHRC also implements the Maryland Health Equity Resource Act. For more information on the health equity programs awarded under this program, click here: https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/Pages/herc.aspx.

This press release was provided by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission.