Author: Shelley Argabrite

We are moving into the New Year with an exciting new opportunity for our community! CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), approved a competitive grant application for the Garrett County Health Department in the amount of $92,986 in response to the 2021 Place-Based Strategies: Diabetes Request for Proposals. This award is in support of the GC In Motion proposal that is all about improving access and affordability of physical activity options for more people in Garrett County! Numerous partners were written into the funding some familiar and many new! We’re joining forces with additional service organizations, clubs, and non-profits to implement some great new ideas to increase health equity! Purchases of adaptive equipment, like wheelchairs built for rocky trails, and financial awards to each of our municipalities to make improvements for access in public parks/spaces are a few of the ways we’ll be giving back. Working together to keep moving, to eat as healthy as possible, and being good friends who support one another will keep us on our wellbeing track! Ensuring more affordability and opportunities for residents to choose the healthy option, first is one way we will continue to prevent, and manage chronic diseases in Garrett County. On this final working day of 2021, on behalf of the entire team, we are grateful for all of our partners and participants! You make the work we do meaningful, thank you! Please fill out the survey for the last quarter if you haven’t already. We use this data to inform our decisions and to get more funding! (It helped us get THREE new grants this year with a focus on diabetes) https://gogarrettcounty.com/survey-3-checkpoint/ Don’t forget about the awesome opportunity for our medical community, share it with your provider! An evidenced-based self study course with free CME’s for them and free membership to the Obesity Medicine Association. Check it out here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14jiCW1gaaDf1jAycSQbmiaeIko2nMB7ee8gpaeODq0E/edit

Opportunities abound during this autumn for the most beautiful walks of the year! Be sure to take a few extra minutes for yourself each day to enjoy the season. It’s proven that even a stroll can lift our moods and bring us more health when we do it consistently. Share your experiences, #steps, or favorite places to leaf peep with our wellbeing community during Walktober on gogarrettcounty.com!   In local public health, our mission is to promote, protect, and improve the health of individuals in Garrett County and those who visit! Shelley Argabrite, Health Strategist reminds us that health isn’t simply the absence of disease, but is a state of balance.  Health is an equilibrium of sorts that we establish in ourselves and between ourselves and our social & physical environments. (Sartorius N. The meanings of health and its promotion. Croat Med J. 2006;47(4):662-664.) To that end, the Garrett County Health Department has numerous programs and initiatives to help individuals and the community achieve the best health possible.  One of those initiatives has been creatively designed to encourage wellbeing and can be found at gogarrettcounty.com. The Population Health, Innovation, & Informatics Unit within the Garrett County Health Department seeks community champions and local resources to highlight on the platform and participants earn points for watching and interacting with the content to receive prizes that encourage healthy lifestyles. If you know of someone you would like to have highlighted on gogarrettcounty.com please email [email protected] for more information. October and November are the best times to get your flu shot! Please check out our website at garretthealth.org for the latest information on a vaccine clinic near you. Insurance providers, including Medicare Part B, will be billed as appropriate. Insurance cards should be brought to the clinic. There will be no out-of-pocket costs for the flu shot for anyone, regardless of insurance status. For more information about Garrett County community flu clinics, please visit: https://garretthealth.org/garrett-county-health-department-announces-seasonal-flu-clinic-schedule/ Finally, if you are interested in the GRMC classes mentioned in the video, you can learn more about this opportunity at: https://mygarrettcounty.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/GRMC-Promo.pdf

Summer is officially here! I’m Shelley Argabrite, Health Strategist for Garrett County inviting you to enjoy the outdoors with a brand new team challenge!  Our Well-being initiative found at GoGarrettCounty.com has just launched a virtual challenge led by Christie Elmilinger, a community champion, who is going to encourage us as we walk, hike, and bike our way the almost 2,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail!  If this is the first you’re learning about this, visit https://gogarrettcounty.com to sign up.  We’re awarding the first 25 sign-up’s a free pass to participate – valued at $69.95 – that covers your entry, medal, and apparel. Who knows? You may make some new fitness pals along the way! https://gogarrettcounty.com/join-us-for-the-appalachian-trail-virtual-challenge-3-prize-points/ We continue to highlight local businesses and are looking for more partners, so be sure to reach out to me with opportunities or resources you have to offer to our community, and we’ll get you featured on GO.  Membership is also ongoing, so if you haven’t signed up yet, do it today as a way to kick off your well-being journey this summer! If you are a member and are looking for ways to earn more points, we just launched our second well-being survey (https://gogarrettcounty.com/survey-2-well-being/). The information you share with us via the survey is anonymous and helps us keep a pulse on community health… plus, you’ll earn 50 prize points for about 60 seconds of your time!   In case you missed it, there’s a unique opportunity for young adults 18-24 to participate in a job training program that offers competitive pay, and a certificate to become a certified health care worker.  There are a few videos on the site, so be sure to check them out. For more information, contact Mary Keller at 301-334-8136 to learn more about signing-up for the program.  In an effort to promote healthy lifestyles and make it just a little bit easier to eat well, we’ve also added some new prizes to our prize store! My new favorite are the veggie boxes from Garrett Growers. Remember, you can spend your prize points instead of your cash! https://gogarrettcounty.com/product/veggie-box-from-garrett-growers/ For those of you interested in learning more about specific topics and the way programs and resources track the progress they make toward improving population health, I invite you to explore Garrett County’s planning tool, located here on MyGarrettCounty.com. Finally, you won’t want to miss the yearly Status of Health update for Garrett County (https://garretthealth.org/status-of-health/). Our Health Officer and staff prepared an informative presentation containing all of the latest data and trends in Garrett County health indicators. The most up-to-date federal, state, and local data have been presented with a section focusing on special insights that we have discovered from the Garrett County Digital Resource Guide (https://mygarrettcounty.com/garrett-county-resource-guide/).

March 22, 2021 Population Health Update Important Reminders and Links Make a commitment to get more physical activity this month! For practical advice on how to get started check out the blog post titled, Haley’s Top Ten Tips https://gogarrettcounty.com/haleys-top-ten-tips-3-prize-points/ Keela Pfaff was the random prize winner for the Kindle Fire and earned 25 extra points for her video submission for the Capture It! Campaign that just concluded. View her video here: https://gogarrettcounty.com/2021-go-outside-challenge-with-keela-3-prize-points/Be on the lookout 👀 for the Get Outside 2021 Spring Campaign!  Go! Garrett County is partnering with Garrett Growers, University of Maryland Extension, and the Western Maryland Food Council to help us eat more veggies! There will be redeemable tokens for the Veggie Boxes provided by Garrett Growers and a video series beginning in April on how to properly store and prepare the fresh produce. Be sure to check out the Western Maryland Food Council Conference starting later this week to learn more or to register at https://go.umd.edu/2021WMFCConference. The mission of the Health Planning Council is to be responsive to the needs of the community.  It’s a collaborative public group that meets monthly and shares informative and timely information. This week local guest speakers will address the prevention, intervention, and treatment of opioids in the County.  There will also be a COVID-19 update from Health Officer, Bob Stephens.  Please find the Google Meet link here, we hope you can join us: https://garretthealth.org/march-2021-health-planning-council-meeting-announced/ To help reduce chronic disease, letting go of tobacco classes will begin in April. Learn more about class locations, pharmaceutical aids, and instructor support by watching the video found here: (Coming soon!) The latest Action Group created on the Garrett County Planning Tool found @ mygarrettcounty.com originated as a collaborative effort of medical providers in the community who have an interest in reducing childhood obesity. The group is just beginning to lay out the goals, strategies, and how they will measure their progress. Other members who have programs and initiatives that also have that goal have been invited to join, so we can all work together.  Check out the brand new Healthy Weight Workgroup here: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/increase-adolescent-well-child-checks/healthy-weight-workgroup/ A major benefit of having a digital planning tool like the one found at mygarrettcounty.com is that it helps us not to duplicate efforts. The Garrett County Planning Tool is celebrating the fifth year of operation in Garrett County and continues to grow and serve the community. With powerful tools of transparency, creating and maintaining a community of collaboration is possible! 

Welcome to the third Population Health Update!GoGarrettCounty.com is about elevating the community and learning about the resources that are here for you! Everyone’s well-being journey is different, but what’s important is that we find what works for us. That’s why you will continue to see a variety of topics that we hope encourage you. More people are registering on GoGarrettCounty.com, and we’ve just hit our 200th participant mark! When you invite others to join, remind them to take the anonymous survey at registration. They get an extra 25 points and we need the data to serve you better! Here are the latest happenings from the community-led well-being program found at GoGarrettCounty.com: §  Free food that’s delicious and healthy, have lunch on us! https://gogarrettcounty.com/free-food-support-local-business-have-lunch-on-us-3-prize-points/ §  Deep Creek Lion’s Club, where Chris Nicolas talks about what it means to be a part of the largest service organization in the world and what that looks like in Garrett County. https://gogarrettcounty.com/deep-creek-lions-club-3-prize-points/ §  Go Outside & Capture It campaign began with the benefits of winter hiking along with safety tips and where to turn for help staying warm this winter. https://gogarrettcounty.com/go-outside-3-prize-points/ §  Our Health Officer, Bob Stephens was the first to submit a video talking about one of his favorite winter activities, cross country skiing- kicking off the call for others to submit their videos. https://gogarrettcounty.com/health-officer-bob-stephens-encourages-time-outdoors-3-prize-points/ §  Kathy Schrock gave an exclusive interview led by Fred Polce about Mountain Haven. https://gogarrettcounty.com/an-exclusive-interview-with-mountain-haven-3-prize-points/ §  Karen Devore taught us soft belly breathing techniques to find our calm.https://gogarrettcounty.com/soft-belly-breathing-with-karen-kamauff-devore-3-prize-points/ §  We got moving in a body sculpt class with Jen Sober at Fit With Jen Studio. https://gogarrettcounty.com/a-class-at-the-studio-fit-with-jen-3-prize-points/ §  Learned how to make homemade soup from Lisa McCoy. https://gogarrettcounty.com/fun-techniques-for-making-healthy-soups-3-prize-points/ Well-being has many aspects: improved nutrition with healthy recipes, stress relief, fitness, resources for mental health and recovery, volunteerism, and free food to help address food insecurities while supporting local businesses. These are a few we’ve covered for Pop Health Issue 3.  It does take a well-rounded community, rich with resources to meet a person right where they are on the well-being journey! Take action today and make one positive change for yourself. Like well-being, public health also has many aspects but they both have the same goal, improved health. The Garrett County Planning Tool helps us capture aspects of public health that may be easily overlooked. Here’s what’s been happening on MyGarrettCounty.com. Gillian Shreve uploaded a new file: Section D FY2020 Highlights and Achievements for the FY 2022 Garrett County Behavioral Health Plan of Operations to the group: Behavioral Health Authority. To see the group Behavioral Health Authority’s homepage: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/behavioral-health-authority/ To download the new document directly: https://mygarrettcounty.com?get_group_doc=243/1611868532-SectionDFY20HighlightsandAchievementsforcomment.docx Karl Schwalm posted an update in the group Child and Adolescent Wellness Workgroup: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/increase-adolescent-well-child-checks/ to keep people up-to-date in between meetings.  We invite you to Go to the discussion to reply or catch up on the conversation. Linda Costello scheduled a Painting event for Sunday, February 7, 2021, at 2 pm. If you would know a Southern Garrett High School Student that would like to do this please have them email [email protected]. Join the conversation in the IMPACT action group: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/garrett-county-maryland-2017-rwjf-culture-of-health-prize-winner/impact/ Additional grant opportunities posted by John Corbin here: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ Start a conversation with Les McDaniel about the Behavioral Health clinic in the action group: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/behavioral-health/ Home visiting services empower parents, at no cost, to give their child the best beginning in life! Check out Maria Friend’s work in the following action groups: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/early-care-programs-system-of-care/ https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/early-care-programs-system-of-care/early-care-programs-quality-improvement-decreases-smoking-improve-health-outcomes/ Mitzi Wiltison from Garrett Regional Medical Center updated the Ad Hoc Committee on Diabetes to begin tracking referrals from our GoGarrettCounty.com efforts into her diabetes programming. https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/health-planning-council/ad-hoc-committee-on-diabetes/   The Dental Care Center continues to see patients and update data in their action group: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/oral-health/garrett-county-hd-dental-care-center-28520238/ Visit garretthealth.org to keep up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 updates. Until next time, let’s keep extending kindness and look for ways to help our neighbors! 

Welcome to the second Population Health Update!GoGarrettCounty.com is about lifting each other up and learning new things. Your well-being is important to us and finding resources that inspire and encourage you to take good care is our aim! We are just shy of 150 new participants on GoGarrettCounty.com. We are thankful for each person that takes the time to participate. Never underestimate the power of your voice! You are valued and celebrated! GoGarrettCounty.com highlights: §  Simple, delicious cooking§  Feedback wanted for the Behavioral Health Authority§  Mindfulness as a concept§  Placing a hold at the Ruth Enlow Library§  GRMC’s Comprehensive Diabetes Education Programs§  Prize Winner, Crystal Cader and Meditation§  Next Prize pick up Jan 21, 2021 Garrett County Population Health Updates The Garrett County Planning Tool found at mygarrettcounty.com is the central hub for transparently tracking progress.   §  Funding Opportunities John Corbin started the topic USDA Seeks Applications for Grants to Support Rural Community Development in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ John Corbin started the topic Community Health Access and Rural Transformation (CHART) Model in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ John Corbin started the topic Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Expansion Grants in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ John Corbin started the topic Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ John Corbin started the topic Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ John Corbin started the topic Rural Health Care Telecommunications Program in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ John Corbin started the topic Rural Healthcare Connect Fund in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ John Corbin started the topic Equity-Focused Policy Research: Building Cross-Cutting Evidence on Supports in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ John Corbin started the topic Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ John Corbin started the topic Strategic Economic and Community Development Program in the forum Grant Development: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/grant-development/forum/ §  LaRena M. Naylor posted an update in the group Medical Assistance Transportation: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/transportation/medical-assistance-transportation/ §  Chelsie Dever posted an update in the group Overdose Response Training: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/opioid-intervention-team/overdose-response-training/ §  Heather Cooper posted an update in the group WIC Administrative Management: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/wic-administrative-management/ §  Heather Cooper posted an update in the group WIC Nutrition Increases Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/wic-nutrition-increases-fruit-and-vegetable-consumption-1738748979/ §  Sadie Liller posted an update in the group AddictionHappens.org – It can happen to anyone.: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/opioid-intervention-team/addictionhappens-org-it-can-happen-to-anyone/ §  Maria Friend posted an update in the group Improving Healthy Birth Weights: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/improving-health-birth-weights/ §  Tiffany Fratz posted an update in the group Administrative Care Coordination: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/administrative-care-coordination/ §  Kathaleen Skipper posted an update in the group Adult Evaluation and Review Services: AERS: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/h2h/adult-evaluation-and-review-services-aers/ §  Kathaleen Skipper edited the file: Meeting Minutes 8-24-20 in Workforce Development: Garrett County Health Department: https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/public-health-accreditation-board/workforce-development-garrett-county-health-department/ School nurses have also been highlighted as Jennifer & Jessica vlog about the COVID-19 vaccination process. https://mygarrettcounty.com/category/jennifer-jessica-explain-it-all/. Please keep up to date with the health department’s main website found at garretthealth.org for the most current information regarding vaccines. Let’s continue to cultivate a community of compassion and lift one another up as we move through this difficult time. Remember if you want to be highlighted next time, reach out to me. We would be delighted to showcase the way you improve well-being in our community.