The St. Mary’s County Health Department and other key community partners launched the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership (HSMP) in April 2013 to serve as the local health improvement coalition for St. Mary’s County. Since then, the HSMP Action Teams have worked each year to implement evidenced-based and innovative strategies to address the priority health issues in St. Mary’s County as identified by the current community health improvement cycle. We encourage you to click through this timeline to see all that the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership has accomplished over the years!
Skip to a year with the buttons below to learn more about HSMP’s accomplishments that year!
2013
HSMP Launched
The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership (HSMP) launched in April 2013 as part of Maryland’s State Health Improvement Process (SHIP). HSMP was established as the local health improvement coalition for St. Mary’s County, MD with public and private partners working together to address the priority health issues in St. Mary’s: Access to Care, Behavioral Health, Healthy Eating & Active Living, and Tobacco Free Living. The partnership also launched healthystmarys.com to engage community organizations and residents in working towards a healthier St. Mary’s County.
Community Conversations on Health
HSMP hosted a series of 7 Community Conversations on Health. The first 3 conversations focused on “What does good health mean to St. Mary’s County?”, “What are the health concerns
our community needs to address?”, and “What does a healthy community look like?”. The final 4 conversations focused on each of the local health priority areas. Conversations took place on the following dates:
April 29th
July 1st
July 22nd
May 29th: Tobacco Free Living
June 26th: Access to Care
Aug 12th: Healthy Eating & Active Living
Aug 28th: Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health Needs Survey
Launched as a follow-up to the Community Conversation in August. The questions addressed needs and possible action in five components of Behavioral Health: Prevention, Access to Care, Early Detection, Navigation, and Recovery & Wellness.
First HSMP Newsletter
HSMP launched its biweekly newsletter highlighting local action and resources related to priority health areas.
First Behavioral Health Action Team Meeting
2014
Drug Summit for Parents: An Open Discussion on Pills and Heroin in St. Mary’s County
Hosted by the Behavioral Health Action Team
St. Mary’s County Youth Drug Summit
The St. Mary’s County Youth Drug Summit was a free public event with special invitation to youth ages 12 to 18 and their parents. Event attendees had the opportunity to:
– Hear from a young person in recovery;
– Play Generation Rx, an interactive game about young people facing real-life decisions about opiate abuse;
– See and discuss the video “Falling,” made by and for youth about opiate abuse;
– Breakout education session for parents.
More to Explore Summer Program launched
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First Access to Care Action Team Meeting
The team initially launched a survey on what access to care barriers affect St. Mary’s County residents and began the strategic planning process for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
First Tobacco Free Living Action Team Meeting
The team began the strategic planning process for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
First Healthy Eating & Active Living Action Team Meeting
The team began the strategic planning process for the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).
Access Healthcare event
The Access Healthcare Event reached nearly 200 community members with information on accessing local services. Free vaccinations and HIV screenings were also offered.
New Funding
Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved funds to address substance abuse in St. Mary’s County. These FY 2015 non-recurring funds will be utilized by key BHAT partners to support local treatment and prevention initiatives
First Action Team Co-Chair Elections
The four action teams of the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership held elections to determine two Co-Chairs each during their respective meetings in November.
2015
HSMP Bylaws adopted
View the HSMP bylaws.
2015 Community Health Assessment for St. Mary’s County Published
View the report here.
Innaugural HSMP Annual Meeeting
View information on presentations and speaker information here.
FY 15 Funds utilized by BHAT partners for Substance Abuse Prevention and Control projects
– Department of Aging & Human Services (DAHS) and BHAT hosted a youth-led Drug Prevention Summit and a two-day Photovoice workshop to create a communications campaign which was distributed to each of the middle and high schools.
– DAHS also entered into an agreement with Basketball 4 L.Y.F.E. to provide life skills training and mentoring to youth in a community-based setting from June to August 2015.
– Walden Behavioral Health implemented SBIRT training locally.
– St. Mary’s County Local Qualitative Health Needs Assessment on Substance Abuse Prevention and Response/Opioid Misuse Prevention Assessment published
– Overdose Response Program for local law enforcement implemented.
Healthy St. Mary’s 2020 Published
HSMP had a Public Comment Period on the document April 28 – May 5, 2015 prior to the final plan being published. View the original community health improvement plan for St. Mary’s County here.
HSMP selected to participate in the CDC Community Health Improvement (CHI) Learning Collaborative
HSMP was one of 9 communities selected to participate in the CDC Community Health Improvement (CHI) Learning Collaborative. This learning collaborative took place from November 2015 – February 2016.
2016
Hosted Overdose Misuse Prevention Program (OMPP) Presentation
Kendall Wood, OMPP Coordinator, provided a presentation for the Behavioral Health Action Team on the local Overdose Misuse Prevention Program. View the presentation here.
Hosted Suicide Prevention Presentation
Serena Schreiber, Area Director for the Maryland Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provided a presentation for the Behavioral Health Action Team.
Hosted Town Hall Series on Underage Tobacco and E-Cigarette Use
The Town Hall Series was scheduled for the following dates to discuss:
Part 1: February 23, 2016 – “Underage Tobacco Use”
Part 2: April 21, 2016 – “E-Cigarette Use”
4 Part Drug Misuse Awareness Seminar
BHAT assisted the local school system in planning and hosting four drug awareness seminars in March and April targeting students, community members and St. Mary’s County Public Schools staff.
Healthy Food Drive Toolkit Launched and Hosted First Healthy Food Drive
The Healthy Eating & Active Living action team of the hosted the first Healthy Food Drive to support our local food pantries at the 33rd Annual Easter Egg Festival.
The Healthy Food Drive Toolkit is available here!
Hosted Integrated Health Literacy Program Presentation
The Access to Care Action Team hosted a presentation from the Integrated Health Literacy Program (IHLP) from Worcester County, Maryland.
Hosted Anti-Stigma Project Presentation
Jennifer Brown from On Our Own of Maryland provided a presentation on the Anti-Stigma Project for the Behavioral Health Action Team.
Community Walking Maps Published
View the maps here!
Developed the first HSMP Advocacy Agenda
2016 HSMP Annual Meeting
View information on presentations and speaker information here.
2017
Worked with the School Health Council on revisions to the School Wellness Policies
Launched Survey on Local Transportation Support Services
The survey was used to compile an inventory of local resources including: transportation
options/programs, # of vehicles, # of drivers, criteria for use, lift availability, seating capacity, and age of vehicles.
Hosted Presentation on St. Mary’s County Detention Center Mental Health & Substance Abuse Needs
View the presentation here!
Launched local suicide means restriction campaign
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Launched local suicide means restriction campaign
Learn more about the campaign here.
Presented to the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on the business case for tobacco-free grounds and drafted example policy language
Dr. Michaels presented to the Board of Health (County Commissioners) using the Tobacco Free Environments presentation that the Tobacco Free Living action team prepared. The Commissioners requested draft policy language to consider for implementation for the county government grounds.
Hosted Presentations on local opioid prevention and control initiatives and the transition of behavioral health programs to the Health Department
View the meeting minutes from these presentatinos here!
Participated in Design Thinking Process facilitated by the Community Transportation Association of America
Throughout 2017, the Access to Care Action Team worked with the Tri-County Council on a regional project to expand access to healthcare through innovative transportation solutions. This included stakeholder meetings and design thinking activities on June 27 and October 5.
Hosted a Brown Bag Learning Session about Complete Streets
The objective of this session was to improve knowledge and understanding of Complete Streets to inform future advocacy efforts by the HEAL team for the establishment of local complete streets policies.
Launched cyclist safety survey
This survey gathered data from local cyclists about the best and worst streets/roads for biking.
Launched local Smoke Free Holy Grounds campaign
Learn more about the campaign here.
2017 HSMP Annual Meeting
The 2017 HSMP Annual Meeting included learning sessions from distinguished speakers on various topics related to the four priority health issues facing St. Mary’s County as well as a poster session, local data review, and finally a special afternoon session on the Maryland Opioid Crisis.
HSMP Bylaws revised
Members present at the 2017 Annual Meeting vote unanimously to approve the revisions proposed by the Steering Committee.
Hosted Panel Discussion: LGBTQ Youth Suicide Risk & Prevention
The Behavioral Health Action Team (BHAT) hosted a panel discussion on suicide risk and prevention among youth and young adults that identify as LGBTQ.
2018
Provided technical assistance to the St. Mary’s County Government Human Resources Department for their proposal to the Commissioners on the implementation of Tobacco Free Government Grounds
Hosted Opioid Learning Series
This six part series was held every other Thursday at the Lexington Park Library beginning on January 11 and continuing on January 25, February 8 and 22, and March 8 and 22. Both the February 8 and March 22 featured a special concurrent session geared toward adolescents.
Hosted youth focus group to discuss perceptions on tobacco use
Launched the Lexington Park ArtsPark Survey
Collaborated with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to promote the “Seize the Awkward” campaign
Learn more about the campaign here.
Conducted a needs assessment among the local Hispanic population
The team participated in a Community Blitz walking door to door to collect survey responses on June 15, 2018. Survey responses were collected throughout the rest of June and July. View the survey results here.
2018 St. Mary’s County Community Health Assessment Update published
View the report here!
Wheels 2 Wellness Regional Transportation Project launched
The “Wheels to Wellness” project piloted in August 2018 with the AccessHealth and Calvert CARES patients and transportation provided by Center for Life Enrichment and the ARC.
Healthy Eating & Active Living action team supported planning efforts for the renovation of Wieck Playground at Miedzinski Park
The new playground opened on September 11, 2018!
2018 HSMP Annual Meeting
The 2018 HSMP Annual Meeting included learning sessions from distinguished speakers on various topics related to the four priority health issues facing St. Mary’s County as well as a healthy food drive.
Hosted an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Launched the Tobacco Free Living Jr Team at Great Mills High School
2019
Hosted Network of Care Presentation and Launched promotional campaign
Behavioral Health Action Team participated in a webcast with the Maryland Network of Care and developed a communications campaign to promote the resource to connect community members to local behavioral health resources
Advocated for Tobacco 21 law in Maryland
Tobacco Free Living Junior Team at Great Mills High School testified in favor of the Tobacco 21 bill at the House Economic Matters Committee Hearing. Tobacco Free Living Action Team and TFL Jr Team submitted letters of support for the bill to both the house and senate hearings.
Hosted Smoke Free Holy Grounds presentation
Bishop Larry Lee Thomas, the founder of SFHG provided an overview of the initiative and representatives of the TFL Action Team were present to discuss local resources and ways to get involved.
Healthy Food Drive at the 36th Annual Easter Egg Festival
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More to Explore Program Celebrates its 5th Year
Conducted youth mentoring needs assessment
The Behavioral Health Action Team worked with summer interns to conduct a youth mentoring needs assessment including collecting responses to a parent survey, conducting focus groups with middle school-aged youth, and conducting key informant interviews with youth mentoring program leaders.
Published Healthy Meeting Toolkit
Learn more about the toolkit here!
Hosted Youth Mentoring Round Table Discussion
This round table focused on identifying:
– Successful strategies and curriculums for mentoring programs
– Collective needs of local youth mentoring programs
– Opportunities for collaboration between BHAT partner organizations and youth mentoring programs
All St. Mary’s County Government parks & museums go Tobacco Free
2019 HSMP Annual Meeting
The 2019 HSMP Annual Meeting included learning sessions from distinguished speakers on various topics related to the four priority health issues facing St. Mary’s County as well as a healthy food drive.
Hosted a Tobacco 21 Town Hall event
The Tobacco Free Living (TFL) Action Team hosted the town hall in preparation for the new state law which went into effect on October 1 and raised the minimum age to purchase and use tobacco and electronic vapor products from 18 to 21 years of age.
Published Guide to Spanish Speaking Resources in St. Mary’s
View the guide here!
Launched Walk SMC
The Healthy Eating & Active Living Action Team partnered with St. Mary’s County Health Department and Recreation & Parks to launch the Walk SMC campaign and publish the Get Out and Walk SMC booklet.
Tobacco Free Living Jr Team completed Stanford University Peer Education Program on Vaping and E-Cigarettes and started the Johns Hopkins Lung Health Ambassador program
2020
All St. Mary’s County Government properties went Tobacco Free
Hosted 2 events for local youth mentoring programs
The first event, held on February 11 at the Lexington Park Library featured The New Roots Program. The second event was held virtually on November 10 and featured Maryland Mentor.
Launched Teens Against Nicotine podcast and social media campaign
Teens Against Nicotine is a peer-to-peer network and social media campaign run by students in the Tobacco Free Living Junior (TFL Jr) Team at Great Mills High School to promote healthy lung behavior and discourage smoking and vaping among young people.
2020 More to Explore Program launched completely virtual for the first time
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the St. Mary’s County Libraries were not open to the public. For the 2020 More to Explore Program, participants were only able to log sites via Beanstack.
Launched ‘Smoking & Vaping During COVID-19’ campaign
Developed and distributed the COVID-19 Hispanic Resource Guide
View the guide here!
Healthy Eating & Active Living Action Team participated in the Complete Streets Regional Analysis
View the final Calvert-St. Mary’s Metropolitan Planning Organization Complete Streets Plan here.
Awarded Community Health Resources Commission Supporting Local Health Improvement Coalitions (LHIC) and Implementing the Diabetes Action Plan Grant
Healthy Eating & Active Living Action Team members completed walk audits throughout St. Mary’s County and supported SMCHD Safe Routes to School program
Team members used the AARP Walk Audit Toolkit to complete walk audits on streets throughout St. Mary’s County.
Developed Mental Health Court Needs Report and sent to local officials
Read the report here.
Launched COVID-19 Facebook Quiz to address misinformation
Developed COVID-19 Physical Activity Resource Guide
View the resource guide here!
Published 2020 Community Health Assessment for St. Mary’s County
View the report here!
2021
Launched action teams for the 2026 health improvement cycle: Behavioral Health, Chronic Disease, Environmental Health, and Violence, Injury, and Trauma
Hosted “Global Crises: COVID-19 and Vaping – Learn How to Stop Both” Webinar Series
View the webinar recordings here!
Hosted Eat, Live, and Be Healthy Webinar Series
This webinar series focused on healthy eating and maintaining a physically active lifestyle. View webinar recordings here.
Launched Pre-Diabetes Awareness Campaign and offered free membership to ALIVE-PD program
TFL Jr Team created a video PSA and developed a video lesson for local 5th graders to teach them about the harms of vaping
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Published updated community health improvement plan, Healthy St. Mary’s 2026
View the plan here!
Conducted a local survey with behavioral health providers on trauma informed care trainings
Hosted FoodPlay’s ToBe Fit: Juggling Nutrition Magician Show virtually for local youth
ToBe Fit, The Juggling Nutrition Magician Show is a fun-filled performance that helps kids take charge of growing up healthy, happy, and fit! Featuring amazing feats of juggling, music, magic, and audience participation, ToBe Fit helps make good eating and active living, great fun!
2021 HSMP Annual Meeting
The 2021 HSMP Annual Meeting was the first ever virtual Annual Meeting. It included learning sessions from distinguished speakers on various topics related to the four priority health issues facing St. Mary’s County.
Hosted More than Sad: Suicide Prevention for Parents event
Learn more about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s More than Sad programs here.
The Behavioral Health Action Team developed an asset map and conducted a gap analysis of local youth and geriatric behavioral health resources
Read the gap analysis report here!
2022
Launched the 2022 Eat, Live, and Be Healthy Wellness Challenge
Learn more about the challenge here!
Awarded CareFirst Place-Based Strategies Diabetes Grant
This grant funding is supporting HSMP’s partnership with the Community Garden Advisory Board to build infrastructure for the Lexington Manor Passive Park Community Garden – scheduled to open Spring 2023!
Published St. Mary’s County Food Connection Map
the Environmental Health Action Team developed this Food Connection Map to help community members find food resources closest to them and address food insecurity.
Published St. Mary’s County Physical Activity Map
The Chronic Disease Action Team developed this Physical Activity Map to help community members find exercise opportunities they enjoy in the community.
Hosted When Dating Hurts Event
Learn more about the event here! To coincide with the event, a Virtual Book Club was also ofered throughout February to highlight key excerpts from Bill Mitchell’s book “When Dating Hurts.”
Awarded Local Health Department Funding for Overweight, Obesity, & Diabetes Strategies
This grant funding is supporting several HSMP projects related to gestational diabetes.
Hosted quarterly Adverse Childhood Experiences trainings
These trainings were held on March 15, June 7, September 28, and November 16.
Launched the HSMP Planning Tool, an interactive platform, on the HSMP website
Learn more about the planning tool and how to sign up for an account here!
Hosted “Get the Facts About Radon” event with Maryland Department of the Environment
View the recording here!
Presented the Environmental Health Action Team’s transportation priorities/goals to the Transportation Advisory Committee
Participated in Design Thinking Process for a local bike share program
View the notes from the Design Thinking Activity here!
Awarded Local Health Department Funding for Building Local Health Improvement Coalition Food Security Committees
This grant funding is supporting the work of the Food Security Subcommittee of the Environmental Health ACtion Team.
Hosted Community Baby Shower
This event offered giveaway items and door prizes, connected expecting parents to community resources and information relating to healthy eating and safe exercise during pregnancy, and included a prenatal yoga session, facilitated by Evolve Yoga & Wellness.
2022 More to Explore Program
5 new sites were added to the program this year!
Advocated for FDA proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars
The Chronic Disease Action Team submitted a letter of support during the FDA’s open comment period.
Hosted Safe St. Mary’s Summer Event
This event featured door prizes, pool games, and community resources related to health and programs for youth to participate in not only during the summer, but throughout the year!
Hosted Screenings of Paper Tigers
Each showing of the film, a documentary about a high school that has radically changed its approach to disciplining students, and in the process has become a promising model for how to break the cycles of poverty, violence, and poor health.will include a guided discussion for attendees after viewing and local resources on adverse childhood experiences.
Awarded 3 Community Organizations Mini-Grants through an RFP for physical activity groups for pregnant and postpartum women
The awardees will be required to implement a 6-week in-person or virtual physical activity group program for pregnant and postpartum women.
Launched Food Security Survey
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Launched telehealth booths at Lexington Park and Charlotte Hall Libraries
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