Program Structure
The Department of Planning and Quality 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
Planning and Quality 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) and is a group of jurisdictional-level stakeholders that includes Worcester County partners and community members. Worcester County LHIC membership is open to the public. More information about LHIC can be found by visiting Worcester County Local Health Improvement Coalition (LHIC).
Worcester County Local Behavioral Health Authority
Worcester Local Management Board
The Worcester 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's Office of Children and the Community Health Resource Commission.
Community Health Documents
The Planning and Quality Program produces data reports on the health needs of Worcester County. These reports are available and can be found here.
Quality & Accreditation
The Planning and Quality Program establishes and maintains agency accreditation, coordinates and facilitates quality improvement activities, provides staff training, and develops and maintains agency dashboard measures. Worcester County Health Department is accredited by The Joint Commission and the Public Health Accreditation Board.
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).
Planning Staff
Michael Trader
Director
Genet Burka
Consultant
Bibta Pradhan
Consultant
Jennifer Horsman
Office Secretary III
Jaclyn Sturgis
Administrative Officer III
Quality & Accreditation Coordinator
Jackie Ward
Health Planner III
