Early Care Receives Recognition

The Healthy Families Garrett County program received the 2019 Maryland Department of Health Exceptional Team Performance Award, which recognizes outstanding teamwork within a group of employees who made significant, observable changes, and accomplishments in public health.  Healthy Families Garrett County (HFGC) is a program of the Local Management Board located in the Early Care Programs unit at the Garrett County Health Department.

Early Care Programs provide an array of family and children services including the HFGC home visiting program. The Early Care team received this recognition as a result of their dedication to improving the lives of families and children throughout the community.  In Fiscal Year 2018 Early Care Programs HFGC developed an action plan, implemented additional program strategies, and in Fiscal Year 2019 was awarded funds to serve additional families under the Evidence-Based Home Visiting for High Risk Pregnant and Women and Children up to Age 2 Pilot Program Expansion opportunity. Expansion services were initiated July 1, 2018, and continue for Fiscal Year 2020.   

“I am so proud of the Healthy Families staff,” said Health Officer Bob Stephens. “Through their teamwork and determination, and the assistance of the IT and finance staff, they are now able to enroll additional high-risk families and provide high-quality home visiting services. It involved a lot of additional up front work, but it’s providing a great benefit to the citizens of Garrett County.”

The evaluation committee said the team met the criteria for the award by demonstrating extraordinary team spirit, making significant and observable changes or accomplishments, and providing exceptional service and support beyond normal job requirements.

“We are truly blessed to have so many hard working and compassionate staff who make a difference each day in all of our programs and services,” Stephens said. “It is wonderful that the Healthy Families Team is receiving this recognition from the Maryland Department of Health.”

Several representatives from Healthy Families will be accepting the award at the Maryland Department of Health Employee Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, June 20, in Baltimore.

Cutline:

The Healthy Families Garrett County Team has received the 2019 Maryland Department of Health Exceptional Team Performance Award. Healthy Families is a part of Early Care Programs at the Garrett County Health Department. Pictured above from right to left front row – Marilyn Kight, MCHP; Natasha Coddington, MCHP; Morgan Sanders, Family Support Specialist; Deb House, MCHP; second row – Alisha Martin, MCHP; Lacy Coffren, Community Health Nurse; Tonya Beckman, Family Support Specialist; Michelle Ford, Community Health Nurse Supervisor; Marcia Ashby, MCHP; Theresa Cavalier, HFGC; back row are Bonnie Paugh, MCHP; Maria Friend, Early Care Programs- Program Director; Caroline Shiflett, Community Health Nurse; Hailey Knotts, MCHP; Erin Marsh, Community Health Nurse; Karen Keefer, Coordinator of Special Health Services; Jennifer VanPelt, Community Health Nurse.  Not available for the photo was Joanne Roberts, Community Health Nurse; Jessica Cummings; Community Health Nurse; Katie Welch, Community Health Nurse Supervisor; Karen Matthews, Community Health Nurse;  James Browning, IT; and  Tammy Skiles, Fiscal Administrator.

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department