The Partnership Means a Healthier Carroll County

Partnering with its community to achieve overall health improvement is perhaps one of the most important roles of a community hospital. In 1997, Carroll Hospital Center launched a unique initiative with the Carroll County Health Department and more than 40 community leaders to identify the areas needing most attention to achieve health improvement. Room for improvement in lifestyles and behaviors to prevent heart disease, stroke, cancer, interpersonal violence and substance abuse were identified. Access to physical and mental health care services was a challenge for many people, and youth and families needed attention too. Today, working with collaborative partners throughout Carroll County, The Partnership is reaching thousands of people and making a significant impact on community health. The Carroll Hospital Center underwrote nearly $342,000 in The Partnership’s operations in FY 2004.

Unique to this organization is the strong leadership role of the community. The Executive Council, composed of volunteer leaders from business, health care, human services, education and more, have developed a strategic plan based on community needs and improvement targets. Through the work of The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County, Carroll County is on its way to being a healthier community.

Some projects involving The Partnership in fiscal year 2004 include:

• The Clothesline Project: County-wide project to raise awareness of all types of violence through survivors’ personal stories.
• Seniors Keep in Touch (S.K.I.T.): Program that provides daily telephone checks for seniors living alone.
• Volunteer Carroll: A resource for organizations and volunteers to connect.
• The Faith Alliance: An interfaith coalition created to develop strong communities through the positive influences of faith.