Infants & Toddlers Program Recognized with State Award for Excellence
Earlier this year, the Maryland State Department of Education’s (MDSE) Division of Special Education (Early Childhood Intervention & Education Branch) recognized the Allegany County Infants & Toddlers Program with an award for “Overall Excellence in Compliance and Performance Outcomes.”
Infants & Toddlers is a joint effort of the Board of Education of Allegany County, the Allegany County Department of Social Services, and the Allegany County Health Department in cooperation with local private providers working together to help meet the educational, emotional, social, and physical needs of children and their families. The goal of the program is to provide a variety of early intervention services for infants and toddlers up to three years of age with developmental delays. The program assists families in obtaining services needed for their children, including team evaluations, assessments, case management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, special instruction, family support network services, and support groups.
Children up to three years of age who are experiencing any delay in development or who have a diagnosed condition that has a high probability of delay may be eligible for the program. The ACHD employs three nurses who work in the Infant & Toddler Program and coordinate services for medically fragile and drug affected newborns.
Available services include the following:
- Assistive Technology
- Audiology
- Developmental Evaluations
- Health Services
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Parent Counseling/Training
- Physical Therapy
- Psychological Services
- Service Coordination
- Social Work Services
- Special Education
- Speech/Language Pathology
- Transportation
The state award which the program received is based on local data collected at least quarterly by the MSDE in order to measure local progress toward meeting federal and state performance standards. These rigorous standards were developed to ensure that children and families receive timely, appropriate, quality early intervention services in the child’s natural environment. The program is year-round and funded through local, state, and federal dollars. No fee is charged to families for participation in the program.
If you would like more information or have any questions concerning the eligibility of a child, please call Natalie W. Tenaglio, Program Coordinator, at 301-689-0466 or Benay Wharton, RN at the Health Department at 301-759-5081.
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2009 H1N1 FLU VIRUS
Information and Resources
First Case of H1N1 Identified in Allegany County
6-11-2009: Updated H1N1 Information from the
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm
Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home:
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
Additional Informational Resources:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): http://www.hhs.gov
Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH): http://www.dhmh.state.md.us
Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA): http://www.mema.state.md.us
World Health Organization (WHO):
http://www.who.int
Further flu information is also available at http://www.pandemicflu.gov
CDC 24/7 Information Hotline:
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
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HIV Testing
More than a million Americans are estimated to be living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and one-fourth do not know they are infected. Although HIV is preventable, every 9.5 minutes someone in the United States is infected with HIV, the virus that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine health care should include HIV screening for patients 13 to 64 years of age. People at high risk for HIV infection should be screened at least once a year.
Many people who are infected with HIV look healthy, feel fine, and do not have symptoms for years. The only way to know if you have HIV is to be tested. Knowing if you have HIV empowers you to prevent the spread of the disease and take steps to protect your health.
The Allegany County Health Department provides confidential HIV counseling and testing every Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a walk-in basis, or you can schedule an appointment by calling 301-759-5138.
For more information on testing, go to http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/testing/qa.htm.
For more information on the risk factors for HIV transmission and prevention, go to http://www.cdc.gov/nineandahalfminutes.
To find an HIV testing site near you, visit http://www.hivtest.org.
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Change in Traffic Pattern at Willowbrook Office Complex
Second Roundabout Now Under Construction
As many people in our area have already discovered, there is a new traffic pattern on Willowbrook Road in front of the Willowbrook Office Complex (WOC) and the new Western Maryland Health System hospital building, currently under construction. A roundabout opened at the south entrance to the building complex late last year, and work has now begun on a second roundabout which will be located at the north entrance to the new hospital and the WOC. This construction will affect vehicular access to the WOC, which currently houses the Allegany County Health Department and the WMHS Business Office.
The roundabout is a modern alternative to a traditional intersection and is designed to facilitate continuous traffic movement, allowing vehicles to safely enter and exit the new hospital and the WOC and Allegany County Health Department’s Brook Building without having to stop and wait for traffic to pass on Willowbrook Road. Because the roundabout is the first of its kind in the area, most residents are unfamiliar with the driving rules pertaining to roundabouts. In order to ensure the safety of all drivers using the roundabout, it is imperative that all drivers obey posted signs and traffic rules. Basic rules governing use of the roundabout are as follows:
- Vehicles ALREADY IN THE ROUNDABOUT have the right-of-way.
- Vehicles preparing to enter the roundabout MUST YIELD TO THOSE ALREADY INSIDE.
- Always reduce your speed when approaching roundabouts (usually 20-25 mph).
- Observe the marked crosswalk and always stop for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Move to the yield line and wait for an acceptable gap in traffic prior to entering the roundabout.
- Within the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision. You have the right-of-way over entering traffic. Always keep to the right of the center island and travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
- As you approach your desired exit, USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL and then take the exit. Maintain a slow speed. If you miss your exit point, simply drive around the circle again. You must use your turn signal when exiting at ANY point in the roundabout, even if you are continuing on Willowbrook Road. This lets other drivers waiting to enter the roundabout know if you are exiting the roundabout or continuing to drive in the circle.
- Emergency vehicles have the right of way in all cases, as they would on any other road or intersection.
- There is a wide paved “apron” around the middle of the roundabout which can be used for traffic in an emergency (i.e., to pull out of the way of an emergency vehicle, or to bypass traffic hazards in the roundabout, such as an accident).
The cooperation of all motorists in observing these basic rules will help to ensure the safety of everyone using the new roundabout. More information on roundabouts is available at the State Highway Administration website: http://www.marylandroads.com/safety/oots/roundabouts/index.asp.
Click here to download an application
WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?
During the 2007 Legislative Special Session, Governor O’Malley proposed and the legislature passed Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), the Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act. SB 6 expands Medical Assistance eligibility to parents with dependent children and other family members caring for children with incomes up to 116% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or about $20,500 annually for a family of three. As a result of this legislation, many more parents and other family members caring for children will be eligible for Medical Assistance.
WHO IS NOW ELIGIBLE?
On July 1, 2008, Medical Assistance benefits expanded to include comprehensive health care coverage for many more parents and other family members caring for children. Eligibility depends on family size and income. The income limit is about $20,500 annually for a family of three.
Click here to view income guidelines
WHICH BENEFITS ARE INCLUDED?
Parents and other family members caring for children can apply to receive free comprehensive health care coverage. Coverage includes:
• Doctor visits
• Visits with specialists
• Hospital stays and other services
• Low-cost or free prescriptions
HOW DO I APPLY?
For additional information or to obtain an application by mail, please contact one of the following Allegany County Health Department programs:
Administrative Care Coordination Unit at 301-759-5094 or
Eligibility Unit at 301-759-5076
Walk-ins are welcome.
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