Community Health Needs Assessment
Our regular Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) process for Carroll County is a vital step in making informed and competent plans to address Carroll’s unique health improvement needs.
The most recent CHNA for Carroll County included information from community members about their health knowledge, conditions, behaviors, and needs, such as chronic diseases and ability to access to health care. Instead of conducting the community survey by telephone, as in previous assessments, the information was gathered via online survey and other community outreach efforts.
Input was collected from a wide range of community and business leaders, representatives of health and human service agencies, and health care providers. In addition, specific high-risk and minority groups were contacted for information about general health issues, health care access, and the impact of social determinants of health.
Health needs assessment and planning has been a signature activity of The Partnership since it was founded in 1999. Completing a CHNA at least every three years became a federal requirement with the Affordable Care Act of 2010.
CHNA REPORTS & Health Improvement Plans
CHNA Background
The Partnership is the organization responsible for assembling timely, relevant information to assist us all in achieving the highest level of health possible for our community. This work is central to our Mission to build the capacity of individuals and organizations to improve the health and quality of life in Carroll County – as shown in the following CHNA background.
Timeline
Timeline
1996 – A 40-person Steering Committee to lead a CHNA project as a collaborative initiative by Carroll Hospital, Carroll County Health Department, and Carroll County Government,
1997 – First major CHNA project for Carroll County completed,
1998 – Eight priority need areas identified (Core Health Improvement Areas),
1999 – The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County, Inc. formed to lead Hospital, Health Department and community-wide health improvement efforts,
2003, 2006, and 2008 – major CHNA updates led by The Partnership,
2006 – Ongoing data tracking system, Healthy Carroll Vital Signs, established,
2012 – Second comprehensive CHNA project and prioritization process: 4 main community health improvement focus areas identified,
2013 – Our Community Dashboard added to local data tracking resources,
2015 – Third comprehensive CHNA project completed,
2018 – Fourth comprehensive CHNA project completed.
2021 – Fifth comprehensive CHNA project completed.
2024 – Sixth comprehensive CHNA project completed.
Other Facts and Developments
Other Facts and Developments
- Federal Health Care Reform Legislation, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, requires hospitals nationwide to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment every 3 years,
- State of Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission regulations also incorporate ACA elements regarding required Community Health Needs Assessment,
- The IRS requires that the IRS Form 990 completed by hospitals annually include evidence of Needs Assessment-based community benefit planning.
- In 2011, the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene established a State Health Improvement Process (SHIP) to be carried out with local hospitals and health departments; the Process includes analysis of local needs and review of data for 39 health indicators (with local data) to guide the Local Health Improvement Process.
Resources
Our regular Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) process for Carroll County is a vital step in making informed and competent plans to address Carroll’s unique health improvement needs.
The most recent CHNA for Carroll County included information from community members about their health knowledge, conditions, behaviors, and needs, such as chronic diseases and ability to access to health care. Instead of conducting the community survey by telephone, as in previous assessments, the information was gathered via online survey and other community outreach efforts.
Input was collected from a wide range of community and business leaders, representatives of health and human service agencies, and health care providers. In addition, specific high-risk and minority groups were contacted for information about general health issues, health care access, and the impact of social determinants of health.
Health needs assessment and planning has been a signature activity of The Partnership since it was founded in 1999. Completing a CHNA at least every three years became a federal requirement with the Affordable Care Act of 2010.
CHNA REPORTS & Health Improvement Plans
CHNA Background
The Partnership is the organization responsible for assembling timely, relevant information to assist us all in achieving the highest level of health possible for our community. This work is central to our Mission to build the capacity of individuals and organizations to improve the health and quality of life in Carroll County – as shown in the following CHNA background.
Timeline
1996 – A 40-person Steering Committee to lead a CHNA project as a collaborative initiative by Carroll Hospital, Carroll County Health Department, and Carroll County Government,
1997 – First major CHNA project for Carroll County completed,
1998 – Eight priority need areas identified (Core Health Improvement Areas),
1999 – The Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County, Inc. formed to lead Hospital, Health Department and community-wide health improvement efforts,
2003, 2006, and 2008 – major CHNA updates led by The Partnership,
2006 – Ongoing data tracking system, Healthy Carroll Vital Signs, established,
2012 – Second comprehensive CHNA project and prioritization process: 4 main community health improvement focus areas identified,
2013 – Our Community Dashboard added to local data tracking resources,
2015 – Third comprehensive CHNA project completed,
2018 – Fourth comprehensive CHNA project completed.
Other Facts and Developments
- Federal Health Care Reform Legislation, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010, requires hospitals nationwide to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment every 3 years,
- State of Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission regulations also incorporate ACA elements regarding required Community Health Needs Assessment,
- The IRS requires that the IRS Form 990 completed by hospitals annually include evidence of Needs Assessment-based community benefit planning.
- In 2011, the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene established a State Health Improvement Process (SHIP) to be carried out with local hospitals and health departments; the Process includes analysis of local needs and review of data for 39 health indicators (with local data) to guide the Local Health Improvement Process.