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​Health Equity Resource Communities​

Health Equity Resource Communities

The HERC Programs are open for enrollment! Please help us raise awareness about these programs among those who may benefit from assistance. For enrollment information and a description of program services, click HERE.​


​The 12 Health Equity Resource Communities (HERC) grantees​ awarded by the CHRC the 5-year program implementation period began July 1, 2024, and will continue through June 30, 2029.  Programs provide clinical interventions and social determinants of health (SDOH) support for marginalized populations across the state, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, social isolation, maternal and child health, substance abuse disorder, obesity, childhood vaccination and elder care.  Programs provide clinical interventions and social determinants of health (SDOH) support for marginalized populations across the state, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health, social isolation, maternal and child health, substance abuse disorder, obesity, childhood vaccination, sickle cell disease and elder care.


HERC-funded programs have already served more than 13,000 Marylanders through more than 41,000 visits/encounters. More than 2,100 individuals have been connected to primary care physicians. Grantees completed more than 8,200 referrals to address non-medical, social determinant of health (SDOH) needs, including food security, housing, transportation, and ​other needs. Programs have also connected more than 2,100 individuals to primary care, facilitated over 8,200 referrals to address social determinants of health, expanded services through 43 new or enhanced care sites, and generated steady hospital cost savings through reduced emergency department and inpatient utilization. Together, these efforts are strengthening local health systems, improving health outcomes, and advancing health equity across 255 ZIP codes in 14 Maryland jurisdictions​​

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​“The Maryland Health Equity Resource Act,” approved during the 2021 legislative session, provides significant new grant funding and state resources for local communities to address health disparities, improve health outcomes, expand access to primary care and prevention services, and help reduce health care costs. The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) will implement this Act with the assistance of the Health Equity Resource Community (HERC) Advisory Committee, the Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, and Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP).