Annapolis, MD, June 26, 2003 -- The Anne Arundel County Department of Health has announced that due to reductions in state grant and county funds there will be changes in some of the County's public health services for Fiscal Year 2004. The Department's $45 million budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 reflects a $703,000 reduction in the Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund grants, a $118,000 cut in the State's Core Public Health Fund grant and $1.1 million less in County funds. In addition, the Department continues to await final funding awards for approximately 25 grants. If these awards are reduced, further program cuts are anticipated. The Department of Health's announcement about FY'04 is not in response to the recent State order regarding budget withholding. Health Officer Frances B. Phillips said, "The Department of Health will continue mandated health services that meet critical community needs, including communicable and chronic disease control, environmental health monitoring and emergency preparedness activities. However, the $2 million cut in funding will result in reduced and eliminated programs. While these cuts are unavoidable, concern for County residents and staff weighed heavily. The Department has carefully assessed services, developed strategies to minimize the impact on the community, and planned ways to avoid employee layoffs." Some of the major program changes resulting from the cuts are: State Fund - The Department will end its Moms and Tots parenting support program, which began in 1991. Over the past year, Moms and Tots served almost 300 County mothers and 400 children ranging from infants to 3 years of age.
- Screenings and treatment for colorectal cancer will end, while the Department will continue to support prevention and cancer awareness campaigns for colorectal, breast and cervical, prostate, and oral cancer; sun safety; and nutrition. Screenings and treatment referrals and subsidies for breast, cervical and oral cancer will continue.
County Funds - Only summer school programs that are mandated special education programs will have nurses. In previous years, public school summer programs had either a nurse or a health assistant on site. This summer, Department nursing supervisors will be available for consultation to schools.
- Some public elementary schools and middle schools will have fewer hours with nurses on site. There will still be one nurse at every high school and one health assistant at each public school.
- Pre-trial substance abuse assessments, which averaged 60 monthly, will be eliminated.
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