The Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers (MACHC) is dedicated to assisting Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Maryland and Delaware as well as other community organizations in emergency preparedness preparation. To that end, over the last six years MACHC has dedicated time and resources to bio-terrorism and emergency preparedness activities. During this time period we have received increased funding from both Maryland and Delaware Departments of Health to assist our members and other health professionals in emergency preparedness activities. Moreover, we have assisted our members in receiving direct access to regional special project grants around H1N1 activities and Point of Dispensing projects.

In addition to funding increases, we have gained remarkable presence within both states as viable resources to assist in scenario planning and participation in full scale and simulated exercises. MACHC has a seat on both states Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness Planning Steering Committees. Health centers are being considered as dispensing sites in Delaware relative to the state plan. In Maryland, health centers are being considered as a viable resource to hospitals to assist with surge capacity. MACHC is at the forefront of discussion with state officials and county officials in shaping the role of health centers in the emergency preparedness planning.

MACHC continues to create value to our membership providing enhanced technical assistance training on emergency preparedness and assisting our membership in participating in state and local simulated and full scale bio-terrorism activities. Moreover, through leverage state funds and fostering key relationships, MACHC is ensuring that health centers are included in emergency response planning at both the state and local levels.

For more information on the associations emergency preparedness activities please contact Aniekan Ebitu at [email protected] or call 301-577-0097