Maryland Falls Prevention Program for expanding evidence-based strategies throughout the state in partnership with providers and community organizations to reduce injuries from falls. - The Maryland Department of Health Center (MDH) Center for Injury and Violence Prevention (CIVP) is applying for the Scaling Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs cooperative agreement issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Community Living (ACL). MDH CIVP will collaborate with state partners to scale the in-person, evidence-based Stepping On Program with the Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths & Injuries (STEADI) clinical intervention as part of a statewide multifactorial falls-prevention approach for older adults and people with disabilities in Maryland. The project will accomplish two goals: On a statewide level, increase participation among older adults and adults with disabilities in the Stepping On program and the STEADI clinical screening tool, while also building the capacity and resources needed to effectively serve the participants; and develop and disseminate section 508-compliant resources based on successes and lessons learned during implementation. The project will prioritize adults aged 60 and older, with particular emphasis on those aged 60–70, individuals with disabilities, and rural residents. MDH CIVP will lead a coordinated statewide clinical-community approach, in partnership with the Maryland Living Well Center for Excellence, to manage Stepping On implementation and fidelity monitoring, and with a healthcare provider to integrate STEADI into routine workflows and link referrals to Stepping On. MDH CIVP, with the Maryland Department of Aging and the Partnership for a Safer Maryland, will develop and disseminate Section 508-compliant resources and increase public awareness of fall prevention. This includes sharing tailored promotional and educational materials, workshop schedules, learning opportunities, and partner connections and resources. MDH CIVP will also collaborate with the Maryland Falls Free Coalition, Area Agencies on Aging, local health departments, healthcare systems, and community-based organizations to bolster participant engagement. Together, partners will expand statewide delivery capacity for Stepping On, implement STEADI screening and referral pathways, increase public awareness of falls prevention, strengthen the Maryland Falls Free Coalition, and improve access to culturally and linguistically appropriate falls prevention resources. Over the three-year project period, which spans from September 30, 2026 to September 29, 2029, the project will enroll up to 500 participants in Stepping On workshops, achieve an 80% program completion rate, expand the statewide network of certified leaders and delivery sites, strengthen healthcare-community referral systems, and improve participant knowledge, confidence, and behaviors related to falls prevention. To ensure the long-term sustainability of evidence-based falls-prevention services beyond the grant period, the project will maintain the necessary infrastructure to sustain statewide access. This will be accomplished by embedding STEADI into routine clinical practice, reinforcing strategic partnerships across Maryland's aging and healthcare networks, and leveraging diverse funding streams.
