MARYLAND COLORECTAL CANCER CONTROL PROGRAM - The Maryland Colorectal Cancer Control Program (MCRCCP) will increase colorectal cancer screening rates among adults ages 45 to 75 years old who are served by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and community health centers (CHCs) that have low screening rates in Maryland. The MCRCCP will leverage key supporting partnerships and its experience implementing system-level changes to improve Maryland’s colorectal cancer screening rates and reduce colorectal cancer incidence, and mortality. In this five-year project period, MCRCCP will: 1) Facilitate the implementation of evidence-based interventions at FQHCs and CHCs across Maryland that reach populations known to have lower colorectal cancer screening rates. 2) Provide FQHCs and CHCs with guidance, tools, and resources to assess clinics’ readiness to implement evidence-based interventions and identify at least three evidence-based interventions to implement in each clinic. 3) Collaborate with partners to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in FQHCs and CHCs by: o Supporting implementation of evidence-based interventions; o Implementing community-based approaches and support services to reduce structural barriers (e.g. transportation) to colorectal cancer screening; o Providing resources to help patients complete colorectal cancer screening tests, follow-up colonoscopies, and treatment as needed; and o Sharing quality and data system improvement expertise. 4) Collect, assess, and monitor clinic-level colorectal cancer screening rates and other related data. 5) Collaborate with other Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded programs in the Maryland Department of Health to align and ensure coordination of cancer prevention and control efforts.
