Sunday, May 18, 2025
5/18/2025
Maryland's MRC STTRONG Application - The recipient, Maryland Department of Health – Office of Preparedness and Response, supports this two- year MRC-STTRONG project in collaboration with twenty-four local Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) units. The goal of the project is to improve MRC response readiness and capacity. The approach rests upon three main pillars: recruitment and retention, updating of the plan, training and exercise cycles and professional standardization. The objectives are: 1) recruitment and retention of volunteers with targeted community outreach; 2) advertising in the form of radio, digital and printed ads promoting the MRC program; 3) recognition of existing volunteers through a series of appreciation events; 4) revise existing plans to include MRC participation; 5) employ a regional training and exercise model allowing for the entire state to have the training necessary to bolster the readiness of their volunteers; and 6) standardize MRC member badging, identifiable uniforms and deployment equipment. The expected outcomes of this project are: 1) increased number of events for MRC Unit Administrators, increased outreach materials, and more individuals requesting information regarding the MRC program; 2) engagement with existing MRC volunteers and those interested in registering; 3) updated plans to include MRC participation; 4) increased metrics on the number of trained and deployable MRC volunteers; 6) increased number of onboarding sets to all deployable MRC volunteers; and 7) an MRC that projects a more professionally standardized appearance while deployed. The products from this project are: 1) routine metrics from local jurisdictions on activities that are sub-awarded; 2) quarterly reports highlighting the new registration and training numbers; and 3) a quarterly digital newsletter depicting events across all regional MRC units.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).