The St. Mary's County Health Department (SMCHD) is responsible for protecting and promoting the health of St. Mary's County. Within the scope of its resources, the health department delivers a variety of services to our community, based on local health needs and federal, state, and county regulations. As the county's leader in public health, our agency is committed to ensuring that residents have access to personal and community-based services and health information. The St. Mary's County Health Department promotes a healthy community by:-Empowering and informing our residents about public health issues-Strengthening community partnerships-Implementing culturally sensitive programs to assure public health access-Maintaining a safe and healthy environment-Monitoring health status to identify community health needs-Informing development of policies that address public health issues-Preparing for and responding to public health emergencies