OFFICE OF MATERNAL HEALTH AND
FAMILY PLANNING

Polly Harrison, M.D., Director

201 W Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 225-6721

The Office of Maternal Health and Family Plan-
ning was established as the Office of Maternal and
Child Health by the Department in 1987. The
Office was renamed by the Department in 1988.
The Office is responsible for two divisions: Hered-
itary Disorders; and Family Planning.

DIVISION OF HEREDTLAKT DISORDERS
Susan R. Panny, M.D., Chief 225-6730

DIVISION OF FAMMX PLANNING
Andrew T. Wiley, M.D., M.P.H., Chief 225-6713

WIC OFFICE (SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL
FOOD PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS,
AND CHILDREN)

Joan Salim, Acting Director

Hecht Towers, 7th floor
118 N. Howard St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 333-3200

Created by the Department in 1985, the WIC
Office administers the Maryland Special Supple-
mental Food Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) under federal law (P.L. 95-627).
The WIC Program provides health and nutrition
services, including supplemental foods, to eligible
individuals. The Program serves pregnant, postpar-
tum and breast-feeding women; infants, to one year
of age; and children, to their fifth birthday. To be
found eligible, an individual must be in one of the
covered categories, meet income eligibility require-
ments, and be at nutritional risk.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
the Program is administered by the WIC Office
through grants to twelve local agencies that serve
the entire State. Each local agency determines re-
cipient eligibility, prescribes individually determined
food packages, provides nutrition education, pre-
pares required records and reports, and issues food
instruments (negotiable checks used in exchange
for approved foods). The WIC Office is responsible
for ensuring that Maryland's Program accords with
federal regulations, guidelines, and instructions.

STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INFANT
MORTALITY

not yet appointed

The State Advisory Council on Infant Mortality
was created within the Department in 1988 (Chap-
ter 228, Acts of 1988). The Council advises the
Department on ways to reduce infant mortality,

Department of Health & Mental Hygiene/267

improve prenatal care, and reduce incidence of low
birth weights. The Council also advises the Gover-
nor regarding State and federal funds available for
prenatal care and reducing infant mortality. Addi-
tionally, the Council advocates a comprehensive
approach to the social, economic and medical prob-
lems of infant mortality.

The Council consists of twelve members ap-
pointed to three-year terms by the Governor. Mem-
bers represent the medical and legal professions,
State and local government, county boards of
health, and major socio-economic and ethnic
groups (Code Health—General Article, secs. 13-
701 through 13-706).

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
ADMINISTRATION

Lois M. Meszaros, Ph.D., Director
Harold Kushner, Deputy Director

201 W Preston St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 225-5600

The Developmental Disabilities Administration,
formerly the Mental Retardation and Developmen-
tal Disabilities Administration, was renamed in
1986 (Chapter 637, Acts of 1986). The Adminis-
tration plans, develops, and directs a statewide
comprehensive system of services for mentally re-
tarded and developmentally disabled persons and
their families. Services include programs for disor-
ders such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, epilepsy, and
severe communicative disorders. The Administra-
tion coordinates its activities with other govern-
ment, voluntary, and private health, education, and
welfare agencies.

The Administration consists of four Divisions:
Administration and Management; Program Devel-
opment and Regulation; Eligibility and Behavioral
Services; and Community Services.

The Administration operates residential facilities
and also provides funds for purchased care, group
homes and apartments, small residential centers,
and day activity programs for developmentally dis-
abled persons. In addition, the Administration di-
rects Children's Summer Programs, Family and
Individual Support Services, and Supported Em-
ployment Programs. Regional offices initiate, coor-
dinate, and evaluate programs in the four regions
of the State (Code Health—General Article, secs.
7-101 through 7-1201).

The Program for Hearing-Impaired Infants was
established under the Administration in 1985
(Chapter 402, Acts of 1985). The Program pro-
vides early identification and follow-up of infants
who have a risk factor for developing a hearing
impairment.