CAA Participates in DHHS All-Staff Gatherings

Community Action participated in the DHHS all-staff gatherings on Nov. 7 and 8. CAA team members helped staff the Office of Community Affairs table, which featured trivia questions and information about CAA and other OCA services, including the minority health initiatives, language access program, and equity program. The OCA table also featured a beautiful mural where participants could add their name and affirm their commitment to “engage, empower, and honor” in their work within the department.

Long Branch Senior Initiative Meeting on Nov. 30

TESS is continuing its collaboration with the National Hispanic Council on Aging and DHHS Aging and Disability Services to learn about key issues impacting older Hispanic adults in the County and to develop leadership skills for residents. The next planning meeting is scheduled for Nov. 30, 5:30 - 7 pm, at the TESS Center. Please call 240-773-8260 to RSVP. All are welcome.

Free Workshops Sponsored by CAA VITA & WorkSource Montgomery

CAA's VITA Program is partnering with WorkSource Montgomery to offer free workshops to program participants. Workshops will focus on financial literacy, including tax preparation. Upcoming workshops:

• Dec. 1 - Taxes for Self-Employed Filers (Wheaton)
• Dec. 4 - Taxes for Self-Employed Filers (Germantown)
• Dec. 8 - Understanding Your Taxes (Wheaton)
• Dec. 11 - Understanding Your Taxes (Germantown) 

All workshops are held 11 am - 1 pm. To learn more, please click HERE.

CAB Hosts First Community Advocacy Institute Workshop

The first workshop for the 2017 – 2018 CAI was held on Nov. 4. The workshop, entitled Advocacy 101, included a panel discussion about working effectively with elected officials. Panelists included Delegate Aruna Miller, County Council President Roger Berliner, and Mike Subin on behalf of the County Executive. An afternoon presentation by Senior Legislative Analyst Linda McMillan focused on the County’s legislative process

CAB Celebrates New $15 Minimum Wage

The Community Action Board was thrilled to learn of the passage of County Council Bill 27-17, which will increase the County's minimum wage to $15 per hour. The new minimum wage will go into effect gradually between 2021 and 2024, depending on the size of the business. CAB was a strong advocate for increasing the minimum wage and testified in support of this measure, noting that the Self-Sufficiency Standard for a single parent with one infant and one preschooler is nearly $49 in the County, over three times the new minimum wage.  

Montgomery County 
Community Action Agency
1401 Rockville Pike, 3rd Fl

Rockville, MD 20852
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Community Action Partner Spotlight: Family Services, Inc.

With headquarters in Gaithersburg, Family Services, Inc. works with Community Action on two contracts serving residents of Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, and Germantown. Family Services is the site of the Gaithersburg Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NON), where a Family Support Worker (FSW) connects residents to community-based services and/or on-site DHHS staff. The Gaithersburg FSW works with 20 - 25 families each month. Likewise in Eastern Montgomery County, Family Services is a key partner is the "East County Opportunity Zone." From the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center, a second FSW reaches out to local organizations to introduce East County services, and connects 15 - 20 families to on-site DHHS staff and/or community-based organizations each month. Additional information on NON services can be found HERE.

At Germantown's Daly Elementary School, Family Services is spearheading the new Thriving Germantown program. The contract monitored by Community Action supports portions of the Community HUB care coordination to address social determinants of health, wellness, and educational success. In its first year, the goal is to coordinate care for 65 students and their families. Additional information can be found HERE.

VITA Participates in Giving Tuesday

CAA VITA is participating in Giving Tuesday by encouraging residents to give their time as VITA volunteers. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the County. VITA is seeking volunteers to serve as Greeters, Tax Preparers, Interpreters, and more. Volunteer training sessions will be held through Jan. 10. Please email vita@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-1123 to sign-up. Please click HERE to learn more about volunteering with the VITA program. #GivingTuesday

MCPS Head Start Holds Annual Stakeholders Meeting

On Nov. 28, MCPS/CAA staff, members of the Head Start Parents Policy Council, CAB members, and partners from various agencies and organizations, met to strategize recruitment for Head Start/PreK. Recruitment for the 2018-2019 school year will begin in the spring.

Donate New Winter Coats to MCPS PreK/Head Start Students

MCPS Head Start/Pre-K is now accepting new boys' and girls' winter coats in sizes 5, 6, 6x, 7 and 8, along with gloves and hats. Donations may be dropped off at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Rd, Room 141, Rockville. Please call 240-230-0676 for more information. 

Nonprofit Village Survey About Nonprofit Needs

CAA partner Nonprofit Village is conducting an online survey for nonprofit organizations in the County. The goal of the survey is to gather information about the needs of local nonprofits in order to help Nonprofit Village build more effective back-office services to serve nonprofits throughout the area. Please click HERE to participate in the survey.

Announcements:

• Nov. 28, 7 pm, CAB Meeting, 1401 Rockville Pike 
• Nov. 29, 7 pm, County Council Youth Town Hall Meeting, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville
• Nov. 30, 5:30 - 7 pm, Long Branch Senior Initiative Meeting, TESS Center
• Nov. 30, deadline to submit letter of intent for Arts & Humanities FY 19 Grant
• Dec. 7, 8:30 am - 12 pm, Office of Human Rights Employment Law Breakfast, Rockville Library
• Tuesdays, Jan. - March, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, IMPACT Silver Spring's Intermediate Level English Classes, TESS Center
• Wednesdays, Jan. - March, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, IMPACT Silver Spring's Basic Level English Classes, Clifton Park Baptist Church 
• Nov. 29, Dec. 6, & Dec. 20, 1 - 2 pm, Judy Center Jump Bunch at TESS