Interactive Self-Sufficiency Standard Receives NACo Award

Community Action was honored as a recipient of a National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for the Interactive Self-Sufficiency Standard. This tool and the accompanying report were created in partnership with CountyStat and the University of Washington Center for Women’s Welfare, and with the support of the Maryland Community Action Partnership and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Affairs. 

Schedule Your FREE Tax Appointment Starting Dec. 10

On December 10, Community Action's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will begin scheduling appointments for the 2018 tax season. VITA provides FREE tax preparation services to Montgomery County residents with household incomes of $55,000 or less. Appointments will be available in Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, East County, and Wheaton. Please call 240-777-1123 or visit the CASHBACK website to schedule an appointment.

Community Advocacy Institute Participants Learn about Working with Elected Officials

On November 3, participants in the Community Advocacy Institute attended the first workshop of the 2018-2019 program. The workshop included a panel discussion about working with elected officials and an overview of the County’s legislative process. Guest speakers included Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, Maryland House of Delegates; Craig Wilson, Acting Chief of Staff for County Council Vice President Nancy Navarro; Mike Subin, Office of County Executive Ike Leggett; and Linda McMillan, County Council Legislative Analyst. The next CAI workshop on December 1 will focus on storytelling and research.

CAB Participates in Joint Delegation Priorities Hearing

Community Action Board Chair Laura Irwin testified before state Senators and Delegates at the Montgomery County Joint Delegation Hearing on November 14. CAB's testimony focused on key state priorities, including expansion of the MD Earned Income Tax Credit, funding for two-generation approaches to reduce poverty, continued monitoring of the Kirwan Commission's recommendations, and increasing the State's minimum wage.

Community Action Board Participates in National Webinar

On November 8, former Community Action Board Chair Pamela Luckett and Board Liaison Leah Goldfine participated in a National Community Action Partnership webinar about community engagement. The webinar focused on Community Action programs that promote participation by lower-income residents. Ayana Bias from the United Planning Organization (DC’s Community Action Agency) presented on UPO’s Leadership Development Academy, while the Montgomery County presentation focused on the Community Advocacy Institute.

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

Rockville, MD 20852
240-777-1697 (main)

240-777-3295 (fax)

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Community Action Partner Spotlight: IMPACT Silver Spring

For the past 15 years, IMPACT Silver Spring’s focus has been community-based network-building. Presently, the Community Action Agency monitors two IMPACT contracts: the Neighborhood Opportunity Network and the Leadership Development Program. Both contracts have evolved over the years to include the T3 Initiative (Truth, Trust & Transformation) to strengthen capacity at the individual, neighborhood, and system levels. The Racial Equity Leadership Program developed as a result of the initiative. IMPACT is currently partnering with Leadership Montgomery to provide ongoing training and development for participants.

In FY18, IMPACT completed the Network Weavers Learning Program pilot, which included facilitation and support for community meetings and events. The program aims to build relationships, develop skills, and explore and aid community projects. Nineteen participants enrolled and 16 completed the program last year. Now known as the Network Weavers Learning Lab, IMPACT plans to train 15-20 residents annually.

IMPACT works to enable economic self-sufficiency by helping residents form small business cooperatives. IMPACT continues to work with Manna Food Center and Interfaith Works, providing community engagement to address food security as part of the East County Opportunity Zone. IMPACT also partners with the TESS Community Action Center to provide English classes.

For more information, please click HERE.

VITA's Monthly Tax Tip: Affordable Care Act - Shared Responsibility Payment

Under the recently enacted Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the IRS will not consider a return complete and accurate if the taxpayer does not report full-year health insurance coverage, claim a coverage exemption, or report a shared responsibility payment on their tax return for tax year 2018.  For tax year 2019, there will not be a shared responsibility payment.

For any month during tax year 2018 that you or any of your family members do not have minimum essential health insurance coverage and do not qualify for a coverage exemption, you are required to make an individual shared responsibility payment when you file your tax return. The shared responsibility payment is $695 per adult, $347.50 per child, and the family maximum is $2,085.  Please ask your tax preparer to check to see if you may be eligible for a minimum essential coverage exemption. If you are requesting an exemption from the Marketplace, you need it in advance before preparing your taxes or from the IRS.

Donate Coats and Winter Gear to Head Start/Pre-K

The Montgomery County Head Start/Pre-kindergarten Programs are collecting new winter coats for students. Please send boys’ and girls’ coats in sizes 5, 6, and 7 to Rocking Horse Road Center, room 141. Hats and gloves are also appreciated. For more information, please call Lisa Conlon at 240-740-4530. 

Food Council Seeks Food Economy Intern and Members for Community Advisory Board

The Montgomery County Food Council is currently seeking a Food Economy Intern to assist staff with responsibilities related to Food Is Opportunity, an event that will be held on February 12, 2019 at the Universities at Shady Grove. The intern will also support the Food Council’s other efforts. Please click HERE to learn more.

The Food Council is also seeking participants for its Food Security Plan Community Advisory Board. Members will participate in three meetings in the first half of 2019, share their thoughts and perspectives on the Food Security Plan, and work to develop policies and action items that will guide the future implementation if its recommendations. The application deadline is Dec. 14. Please click HERE to learn more.

Announcements:

• Dec. 10, Scheduling for the 2018 Tax Season Begins - Please call CAA VITA at 240-777-1123 or click HERE
• Dec. 14, 9:30 am, Unidos Por Nuestra Salud - Mary's Center Health Class at TESS
• Jan. 22, CAB meeting at 1401 Rockville Pike, Room 3603
• Jan. 27, 12:30 - 6 pm, Women's Legislative Briefing, Universities at Shady Grove