E-Newsletter: June, 2019

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

Volunteer MD Accepting Applications for AmeriCorps Member Position at TESS

This year, the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center is excited to host a Volunteer Maryland AmeriCorps Member (ACM). The ACM will assist with volunteer recruitment, training, and management. The ACM will also help TESS in implementing a “whole family” approach, which addresses the needs of parents, children, and senior relatives. This is a full-time position starting in September 2019 and ending in July 2020. To learn more, please click HERE. To apply by the July 22 deadline, please click HERE. 

Off-Season Free Tax Appointments Now Available

Did you know that Community Action oversees the ONLY year-round VITA program in Montgomery County? County residents can now have their amended and prior year tax returns prepared for FREE at three locations though the end of October:

• Tuesdays, 10 am - 5 pm, TESS Community Action Center, 8513 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring (3rd Tuesday of the month only: 3 - 8 pm)
• Wednesdays, 10 am - 5 pm, Community Action Agency, 1401 Rockville Pike, Rockville (3rd Wednesday of the month only: 3 - 8 pm)
• Fridays, 10 am - 5 pm, Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 506, Wheaton

Please call 240-777-1123 or click HERE to schedule an appointment.

TESS Partners with MCPS to Bring Children Free Summer Meals

Community Action Board Welcomes New and Returning Leadership

On June 25, DHHS Office of Community Affairs Chief Betty Lam attended the Community Action Board meeting to install the Board's Executive Committee members who will serve through the end of June 2020. Congratulations to this year's Board leadership:

Chair: Laura E. Irwin

Vice Chair: Tiffany Jones

Secretary: Isaac Osei Asare

At-Large Members: Lisette Engel, Myriam Paul, Steve Ruffin, and Mike Subin

Community Advocacy Institute Alumni Learn about Starting a Nonprofit

Lesley MacDonald, Executive Director of Nonprofit Montgomery, led an informative presentation about starting a nonprofit organization at the CAI alumni workshop on June 13. Board member Ron Jennings, who recently helped CAFE Montgomery become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, facilitated the workshop. The Community Action Board schedules workshops for CAI alumni every few months, allowing program graduates to learn about interesting resources and opportunities to get involved in the County, while also remaining in touch with each other and the Board.

Celebrating Head Start/Pre-K Parents

Community Action staff joined MCPS colleagues on June 14 to celebrate Head Start/Pre-K parent volunteers. By serving on the Head Start Parents Policy Council, volunteering in the classroom, and providing exceptional at-home support for children, parents play a critical role in early childhood education. Their support is a vital component of what makes Head Start/Pre-K such a fantastic program.

Head Start/Pre-K Registration & Party in the Park

If your child will be 4 years old by September 1 and you meet certain income requirements, you may be eligible for the MCPS Head Start or Pre-K programs.  Registration for the 2019-2020 school year is available Monday - Friday at 4910 Macon Road, 9 am - 4 pm, and at numerous sites throughout the County. Please call 240-740-4530 to learn more or to schedule an appointment. Registration information is available in English, Spanish, French, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

MCPS Head Start/Pre-K will host a special registration event, Head Start Party in the Park, at Wheaton Regional Park on July 13, 11 am - 3 pm. Please click HERE to learn more.

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: Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland

The Spanish-Speaking Community of Maryland (La Communidad) has operated in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring since 1967, and has held contracts monitored by Community Action since 2016. Case workers provide interpretation, translation, and social work assistance to walk-in clients and those connected to La Communidad through the MCPS helpline. Staff regularly provide presentations in local schools to educate residents on their right to live free from abuse and on available services. Case workers connect people experiencing abuse and/or trafficking with therapy and free or low-cost legal services, and assist clients with immigration. La Communidad also assists with transportation and job searches for people with work permits. Case workers serve an average of 200 - 400 clients each month. 

VITA's Monthly Tax Tip: Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. 

STATE - The Identity Theft Unit can give you step-by-step advice on how to protect yourself from identity thieves. They may also be able to help you address some of the issues that identity theft causes, such as dealing with credit card companies or collection agencies. Please call 410- 576-6491 or send email to idtheft@oag.state.md.us.

SOCIAL SECURITY - If you suspect someone is using your SSN for work purposes, report the problem immediately to the Federal Trade Commission. They will review your earnings with you to ensure their records are accurate. You may also verify your earnings on your Social Security Statement, accessed by opening a personal my Social Security account. If someone misused your SSN to create credit or other problems for you, immediately click HERE and report the issue to the FTC, or call 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4338); TTY 1-866-653-4261.

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN FROM A FRAUDULENT FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURN

The IRS IP PIN is a 6-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their SSN. The IP PIN can be issued to the taxpayer, spouse, or any dependents on the return. An IP PIN helps verify a taxpayer’s identity and accept their electronic or paper tax return. It prevents someone else from filing a tax return with your SSN. If a return is e-filed with your SSN and an incorrect or missing IP PIN, the IRS system will reject it until you submit it with the correct IP PIN, or you file on paper. If the same conditions occur on a paper filed return, the IRS will delay its processing and any refund while they determine if the return is yours.

Certain tax-related identity theft victims will be placed into the IP PIN program and annually receive a new, IP PIN. Learn more HERE. 

IP PINs must be used on all federal income tax returns, 1040 and 1040 PR/SS, and any delinquent returns filed during the same calendar year. Don't reveal your IP PIN to anyone other than your tax preparer. Reveal it only when you are ready to sign and submit your federal income tax return. You can't use your IRS IP PIN on a state income tax return.

Upcoming and Ongoing Events:

June 28, 9:30 am - 12 pm, Food Security Plan Update, EOB Auditorium, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville 

June 28, 11 am - 1 pm, TESS Senior Social, 8513 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring

June 29, 9 am - 1 pm, MD Center on Economic Policy's Building Our Futures, Silver Spring Civic Building

July 13, 11 am - 3 pm, Head Start Party in the Park, Wheaton Regional Park

July 26, 11 am - 1 pm, TESS Senior Social, 8513 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring

August 10, 8:30 am - 2 pm, Single Parent Conference, Montgomery College Rockville Campus

Now through Aug. 23, Mon - Fri, 11 am - 1 pm, Free Summer Meals for Children at TESS, 8513 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring

Wednesdays, 11 am - 3 pm, Crossroads Network Farmers Market, Anne St. at University Blvd. East in Takoma Park

The Community Action Agency is part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Affairs.