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As protective health measures are gradually lifted, our employers and their employees have to adjust to a new normal in order to get their businesses up and running and keep their workers and customers safe.
This will be no easy task. Already hard-hit, businesses are facing the prospect of spending thousands of dollars just to reopen. These business owners and employees don’t just employ our friends and neighbors. They are our friends and neighbors. Their businesses are crucial to our County's economy and our quality of life. The County Council has stepped up quickly to help businesses at each step of this crisis - immediately creating a $20 million Public Health Emergency Grant fund for businesses that suffered significant losses due to the pandemic and creating a Telework Assistance Program to help reimburse companies for the costs associated with the transition to telework requirements.
Now, we must step up again to help with the costs of reopening. The $14 million Reopen Montgomery program I spearheaded with Council colleagues and introduced last week will help reimburse businesses up to $5,000 for the costs of personal protective equipment, transparent partitions and protective barriers, contactless payment systems, outdoor furniture and other items needed to ensure the safety of our community.
Montgomery Parks began reopening its 276 playgrounds on Monday, a process that will happen gradually over the next two weeks. While we're excited these facilities can reopen according to the guidance of our public health experts, it's also important to remember to follow basic precautionary steps such as wearing face coverings and remaining more than six feet apart when possible.
Last week, I joined Councilmembers Jawando and Albornoz to launch the Montgomery County Food Security Fund. With initial funds of $10.3 million from the Council, our goal now is to raise $5 million in private donations to meet the staggering food challenges in our community.
These challenges are great, but not as great as our capacity to meet them if we can bring together the non-profit and faith communities, businesses and government. This is why we are partnering with the Greater Washington Community Foundation to accelerate this work.
We all can’t do everything, but each of us can do something: Donate. Volunteer. Fundraise. Connect neighbors to services by sharing the County's 311 number or food assistance website. We won’t sit back and watch a resident go hungry. That’s not who we are or what we do in Montgomery County. We hope you will consider helping our neighbors struggling to make it through this health and economic emergency.
To donate, simply click this image.
As we are navigating this unprecedented time together, the Council is continuing to provide funding to organizations affected by this crisis and to those serving our residents in need. We recently approved $24.7 million for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) that was allocated by the State as well as $575,706 in County funds for Positive Youth Development to support at-risk children and their families.
In addition, we passed $3.25 million in relief funds for the arts and humanities sector, which has experienced an incredible loss in revenue due to canceled performances, exhibitions, and events as a result of this pandemic. The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) will review applications and disburse funds, $250,000 of which is for individual artists and $3 million for arts and humanities organizations.
In order to help our first responders better deescalate situations involving mental health challenges, the Council appropriated funds to hire six social workers for the County's mobile crisis team using $592,202, with a requirement for the County Executive to enhance the mobile crisis response plan.
Our work continues as we must take additional action to protect vulnerable residents, stabilize our economy, and prepare for the many challenges ahead.
The County's $10 million child care recovery grant initiative, which I helped develop with Councilmembers Navarro and Riemer, began accepting applications on Monday. Our child care providers are essential to the early education and development of our children, and it's especially important we help them now in order to pave the way for a successful economic recovery. Please help us spread the word.
June is #PrideMonth, and 51 years after the Stonewall Riots helped spark the modern LGBTQ+ Rights Movement, we can celebrate that we have come a long way and recognize that we still have a long way to go. The Supreme Court’s historic decision prohibiting workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation affirms legally what has always been true morally. As we reflect on #Pride and our progress to date, let us recommit ourselves to the work needed to make Montgomery County a place where every one of our residents is free to be who they are and love who they choose.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Reopened!
- In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners are able to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This loan advance will not have to be repaid. Recipients do not have to be approved for a loan in order to receive the advance, but the amount of the loan advance will be deducted from total loan eligibility.
Libraries
- As of Monday June 29th, library branch book drops are open and starting July 6th, contactless holds pick up service will resume. Learn more here.
MCPS
- MCPS is providing meals at these sites for students. New times are 10:00 AM - Noon and for bus distribution sites, it is 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM.
COVID-19 Renter Relief Act
- The Council passed the COVID-19 Renter Relief Act, which became effective April 24, 2020 and prohibits landlords from increasing existing tenants’ rent by more than 2.6% after April 24th and during the COVID-19 catastrophic health emergency. Helpful FAQs are now online.
Montgomery Cable Channel with COVID-19 Updates
- Montgomery County's public, education and government channels have launched a new Corona Montgomery channel, creating creates a direct communications channel to all residents, including those who don't have access to hi-speed internet and technology. It will air critical COVID-19 related information. The programming is available on channel 10 on Comcast, Verizon and RCN.
How You Can Help
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Support Neighborhood Restaurants: Please support local employers by getting take out or delivery. Search the Visit Montgomery list here.
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Volunteer Opportunities: The County has compiled a list on how you can to help. If you are a medical or public health professional willing to assist, the state has a site for specialized volunteers.
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Donate Blood: American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. Sign up for an appointment now.
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Give Locally: The Greater Washington Community Foundation has started a COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to bolster nonprofits working to help low-income hourly workers, gig workers, small business owners, families in need of childcare services, homeless individuals and many more who will continue to be severely impacted during this public health emergency.
If You Need Support
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Food Assistance: Call 311 and you will be connected to our new food call center or you can look at Montgomery County Food Council's Resource Directory, which includes information on the location, hours, and eligibility guidelines of more than 100 sites where residents can access food and benefits application assistance.
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Poolesville Grocery Distribution Service: Orders can be placed online by visiting www.mysaval.store/ Order on Tuesdays before 4:00PM and pickup Thursdays between 2:00-3:30PM at the United Methodist Church in Poolesville. Drivers are asked to remain in their cars as orders will be loaded into the backs of vehicles. If you have any questions please call John at 443-896-7244.
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Taxi Delivery: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) announced that it has partnered with local taxi companies during the COVID-19 health crisis to initiate a new program available to participants in the Call-n-Ride program to use taxis for delivery of essential goods from grocery stores, food banks and restaurants. This program is for low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities.
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For Individuals with Disabilities: The State and other partners are collaborating to supplement existing programs for people with disabilities who may be experiencing food insecurity during this pandemic. To connect with these feeding opportunities, constituents should call 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 call specialist will connect the caller to a variety of statewide program options.
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My Groceries To Go! for Seniors: Montgomery County applicants are required to provide supporting documentation to prove income eligibility. Participants receive get eight pounds of free, fresh produce every month. Please call the Grocery Plus main line at 202-921-7471 or email mg2g@capitalareafoodbank.org for more information. The Capital Area Food Bank's website on this program is here.
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Senior Nutrition Program: Frozen meal packs are available to seniors through the County’s Senior Nutrition Program. Partners and volunteers are operating “grab and go” locations and are making a limited number of home deliveries to the County’s senior population. To be eligible, most people must be 60 years of age or older. Spouses of participants or a person with a disability living with a participant, are also eligible. To register for the meal program contact the Senior Center closest to you. D1 Locations:
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Healthcare: If you do not have insurance and want to get health insurance through the state marketplace now, Maryland has a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment period so that residents can enroll by July 15th (new date). You can compare prices and possibly receive financial help in order to afford coverage.
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Unemployment Claims: You can start your claim online or by phone.
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Housing Issues: Evictions related to this public health emergency are prohibited at this time, if you face housing or eviction issues, please contact our office at 240-777-7828 or dial 311.
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Federal Relief: This guide on federal programs outlines the benefits recently passed by Congress.
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Seniors: You can sign up now for a new free program called Senior Call Check by calling toll-free to 866-502-0560 or by registering online. Under the program, participants receive an automated call every day. If the participant does not answer, they will be called two additional times in the same day. If those calls go unanswered, an alternate person, selected by the participant, will be notified in order for them to check in on the participant.
*Additional resources listed at InfoMontgomery
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