Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 07/29/2020 10:45 AM EDT
Accelerating COVID Testing
The Council last week acted as the Board of Public Health to require the County Executive to immediately implement a comprehensive COVID testing strategy for free, no appointment, no referral, walk-up testing at sites countywide.
We know that access to testing is absolutely essential to stopping the spread of this virus, especially for people who may be asymptomatic. In the complete absence of a national testing strategy, the Council is stepping up to provide needed leadership during this pandemic.
Existing County-sponsored testing sites in Wheaton, Germantown, and White Oak will continue to operate on their current schedule and we are requiring at least 35 additional sites around the County get started for at least eight hours a day and five days a week. We're ramping up staffing for these sites by calling on temporary and seasonal County employees and ensuring that scheduling a test is smooth and turnaround times for results are timely and transparent.
We've also called on the County Executive to submit a detailed plan including testing strategy for schools, employees, and employers in various industries that have reopened, and particularly vulnerable communities where residents are at a higher risk for contracting the virus. The plan must also explain how the County will move forward with linking positive tests to ongoing contact tracing work.
Reopen Montgomery Business Assistance Program Opens Today
In our continuing effort to help local businesses keep the lights on in these challenging times, the new Reopen Montgomery Program launches today, July 29th, at noon.
The program, which I spearheaded and the entire Council supported, will provide grants up to $5,000 to help local employers safely and successfully reopen. Grants will reimburse Montgomery County businesses and non-profits for expenses incurred to comply with State and County reopening requirements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and maintain public health. Applications will be accepted starting today and grants will be awarded based on a rolling lottery system.
More information, including eligibility requirements and the application, is available here.
County Savings Plan and COVID Relief
Due to the significant fiscal impacts created by this public health crisis, the Council approved $72 million in identified budget cuts from the County Executive’s proposed savings plan. This is likely just the first of many difficult fiscal decisions we must make to address $522 million in projected revenue shortfalls for the current and next fiscal years.
As we make these decisions to ensure the County’s medium and long-term fiscal health, we are working hard to direct federal CARES Act funding to mitigate the immediate impacts of this crisis, including:
$20 million in rental assistance and eviction prevention. This assistance will target households with incomes up to 60 percent area median income and is expected to provide an average of $4,000 per household to pay past due rent and provide short-term rental assistance to stabilize their situation.
$395,000 appropriation for EveryMind's crisis intervention hotline to help meet rising demand related to Covid-19. This funding means:
8 additional specialists to staff the hotline
Expanded daily text line hours to add 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is similar to what our offices did last year, to add late night hours and access from 9:00PM to 12:00 AM
$220,000 for organizations supporting tenants who are facing possible evictions with on-site legal assistance at the District Court.
Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. (HIP)
Latino Economic Development Corporation
Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. (dba Maryland Legal Aid)
$355,000 for Bethesda Cares to master lease units to be immediately available when homeless individuals are ready to accept housing. This innovative strategy furthers our County's Housing First approach which is critical for housing long-time, highly vulnerable, unsheltered homeless residents.
Pike District Pop-Up Parks
Montgomery County, the North Bethesda Marriott Conference Center, and the Pike District have partnered on four pop-up parks that are not only providing safe, socially-distanced opportunities to enjoy meals from local businesses but also serve as a preview of the parks and civic spaces to come in the Pike District/White Flint area.
The Pike District’s four temporary parks locations are:
The Hill: Corner of Rockville Pike and Old Georgetown Road.
Market Street Park: Corner of Market Street and Executive Boulevard (next to the Conference Center parking garage).
The Patio: Corner of Rockville Pike and Marinelli Road, near the west side entrance to the White Flint Metro Station.
Wall Park: Corner of Executive Boulevard and Nicholson Lane.
The largest of the pop-up parks at Market Street has 14 picnic tables and additional marked seating. All are eight feet in diameter and positioned six feet apart, and there's a hand sanitizer station and cleaning supplies. Bring your own tables, chairs, and blankets and enjoy this while supporting local businesses hit hard by COVID-19 through the fall.
Join Us This Friday
Please join us online this Friday July 31st at 11:30 AM to ask questions and share your thoughts with us. Click this graphic to join.
Zip Trip to Poolesville
Thanks to Fox 5 DC for putting the spotlight on the Town of Poolesville this month. I'm incredibly fortunate to represent Poolesville and much of the Agricultural Reserve on the Council. We're constantly working with the Town of Poolesville and residents to ensure western Montgomery County gets the services they deserve and need.
The State of Maryland began accepting applications for the Maryland Nonprofit Recovery Initiative (NORI) on July 22nd. Eligible nonprofit organizations can receive up to $50,000 in grant assistance for operational support. You can find additional details here.
MCPS
MCPS is providing meals at these sites for students. Meals will be provided at MCPS sites from 10 AM - 12 PM at school sites and from 9 AM - 10 AM at bus distribution sites. Meals will be provided four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. On Wednesdays, MCPS will provide two days' worth of meals.
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
Library branch book drops are open and contactless holds pick up service has resumed. Learn more here.
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. FAQs are 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
Support Neighborhood Restaurants: Please support local employers by getting take out or delivery. Search the Visit Montgomery list here.
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.
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.
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
Domestic Violence: There is support available during this time and all services are free of charge. If you know someone that may need help, the County has a guide on how best to assist them.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Healthcare: If you do not have insurance and want to get health insurance through the state marketplace, Maryland has a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment period if you have recently lost your job. You can compare prices and possibly receive financial help in order to afford coverage.
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.
COVID short-term rent subsidy program: Call 311 to get on the waitlist. Households must be at 40% AMI, paying more than 50% of income toward rent, and loss of income directly related to COVID.
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.
