News You Can Use

October 30, 2020

October 28, 2020 Media Briefing This week, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles, and the County's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Dr. Earl Stoddard hosted their weekly virtual media briefing on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 12:30 p.m. They were joined by Dr. Gilberto A. Zelaya II of the Montgomery County Board of Elections. The briefing focused on COVID-19 data, elections, and options the county are considering to reduce the spread of COVID-19. County Executive Elrich indicated that families should continue to be mindful when celebrating the upcoming holidays and avoid sizeable social gatherings. He also emphasized the importance of hand washing and wearing a mask.  Dr. Stoddard reported that FEMA dollars are being spent on PPE, cleaning supplies, contract support, and operating costs such as contact tracing.  Dr. Zelaya reported that 46,963 people participated in early voting as of Wednesday. The entire briefing can be watched here.

Halloween Safety

If you are participating in any Halloween activities this weekend, please be sure to wear a mask and practice social distancing.  Here are some guidelines from the County to help keep you safe.

COVID-19 Testing and Flu Shots

Montgomery County will significantly expand its COVID-19 testing program over the next nine days as it will hold 52 County-operated clinics. Those clinics will be in addition to more than 45 private providers who are continuing to operate testing clinics.

Learn more about testing here.

Montgomery County health officials are urging all residents to get a flu vaccination, with three County-operated clinics providing shots this fall. One of the clinics will be for residents 14-and-over and the other two specifically for children ages 6 months to 18.. Check the County’s flu website for more information.

County Resources

This website provides a listing of all county food resources.  It is regularly updated so be sure to check back often.

COVID-19 Rent Relief

Housing Assistance

Montgomery County surveys indicate an estimated 20,000 households, or 15 percent of the 130,000 rental households in the county, are behind on their rent and at risk of eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, tenants cannot be evicted without a court order during the pandemic. Concerned renters should act now to take advantage of available financial, legal and counseling resources to help avoid eviction actions. Resources include:

• Rent support ($20 million available): Approved households may receive up to $4,000 toward rent under the county’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program – Phase 2. Concerned renters can Apply Now! online or call 311 (240-777-0311) to apply. More information here. COVID-19 Rent Relief Program – Phase 2.
• Maryland Legal Aid and Maryland Bar Foundation volunteer attorneys are scheduled to be at the courthouse to help qualified tenants. Any renter who receives a court summons or a termination notice from their landlord (notice to vacate) is urged to call right away (240-314-0373) to request free advice about their rights.

COVID-19 Rental Relief Program Application

Volunteering

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community.  Check out the opportunities available here.

Employment

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)

The Board of Education Special Populations Committee is holding a virtual town forum for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The Committee wants to hear from the public. Questions can be submitted in advance here. The event is November 4 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and can be viewed in English and Spanish on MCPS-TV, Condado TV, the MCPS website and YouTube.

CFW Programming

We will once again be hosting a listening tour to learn more about issues facing women in the County.  The tour will be online and open to the public. There will be five online sessions, each focusing on different parts of the county. We look forward to learning more about what matters to you.

Please take a moment and fill out this pre-listening tour survey. 

YOUR VOICE MATTERS.

Please join us as local family law attorneys walk through the "ins" and "outs" of going through a separation and divorce in Maryland. All classes are FREE and are from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Seminars will be taking place online. Participants will receive the meeting information after signing up.

Classes are the FIRST Wednesday of every month through June 2021:

• Wednesday, November 4, 2020 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, December 2, 2020 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, January 6, 2021 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, February 3, 2021 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, March 3, 2021 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, April 7, 2021 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, May 5, 2021 7:00 PM
• Wednesday, June 2, 2021 7:00 PM

Sign Up Today!

Voting Information

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Health and Wellness

Discover Montgomery Virtual Challenge

As we've said before, the fall is a great time to be outside.  Do you need help feeling motivated?  If so, check out this Discover Montgomery Challenge!

Together with the Mid Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE), Montgomery Parks is offering a virtual hiking, biking, and running challenge designed to get you outdoors and exploring the trails of Montgomery County.

There are 7 total trails in the challenge, and each has a short, medium, and long option depending on how you’re feeling.

The trails included in this challenge are:

• Little Bennett Regional Park
• Cabin John Regional Park
• Great Seneca Stream Valley Park
• Muddy Branch Stream Valley Park
• Fairland Recreational Park
• Schaeffer Farm
• Black Hill Regional Park 

Each link directs you to the GPS track of the trails, and can be sent to your mobile device or accessed from the web page links. You will also find signs and arrows along the trails to help direct you and designate starting points, turnaround/halfway points, and completion points.

Glen Echo is Open!