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All the latest: Small business support, mental health resources & more

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 10/15/2021 05:21 PM EDT

County Update: October 15, 2021

Dear Friend,

I want to share the latest Council updates and news with you.

The Council continues working to make Montgomery County a more healthy, vibrant, and safe place for everyone who calls it home. We are committed to ensuring our residents and businesses have the resources and support they need. If you or someone you know needs assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.

If you haven’t already, please connect with me on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and news.

As always, stay safe and stay in close touch.

Tom Hucker
President
Montgomery County Council

You’re Invited! Minority and Small Business Webinar

Are you the owner of a small or minority-owned business in Montgomery County? Small and minority business owners have faced unimaginable hardships over the past year and a half. To help business owners navigate grants, loans and other resources, I am hosting a virtual webinar with representatives from various agencies, departments and organizations who will share important information and answer any questions you may have.

Please join us on Monday, October 18, at 5:30 p.m. Register in advance for the webinar.

Mental Health and Crisis Resources

The need for mental health and crisis response resources has never been more important. Tragically, we’ve seen how the pandemic has exacerbated stressors and strained mental health for many individuals. We now have seven Mobile Crisis Units, but we also need to ensure that residents have adequate access to mental health support before an individual experiences a behavioral health crisis. Please know that help and resources are available if you or someone you love needs support.

ChildLink: Early childhood services for children ages five and younger and their families. Learn more here or call 240-777-4769.
Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Program: For more information on family-focused outpatient mental health services for children, adolescents and their families, visit here or call 240-777-1450.
Screening and Assessment Services for Children and Adolescents SASCA: For information on confidential screening for substance abuse for children, and mental health and substance use assessments for children up to age 18, visit here or call 240-777-1430.
Minority Health Services: Many of our Minority Health Initiatives have excellent resources and partner with nonprofit and community organizations to offer free mental health counseling. Explore more:

ACCESS to Behavioral Health Services: For assistance with obtaining appropriate outpatient mental health or substance abuse services for individuals eligible through the public behavioral health system. Walk-In assessments and evaluations available Monday - Friday at 9 a.m. or 1 p.m. Learn more here or call 240-777-1770.
EveryMind: For direct mental health services to youth, adults, older adults, families and veterans, visit here or call 301-424-0656.
Crisis Center: For 24/7 free crisis services visit here or call 240-777-4000.

Find additional resources and information through the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.

COVID-19 and Public Health Update from MCPS and DHHS

On Tuesday, the Council received a briefing from Montgomery County Public Schools and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on updated MCPS public health measures to protect students and staff. A few important takeaways:

Approximately 99 percent of residents aged 12 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 90 percent of residents aged 12 and older are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
More than 40,000 students have opted for COVID-19 testing in schools. This is a critical component to reducing the spread of the virus in schools. If you haven’t yet consented to COVID-19 testing for your child in school, you can opt-in here.
County vaccine clinics are expanding operations in anticipation of upcoming boosters and the approval of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11. MCPS and DHHS will continue working together to stand up school-based clinics in geographically strategic locations with extended evening and weekend hours.

If you missed it, you can watch the briefing to learn more.

Tom's Work in the News

Science Friday: The Hot And Cold Past Of The Air Conditioner

“For decades, governments have required landlords to provide heat during winter months. When tenants don’t have working heat, unfortunately, tenants perish in the cold. So in a world with climate change and rapidly increasing temperatures year after year, we believe we need to require air conditioning as well,” Council President Tom Hucker said.

DCist: Montgomery County Hits 99% Partial Vaccination Rate For Eligible Residents

Roughly 99% of residents ages 12 and up are now at least partially vaccinated in Montgomery County, Maryland, making it one of the most-vaccinated counties in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control.

WTOP: ‘Unacceptable’ — Montgomery Co. leaders react to reports of racist abuse at high school games

Montgomery County Council President Tom Hucker called the behavior “completely unacceptable and outrageous,” while Vice President Gabe Albornoz called them “not in line with our culture and our community.”

Important Resources and Updates

Virtual Youth Town Hall

The Council’s Virtual Youth Town Hall will be held on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. This virtual advocacy experience allows students to hear questions from other students as well as answers from Councilmembers and other officials. This is also student service learning (SSL) experience opportunity for advocacy. MCPS students may RSVP and submit questions using this RSVP link: https://bit.ly/MOCOYouthTownHall2021.

Private school students or students who are home schooled can register here. It will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and Facebook pages.

Worksource Montgomery Grant

Worksource Montgomery will award grants to cover 50-75% of a new employee's salary for the first 12 weeks for businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grants will be awarded upon receipt of employment verification and new employees must be a resident of Montgomery County and start within 30 days of the application date. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 29. Apply here.

COVID-19 Vaccinations and Taxi Rides

As cases increase nationwide, we urge all residents who haven’t received their COVID-19 vaccines to make their first-dose appointments at County clinics as soon as possible to protect themselves, their loved ones and our communities. Clinic dates, times, and vaccine types are all listed on the County website. The vaccination schedule is updated daily. Residents can also walk into a County-run vaccine clinic without an appointment.

If you are a Montgomery County resident with disabilities and/or over the age of 65, there are free taxi rides available to and from COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics: https://tinyurl.com/5b6nj3v2. To schedule a trip, call Connect-A-Ride at 301-738-3252 and get your free taxi code.

If you need help making your first or second dose appointment, email c19vaccination@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-2982.

Flu Season

With the flu season upon us, we urge all residents to get their flu shots as soon as possible to protect themselves. Flu symptoms are very similar to COVID-19 symptoms, so please make sure to get tested for COVID-19 if you are unsure.

Learn more about the County’s flu vaccination campaign here.

Fall Festival

The Department of Recreation’s annual Fall Festival will be on Oct. 23. The event will include music, crafts, a moon bounce and more. This is a free event, but pre-registration is required.

Montgomery Parks Feedback for Playground

If you live in Takoma Park or Silver Spring, Montgomery Parks wants your feedback on the proposed design for the new playground in Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park at Kennebec Avenue and Sligo Creek Parkway. Review the design and add your input by Oct. 20: https://mocoparks.org/3tNJ1EE.

Office of Councilmember Tom Hucker
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
Email: Councilmember.Hucker@montgomerycountymd.gov
Phone: 240-777-7960
Website: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hucker/

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