E-Newsletter: July 2022

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

TESS Community Action Center on the Move!

The Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center recently moved to 8703 Flower Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20901. The TESS Center continues to be in the heart of the Long Branch community of Silver Spring. In fact, it’s around the corner from the old office! Staff is serving the community virtually and will open the new office to the public on Tuesday, July 5. The phone numbers remain the same for staff members and the main number: 240-773-8260 (TTY users, call 711). TESS hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Walk-in hours are 9:00 – 11:30 a.m., and appointments are between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The office is closed daily for lunch, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. See our website for more information on TESS services.

Head Start Registration for 2022 – 2023 School Year

In-person: Families can register their children for Head Start in-person at the Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Room 141, Rockville, MD, 20852.

Online: Montgomery County Public Schools has new QR codes to link families to the application process for Head Start and Pre-kindergarten. The QR code takes the parent or guardian to a portal and they can apply directly from their phone in their preferred language. Fliers in English and Spanish direct parents and guardians to one link if they are new to MCPS, and another if they already have a child attending MCPS. Children must be three or four years old by September 1, 2022 to apply for Head Start or Pre-kindergarten. Families must meet income guidelines. The programs help children thrive in school and link their parents to resources, including parenting support.

Head Start/Pre-K registration fliers are available for download in English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, French, and Portuguese.  

Do you have questions about Head Start? Check out the Common Questions online.

ITIN taxpayers are now eligible for the MD EITC and County Working Families Income Supplement!

The Community Action Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team encourages eligible taxpayers to claim their tax credits, such as the following. MARYLAND EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT: Like the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit (MD EITC) is designed to put more cash in the pockets of low-to-moderate income Maryland workers. Claiming the Maryland EITC can reduce state taxes owed and potentially increase the household’s tax refund. Maryland has enacted separate legislation that would allow ITIN holders to qualify for the EITC on their state returns. These changes apply to tax years 2020, 2021, and 2022. An ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is used in lieu of a Social Security Number for tax filing. Community Action's VITA program can assist ITIN holders in filing their taxes. (See the article in the right column for details on how to secure an appointment.) MARYLAND CHILD TAX CREDIT (CTC): The Maryland CTC was established through legislation in 2021.  This tax credit will expire in tax year 2022.  Please check with a tax preparer regarding the eligibility requirements. MONTGOMERY COUNTY:  Specific to Montgomery County residents, the Maryland EITC can be matched by the Working Families Income Supplement (WFIS).  The WFIS provides financial assistance to low-income working families in Montgomery County. The WFIS is a 100% match of the state EITC for eligible county residents. To receive this credit, residents must file a Maryland Tax return.  The refund is separate from the Maryland state tax refund and will arrive separately.  The local renewal of funding for the WFIS is an expansion through tax year 2022. Find out more about tax credits, including the EITC, CTC, and WFIS, at Community Action’s CASHBACK website.

Service Navigation Event with Manna Food Center

On July 21, Community Action Service Navigators visited the Manna Choice Pantry in Silver Spring to meet with Manna Food Center participants and share information about the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center and other Community Action Agency programs.

Manna Food Center is a key partner in food distribution to Montgomery County residents and has partnered with the Community Action Agency on contracts for food distribution for over a decade. Current DHHS contracts with Manna Food Center that are monitored by Community Action include support for "Manny" the mobile kitchen, Smart Sacks for children's weekend snacks, produce recovery from farmers markets, and support for food distribution at multiple locations across the County.

On July 21, the Navigators toured the pantry, learned about Manna’s programs, and helped to guide clients to the registration line. The Navigators were stationed at the entrance of the pantry to offer a warm hello to the local residents and provided case coordination for SNAP recipients, and referrals to local colleges and health programs. Pictured above are Navigators Ameha Dessie and Gabriella Salazar. 

Montgomery County Launches ‘Reducing Food Waste Begins with You’ Campaign

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 20, 2022. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched an educational awareness campaign to provide residents, businesses and organizations with ways to reduce the estimated 124,000 tons of food scraps that are thrown away every year in the County. The "Food Is Too Good to Waste--Reducing Food Wasted Begins With You" campaign includes a public service announcement entitled Reducing Food Waste Begins With You. Montgomery County is committed to reducing waste and recycling more as it aims for zero waste. Reducing food waste is a key objective of the County's Climate Action Plan, which includes preventing and lessening the amount of food waste created. "It's sad to think Montgomery County residents and businesses are throwing away roughly 124,000 tons of food scraps a year, when we have residents who do not have regular access to quality, nutritious food," said County Executive Marc Elrich. "We can help reduce food insecurity and the amount of food that is thrown away by buying only what we need and donating excess edible foods to food rescue organizations, food pantries and shelters. This is just part of look out for those who are most in need, something that is key to having a healthy community." Food waste generally comes from: Excess or unwanted food that can still be eaten but is not. Food scraps generated as food is being prepared at home. Food scraps generated as food is prepared at restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, hospitals and other businesses or facilities. Food that is believed to be expired, or past its “sell by,” “best by,” or “best if used by” dates. Foods that have marks or blemishes on them. Unused food from farms such as unharvested crops. Among the ways to reduce food waste are: Plan meals in advance. Make a shopping list and check expiration dates on the items purchased. Cook the food you buy. Cook smaller portions to cut down on the amount of leftovers. Save extra food in reusable containers and add a label listing the contents and the date before storing in the refrigerator or pantry. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says “food waste is one of the largest streams of material in American trash.” "Throwing away unused or leftover food doesn't seem like a big deal, but it adds up.  The food waste that we collectively generate impacts us socially, environmentally and economically," said County DEP Acting Director Adriana Hochberg.  "Doing things that prevent food waste in the first place reduces the cost of collecting food waste for composting or disposal and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also puts money back in your pocket." To learn more about reducing food waste, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/SWS/foodwaste/food-waste.html. Additional information also available by contacting Eileen Kao at 240-777-6406 or Eileen.kao@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Montgomery County 
Community Action Agency
1401 Rockville Pike, 3rd Fl
Rockville, MD 20852
240-777-1697 (main)

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VITA Services: Prior Year Taxes and Amended Returns

Through October 31, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team is offering free tax help for current year (2021), prior years (2018 – 2020), and amended returns to Montgomery County residents with household incomes of $58,000 or less. 

Virtual appointments are available on Mondays and Fridays, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In-person appointments are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

All in-person appointments will be at 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, Rockville, MD 20852.

To schedule an appointment, please call VITA at 240-777-1123 or go to the CASHBACK website. See also our VITA fliers in: English, Spanish, Amharic,  Chinese, French, Korean, and Vietnamese.

Alert Montgomery: Emergency & Weather Event Notifications

From a Press Release from the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

The County's Alert Montgomery notification system sends emergency alerts regarding weather and other emergency information. The Alert Montgomery System provides accurate and immediate emergency notifications from Montgomery County to your cell, work, or home phones via text, email, or voice message to receive notifications about emergencies that may affect your home, workplace, child's school, or any other locations within the County.

What is the difference between a weather event "watch" or "warning"?

From the June 1 news release on the importance of preparing for summer storms, a National Weather Service (NWS) Watch or Warning means: 

Watch:  

• Be Prepared
• Conditions are right for the event to happen
• May last several hours
• Time to plan for the possibility of the event

Warning: 

• The weather event is happening 
• Time to take immediate action
• Usually limited to a short period of time (around 30 minutes)

Visit the OEMHS website for tips on preparing for severe summer storms. 

Resources:

Montgomery County provides COVID-19 vaccines for adults and children (six months and up): Montgomery County COVID-19 Vaccine Site

Montgomery County COVID-19 information website

Montgomery County COVID-19 hotline in English: 240-777-1755, and in Spanish: 301-270-8432

Financial Empowerment Center at WorkSource Montgomery: Free Financial Counseling

Frequently Asked Questions about Rent Relief Round 4 are available in English, Korean, Spanish, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Amharic.

Mortgage or other housing costs assistance due to COVID-19 related hardships: Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund. Local organizations assisting with applications: Latino Economic Development Corporation and the Housing Initiatives Partnership.

Ban the Box: The Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Law assists in the successful reintegration of people with criminal records into the workforce by removing barriers to employment and housing. Find out more from the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights.

Asian American Health Initiative

Latino Health Initiative

African American Health Program

Food assistance information in English, Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.

Diaper distribution

Family violence prevention 

CASHBACK – VITA Services, tax credit information, covid-19 financial resources

CFPB Your Money, Your Goals

CFPB Financial Education Tools in Multiple Languages

Protecting Immigrant Families: Immigrant eligibility for public programs.

Unemployment Insurance 

Office of Home Energy Programs – Utilities assistance

WSSC water & sewer bill assistance in English and Spanish. Call Center Advisors: 301-206-4001.

Water bill assistance flier in English and Spanish

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