Montgomery County Community Action Agency 1401 Rockville Pike, 3rd Floor Rockville, MD 20852 240-777-1697
Community Action Partner Spotlight: Nonprofit Advocacy
Advocacy can mean many different things in the nonprofit world. Fundamentally, advocacy is about speaking out and making a case for something important to bring about change. At the Community Action Agency’s CAI (Community Advocacy Institute) participants learn and utilize basic advocacy skills. Advocacy is the method to get these voices heard. Some of the program participants end up in advocacy roles on non-profit boards and/or County advisory committees.
Nonprofits advance their mission, increase their funding sources, and solve community and societal challenges using advocacy. Many nonprofit organizations’ missions address the needs and inadequacies of individuals and communities, and even help individuals and communities aspire and dream for a better quality of life.
Advocacy allows nonprofits to advance the issues they care about and helps bring about lasting change for the people and communities they serve.
It is very important for nonprofits to understand the differences between the various activities associated with advocacy as well as what is and what is not allowed for a specific type of tax-exempt organization. The IRS defines what is legal and recommended within the limits.
See Links below for more information on nonprofit advocacy:
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/why-should-your-nonprofit-advocate
Lobbying | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).
Green Tip: Testing Your Home for Radon
The following is reprinted from My Green Montgomery:
During the month of January, Montgomery County joins a nationwide effort to educate homeowners and renters on the dangers of radon gas and the importance of testing every home. Radon Action Month focuses on the steps everyone can take to help ensure their home is radon free.
According to the EPA, radon is responsible for thousands of lung cancer deaths each year. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.
January is an especially good time to test homes for radon because windows and doors are closed tightly and people spend more time indoors. Testing typically happens in the lowest occupied level of a building since radon enters through cracks and other openings in the foundation. Radon tests are different from carbon monoxide and home smoke detectors.
Councilmember Craig Rice, the lead sponsor of the County law requiring a radon test when a single-family home is sold, is an advocate for radon education.
“Due to the geology beneath us, Montgomery County is prone to higher levels of radon,” said Councilmember Rice. “Radon is a silent killer and our residents need to know about potential dangers in their homes so they can make smart decisions to protect their families. Being informed about radon starts by picking up, and using, a testing device.”
Radon testing devices can be purchased at local home improvement stores, online or directly from radon testing companies. Many are priced under $25 and can provide short-term or long-term readings.
Everyone should test their home for Radon! In January 2023 (check their websites for ongoing availability) the Maryland Department of Health is offering radon test kits for $3, one per address! Learn more!
The readings are provided in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). If your test results come back as 4 pCi/L or higher, then you should consult a qualified radon mitigation contractor.
For more information on radon, testing and finding a radon mitigation contractor, visit the DEP radon website at montgomerycountymd.gov/radon.
For low-income households, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has home repair loans that can assist with paying for radon abatement: https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Residents/Pages/SpecialLoans.aspx.
Resources:
Office of Community Affairs, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services:
Community Action Agency’s combined FY20 and FY21 annual report
Asian American Health Initiative
Latino Health Initiative
African American Health Program
Health:
Montgomery County COVID-19 information: Vaccines for adults and children ages six months and up.
Montgomery County COVID-19 hotline in English: 240-777-1755, and in Spanish: 301-270-8432.
Resource Directories:
Get Help page, Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, Montgomery County, MD https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist/get-help/
WorkSource Montgomery’s Community Assets Map
Evictions and eviction prevention:
Landlord-Tenant Affairs, Department of Housing and Community Affairs: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCA/housing/landlordtenant/evictions.html
Sheriff’s Office, Evictions office: 240-777-7130 https://montgomerycountymd.gov/sheriff/sections/eviction-section.html
Safety and Emergency Preparedness:
Montgomery County flooding website: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/flooding/. Information on frequently flooded roads, steps residents can take to prepare for potential flooding, and the availability of Flood Insurance available to all properties in the County and a survey on flooding in your neighborhood.
Alert Montgomery: Sign up to receive accurate and immediate notifications about emergencies that may affect your home, workplace, child's school, or any other Montgomery County locations. Alerts can be sent via text, email, or voice message.
OEMHS website: Tips on preparing for severe storms.
Winter Storm Information Portal
The Montgomery County Family Justice Center helps people in domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse situations. https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fjc/
Montgomery County Family Violence Awareness and Prevention
The Montgomery County Crisis Center specializes in serving people with behavioral health (mental health) crises. Information about the Crisis Center and other crisis intervention services:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/hhs/programindex/crisisservicesindex.html
Food and Household items:
How to protect SNAP benefits from fraud: Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Fraud - Maryland Department of Human Services
Food assistance resources and programs (information available in English, Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean)
Food Assistance Resource Map - https://mocofoodcouncil.org/map/
Diaper distribution
Financial empowerment:
My Green Montgomery: How to lower your energy costs and much more! https://mygreenmontgomery.org/projects/energy/
CASHBACK – VITA Services and tax credit information
Free Financial Counseling: Financial Empowerment Center at WorkSource Montgomery.
Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund: Assistance with mortgage payments or other housing costs due to COVID-19 related financial hardships. MHAF application assistance: Latino Economic Development Corporation and Housing Initiatives Partnership.
Ban the Box, or 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.
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
Transit:
Ride-On Reimagined is campaign to assess the bus network for significant changes. Go to the link to see opportunities for Public Forums and Community Engagement events. Ride On Reimagined - Montgomery County Division of Transit Services (montgomerycountymd.gov).
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