E-Newsletter: January 2024

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

Community Action Welcomes New Executive Director, Shantá Johnson!

In early January, Shantá Johnson joined the Montgomery County Community Action Agency as its new Executive Director. Ms. Johnson has extensive experience working with families who live in affordable housing, students and families who are living in transitional housing, and she is a former Head Start parent. Of her first month at the helm of Community Action, Ms. Johnson said, "Anti-poverty work to me is some of the most important work in the world. I feel that it is a privilege to do this work and to work with such smart and dedicated people." Ms. Johnson recently moved to Maryland from Denver, Colorado to be closer to family. In her free time, she likes to dance, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with her family, including her chihuahua, Nala. Welcome, Shantá!

VITA Appointments Available!

Tax Season Appointments: January 22 - April 11, 2024. The Community Action Agency's VITA program is currently scheduling appointments for 2023 tax returns. Appointments are available for Montgomery County residents with a combined household income of $64,000 or less. English VITA Partnership flier and Spanish VITA Partnership flier.  The Community Action Agency recently partnered with Public Results to lead a text messaging campaign to raise awareness about valuable tax credits and free tax help through VITA programs. The first targeted message was issued on EITC Awareness Day, January 26th to 60,000 County residents. Additional outreach messages will be issued in February and March. Please check the following website for the most up-to-date information: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cashback/.

“Local Hero of the Week” Features Charlene Muhammad

On January 19, Charlene Muhammad, Head Start Program Manager, was featured as Congressman Jamie Raskin’s “Local Hero of the Week” in honor of National Poverty Awareness Month. Congressman Raskin serves Maryland’s Eighth District in the U.S. House of Representatives. In addition to her role as Program Manager, Ms. Muhammad recently served as the Acting Executive Director of the Community Action Agency from September to January.

In her interview with Congressman Raskin, Ms. Muhammad discussed staffing at the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center to best serve the population changes in Long Branch over the past decades. In the 1990s, when Ms. Muhammad first worked for Montgomery County, the Long Branch area had a larger Asian population where there are now more Latinx and East Africans. As a result, the TESS staff now includes native speakers of Spanish and Amharic.

While the County’s demographics have changed since Ms. Muhammad first worked with Montgomery County’s families, the needs of food, employment, housing, and empowerment remain similar. Ms. Muhammad also highlighted the importance Community Action’s services, partnerships, and teaching self-sufficiency, such as through the Community Advocacy Institute and borrowing from the Head Start motto of “each one teach one.”

Congratulations, Charlene, on your recognition as a Local Hero! We are proud to work with you in serving Montgomery County’s most vulnerable populations.

Head Start: Registration for Fall 2024 Opens March 1

Head Start registration for Fall 2024 will open on March 1, 2024. Families may register online or at community locations that will be posted online: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and search for “Head Start.” If your child was four (4) years old on or before September 1, 2023, it’s not too late to apply for this school year for free pre-kindergarten and Head Start programs in the public schools for low-income families who qualify. Call 240-740-4530 or go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and search “Head Start” for more details. Head Start/Pre-K registration fliers are available in: English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese,  French, and Portuguese. 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. Applications are accepted online via  https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and in-person at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Do you have questions about Head Start? Check out the Common Questions online.

Community Action Board and Head Start leader Tiffany Jones Wins Award

Out of over 250 nominees for the inaugural Early Care and Education Excellence Awards, presented by Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Child Care Support Services (CCSS), former Community Action Board member and Head Start Policy Council member Tiffany Jones was one of eight award winners announced earlier this month.

Acting Executive Director of the Community Action Agency, Charlene Muhammad, nominated Ms. Jones in honor of her work for over seven years with Community Action and Head Start. “Ms. Jones is a self-starter and born leader. As an entrepreneur, Ms. Jones has a successful Family Child Care (FCC) business and is passionate about early care and education as can be witnessed by her high-quality program delivery which has earned her a Level 5 accreditation standing in Maryland EXCELS,” the state quality rating and improvement system for licensed child care and early education programs.

In addition to past roles serving on the County’s Head Start Policy Council and as past Chair of the Community Action Board, Ms. Jones has volunteered countless hours to advocacy activities, including supporting the board’s advocacy training program, the Community Advocacy Institute. Ms. Jones has also advocated on behalf of the full board at numerous hearings and meetings, including the annual Board of Education Operating Budget Hearings, quarterly meetings with Department of Health and Human Services leadership, and a County Council hearing for a Rent Relief Act during the COVID-19 emergency. 

Ms. Jones brings her unique perspective as a highly trained childcare provider and experienced businesswoman to her advocacy work. In discussions with elected officials, Ms. Jones is often the “voice” of the childcare community, sharing many of the challenges faced by providers and parents of young children in Montgomery County. Thanks to her extensive knowledge of Early Care and Education, Ms. Jones serves on the County’s Early Education Initiative, the Montgomery Moving Forward Early Care and Education Workforce Advocacy Coalition, and the County Executive’s Community Recovery Advisory Group. Ms. Jones was also selected as one of fifteen dynamic and passionate early childhood professional members of the 2019/2020 Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program’s Inaugural Cohort.

Ms. Jones currently services as a Board member of the Children’s Opportunity Alliance, Montgomery County’s Early Care and Coordinating Entity. The purpose of the Alliance is to take a 360 degree look at the strengths and challenges of the ECE system and think creatively and strategically to solve the challenges.

Congratulations to Tiffany Jones for recognition well earned!

Advocacy Updates from the Community Action Board

With the Maryland legislative session in full swing, the Community Action Board is engaged in several advocacy efforts. The Board’s new Advocacy Committee is meeting weekly to review proposed legislation and determine which bills the Board will focus on this session. Committee members will also take the lead on drafting testimony for the Board.

On January 16^th, Board Chair Dr. Jeffery Johnson participated in the Maryland Community Action Partnership’s Advocacy Day in Annapolis. The event included meetings with legislators to discuss MCAP’s key priorities for the year and a legislative luncheon highlighting the work of Community Action Agencies across the state and the need for sustained funding for these agencies. Dr. Johnson had the opportunity to meet with members of the Montgomery County Delegation and their staff, including Senator Ariana Kelly and Delegates Lesley Lopez and Sarah Wolek. Staff and several board members joined Dr. Johnson for a virtual meeting with Delegate Anne Kaiser. Dr. Johnson is pictured above with MCAP Executive Director Angela Martin.

On January 25^th, Dr. Johnson testified at the Board of Education Budget Hearing. The Board’s testimony focused on Early Care and Education, highlighting the need for more full-day Head Start/Pre-Kindergarten classes, a mixed delivery system that includes private providers in the County’s Pre-K expansion plans, and more opportunities for private providers to become certified teachers.

VITA Celebrates EITC Awareness Day

Community Action joined Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) partners on January 26^th to celebrate Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Awareness Day and to raise awareness about tax credits for lower-income filers, along with free tax help offered by VITA programs. The event, hosted by Community Action Board Chair Dr. Jeffery Johnson, was held at WorkSource Montgomery's American Job Center in Wheaton.

The program included remarks from Anthony Featherstone, Executive Director, WorkSource Montgomery; Summer Cook, a VITA Client and EITC Recipient; Chiali Tsai, Community Action Agency VITA Volunteer (pictured above right); The Honorable Gabe Albornoz, Montgomery County Council (pictured below); Doug O’Donnell, Deputy Commissioner of Services and Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service; Dr. James Bridgers, Director, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); and Shantá Johnson, Executive Director, Community Action Agency; and The Honorable Julie Palakovich Carr, Maryland House of Delegates, a longtime champion for the EITC.

Pictured in the top photo are, left to right: Ishmael Alejo, Acting Director, IRS Refundable Credits Program Management; Shantá Johnson, Community Action Agency Executive Director; Thomas Bruce, Assistant to the Director, IRS Refundable Credits Program Management; Claudia Simmons, Community Action Board Vice Chair; Dr. Jeffery Johnson, Community Action Board Chair; Doug O’Donnell, IRS Deputy Commissioner of Services and Enforcement; Luis Castro, IRS Washington DC Territory Manager; and Wayne Ford, Assistant to the Director, IRS Customer Assistance, Relationship and Education. Also in attendance was Lillie Williams, IRS Senior Stakeholder Relationship Tax Consultant.  Representatives from CASA, The Equity Center, the Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center, United Way, and the CASH Campaign of Maryland, also participated in the event.  Read more in the EITC Awareness Day press release. For more information about the EITC and other tax credits, check out the Community Action Agency's CASHBACK website.

Community Action at the Women's Legislative Briefing

This year, Community Action was once again a proud cosponsor of the Women’s Legislative Briefing (WLB), hosted by the Montgomery County Commission for Women. The event, held on January 28^th at the Universities at Shady Grove, brings together elected officials, community leaders, and numerous advocates to discuss important policies impacting women. Community Action Board member Myriam Paul served on the planning committee for the event. In addition to Ms. Paul (second from left), Dr. Jeffery Johnson, Community Action Board Chair attended the WLB as well as Shantá Johnson (above center), Community Action Agency Executive Director; Valerie Chatfield-Smith (left), Community Action Board member; Pamela Luckett (second from right), Community Action Board member, and Leah Goldfine (right), Community Action Agency Program Manager. 

Spotlight on OCA Climate Action Team at Innovation Showcase

On January 30, the Innovation Team of Montgomery County Government celebrated graduates of its Accelerator program, their “Bright Spots” projects, and featured poster presentations of over 50 innovative projects led by staff across the County. One of the poster presentations featured the Lunch & Learn series of the Climate Action Team, Office of Community Affairs, Department of Health and Human Services. The OCA Climate Action Team was honored for significantly elevating the discourse on the intersection of climate change with public health and community welfare. The OCA Climate Action Team’s Lunch & Learn series is targeted to DHHS staff to encourage connections between their programs and service participants, and efforts to address and mitigate climate change.

The OCA Climate Action Team is comprised of eight representatives of four offices: Betty Lam, Chief of the Office of Community Affairs; Karen X. Gutierrez, OCA; Rebecca F. Smith, OCA; David Del Pozo and Daisy De Leon, Latino Health Initiative; Dr. Ikenna Myers, African American Health Program; Sophia Yoon, Asian American Health Initiative; and Melissa E. Ferguson, Community Action Agency.

The initiative has included insightful Lunch & Learn sessions led by experts on topics from climate change's impact on chronic diseases and public health, by Dr. Ikenna Myers of the African American Health Program; climate change and an adaptive workforce, by Helga Luest; and practical energy efficiency at home, by Larissa Johnson, Residential Energy Program Manager in the Department of Environmental Protection. The next Lunch & Learn will feature Sareem Streater, Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) Community Outreach Coordinator, who will present on emergency preparedness considerations for people with access and functional needs. The OCA Climate Action Team also plans to explore climate change's effects on food resiliency, including emergency food distribution and community gardening.

These sessions have played a crucial role in educating DHHS staff fostering a greater understanding of the urgent need for climate-conscious adaptations in health and community programs. The series not only shares knowledge but also showcases actionable steps, thereby empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions in the face of climate-related challenges.​ For more Bright Spots featured in the Innovation Showcase, go to:  https://montgomerycountymd.gov/innovation/bright-spots/. Photo credits: APHA Health Impacts of Climate Change: Rising Temperatures; Montgomery Energy Connection; OEMHS Are You Ready? My Guide: Access and Functional Needs.

Montgomery County 
Community Action Agency
1401 Rockville Pike, 3rd Floor
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 240-777-1697 

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VITA's Monthly Tax Tip: Changes to Retirement Contributions

The following is an excerpt from IR-2023-203:

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2024 has increased to $23,000, up from $22,500 for 2023. The IRS also issued technical guidance regarding all of the cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2024 in Notice 2023-75.

Highlights of changes for 2024: The contribution limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans, as well as the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan is increased to $23,000, up from $22,500.

The limit on annual contributions to an IRA increased to $7,000, up from $6,500. The IRA catch up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and over was amended under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (SECURE 2.0) to include an annual cost of living adjustment but remains $1,000 for 2024.

Click on the full article for more details on changes to retirement contributions.

Community Action Partner Spotlight: Bridge Grants Extended

In late December, the Office of Grants Management announced that Fiscal Year 2023 Community Grants were extended through  additional bridge grant funding. The new end date is April 30, 2024. For updates to the Community Grants and announcements of new Montgomery County grants programs, check the Office of Grants Management website: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ogm/.

Green Tip: Be "Salt Wise"

Did you know that one cup of salt can clear ice from twelve sidewalk squares? Or that you can sweep up and re-use the same salt multiple times?

From the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, learn why it's important for our waterways, wildlife, and pets to be "Salt Wise" and use only as much as we need to maintain ice-free walkways.

Resources:

New: Affordable Connectivity Program – For information about a $30/month on Internet connections go to https://montgomerycountymd.gov/obp/affordable-connectivity-program.html or click on the fliers in English and Spanish. You can also call 301-908-4510 or toll-free 1-866-206-8467.

New: Free Computers Available

Montgomery Connects is offering one new Chromebook laptop computer person to anyone who does not have access to a computer while supplies last.  Hurry, appointments are going fast. You must be a Maryland resident over age 7 but you do not have to be a U.S. citizen. Visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/computer to make an appointment and for complete details.  Limit one per person. You are not eligible to get a computer if you already received one from the County.  You must have a library card number https://mcpl.link/DigitalCard before you make your appointment. Everyone receiving a computer has to appear in person to pick it up and bring photo ID and proof of address.

Montgomery Connects ofrece una nueva computadora portátil Chromebook a cualquier persona que no tenga acceso a una computadora hasta que se terminen. Date prisa, las citas se van rápido. Debe ser residente de Maryland mayor de 7 años, pero no es necesario ser ciudadano estadounidense. Visite www.montgomerycountymd.gov/computer para programar una cita y obtener los detalles completos. Límite de uno por persona. Usted no es elegible para obtener una computadora si ya recibió una del Condado.  Debe tener un número de tarjeta de la biblioteca https://mcpl.link/DigitalCard y hacer una cita. Todas las personas que reciban una computadora deben presentarse en persona para recogerla y traer una identificación con foto y un comprobante de dirección.

Self-Sufficiency Standard Report: The 2023 report is available for download on the Community Action Agency website and access the new Interactive Self-Sufficiency Standard. Another helpful tool is the Maryland Self-Sufficiency Standard Calculator, which was developed by the Maryland Community Action Partnership and the University of Washington. This interactive tool allows users to determine the Standard for different family compositions throughout the state.

Help Is Within Reach – The attached flier shows where to call for help.For a mental health crisis and listening support, call 988. The Montgomery County Crisis Center is available for call in, walk in, mobile outreach, community referrals, and substance use assessment and referrals (240-777-4000). 311 provides weekday assistance, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., for health and human services, housing, transportation, and food assistance (311 for local numbers, or 240-777-0311). For medical emergencies, fires, reporting crimes, disaster response, and life-saving situations, call 911.

Office of Community Affairs, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services:

Past editions of Community Action’s monthly e-newsletter are available on the Community Action website (montgomerycountymd.gov/communityaction).

African American Health Program

Asian American Health Initiative

Latino Health Initiative

Health:

Montgomery County is partnering with Access HEARS, Inc. to distribute free over-the-counter hearing aids for County residents who are ages 60 (+), have moderate to severe hearing loss, and incomes below 250% of the FPL. Find out more about how to access free hearing aids.

COVID-19 vaccines to address the current variants are distributed through pharmacies and primary care providers. https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/covid19/. Hotline in English: 240-777-1755, and in Spanish: 301-270-8432.

DHHS sexual health services: Testing for sexually transmitted infections in Silver Spring and Germantown. https://montgomerycountymd.gov/hiv/testing.html/.

Pregnant women who meet the other Medicaid enrollment requirements except for citizenship may be eligible for full Medicaid coverage, including those who are undocumented or are on visas that would otherwise not allow them to apply for Medicaid. For more information, please visit health.maryland.gov/healthybabies .

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.

Housing – Repairs, eviction prevention, evictions:

For low-income households, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has home repair loans that can assist with paying for radon abatement and other repairs: https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Residents/Pages/SpecialLoans.aspx.

Rebuilding Together Montgomery County – repairs, aging in place modifications to homes: https://rebuildingtogethermc.org/

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

Montgomery County Renters Alliance – advocacy, education on tenants’ rights: https://www.rentersalliance.org/

Safety and Emergency Preparedness:

Use the following QR code to sign up for 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. 

Tips on preparing for severe storms. Four steps for Emergency Preparedness: 1) Stay informed. 2) Make a plan. 3) Make a kit. 4) Get involved. Check out the OEMHS website for emergency preparation guides, including special considerations for people with access and functional needs.

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. The Maryland Insurance Administration also has a flood insurance information page.

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:

If you are a victim of SNAP fraud/EBT skimming, go to: https://mocofoodcouncil.org/snapoutreach/.

How to protect SNAP benefits from fraud: Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Fraud - Maryland Department of Human Services

Information the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: https://dhs.maryland.gov/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program/

Food assistance resources and programs (information available in English, Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean)

Montgomery County Food Council – Food Assistance Resource Map - https://mocofoodcouncil.org/map/

Greater DC Diaper Bank: Diaper distribution

Financial empowerment:

Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center: http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/fec. Phone: 240-454-5199. 

WorkSource Montgomery: https://worksourcemontgomery.com/. Service locations in Wheaton and Germantown.

What does it cost to live in Maryland? 2023 Maryland Self-Sufficiency Standard

Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection – A – Z Consumer Advice

My Green Montgomery: How to lower your energy costs and much more! https://mygreenmontgomery.org/projects/energy/

CASHBACK – VITA Services, tax credit information, and financial education resources.

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.

Transportation: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation Ride On Reimagined Study is a full-scale re-assessment of how the Montgomery County public transit network including Ride On, Metro Bus and rail and the future Purple Line, will operate in Montgomery County, with the goal of creating a future-focused public transportation system. 

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