E-Newsletter: October 2024

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

Board Kicks Off Ninth Year of Advocacy Training Program

On October 19^th, the Community Action Board hosted an orientation session for the ninth cohort of the Community Advocacy Institute (CAI). This year’s cohort, the largest the program has ever had, includes 35 residents from across the County (pictured above).

Board Chair Dr. Jeffery Johnson led the session at the Gaithersburg Library, providing an overview of the CAI curriculum and program requirements. Community Action’s Executive Director Shantá Johnson shared welcoming remarks with the participants and County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz shared inspiring, welcoming remarks with the participants (pictured at right). Numerous board members, former board members, CAI Ambassadors, and Community Action staff members offered their time to support this introductory session and welcome the incoming CAI class of 2025. Also in October, Dr. Johnson testified on behalf of the Board at the annual County Council HHS Committee meeting for Boards, Committees, and Commissions. The Board’s testimony focused on the staffing needs of the agency and funding for the Working Families Income Supplement.

Community Action Board Welcomes New Member

Kemmesha Thomas was nominated to serve in the private sector of Community Action Board by Aetna Health, where she previously worked as a Health Strategist. She is interested in addressing health disparities that exist along racial and socio-economic lines. Kemmesha has a Master of Public Health and experience working in community engagement, policy analysis, and direct service.

Head Start Spaces Available!

For children who turned four (4) years old on or before September 1, 2024, in low-income families who qualify, registration continues for free pre-kindergarten and Head Start programs in the public schools. There are some spaces still available for this year! Go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and search “Head Start” for more details. 

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. The office phone number is 240-740-4530. List of the documents needed to complete a Head Start application. Do you have questions about Head Start? Check out the Common Questions online.

Winter Coat Drive for Young Students

The Prekindergarten and Head Start Programs are requesting donations of new coats for students in need. Hats, gloves and boots for young children are also welcome. Donations for boys’ and girls’ coats in sizes 5, 6, 7 and 8 are most needed. Items can be dropped off at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Room 141, Rockville, Md., 20852.

Items may be dropped off in person from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, or ordered online for delivery directly to Rocking Horse Road Center.

For questions, contact Lisa Conlon at Lisa_W_Conlon@mcpsmd.org or 240-550-2615. 

Thank you for sharing this need across your network!

VITA Volunteer Recruitment

The following VITA press release was issued October 23, 2024 in English and Spanish.

The Montgomery County Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is recruiting volunteers for the upcoming tax season, which runs from January through mid-April. Volunteers can become IRS-certified VITA tax preparers, schedulers, greeters, quality reviewers and site coordinators. The VITA tax program provides free tax help to eligible County residents, including Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) holders with household incomes of $67,000 or less.

The VITA program connects residents to critical tax credits that help support lower-income households. Last year, volunteers dedicated 3,008 hours to assist the program in serving 2,246 households, resulting in a tax impact of nearly $8.6 million. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to complete an online registration form.

“Montgomery County's VITA program plays a key role in supporting eligible residents by offering free tax preparation and connecting them to essential tax credits,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This effort is powered by dedicated volunteers who contribute their time and expertise to strengthen our community. I encourage anyone wanting to make a difference, whether you have tax experience or just want to help, to join our VITA volunteer team.”

There is a significant need for volunteer schedulers this tax season. Schedulers assist residents by answering phone calls and scheduling appointments through an online scheduling system. These roles do not involve tax preparation.

All VITA volunteers receive free training and can serve in Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg or Wheaton. Hours and locations are flexible. High school students may also earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours by volunteering as greeters or schedulers.

Given Montgomery County's diversity, multilingual volunteers are highly encouraged to apply, with a particular need for those fluent in Spanish.

Two virtual information sessions for prospective volunteers will be held from 11 a.m.-noon and 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13. The sessions will provide an overview of the program and volunteer opportunities. To attend, complete the volunteer registration form.

For more information about volunteering, click here, call 240-777-1123 or email VITA staff.

The Community Action Agency is part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services.

In a VITA Client's Words

For a glimpse at the impact VITA services have on the community, consider the following praise from a taxpayer who was recently assisted by VITA.  THANK YOU!  Susan and several other VITA volunteers have done the impossible by organizing and sending my tax forms which I could not do. It took three visits, as many records as I could find, and huge amounts of patience, perseverance, knowledge, and human kindness for Susan to accomplish so much. Her VITA helpers were also wonderfully professional in every way. I plan to follow up on the recommendations I received, as well as pay the charges due to IRS. Thank you, VITA! Thank you, Susan, and thank you to all the helpful staff.

WorkSource Montgomery Mobile Jobs Center Visits 1401 Rockville Pike

In partnership with Community Action’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, WorkSource Montgomery (WSM) brought the Mobile Jobs Center to 1401 Rockville Pike on October 29. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., people met with WSM staff to discuss hiring and free training opportunities. Programs serve both youth and adults.

During the tax season (January - April), Community Action's VITA program is on-site at WorkSource Montgomery's Wheaton office one day a week. VITA Program Specialist Taunya Johnson proposed the event to build on the partnership. “People are coming to 1401 Rockville Pike for many services, and if they qualify for services, they’re likely looking for a better job.”

In addition to the Community Action Agency, 1401 Rockville Pike is home to several other Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services offices, including Medicaid enrollment, dental services, the African American Health Program, and the Asian American Health Initiative, as well as the Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

For information on the WorkSource Montgomery Mobile Jobs Center, go to: https://linktr.ee/worksourcemd  or https://worksourcemontgomery.com/. WorkSource Montgomery offices are in Germantown and Wheaton. 

TESS in the Community

On October 19^th, the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center joined in a Long Branch community health fair hosted by Impact Silver Spring in collaboration with Clifton Park Baptist Church. TESS staff provided information and resources and connected with the community and partnering service providers. Participants from the community benefited from many on-site connections to services, including free health screening, vaccinations against influenza and COVID-19, vision and dental exams, food distribution, nutrition education, medical counseling, and more. Pictured above is TESS Community Services Aide Birtucan Assres with a health fair participant.

On September 23 at the White Oak Community Center, TESS staffed an outreach table at the County Executive's Community Conversation budget forum targeted to the African-Caribbean Diaspora. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, along with the County’s regional services offices and community partners, hosted Community Conversations to seek input on the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Operating Budget. Community Services Aides Ameha Dessie and Birtucan Assres are pictured above with TESS Manager Maureen Larenas-Rivas at the event.   On September 24 at the Long Branch Community Center, Birtucan and Maureen presented and staffed a resource table with information for middle and high school youth and their families attending the Long Branch Collective Action for Youth (LBCAY) meeting convened by Community Health and Empowerment through Education and Research (CHEER). Participating organizations included Community Bridges, which leads a girls empowerment program for grades 4-12 across Montgomery County; the Montgomery College career readiness program; Identity, which focuses on the opportunities and potential of Latino and other underserved youth in Montgomery County; and The EcoPeace Academy, an eco-based academy that address biodiversity and how to become a green entrepreneur (flier attached). Upcoming programs of the LBCAY will focus on becoming a Youth Ambassador, Robotics, Youth Gardening, Financial Literacy, and more!

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

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Community Action Partner Spotlight: Annual Partners' Meeting

Each Fall, the Community Action Agency hosts an annual partners’ meeting. Twenty-seven nonprofits that provide services with support from County contracts and grants monitored by Community Action  will gather next month in Gaithersburg. The annual partners’ meeting is considered a best practice in contract and grant monitoring and benefits both Community Action staff and our nonprofit partners. The goal is to assists partners in compliance with their contracts and/or grant agreements, achieve their program missions more effectively, and support lasting change for County residents.

One aspect of the meetings that participants particularly enjoy is networking and the opportunities to foster collaboration. Community Action acknowledges partnerships and provides updates from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that enhance program quality and service provision.

Guest speakers over the years who have highlighted initiatives, policies, and procedures include Montgomery County's Department of Health and Human Services Compliance team and Performance, Accountability and Customer Service (PACS);  Montgomery County’s Office of Grants Management; and WorkSource Montgomery.

The nonprofits also share ideas in group exercises that bring about new ideas, address issues that arise, and foster problem solving and innovations. By joining forces, nonprofits can amplify their voices and advocate more powerfully for policy change. This November’s meeting is designed to foster conversations on multigenerational workspaces and planning and cross-training for staff and Board transitions. 

Update on TESS Repairs

The Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center, at 8703 Flower Avenue in Silver Spring, continues to undergo repairs from a neighboring business’s fire. Staff is working remotely and can assist residents via email, phone, or virtual platforms. Signage is posted on the front door in English, Spanish, and Amharic directing clients to call 240-773-8260 for assistance.

For updates, please visit montgomerycountymd.gov/TESS for the latest information.

Those interested in legal services are encouraged to contact the Montgomery County Maryland Bar Foundation Pro Bono Program directly at 301-424-7651.

VITA's Monthly Tax Tip: IRS Tax Help Available

Community Action’s post-season tax filing has closed. However, the IRS can still help with 2023 taxes.

IRS Tax Tip 2024-80 includes links to IRS electronic tax filing software, web pages in seven languages, and a 24-hour interactive Web assistant for frequently asked questions.

Community Action's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will begin taking appointments for the 2024 tax season in mid-January. Stay tuned for updates in this newsletter and on the CASHBACK website.

Green Tip: How to Organize a Community Clean-Up

Participating in a community clean-up is a wonderful way to see the difference a small group of volunteers can make. Whether you’re gathering neighbors, students, or a service group, community clean-ups keep trash out of our streams and waterways. For clean-up tips from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, check out the below website. Included is a form for free supplies for picking up trash: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DEP/water/volunteer.html.

Subscribe to Montgomery County Climate News.

Resources

Did you know? The Montgomery County Commission for Women holds seminars on financial planning, intimate partner violence, separation and divorce, addresses human trafficking, and more: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw/.

Maternal and Infant Health: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/ProgramIndex/MaternalIndex.html.

Help Is Within Reach:

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.

African American Health Program

Asian American Health Initiative

Latino Health Initiative

Resource Directories:

Get Help page, Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, Montgomery County, MD. 

WorkSource Montgomery’s Community Assets Map.

Health:

The DHHS Mobile Health Clinic travels around Montgomery County providing integrated medical, dental, behavioral health, and human services to underserved and vulnerable populations and communities. Residents of Montgomery County, with and without health insurance, are eligible for services.

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Hate Crimes Hotline: 1-866-481-8361 and online reporting tool: https://nohomeforhate.md.gov/. Active incidents should be immediately reported to 911.Mental health support resources, from the National Council for Mental Health Well-Being.

Access HEARS, Inc. distributes free over-the-counter hearing aids for County residents who are ages 60 (+) and have moderate to severe hearing loss and incomes below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. Find out more about how to access free hearing aids.

DHHS testing for sexually transmitted infections in Silver Spring and Germantown.

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 on visas. Contact the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 

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.

Rebuilding Together Montgomery County – repairs, aging in place modifications to homes. 

Landlord-Tenant Affairs, Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Evictions office: 240-777-7130 

Montgomery County Renters Alliance – advocacy, education on tenants’ rights.

Limit on rent increases signed into Montgomery County law July 2024: Please see the link below for information, including how far back the law applies to rent increases, and which properties are exempt: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dhca/Tenants/RentStabilization.html.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness:

Sign up for Alert Montgomery notifications about emergencies in Montgomery County. Alerts can be sent via text, email, or voice message. Use above link or below QR code.

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:  Information on frequently flooded roads, steps residents can take to prepare for potential flooding, and the availability of Flood Insurance. 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.

Montgomery County Family Violence Awareness and Prevention 

The Montgomery County Crisis Center specializes in serving people with behavioral health (mental health) crises. 

Food and Household items:

Montgomery County Food Council: Food Assistance Resource Map.

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).

Greater DC Area Diaper Bank : The Nursery Project provides strollers, car seats, and a cloth diaper service.

Diaper distribution at Montgomery County hubs and other partners.

WSSC has several programs to assist customers. All linked fliers are in both English and Spanish: QR codes to all WSSC assistance programs; Customer Assistance Program for water bill assistance; and a loan program for help with water or sewer pipe repairs or replacement (English and Spanish).

Financial empowerment:

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

Affordable Connectivity Program – Approx. $30/month on Internet connections. Click on the fliers in English and Spanish or call 301-908-4510 or toll-free 1-866-206-8467.

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

Office of Home Energy Programs: Utilities assistance.

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

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

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

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.

Protecting Immigrant Families: Immigrant eligibility for public programs.

Unemployment Insurance.

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