E-Newsletter: November 2024

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

Workshop Promotes Educators' Emotional Wellness

Donate to the Coat Drive for Head Start & Pre-K Students

The Pre-kindergarten 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. You may drop off items in person from 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday, or you can order online and have items delivered directly to Rocking Horse Road Center.

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

Head Start Registration Continues for 2024 – 2025

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. Go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and search “Head Start” for more details. There are some spaces still available for this year! 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.

Seeking Volunteers for the Upcoming Tax Filing Season

The following is from a press release on October 23, 2024.

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.

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

Program and Advocacy Updates from the Community Action Board

On November 9^th, the Community Action Board hosted the first Community Advocacy Institute (CAI) workshop for the 2024-2025 program, Advocacy 101. Board member Erika Conner facilitated the session in which participants learned about best practices for working with elected officials. Participants were excited to hear directly from several local policymakers during a panel discussion. Pictured above, clockwise from the top left, are panel participants: State Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr, County Councilmember Kristin Mink, State Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, facilitator Erika Conner, and Gaithersburg City Councilmember Yamil Hernández. County Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles also participated.

Participants also learned about the County Council’s legislative process and budget process through an excellent presentation led by County Council attorney Ludeen McCartney-Green. The session concluded with an engaging panel discussion that included four CAI graduates who spoke about what the CAI meant to them and their advocacy and community activities following graduation. The CAI panelists pictured below, clockwise from the top left, are: Mabel Lozano, Board member Erika Conner, Melek Demir, Ramata Diop, and Datrina Childers. The next CAI workshop in December will take a closer look at key advocacy issues that participants selected themselves at the orientation session.

Later in the month, Board Chair Dr. Jeffery Johnson testified on behalf of the Board at the annual Montgomery County Joint Delegation Hearing. The Board’s testimony focused on key state-level priorities, including the establishment of the Community Action Anti-Poverty Fund and funding for 2-Gen/Whole Family Approach services. The Board is also advocating for expansion of the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit and policies that expand certification options for private child care providers and reducing barriers for these providers.

Community Action's 20th Annual Partners' Meeting

Earlier this month, Community Action hosted twenty-three representatives of eighteen nonprofits at the Annual Partners’ Meeting, a gathering of community members providing services that are supported by County contracts and grants and monitored by the agency. 

Shantá Johnson, Executive Director of the Community Action Agency, welcomed partners to the twentieth annual meeting. Dr. Michelle LaRue, Senior Manager of the Newcomers’ Program, shared information on services for new arrivals to Montgomery County. Since last year’s partners’ meeting, the Newcomers’ Program has joined the Office of Community Affairs in Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services. 

Aizat Oladapo, Program Manager, led participants in an exercise on the benefits and challenges of participating in a multigenerational workforce (above). 

This year’s featured guest speakers were from Nonprofit Montgomery. We were fortunate to host Ana Carrión, Director of Operations & Development (above), and Brigid Howe, Executive Director, who presented on preparing for staff and board transitions. The presentations were well received by the partners.

Joining the meeting were Community Action Board members Evelyn Okutu, Timothy Robinson, and Lisa Conlon (above, left to right).

For more information on Community Action's nonprofit partners, please visit Community Action's webpage. Many thanks to our presenters and participants for a successful, twentieth Annual Partners' Meeting!

TESS Outreach to the Community

On November 7, the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center provided information on community services at the County Executive's Community Conversation in Spanish at the Wheaton Community Recreation Center. Pictured above assisting a customer are Maria Quiroga, center, and Maureen Larenas-Rivas, Manager, on the right.

In honor of Thanksgiving, staff at the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center sent tailored messages in English, Spanish, or Amharic to past participants in the Senior Social group. 

Community Action wishes everyone a safe and peaceful Autumn and a happy Thanksgiving!

Community Action, DHHS Celebrate the Season

On a sunny day in October, many staff and a few volunteers within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) gathered to celebrate staff at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg. The occasion was the first HHS Fall Festival since 2019. Several Community Action staff members, including colleagues from the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center, paused between games of cornhole and sharing lunch to pose for a picture. Standing from left to right are: Edwina Sam, Monica Rivera-Goldberg, Gabriela Salazar, Paola Lopez, Maureen Larenas-Rivas, Maria Quiroga, Ameha Dessie, Victoria Hall, and Amin Hamidi. Kneeling in front are, left to right: Marwan Abdelmoniem and Birtucan Assres. 

Above, Community Action celebrated milestones at a recent staff meeting. Seated in the middle is Executive Director Shantá Johnson, and to her right is Betty Lam, Chief of the Office of Community Affairs.

Montgomery County 
Community Action Agency
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 240-777-1697

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Updates on TESS Services

The Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center, at 8703 Flower Avenue in Silver Spring, continues building repairs from a fire in a neighboring business. Staff members are working remotely and can assist residents via email, phone, or virtual platforms. 

Please call 240-773-8260 for assistance and visit montgomerycountymd.gov/TESS for the latest information.

Those interested in legal services are encouraged to contact the Montgomery County Maryland Bar Foundation's pro bono program directly at 301-424-7651.

VITA Tax Tip: How to Spot Scams Targeting Disaster Donations

In Tax Tip 2024-88, the Internal Revenue Service warns taxpayers to watch for scams claiming to collect donations for victims of disasters. IRS tips for safely donating to charities include:

• Verify whether the charity is legitimate.  Independently confirm the charity's name, website and mailing address are accurate. Use the Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool to verify if an organization is a legitimate tax exempt charity.

• Be cautious. Never give numbers from a gift card or wire money—that’s a scam. After verifying the charity is real, it's safest to pay by credit card or check.

• Don't share too much information. Scammers are seeking both money and personal information. Guard your Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, personal identification numbers, or passwords.

• Don't give in to pressure. Scammers often pressure people into immediate payments, whereas legitimate charities are happy to receive a donation at any time.

For more information, including how to report a scam and how to claim deductions to legitimate charities, see the full Tax Tip 2024-88.

Green Tip: Gift Outside the Box

The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection encourages people to "gift outside the box" for holidays. Gift ideas shared by the DEP include giving locally made items, event tickets--including events at local parks and libraries, and donating your time or other resources as a show of appreciation and community spirit.

Montgomery County Climate News. 

Meet Community Action’s Staff

Starting this month, Community Action is adding a feature to profile our dedicated staff. Our first volunteer is Marwan Abdelmoniem. 

What is your role in the Community Action Agency, and how long have you worked here? As an Administrative Specialist for 10 years, my primary duty has been to support work in contract and grant management, and finance and budget management for Community Action Agency programs, including budgetary and fiscal management, monitoring, and oversight of the agency’s funding. Serving as the fiscal point of contact, I receive and provide feedback to assure programs operate within budget and revenue constraints, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

What do you like most about your job? I am grateful to support our agency making positive impacts in Montgomery County. Our programs empower community advocates to champion their interests and rights; provide educational opportunities to pre-kindergarten children to prepare them for school and future success; and assist low-to-moderate income households in tax preparation and helps them achieve their financial objectives. The collaborative approach of our team, guided by the principle of "Community Needs First," enables us to leverage our diverse strengths for the benefit of those we serve.

In the community, where is your favorite place to be? My favorite place in the community is being part of DHHS where I can use my skills and cooperate with dedicated people to make Montgomery County a good place to be.

Resources:

NEW: Never Use Alone 877-696-1996, Overdose Prevention Lifeline. Toll-free national overdose prevention, detection, life-saving crisis response and medical intervention services for people who use drugs while alone. Peer operators are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No stigma. No judgment. Just love! https://neverusealone.com/

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.

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

The Montgomery County Commission for Women holds seminars on financial planning, intimate partner violence, separation and divorce, addresses human trafficking, and more. 

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.