E-Newsletter: July 1 - August 15, 2025

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

Celebrating 60 Years of Head Start: Free Pre-kindergarten for Low-income Families

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services is honored to continue our partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) serving children and families with comprehensive early care and education services for 60 years. Pictured above in June, at the Head Start and Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) Father’s Day Party in the Park are, left to right: Jonathan Cartegena (HOC Fatherhood Initiative); MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas W. Taylor; Charlene Muhammad, Community Action's Head Start program manager; and Nichelle Owens, Director, MCPS Division of School Leadership and Improvement.

Registration continues for Prekindergarten/Head Start in the 2025 - 2026 school year for children who will be four (4) years old on or before September 1, 2025, in low-income families who qualify. Free pre-kindergarten and Head Start programs are held in Montgomery County Public Schools. 

Go to www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org and search “Head Start” for more details. 

Fliers direct families to one link if they are new to MCPS, and another if they already have a child attending MCPS. Fliers in English, Spanish, French, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Vietnamese are posted on: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS-Program/OCA/CommunityAction/HeadStart.html.

Applications are accepted:

• Online via www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org
• 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.

TESS Community Action Center Welcomes Elected Officials

This summer, the Community Action Agency (CAA) hosted several elected officials at the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center. On July 15^th, staff members and board leaders welcomed Delegates representing District 20, which includes TESS. Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins, Delegate David Moon, and Rose Stutz from Delegate Lorig Charkoudian’s office participated. Pictured above, Community Acton's Executive Director Shantá Johnson is on the left beside Del. Wilkins and Ms. Stutz, and Del. Moon is second from the right. The visit showcased the TESS Center and CAA’s other programs. 

On August 7^th, TESS hosted County Council President Kate Stewart (above center right), whose district also includes TESS. At both visits, guests toured the Center and learned about its 57-year history in Long Branch. These were wonderful opportunities to showcase TESS as a critical resource for the community.

Community Action Agency Hosts Summer Rise Participant

For the first time, the Community Action Agency (CAA) hosted a Summer Rise participant, Daniel Greene. The Summer Rise program offers high school juniors and seniors career-based learning opportunities at various County organizations, agencies, and businesses. Daniel, a rising senior at Walter Johnson High School, spent five weeks learning about CAA and participating in meetings, special projects, site visits, and informational interviews.

Daniel also joined fellow Summer Rise participants placed within the Department of Health and Human Services for several special activities at other programs. In the above photo, Daniel is in the back row on the left.

After successful completion of the program, on July 25th Daniel graduated from Summer Rise at a special ceremony. We wish Daniel all the best in his future endeavors!

Board Members Visit Longtime Community Action Partners

Throughout the month of August, Board members have had the opportunity to visit several non-profit organizations that receive County contracts and grants monitored by Community Action staff. On August 7^th, the Board visited Manna Food Center’s Silver Spring office, featuring a presentation by Jenna Umbriac, Manna's Director of Community Impact. Board Vice Chair Timothy Robinson learned about Manna’s numerous programs and services aimed at reducing food insecurity in the County. The visit  included a tour of Manna’s Food Choice Pantry, where residents select their own food choices. Joining Jenna Umbriac (above left) and Mr. Robinson (second from left) were Community Action staff members, including Program Managers Aizat Oladapo and Leah Goldfine.

The following day, Board members visited the C-4 Clothing Closet and the Eastern Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Network (EMEAN). The Colesville Council of Community Congregations (C-4) provides clothing, baby clothes and necessities, household items, holiday gifts, backpacks, and diapers to households in Silver Spring. Pictured above with C-4 program director Neal Bacon (center) are, left to right, Board Chair DaVida Rowley, Vice Chair Timothy Robinson, Community Action Program Specialist Melissa Ferguson, CAA Program Manager Aizat Oladapo, and Board member Will Kenlaw.

The Eastern Montgomery Emergency Assistance Network (EMEAN) provides emergency rental assistance, utility assistance, and assistance with paying for prescriptions to households in specific ZIP codes. EMEAN is directed by Kym Awkard, pictured above second from the right. Both C-4 and EMEAN are housed at 14015 New Hampshire Avenue, in space provided by the County.

On August 11^th, CASA hosted the Board at their Wheaton Welcome Center. CASA's Lindolfo Carballo, Senior Director of Community Economic Development, and Josefina Estrada, Cooperative Development Project Manager, shared  information on the employment program and workers’ co-op. Visiting Board members also heard directly from program participants about the CASA programs' impact, as well as some challenges community members are currently facing. Mr. Carballo is pictured above, in the front row on the left. On the right, also in the front row, is Ms. Estrada.

The Community Action Board thanks our partner organizations for taking the time to host the site visits and share critical information about their programs.

Free Tax Help Available During the Post-Tax Season

Community Action’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help through October 29, 2025 for prior year, amended, and current year state and federal returns. Appointments for County residents with household incomes of $67,000 or less are available in-person on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Virtual appointments are available on Thursdays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Appointment scheduling is available online or by calling 240-777-1123. Please check the CASHBACK website for more information, including a list of documents needed for appointments.

TESS Hosts Coffee Chats

In partnership with IMPACT Silver Spring, the Takoma-East Silver Spring  (TESS) Community Action Center is hosting coffee chats every other Tuesday morning. Led by IMPACT's new Long Branch Network Builder Richard Pascagaza (pictured above), neighbors who walk in are offered coffee and conversation, including information about resources available in the Long Branch area of Silver Spring and Takoma Park. At a recent gathering, community members with diverse backgrounds shared their interests in vocational training programs such as painting, sewing, nursing, and baking; interests in the Housing Opportunities Commission; and their public safety concerns.  For more information on TESS Community Action Center services, please visit our webpage.

Community Action Hosts Annual Board Retreat

On August 13^th, members of the Community Action Board, Head Start Parents Policy Council, and staff came together at the Community Action Agency office to review the Board’s work in fiscal year 2025 and begin planning for 2026. The retreat included presentations about the agency’s programs, including VITA, Head Start, contract monitoring, TESS, and Navigation. Board leaders highlighted their accomplishments from the previous year and led a group activity to select the priorities for the County's Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025 - June 2026). Board participants shared their ideas for steps to address the new year's priorities.

Upcoming E-news Edition

The next edition of the Community Action e-newsletter will be published at the end of September. The Community Action Agency sends well wishes to all families and professionals heading back to school! Was this e-newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe to Community Action's monthly e-newsletter.

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

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Tax Tips: Avoid Scams; New Tax Credits for 2025

The following is an excerpt from: Tax Tip 2025-46.

The following tips are from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help taxpayers recognize whether the person trying to contact them is actually from the IRS, or if it's a scam. 

• The IRS does NOT reach out through email or social media. Watch for fake ads for refunds or bills that don't exist.  
• Text messages from the IRS are only sent with the taxpayer's permission after the taxpayer shares their phone number or email address.  
• The IRS first sends a letter or notice.

Other ways to know if it's really the IRS trying to reach you:

• Log onto your secure IRS Online Account. Is the letter or notice in your file?
• Contact IRS customer service directly. 

For more tips, including how to verify whether a collection agency is real, when the IRS makes a phone call, and information about in-person visits, read the full article. 

New Tax Credits: For tax year 2025, recent legislation includes no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime, no taxes on car loan interest, and a new deduction for seniors. Each new tax credit has limitations and maximums. 

Staff Profile: Benoit Codjia

Question: What is your role in the Community Action Agency (CAA), and how long have you worked here?

Answer: My new position is Program Specialist with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program starting on July 28, 2025.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I derive profound satisfaction from my work as a VITA Program Specialist, where I empower underserved individuals to submit accurate, no-cost tax returns and claim transformative benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit. By collaborating with IRS-certified volunteers and community partners, I oversee volunteer training and quality assurance procedures to guarantee exceptional service standards. Witnessing clients’ relief and appreciation when they receive refunds and experience reduced stress makes the impact of our work truly meaningful.

Q: In the community, where is your favorite place to be?

A: My favorite place to be as a VITA Program Specialist is at community-accessible venues such as local public libraries, community centers, or neighborhood outreach sites. These locations provide a welcoming and central environment where underserved individuals can receive in-person, no-cost tax assistance. They foster a supportive atmosphere that encourages client engagement, trust, and accessibility, aligning perfectly with the mission of maximizing access to tax benefits and fostering community empowerment.

Congratulations, Benoit, on your new position!

Green Tips: Emergency Planning and More!

This tropical storm season, does your family have an emergency plan? The Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) website includes work plans for you and your family in English, Spanish, Russian, Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic, French, and simplified Chinese.

OEMHS also has a wealth of information in their library, including specific emergency planning tips for people with access and functional disabilities, children, and pets.

Leaf Blower Law: Starting July 1, gas leaf blowers are illegal in Montgomery County. A year ago, the County Council signed a law to phase out gas leaf blower use in Montgomery County through June 30, 2025. Running a gas leaf blower for an hour uses enough energy to drive from Montgomery County to New Orleans! The fumes are unhealthy for landscapers and the whole neighborhood. Switching to an electric leaf blower is safer, and rakes use people power!

Learn more about the end of gas leaf blower use in Montgomery County and other green tips for a healthy environment.

Resources

NEW: Family Empowerment Resource Fair, September 27, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., at Montgomery College in Rockville. 

NEW: The Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection warns people to beware of cryptocurrency scams.

REMINDER: Resources for federal workers and United in Service and Support Online Informational Series.

Past editions of Community Action’s monthly e-newsletter.

Montgomery County Minority Health Initiatives and Programs:

African American Health Program

Asian American Health Initiative

Latino Health Initiative

Resource Directories:

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

WorkSource Montgomery’s Community Assets Map.

Help Is Within Reach:
For a mental health crisis and listening support, call 988.

The Montgomery County Crisis Center: Call in, walk in, mobile outreach, community referrals, and substance use assessment and referrals (240-777-4000).

311: Weekday assistance, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., for health and human services, housing, transportation, and food assistance. Dial 311 from local phone numbers, or 240-777-0311.

Medical emergencies, fires, reporting crimes, disaster response, and life-saving situations: Call 911.

For non-emergencies, Montgomery County has a hate bias incident reporting tool. Or incidents can be called to 311 from local phone numbers, or 240-777-0311.

Maryland Office of the Attorney General's Hate Crimes Hotline: 1-866-481-8361 and online: https://nohomeforhate.md.gov/. Active incidents should be immediately reported to 911.

Health:

DHHS Mobile Health Clinic: 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.

Access HEARS, Inc.  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. 

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. Contact the Healthy Babies: Pregnancy and Postpartum Care program of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Never Use Alone, Overdose Prevention Lifeline: 877-696-1996. Peer operators are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. https://neverusealone.com/

Housing – Repairs, eviction prevention, evictions:

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development  home repair loans for assistance with paying for radon abatement and other repairs.

Rebuilding Together Montgomery County: Repairs and modifications to homes for aging in place.

Landlord-Tenant Affairs - Evictions information from the 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 in Montgomery County.

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.

Standby Guardianship: https://www.peoples-law.org/standby-guardianship. Children’s guardianship protection, in case a parent/guardian is unable to care for their children.

The Montgomery County Family Justice Center helps people in domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse situations.

Montgomery County Family Violence Awareness and Prevention.

Food and Household items:

Department of Health and Human Services Food Resources website (available in English, Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean).

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

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

Diaper distribution at Montgomery County hubs and other partners.

Financial empowerment:

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

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

WorkSource Montgomery locations in Wheaton, Germantown, and a Mobile Jobs Center.

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

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

My Green Montgomery: How to lower your energy costs and much more!

Office of Home Energy Programs: Utilities assistance.

WSSC fliers in English and Spanish: Customer Assistance Program for water bill assistance, and a loan program for help with water or sewer pipe repairs or replacement. Learn how to spot a toilet leak and reduce your water bill!

Ban the Box: The Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Law assists in reintegration of people with criminal records into the workforce.

Unemployment Insurance.

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