E-Newsletter: October 2025

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

Welcome to the Community Advocacy Institute Class of 2026!

The orientation session for the 2025 – 2026 cohort of the Community Advocacy Institute (CAI) was held on October 4th at the Upper County Community Recreation Center in Gaithersburg. The session, facilitated by Community Action Board Chair DaVida Rowley. Welcoming remarks from Community Action Executive Director Shantá Johnson included an overview of the program. Now in its tenth year, the CAI is a free advocacy training program for income-eligible residents. 

CAI participants selected advocacy topics for the second workshop and networked with fellow participants and CAI Committee members. The new CAI cohort includes 35 residents who live in various parts of Montgomery County.

In addition to the current program, the Community Action Board engaged in a recent partnership with the Montgomery County Commission on Aging to provide additional advocacy training. Board member Pamela Luckett facilitated two stand-alone workshops for the Commission. The first session, in September, focused on developing original testimony and the second session, earlier this month, focused on using storytelling for advocacy. Both workshops were well-attended and well-received by participants.

Volunteer with the Community Action Agency’s VITA Program

The Community Action Agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free tax help to eligible County residents, is recruiting volunteers for the upcoming tax season, which runs from January through mid-April. Volunteers serve as IRS-certified VITA tax preparers, schedulers, greeters, quality reviewers, and interpreters. All VITA volunteers receive free training and can serve in Rockville, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, or Wheaton. 

Two virtual information sessions for prospective volunteers will be held from 11 a.m.- noon and 6 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12th. To attend, please complete the volunteer registration form.

Board Advocates for Key Priorities

Community Action Board (CAB) Chair DaVida Rowley testified on October 22nd at the annual County Council Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee Worksession for Boards, Committees, and Commissions. The annual Worksession brings together the advisory groups that fall under HHS to share their priorities. The Board’s testimony focused on the CAB’s top priorities for the year, including concerns for the immigrant community and potential federal budget cuts. Read the Board’s full testimony, along with testimony from all DHHS advisory groups.

CAI Graduate Advocates for Food Security

On October 30th, Community Advocacy Institute graduate Kelly Dominique Hudson spoke about her personal experience with food insecurity at the Montgomery County Food Council’s Legislative Breakfast. Kelli is an advocate for her community, focusing on addressing health disparities in the County. The Food Council’s event included many local elected officials speaking about efforts to address food insecurity and ensure access to food and nutrition programs.

Above on the left, Kelli Dominique Hudson is pictured with Allison Schnitzer, Co-Executive Director of the Montgomery County Food Council.

TESS Joins Takoma Park Health Fair

On October 19th, staff from the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center provided outreach at the Remote Area Medical health fair hosted by Emmanuel-Brinklow Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the Takoma Academy. Over 700 people were served by the health fair. 

TESS staff spoke with several participants, in English and Spanish, and provided valuable information, including legal resources, free tax filing through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, and food resources. Participating TESS staff included Diana Preston, above, and Maureen Larenas, below.  

The health fair featured many local resources, including MedStar, the Housing Opportunities Commission, and several Montgomery County government offices and agencies, including: the Latino Health Initiative, the African American Health Program, the Perinatal Program, the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center, Montgomery Energy Connection, and the Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security. 

Please visit the TESS website for more information on services available. 

Film Screening & Discussion for Long Branch Seniors

Earlier this month, the Takoma-East Silver Spring Community Action Center and IMPACT Silver Spring collaborated to  host a "Cine Foro," a free film screening and discussion. Held at the Long Branch Library, over a dozen seniors living in Takoma Park and Silver Spring enjoyed watching the film and participating in the discussion on racial equity and justice. Snacks and coffee were provided. Library staff also shared information about their services and how to obtain a library card. 

Head Start Coat Drive and Registration

The Pre-kindergarten and Head Start Programs request 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 4, 5, and 6 are most needed. Suggested items may be found on the Head Start/Pre-K Amazon wish list. 

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.

Registration continues for Prekindergarten/Head Start in the 2025 - 2026 school year for children who turned 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.

Case Managers Tour Family Justice Center

On October 7th and 8th, the Navigation team's Case Management Work Group took a field trip to The Family Justice Center. The work group is comprised of the Community Action Agency’s Navigation Team, TESS Staff, and community partner providers. The group is organized by Trica Young to coordinate and provide ongoing education to case managers serving Montgomery County residents.

Family Justice Center Executive Director Tom Manion led the tour. Participants learned about the critical services and collaborative approach the Family Justice Center provides to support families in crisis. Participants were able to see the intake process, learn best practices for referrals, and ask questions about program benefits.

For more information about the Family Justice Center, visit the website: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/fjc/.

Navigators Connect with Montgomery Village Families

Navigators Paola Lopez and Trica Young attended Family Night on October 8th at Montgomery Village Middle School. Families enjoyed a warm and engaging evening, featuring pizza, time to connect with school staff, and an interactive Outdoor Education presentation by the Smith Environmental Education Center, including live animals--such as the eagle above on Trica's arm!

Families also had the opportunity to speak with our Navigation Unit about valuable community resources such as local medical care, the MC Groceries program and how to stay connected moving forward. The Navigation team can be reached at 240-777-4141.

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

• Website
• Facebook
• Contact 

Tax Tips: IRS Phasing Out Paper Check Refunds

Last month, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service announced (IR-2025-94) that it has begun phasing out tax refunds in the form of paper checks and moving to only electronic refunds. The IRS cited that paper checks are more likely to be lost or stolen and can be delayed. Electronic payments are faster and cost less. 

For taxpayers, the IRS advises:

• Taxpayers should continue to file their returns as they normally would, using one of the existing filing options.

• Most refunds will be delivered by direct deposit or other secure electronic methods.

• Taxpayers should make sure they know their banking information or consider opening a free or low-cost account. Visit FDIC: GetBanked and MyCreditUnion.gov for account options.

• Help for those without access to bank accounts: Options such as prepaid debit cards, digital wallets or limited exceptions to electronic deposits will be available.

For the full Tax Tip IR-2025-94, please see: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-to-phase-out-paper-tax-refund-checks-starting-with-individual-taxpayers. 

Green Tip: How to Recycle/Compost Pumpkins

Sharing from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection.

Here are some fun ways you can (re)use your pumpkins after Halloween.

• Create a biodegradable planter: Fill the pumpkin one-third full of soil, add a plant such as a Fall mum, then add more soil.
• Make a natural birdfeeder: Cut the pumpkin in half, hang it from a branch and add some birdseed.
• Compost your pumpkin in a rodent-proof compost bin (do not use a compost bin that is open or has no lid) or place it in a food scraps recycling container if you participate in a food scraps recycling program. Make sure to remove any candles or decorations (i.e., googly eyes, paint, or glitter).

Otherwise, dispose of your carved pumpkin in the trash. Please DO NOT add pumpkins to yard trim for curbside yard trim recycling collection.

For more sustainable living tips for home or work, please visit My Green Montgomery: https://mygreenmontgomery.org/.

Resources

NEW: Do you need assistance with pet food? The Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center may be able to help you with pet food so you can keep your pet at home, and out of the over-crowded shelter: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/animalservices/. 

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 Care and Resources:

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 up 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.

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.

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/

Food and Household items:

Montgomery County Food Council: Food Assistance Resource Map (available in English, Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean).

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.

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

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.

Unemployment Insurance.

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.

Utilities:

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!

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