April 2026

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

Celebrating Community Action Agency Volunteers

TESS Center Volunteers and staff.

On April 23rd, we honored our Community Action Agency volunteers at a special celebration at the Silver Spring Civic Building! The event highlighted the dedication of our volunteers who support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center, Community Action Board, and Community Advocacy Institute. Shantá Johnson, Community Action Agency Executive Director (pictured above); Eduardo Mendes, VITA Program Specialist; DaVida Rowley, Community Action Board Chair; and Maureen Larenas, TESS Center Manager, all shared remarks and expressed appreciation for our volunteers.

TESS volunteer and CAI participant Sisay Argaw generously volunteered his time to serve as the event photographer, providing beautiful photographs of the event. Pictured above left to right: Program Manager Melissa E. Ferguson, Community Services Aide Nohemi Macias, and Office Services Coordinator Ximena Ruiz.

Program Manager Danielle Alvarado Davis, Program Manager Monica Rivera-Goldberg, Board Chair DaVida Rowley, Board Vice Chair Timothy Robinson, Program Manager Leah Goldfine, Executive Director Shantá Johnson, and TESS Manager Maureen Larenas (left to right).

TESS volunteer Jan Stewart, TESS Office Services Coordinator Diana Preston, and TESS volunteer Catherine "Cam" Crockett (left to right).

Head Start Registration for 2026 - 2027 is Open

Celebrating Head Start Social Worker Lisa Conlon

The MCPS Head Start/PreK program celebrated social worker Lisa Conlon, who is the recipient of the MCPS Distinguished School Social Worker Award. Lisa, pictured to the right of MCPS Early Childhood Supervisor Jessica Blasic, also serves on the Community Action Board. Lisa is a dedicated school social worker who has made a lasting impact on children and families. With more than 30 years in MCPS and two decades focused on early childhood, she serves as coach to new Pre-K/Head Start family service workers while supporting the registration of more than 3,000 families each year. Known for her “above and beyond” commitment, Lisa bridges language barriers by interpreting and translating for families, and ensures parents feel supported and connected to schools. She regularly conducts home visits, attends school meetings with families, and volunteers evenings and weekends for community outreach and enrollment events. Congratulations to Lisa on this well-deserved honor!

Lisa, pictured on the far right, received her award at a special ceremony on March 26th in celebration of Social Work Month. Lisa is pictured with, from left to right, Board Education Member Natalie Zimmerman, MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor, Board of Education Student Member Anuva Maloo, and Board of Education Member Karla Silvestre.

Shantá Johnson Develops and Co-Facilitates Cultural Humility Training

On April 17th, Community Action Agency Executive Director Shantá Johnson co-facilitated a new training for County employees called Making Connections & Building Bridges: A Cultural Humility Framework. The training, held in-person at the Executive Office Building, included self-reflection activities so that participants could better understand their own identities and exercises to incorporate a cultural humility framework into practice. Shantá, pictured above center, planned and led the session with Program Specialist Rebecca F. Smith (left) and Social Worker Iraina (Liz) Briganty (right).

Community Action Board and Advocacy Program Participants Testify Before County Council

DaVida Rowley, Chair of the Community Action Board, pictured at left, testified on behalf of the Board at a County Council budget hearing on April 7th. The Board’s testimony focused on the critical needs of economically disadvantaged residents, including affordable housing, energy assistance, and food security, along with the needs of our immigrant community and the powerful anti-poverty tool, the Working Families Income Supplement.

Ten Community Advocacy Institute participants also participated in the County Council budget hearings, testifying about a wide range of issues. Topics included mental health services, renters’ rights, Black maternal health, and services for people experiencing homelessness. 27 participants are on track to graduate from the program next month. Pictured at right: CAI participants Beatris Martinez (left) and Taylor Turner (right).

CAI participants Febe Hernandez, Maria Moran, Sharlene Griffith, Elizabeth Escobar, and Karen Blanton (left to right) at the April 8th budget hearing.

VITA Program Celebrates Successful Tax Season

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is had an excellent tax season, despite weather-related closures and site closures. This year, the program served 2,479 households, with a free tax impact of $8.9 million! 89 volunteers supported the program, serving a total of 3,418 hours. The tax season included extensive outreach efforts through a multilingual RideOn bus campaign, text messaging campaign, digital signs in Montgomery County Public Libraries and in County buildings, numerous media appearances, and a well-attended EITC Awareness Day event. Pictured left: VITA Program Specialist Eduardo Mendes, TESS Center Manager Maureen Larenas, and  VITA Program Specialist Benoit Codija. Post-season appointments will be available June 23 - October 28 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 AM - 3 PM at 1401 Rockville Pike. Please check the VITA website for the latest information.

VITA Volunteers: Gladys Valentin, Chiali Tsai, and Joy Wang (left to right). This month, one of the VITA program's exceptional volunteers, Sheryl Brining, pictured below, was interviewed by Congressman Jamie Raskin for his Local Hero program. Sheryl spoke about her experience as a volunteer and the services offered by the VITA program. Check out Sheryl's interview.

Cluster Projects Connect Children with Summer Activities

The Cluster Projects have been busy awarding scholarships to students for summer camps and pools. Every year, the Department of Recreation awards Cluster Projects a certain number of scholarships for summer programs. So far, the team has registered 10 children for Summer Fun Centers, 4 teens for Teen Camp, and 22 families for Summer Pool Passes.  Cluster Projects also held a Standby Guardianship Clinic on April 2nd to assist clients with their guardianship documents, should someone in their families be detained by immigration authorities. Six families benefitted from this event.  The Watkins Mill Cluster Project also participated in an outreach event this month. Pictured above, Community Services Aide Jacky Diamondra.

April Happenings at TESS

On April 17th, the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center hosted the first senior social of 2026. TESS partnered with IMPACT Silver Spring, the Long Branch Library, and the Long Branch Community Center, which was also the host, for this program. The thirteen seniors in attendance, pictured here with staff, watched a film called Welcome to Los Angeles and participated in a discussion. 

Also this month, TESS supported the City of Takoma Park’s "Tenant Survey & Drop Box”, pictured here. Residents dropped off surveys about housing and community development throughout the month.

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

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Apply to Serve on the Community Action Board

County Executive Elrich is now accepting applications to fill two vacancies in the low-income sector of the Community Action Board. Applicants must live in Montgomery County, have a modest household income, and must be democratically elected to serve on the Board by a group of County residents with modest incomes. Examples of such groups include tenants’ associations, neighborhood groups, and PTAs. Those interested in applying can submit an online application by May 8th. Flyers in Spanish and English are attached.

The Community Action Board is the governing body for the Community Action Agency and the County’s Head Start program, along with the Head Start Parents’ Policy Council. The Board engages in advocacy to address the needs of economically disadvantaged residents, testifying at hearings, submitting written testimony, and meeting with elected officials. The Board also oversees the Community Advocacy Institute.

CAI Participants Draw Attention to Black Maternal Health Disparities

This month, two Community Advocacy Institute participants supported Black Maternal Health Week events here in the County.

On April 11^th, CAI graduate Kelli Dominique Hudson (pictured above right) spoke at the Right from the Start event held at Holy Cross Hospital. The program, hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Babies Born Healthy program, Improved Pregnancy Outcomes Programs, and Peridom Insights, included public health leaders, elected officials, and therapists, and also featured a community resource fair.

On April 15^th, current CAI participant Taylor Turner (pictured above left) spoke about her birthing experience at an event called Black Maternal Health: Advocacy in Action. The event, hosted by the Potomac Valley Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the African American Health Program, Black Physicians and Healthcare Network, and the National Center for Children and Families, was held at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church. The event included a panel discussion and resource fair.  Congratulations to Kelli Dominique and Taylor!

Board Advocates for Working Families Income Supplement

Following a proposal to eliminate the County's Working Families Income Supplement (WFIS), a local tax supplement that matches a portion of the Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the Community Action Board immediately moved to action. The Board connected with partners at the CASH Campaign of Maryland and other EITC/WFIS supporters. In addition to the CASH Campaign's action alert to County residents, the Board led a sign-on letter asking Councilmembers to reject this proposal. Sixteen local and state-level organizations joined the letter, which was shared with all eleven County Councilmembers.

On April 29th, Board Vice Chair Timothy Robinson (pictured above on the left) joined CASH Campaign CEO Robin McKinney (pictured above on the right with Councilmember Kate Stewart in the center) at the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy (GO) Committee worksession where the WFIS was reviewed. Thanks to the advocacy efforts of numerous residents and the widespread support for the WFIS, the Committee voted to recommend maintaining the WFIS at the same level in FY27. The full Council will review the budget in the coming weeks and will finalize the budget before the end of May.

Resources

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

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. Non-emergency Montgomery County hate bias incident reporting tool.

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.

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

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/

Montgomery County Minority Health Initiatives and Programs:

African American Health Program

Asian American Health Initiative

Latino Health Initiative

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.

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

Montgomery County Family Violence Awareness and Prevention.

Montgomery County Police offer free gun locks to gun owners: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/howdoI/gun-lock.html. If you own a firearm, be aware of the law and the responsibilities of locking firearms, especially when there are children in the home: Maryland Laws on Locking Firearms – Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Maryland Vehicle Administration power of attorney form for a vehicle (VR-470) is an important tool if for any reason a vehicle's owner needs to designate someone else the ability to use and hold onto the vehicle. For questions, MVA contact information is at the bottom of the form. 

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.

Council Unanimously Passes Trust Act to Protect Immigrant Communities. Flyers available in: English, Spanish, French,  Amharic, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.

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.

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/. 

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.

Protect yourself from SNAP benefits fraud: https://dhs.maryland.gov/prevent-ebt-theft/

Unemployment Insurance.

Resources for federal workers.

Housing – Eviction prevention, home repairs:

Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs resources for Tenants facing eviction: Landlord-Tenant Affairs > Evictions | DHCA

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

Limit on rent increases in Montgomery County.

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

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

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 Children, Youth, and Family Services in the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.