June 2026

Montgomery County
Community Action Agency

Head Start Party in the Park a Great Success

The annual Head Start Party in the Park brought 700 community members to Wheaton Regional Park on June 6th to celebrate the County's Head Start programs, for which the Community Action Board is the governing body, along with the Head Start Parents Policy Council. A resource fair that included 40 organizations and agencies offered onsite Head Start/PreK registration and  information about helpful services. Train rides, food, music, and performances were also available for event participants. Pictured above: Nichelle Owens, Director of the Department of Early Childhood, Federal and Special Programs (left) and Lisa Conlon, Head Start Social Worker and Community Action Board member (right).

Beverly Coleman, Director of the TRiO Educational Opportunity Center at Montgomery College and a Community Action Board Member, speaks with community members at the Head Start Party in the Park.

Dancers perform at the Head Start Party in the Park.

Board Welcomes New Members and Continues Advocacy

L to R: Board Vice Chair Timothy Robinson, Community Action Agency Executive Director Shantá Johnson, Board Member Lawrence Graham, and Board Member Joseph Feldman

In April, Lawrence Graham and Joseph Feldman were appointed to the Community Action Board. Lawrence was nominated to serve in the private sector of the Board by the People's Community Baptist Church. Joseph was nominated to serve in the public sector of the Board by the Department of Transportation. On June 2nd, CAB Vice Chair Timothy Robinson and CAA Executive Director Shantá Johnson hosted an orientation session for Lawrence and Joseph. The training included an overview of our agency's programs, the Board's work, federal requirements, the Community Advocacy Institute, and more. 

On June 3rd, the Community Action Board and staff were excited to meet with Councilmember Kristin Mink at the East County Regional Services Center. The meeting offered a wonderful opportunity to discuss the Board’s key priorities and future collaboration with Councilmember Mink. Community Action serves residents in East County (Councilmember Mink's district) through the East County Coordination program, Paint Branch-Springbrook Cluster Project, and Navigation Team, making this meeting especially helpful. Our agency also supports many East County residents through VITA, the TESS Community Action Center, and our partners. Pictured above left to right: East County Coordination and Paint Branch-Springbrook Cluster Project Program Manager Danielle Alvarado-Davis; County Councilmember Kristin Mink; Board Member Erika Conner; Board Member Lisa Conlon; Board Chair DaVida Rowley; and Community Action Agency Executive Director Shantá Johnson. Also this month, the Board installed the Executive Committee members for FY27. Executive Committee members were elected by the full Board and will serve a one-year term. Congratulations to the Board's FY27 leaders! Chair: DaVida Rowley Vice Chair: Timothy Robinson Secretary: Claudia Simmons At-Large Executive Committee Members: Rachel Bonas,  Beverly Coleman, Denise Fredericks, Evelyn Okutu, and Mike Subin

Free Tax Help Available Now through October

The agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is offering free tax help for prior year, current year, and amended returns during the post-tax season. Appointments are available now through October 28, 2026, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 11 AM – 5 PM at the Community Action Agency office, 1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320, and virtually on Thursdays from 11 AM – 5 PM. Appointments may be scheduled on the CASHBACK website or by calling 240-777-1123. Appointments are for Montgomery County residents with a combined household income of $69,000 or less. The Community Action Agency’s VITA program is the County’s only year-round free tax site.

The VITA post-season outreach flyer is available in English, Spanish, Amharic, French, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

End of the School Year Activities for the Cluster Projects

As the school year wrapped up, the Cluster Projects were busy participating in outreach events, providing summer fun bags to children, and supporting families ahead of the summer break.

On June 12th, the Watkins Mill Cluster Project attended a Block Party at Lake Seneca Elementary School, hosting a resource table to connect families and community partners. Ana Schmitz, Human Services Specialist, is pictured above at the event and Lucy Perasi, Customer Service Aide is pictured on the right.

Also this month, the Kennedy Cluster project participated in the End of the Year Picnic at Glen Haven Elementary School, hosting a resource table for community members. Pictured here: Community Services Aides Nohemi Macias (left) and Lucero Mendez (right).

The Cluster Projects team will continue to accept referrals from MCPS partners and directly from families throughout the summer. To make a referral, simply complete THIS FORM or scan the QR code below. To receive services from the Cluster Projects, families must have a child enrolled at one of the Cluster Projects schools.

Scan this QR code to make a referral to the Cluster Projects.

TESS Center Supports Local Seniors and Celebrates Long Branch

On June 12th, the Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center Senior Social group met for a film discussion at the Long Branch Community Center and later at the Long Branch Library. Cosponsored by IMPACT Silver Spring and co-facilitated by TESS Community Services Aide Maria Quiroga (pictured above on right) and Long Branch Library staff, the event brought together 12 participants for a screening and discussion of the documentary The Fields of Immokalee.

Following the film, participants engaged in small group discussions about the themes of the film. The full group reconvened for a larger discussion of food production, labor conditions, workers’ rights, and social change. With the support of IMPACT Silver Spring and Long Branch Library, the TESS Senior Social meets regularly for activities and special events. Programs are held at the Long Branch Library or Long Branch Senior Center. Transportation is provided.

In celebration of the local community, the TESS Center participated in the Long Branch Block Party on June 14th. Staff hosted a resource table for community members, providing information on various supports and services and sharing information about the TESS Center specifically. Pictured left: TESS Office Services Coordinator Diana Preston (left) and TESS Community Services Aide Maria Quiroga (right).

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

• Website
• Facebook
• Contact 

Head Start Registration for 2026 - 2027 Continues Through the Summer

Free pre-kindergarten for income-eligible families: Head Start registration for Fall 2026 is still open. Flyers in English and Spanish are available.

Applications are accepted online via www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org or in-person at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Rockville, Maryland, 20852, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM The office phone number is 240-740-4530.

List of the documents needed to complete a Head Start application.

For more information, please check https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/dtecps/earlychildhood/prek/

Summer Volunteer Opportunities for Students at TESS

The TESS Community Action Center is recruiting student volunteers for the summer to assist front-line staff in welcoming and checking in visitors, providing clear information, and helping to ensure smooth daily operations under the direction of TESS staff. Bilingual candidates (English and Spanish and English and Amharic) are encouraged to apply. Volunteers can receive SSL hours and hours of services are flexible. Learn more.

Apply to the New Navigation Academy and Learn How to Help Community Members Apply for Critical Services 

The Community Action Agency is launching a new six-week training program called the Navigation Academy for community members and advocates to strengthen community-based support and expand access to vital resources for Montgomery County residents. Participants will learn about community needs and asset mapping; public programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and housing assistance; cultural competency and equitable service delivery; and leadership and community advocacy. Sessions, which will begin August 24th, will include a mix of in-person workshops and virtual sessions. Apply online now through July 6th.

Apply to the Community Fellows Program

For many years, the Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program has been excited to welcome CASH Campaign Community Fellows to our agency. Fellows, who are college juniors or seniors, or graduate students, receive extensive training and provide free tax help to residents during the tax season. The application for the 2026-2027 program will open on June 1st. Learn more about this opportunity. 

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.