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Mid-August - September 2026
Montgomery County
Community Action Agency
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We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Charles L. “Chuck” Short, a longtime supporter of Community Action. Chuck, pictured here with former Community Action Agency Executive Director Sharon Strauss, served Montgomery County residents for decades. He was the first director of the Department of Health and Human Services, of which the Community Action Agency is a part. Chuck was prominently featured in a video celebrating the 50th anniversary of our agency, highlighting the agency's role in establishing a bus service between Burtonsville and down county, a precursor to RideOn. Chuck later inspired participants in the Community Advocacy Institute by serving as a guest panelist at testimony practice sessions. Chuck will be remembered for his kindness, his commitment to County residents, and his support for County programs and initiatives that address critical needs. Learn more about Chuck Short in County Executive Elrich's statement.
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September has been a busy month for the Community Action Board. On September 14th, Board Chair DaVida Rowley (pictured right) shared a presentation about the Board's work with the Human Rights Commission. Commissioners had a chance to ask questions and learn about serving as the HRC representative in the Board's public sector.
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The following day, Board member Denise Fredericks testified on behalf of the CAB in support of County Council Bill 38-26: Discriminatory Housing Practices and Early Lease Termination – Amendments. This bill would prohibit discrimination based on immigration and citizenship status in housing and would allow for early termination of a lease due to hardship caused by deportation or detainment. The Board's testimony was the latest effort to support policies that increase protections for immigrants in our community and reduce barriers. Read the Board's full testimony.
Board Member Denise Fredericks testifies in support of County Council Bill 38-26.
The Kennedy, Watkins Mill, and Paint Branch-Springbrook Cluster Projects have been actively engaging with families and communities through a variety of back-to-school events this season. Joined by members of the VITA team, staff participated in the largescale regional back-to-school events on August 22nd. Throughout September, the team joined back-to-school nights at Whetstone, Clopper Mill, Brookhaven, Lucy V. Barnsley, Meadow Hall, Rock Creek Valley, Strathmore, and Bel Pre Elementary Schools, along with events at Earle B. Wood and Newport Mill Middle Schools.
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Tarcila Lopes-Burkhardt, Program Manager (L) and Ms. LaShawn DeVille, Community School Liaison (R) are pictured above at the Clopper Mill event. Luz Perasi, Cluster Projects Community Services Aide, attended the Whetstone event pictured at right.
Program Managers also met with MCPS leadership to explore opportunities to strengthen partnerships and enhance support for Cluster Project schools, particularly in light of recent staffing changes within MCPS.
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 Left to right: Hari Antonioli, Cluster Projects Human Service Specialist; Dr. Donna Jones, MCPS Associate Superintendent; and Lucero Mendez, Cluster Projects Community Services Aide
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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.
REMINDER: Tax filers are reminded that October 15, 2026, is the final deadline to submit your federal individual income tax return if you requested a six-month extension.
Key Filing & Payment Rules
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Internal Revenue Service provides an extension to file, not an extension to pay.
- Unpaid taxes from April accrue interest and failure-to-pay penalties.
 Congratulations to VITA Program Specialist Eduardo Mendes, who was recently featured on Facebook as part of the County's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration!
September was a busy month at the TESS Center, filled with special events and collaborations. On September 18th, Human Service Specialist Vicky Hall (pictured left) attended Councilmember Kate Stewart's annual Buckets and Beats event in downtown Silver Spring. This event provides information and resources to County youth. Over 50 attendees stopped by the TESS table, receiving information about afterschool programs, Department of Recreation activities and financial assistance, emergency and food recourses, adult education, MCPS academic support, and more. Participants also received a toiletry bag from Grace Helping Hands.
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On September 22nd, Dr. Gilberto Zelaya, Community Engagement/Public Relations Officer at the Board of Elections (pictured at right), was at the TESS Center to provide information about serving as an election judge and volunteer opportunities for youth. He also assisted with onsite voter registration. On October 5th, Dr. Zelaya will also host a virtual information session about serving as an election judge. The bilingual (English and Spanish) session will be held on Zoom from 1 - 2 PM and is open to the public. Register HERE.
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On September 25th, the TESS team hosted the latest Senior Social at the Long Branch Library. TESS partners with IMPACT Silver Spring and the Long Branch Library to lead this popular program, which provides information and educational opportunities to seniors in the neighborhood. This Senior Social included karaoke for the participants, refreshments, and resource sharing.
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Every person deserves access to basic hygiene—and the dignity that comes with it. Through the partnership of Grace Helping Hands, TESS can distribute essential hygiene and feminine care kits to those experiencing homelessness across Montgomery County. Grace Helping Hands provides everyday essentials that many of us may take for granted, such as soap, shampoo, lotion, and feminine care products. For someone experiencing homelessness, having access to basic hygiene products can help restore confidence, protect their health, and make a difficult day just a little easier.
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2026 - 2027 Head Start Registration for Infants to Four-Year-Olds
Head Start registration for Fall 2026 is still open for families that qualify. The above flyers provide information for families with children ages three and four by September 1, 2026. The below flyers are for families with children ages 0 - 3. For information about Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Montgomery County, visit the .
List of the documents needed to complete a Head Start application.
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.
Do you have questions about Head Start? Check out the Common Questions.
QR codes in the above flyers link to more information.
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Montgomery County
Community Action Agency
1401 Rockville Pike, Suite 320
Rockville, MD 20852
240-777-1697
VITA Program Recruiting Volunteers for Upcoming Tax Season
 The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is seeking volunteers to serve in several roles during the upcoming tax season (Mid-January through Mid-April). Volunteers support the program as tax preparers, quality reviewers, intake screeners, appointment schedulers, and interpreters. Volunteers are needed at all VITA sites: Gaithersburg, Rockville, Silver Spring, and Wheaton. All volunteers receive free training.
The VITA program will host two information sessions on November 4th at 11 AM and 6 PM for prospective volunteers. Both sessions will be held on Zoom. Those interested in serving can complete THIS FORM. For more information about volunteer opportunities, please call 240-777-1123 or email VITA@montgomerycountymd.gov
Board of Elections to Host Bilingual (English and Spanish) Virtual Information Session
 Dr. Gilberto Zelaya, Community Engagement and Public Relations Officer at the Montgomery County Board of Elections, will lead a virtual information on October 5th at 1 PM on Zoom. This session, presented in English and Spanish, will include information about voter registration, serving as an election judge, and volunteer opportunities for youth. Register HERE.
Tax Tips: What Taxpayers Should Know about IRS Third Party Authorizations
 The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team highlights recent Tax Tips from the Internal Revenue Service that address scams from false charitable contributions and the benefits of Identity Protection PINs (Personal Identification Numbers).
Issue Number: Tax Tip 2026-66
Taxpayers can give a third party the authority to help with federal tax matters. Depending on the type of authorization, this could be a family member or friend, or a tax professional, attorney or business.
Different types of third-party authorizations:
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Power of Attorney – Allows someone to represent a taxpayer when resolving tax matters with the IRS. With this authorization, the representative must be an individual authorized to practice before the IRS and Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative must be completed. A POA can do several things, such as represent, advocate, negotiate and sign on behalf of the taxpayer; argue facts and the application of law; receive tax information for the matters and tax years/periods specified by the taxpayer; and receive copies of IRS notices and communications.
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Tax Information Authorization – Appoints a person to review or receive a taxpayer's confidential tax information for the type of tax for a specified period using form 8821.
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Third Party Designee – Designates a person on the taxpayer's tax form to discuss that specific tax return and tax year with the IRS.
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Oral Disclosure – Authorizes the IRS to disclose the taxpayer's tax info to a person the taxpayer brings into a phone call or meeting with the IRS about a specific tax issue.
Revoking a third-party authorization A taxpayer can choose to revoke any authorization at any time.
- Power of Attorney stays in place until the taxpayer revokes the authorization or the representative withdraws it.
- Tax Information Authorization stays in effect until it is revoked by the taxpayer or the designee withdraws it.
- Third Party Designee generally expires one year from the due date of the tax return, not counting extensions.
- Oral disclosure, unless it’s stated otherwise, is automatically revoked once the conversation has ended. If the taxpayer wants additional oral disclosure exceeding the original request, a new authorization will be required.
More information
Partners' Spotlight: Montgomery County Maryland Bar Foundation
The Montgomery County Maryland Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Program offers free, walk-in legal advice clinics across the County eight evenings per month. Lower income Montgomery County residents sign-in at the clinics between 6 - 6:30 p.m. for a consultation with a volunteer attorney who can help determine their legal options. The legal advice clinics are provided at:
- Montgomery College East County Education Center on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month
- Gaithersburg Library on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays
- Takoma-East Silver Spring (TESS) Community Action Center on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
- The Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center in Wheaton on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.
Legal advice clinic dates are subject to change for holidays or other building closures. To confirm evening legal advice clinic availability or to receive services by phone, the Pro Bono Program can be reached Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at: 301-424-7651.
After an initial screening, clients may be eligible for representation by volunteer attorneys. For a full list of the types of cases the Montgomery County Maryland Bar Foundation's Pro Bono program can serve, please review the Bar Foundation's website or call the above phone number. On the website, pamphlets are available in English, Spanish, and Amharic. Language line services are also available.
County Livability Survey Currently Open
The National Community Survey is currently open for responses from Montgomery County residents. The survey will be open until October 19 and measures the "livability" of Montgomery County. A livable community is a place that is not simply habitable but desirable: not only where people do live, but where they want to live. The survey was developed by the experts at National Research Center at Polco and captures residents' opinions on ten central facets of community life, including safety, the economy, mobility, parks and recreation, and education, arts, and culture.
The survey questions ask about the following issues:
- Quality of life of neighborhood/community
- Favorability of County services
- Usage of amenities and facilities
- Participation in County programs
- Customer and constituent service of County employees
- Effectiveness of County communications
- Household practices (such as recycling)
Some households are randomly mailed surveys. Anyone else living in Montgomery County can participate online. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Vietnamese, Persian/Farsi, and Amharic. Link to more information.
Resource Spotlight: Financial Empowerment Centers
 Montgomery County has two Financial Empowerment Centers, one run by the City of Gaithersburg and one in Wheaton that operates through a partnership between WorkSource Montgomery, the Latino Economic Development Corporation, and the United Way. Financial Empowerment Centers help people find ways to budget, pay down debt, improve credit scores, increase savings, and protect assets for their legacy. The Gaithersburg FEC is open to City of Gaithersburg residents. Services through WorkSource Montgomery FEC partnership are for all Montgomery County residents.
Montgomery County Minority Health Initiatives and Programs:
African American Health Program
Asian American Health Initiative
Latino Health Initiative
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The Community Action Agency is part of Children, Youth, and Family Services in the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. |
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