Prince George’s Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
The County enters Phase 1C of its COVID-19 vaccination plan for pre-registration on Monday, January 25, 2021. At this time, we are asking all County residents and those who work in the County, who are in 1C, to make sure you have filled out a pre-registration form. Those who have signed up for appointments in 1C, who do not live or work in the County, will not receive a vaccination at our County site. You must provide proof of residency or proof of employment at the time of your appointment.
I also want to address a concern of many Prince Georgians, and that is the fact that a significant number of people who do not live or work in the County have signed up for appointments at our County vaccination sites. Our Health Department continues to look days ahead at appointments and remove those who are not in our priority 1A and 1B categories, replacing them with vulnerable County residents and those who work in the County.
This process has freed up several hundred new appointments per day, and our Health Department has extended appointment links to qualified individuals. Our Health Department closed the ability for individuals to access County clinics through the State vaccination website, at the beginning of this week, and has continued to review and replace people who registered and are not in 1A or 1B. The County will continue to schedule and replace appointments through the pre-registration information exclusively.
The County Health Department is still working to vaccinate people in Phases 1A and 1B. Those in 1C, who have pre-registered, will receive appointments as they become available, which we anticipate could take several weeks or longer. Individuals who are eligible in Phase 1C include: adults 65-74 years of age, health and human service workers and public safety workers not covered in Phase 1A, and essential workers at high risk of exposure, including food and agriculture workers, grocery store workers, public transit workers, and postal service workers.
I’m encouraging every Prince Georgian to pre-register for your COVID-19 vaccine so when your turn comes, you will be able to join us in being Proud to be Protected. When we take this vaccine, it not only protects us, but also our family, friends, neighbors and those with whom we worship. For specific, up-to-date information on our vaccine rollout, I encourage all of you to visit mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine.
In addition, as we move forward with the 2021 Maryland General Assembly Session, I am proud to share my administration’s 2021 Legislative Priorities. I am excited to work with my colleagues on these and other issues to continue moving Prince George’s County and our State forward. As we continue to fight this pandemic, we must also advocate in Annapolis for additional resources to help address the impact of COVID-19 on our residents.
Over the next few months I will be advocating for legislation to provide additional rental assistance, programs to help our businesses, and legislation that will address the health inequalities in our communities. We know that a big reason Prince George’s County has been so adversely impacted by COVID-19 is because our residents have lacked equal access to quality healthcare for too long and the impacts of that, especially the pre-existing conditions, have made our residents more susceptible to this virus.
Despite the changes brought by COVID-19, our top priority and key focus remains the education of our children. We fully support an override of the Governor’s veto of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, also known as the Kirwan Commission bill. Now more than ever, our children need these additional resources to ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education, regardless of where they live.
In addition to education, we have several proposed improvements in transportation that will greatly enhance pedestrian safety and will help reduce traffic delays. Specifically, we want to improve access on Arena Drive, our gateway to the new University of Maryland Regional Medical Center and the new Downtown Largo. We also want to speed up construction on Route 1 as well as improvements on Route 210, Indian Head Highway, which will improve safety along that route. Finally, we want to fast track construction on Route 4 at Suitland Parkway, an important project that has been mired in delays.
On economic development, we want to ensure our residents have access to fresh vegetables and produce, along with other healthy food options. To attract quality grocery stores, I will be supporting legislation to allow grocery stores located in food deserts to sell beer and wine. This creates a much stronger business case for grocery chains to open stores in our underserved areas, benefiting residents and creating new employment opportunities.
In addition, we are supporting legislation that will allow homeowners to have a voice in their HOA. This legislation will require all HOAs to convene at least one meeting per year. Currently, the law only requires HOAs that have transitioned to the homeowners, and are no longer under developer control, to have an annual meeting. This legislation will expand the annual meeting requirement to include all HOAs, regardless of whether they are under developer or homeowner control.
We also have an opportunity this session to better protect our older adults by creating an elder abuse registry. This registry will help protect our seniors from harm by creating a confidential database aimed at ending the physical and mental abuse suffered by seniors at the hands of their caregivers. This legislation enjoyed broad support during the 2020 Legislative Session but did not pass before the session ended unexpectedly, due to COVID-19. This year we are confident this legislation will pass.
These are just some of the things we will be advocating for during the 2021 Legislative Session. We will also advocate for legislation outside of the priorities mentioned above, in areas such as forward-thinking police reform to better serve residents, commonsense legislation on sports betting, and economic development along the Blue Line Corridor. I hope you will take some time to read our 2021 Legislative Priorities document that further outlines our plans.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George's County Executive
COVID-19 Updates
Latino COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall
 The County Executive will host a Latino Town Hall with CASA on Monday, January 25 at 7:00 PM to provide an update on the County’s vaccine distribution plan and answer any questions or concerns from the community. To submit questions, please visit http://bit.ly/pgcvaccinetownhall. To view the webinar on January 25, please visit https://bit.ly/pgctownhalljan25 on January 25 and enter the passcode, 0125.
Vaccine Scheduling Process
 To ensure an equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, anyone who lives or works in Prince George’s County that wishes to receive the COVID-19 vaccine must fill out the Health Department’s pre-registration form. This includes individuals in Phases 1A or 1B who do not already have a vaccine appointment, and also individuals in future phases who wish to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The form is available at https://bit.ly/PGCVaccineForm.
Medical Reserve Corps
 The County is undertaking an unprecedented vaccination effort, and your community needs you. The County is accepting medical and non-medical volunteers to assist with vaccination efforts, and anyone can sign up. To learn more and sign up to volunteer, visit https://bit.ly/PGCMedicalReserve and be sure to select Prince George’s County.
Indoor Dining Ban Extended
 Due to recent increases in key COVID-19 metrics in Prince George’s County, the County has extended several COVID-19 safety measures for restaurants and other businesses, including the ban on indoor dining, until at least January 29, 2021. The County continues to analyze COVID-19 data and trends daily, and will make a decision next week on whether these measures will be extended based on that data and the advice of public health officials.
Stand Up & Deliver
 We are continuing to work hard to address food insecurity in our County, and we want to provide information on upcoming distribution locations for our Stand Up & Deliver program.
Friday, January 29 at 12:30 PM (Groceries)
- Turner A.M.E. Church – 7201 16th Place, Hyattsville, MD
- First Baptist Church of District Heights - 7234 Lansdale St, District Heights, MD
Saturday, January 30
- Kingdom Fellowship at Hight Point High School (10:00 AM) - 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD (Meals)
- New Home Baptist Church (10:00 AM) - 8320 Landover Rd, Landover, MD (Groceries)
- United Baptist Church (11:30 AM) – 7701 Riverdale Rd, New Carrollton, MD (Groceries)
Additional food distribution locations can be found on our website by clicking here. This map is updated regularly. If you are able to make a contribution to our Stand Up & Deliver program, please click here to donate.
County News For You
Recycle Your Cut Christmas Tree and Holiday String Lights
 If you purchased a cut, live holiday tree, you can place your undecorated and unbagged tree at the curb for collection with yard trim on Mondays from December 28, 2020, to January 25, 2021. Residents can also bring their trees to one of our recycling centers located in Upper Marlboro and Brandywine.
Please remove all tinsel, decorations, plastics bags, or other artificial items. Artificial trees are not accepted as they cannot be broken down and turned into mulch.
Be aware that broken holiday string lights cannot be recycled in your curbside recycling collection. Fortunately, when they are correctly recycled, parts of the string lights can be made into other electronics, flatware, jewelry, roofing and construction materials, car batteries, and more.
From December 26, 2020 to February 2021, a collection container for holiday string light recycling will be available at the Brown Station Road Convenience Center in Upper Marlboro. Residents can also check with local hardware stores to recycle broken string lights.
Online Training Program for Common Ownership Communities
 The Office of Community Relations is Prince George’s Proud to launch the EDvantage Online Training Program, a program designed to connect individuals who reside in common ownership communities with the resources and skills needed to govern a common ownership community. Launched on January 4, 2021, this groundbreaking, online training program allows users to move at their own pace without any prior common ownership community experience needed. Training modules include budgeting, Alternative Dispute Resolution, legislation and more. Click here to get started today.
Medicaid Offers Behavioral Health Services
 The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many challenges for our health and wellbeing. The County Health Department wants to make sure Prince Georgians know that Medicaid provides free or low-cost coverage for visits to a medical doctor for routine healthcare or to manage any chronic physical health conditions. Medicaid also provides free or low-cost coverage for visits to a behavioral health care provider. Behavioral healthcare services include assessments and counseling services for individuals, children, couples, and families. These behavioral health services may be provided by a psychiatrist, psychologist, counselor or social worker. For a listing of Prince George’s County behavioral health providers who accept Medicaid,click here.
For information about enrolling in Medicaid, please visit marylandhealthconnection.com and click the “How to Enroll” tab.
Capital Wheel to Display Blue in Recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness
 By Presidential Proclamation, January is recognized as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Throughout the entire month, the Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Human Relations Commission and the Department of Family Services have partnered to host and participate in a myriad of awareness activities to highlight efforts to end human trafficking. In one of these initiatives, the Capital Wheel at the National Harbor will display the color blue in recognition of human trafficking awareness on January 1st, 8th, 11th, 15th, and 22nd. The partnership will also host a series of “Code Blue” human trafficking conversations, and multiple community education and awareness events. For more information, please visit familyservices.mypgc.us or civilrights.mypgc.us/.
The Men’s Challenge Initiative
 Join the Department of Family Services for a new installment of the Men’s Challenge Initiative, a series of group discussions that seek to influence men and boys through conversations about developing healthy relationships. Topics of discussion include: Cybersecurity During COVID-19; Creating a Collaborative Community; Emotional Intelligence and Healthy Relationships; and The Impact of Male Volunteers. For a full list of discussion topics and meeting dates, visit http://bit.ly/StopDV-Dial211.
Employ Prince George’s Highlights from 2020
 Looking back on 2020, Employ Prince George’s, Inc. (EPG) is honored to have been able to provide immediate financial assistance to Prince George's County residents in need. From March to December 2020, the Employ Prince George's COVID-19 Hourly Employee Relief Fund successfully distributed $716,500 in EPG Cash Cards serving 3,056 Prince George's County residents who were laid off or had decreased wages due to COVID-19.
In November and December of 2020, Employ Prince George’s, Inc. launched the Rapid Re-Employment Grants program to help businesses reopen and build their capacity, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, Employ Prince George’s disbursed over $549,000 to 18 local businesses to hire Prince George’s County workers through the program. The Rapid Re-Employment Grants program provided funding to businesses that hired unemployed Prince George’s County residents, supplementing 50%-90% of their new hire’s salary.
Finally, on December 14, 2020, Employ Prince George's partnered with Maryland Legal Aid to host a coat drive, in partnership with Macy's and Clothes4Souls, for County residents. We are proud to announce that Employ Prince George’s distributed 639 new coats to those most in need. Employ Prince George’s is thankful to every entity, organization and partner who has supported our mission.
Employ Prince George’s Announces Several New Programs
 The American Job Center is proud to launch its Inquire Within Coaching Services, a series of virtual workshops that will help attendees build confidence and identify skills to help them navigate through changes. Attendees will learn to adjust their mindsets and reframe their circumstances in efforts to build confidence in their potential for achievement. For more information, click here.
Employ Prince George’s, Inc. has announced a free Certified and Geriatric Nursing Assistant Training program for English Language Learners residing in the Riverdale area. The program, offered by the Capital Area Healthcare Alliance, will provide eligible Prince George’s County residents with free training to gain employment in the CNA and GNA career field. Participants must attend one information session before joining the program. For more information, call 301-618-8430 or email WSD@co.pg.md.us. To register for the training program, click here.
Finally, the Hospitality and Accommodation Institute is offering a Dealer School Training Program through Prince George’s Community College, for eligible County residents to receive free training to gain employment in the gaming and casino industry. MGM National Harbor will guarantee interviews or auditions to participants who complete the program. For more information, call 301-618-8425 or email WSD@co.pg.md.us.
Virtual Community Meeting on the Impact of Cultural Arts on Economic Development
 Prince George’s County will host a virtual community meeting to engage stakeholders on the impact the cultural arts have on economic development as a part of the Prince George’s County Cultural Art Study (PGCCAS). The meeting will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
Arts and culture are a proven economic engine and multiplier. According to the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, the arts contribute more than $800 billion annually to U.S. economic output, amounting to more than 4% of gross domestic product. The virtual meeting will engage stakeholders and discuss how arts and culture can impact economic development in our communities.
PGCCAS is the first comprehensive inventory and assessment of the diverse arts and culture ecology in Prince George’s County. This study will develop strategies and recommendations on how to integrate cultural arts into the County’s economic development and land use planning strategies.
To participate, register here. Log-in information will be provided prior to the meeting to all who register. For more information on the study, click here.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of persons with disabilities or language interpretation in all its programs and services. For special assistance (i.e. large print materials, assistive listening devices, sign language interpretation, etc.) call the Public Affairs Office at 301-952-4584.
Prince George’s County Resident Wins Bull Riding Championship
Did you know the 2020 Junior Bull Riding Champion is a fellow Prince Georgian? Congratulations to Nic Jackson who brought home the world championship to Prince George’s County and Maryland! We know that he will continue to make us proud. Learn more about Nic and his family by clicking here
Several Prince George’s County Students Receive Full Scholarships
Congratulations to the thirteen Prince George’s County Public Schools seniors who have been awarded four-year, full-tuition college scholarships from The Posse Foundation, a non-profit organization that identifies, recruits and trains individuals with extraordinary leadership potential. Click here to learn more about this year’s Posse Scholars from Prince George’s County.
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