Community Connections Newsletter

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Friday, November 5, 2021

Prince George's Proud:

An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks

Dear Prince Georgians:

Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children ages five to 11. This is such an important step in our fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community and to end this pandemic, and I want to encourage families across Prince George’s County to ensure your children are protected against this deadly virus.

Over the past several weeks, the County Health Department has worked tirelessly to ensure that we were prepared to begin administering the vaccine as soon as we received approval to do so. Following the recent guidance from the FDA, CDC, and State, County Health Department vaccine clinics will administer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children in this age group beginning today, Friday, November 5. In addition, we are once again partnering with Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) to host vaccine clinics at elementary and high schools throughout the County. We have made tremendous strides in our vaccination rates, including among youth ages 12 and up, and this could not have been done without the support and assistance of our school system.

Beginning Monday, November 8, residents ages five years and older will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for free at the school mobile clinics. The clinics will operate Monday through Friday during after school hours at multiple schools throughout the County through mid-December. COVID-19 vaccines for eligible children will also be available at many pediatricians’ offices, retail and grocery store pharmacies, hospitals, and other health care providers throughout the County. I, along with our top health officials, encourage families to discuss the best option for vaccinating your children with their pediatrician. For more information about COVID-19 vaccinations for children or to schedule an appointment, visit the County Health Department website here.

I would also like to take this time to share with you that, along with our regional housing partners, Prince George’s County is celebrating Housing Month during the month of November! Throughout the month, we will showcase important housing milestones being achieved in our County and highlight our efforts to preserve, protect, and expand affordable housing options for Prince Georgians. By working to preserve housing affordability and by creating a larger supply of desirable housing, we are securing the housing future for Prince George’s County.

Looking forward, our County is set to grow over the coming decade, and we want to ensure that those who live here can stay here. Throughout Housing Month, our goal is to make it known that Prince George’s County is committed to ensuring that all Prince Georgians have access to secure, affordable housing. For more information about Housing Month 2021, visit the Department of Housing and Community Development website here.

Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive


Children 5-11

Housing Month

COVID-19 Updates

Stand Up & Deliver

SU&D Logo

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, November 5 at 12:30 PM (Groceries)

  • Faith Temple No. 2 Free Will Baptist Church – 211 Maryland Park Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20747
  • Victory Grace Center at Port Towns Elementary School – 4351 58th Place, Bladensburg, MD 20710

 Saturday, November 6 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • First Baptist Church of Highland Park - 6801 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785
  • Kingdom Fellowship at High Point High School – 3601 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
  • Love A.M.E. Church at Capitol Heights Elementary School – 601 Suffolk Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20783

Tuesday, November 9 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Glassmanor Elementary School – 1011 Marcy Avenue, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

 Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • Community of Hope AME Church – 3701 Branch Avenue, Temple Hills, MD 20747
  • Ebenezer Church of God – 7550 Buchanan Street, Landover Hills, MD 20784
  • First Baptist Church of Highland Park – 6801 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785

Sunday, November 14 at 10:00 AM (Groceries)

  • New Home Baptist Church – 8320 Landover Road, Landover, MD 20785

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.


Beautification Initiatives

Hometown Hero: Eagle Scout Lawrence Williams

HH - WIlliams

Eagle Scout Lawrence Williams took advantage of our storm drain stenciling program. Stenciling reminds us that anything dumped in the storm drain contaminates the Chesapeake Bay. Learn more by visiting the Prince George’s County Part of It, Proud of It beautification campaign.


Hometown Hero: Santana Family

HH - Santana Family

The Santanas are dedicated to recycling at home, work, and school. When it comes to recycling, every little bit counts. Learn the do's and don’ts of recycling and read about our curbside food scraps collection program by visiting the Prince George’s County Part of It, Proud of It beautification campaign.


County News For You

Climate Action Plan

Climate Action Plan

Prince George’s County is one step closer to creating a Climate Action Plan that will help our communities become more resilient to the increasing impacts of climate change. The Climate Action Plan aims to help the County reach its carbon emissions goal of 50% reduction by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. It provides recommendations on how Prince George’s County can invest in green infrastructure and programs, such as renewable energy, smart growth communities, low-carbon transportation, and resilient water systems. The draft Climate Action Plan has been released for public comment until Wednesday, December 1. Residents, organizations, businesses, and County-based entities can submit responses to the plan that can help create climate change resilient communities throughout Prince George's County. Learn more about the Climate Action Plan here.


Housing Month 2021: Affordability Panel

Affordability Panel

Join the Department of Housing and Community Development for a virtual panel discussion on Monday, November 8 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. This panel will feature County leaders and stakeholders that will discuss affordable housing needs in Prince George’s County. Register to attend here.


We’re Stronger Together: A Celebration of
Family Caregivers Month

Caregivers Month

In recognition of National Family Caregivers Month, the Department of Family Services in partnership with the Prince George’s Advisory Committee on Aging will host a virtual event on Thursday, November 18 to raise awareness of caregiving issues and increase support for family caregivers. In the U.S., families are the primary source of support for older adults and individuals living with disabilities, and research shows that taking care of a loved one takes a significant emotional, physical, and financial toll on caregivers. Many who work and provide care for an aging parent or relative, often find less time for themselves or other family members.

The Department of Family Services wants to acknowledge the challenges caregivers face and educate the community on resources for family caregivers. Register for the virtual Family Caregivers Month celebration here. Learn more about the County’s Family Caregiver Program, as well as other aging and disability resources here.     


Annual Snow Summit

Snow Summit

Fall is here, but winter is quickly approaching, and the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) would like to help ensure residents and businesses in Prince George’s County are prepared. Join DPW&T for their Annual Snow Summit, which will be held virtually on Thursday, November 18 at 6:00 PM via Zoom. Attendees will receive pertinent information on snow operations, as well as tips and resources for staying safe this winter.

Attendees will have the opportunity to view and hear presentations from the following agencies:

  • Department of Public Works and Transportation
  • Department of the Environment
  • Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement
  • Office of Emergency Management
  • Office of Community Relations
  • Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department
  • Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
  • Maryland State Highway Administration

Registration is required. Residents and businesses can sign up here.


“How to Get A Yes” Session 4:
Accessing Valuable Partnerships

FSC Webinar 4

Join FSC First for Session 4 of the “How to Get A Yes” series on Wednesday, November 10 at 10:00 AM. This workshop will help small business owners identify which types of partnerships to seek assistance from, including the FSC loan pool, and resources from the local (County), State, and Federal levels. Register to attend the event here!


PGC311 Updates

PGC311

The Office of Community Relations has made several new updates to the PGC311 system! Residents deserve an efficient experience when engaging with County government, and now submitting service requests and finding information is easier than ever. Service requests can be submitted 24/7 through the new PGC311 mobile app, desktop web portal, or by calling the PGC311 Call Center. Some key features of the new system include:

  • Real-time Updates: Submit your service ticket and receive real-time updates about when your ticket was received, the expected completion date, and an alert after the ticket is completed and closed.
  • Knowledge Articles: Short articles are now available that will assist in processing service requests and let residents know what is needed to be sure there is no delay in completing the request. Residents will also have access to feature articles that address commonly asked questions.
  • Easily Submit a Service Request: When submitting a service request, residents can now submit pictures to help provide a better understanding of what needs to be serviced and where.

The Office of Community Relations’ goal is to continue providing residents with exceptional service and to bring new technologies to help residents easily engage with County government. Learn more by visiting PGC311.


USDA Secretary of Agriculture Visits ECO City Farms in Prince George’s County

ECO City

On Tuesday, October 12, the Prince George's Soil Conservation District’s community partner, ECO City Farms received a visit from USDA Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack! Secretary Vilsack visited both ECO City Farms and Riverdale Elementary School to celebrate the launch of National School Lunch Week and National Farmer's Day, which highlighted USDA's commitment to promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices. ECO City Farms, a non-profit urban teaching and learning farm in Prince George's County, is also the recent recipient of a $300,000 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Urban Agricultural and Innovation Production Competitive Grant for its incubator farm project, a collaboration between the Prince George's Soil Conservation District, Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, The Capital Market, and Prince George's County Food Equity Council. We are #PrinceGeorgesProud of ECO City Farms and their accomplishments! Check out the photo gallery of Secretary Vilsack's visit here.


Spotlight On Prince George's

Prince George’s County Breaks Ground on New Sports Complex

LP Groundbreaking

Prince George’s County is set to welcome Liberty Sports Park, a complex of multi-use athletic fields located on a 76-acre site, in the spring of 2022. The youth-focused community sports facility will serve as the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier sports complex and will feature 10 lit grass and synthetic fields that support youth and adult sports programming, on-site dining, hotel, and entertainment options. Read more about the new sports complex here.


Local Communities Receive More Than $40,000 in Grant Funding

Dash In Grant

Dash In recently hosted grand opening events in Lanham and Clinton where they provided more than $40,000 in grant funding to the Capital Area Food Bank, local high schools, and the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation as a part of their renewed commitment to community engagement. Check out this article featuring the initiative.