The General Educational Development (GED) program at MoCo ReConnect goes beyond preparing students for the GED exam by integrating social justice and life-skill themes to develop students' knowledge base and cultivate empowerment through reflection and investigation of their larger social environment. We believe this method empowers youth as agents in their learning, as well as their lives and communities.

Watch this LAYC video featuring moments from the graduation ceremony and thoughts from several of this year's graduates!

Arva was a member of the Collaboration Council’s Board of Directors for 14 years, including service on multiple committees. During her time as Board Chair, from 2002 until 2004, she helped shepherd the Collaboration Council through its transition from an office within the County’s Department of Health and Human Services to a quasi-governmental 501(c)3 nonprofit.

In 2005, Arva became chair of the Collaboration Council's Legislative Committee, where she excelled as its spokesperson, drumming up support for its mission among members of the County Council and the delegation to Annapolis. In 2010, in part because of her major contributions to the success of the Collaboration Council, Arva was awarded a Time Well Spent On Behalf Of Montgomery’s Children Award.

In 2019, Arva received the County's African American Living Legend Award. In this short video, she shares personal memories and insights about her approach to life and leadership, saying of herself: "Arva Jackson is someone who works very hard at finding the best thing there is about the worst things that ever happened." She also credits her parents with teaching her to always ask questions.

The Collaboration Council is working with community partners to implement The Basics in Montgomery County's 20877 zip code.

The Basics consists of five evidence-based parenting and caregiving principles that promote high-quality cognitive and social-emotional development among children 0-5.

Help us spread the word about The Basics by downloading and sharing flyers featuring the five principles in English and Spanish.

To learn more about The Basics, visit the program web page.

For more details and instructions on how to write and submit a Letter of Interest, download the Open Solicitation. Deadline for submissions: Friday, August 19 at 5 p.m.

Community Engagement Specialist Bezil Taylor and MoCo ReConnect Project Director Alycia Chuney attended the United Justice Coalition’s Inaugural Social Justice Convention held at Center415 in New York City on July 23.

The convention brought together leading activists, entertainers, attorneys, entrepreneurs, professors, experts, media personalities, organizations and more from across the nation to advance social and racial justice. Topics ranged from prison reform and mental health, to policy and advocacy change for individuals impacted by police violence.