September 2, 2022

Your Mid-County News For

Aspen Hill, Bel Pre, Brookeville, Glenmont,

Forest Glen, Kemp Mill, Kensington, Layhill, Olney,

Sandy Spring, Upper Rock Creek, Wheaton

Mid-County and Wheaton Urban District Board Vacancies

Apply Online

Elrich Seeks Applicants for

Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill five public vacancies on the Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board. All the incumbents are eligible to apply for reappointment.

The Board is comprised of 15 residents and businesses from the following areas: Upper Rock Creek, Wheaton, Kensington, Kemp Mill, Aspen Hill, Glenmont, Norbeck, Forest Glen, Olney, Brookeville, and Sandy Spring. The Board serves as a liaison between the community, the County Executive, County Council, and County government departments by identifying community concerns and recommending possible solutions. It also advises the Director of the Mid-County Services Center on transportation, economic development, housing, education, human services, environment, recreation, public safety, and other issues of importance to the area. To determine if your residence or business is in the Mid-County region, please click on this link and enter your address in the box: http://mcgov-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=0bc839f5e691497aa77da21c1495b669

Members serve three-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. The Board currently meets virtually by video- and teleconference the third Thursday evening of each month. Subcommittee meetings take place the first Thursday of the month. When in-person meetings resume in the future, the Board will meet at the Mid-County Regional Services Center, 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton.

Elrich Seeks Applicants for

Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill seven vacancies on the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, for two representatives of Wheaton businesses that employ more than 10 people (large businesses); one representative of a Wheaton business that employs less than 10 people (small business); and four residents of the Wheaton Urban District. One large business, the small business, and one resident are eligible to apply for reappointment.

The 11-member Committee provides information and advice to the County Executive and the Director of the Mid-County Regional Services Center regarding promotions, maintenance, service levels, and budgetary guidance for the downtown Wheaton Urban District.

Members serve three-year terms without compensation, but are eligible for reimbursement for travel and dependent care for in-person meetings attended. The Board currently meets virtually by video- and teleconference the second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM. When in-person meetings resume in the future, the Board will meet at the Mid-County Regional Services Center, 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton.

Contact: Beth Gochrach, 240-777-2528

What's new in Mid-County

Follow @WheatonMD on social media to see the latest updates and concert schedules.

Check our TGIF Summer Concert Series schedule here.

Until September 23, 2022

Ninth Annual Montgomery County Free ‘Friendship Picnic’ to Celebrate Diverse Cultures and Faiths

on Sunday, Sept. 18, in Wheaton

The ninth annual Montgomery County “Friendship Picnic” will again bring people of diverse cultures and faiths together to make new friends and discuss ways to build a stronger community. The free picnic will be held from noon-5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18, at Wheaton Regional Park.

Wheaton Regional Park is located at located at 2000 Shorefield Rd. in Wheaton. A free satellite parking shuttle service to and from the Wheaton Ice Rink and athletic fields will be available. Read more.

Adult Bike Classes

Click on the banners below to learn more and Register.

Click on the banner above for more information

A Message from County Executive Marc Elrich

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich this week provides details on a new grant program that will support access to abortions in the County. He offers thoughts on the first week of school and acknowledges work must be done to get students caught up due to the learning loss incurred during the COVID-19 health crisis. He provides updates on the current number of cases, and trends, of COVID-19 and Monkeypox. And as Labor Day Weekend approaches, he talks about this being a good time to salute employees and reflect on the important contributions of labor organizations.

Montgomery Parks Will Have Many Special Events and Programs in September

Montgomery Parks will have a full lineup of special events in September, including festivals, free salsa lessons, happy hours and yappy hours that will be opportunities to bring along furry friends. There are events for all ages and interests. Read more.

Delfeayo Marsalis to Headline Free 17th Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10

Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra will headline the free outdoor 17th Silver Spring Jazz Festival, which will take place from 3-10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.10, on Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring. Read more.

Applications Now Being Accepted to Participate in the 2022 Montgomery Thanksgiving Parade

Montgomery County is looking for colorful performing units and creative groups to march in the annual Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, which this year will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Silver Spring. Applications for units to participate are due on Sept. 19. The Montgomery County event is the only Thanksgiving Parade in the Washington metropolitan area. Read more.

Applications Being Accepted for County's Community Action Board Advocacy Training

The Montgomery County Community Action Board, which is part of the Community Action Agency, is accepting applications for its Community Advocacy Institute (CAI). The CAI is a free eight-month advocacy training program for Montgomery County residents with combined household incomes of $60,000 or less. Conducted in English, with simultaneous Spanish interpretations, workshops will focus on a variety of topics including how to work with elected officials, storytelling, research, letter-writing, developing testimony and key advocacy issues. Read more.

Residential Property Owners Must Have Approved Homestead Application on File to be Eligible for $692 Montgomery Property Tax Credit

There has been a change in Maryland law that could restrict a homeowner’s eligibility for a $692 Montgomery County property tax credit. The new State law requires all residential property owners to also have an approved Homestead Application on file with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) to be eligible for the County’s Income Tax Offset Credit (ITOC). This credit appears on annual property tax bills. Read more.

Important Information About

The Maryland Homestead Tax Credit

Updates Provided on Four ‘Streeteries’ for Fall

Four “Streeteries” were created in early 2020 by Montgomery County as a temporary concept to support businesses struggling from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and allow residents to gather freely on public streets closed to cars. They are now being reevaluated for fall as the pandemic continues to ease. The County’s Streeteries include Newell Street in Silver Spring, Price Avenue in Wheaton and Norfolk and Woodmont avenues in Bethesda. Read more.

Visit our CLASSES page, to find information on our citizenship preparation, English, and basic computer classes, and how to register for it.

Visit More Learning Opportunities section for other programs.

Computer Classes

Registration for fall 2022 computer classes is open! Learn about Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Suite, how to use the internet, how to manage and share files, and more. To apply, click here.

Visit the GET HELP section of our website to find a number of resources that are arranged by category: Food, Housing, Legal, etc.

The IMMIGRANT RESOURCES page lists resources that are specific to the needs of immigrants.

Subscribe to our mailing lists, Gilchrist Center Upcoming Class Registrations and Gilchrist Center's Community News & Announcements to receive updates about upcoming events and class registrations.

The Montgomery County Department of Police cordially invites you to attend our

Centennial Black Tie Gala

to help us celebrate and honor 100 years of service to Montgomery County.

Date: October 21^st, 2022

Location: North Bethesda Marriott and Conference Center

Time:7pm – 12am

For further information and to purchase tickets, please visit https://mcpd100yearanniversarygal.rsvpify.com

Montgomery Planning Releases Pedestrian Master Plan’s Draft Design, Policy, and Programming Recommendations

Montgomery Planning has released the first draft of the countywide Pedestrian Master Plan and is seeking public comments, officials announced here.

Planners are asking the public to attend and provide feedback at community meetings scheduled between 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7 (virtual) and Tuesday, September 13 (in-person).

The recommendations vary from physical infrastructure improvements to changing driver behavior and are intended to support elected officials and county departments in their work.

Neighborhood Events Matching Funds Grant Program

The Montgomery County Government established the Neighborhood Events Matching Funds Grant Program (NEMF) to promote community engagement, encourage capacity building, networking, and stimulate the local economy. This program is administered by the five Regional Service Offices. Neighborhood organizations, block groups, tenant associations, civic clubs, and other community groups that are active and in good standing may apply for funds to hold events and activities by completing this application. Click on the banner below to apply and for more details.

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is Accepting Applications

Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), is NOW available to provide funds to assist low income households pay past due water/sewer bills! Funds are limited. Apply today at: http://dhs.maryland.gov/ohep

Click below on flyers to retrieve forms

FREE Consultations for your immigration case

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FY23 Abortion Access Program

The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Grants Management are seeking applications from qualified Community Based Organizations (CBOs) providing direct services that support the right to access abortion care in the County. Resolution 19-1357 provides a total of $1 million for the County’s FY 2023 Abortion, Reproductive Health, and Related Services Access (ARHRSA) Grants Program with individual awards ranging from a minimum award of $50,000 and a maximum award of $500,000 for an up to one year (12 month) performance period. The target population for this grant are women seeking access to abortion, reproductive health, and related services as well as the staff providing these services. Interested parties should visit the Office of Grants Management online application platform as a one-stop-shop for additional program details, links to and a recording of a virtual Information Session, contact information for questions or support, and to submit an application.

Key dates for this program are:

Application Opens: Thursday September 1, 2022 at 12:00 PM (noon)
MS Teams Live Virtual Information Session: Friday September 9, 2022 from 3:30 to 5:00 PM (the link to and a recording of the event will be posted here)
Application Closes: Monday October 10, 2022 at 9:00 AM

Click here to see a video of the Press Event announcing the opening of this program.

Click here to see the County's Press Release on this program.

Click here to download the full ARHRSA Grants Program Details document in .pdf format.

Questions about the application process can be directed to Rafael Pumarejo Murphy, Director of the Office of Grants Management, by calling 240-777-2775 or emailing r afael.murphy@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Food Distribution

Montgomery County has various food distribution events across the County this week, including in Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring and Olney. To find distribution events or food near you, click here. The website also has more information about food resources in multiple languages. For help with getting food, please call the Food Access Call Center at MC311.

Surveys: Medical Transportation for all Marylanders

The Medical Transportation Project (Project) survey aims to initiate a dialogue between stakeholders from across the state and to develop strategies that promote Non-Emergency (including Non-Medicaid) Medical Transportation (NEMT) in Maryland. This type of survey, sponsored by the Rural Maryland Council and Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland will allow the Project to engage participants, collect data on regional or industry perceptions, and identify various opinions.

To complete the survey, visit: https://bit.ly/3vdvA2L

For questions or information on upcoming roundtable discussions, contact Yolanda Hipksi at yhipski@tccsmd.org.

Visit Montgomery County Business Center's Website

Are you a small retail business in Montgomery County?

If your business lost revenue during the pandemic, you may be able to apply for a grant of up to $10,000.[1 ]

The deadline to apply is September 30^th!

Your business could be eligible to get help from this program if it:

· Is physically located in the County,

· Received $500,000 or less in annual revenue prior to the COVID-19 health crisis,

· Is classified as a retail or service-related business, but is not a restaurant or food service

business, medical practice, professional services business, religious organization or licensed

childcare program,

· Has a commercial lease in the County,

· Had a revenue loss due to the health crisis, and

· Did not received SBRA funding in previously.

For more information about this Small Business Rental Assistance[2 ] (SBRA) program, check online: https://montgomerycountymd.gov/Biz-Resources/ where you will find:

· Grant Application Requirements

· Grant Application Form

· Informational Webinars (in Spanish and English)

· Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For additional information, contact: BusinessCenter@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov or

SBRA@LEDCMetro.org.[3]

[1] Three months of rent based on its current lease or $10,000, whichever is less.

[2] This program complements other state, local, and federal funding programs previously offering

COVID-19 impact relief to different types of businesses (i.e. restaurants, licensed childcare providers).

[3] Montgomery County is working with one of its many community resource partners, the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), to deliver the funding to eligible businesses. These funds are available to all eligible businesses including those operated by Asian Americans, African Americans, Blacks, Latinos and others.

Monkeypox Vaccine Remains in Short Supply; Virtual Town Hall Meeting for Latino Community to be Held on Monday, Sept. 12

There are currently more than 3,000 at-risk Montgomery County residents pre-registered for a monkeypox vaccination. The County is now following revised Federal and State guidance that is expected to make vaccinations available quicker to those on the pre-registration list than in the past. Vaccinations are currently recommended for those most at-risk of contracting it. Read more.

The Facts About Monkeypox

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COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Remains a Community Concern and County Continues to Distribute

Free Vaccines, Rapid Test Kits and Masks

A supply of the protein-based Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is now available to Montgomery County residents. The technology has been used for decades to combat diseases such as hepatitis B and influenza. Clinical trials have shown the two-dose vaccine to have similar effectiveness as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines at preventing and reducing illness from COVID-19. Read more.

County Offering COVID-19 Vaccines to Children

6 Months to 5 Years

Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months to 5 years, Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has started vaccinating this age group as vaccines are available. However, initial supplies are limited. Read more.

Fourth Phase of COVID-19 Rent Relief Program: Previously Incomplete and New Applications Will Be Accepted

The fourth phase of Montgomery County’s COVID-19 rent relief program has reopened and is now accepting applications from eligible renters who either did not fully complete their previously submitted application or want to submit a new application for review. Read more.

La cuarta fase del programa de Alivio de Renta del Condado del Condado del Montgomery ha vuelto a abrir y está aceptando aplicaciones para inquilinos elegibles que no hayan terminado la aplicación anterior or deseen someter una nueva aplicación para verificación. Leer más.

Free At-home COVID-19 PCR Test Kits Available at Multiple Locations, But Which COVID-19 Test is Right for You?

Montgomery County residents have several ways to get tested

for COVID-19.