January is National Mentoring Month. A mentor guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter. You can download the National Mentoring Partnership’s Toolkit, and view our Mentoring Resource Guide.  Our partners at MENTOR Maryland | DC and Mentor National offer these resources to support your program, learn about key topics and  find trainings. Visit our local mentoring programs to enroll directly as a mentor, or seek information on how to receiving mentoring

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area’s One-To-One Community-Based Services
• City of Rockville’s Mentoring Program

I wanted to send out a link about SMYAL’s virtual programming for LGBTQ youth, that you could share with your participants.   We are not limiting it geographically, and youth do not need to be connected with SMYAL already.  We are creating online support spaces during this time when young people might be struggling to find community.   https://smyal.org/virtualprograms/virtual-programming/

Department of Health and Human Services – DHHS will remain functional across most of its operations and will continue to provide safety-net services.

• Department of Health and Human Services – DHHS will remain functional across most of its operations and will continue to provide safety-net services.
  • Mobile Crisis Services will be suspended for the next two weeks.
  • The Tess Center will remain open but will eliminate walk-in service and shift to appointments only.
  • The VITA program will be suspended.
  • Outreach and home visitation programs will be limited to phone and social media communications.
  • Dental, HIV/TB/STD clinics, Crisis Center will remain open at reduced in-office staffing. Hours may be reduced.
  • SNAP participants should do new and redetermination SNAP applications online at MyDHR.
  • TCA and TDAP participants should do new and redetermination TCA and TDAP applications online at MyDHR.
  • Medicaid and health insurance participants should apply online.
  • Applicants for long term care medical coverage should apply online.
  • Home Energy Assistance applicants should do new applications online at MyDHR.
  • All outreach, external workshops and health promotion activities are suspended.
  • The Office of Vital Records has modified its process for issuing birth and death certificates. Please visit the Office of Vital Records website for additional information.
• Alcohol Beverage Services – Beginning on Tuesday, March 17,  ABS’ 25 retail stores will reduce hours of operation and will be closed on Sundays. Until further notice, its retail stores will be open Monday – Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. For a list of retail stores, hours and locations, please click here. All in-store tastings and events have been canceled indefinitely. ABS retail stores have also reinforced enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures with store employees to ensure the retail environment is as sanitary as possible.
• Department of Environmental Protection – DEP offices at 255 Rockville Pike and the Executive Office Building are not open to the public. Services are still being provided through DEP staff teleworking.  Effective Wednesday, March 18, the Transfer Station will open daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. PLEASE NOTE: All County provided trash and recycling collections are on a  NORMAL schedule.
• Department of Finance – Taxes may be paid online or left in the dropbox next to the Treasury Cashier Lobby. There will be potential delays in processing and returning property transfer work.
• Department of General Services – DGS is performing enhanced cleaning in County buildings and employees have been informed of precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
• Department of Housing and Community Affairs – The DHCA offices are closed to visitors.  If you need to speak to a DHCA staff person, please call 311 (240-777-0311), send an email to the person you’re trying to reach, or use one of the following emails:
  • Landlord-Tenant: olta.intake@montgomerycountymd.gov
  • Licensing: dhca.licensing@montgomerycountymd.gov
  • MPDU: mpdu.intake@montgomerycountymd.gov
  • Other: dhca.housing@montgomerycountymd.gov
• Department of Permitting Services - The Department of Permitting Services Lobby is currently open to receive payments and to submit plans. Operations continue to be delivered remotely on a telework schedule. DPS encourages customers to apply and submit plans electronically. Permit applications and plans will be accepted at the DPS offices for submission only. eServices is open 24/7. Check the DPS website for updates.
• Department of Transportation – Starting Monday, March 16, MCDOT will temporarily suspend fare collection for Ride On bus services. Ride On and Ride On extRa bus service will be reduced beginning Wednesday, March 18. Passengers will be directed to board through the rear doors of the bus to limit close contact between passengers and drivers. Passengers can board through the front doors if a lift is needed to accommodate a disability or stroller. Ride On Flex will not be in service. DOT has established free temporary parking in two County-owned parking garages including the Bonifant/Dixon Garage at 1101 Bonifant St. in Silver Spring and the Auburn/Del Ray Garage at 4910 Auburn Ave. in Bethesda. Curbside parking changes have been implemented to support restaurants that will depend upon carryout, curbside pickup and deliveries and help residents.
• Montgomery County Planning Department – The Planning Department will be closed to the public starting March 16 but will still be open for business through online services. Montgomery County Planning Board meeting on March 26 will take place via a video conferencing service. Details about this meeting will be made available later. Additional information can be found in the Planning Department’s news release.
• Office of Consumer Protection – Consumer Protection matters will be handled via email at ConsumerProtection@montgomerycountymd.gov. Investigative staff will continue working on their pending cases remotely but, investigators will not be performing site visits, inspections, and in-person meetings. OCP will be able to issue and administer business registrations but there will be delays processing and issuing registrations.
• Office of Human Resources –
  • Retirees will have to mail health insurance packets. There are no more signing seminars until further notice.
  • You may reach the EEO Division Monday through Friday during core business hours of 8:30-5pm.
  • All in-person training programs and training conferences/events through March 2020 are cancelled.
  • All mandatory Preventing Workplace Harassment, EEO and Diversity Management for Supervisors and Management, and custom departmental training are cancelled until further notice. The EEO division will reschedule the training sessions at a later date.
  • There will be no walk-in or face-to-face interviews during this time.
  • Vendor payments and student reimbursements for tuition assistance will be delayed as a result all staff teleworking.
  • Core HR will be open from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm for walk-ins.
    • Core HR employees will report to work on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 as they must be able to complete the hiring transactions.
  • Occupational Medical Services will maintain normal schedule and will continue to process applicant physicals, health exams, medical determinations, etc.

Repost from the Montgomery County Food Council

During the upcoming school closures due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Montgomery County Public Schools Division of Food and Nutrition Services will provide free meals to children in 20 community locations in a method similar to their Summer Feeding program.

A map of the Emergency Closure Meals Service for MCPS Students can be found here: MCPS Meal Sites

The USDA is providing a waiver to the requirement that meals be consumed onsite in a congregate setting, so these meals will be served in “grab-and-go” packaging.

 

Food Assistance Resources for Local Residents

The Food Council’s Food Assistance Resource Directory includes information on the location, hours, and eligibility guidelines for over 100+ sites in Montgomery County where residents can access food and benefits application assistance. Listings are searchable by location and service features such as home delivery. Maryland Hunger Solutions also offers a toll-free phone line that residents can call and schedule online SNAP Application Assistance sessions at 1-866-821-5552.

     

The Collaboration Council announces the availability of mini-grant funding to help community-based organizations deliver activities to middle and high school youth and those under age 21 that will help prevent their illegal use and abuse of alcohol, marijuana, over-the-counter, prescription and/or other drugs. Grants can range from $500 to $1,000; applicants must provide a local match (cash, in-kind) equal to 30% of the requested mini-grant amount. Applications are due November 1, 2019, 4:00 p.m.
Expenses incurred for projects funded via these grants must begin after January 1, 2020 and conclude by May 31, 2020
This is part of the Collaboration Council led Many Voices for Smart Choices – Montgomery County Alliance to Prevent Youth Substance Abuse. Funding comes from the Montgomery County government. For complete details and to download the Mini-Grant Application Announcement please click here. Please direct all questions to info@collaborationcouncil.org. Deadline for submitting questions is October 22, 2010, 3:00 p.m.

Identifying Identifying Vendors for Trainers/Facilitators for the Youth Development Community of Practice

Issue Date: September 12, 2019

Deadline for Submitting Questions: September 20, 2019

Closing Date: October 4, 2019 4 p.m.

The Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families, Inc. (the Collaboration Council), is a quasi-public non-profit organization and the Local Management Board for Montgomery County, Maryland. The Collaboration Council’s mission is to improve the well-being of children, youth and families through collaborative partnerships. For information regarding the Montgomery County Collaboration, its initiatives and programs, visit our website at www.collaborationcouncil.org.

Community of Practice for Youth Development Practitioners

The Community of Practice (CoP) of the Collaboration Council coordinates the training and education/academic programs for youth development practitioners working in youth-serving fields such as workforce development, mentoring, recreation, and transition age youth ages 16-24. This solicitation seeks to identify qualified trainers to deliver workshops, webinars, and certification training programs with content that supports/aligns with youth development principles, social emotional learning, and cultural linguistics. The topics included in this open solicitation were identified through written feedback from practitioners and supervisors attending CoP workshops and the annual Youth Development and Mentoring Symposium.

CoP Open Solicitation Proposal Information

The Collaboration Council seeks proposals from organizations and qualified individuals with experience using adult learning principles to facilitate workshops and webinars. CoP workshops programs are 3-4 hours in length, facilitated using adult learning principles and support the principles of youth development. In the proposal, each workshop and webinar description must include:

• Content with the most up to date research
•  Interactive group learning experiences
• Youth development principles
• An agenda
• A complete list of participant materials

Click here for complete details and how to submit your Letter of Interest

SMYAL is seeking an LGBTQ Services Navigator

Position Description

The LGBTQ Services Navigator will work with staff at the Montgomery County Reengagement / Drop-In Center to engage disconnected youth. The goal of the work will be to identify and build culturally competent resources for youth, to refer youth to the appropriate resources through Case Management, and to develop solutions to gaps in services. The LGBTQ Services Navigator, along with the dedicated Case Managers, provides client centered case management services to address the education, mental health, physical health and permanent living situation through coordinated activities and referrals. The LGBTQ Services Navigator will also consult on the general space and environment for the Reengagement / Drop-In Center, helping to ensure the space is culturally competent towards and inviting to LGBTQ youth. The LGBTQ Services Navigator needs to have vision, drive, and passion as the role will shift with time and needs.

Please see the job description for Primary Duties and Responsibilities, Core Competencies and Qualifications.

To apply:

Send cover letter and resume to Adalphie Johnson (adalphie.johnson@smyal.org) >

Coming This Fall:

911 Dispatch Academy, SFT087 (60 hours)

September 10 – October 12, 2019. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. AND Saturdays from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. On the Rockville Campus, Mannakee Building.

Cost: $800 + $170 fee = $970. Non-Maryland residents add $400.

This career pathway sequence of courses will enable you to apply for the Public Safety Emergency Communication Specialist position. Recognize the roles and responsibilities the 911 Telecommunicator plays in applying the principles, practices, and standards of care when servicing 911 calls. Learn and recognize the difference in fire, medical, or police responses to 911 calls.

Are you patient and calm during a crisis?

Are you able to multi-task with computers?

If so, then a career in emergency telecommunications may be for you!

To learn more about the class, please download the flyer

The Gilchrist Center is offering an Employment Skills Series Workshops for skilled immigrant job-seekers.

Finding a job in the US is challenging and competitive. Successful job seekers have:

• A US-style, carefully edited resume

• a well-written cover letter

• practice in one-on-one, phone, and panel interviews.

This class provides personalized assistance in the skills you need to start your career.

To learn more about the class, please download the flyer, visit the Gilchrist Center’s website

Workshops are offered on Thursday mornings from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

• Registration fee $25
• Space is limited, register early
• Ages 18+, no children in classrooms
• No make-ups or refunds for missed or cancelled classes

RSVP 301-890-1983

SMYAL is seeking an LGBTQ Services Navigator

Position Description

The LGBTQ Services Navigator will work with staff at the Montgomery County Reengagement / Drop‐In Center to engage disconnected youth. The goal of the work will be to identify and build culturally competent resources for youth, to refer youth to the appropriate resources through Case Management, and to develop solutions to gaps in services. The LGBTQ Services Navigator, along with the dedicated Case Managers, provides client centered case management services to address the education, mental health, physical health and permanent living situation through coordinated activities and referrals. The LGBTQ Services Navigator will also consult on the general space and environment for the Reengagement / Drop‐In Center, helping to ensure the space is culturally competent towards and inviting to LGBTQ youth. The LGBTQ Services Navigator needs to have vision, drive, and passion as the role will shift with time andneeds.

Please see the job description for Primary Duties and Responsibilities, Core Competencies and Qualifications.