Free Tax-Preparation The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. The VITA program has operated for over 50 years. VITA sites offer free tax help to people who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns, including:

• People who generally make $60,000 or less
• Persons with disabilities; and
• Limited English-speaking taxpayers

Community Action Agency VITA

The Montgomery County Food Council’s Online Food Assistance Resource Directory lists more than 100 food assistance sites in the County. This directory is searchable by location, food assistance type, accessibility and many other special features. Mapa de Recursos de Comida El Directorio de recursos de asistencia alimentaria en línea del Consejo de alimentos del condado de Montgomery enumera más de 100 sitios de asistencia alimentaria en el condado y se puede buscar por ubicación, tipo de asistencia alimentaria, accesibilidad y muchas otras características especiales. Seniors looking for meal sites can search for them here Visit infoMONTGOMERY’s Community Support page to access other useful information for those in need of immediate  and on-going assistance.  

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness for those issues. Over the past 30+ years, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further those goals.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)’s mission is to lead, mobilize and raise our voices to support efforts that demand a change of conditions that lead to domestic violence such as patriarchy, privilege, racism, sexism, and classism.

They offer this 2022 #weareresilient toolkit For Survivors, Advocates and Allies Domestic Violence Awareness Month, October 2022

View Montgomery County’s programs for abused adults and children, and what our organizations are doing to prevent violence in our community.

National Preparedness Month raises awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies. Check these preparedness tips and sign up for Alert Montgomery. Alert Montgomery is the official emergency communications service for Montgomery County, MD. During a major crisis, emergency or severe weather event, Montgomery County officials can send event updates, warnings and instructions directly to you on any of your devices.

In 2021, FEMA’s Ready Campaign and the Ad Council broke ground by producing the first-ever national preparedness campaign specifically targeting the Latino community for National Preparedness Month. Released during Hispanic Heritage month, the advertisements centered around the Latino community’s commitment to personal planning for occasions and family milestones as a bridge to also planning for disasters.

This one-of-a-kind campaign is committed to putting people first and reaching communities where they are. To continue these efforts, this year’s National Preparedness Month campaign will feature a call to action for the Black and African American community.

v This year’s national public service announcements are being developed and will be released throughout the country this September, to help get preparedness information into the hands of those who live in underserved communities.

2022 Theme: A Lasting Legacy

Getting a COVID-19 updated booster shot

 

Last week, the FDA and CDC approved new Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 bivalent boosters that are specifically tailored to combat the two most prevalent omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5. Beginning  September 7, the vaccines are widely available in the DMV.

 

The bivalent vaccines can only be used as a booster shot at least two months after the completion of the primary series – or initial required shots – or following a previous booster shot. The Pfizer bivalent vaccine is authorized for those 12 years of age and older. The Moderna bivalent vaccine is authorized for use in people 18 years of age and older. More.

  You can get an updated booster at any of the Montgomery County-sponsored clinics or at a private provider, such as a Giant or CVS pharmacy. Appointments are recommended, especially at county clinics. The federal vaccines.gov site provides information on pharmacies and other providers that have available booster appointments and walk-ins are welcome. Also see Maryland’s vaccine locator.  

For those concerned about mRNA used in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, Novavax offers an alternative. It’s a traditional protein-based vaccine and does not use mRNA. People aged 12 and over who have not completed another primary COVID-19 vaccine series are eligible for Novavax, which is administered in two doses three week apart.  

The county offers Novavax vaccines at its clinics by appointment only. Call the county’s COVID-19 call center at 240-777-2982 to request appointments or make an appointment online.

Montgomery County is providing 40,000 Chromebook computers to residents who do not have a computer. Eventbrite is being used to create appointment tickets to manage computer pick-ups.  Every person receiving a computer:

• Must have an individual appointment to pick-up a computer (appointments are released Sundays at 2:00 pm);
• MUST APPEAR IN PERSON and show photo ID to pick up the computer;
• Must have a have a County library card number to create an appointment.
• Must be a Montgomery County resident at least 7 years old.
• Must be  able to honestly certify you would not have access to a computer if the County did not provide you one.

There is a limit of one computer per person.  You do not need to be a U.S. Citizen to receive a computer but you must be a Montgomery County resident.  EVERY PERSON, INCLUDING CHILDREN, MUST HAVE THEIR OWN APPOINTMENT AND APPEAR ON THEIR APPOINTMENT DAY IN PERSON WITH ID TO RECEIVE A COMPUTER (For Example:  If a parent wants a computer for the parent and two computers for two children, the parent must make 3 appointments and bring the two children with ID to receive the computers.  If you make an appointment for June 21, you cannot show up on a different day.)  The same person may not register at multiple locations to receive more than 1 total computer.  If all appointments are sold out, new appointments will be released on Sundays at 2pm. Check the Montgomery County website to sign-up and appointment information.  If you need additional information, please read below and then contact us at montgomeryconnects@montgomerycountymd.gov if you still have questions.  Do not use this email to request a computer – click on an available date  under Make Appointment for Computer and complete the Eventbrite to book an appointment. More information

The Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families is Seeking Applications for Community Board Members
Apply Online at This Link:
OnBoard2 | Montgomery County MD>
Please carefully read the new online application instructions at
Boards, Committees and Commissions – Montgomery County, MD (montgomerycountymd.gov)
The deadline for application is May 4, 2022
See full announcement here:  

Summer RISE Host Registration is now open through Friday, April 1st

The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Partnerships Unit is seeking businesses, government agencies, higher education institutions and nonprofits to participate as hosts for the 2022 Summer RISE program. Summer RISE is a program for MCPS rising high school juniors and seniors to learn about a career during the month of July.

• Highlights of Summer RISE 2022:
• Host Registration: Open now through Friday, April 1, 2022
• Summer RISE: July 5-29, 2022
• Closing Ceremony: Friday, July 29th
• Flexible schedule | 50 hours over 4 weeks | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Opportunities can be in-person, virtual or hybrid
• The Partnerships Unit is offering virtual courses to supplement the 50 required hours, if needed
• For detailed information about Summer RISE, visit www.MCPS-SummerRISE.org Hosting a Summer RISE student: If you/your company is interested in becoming a host, please see the information below and attached:
• Read the Summer RISE Host Agreement
• Preview the Host registration before you register (see attached)
• Review the summary of industries for which we are seeking hosts
• Register to be a host using https://bit.ly/Host2022
• Questions? Join an information session or have your colleagues attend to learn more about hosting a Summer RISE student. Please keep checking the link as additional sessions may be added.
• Bring a colleague to an information session
• If you are interested in hosting a personalized information session for your office/organization or with industry partners, please let us know and we will be happy to coordinate.

Student registration is launching this Wednesday, February 16th and we anticipate having over 1,100 students registering this year. With your help, we will be able to offer Summer RISE to more students.

 How Do I Get a COVID-19 Test in Montgomery County?

Testing Clinic locations

Seniors and people with disabilities: get a free ride to your COVID-19 testing clinic

Visit one of the county run or sponsored Testing clinics for PCR testing for anyone who lives, works, or regularly visits Montgomery County.

We test people of all ages. If you bring young children, we may ask you to help them get tested. . Appointments are available, or Walk-in on a First-Come, First-Serve basis

Testing is free. If you have insurance, we will ask for your information, but there are no co-pays or deductibles.

We do not require a government ID or a doctor’s order.

Our clinics provide nasal swab tests. You take the sample yourself. The tests are molecular tests, also called PCR tests. These diagnostic tests detect genetic material of the COVID-19 virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We do not offer antibody testing at our clinics.

At-home rapid tests
Order free rapid tests for at-home delivery from the US government.

Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

Limit of one order per residential address

One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests

Orders will ship free starting in late January

Visit the USPS Site here

Get rapid test kits at any one of 19 Montgomery County Public Library branches.

Rapid test kits are free to Montgomery County residents.
Bring a form of proof of residency. Examples include a Driver’s license, ID, or a bill that shows you are a resident of Montgomery County.

Kit pickup is inside each library. You might enter at a side entrance. If you come early, you may wait outdoors. The line moves fast. If you need support, please ask a site attendant.

Residents can get two kits per person per day. Each kit contains two tests.

We have a limited supply of kits per site. We update this page as locations run out.

Providers can request rapid test kits for their organization or private school. Request COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits for your organization

 COVID-19 Vaccinations for 5 to 11 Year Olds