The OLO released a report entitled “Student Loan Refinancing Authority” that shows it would be feasible to establish a student loan refinancing authority in Montgomery County. Click here for the full report.
Help represent our sector and learn more at County Council committee sessions. Click here for the current committee schedule.
Education, June 26, 2pm
Education, June 27, 2pm
Beginning on next month, the County Council building at 100 Maryland Ave. must enter through two entrances with security screening. Click here for the details.
MCPS will be providing free meals for children during summer break. Click here for the locations and schedule. Also summer programs may qualify for summer meals if the program is located in a school or at a location close to a school where 50% of the students enrolled are eligible for free or reduced price meals. For more information, contact the Division of Food & Nutrition Services at 301-284-4900.
Recently the County Council approved the FY18 operating budget, which includes nonprofit budgets under the HHS line item. It says:
CUPF will hold public forums for overview of changes to the processes and community feedback.
Wednesday, June 7, 8:30-10am
Location: Executive Office Building Auditorium
101 Monroe Street, Rockville
Saturday, June 10, 9-10:30am
Location: Silver Spring Civic Building
One Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring
Tuesday, July 11, 7-8:30pm
Location: Upcounty Regional Services Center
12900 Middlebrook Road, Room A, Germantown
Click here for more information.
Between now and mid-May, the County Council will be holding the following work sessions to delve into budget issues.
Click here for the current committee schedule.
Health and Human Services
Apr 24, 9:30 am
FY18 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments Health and Human Services
• Children, Youth, and Family Services
• DHHS Special Needs Housing
• Aging and Disability Services
• Public Health Services (except School Health)
Planning, Housing and Economic Development
April 26, 9 am
FY18 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments
• NDA: WorkSource Montgomery
• Bill 4-17, Economic Development Fund – Small Business Assistance Program
• NDA: Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation
Health and Human Services
April 27, 2 pm
FY18 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments Health and Human Services
• Administration and Support (includes Minority Health Initiatives and VITA program)
• Behavioral Health and Crisis Services
This will include discussion of the 1% decrease to HHS contracts with nonprofits.
Education
May 1, 2 pm
FY18 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments
• Community Use of Public Facilities
• NDA: Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL)
Health and Human Service/Education Joint Work Session
May 5, 10 am
FY18 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments
• Early Childhood Services, Infants and Toddlers, Child Care Subsidies, School Health Services, Linkages to Learning, High School Wellness Center, Public Private Partnerships, Children’s Opportunity Fund, and the Kennedy Cluster Project
On Tuesday, March 14, County Executive Ike Leggett released his proposed FY18 Operating Budget. While the budget includes spending that supports the most vulnerable residents in Montgomery County, including an increase to the County Executive’s Community Grants to community-based organizations, it also includes reductions, including a 1% reduction to Department of Health and Human Services non-Developmental Disabilities Provider Service Contracts.
As Mr. Leggett stated in the press release for the budget, “Given the continued budget uncertainty at the State and federal levels, and the potential impact any federal employment and spending reductions would have on the local economy, we must remain cautious in our spending.”
Council President Roger Berliner’s response says, “Our committees and the full Council will undertake this process over the next two months. We will carefully balance the need for important County services and pressures on our taxpayers. We look forward to receiving the views of our residents as we move through the budget process.”
To do this, the Council will hold a series of public hearings and work sessions.
How can nonprofit organizations provide feedback to the County Council on budget priorities?
1. Sign up (starting on 3/16) to testify about the impact of the budget on your organization at one of the Operating Budget public hearings: April 4 at 7:00 p.m.; April 5 at 1:30 p.m.; April 5 at 7:00 p.m.; April 6 at 1:30 p.m.; and April 6 at 7:00 p.m.
2. Share your feedback with Councilmembers. Comments and suggestions are welcome online; via email; via regular mail to: County Council, 100 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850; or by calling the Council budget hotline at 240-777-7802.
3. Let us know how the 1% reduction to HHS contracts will affect your organization.
4. Sign on to Nonprofit Montgomery’s budget advocacy statement, which will be shared with Nonprofit Montgomery members the week of March 20.
5. Attend Nonprofit Montgomery’s budget advocacy meetings with Councilmembers. Contact Brigid Howe to sign up.
Additionally, on Thursday, March 23 at 2 p.m., the Council is holding an important GO/HHS joint committee work session about procurement for nonprofits that receive community grants. Nonprofit Montgomery urges nonprofit leaders to attend work session to show their support for solutions to streamline the County grants procurement process.
Nonprofits serving Montgomery’s immigrant communities continue to field many questions from worried residents.
Based on questions from the community and discussions with stakeholders, the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center has released an updated version of its guide on this issue:
Immigration Information & Resources for Providers: Frequently Asked Questions
Seniors, interested residents, nonprofit organizations and businesses serving seniors are invited to attend a forum sponsored by the Montgomery County Commission on Aging.
Forum on Montgomery County’s Age-Friendly Initiative
Wednesday, March 29
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Silver Spring Civic Building
This forum will help residents understand the county’s Age-Friendly Initiative and gather feedback about how the program can be customized and publicized to deliver the most benefit to residents.
The forum is free but reservations are requested.
Contact Tremayne Jones at Tremayne.jones@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-1262.