Family Violence Awareness Campaign

Updated COVID-19 information

News You Can Use:COVID-19 April 24, 2020 COVID-19 and Family Violence The COVID-19 health crisis is intensifying the dangers that those experiencing family violence face daily. That's why the County launched the Family Violence Awareness and Prevention Campaign on Thursday, April 24.  This program is an effort to let residents know that resources remain open and free. Educational materials such as stickers and flyers are being posted at County liquor stores and other essential retail businesses such as Founding Farmers and Giuseppe's Pizza. The stickers include the warning signs of family violence and County agencies that can help. The County wants to make sure that all residents are safe at home. The campaign kicked off  through a Zoom press conference.  Speakers included a Survivor from Rockville,  County Executive Marc Elrich, Sheriff Darren Popkin, State's Attorney John McCarthy and Police Chief Marcus Jones.  Commission for Women President Nicole Y. Drew, Esquire joined other community leaders and served as a panelist during the press conference.  In addition to the education materials, the Family Justice Center released an educational video about accessing resources.  Watch the video here. Announcements from Governor Hogan Earlier today, Governor Hogan shared 'Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery.'  The roadmap is based on input from health care experts, business leaders and economic advisors in order to ensure a well planned and safe recovery. More information can be found here. If you haven't already, take a look at Governor Hogan's  A-to-Z COVID-19 Resource Guide.  It is an excellent resource for all COVID-19 issues. The Maryland Department of Labor announced a a new one-stop unemployment insurance application that is being released TODAY. On Monday, April 20, Governor Hogan announced that he and his wife, Yumi Hogan secured 500,000 test kits from South Korea. Montgomery County Announcements Volunteering Want to give back?  Learn how to here. Donating Medical and Cleaning Supplies Personal Protective Equipment is still needed in the county. Here are the items that will be accepted: N95 masks goggles nitrile gloves hospital gowns Tyvek coats and bodysuits bleach, Lysol and other cleaning supplies face shields hand sanitizer Handmade and prototype versions will not be accepted. Find out more information here. Montgomery County Mask Makers Volunteers in Montgomery County joined together to start Montgomery County, Maryland Mask Makers.  Please register on their website if you are interested in assisting.  COVID-19 and Maternity Care How has COVID-19 impacted maternity care and where can individuals find information for health care practitioners, expecting mothers and new parents? The CDC provides the most up-to-date information on coronavirus-related considerations for pregnant women, pregnancy, delivery, infants and breastfeeding. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has assembled resources for obstetrician-gynecologists and other health care practitioners. Every Mother Counts curated a list of resources for new moms, mothers-to-be, physicians, midwives and doulas. This Harvard Health Blog post, written by an OBGYN and an infectious disease specialist and internist, answers the often-asked questions about COVID-19 and pregnancy.  Grocery Stores Local grocery stores and national store chains in Montgomery County are offering dedicated shopping hours to seniors. Here's the list. Food Resources If you or your loved ones need food resources, Manna House is still serving meals. You can call Manna House at 301-424-1130, toll free, and they have English, Spanish, and French speakers available.  Please be patient if your call goes to voicemail. They are trying to keep up with the demand with reduction in volunteer/staff support. The MD Food Bank is currently requesting donations and volunteers. The need is especially great now.    SNAP Information There has been some misinformation circulating on social media and among some communities about qualifying for SNAP benefits. For current SNAP participants and for new applicants who are eligible for the program: you will receive the maximum amount of benefits that are allowed for your household size in April and May, 2020 (no further action or application is needed to receive the maximum benefit for these two months). If you are applying for SNAP benefits, you must meet the income eligibility guidelines to begin receiving benefits. Check here for more information. For New Applicants: To ensure the quickest turnaround, new applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online via MyDHR portal. This portal is still functioning while DHS offices are closed. Due to the recent increase in applications, you may experience some website errors. However, this is still the fastest and most direct method of applying for SNAP benefits. Training for Organizations and Volunteers Who Connect Residents to Food Resources Because of COVID-19, we have seen rapid growth in unemployment rates and increased demand for food assistance. The Montgomery County Food Security Task Force is a collaboration of the Dept. of Health and Human Services, the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the Food Council, and other non-profit organizations. We are hosting a webinar to explore how service providers and front line workers can best connect residents with food assistance programs and services available in our community. Please join us for this webinar and learn more ways to assist Montgomery County residents to access the food assistance resources they need. The next training is Monday, April 27, from 11 am-noon and is web-based. The link will be provided upon RSVP. Take Out and Delivery Services This is an updated list of County restaurants that are providing curb side pick up and take out. Public Schools Please be sure to check the MCPS website often, as they regularly update it with announcements. Grab and Go meals for children up to 18 years of age - parents do not need to have their children to pick up meals at these locations. External resources for supplemental education while students our out of school can be found here. English TV programming from MCPS-TV that airs shows from Scholastic is cast on cable channels Comcast 34, Verizon 36, and RCN 89. Shows are for all age ranges, K-12. For a full TV schedule, use this link.  For families without internet service: English: We know that many of our families do not have access to the internet at home. Comcast has announced that effective Monday, March 16, new Internet Essentials customers will receive two free months of Internet service. You can learn more about this offer at https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19. Español: Sabemos que muchas de nuestras familias no tienen acceso a Internet en casa. Comcast ha anunciado que efectivo el lunes, 16 de marzo, los nuevos clientes de Internet Essentials recibirán dos meses de servicio de Internet gratis. Ustedes pueden conocer más acerca de esta oferta en https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19. Educational Resources for Kids Virtual Storytime with Councilmember Will Jawando County Councilmember Will Jawando, in partnership with Friends of the Library of Montgomery County, has been holding Virtual Storytime sessions for young children on Facebook Live every weekday. He reads a book aloud as a way to provide early literacy to children and an enjoyable activity for children that must stay at home. Virtual Storytime is usually at 11:30 a.m., but you can stream past storytimes on his Facebook page anytime.  Here are some great additional links we've found for kids of all ages: PBSkids has some great videos and games for children. Scratch is a wonderful website for those who like to code! Metkids! introduces children to all kinds of art. Transportation Information Montgomery County Department of Transportation has temporarily suspend fare collection for  Ride On bus services. Ride On has further reduced services to operate under the Essential Service Plan. This plan includes 35 critical routes so that residents can take Ride On for essential trips during the COVID-19 health crisis. Please view the Ride On Essential Service Plan for additional information.  MCDOT encourages passengers to wear cloth face coverings (aka masks) in accordance with CDC recommendations while riding buses to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Ride On will not require face coverings but recommends them when possible and appropriate.  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. Announced TODAY: Montgomery County's Department of Transportation initiated a new program using taxis to provide essential delivery services in response to COVID-19 health crisis.  Find out more here.  Non-Profit and For-Profit Business Information The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved a $5 million special appropriation to expand funding for the County's newly created Public Health Emergency Grant (PHEG) program to provide additional financial assistance to local restaurants and small retail shops during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Under the PHEG program, businesses with 100 employees or less that are suffering economic impacts from Covid-19 are eligible to receive grants of up to $75,000 per business. The County will seek reimbursement from the federal and state government for any eligible costs. This special appropriation is in addition to the $5 million reserved for local restaurants and storefront retail operations as part of the original $20 million appropriation by the Council to create the PHEG program through the County's Economic Development Fund. The source of the funds is the County's General Fund Reserves. The deadline is TOMORROW at 5:00pm. County Council Building is Closed In accordance with Gov. Hogan's March 30 executive order, there is no public access to the Council Office Building or the Council Hearing Room, until further notice. In order to ensure continued public participation during this unprecedented crisis, the Council is now accepting written, video, and audio testimony online for public hearings. The Council is also accepting call in testimony for remote public hearings. Residents must sign up to testify by using the online form. For questions call 240-777-7803. Employment The Maryland Department of Labor updates its website each day with news and FAQs regarding the impact of COVID-19 on employment. You can access this website here.  Need to find a job or have general employment questions? Check out Worksource Montgomery, which is currently offering virtual workshops. Find out which establishments are currently hiring here.   Housing Assistance Montgomery County has put together a great list of resources on all things related to housing.  Click here for more information. Financial Information Are you in need of financial assistance?  This county website provides financial resources for you and your family. Travel and COVID-19 Did you make travel plans earlier this spring and now don't know how to cancel or change them? Are you looking towards summer and thinking of capitalizing on lower rates but don't know how COVID-19 could impact those plans?     Learn what's going on in the travel industry from the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection's (OCP) latest newsletter. It covers airlines, hotels, short-term rentals, online travel agencies, car rentals, tours, cruises, future travel and more, all with helpful links. See the newsletter. Contact the OCP if you have questions. The office also can help resolve disputes. You can reach OCP investigators via email (consumer@montgomerycountymd.gov) or online complaint. Health and Wellness Connect Your Mind and Body Get out and for for a walk! Montgomery Parks is continuing its efforts to expand safe access to park facilities for recreation and exercise during the COVID-19 crisis. The department recently extended its regular Sunday closures of Sligo Creek Parkway to motorists to Fridays and Saturdays to free up more outdoor park space for walking, running and biking. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the Friday and Saturday vehicle closures, the Parks Department has decided to open an additional section of the parkway to people, between Forest Glen Road and University Boulevard, on weekends. These sections of Sligo Creek Parkway will be closed to vehicles and open to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other park users beginning Friday mornings at 9 a.m. through Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.: Glorifying Our Spiritual & Physical Existence for Life Program The African American Health Program (AAHP) is pleased to announce the Glorifying Our Spiritual & Physical Existence for Life (G.O.S.P.E.L.) Program. The GOSPEL Program is designed to promote exercise as a fun activity and a desirable physical discipline that promotes spiritual growth, improved health, and community connection. Delivered in a virtual format, G.O.S.P.E.L. is a 6-week program that encourages participants to engage in physical activity a minimum of 2 days per week. Participants will measure steps, activities, or length of activities per week. Health education will be offered through a newsletter and additional online formats. Similar to the Health Freedom Walk, the G.O.S.P.E.L. Program will involve groups. AAHP will provide training on how to form virtual groups and how to complete the program. Interested? Email your name and the names of others who will sign up to aahp@montgomerycountymd.gov no later than Wednesday, May 5, 2020. AAHP will provide registration forms to you after signup. Training will be held on Monday, April 27th and Wednesday, May 6th  at 6:30pm. Dance It Out - #MoveMore Party The American Heart Association has a current workout & dance series streaming live daily on the web, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. So You Think You Can Dance alums and TV personalities tWitch and Allison will be joining in on the fun! You may recognize tWitch as the DJ on The Ellen Degeneres Show. There is a lineup of dance, fitness, Pilates, and yoga this week. Here's the schedule:  Get groovin' with tWitch and Allison on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 p.m. CDT Rise and shine with Uti on Tuesday and Thursday at 8 a.m. CDT Get to the core of Pilates with Neela on Monday at 8 p.m. CDT Flow into yoga with Sylvia on Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. CDT Latin Dance with Gina on Wednesday at 8 p.m. CDT Learn Something New! Have you thought about learning a new language?  Now may be the time--and it's free!  Montgomery County Public Libraries' has resources such as Mango, with courses in more than 70 languages, and Rosetta Stone, with 30 different languages, are available. Muzzy Online teaches eight languages including English with the animation and games that the kids are into these days! Or TumbleBooks, with animated talking picture books in French and Spanish. You will need a library card to access these resources.Getting one is easy and you can register online for a free library card. Entertainment Science Fun: Have you ever looked up and seen the sky smiling at you?  No? Well, mark your calendar for May 16 when Jupiter, Venus and the Moon will align so form a smiley face. Education for Seniors: Oasis, part of Suburban Hospital's community health and wellness department, offers a wide variety of classes for seniors and now has them online. Some of the topics currently included are health, consumer interest and lifelong learning. Check here for a list of the classes coming up.  Senior Planet Montgomery (SPM) SPM a technology training program designed for County learners 60 and older, is offering free online classes that focus on how to thrive at home. Classes, which are offered live via video conference, enhance a wide variety of life skills. Classes April 27-May 1 will feature how to use Zoom video conferencing, person to person payment services, how to read utility bills online and a website with tips on how to lower utility bills. CFW Programming Thank you to everyone who has submitted an entry to date!  Due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the Girl Power Contest.    We will be accepting entries though June 26 and will be recognizing the winners at our August 19, 2020 Suffrage Commemoration at the Silver Spring Civic Center from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Please be sure to submit your entries on-line or through the mail, as our office is currently closed until further notice. You can submit your entry here! Our free Separation and Divorce Seminars are now online!  Please join us as local attorneys walk through the "ins" and "outs" of going through a separation and divorce in Maryland. You will learn about: Methods of Dispute Resolution, When and Where to File, Types of Divorce and Grounds, Financial Statements, Alimony, Property and Equitable Distribution, Role of the Attorney, and Domestic Violence/Orders of Protection. All classes are from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm. May 5, 2020: Davis Library (virtual seminar) June 2, 2020: Silver Spring Library (virtual seminar) You will receive login information after signing up on Eventbrite using this link. Our free Financial Health and Wellness Seminars are now online!  We've partnered with Montgomery County Public Libraries to offer a series of financial seminars to help walk you through the ins and outs of "all things" money. The seminars will be led by Jamie Lapin, owner of Risk Management Group, LLC. Topics include: April 28: Divorce and Money Divorce and Money: Divorce is a strain on your finances as well as your nerves. Will you be fiscally ok when it's over? What is your role in making sure of that? You will receive login information after signing up on Eventbrite using this link.  Visit our Website and Facebook Page Be sure to visit our Facebook page and our website for all the latest news and stories. Be the first to "Be in the know"! Visit our Instagram Page Did you know the Commission for Women was on Instagram? Check out our page and give us a follow!   Check out our LinkedIn! Follow us on LinkedIn to see event and professional updates from the Commission!  Montgomery County Commission for Women| 240-777-8333  www.montgomerycountymd.gov/CFW STAY CONNECTED: SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help This email was sent to you using GovDelivery, on behalf of: Montgomery County, Maryland Government. As a subscriber, you agree that we may contact you by email and use the information you submit as described in the Montgomery County Privacy Policy. Please do not reply to this email. Replies to this email will not be responded to or read. If you have any questions or comments, please visit the MC311 Portal at www.mc311.com or call 3-1-1 (240-777-0311 if outside the County) to speak with a Customer Service Representative. This email was sent to stevenmagallanes520.nims@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Montgomery County Maryland · Monroe Street · 13th Floor Rockville · Rockville, MD 20850 · (240) 777-2900