Events
Montgomery County government and its community partners are always coming up with new and informative programs to provide resources and supports for caregivers.

Every month we research and feature special events that provide valuable support to help residents maintain their health and wellbeing while caring for a loved one. Here is a sneek preview of August events:

• On August 24, 2021 from 1-2 p.m. ET, please join the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia ResourceCenter (NADRC) for the webinar, Building and Maintaining Relationships After a Dementia Diagnosis: Dementia Care Partners and Social Isolation. 
• Seabury's LGBTQIA+ Out and About Program. This dynamic program connects LGBTQ older adults through wellness programs, cultural events and conversations designed to address the concerns within the community.
• OATS & Senior Planet are excited to offer a free 6-week online course and resources for caregivers age 60+ and recipients of care to help navigate and understand the digital world. This course is part of a CDC Foundation project and is designed to help older adult caregivers and recipients of care during the pandemic and beyond.
• Charles E Smith's arts and cultural program with ElderSAFE Center is hosting an interactive presentation on creativity, aging and mental health. Kim Burton, with Mental Health Association of Maryland, will share the many benefits of creativity on mental health and wellness, including ways to integrate creative practices into your everyday life.
• and much more.....

We update the County's Caregiver Blog regularly so we encourage everyone to become a subscriber and receive up to date listings. The County's Official Subscriber link can be found at the top right side of the MoCo Caregiver Blog. 

Programs
This month we publish the latest offering of local, regional and national programs - all offered virtually. 

Whether you are seeking support or would really appreciate the opportunity to participate in a lifelong learning program. - going virtual makes it easy.

Participation for most activities can also be conducted via the telephone. For those who have access to a computer or a hand-held smart device can enjoy the full video-based presentation.

Montgomery County residents can also access the five lifelong learning centers located in our region, or try out on of the several out-of-state programs that County residents are welcomed as participants. All programs are featured in this blog.

Additionally, the blog also presents many listings for virtual support groups.
Click here for more information.

Announcements
COVID-19 Rent Relief Program Continues to Provide Assistance to Those Impacted Financially by COVID-19

Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is continuing to provide short-term rental assistance to eligible households that have experienced a financial hardship/loss due to the COVID-19 health crisis and have fallen behind on their rent. The program does not have an application deadline. While funds are available, the program will provide up to $12,000 to eligible households to pay back rent owed and/or pay for up to three months of future rent. For households below 30 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), additional financial help may be available. Funds awarded will take into account any other local, State or Federal assistance received to pay rent. Click here for more information and how to apply.

The National Association for Counties (NACo) awarded Montgomery County's Engage@HOME YouTube Channel a 2021 Achievement Award. Montgomery County Maryland's Caregiver Support Program launched the Engage@HOME YouTube channel on March 28, 2020, the goal was to provide an immediate response to the growing upheaval associated with Covid-19 and the need for social distancing. It was evident the County needed to support community members by helping them develop new healthy social engagement behaviors. To achieve this goal the County’s Caregiver Support Program created Engage@HOME. Engage@HOME is a web-based platform where we air episodes of interviews featuring County staff and our public-private partners. Additional programs are developed utilizing curated content sourced through national and international organizations. Engage@HOME allows viewers an opportunity to discover trusted information, quality social engagement, inspiring health and wellness programs, arts and cultural activities and caregiver resources to help county residents maintain resilience during these challenging times. Engage@HOME has reached 145,000 viewers with over 470 hours viewed.

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging has launched its engAGED Social Engagement Innovations Hub! The Innovations Hub contains summaries of more than 40 social engagement programs to facilitate the sharing and replication of best and promising social engagement programs designed for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. The Hub is searchable by a variety of filters, including intervention type, partners involved and populations served. Summaries include everything you need to know about each program—outcomes, lessons learned, resources needed and contact information to learn more about how to implement your own program.

Montgomery County's Engage@HOME was judged as an outstanding example of innovation and included in the hub! Engage@HOME continues to flourish and to date as reached 145,000 viewers and over 470 hours of content has been viewed.

Please continue to enjoy Engage@HOME Click here
Click here for more information.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposal that will again require face coverings in public indoor areas was unanimously approved by the County Council on Thursday, Aug. 5. The Council approved the regulation in its role acting as the County Board of Health. The mandate will go into effect on Saturday, Aug. 7.
Click here for more information.
 

The Montgomery County Agricultural Fair will return to the fairgrounds in Gaithersburg from Friday, Aug. 13, through Saturday, Aug. 21. The fair, which was first held in 1945, was not held last year due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
Click here for more information.
 

August is National Water Quality Month and the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection is highlighting at-risk stream critters to bring awareness to the water quality in County streams.
Click here for more information.
 

County Executive Marc Elrich is seeking applicants to fill five vacancies on the Montgomery County Climate, Energy and Air Quality Advisory Committee. All members must be technically knowledgeable and interested in climate change, energy and air quality. Individuals with professional experience, education and knowledge in these fields are particularly encouraged to apply by Friday, Aug. 6.
Click here for more information.
 

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation is installing 42 electric vehicle (EV) charging station wayfinding signs in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton to make drivers aware that they can easily find opportunities to charge their environmentally friendly vehicles. 
Click here for more information.
 

Montgomery County Public Libraries will offer two free virtual “Mini-Comic Book” workshops in August, one geared to ages 10 and up and the other to those 50 and up. The workshops will be facilitated by cartoonist, illustrator and animator Leila Cabib.
Click here for more information.
 

Glenstone Museum in Potomac and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation are renewing their cooperative program that guarantees museum entry to passengers who take a Ride On bus to the private, limited-entry facility. The program brings riders to Glenstone via route Ride On 301 at least 10 times each visitor day.
Click here for more information.


Free Online Workshops for Job Seekers and Entrepreneurs Offered in August

Free online workshops and one-on-one sessions geared toward assisting job seekers and entrepreneurs are being offered virtually throughout August. The program is sponsored by Montgomery County Public Libraries. 
Click here for more information.
 

Montgomery County Recreation's Longwood Community Recreation Center will close for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) remediation work on Monday, Aug.9. The work will improve ADA access to the Center. The facility is expected to reopen in winter 2022. 
Click here for more information.
 

Montgomery County residential renters who are behind on rent may be protected from eviction by a new temporary order issued by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Click here for more information.
 

It is a time of year when people start planning for fall and begin to clean out garages and storages spaces. Sometimes they find a bike that is no longer needed. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is hoping you will hang onto those bikes just a little longer and donate them to the department’s annual bike collection drive that will be held Friday, Oct. 8.
Click here for more information.

 

Beach Drive in Kensington, between Kensington Parkway and Old Spring Road, will be closed from Aug. 30 through early June 2022 as the two-lane bridge carrying Beach Drive over Silver Creek will be replaced. Traffic will be detoured through MD 185 to MD 192 to Stoneybrook Drive and Beach Drive.
Click here for more information.

 

A video exploring the history of Montgomery County Barns will be viewable from Monday, Aug. 23, through Sunday, Aug. 29, as part of the Montgomery History’s organization’s Paths to the Present series.
Click here for more information.

 

“Businesses and Licensure” will be the theme from noon-1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20, when Montgomery County’s COVID-19 Economic Revitalization and Recovery program continues its series of virtual town hall meetings to keep businesses informed on strategies for doing business as the health crisis continues.
Click here for more information.
 

American eels are the only fish found in the Montgomery County area that begin life in seawater (Bahamas and Bermuda area) and travel to freshwater streams for adulthood. During its campaign to protect at-risk stream critters during National Water Quality Month in August, the County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) eels are among the at-risk stream critters that DEP is working to ensure their survival.
Click here for more information.
 

An online conversation about the Crisis Assistance Helping Out on The Streets (CAHOOTS) model for mobile crisis intervention services will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25. The session is part of a series, “Wellness Community Events: Healing and Holding On—One Conversation at a Time for the Community,” which is focused on mental health and wellness issues as the COVID-19 health crisis continues.  
Click here for more information.

Last Month to Join the Solar Co-op

RESIDENTIAL: The Capital Area Solar Co-op is closing at the end of the month - do not miss this opportunity to learn more about the solar process and join your fellow residents in being part of the clean energy revolution!!! When you join the Solar Co-op, you’ll join over 500 other residents who have already signed up to get solar panels at a lower cost. Once you join, you’ll have a built-in network of support and inspiration from others who, like you, are taking a stand for energy freedom and advancing the clean energy economy. And there is NO COST to join - just an opportunity to get more information!


A Fun Back to School Sing-A-Long

RESIDENTIAL: Back to school is approaching! Did you know that a typical, 200-square foot dorm room can generate as much greenhouse gas pollution as the tailpipe emissions of a car driven more than 2,000 miles? As college students return to campus and younger kids return to school, we have created the Montgomery Energy Connection Sing-A-Long video to teach kids (of all ages) several ways they can help save money and energy at home and at school this year! Be careful, this song is an earworm! 


Maryland's Energy Supply Reform Bill Explained

RESIDENTIAL: Susannah Auderset, Montgomery County Climate Planning Team Intern took the time to research Maryland's Energy Supply Reform Bill. This bill protects low-income families from predatory suppliers and exorbitant prices by ensuring that third-party suppliers cannot charge more than regulated utility rates. This protection — effective January 2023 — is vital, considering the abundance of scams currently found within Maryland’s energy market.


30 Million Solar Homes

RESIDENTIAL: Solar United Neighbors released the 30 Million Solar Homes (30MSH) impact analysis. In the first five years of the program, the 30MSH plan would: Create 1.77 million new jobs, reduce electricity bills by $69 billion, eliminate CO2 emissions equivalent to closing 48 coal-burning power plants, power 20 million households in marginalized communities with local solar. In addition, the ongoing, ANNUAL benefits would include $30 billion in electricity bill savings, and more than three-quarters of total federal investment benefits marginalized communities, including low- and moderate-income and environmental justice communities.


Choose What You Use

RESIDENTIAL: As a Maryland resident, you have the option to choose who supplies your electricity. Maryland is an energy choice state where customers can choose their electricity and natural gas providers. Some suppliers regularly offer rates and service that are 10% or more cheaper than the utility company. Choose Who You Use is a coalition to ensure Marylanders get a real choice when it comes to electricity. This state-wide coalition works to deliver true electricity choice to Maryland, giving consumers the power to make the best electricity choices for themselves and their families.
 

My Green Montgomery Green Jobs Board

The My Green Montgomery Green Jobs Board will help you find green jobs in our region.  We post jobs for free if they:

• are green jobs (focused on energy, sustainability, water, trees, community greening, environmental ed, etc.)
• based in the DC or Baltimore regions. Jobs in Montgomery County or easy for our residents to commute to work!

We pre-approve each job before posting, but we do not guarantee the length of time jobs will be posted. To look for new job opportunities, click here.


5th Annual Wheaton Arts Parade & Festival

Sunday, September 19, 2021
10:00 am - 5:00 pm 
An afternoon of continuous performances by MoCo's top talent, including The Nighthawks, Strathmore artists, The Olney Theatre National Players, local dance companies, choral groups, musicians, and showcases by area high schools. More than 45 artists & galleries exhibiting and selling their original art. Plus this is an opportunity to swap out your old bulbs for LEDs! 
Click here for more information.