We celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. The theme for 2022 is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.”

The reason Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is because September 15 is significant to a number of Latin American countries. It is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

You can find news, information and celebrations on the website for National Hispanic Heritage Month.

For local activities, Check the Collaboration Council website for events related to this celebration.

County Executive Elrich kicked-off Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 15 by issuing a proclamation to recognize the special month. The proclamation presentation video can be viewed here

Request for Proposals # 2023-77 Care Coordination Services using the Wraparound Approach  

Proposals # 2023-77

Care Coordination Services using the Wraparound Approach

Issue Date: September 7, 2022

Questions submitted in writing by September 19, 2022

Deadline for Submission of Proposals: October 7, 2022 5:00 p.m.

No submissions will be accepted after this date and time, 2022

OPEN SOLICITATION #2022-75

Purpose of Solicitation:

 

The Montgomery County Collaboration Council is seeking a qualified vendor to

1) deliver care coordination services to families in the County that maintain high fidelity to the wraparound philosophy and;

2) to develop and maintain a network of service providers to deliver community-based interventions for eligible youth.

Preproposal Conference Dates:

September 22, 2022, 1:00-2:00 pm

September 23 ,2022, 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Offerors may choose to come to one or both.

All questions (either live or pre-submitted) will be answered at the conferences. Sessions will be recorded and the recording will be shared upon request.

Link for pre-proposal conferences can be attained by emailing meredith.bowers@collaborationcouncil.org with the subject heading: RFP Preproposal Conference Link

Click here for the full RFP

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

MCPS Parent Resources can be found for those families looking for

• Family Math Support Center Specific examples and guidance for mathematics curriculum by grade and subject.
• Digital Learning Information and Support for Parents
• Early Childhood Programs Prekindergarten, Head Start and Kindergarten Information
• Elementary Curriculum Built around developing students’ critical and creative thinking skills.
• Forms for parents and Students