Issue Date: October 27, 2020

Closing Date: : Thursday December 3, 2020

The Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth and Families, Inc. (the Collaboration Council), is a quasi-public non-profit organization and the Local Management Board for Montgomery County, Maryland. Further information about the Collaboration Council can be found at it’s web site www.collaborationcouncil.org.

The County recognizes the need to provide youth sports in Montgomery County. Youth sports have significant social and wellness benefits to participants. In addition to promoting mental and physical health and activity, youth sports help develop confidence, keep youth engaged in productive activities, and help to teach team building and goal setting objectives.

An extensive body of research shows that physical activity has numerous and significant health, cognitive and academic benefits for children and adolescents. Yet, only about a quarter of children in the United States did the recommended daily 60 minutes physical activity in 2016. Children who play sports are more likely to meet physical activity guidelines compared with their peers. However, survey data show that the percentage of children under age 12 who played team sports “regularly” has declined in recent years, from 42% in 2011 to 38% in 2018. Data also show wide disparities in youth sports participation by family income, gender, and race and ethnicity.

The purpose of this funding is to increase the availability of youth sport services by supporting youth sports organizations through a grant process, to provide positive, structured activities for children who would otherwise lack access to these services that support their healthy development.

For complete details and how to submit your Letter of Interest with Cover Page click here

Click here to download the Cover Page  

Funding comes from the Montgomery County government.

For complete details and to download the Mini-Grant Application Announcement please click here.
Please direct all questions to info@collaborationcouncil.org.

Deadline for submitting questions is November 10, 2020, 4:00 p.m. Include FY21 Under 21 Mini-Grant in the subject line.

Montgomery County officials today launched the second phase of the COVID Rent Relief Program to provide financial assistance to eligible residents.  Administered by the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the program will accept applications on a rolling basis while funds remain available.

The $20-million funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security or CARES act expands rental assistance and homelessness prevention to low-income households that have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 health crisis. The funding was introduced by County Executive Marc Elrich and approved by the County Council in July.

More than $1 million in financial assistance was given to eligible households in the initial phase of the program. DHHS has continued to maintain an active waitlist and the process for requesting assistance has been streamlined since the first phase was introduced earlier this year.

Eligible renters must certify that they have income under 60 percent of the average median income, which is $65,529 for a family of three; that they lost income due to COVID-19; that they are rent-burdened and behind on rent; and that they have been a resident of Montgomery County since February 2020. Households may have formal or informal lease arrangements.

Approved households may receive up to $4,000 for rent arrears and a rent credit for future months, paid directly to the landlord when a formal lease agreement exists. Eligible households who have an informal rental arrangement will receive rental assistance based on their monthly rental costs up to $4,000. For households with informal rental arrangements that do not have a lease in their name, the grant may be provided directly to the tenant. All assistance is based on the availability of funds.

For more information, including details about program requirements and an online application are on the County’s COVID-19 website. Households can complete the online application or contact 311 for additional assistance.  Renters facing an immediate loss of housing should also call 311 to discuss their situation with Montgomery County Housing Stabilization Services.

Households that have already received a COVID Rent Relief Grant, a State Assisted Housing Relief Program grant (through their property), or those who are receiving a housing voucher are not eligible. The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is separate and different than the Rental Assistance Program operated by Housing Opportunities Commission, but households may apply to both.

Applications will be prioritized based on areas of highest COVID-19 impact, with households outside of the initial “high impact” neighborhoods placed on a waitlist and contacted as capacity allows.

DHHS has developed a Homeless Prevention Index to evaluate all neighborhoods in relation to COVID-19 impact, housing stress, and social determinants. Applications will be prioritized based on areas of highest COVID impact, with households outside of the initial “high impact” neighborhoods placed on a waitlist and contacted as capacity allows. This will enable to the program to ensure that an equity lenses is utilized, recognizing that communities of color have been significantly impacted by COVID, disproportionately experience homelessness, and are more likely to get evicted.

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Montgomery County’s Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program (VASAP), part of the County’s Department of Health and Human Services, and the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) have produced a guide on how to access sexual assault forensic exams (also known as SAFEs or “rape kits”), services, and counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sexual assault is a traumatic experience that can leave survivors concerned about what they should do next. The questions and fears that survivors have after an assault are often overwhelming and scary, and the additional stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic have created new barriers to getting help. Help for sexual assault survivors has continued, even in the face of stay at home orders.

The guide provides survivors with information on what to expect during a forensic exam and how services have been redesigned to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. The informational guide is available here.  

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 Application submissions for this program open Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 10:00 am.

What is the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program?

Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing an unprecedented financial hardship for many Montgomery County residents, the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance in the form of a rent subsidy payment.  This program seeks to fill the gaps for those who have lost income during COVID-19.

Application submissions OPEN August 18, 2020 at 10:00 am and CLOSE August 31, 2020 at 2:00 pm.

Application

Access Online Application Portal HERE beginning August 18, 2020 ()

Digital applications must be completed using the portal. Applications will not be accepted via email.

Download PDF Version below 

English

Español

All paper applications MUST be date and time-stamped and placed in the designated drop box at one of the following locations:

1. 10400 Detrick Avenue, Kensington, Maryland 20895
2. 231 East Deer Park Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
3. 101 Lakeforest Boulevard #200, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
4. 880 Bonifant Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Landlord Information

Eligibility and Frequently Asked Questions

Click below for eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions. 

Frequently Asked Questions – COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program

Preguntas frecuentes – COVID- 19 Programa de asistencia de alquiler 

Questions 

If you have questions or require assistance, email CDBG_RAP@hocmc.org or reach out to our Call Center staff at help@hocmc.org or (240) 627-9400.