Montgomery County and Partners Seek to Engage and Serve You!

Montgomery County Maryland sent this bulletin at 11/26/2019 11:42 AM EST

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Older Driver Safety Awareness Week is December 2-6 Years of experience may make you a good driver. But changes due to aging can create new driving challenges. Take steps to stay safe:

Community Members Invited to Join Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group and Help Develop Countywide Pedestrian Master Plan
Selected candidates will support planners with their community knowledge and technical expertise to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility

The Montgomery County Planning Department is seeking members of the community to participate in its Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group. Selected candidates will help Planning staff identify challenges and opportunities in the pedestrian environment, draft recommendations and provide feedback on the plan as it develops. The application deadline has been extended to Sunday, December 8, 2019.

Members must be available to attend all meetings, be active participants in discussions and be open to considering different points of view.  The advisory group will meet approximately five times in 2020, starting in January and ending in December. All meetings will take place on weekdays between 7 and 9 p.m. at the Planning Department’s current headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD) or its future headquarters (11219 Grandview Avenue, Wheaton, MD) after mid-August 2020.

To apply to become a member of the Pedestrian Master Plan Advisory Group, please complete the online application by Sunday, December 8, 2019. For more information, contact Eli Glazier at eli.glazier@montgomeryplanning.org or (301) 495-4548.

County Executive Elrich Hosts FY21 Operating Budget Forum at Leisure World
Monday, December 9, 2019 at 1:30 pm
Leisure World, Maryland Room in Clubhouse One
3700 Rossmoor Boulevard, Silver Spring, Maryland 20906

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has added an additional date and location for his Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 budget forum tour.  On Monday, December 9, he will host a special forum about FY 21 Operating Budget priorities.  The County Executive will announce his Recommended FY21 Operating Budget on March 16. The County Council approves the operating budget at the end of May. 

Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no fewer than 72 hours prior to the event.  If these or other services or aids are needed to participate in this activity, call 240-777-6507 or Maryland Relay 711, or email a request to Karen.Falcon@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov. Join Montgomery County’s conversation about the FY21 Operating Budget on social media and help raise awareness by using #MoCoBudget21.

Take Advantage of a Job Search Training Program for Job Seekers 50+
Are you over age 50 and frustrated by your job search?  JCA’s Career Gateway Program can help you hone your resume, polish your networking and interviewing skills, use Internet job search resources more effectively, and turn your age and experience to your advantage.  Each session of the Career Gateway features 30 hours of small-group classroom instruction over five days, comprehensive take-home materials, practical exercises, and a long-term mentor – all for only $75!  Sessions run from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.  Optional employment-related tech training available, as well.

New Sessions are Available for 2020!
2020 Sessions:  #3:  January 21, 22, 24, 27, 29
                           #4:  March 2, 4, 6, 9, 11
                           #5:  April 20, 22, 24, 27, 29
                           #6:  June 8, 10, 12, 15, 17  

For more information, call Jodie Rasch at 301-255-4215 or email her at Jodie.Rasch@AccessJCA.org.

Stay Safe with Maryland’s Senior Call Check Program
Maryland is the first state in the country to start a free, opt-in, telephonic service to check on Maryland’s older residents, all across the state.

How Does It Work? Every day a telephone call will be placed to a participant at a regularly scheduled time. These calls will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. as close as possible to the one-hour time block pre-selected by the participant. If the participant does not answer their first call, they will be tried two more times. If those calls go unanswered, additional calls will be made to notify an alternative person who is selected by the participant during program enrollment. This could be an adult child, a neighbor, or another loved one. The alternate will then be encouraged to check on the older adult program participant. The failure of the participant and alternate to answer may result in a Welfare Check by local law enforcement. 

Who Can Participate? Any Maryland resident who is 65 years of age or older who has a landline phone or cell phone (TTY is available). The participant and alternates should not have automated call blocking technology (or they should disable that phone feature for this program).

Three options available to apply:
1. Click here to register now.
2. Click here to download & print Maryland Senior Call Check Paper Application to mail in.
3. Call toll-free 866-502-0560 and ask to have a hard copy application mailed to your home.

When Do Calls Begin?
Daily calls will not begin until the applicant / participant receives a call to verify all of their information. Verification will include a successful test automated call to both the participant and alternate where applicable. After all information is validated, a Welcome Packet will be mailed to your home address. The welcome letter will include your start date.

For more information, go to: https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/senior-call-check.aspx  

Seniors Today

 December Topics:  Amy Harbison interviews James Stowe, Director, Office of Human Rights; Seth Morgan, Chair of Commission on People with Disabilities and Larissa Johnson, Residential Energy Program Manager, Department of Environmental Protection

Program airs at the following times: Sunday - (6:00 pm) | Mon - (10:00 am) | Tues - (1:00 am, 12:30 pm, 6:00 pm) | Thurs - (2:30 am, 6:00 pm) | Fri - (10:30 am) | Sat - (2:00 am)  

Where to Watch: Comcast and RCN channel 6; Verizon channel 30; or On-Demand at the County's website by clicking here.  

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