ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 7, 2023—The featured guests on this week’s En Sintonía con el Concejo del Condado de Montgomery (In Tune with the Montgomery County Council) will include Whalezka Perez, intake coordinator for the Early Childhood Services at the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Infants and Toddlers Program; Tania Alfaro, newcomers coordinator for the Bienvenidos Initiative at DHHS; and Oscar Alvarenga, newcomers transition coordinator for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS). The show will air on Friday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. on Radio America (WILC 900AM) and is streamed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. 

The Montgomery County Bienvenidos Initiative is organizing a resources and services fair at Montgomery Blair High School, which is located at 51 University Blvd. East in Silver Spring. The fair is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is intended for newly arrived families and will provide information about the services offered by Montgomery County, as well as guidance on how to navigate the support system for newcomers. The fair will offer bilingual information in English and Spanish about legal rights, school enrollment, health programs for minors, pediatric services, referrals for vision exams, English classes and more. 

The show will end with a discussion about Montgomery County's Infants and Toddlers Program. The program offers early intervention services for children from birth to 34.5 months old and their families. When there is a suspicion of a developmental delay in an infant or toddler, a referral is made to the program. The program includes a developmental assessment, a review of family concerns, priorities and resources, and meetings with the family to develop an individualized family service plan. The program also offers service coordination to ensure that the individual and their family receive the necessary services, which may include, but are not limited to, physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, health and medical services, nursing services, nutrition services, psychological services, including specialized play groups or therapy sessions, counseling, speech and language assistance, special instructional services, transportation and parenting skills development. The progress of the child and their changing enrichment needs are regularly evaluated. The program specialist will share details about the application process and hotline for Montgomery County residents. 

The Council and Radio America have entered a partnership that provides the Latino community with key information on issues and programs. The partnership also provides a forum for residents to express their views and ask questions. The partnership includes the weekly one-hour show each Friday on the Washington metropolitan area’s most popular Spanish language station. 

Each week, the show features host Marcela Rodriguez, Council program manager and public information officer, and guests talking about important issues before the Council and provides information about programs offered by the County to help residents.