For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
The following Committees will meet virtually on Thursday, June 11. Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Committee review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Committee agendas can be viewed at:
http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently no public access to the Council Office Building. The virtual Council meeting will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube (MoCoCouncilMD) and on Facebook Live (MontgomeryCountyMdCouncil) and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on channels 30 (Fios), 1056 (RCN) and 996 (Xfinity)..
Meeting: Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee
Time: 9:30 a.m.
HHS Committee: Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz (Chair), Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness and Vulnerable Communities) and Craig Rice
Topics:
“GO Teams” and County response to highly impacted zip codes and group homes for the developmentally disabled
The HHS Committee will meet with the Department of Health and Human Services and IMPACT Silver Spring and group home service providers for the developmentally disabled to get information about their experiences in working to address the outbreak of Covid-19. The discussion will focus on two specific special situations: highly impacted zip codes and group homes for the developmentally disabled. Both the state and the County have responsibilities in the response. As noted in the May 28, 2020 memo from the HHS Committee, there are significant gaps in this response. In addition, the HHS Committee will discuss the state’s role in providing GO Teams, Strike Teams, or Rapid Responders.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget discussion on Developmental Disability Funds for additional eligible service providers
The HHS Committee will have a follow up discussion to the Council’s FY21 budget actions that moved forward under a continuity of services process which, at the time, did not provide an opportunity to increase the total amount of funding for the supplement paid to providers of direct services to developmentally disabled persons, referred to as the “DD Supplement.” Each year, Montgomery County provides a local payment to providers of direct services to developmentally disabled persons. Due to the Covid-19 health crisis, the Council’s FY21 Operating Budget process approved funding levels, with only a very few exceptions, at the FY20 level to provide a continuity of service. The Committee will review a potential special appropriation to provide a re-estimated continuity of services budget for the DD Supplement for all eligible service providers.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Food Security Issues During Covid-19
The HHS Committee will have a follow up discussion from the June 8 Council meeting on food security issues during Covid-19. The Committee will receive a briefing on the Montgomery County Food Security Task Force “Covid-19 Pandemic Food Security Response Strategy.” The HHS Committee also will review an update on the implementation plan and discuss food security issues. County organizations have provided more than 1.57 million pounds of food and 2.82 million prepared meals to its residents since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Meeting: Education and Culture (E&C) Committee and Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee
Time: 1:30 p.m.
E&C Committee: Councilmembers Craig Rice (Chair), Will Jawando (Lead for Libraries) and Nancy Navarro
HHS Committee: Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz (Chair), Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness and Vulnerable Communities) and Craig Rice
Topics:
Capital Grants Funding for Arts & Humanities Organizations and Health and Human Service Providers
The E&C and HHS Committees will continue their discussion from the County Council’s FY21 Operating Budget meeting on grants for capital projects to arts and humanities organizations and health and human service providers.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Special Appropriation to the County Government’s FY20 Operating Budget, Early Care and Education NDA - Covid-19 Early Care and Education Initiative (ECEI) Recovery Fund - $10,000,000.
The E&C and HHS Committee will discuss a special appropriation of $10 million to provide reopening expenses for licensed childcare center programs, registered family childcare homes and letter of compliance programs. This funding includes eligibility for one month of expenses to support early care and education operations until tuition payments are collected as well as compensation for significant financial losses caused directly or indirectly by Covid-19 restrictions. Councilmembers Nancy Navarro, Hans Riemer and Andrew Friedson are the lead sponsors of the special appropriation. Those expected to participate in the discussion include Raymond Crowel, Director, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS); JoAnn Barnes, Chief, Children Youth and Family Services, DHHS; BB Otero, Special Assistant to County Executive; Caroline Sturgis, Assistant Chief Administrative Officer; and Deborah Lambert, Office of Management and Budget.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.