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For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 13, 2020

MontgomeryConnects!, a free Montgomery County program to help every household get connected to the Internet at home, has been launched with the goal of providing tech support for seniors and increasing home Internet connectivity for low-income households. The special program was designed to ensure every person has the training and confidence to use technology for daily living and to enable them to fully participate in the digital economy.

Through Aug. 28, one-on-one tech support appointments are being offered for seniors and low-income families. The support is available in 12 languages between 10 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Monday through Friday by video Zoom or telephone. To access the program and request an appointment, visit https://montgomerycountymd.gov/obp/ or call 311.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has driven home the message that every home needs an Internet connection and every person needs to know how to use the Internet," said County Executive Marc Elrich. "Staying connected allows kids to learn, people to work and do business and for all of us to get access to public health services and information and stay in touch with friends and family." 

For the first phase of MontgomeryConnects!, members of the County Covid Corps who have been specially trained by the Senior Planet Montgomery program, will provide the one-on-one tech support. The support team also will be able to help low-income families sign up for low-cost Internet plans

In addition to English, the support will be available in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Amharic, Farsi, French, Hindi, Korean, Malayalam, Nepali, Portuguese and Russian.

Covid Corps team members can assist residents with questions or problems with issues including phones, computers, tablets, printers, email, using the Internet or application and Zoom account set-up.

The program will provide information about obtaining Internet service plans ranging from $9.95 to $19.95 per month via Comcast, RCN or Verizon FiOS.

MontgomeryConnects! builds on previous collaboration between the County’s Department of Technology Services (DTS) and Montgomery Recreation. The recreation department’s TeenWorks Tech Connect program previously provided youth employment and offered technology assistance to senior adults. The DTS Senior Planet Montgomery program (www. SeniorPlanet.org/Montgomery) offers technology training programs to seniors.  

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Release ID: 20-434
Media Contact: Mitsuko Herrera 240-777-2928