For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 2, 2020
Also on Dec. 3: Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee and joint HHS and Education and Culture (E&C) Committees hold virtual meetings
The Council and the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will meet virtually on Thursday, Dec. 3. The HHS and Education and Culture (E&C) Committees also will meet jointly. Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for committee review can be viewed here. The Council and committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and committee agendas can be viewed here.
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 and committee 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).
Council agenda:
The Council will meet virtually on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. to interview members for the Commission on Redistricting. The Montgomery County Charter requires that the Council appoint a Commission on Redistricting that is composed of 11 registered voters who reside in the County. At least one member of the commission must reside in each Council district. No person holding an elected office can serve on the commission. By Nov. 15, 2021, the Commission on Redistricting must present a plan of Council districts together with a report explaining the plan to the Council. Within 30 days after receiving the plan, the Council must hold a public hearing on it. If within 90 days after presentation of the Commission’s plan no other law re-establishing the boundaries of the Council districts has been enacted, then the plan as submitted becomes law.
The Council staff report that includes the names of those who are being interviewed can be found here.
Committee: Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee
Time: 9 a.m.
HHS Committee: Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz (Chair), Councilmember Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness and Vulnerable Populations) and Councilmember Craig Rice
Topics:
Nursing Homes
The HHS Committee will receive a briefing from the County’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) about nursing homes in Montgomery County and the role of DHHS both in terms of regulatory issues, such as inspections and investigations, and as the provider of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program that is a part of the Older Americans Act. The briefing also will give an overview of the State’s Office of Health Care Quality’s role. DHHS will inform the Council about specific requirements, including testing for staff and residents, when the state provides technical assistance teams for infection control, circumstances when admission and visiting protocols might change, current visitation restrictions, and requirements for and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE). DHHS also will discuss flu vaccinations and plans for eventual deployment of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The individuals expected to attend the meeting include the following: Dr. Raymond Crowel, director, DHHS; Dr. Travis Gayles, County health officer and chief of Public Health Services, DHHS; Dr. Odile Brunetto, chief, Aging and Disability Services, DHHS; Dr. James Bridgers, deputy health officer, DHHS; Clark Beil, senior administrator, Licensure and Regulatory Division Services, DHHS; Enrico Lachica, clinical nurse administrator, Licensure and Regulatory Division Services, DHHS; and Eileen Bennett, program supervisor, Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, DHHS.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
African American Health Program (AAHP) Executive Committee Targeted COVID-19 Response
The HHS Committee will receive an update on the progress and accomplishments of the AAHP COVID-19 Response that is working to address the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on African American and Black residents who, since the start of the pandemic, have died at higher rates than would be expected based on population. The effort is focused on increased education and testing and support for individuals who test positive and for those who wish to prevent infection. This includes assisting people with COVID-19 kits, which include masks, thermometers and other supplies and information, food assistance and the engagement of a Black Physician Partnership to encourage and engage people to follow-up with a health care provider. Another important component is the establishment of mental health supports for households with positive cases.
The individuals expected to attend the meeting include the following: Beatrice Miller, co-chair, AAHP Executive Committee; Jacqueline Williams, co-chair, AAHP Executive Committee; Pat Grant, immediate past chair, AAHP Executive Committee; Arlee Wallace, AAHP program manager, DHHS; and Dr. Raymond Crowel, director, DHHS.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar (For Our Health and Wellbeing)
The HHS Committee will close out its meeting by receiving an update on the Por Nuestra Salud y Bienestar (For Our Health and Wellbeing) initiative. In July, Councilmembers Nancy Navarro and Gabe Albornoz spearheaded Council approval of a $5.6 million special appropriation to create this initiative, which provides a strategic, culturally competent, community-focused approach to public health to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in areas of the County that are hardest hit by the virus.
The Council staff report will be available here tomorrow.
Committees: HHS and Education and Culture (E&C) Committees
Time: 11:30 a.m.
E&C Committee: Councilmember Craig Rice (Chair), Councilmember Will Jawando (Lead for Libraries) and Councilmember Nancy Navarro
HHS Committee: Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz (Chair), Councilmember Evan Glass (Lead for Homelessness and Vulnerable Populations) and Councilmember Craig Rice
Topics:
Special Appropriation - DHHS - $312,455 for Children, Youth, and Family Services - Therapeutic Recreation Services for School-Age Youth
The HHS and E&C Committees will meet jointly to review a special appropriation of $312,455 for therapeutic recreation services for school-age youth. This funding is part of proposed a package of appropriations and legislation to invest in mental health professionals and restorative justice while prohibiting the Montgomery County Police Department from placing school resource officers in school buildings made by Councilmembers Will Jawando and Hans Riemer.
The individuals expected to attend the meeting include the following: JoAnn Barnes, chief, Children Youth and Family Services, DHHS; Luis Cardona, administrator, Positive Youth Development Coordinator, DHHS; and Deborah Lambert, Office of Management and Budget.
The Council staff report can be viewed here.
Special Appropriation - Dept. of Recreation - $406,000 for Youth Development - After School Youth Support and Engagement Hubs, and Designation of Entities for Non-Competitive Contract Award Status: Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children, Youth, and Families
The HHS and E&C Committees will review a special appropriation of $406,000 to provide structured positive youth development and social emotional learning services for vulnerable County youth, targeted at specific needs identified by their school community. This funding is proposed by Councilmembers Jawando and Riemer as part of the same package discussed above.
The Council staff report will be available here tomorrow.
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Release ID: 20-475