For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
“Montgomery Connects,” Montgomery County’s digital equity and inclusion program operated by the County’s Department of Technology & Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS), has distributed over half of the 60,000 free laptop computers it received from a third and final federal grant to low-income families. “This is the final large-scale computer grant we expect to receive, and we want to ensure that everyone who cannot afford a Chromebook computer can get one through the Montgomery Connects program,” said TEBS Department Director and Montgomery County CIO Gail M. Roper.
Appointments to receive a computer can be made by qualified residents www.montgomerycountymd.gov/computer.
A Montgomery County library card number is required before making an appointment. Cards can be obtained by going here. Eligible residents must have an email address to make an appointment online at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/computer.
If a resident needs assistance, please call the Marylander Online Help Hotline at 301-405-9810, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Help is available in English and Spanish and in other languages upon request.
There is a limit of one computer per resident and people must not have already received a computer from the County.
Eligible recipients must be Montgomery County residents but do not need to be U.S. citizens. Residents must make an appointment online, certify that they do not have access to a computer, and appear in person with a photo ID and proof of address to pick up the computer. Everyone, including children, must appear in person to receive the computer.
“We’ve worked very hard with our partners to promote the program and distribute computers to areas of the County and to people with the most need, but now is the time we are asking partners to help make their clients aware of the program before we run out,” said Mitsuko R. Herrera, Montgomery Connects Program Director. “We encourage non-profit organizations and neighbors to pass the word along and to help students, working adults, and older residents sign up.”
Non-profits may reach out to Montgomery Connects at [email protected] to reserve blocks of appointments on specific dates for large enrollment events.
The schedule for upcoming computer distribution events:
Appointments open for registration approximately two weeks prior to event dates.
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