| March Is OUR Month
Let's Make Some Noise!
For over 30 years, March has been I/DD Awareness Month, a time to educate our community on the needs of individuals with I/DD and reflect on progress made toward improving quality of life. We've come a long way in recent decades, but the pandemic has highlighted many inequities: increased mortality from COVID-19, inadequate prioritization for vaccines, lack of direct support funding, and a heightened need for structured and supported education. The risk of being overlooked in pandemic response measures is immediate and injurious for the I/DD community, as noted in this recent NPR report.
Please join our efforts this month to raise awareness: be an advocate, tell your story, and remind our communities that We Are Essential!
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Your Voice, Your Vote
If you were a member of record in The Arc Montgomery County as of January 22, you were mailed a ballot regarding the proposed Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation. Remember to return your Special Membership Meeting ballot promptly. Ballots must be received by March 17, 2021.
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Vaccine Pre-registration
Great news! Montgomery County is currently vaccinating people in Priority Groups 1A/All Tiers and 1B/Tier 1. Pre-registration for the COVID-19 vaccine is now open to Montgomery County residents in Priority Groups 1A, 1B, and 1C. Supply is very limited, so the County asks for your patience while supply catches up to demand.
In order to pre-register, you must be a Montgomery County resident and have proof that you are included in Priority Groups 1A, 1B or 1C. If you do not fit into these groups, you will not be allowed to receive the vaccine, even if you have an appointment. Click here to learn more and pre-register.
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Free Webinar, En Español!
Do you or a family member speak Spanish and want to learn more about how to plan for the future of your loved one with a disability?
The Arc of the United States has an upcoming FREE webinar, in Spanish: Future Planning for People with I/DD and Their Families, on March 3, 2021 at 7 pm or March 4, 2021 at 2 pm. Click here to learn more.
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The Maryland Relief Act 2021
The RELIEF Act, recently signed into law by Governor Hogan, offers several benefits for Maryland residents to help make ends meet during this pandemic. Those benefits include stimulus payments for some people who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit in 2019.
Click here to learn more about The RELIEF Act via a video from The State Comptroller's Office.
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Expand Your Horizons: Disability Career Fair
Are you a person with a disability looking for a career opportunity or internship? Check out the Bender Virtual Career Fair on March 23, 2021. It's FREE and open to both experienced and early career job seekers with disabilities nationwide. The impressive list of employers includes federal and state agencies, universities, national retail chains, and financial services companies. Don't miss this opportunity! Click here for more information and to register.
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Need Help Paying Your Energy Bill?
The Maryland Office of People's Counsel can help! Their Keep Your Power On Toolkit provides resources in English and Spanish, along with applications for Energy Assistance. Click here for more information.
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Health Insurance Enrollment Extended
The Maryland Health Connection has extended the emergency special enrollment period for uninsured Marylanders. You can enroll in a private health insurance plan now through Saturday, May 15, 2021.
Click here to learn more, get an estimate, or apply for coverage. When enrolling, consumers should select “Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period.” Help is also available by calling 855-642-8572 weekdays from 8 am-6 pm.
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Bus Service Increases
Beginning February 28, MCDOT will adjust Ride On bus service schedules to increase service in areas with growing passenger demand. Changes reflect a gradual return to prepandemic service patterns, increasing Ride On and Ride On extRa service to nearly 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels. On-demand Flex service in the Rockville and Wheaton/Glenmont areas remains suspended at present. Click here for the new Ride On schedule web page.
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It's Time for More Discussions with Daria!
Discussions with Daria provides an opportunity for The Arc Montgomery County's employees, people supported, and families of people supported to engage directly with Daria Cervantes, our Interim CEO, on a regular basis. Each Friday at 3 pm, Daria will host a Zoom discussion targeted to a particular group. Participants are welcome to submit their questions in advance. Click here to learn more and register for a session.
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