Programs
Takoma East Silver Spring Community Action Center (TESS), a program of the Montgomery County Community Action Agency
The Community Action Agency's TESS Center is a walk-in and call in site serving Montgomery County residents seeking to access HHS and other public and nonprofit services. Its information and referrals, social service assistance, interpretation and translation, education, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and legal services are delivered in partnership with nonprofits, public agencies and community groups.
Target Population : Low-income county residents, immigrants
Intake/Eligibility : Walk-ins (TESS), DHHS, community members, nonprofits and partners
Montgomery County Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Free tax assistance (preparation) and tax credit outreach. Virtual and in-person appointments for the most recent tax year (during the season, generally January- mid-April)) and for the past 3 years after the season (generally July-October). Serves Montgomery County households earning $58,000 or less (as of March 2022)..
Target Population : Low to moderate income households, focusing on those eligible for tax credits (the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credits) including people who are seniors, people with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency. Serves taxpayers fil
Intake/Eligibility : Walk-ins (TESS), DHHS, community members, nonprofits and partners
Montgomery County Community Action Board
The Community Action Board (CAB) serves in an advisory capacity to the County Executive and County Council, and provides governance for the Community Action Agency and for its Head Start grant. CAB is the County's designated advocacy body on behalf of Montgomery MD residents with low-incomes; members are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. CAB also supports the Community Advocacy Institute.
Target Population : Residents with low-incomes and those striving to achieve social and economic mobility.
Intake/Eligibility : Walk-ins (TESS), DHHS, community members, nonprofits and partners
Montgomery County Head Start
Head Start is a comprehensive program to prepare young children for success in school. Services are provided for low-income children and their families including developmentally appropriate pre-school education; health, dental, mental health, nutrition and social services; services to children with disabilities; and parent and family engagement activities. The Community Action Agency (CAA) is the Grantee agency; Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the Delegate agency that provides direct services for eligible children and families through multiple MCPS elementary schools and community sites, with support from DHHS' School Health and Early Childhood Services.
Target Population : Head Start: Households at or below 100% federal poverty level, with exceptions, including children living in foster care, children with disabilities. Families may also be served by PreK, which can also serves households with higher incomes.
Intake/Eligibility : Registration for Head Start (and PreK, which can serve households with higher incomes) is online https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ departments/dtecps/earlychildhood/prek/ or people may call 240-740-4530 or visit at 4910 Macon Road, Room 141, Rockville, MD, 2085
