Trachtenberg Office Attends the May Community Outreach Forum

Naomi Bloch represented Councilmember Trachtenberg’s office at today’s monthly meeting of the Community Outreach Forum, which took place on the 3rd Floor of the Rockville Library in the conference room of the office of Human Rights.

The goals of the Community Outreach Forum include:

• Exchange and coordinate County Government outreach efforts
• Help build relationships among County staff and partners in order to foster collaboration
• Inform ourselves about community issues and best practices

Today’s meeting featured presentations from Lorna Virgili, from the County Executive’s Public Information Office (PIO), who talked to us about the various Spanish media in the County and how best to make use of them. Ms. Virgili reported how a working partnership has been developed between the County Executive’s office and these various media and focused on the H1N1 and 2010 Census as two successful examples of this effort.

We also heard from Sonia Mora – Administrator for the HHS’ Latino Health Initiative (LHI) of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. Ms. Mora gave us a slide presentation explaining the successful outreach strategies being performed by LHI staff and 37 volunteer community members, in order to improve the quality of life of Latinos living in Montgomery County. This is done by the development and implementation of an integrated, coordinated, culturally and linguistically competent health and wellness system that supports and respects Latino families and communities.

Finally, we heard from Rosalinda Delgado, Editor of a Spanish language bi-monthly magazine that she founded called Buena Gente (“Good People”) covering both Montgomery and Frederick Counties.

For more information:

Office of Community Partnerships
Public Information Office
Latino Health Initiative
Buena Gente

The Trachtenberg Office Attends the African Affairs Advisory Group Meeting

Naomi Bloch attended last night's re-scheduled meeting of the African Affairs Advisory Group meeting representing Councilmember Trachtenberg. The meeting took place at the Office of Community Partnerships located at 255 Rockville Pike.

The meeting focused on the status of the Group's efforts to ultimately establish an African Community Center. A report was presented on the work being done by the non-profit committee towards that goal.

A report was also given by Rev. Kennedy Odzafi, the Vice-Chair of the AAAG about the Latino Health Initiative and the very effective work they are doing on health issues affecting the Latino Community in Montgomery County. He suggested that it is critical to use their model to establish an African Health Initiative to address health issues that are specific to the African immigrant community in Montgomery County.

An update was given regarding the upcoming 2010 Census Count and how the African Community is doing a great job with having ads placed in publications throughout the county, particularly African-targeted publications. The Chair, Remi Duyile, reminded the group that while these are all great actions, the group must not loose sight of the ultimate goal of making sure that a total count of African residents in Montgomery County is accomplished.

Chair Duyile updated the group with her report on the Sister City project asking the group for recommendations and to be sure that the process is completely unbiased and fair as this is just the first in what will hopefully be many additional future Sister Cities to be name in the years ahead.

The African Affairs Advisory Group meets the 2nd Thursday of every month in the Office of Community Partnerships, Suite 102. For more information, click here.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg Tours the Family Justice Center with members of the Latino Health Steering Committee

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg toured the Family Justice Center (FJC) with members of the Latino Health Steering Committee yesterday February 1, 2010. The tour was lead by FJC’s Director, Hannah Sassoon, and Montgomery County’s Deputy Sheriff, Darren Popkin.

The mission of the Montgomery County Family Justice Center is to promote safety, well-being, and healing for victims of family violence.

The center's resources for victims include:

• Intervention, prevention and individual safety plans.
• Assistance with navigating the court system.
• Counseling for victims and their children.
• Onsite child-care services.
• Help with obtaining shelter, food and housing.

Councilmember Trachtenberg spearheaded the establishment of the Family Justice Center, which opened in April, 2009.

After the tour, the Latino Health Steering Committee held its monthly meeting at the FJC’s Conference Center. Councilmember Trachtenberg gave a brief opening statement. In her statement, Councilmember Trachtenberg pointed out the great services that the FJC provides to victims of domestic violence in one location. She especially emphasized the services that the Center provides to Latino and foreign-born women without regard to immigrant status. The FJC is staffed by bilingual personnel. Additionally, Councilmember Trachtenberg spoke of the second Savings Plan for Fiscal Year 2010 recommended by County Executive, Isiah Leggett, and the upcoming budget for Fiscal Year 2011.

Following Councilmember Trachtenberg’s statement, Uma S. Ahluwalia, Director of Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services, also spoke of the budget for Fiscal Year 2011.

Wil Gutierrez from the Office of Councilmember Trachtenberg was also in attendance at this event.

The Trachtenberg Office Attends the Fifth and Final County Executive’s FY 11 Operating Budget Forum

Naomi Bloch represented the Trachtenberg office last night at the fifth and final County Executive’s FY 11 Operating Budget Forum. Last night’s forum was co-sponsored by the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board and held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, located at 4805 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda.

This event was broadcast LIVE on County Cable Montgomery and was heavily attended with many people having to stand. After an overview presentation of the FY 11 Operating Budget by Ms. Beryl Feinberg from the County Executive’s Office of Management and Budget, County Executive Ike Leggett took questions from the audience as well as one question that was emailed in during the live broadcast.

The questions and concerns expressed covered a wide range of topics from pedestrian safety to saving bus routes and cuts to library funding. Several audience members advocated for the continuation of funding for critical health services. There were advocates for people and families dealing with mental illness as well as comments from several people who have received significant help from the Latino Health Initiative. Many of the people who spoke told personal stories that related directly to programs sponsored by the County. At least three of the speakers made their comments via a Spanish-speaking translator provided by County Cable Montgomery.

While discussing the serious challenges facing the County, the Executive brought up once again his belief that if an Ambulance Fee had been implemented when he first urged it three years ago, the County would today have $45 million more in revenues that could have been used to help save some of the very programs and services the audience had been advocating for. Mr. Leggett explained that Montgomery County is the only jurisdiction in the Washington, D.C. Region that hasn’t imposed this fee which would be paid for by billing the insurance companies.

Duchy Trachtenberg Meets with Latino Health Steering Committee of Montgomery County

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg met with members of the Latino Health Steering Committee—Fernanda Bianchi, Phd, Richardo Flores, J.D., Evelyn Kelly, MPH, Eduarto Pezo, JD, MA MPH, along with Sonia Mora, MPH, Manager of the Latino Health Initiative (LHI) staff--to discuss the mission of the LHI, its recent accomplishments, community health challenges, and FY11 budget issues.

The Latino Health Initiative of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services was established in July 2000 with the support of the County Executive and the County Council.

Its mission is to improve the quality of life of Latinos living in Montgomery County by contribution to the development and implementation of an integrated, coordinated, culturally and linguistically competent health wellness system that supports, values, and respects Latino families and communities.

Councilmember Trachtenberg is a member of the Council’s Health and Human Services Committee.

To read LHI’s FY 2009 Annual Report, click here. To visit LHI’s website, click here.

The Latino Health Initiative Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report

The Latino Health Initiative (LHI) of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services was established in July 2000 by the County Executive and the Montgomery County Council, with the support of Latino leaders. Charged with the development and implementation of a plan of action that would be responsive to the health needs of Latinos in the county, the LHI created the Blueprint for Latino Health in Montgomery County, Maryland, 2002-2006. The Blueprint, which was updated during FY08, identifies seven major health priorities and policy recommendations and provides strategic direction for addressing Latino health issues in the county.

The Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report documents the accomplishments of well-established and effective programs which yield positive outcomes, such as:

• Smoking Cessation Program
• “Ama Tu Vida”(Love your Life) Health Festival and Soccer Tournament
• Asthma Management Program
• Emergency Preparedness Project
• Foreign-Trained Health Professionals Program
• Latino Youth Wellness Program
• System Navigator and Medical Interpreter Program
• Vías de la Salud Health Promoters Program
• State Workshop on Latino Health
• Latino Health Initiative in the Media
• Education Materials for Lay and Professional Audiences
• Presentations at Professional Events
• Latino Health Initiative Awards

To view the complete report, please click here.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg commends the Latino Health Initiative’s effort to protect the environment by making the report only available in an electronic version. The Portable Document Format (PDF) version is in compliance with Federal regulations section 508, which enables people with disabilities to access the document with or without screen readers and other special devices.

Councilmember Trachtenberg looks forward to meeting the LHI’s leadership and Steering Committee in January to address and discuss their objectives, needs and priorities for Fiscal Year 2010.