Aunt Hattie’s Place: Trachtenberg Office Attends Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening.

The Trachtenberg Office was represented at the Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of Aunt Hattie’s Place in Sandy Spring. Sandy Spring is the third foster home created by Dr. Hattie N. Washington, the founder and president of the facilities and a full-time professor at Coppin State University in Baltimore. Dr. Washington, known as “Aunt Hattie,” established the first Aunt Hattie’s Place in Baltimore City in 1997 when she was assistant school superintendent and witnessed the need for good homes for foster children. The second home was opened in Baltimore County in 2003, and this third location is on Norwood Road in Sandy Spring.

Aunt Hattie’s Place, Inc. is dedicated to providing a safe, stable, nurturing, and long-term home, if needed, for abused, abandoned, and neglected children in foster car. Though started in Dr. Washington’s own home in 1994, AHP strives to rear these deserving children to become productive, responsible, successful adult citizens who will live fulfilling lives and benefit our communities and our nation.

County Executive Ike Leggett, members of the State legislative, the County Council, and many friends for the business and civic community were on hand for the ribbon cutting. Alan Bowser and Naomi Bloch represented Councilmember Trachtenberg at the inspirational program.

Summary: Tuesday May 18—HHS Agenda Items—FY11 OB Council Session

Members of the County Council addressed the following items under the Health and Human Services (HHS) division of the Recommended FY11 Operating Budget.

• Department of Health and Human Services
• Early Childhood Services, Infants and Toddlers, Child Care Subsidies, School Health Services, Linkages to Learning, Public Private Partnerships, Foster Care Transportation, and the Kennedy Cluster Project
• Resolution to establish the Montgomery County Organizational Reform Commission

Please contact Saschane Stephenson, Legislative Aide for Health and Human Services, at 240-777-7963 (direct dial) or saschane.stephenson@montgomerycountymd.gov with any questions regarding HHS Committee matters and agenda items.

Statement of Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg at the Kensington Town Hall Forum

Good Evening. I’m Duchy Trachtenberg and I’m running for re-election to the Montgomery County Council, as an At-Large member.

When I raised my hand back in December of 2006 to take the oath of office, I understood the obligation I had to the residents of Montgomery County. For me, it was a continuation of my life’s work. During these last four years, I have strived to put people first and I have been hard-working and deliberate in my legislative actions, always willing to speak truth to power.

My priorities have been centered around children-their supports in school and out of school; public safety; public transportation; healthy and sustainable development; and the vulnerable, our most needy residents.

An example of this is the role I played in spearheading the Montgomery County Family Justice Center project into a reality. This is a clearinghouse facility that consolidates services for domestic violence victims and their children. In its first year of operation, over 1400 victims from over 100 countries have been served.

I helped lead the effort to reform our disability retirement system. I helped ensure that our procedures are based on a sound, public health foundation; that this important retirement benefit is preserved for those that are eligible; and that all employees have equitable access to the best medical practices.

As the Chair of the Council’s Management & Fiscal Policy Committee, I have worked with colleagues and the Executive branch to define over 2 billion dollars in savings during the first three budget cycles and presently I am playing an important role in defining our long-term fiscal plan in these most challenging times.

When I came to the Council building, I didn’t just want to fill an empty chair, I came to change lives. I believe I have done just that and I ask for your support tonight. Please vote on September 14th for Duchy Trachtenberg, Montgomery County Council, At-Large.

Advocating for Children and Youth

Pat Salomon, MD, represented the Trachtenberg Office at a forum held on May 5, 2010 by Maryland’s Advocates for Children and Youth. At the forum, Uma Ahluwalia, the Director of Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services showcased a system under development, called NO WRONG DOOR. Under this plan, Montgomery County DHHS is providing holistic care to our families in crisis. At the time a family presents for any type of help, a 14 point assessment is made to define what range of services are needed for this individual and their family. A plan is then made to access all the services needed. Multiple appointments are generated, the most urgent first, but with follow-through for all the necessary services. Then the entire team of providers continues to interact until the family is out of crisis and sustaining itself. Making all the services systems interoperable, and linking them technologically is a tall order, especially in the midst of a budget crisis, but the County’s DHHS is providing unique leadership across the country, to develop a coordinated response to families in crisis.

Celebrating the Life of Dr. Dorothy Height, Celebrated Women’s and Civil Rights Leader

I join the nation in mourning the loss of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, former President Emeriti of the National Council of Negro Women, who passed on April 20th at the age of 98. She was someone I’d known over the years and we shared a kindred spirit, as trained social workers, in advocating for the most vulnerable among us. She was just a fabulous woman.

Dr. Height, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 from President Bill Clinton and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004, was a chief advocate for women, families, and children and championed the values of racial dignity and social justice. Those who knew her beyond her trademark hats and well-tailored garb could attest that Height, even up to her recent illness, had a sharpness of wit and work-ethic that rivaled the efforts of men and women who were decades younger.

Dr. Height, who was present on the platform when Dr. Martin Luther King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech, once said, “Keeping connected to one another builds our strength and enhances our power.” She will be greatly missed by those who knew her well and by countless beneficiaries of her work here in the US and abroad.

Trachtenberg Office Attends 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Montgomery Housing Partnership

Members of the Trachtenberg staff were in attendance at the emotionally stirring 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP), held at the Bolger Center in Rockville last evening. Hosted by Catherine Legget, and several key business and community leaders, over 500 attendees cheered the unwavering dedication of past and present MHP advocates to provide affordable housing opportunities to Montgomery County residents. Several moving testimonies reiterated the often over-looked significance that having a place to call home changes lives not only for civil servants, but also for vulnerable individuals, families, and their children. Representing Duchy Trachtenberg were Alan Bowser and Saschane Stephenson.

Trachtenberg Joins Leaders in Celebrating Family Justice Center Service

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg attended a celebratory reception at the Montgomery County Family Justice Center (FJC), joining several instrumental county leaders who worked collaboratively to open the Center’s doors over 9 months ago. Trachtenberg shared with the audience that the Center was an ambitious vision in her first term in office and, looking ahead, she anticipates its expansion. The FJC serves as a comprehensive one-stop service shop for victims of family/domestic violence and their children.

Located at 600 Jefferson Street, Suite 500, Rockville, Md., the center co-locates multiple agencies to provide coordinated advocacy, law enforcement, civil legal services and social services for wrap-around support for families. To date, the FJC has served over 1300 individuals and families in crisis. Chief Deputy Sheriff Darren M. Popkin, Ambassador Connie Morella, Health and Human Services’ Director Uma Ahluwahlia, and FJC co-founder Casey Gwinn were among the reception attendees.

Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg and Ambassador Connie Morella

Staff from the Trachtenberg Office Atended the MCCPTA Operating Budget Forum

Staff from the Trachtenberg office attended the MCCPTA Operating Budget forum held at the Board of Education on January 4. Elected officials from the Board of Education and Council provided an overview of the budget challenges facing the county and the school system for FY11. The central message was: This will be a budget year unlike any other in memory and everything will be on the table. In addition, we will not know the full scope of the fiscal shortfall until the General Assembly adopts the state’s budget in mid-April. MCCPTA representatives were encouraged to present suggestions for savings when testifying at BOE worksessions on the operating budget scheduled for January 13 and 20.

For more information on the MCCPTA, please click here.

County schedules free swine flu clinics - Gazette

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009 | County News | Erin Cunningham

Montgomery County has scheduled a swine flu vaccination clinic Dec. 20 at Montgomery College's Rockville Campus.

About 5,000 vaccines will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those hoping to be vaccinated will receive a ticket when they arrive.

The clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 51 Mannakee St. and will target people in high-risk groups. Those include: children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years, pregnant women, adults 25 to 64 years with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, HIV/AIDS or cancer, adults who are caretakers of infants younger than 6 months of age, and health care and emergency medical services workers.

Free nasal spray and injectable vaccine will be available, according to a news release.

The clinic will be at the Physical Education Center, on the North Campus Drive side of the Rockville campus. The waiting line will be partially outdoors, and residents should plan accordingly.

The county also has scheduled three clinics at which free swine flu vaccinations will be available by appointment only, said spokeswoman Mary Anderson. The location for the clinics will be given when an appointment is made.

The first clinic will be Monday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Silver Spring. Call on Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. for appointments (240-777-4040). The second clinic will be Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon, in Silver Spring. Call Dec. 7 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. for appointments (240-777-4040). The final clinic will be Dec. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Germantown. Call on Dec. 7 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. for appointments (240-777-4040).

Additional details can be found at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/h1n1flu or through the Flu Information Line, 240-777-4200, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

http://www.gazette.net/stories/12022009/montnew183403_32530.shtml

Celebrating Volunteers at the Family Justice Center

Tonight, I'm participating in a celebration of the hard work of the many volunteers who support Montgomery County's Family Justice Center. All of us should recognize and appreciate their dedication and commitment to improving the lives of those in need.

I'm reminded of a quotation from Sandra Pupatello, a Canadian official who served as Minister of Community and Social Services. "The effects of abuse are devastating and far-reaching...With this investment, we’re not just providing more services, but services that meet the distinct needs of women from a broad range of backgrounds, because domestic violence speaks many languages, has many colours and lives in many different communities."