Community Action Board (CAB)

Community Action Board Members at TESS Ribbon-Cutting

As the federally, state, and locally designated anti-poverty group, the CAB advocates for policies that address the needs of lower-income County residents. CAB also serves as the governing body for the Community Action Agency and, in collaboration with the Head Start Parent Policy Council, the County's Head Start program. Members are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The CAB typically meets the on 4th Tuesday of the month (except in July, August and December) at 6 pm. The CAB Executive Committee meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6 pm. All meetings are virtual unless otherwise specified on the Board Meetings webpage.

CAB Advocacy in FY23

Board Meetings

Community Action Board Members

Rachel Bonas
Low-Income Sector, Rockville/ Head Start Parent Policy Council

Elaine Carballo
Private Sector, EveryMind

Lisa Conlon
Public Sector, Board of Education

Erika Conner, At-Large Executive Committee Member
Low-Income Sector, Burtonsville

Summer Cook
Low-Income Sector, Rockville

Luz Cuenca
Low-Income Sector, Olney

Denise Fredericks, At-Large Executive Committee
Private Sector, Mercy Health Clinic

Jeffery Johnson, Chair
Private Sector, People’s Community Baptist Church

Will Kenlaw
Public Sector, Department of Transportation

Pamela Luckett
Public Sector, Montgomery County Council

Evelyn Okutu, At-Large Executive Committee
Low-Income Sector, Germantown/ Head Start Parent Policy Council

Timothy Robinson
Private Sector, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

DaVida Rowley-Blackman
Public Sector, Housing Opportunities Commission

Claudia Simmons, Vice Chair
Private Sector, Hughes United Methodist Church

Michael Subin, At-Large Executive Committee Member
Public Sector, County Executive

Helen Winder
Low-Income Sector, Aspen Hill

*If you would like to contact the Community Action Board, please call 240-777-1697 or send email to the Staff Liaison.

Community Advocacy Institute (CAI)

Outreach banner

The Community Action Board established the Community Advocacy Institute (CAI) in 2016 to teach advocacy skills to lower-income residents with lived experience. This FREE program includes monthly workshops on a variety of topics, such as how to work with elected officials, storytelling, research, developing testimony, and key advocacy issues in the County. Board members facilitate all of the workshops and welcome guest speakers, including elected officials, advocates, and issue experts. The CAI runs October through May and is a completely bilingual program in English and Spanish. The FY23 program is now underway. Recruitment for the 2024 - 2025 CAI will begin in July 2024.