Office of Community Partnerships
Mission
The mission of the Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) is to strengthen relationships between the Montgomery County government and the residents it serves, with special focus on underserved and emerging communities and our neighbors in need. The OCP serves as a bridge builder between the County government and community organizations serving the residents of Montgomery County, working across the barriers of race, ethnicity, income, and religion that too often diminish communities. OCP's mission is to carry out the County Executive's commitment to build a larger policy table with participation by a more diverse range and greater number of residents as we work to become America’s most welcoming community.
Click here for a roster of OCP staff and responsibilities to help you find the person who can best help you.
Click here for bios of and contact information of the OCP staff.
Click here to read about County Executive Marc Elrich's vision for a more equitable and inclusive Montgomery County.
County Executive's Customer Service Commitment
Montgomery County Government is committed to providing exceptional service to our many diverse communities, residents and businesses. I encourage you to contact me if you feel that you have not received excellent service, or have compliments or other commitments related to the service you received from your county government.
-Marc Elrich, Montgomery County Executive
Click here to email County Executive Marc Elrich
Montgomery County Recognizes October as LGBTQ History Month
Please click here to view the proclamation.
Local Organizations Focused on Relief Efforts for Haiti and Support for Afghan Refugees
See spreadsheet of local organizations that are focused on helping in Haiti and assisting Afghan Refugees . Note that requests and efforts change regularly and check websites linked in spreadsheet for updates. See up to date information from Montgomery County on COVID-19 page | COVID-19 Vaccionation ClinicsCOVID-19 Closures and Service Modifications in Montgomery County
10/05/2020 - Executive Order Suspends MPIA Deadlines until 30 days after Maryland's State of Emergency for COVID-19 is terminated.
Find information on volunteering and donating for COVID-19 on Montgomery County Volunteer Center website.
Census 2020
After 22 months of census activity and outreach, a roller coaster of deadlines and legal battles, Montgomery County had a tremendous response rate. We finished with a self-response rate of 78%, 1.9% above our self-response rate in 2010. We are the most populous jurisdiction in Maryland and we were key to the state finishing at #9 in the nation. Our goal was #10. Congratulations Montgomery County and thank you to everyone who was involved!www.montgomerycountymd.gov/census
Immigration Resources and Information
The County's tradition of building and maintaining a safe and inclusive community for our residents is a core value. Consequently, we have been working hard to provide resources for and answers to the many questions from our concerned community about immigration issues. Click on the links below to access the following useful information, and check back for updates. Visit the Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center for more information and resources.
Immigration Information & Resources Handout in English in Spanish
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs: in English and in Spanish
Montgomery County Immigration Legal Service Providers List : Chart containing information on Montgomery County Immigration Legal Service Providers.
Quick Start Guide for Immigrants in Montgomery County (available in multiple languages)
Montgomery County Legal Immigration Service Providers Directory (April 2017) (additional resources available through HIAS, a refugee resettlement agency, at www.HIAS.org)
Office of Community Partnerships Monthly Newsletter
Click here to see a copy of the most recent monthly newsletter of the Office of Community Partnerships.
Please click here to subscribe to the OCP newsletter as well as the Volunteer Center's newsletter.
Please click here to go to the archives for previous OCP newsletters.
Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center
The Charles W. Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center is Montgomery County's official welcome center for immigrants and newcomers and offers a variety of programs and services to the Montgomery County Community. For more information, visit the Immigrant Resource Center website.
Advisory Groups
Members of the African, African American, Asian, Caribbean, Latino, Middle Eastern and LGBTQ Advisory Groups are appointed by the CE to ensure that the county executive is well informed of and able to act effectively in responding to the needs and concerns of the county's diverse communities, and to work collaboratively with government, nonprofits, and community organizations in creating an inclusive, equitable and welcoming county. For more information about these groups and others, including contacts to learn about activities and meeting schedules, click here or check the most recent Office of Community Partnerships newsletter available here .
Resources of the LGBTQ Community
- Pronoun Guide
- Best Practices for Working with LGBTQ Older Adults. It is estimated that there are nearly 3 million LGBT people age 50 and older. By 2030 these estimates will rise to nearly 7 million. While no precise data exists on the number of transgender older people, it is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands nationwide. This guide contains best practices for working with LGBTQ older adults.
Montgomery Serves Awards
This annual event allows us to celebrate the service leaders and community volunteers who make Montgomery County special. The Roscoe R. Nix Distinguished Community Leadership Award, our local version of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is presented by the County Executive. The Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award recognizes a lifetime of volunteer service by people age 60 and better. The Montgomery Serves Awards recognize volunteers of the year in four categories - individual, youth, group, and business.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Make this annual holiday a Day ON, not a Day off. See opportunities to volunteer at www.montgomeryserves.org. You are also invited to attend the annual Birthday Tribute and Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr held at The Music Center at Strathmore.
Access for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Individuals
Do you (or someone you know) need access to Montgomery County government services, but have limited English proficiency? Find out about mandated language policies and resources throughout county departments. Go to Montgomery County's LEP Website.
Montgomery Sister Cities
Montgomery Sister Cities helps connect our county with the countries of origin of our residents. By enriching our understanding of the cultures and economies of the home countries of our neighbors, we are helping to build America’s most welcoming community while positioning ourselves for success in the global marketplace of the twenty-first century.
Through educational, cultural, and economic exchanges, we are building a stronger community here at home and preparing our youth to become global citizens of the twenty-first century. Please help us strengthen our partnerships with communities around the world by joining Montgomery Sister Cities.
See the 2009 - 2018 Report to the Community
See presentation: "Bruce’s Excellent Adventures Exploring the World of Montgomery: A Tour of Montgomery County’s Five Sister Cities 2010-2019: Morazán, El Salvador; Gondar, Ethiopia; Xi’an, China; Hyderabad, India; and Daejeon, South Korea"
PDF version of presentation
AUDIO version of presentation
Gondar, Ethiopia - A Montgomery County Sister Cities Journey 2019 Video
Join members of the Montgomery County, Maryland Sister Cities delegation on a journey to Gondar, Ethiopia. Experience the wonders of a country rich in culture and history. Feel the rhythmic beat of ancient drums, chants, dancing as the travelers make their way on this goodwill Sister Cities mission and journey.
Joy C. West, Filmmaker