Projects Include Mental and Behavioral Health Centers in Frederick and Washington Counties and Job Training for Communities of Color in Montgomery County

Per Congressman David Trone:

Congressman David Trone (MD-06) announced that he secured $2.65 million for local mental and behavioral health resources and job training for communities of color as part of the FY 2022 Labor, Health, and Human Services funding bill. Trone secured $1 million for a 5G Job Training Bootcamp for Communities of Color in Montgomery County, $850,000 for a crisis stabilization center in Frederick County, $475,000 for a crisis stabilization unit in Washington County, and $325,000 for EveryMind Crisis Prevention and Intervention Services in Montgomery County. The bill will be considered by the Appropriations Committee this week and then head to the House floor for a vote before August.

“Since being elected to Congress, I’ve been working with leaders throughout Maryland’s Sixth District to understand how I can direct federal resources to the most pressing needs in our communities,” said Congressman David Trone.“This federal funding will go to vital job training resources for communities of color as well as mental and behavioral health centers across the district — a need that has only been exacerbated by substantial increase in mental health struggles during the pandemic. These job training and mental and behavioral health resources will be an integral part of building back our communities as we recover from this pandemic.”

“I am grateful to Congressman Trone for his support in advancing this important public health initiative. A Crisis Stabilization Center will save lives in Frederick County. This center will provide the missing piece in our community’s continuum of care for people suffering from mental health and substance use disorder,” Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner said.

“We are very appreciative of the House Appropriations Committee including $1 million of funding for public-private partnership job training in Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have a great demand from unemployed workers for job training skills and this innovative project would bridge the gap to leverage Montgomery College and WorkSource Montgomery to provide specialized trainings. I’m very proud that our initiative will help diversify the telecommunications work force.”    

“This is the first of many steps in the budget process, but I am encouraged by the support for this win-win jobs training program,” said Gail M. Roper, Director and Chief Information Officer at the Department of Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions. “The County’s strategic vision is for technology innovation to reach all our neighborhoods and to create good-paying jobs for residents.”

“This funding provides a much needed boost to the community’s response to the ongoing opioid crisis by providing another access point for individuals who are experiencing a crisis,” said Earl Stoner, Health Officer for Washington County Health Department. “The goal is to stabilize the crisis and provide individuals with support and a pathway to treatment when they most need it. We can’t allow the ongoing opioid epidemic to continue exerting its negative impact on our community.”

“EveryMind is grateful to Representative Trone for his steadfast commitment to mental health and the championing of community programs that support crisis intervention and suicide prevention. At the onset of the pandemic, EveryMind pivoted quickly to adopt new technology and train our staff across all programs to ensure continued access to our mental health services in the virtual world. Critical funding provided by this bill will enable us to continue meeting the increased demand for our services as we move towards recovery and the long-term mental health impact of the pandemic. Partnering with Rep. Trone’s office highlights the importance of federal support in ensuring greater equity and access to essential mental health services that harnesses future-looking technologies and innovation in service delivery,” said Ann Mazur, Chief Executive Officer, EveryMind.

Trone is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and requested funding for these four critical local projects earlier this year. Trone made these requests, otherwise known as Community Project Funding, in order to address the dire need for investment in local projects that will help lead to increased addiction and mental health services and spur economic growth and job creation.

More details of the four projects are below:

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Veterans’ Affairs, and Joint Economic Committees in the 117th Congress and previously served on the Education and Labor and Foreign Affairs Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders, including the mental health and addiction crises, criminal justice reform, and funding for medical research.

Congressman David Trone Tours Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Gaithersburg Bus Depot and Electric Buses

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) today hosted a tour for Congressman David Trone of the Gaithersburg Bus Depot, the cutting-edge facility that supports about 40 percent of the County’s transit operation. MCDOT currently operates four zero-emission buses. MCDOT has an additional 10 buses on order.

The four electric buses operate on Ride On Routes 18 and 25, generally serving Langley Park, Silver Spring and Takoma Park. Details on current schedules and safety measures can be viewed in the MCDOT website.

In support of the County’s Climate Action Plan, the recently approved Fiscal Year 2022 County operating budget will accelerate MCDOT’s transition of its bus fleet from diesel to zero emission buses. It calls for 20 new electric Ride On buses, which in addition to the buses currently on order, will bring the total electric fleet to 34 buses. The existing and forthcoming electric bus fleet is a result of grants from the Federal Transit Administration. Today’s event was in response to the County’s recent applications to its Federal representatives to secure additional funding to purchase vehicles with a reduced carbon footprint.

“Our future depends on our commitment to tackling climate change,” said Congressman Trone, who represents Maryland’s 6th District. “I’m proud to see Montgomery County is on track to meet its goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. The transition to electric buses is an excellent example of the power of local government working with the Federal government to bring Maryland one step closer to a cleaner, healthier environment. I hope other local communities can learn from Montgomery County’s model of direct action.”

Currently the electric bus fleet is based in the Silver Spring Depot, where a solar array and microgrid project are underway. In the coming years, and with potential Federal support, the County plans to expand the zero-emissions fleet to the Gaithersburg Depot, the County’s largest facility.

As part of the expansion, the County is planning for installation of a solar-generating array and microgrid to provide the electricity needed to charge battery electric buses and to produce hydrogen fuel for fuel cell-powered vehicles.  Hydrogen fuel is generated by using electricity to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen.  Hydrogen is then used to power the vehicle with longer vehicle ranges, short refueling times and carbon-free emissions since water is the byproduct from hydrogen fuel.  It is contemplated that hydrogen fueling will replace the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a vehicle fuel at this facility.

“Montgomery County is leading the way in reducing greenhouse emissions by aiming to have an emissions free bus fleet by 2035.” said County Executive Elrich.  “These investments support our Climate Action Plan and will provide our bus commuters a healthier ride and reduce engine and noise pollution throughout our communities. I appreciate Representative Trone’s visit to the Gaithersburg Bus Depot today, and his, along with all of our Congressional Delegation members, support for our aggressive goals to combat climate change.”

The initial four 35-foot electric buses, manufactured by Proterra, are approximately four to five times more efficient than diesel buses. The four buses combined will provide an estimated annual operating savings of nearly $150,000. The cost of each bus is approximately $793,500. A $1.75 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission Competitive Program helped to fund purchase of the electric buses.

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions states that the transportation sector is the largest direct source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, even surpassing the power sector in 2015. Cars and light-duty trucks (including SUVs) are responsible for about 59 percent of transportation emissions. Medium to larger vehicles, which include tractor-trailers, delivery trucks, buses and garbage trucks, produce about 23 percent of transportation emissions.

“It’s going to take all of us working together to make the changes we need to see to reach our climate goals,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We welcome the interest and thank Congressman Trone for taking time to learn about this important County initiative and hope that Federal support will accelerate our adoption of a zero-emissions transit fleet.”

David Trone (D-MD 6th District) Announces Run for Re-election to House of Representatives

Per David Trone:

“Today, I’m announcing that I’m running for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives. I’m asking for your vote and your support — because I can’t do it alone.

Representing the people of Maryland’s Sixth District for two terms has been an honor. Leading with compassion, civility, and competence, we’ve been able to make great progress, from addressing the addiction and mental health crises ravaging our communities, to addressing systemic racism and the unjust criminal justice system, and working to fund lifesaving medical research. But we’ve got much more work to do, and I’m not done fighting.”