NEW If you're a Group A retired beneficiary, you and your family must pay a monthly TRICARE Select enrollment fee beginning on January 1, 2021. Click here for more information, including actions you need to take in 2020. You must take action and set up a monthly payment plan. Call your regional contractor before TRICARE Open Season ends on December 14, 2020.

NEW Frederick County Senior Services Division will host six virtual classes to give caregivers an opportunity to learn news ways to provide care for themselves and their loved ones. Sessions will be held online weekly on Mondays, beginning October 12, 2020 through November 16, 2020, from 2-4 p.m.  This program is free and each participant will receive a book, The Caregiver Help book developed specifically for the class. The book, along with an information packet and class summaries will be delivered to each participant prior to the start of class. Registration is required and the deadline to register is, October 5. Space is limited to 12 participants max and is first come, first serve, so register ASAP. To register, please call 301-600-6001 or email.

NEW The Maryland Board of Elections approved a plan to conduct early voting from Monday, Oct. 26 to Monday, Nov. 2 (including Saturday and Sunday) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with early voting centers also open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. On early voting days, approximately 80 vote centers will open statewide. On Election Day, approximately 350 vote centers will be open statewide. Voters can cast their vote at any vote center in their county of residence. The Board also plans to make at least 127 ballot drop boxes available statewide. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot at elections site is Oct. 20th. 

NEW Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey will begin on September 8. The survey is intended for active duty, National Guard, Reserve, and Veterans to share what issues are most important to them and their families. All responses are confidential.  To participate, please go to to this link and make sure your voice is heard. 

NEW Saratoga WarHorse The Saratoga WarHorse program takes place during 3-day classes, offered several times each month. The average class size is 5 participants. The program is available to Veterans and service members from all branches of the military, regardless of when or for how long they served. The focus of this program is on helping participants get past the physiological symptoms of their Post-Traumatic Stress. Saratoga WarHorse doesn’t provide traditional “therapy,” but does offer an undoubtedly therapeutic experience. Those interested in attending a class may contact our Veteran Intake Coordinator, Janine Jagodzinski, Email 518-252-0285 or our local Outreach Manger, Jason Marshall Email 518-531-3219

NEW Join the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals for a virtual self-improvement series! These workshops will teach you how to counteract stress, recalibrate your sleep, and handle complex problems with a series of manageable steps. No Cost Open to All Clients (Veterans, Military Families & Caregivers). Please contact the Cohen Clinic at 240-847-7500 or info.mfc@eseal.org. 

NEW The Veterans Health Administration recently released the first 6 episodes of their new podcast "She Wears the Boots: A Podcast for Women Veterans." This podcast is dedicated to the recognition of the unique needs of women as well as the people who may be caring for them. She Wears the Boots hopes to provide information about resources and services in the VA that can foster resiliency and life enrichment.

VAC Meetings: All VAC meetings will be streamed live to the Frederick County Boards and Commissions FB Page. In order to listen to this meeting toll‐free, please dial 855‐925‐2801, enter code 9813 and select *1. 

Public comments will be accepted on the (board or commission name) live portal located at www.frederickcountymd.gov/commissions, or by calling toll-free 855-925-2801, entering meeting code 9813. Leave a voicemail comment to be played back to the board or entering into a queue to give live public comment. Written comments and transcribed voice messages will be included in the (board or commission name) record and minutes. Please note that personnel matters are confidential and cannot be received through this kind of forum.