CASAgomery County, MD

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A prominent activist organization across Montgomery County and the state of Maryland is CASA de Maryland.  It self-advertises itself as:

the foremost immigrant organization in the mid-Atlantic region and a national leader in supporting immigrant families and ensuring that all individuals have the core supports necessary for full participation in society. Now a national immigrant powerhouse, CASA creates change with its powerbuilding model blending human services, community organizing, and advocacy in order to serve the full spectrum of the needs, dreams, and aspirations of members.

The organization’s logo, printed on muddy maroon shirts and beanies, has become a prominent sighting behind local politicians as they announce new bills or stand curbside organizing “protests”.

They are also a heavily sought after “endorsement” during county elections, and proudly backed Gabe Albornoz, Evan Glass, Laurie-Anne Sayles, Kristin Mink, Will Jawando, Kate Stewart, Dawn Luedtke, and Marc Elrcih in the 2022 election.

This organization has hit the news across Maryland in the past for some actions that undermine the safety and well-being of a community.   In 2019 it was accused of providing bail for an illegal immigrant accused of killing an FBI agent.  The same year it also hired an “election canvasser” that was undocumented and later arrested for an assassination-style murder.  There have been accusations that is actively enables gang activity in Montgomery County.  We did not do a deep dive into potential improprieties.  This article is looking more at the amount of your money it receives each year and raising concerns about its inherent connection to Montgomery County politics.

Since 2018 Montgomery County has provided over $6 million in funding to CASA de Maryland.  Much, if not all, of this funding was non-competitive and was awarded via county resolution.

Any guesses who has been the chair of the Health and Human Services committee for the Council?  Gabe Albornoz.  This year he has been joined by Dawn Luedtke and Laurie-Anne Sayles.

The chair, prior to losing her re-election, who covered Housing and Community Affairs was Nancy Navarro, a CASA endorsed candidate.  The new chair is Andrew Friedson, joined by Will Jawando.

In 2017, a CASA endorsement, in addition to their praise for his efforts in starting the first day-laborer camp in Takoma Park, had this to say about Marc Elrich:

“[Elrich] has a history of working with the Latino and immigrant community for the last 25 years,” Gustavo Torres, president of CASA in Action, said. “In this particular moment, Marc is the right person to lead the county.”

“Marc Elrich knows that a more equitable world is possible and is committed to make the necessary changes to achieve it,” 

And since 2018, CASA has been on a gravy train of funding.

Department PO # Desription Amount FY
Health and Human Services 1078286 FY18 Renewal to provide social services programs which serve low-income and immigrant County residents. $93,000 2018
Housing and Community Affairs 1079601 Encumbrance for FY18 Renewal to operate a vocational training program for low-income training $45,000 2018
Housing and Community Affairs 1079777 FY18 delivery order to provide services at the Pine Ridge Community Center $172,170 2018
Housing and Community Affairs 1079779 New award that provides the Long Branch Economic Development Program $100,000 2018
Health and Human Services 1080176 FY18 Funding to provide employment, training, and supportive services for low income, multi-cultural residents in the County. $16,177 2018
Health and Human Services 1080223 FY18 2% Inflationary Adjustment that provides multi-lingual health navigation services. $4,537 2018
Health and Human Services 1082064 FY18 new award that provides legal assistance to low-income immigrants. $150,000 2018
Housing and Community Affairs 1082364 Encumbrance for new FY18 Contract to provide Tenant Counseling and Housing Initiatives Program $265,000 2018
Health and Human Services 1083123 Provides outreach and education on the naturalization process, application assistance, and wraparound financial services to Montgomery County residents. $30,000 2018
Health and Human Services 1090991 FY19 Renewal provides social services programs for low-income Latino County residents. $93,000 2019
Health and Human Services 1091507 FY19 extension beyond term to provide employment training. $412,503 2019
Health and Human Services 1091578 Provides outreach and education on the naturalization process, application assistance, and
wraparound financial services to Montgomery County residents without storing personal information.
$30,000 2019
Housing and Community Affairs 1092508 Encumbrance for new FY19 contract, for vocational training to low-income immigrant workers. $45,000 2019
Housing and Community Affairs 1093025 Educational courses, citizenship support services, afterschool programing, referrals for services and resources, health services, and community-building
activities at the Pine Ridge Community Center.
$172,170 2019
Housing and Community Affairs 1093510 Outreach, training, mentoring and counseling to support current and aspiring business owners in formalizing and/or strengthening their businesses $100,000 2019
Health and Human Services 1094883 FY19 Inflationary Adjustment for Employment and Training $8,250 2019
Health and Human Services 1095088 FY19 County Council grant that provides legal assistance for low income County immigrants. $165,000 2019
Health and Human Services 1095169 FY19 new contract provide financial assistance to support citizenship-eligible Legal Permanent Residents in attaining citizenship, the benefits of
which include improved access to employment.
$50,000 2019
Housing and Community Affairs 1095790 Encumbrance for FY19 Renewal. Contract provides tenant outreach and education, legal services, and $281,263 2019
General Services 1096391 New award that provides for capital improvements at the Rockville Welcome Center. $100,000 2019
Health and Human Services 1097724 FY19 Inflationary Adjustment that provides multilingual health interpretation services for Community 1. $4,628 2019
General Services 1111408 Provide for capital improvements at the Rockville Welcome Center. $150,000 2020
Housing and Community Affairs 1104519 Encumbrance for FY20 Contract Renewal. Contract provides Economic Advancement through Credit $100,000 2020
Housing and Community Affairs 1104663 Encumbrance for FY20 Renewal. Contract provides Vocational training for low-income workers at the
Rockville Welcome Center
$45,000 2020
Housing and Community Affairs 1106443 Encumbrance for FY20 renewal. Contract provides Housing Initiative Funds (HIF) for the Pine Ridge
Community Center.
$146,340 2020
Housing and Community Affairs 1109429 Delivery Order to re-encumber funds canceled with mass liquidation. Tenant Counseling and Housing
Initiatives Program
$33,275 2020
Housing and Community Affairs 1109470 For Housing Initiatives Funds (HIF) for tenant counseling and housing initiatives, tenant outreach and education, legal services, and community-
building activities to improve housing conditions, landlord-tenant relations, and public safety.
$265,000 2020
Health and Human Services 1107710 Employment & Training $12,375 2020
Health and Human Services 1107660 FY20 Community Grant that provides outreach and education to County residents regarding the naturalization process $30,000 2020
Health and Human Services 1108621 To provide linguistically and culturally appropriate social services, case management, and assistance in
accessing benefits to low-income residents.
$118,830 2020
Health and Human Services 1108126 County Council grant that provides legal assistance for low-income County immigrants. $165,000 2020
Health and Human Services 1108437 Provide financial assistance to support citizenship- eligible Legal Permanent Residents in attaining
citizenship, the benefits of which include improved access to employment.
$50,000 2020
Health and Human Services 1119903 Multilingual health navigation line/medical interpretation $243,097 2021
Health and Human Services 1120248 Community Grant that provides outreach and
education to County residents regarding the naturalization process
$30,000 2021
Housing and Community Affairs 1121604 Encumbrance for FY21 Renewal of contract, which provides low-income primarily immigrant workers withvocational and workplace safety and health training that increases their employability and earning potential. $45,000 2021
Housing and Community Affairs 1122343 Encumbrance for New FY21 Contract, to provide Housing Initiative Funds (HIF) in support of the Pine Ridge Community Center. $146,340 2021
Health and Human Services 1123056 Emergency DPO request for CASA to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate COVID-19 contact tracing in coordination with DHHS/Public Health Services. $761,165 2021
Health and Human Services 1123870 To provide linguistically and culturally appropriate social services, case management, and assistance in accessing benefits to low-income residents. $118,830 2021
Health and Human Services 1123918 CASA de Maryland, Inc Provide financial assistance to support citizenship-eligible Legal Permanent Residents in attaining citizenship, the benefits of which include improved access to employment. $50,000 2021
General Services 1124058 Provide funding to support the Rockville Welcome Center Capital Project. $150,000 2021
Housing and Community Affairs 1124128 Encumbrance for new FY21 Contract to provide outreach, training, mentoring, and counseling to support current and aspiring business owners in formalizing and/or strengthening their businesses. $100,000 2021
Health and Human Services 1124445 County Council grant that provides legal assistance for low-income County immigrants. $165,000 2021
Housing and Community Affairs 1125917 Encumbrance to replace amount liquidated from PO #1109470 in mass liquidation. Contract provides Tenant Counseling and Housing Initiatives Program. $83,449 2021
Housing and Community Affairs 1128961 Encumbrance for new FY21 Contract to provide
Tenant Counseling and Housing Initiatives
$265,000 2021
Health and Human Services 1136434 Emergency Procurement-Newcomers Resolution 19-968 $280,000 2022
Housing and Community Affairs 1136725 Encumbrance for new FY22 Contract to provide low-income, primarily immigrant workers with vocational and workplace safety and health training that increases their employability and earning potential $45,000 2022
Housing and Community Affairs 1133905 Encumbrance for FY22 Renewal and 3% Inflationary Adjustment to contract which provides Housing Initiative Funds (HIF) in support of the Pine Ridge Community Center. $150,730 2022
Health and Human Services 1132280 Multilingual health navigation line/medical interpretation $243,097 2022
Health and Human Services 1134517 Employment & Training- Replaced K#1024870 $25,121 2022
Health and Human Services 1132532 Community Grant that provides outreach and education to County residents regarding the naturalization process $30,000 2022
Health and Human Services 1135288 Provide financial assistance to support citizenship-eligible Legal Permanent Residents in attaining citizenship, the benefits of which include improved access to employment. $50,000 2022
Health and Human Services 1135292 To provide linguistically and culturally appropriate social services, case management, and assistance in accessing benefits to low income residents. $122,395 2022

To our knowledge the county has not provided publicly available reports on the accomplishments of this funding.  The public does not have real and concrete evidence that the funding is being used for for best interests of the county.  What the public does know is that when a politician needs CASA to hold up signs, it is ready to serve.


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