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Neighbors,
Happy New Year to you all!
This week, despite the snow, the District is as buzzing as ever. On Monday, President Joe Biden signed the DC Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act into law, officially transferring control of the property to the District so that it can be appropriately developed. On Tuesday, the Council held its first Legislative Meeting for Council Period 26.
Also this week, former President Jimmy Carter, was honored in the District one last time before returning to Plains, Georgia where he will be laid to rest. He had a special connection with the District after sending his daughter to DC Public Schools while in office and later returning with Habitat for Humanity to help build several single-family homes along Benning Road SE. President Carter’s advancement of democracy and human rights are true testaments to our nation’s most sacred themes.
The former president’s funeral brought increased security protocols to DC, and with the presidential inauguration in 10 days, residents should be aware of how they may be impacted by ongoing security measures. You can view updates on traffic advisories for the inauguration, here. I also encourage everyone to stay informed of possible weather emergencies by signing up for Alert DC to receive updates.
I would like to close this letter by sharing my immense gratitude for the opportunity to serve another term on the DC Council. On January 2, 2025, I was officially sworn in for my second term as your At-Large Councilmember. My goal of public service through intentionality is unchanging and so is my belief that state and local government is the place where improvement occurs. I am happy to continue my work to bolster our District economy; radically improve public health and wellness outcomes; enhance the learning in our school communities; sustain safe and vibrant neighborhoods with a strong public safety network and public transit system; and support housing opportunities.
All of these outcomes are possible as we move forward.
In service, Christina HendersonCouncilmember, At-LargeChristinaHendersonDC.com
Key Legislative Updates
On Monday, January 6, Councilmember Henderson re-introduced the Social Determinants of Health Spending Amendment Act of 2025 and the Certificate of Need Improvement Act of 2025. The Social Determinants of Health Spending Amendment Act of 2025 would allow private insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations to include expenditures for certain social determinants of health services in their medical loss ratio. The Certificate of Need Improvement Act of 2025 would improve and expand health care services for District residents by removing unnecessary obstacles for health care facilities to operate in the District.
Councilmember Henderson also introduced the Institution of Higher Education Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Resource Accessibility Act of 2025. The bill would increase the accountability of universities handling of sexual assault. This measure is a reintroduction from 2023.
Christina In the Community
Councilmember Henderson Enters Her Second Term
On Thursday, January 2, Councilmember Christina Henderson was sworn in for her second term as an At-Large DC Councilmember. The Councilmember was joined on stage by her family during the ceremony at the Convention Center. In her speech Councilmember Henderson called for the District to be forward thinking and “adjust for changing times but not stand still”.
Later on January 2, I was officially re-named chair of the Council’s Committee on Health. In Council Period 26 in addition to being Chair of The Committee on Health, Councilmember Henderson will serve on the following committees: Transportation and Environment, Committee on Human Services, and the Committee on Facilities. You can view agencies under these committees, here.
ANC Swearing In
Councilmember Henderson has had the pleasure of swearing in Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners Brian Strege, 8F03, Dionne Brown, 8D01, and Nic Wilson, 8F01 at the John A. Wilson Building. Commissioners are elected to Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANC), which are non-partisan, neighborhood bodies established to bring government closer to the people, and to bring the people closer to government.
Status of the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center
On Thursday, January 9, Councilmember Henderson toured the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center located in SE DC. The opening of Cedar Hill will mark the first time since 2017 that there will be a labor and delivery unit east of Anacostia River.
Psychiatric Institute of Washington
The next day on Friday, January 10, Councilmember Henderson visited the Psychiatric Institute of Washington. In October of last year, the Councilmember held an oversight roundtable on inpatient psychiatric facilities.
In Case You Missed It: Councilmember Henderson in the News
Constituent Service Corner
Winter Weather Delays
Recent winter weather has made it unsafe for DPW staff and vehicles to maneuver certain alleyways. As a result, many residents have encountered delays in trash, recycling, and food waste collections. With another winter weather event projected tonight, DPW is working hard to complete trash collections.
In order to resume regularly scheduled services as soon as possible, DPW is suspending recycling pick up for the rest of this week, residents who receive trash pick up twice a week will only receive one collection. Residents are encouraged to hold recycling until next week and should continue to place green trash bins at their point of collection according to their slide day schedule.
DPW is working tirelessly to resume normal trash and recycling collection operations by Monday, January 13.
My School DC
Planning to submit a My School DC lottery application for the 2025-26 school year? The My School DC Guide is a handy tool that guides you through the school lottery process. You can find frequent questions and answers here and the “My School DC Guide 2025 – 2026” here.
Residents can also reach out to the My School DC hotline, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm at (202)888-6336.
Holiday Trees & Greenery Collection
The DC Department of Public Works (DPW) will collect holiday trees and greenery now through February 28 from DPW-serviced households, which includes single-family homes and apartment dwellings with three or fewer units.
All residents can also drop off holiday trees and greenery at three locations, Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 4 PM until March 31, 2025.
For more information visit the Department of Public Works.
Extreme Weather Alerts | cold.dc.gov
Stay in the know with extreme weather alerts from DC’s Department of Human Services. The District is committed to ensuring that people experiencing homelessness have access to shelter and transportation from November through March when unhoused residents are at greatest risk of hypothermia and other cold weather injuries. During the Hypothermia Season, the District issues alert and emergency notifications and enhances shelter capacity, increases outreach, and extends transportation operational hours. The resource page also includes information on alert and emergency notifications, shelter and overflow sites, transportation, calling for help, families experiencing homelessness, unaccompanied minors, and additional information. You can sign up for free email an/or text alerts at alert.dc.gov.
How to Protect Your Pipes From Freezing
For homeowners and residents, days of sub-freezing temperatures may cause standing water inside pipes to freeze and expand causing pipes to break. To protect your home, customers are encouraged to take steps to prevent water from freezing in pipes and plumbing.
Pipes most at risk are those exposed to the outside or in unheated interior areas such as kitchen cabinets, attics, garages, basements and crawl spaces. Some steps to prevent home water lines from freezing include:
More tips on how to protect your pipes from the cold.
Be a Snow Team Hero
Join our Volunteer Snow Team! In the aftermath of a snow event, District volunteers are deployed to help elderly residents and neighbors with functional needs with snow removal. Learn more and sign up to lend a hand to a neighbor in your ward!
Open Enrollment for 2025 Health Care BenefitsStarting on January 1, 2025 Infertility Services will be covered as an essential health benefit for individual and small group plans on the Health Benefit Exchange and the Health Care Exchange. Residents can get assistance with enrolling by using the Virtual One Touch Enrollment Center. Individuals can schedule a virtual appointment at dconetouch.setmore.com (https://dconetouch.setmore.com/) or by calling 1-855-532-5465. Residents that have IVF policy questions can reach out to Committee on Health's Health Policy Legislative Advisor Rebecca Cooper at rcooper@dccouncil.gov. For those with questions regarding choosing a health insurance plan and specific benefits, please reach out to the health navigators at the Health Benefit Exchange.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Utility Discount Programs (UDP) assists low-income District residents with reducing utility costs. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines and utility bills must be in the applicant's name. Eligible residents could receive discounts on electric, gas, and water and sewer bills. Applicants can apply by phone by calling 1-800-234-9473 or by creating an account and applying online, here.
Have a constituent service need related to the Health Committee or any of the other agencies in DC Government? Want Councilmember Henderson to come to your community event or meeting? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Constituent Services Director Ana Berrios-Vazquez during regular business hours (9:00am - 5:30pm) at 202-724-8105, or ABerriosVazquez@dccouncil.gov.
Stay Connected
Thank you for reading! Please stay in touch.
Christina Henderson
At-Large Councilmember
chenderson@dccouncil.gov
Mike Shaffer
Chief of Staff
mshaffer@dccouncil.gov
Heather Edelman
Deputy Chief of Staff
hedelman@dccouncil.gov
Gabrielle Rogoff
Legislative Director
grogoff@dccouncil.gov
Ana Berríos-Vázquez
Constituent Services Director
aberriosvazquez@dccouncil.gov
Sierra Wallace
Communications Director
swallace@dccouncil.gov
Taylor Coleman
Legislative Aide
tcoleman@dccouncil.gov
Health Committee
Ona Balkus
Committee Director
obalkus@dccouncil.gov
Marcia Huff
Senior Policy Advisor
mhuff@dccouncil.gov
Rebecca Cooper
Health Policy Advisor
rcooper@dccouncil.gov
Ashley Strange
Legislative Assistant
astrange@dccouncil.gov