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Dear Neighbor,
It’s been quite the week.
Take a moment.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
The rapid fire, overwhelming feeling that you likely got from the news this week is not going to dissipate if past is indeed prologue. All week, I’ve had the feeling of déjà vu of the 4 years I spent working in the Senate during the last Trump Administration where every day felt like 6-7 news cycles. It can be exhausting. In fact, research shows that the overconsumption of negative news can impact your mental health in a variety of ways.
I’m not suggesting that we all turn it all off and retreat. We have a duty to stay informed about what’s happening in our community and around the US and world. We have a duty to stand up for human rights and DC values. But my hope for 2025 is that we all develop strategies to stimulate our mental health, recognize our limits, seek help when needed, and overall take care of ourselves during this period of uneasiness and unknowing. Folks need to be healthy for the policy fights ahead whether it’s coming from the Wilson Building or Capitol Hill.
As before, my team and I are monitoring/assessing all of the policy changes that are taking place or being proposed to understand its impact on the District. We will do our best to continue to provide you with information on our efforts and work, and resources that can be helpful. The rest of this newsletter has a lot of information about upcoming performance oversight hearings and what I’ve been up to the past 2 weeks. I also joined Councilmember Zachary Parker from Ward 5 on his podcast, the Ward 5 Wave, where we covered a range of topics from health policy to Beyonce. I hope you will check it out.
One last thing – Good luck to the Washington Commanders!! Raise Hail!
In service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
Key Legislative Updates
This week, Councilmember Christina Henderson re-introduced legislation to improve classroom experiences for students and provide our late-night restaurants and bars the flexibility to address safety concerns for their employees via three bills: the Board of Trustees Training Amendment Act of 2025, the Advancing Equity in Special Education Protocols Amendment Act of 2025, and the Entertainment Establishment Employee Amendment Act of 2025.
Councilmember Henderson was reappointed as the Chairperson for the Committee on Health for Council Period 26. Councilmembers serving on the committee are as follows:
On Thursday, January 16, the Committee on Health held its first meeting of Council Period 26. At this organizational meeting, the committee approved the Rules of Organization and Procedure and approved the roster of committee staff.
The performance oversight hearing schedule for 2025 is live and can be viewed here. You can also click the link to sign up to testify or submit testimony for the record.
Christina In the Community
PAVE Fireside Chat
On Saturday, January 11, Councilmember Henderson joined PAVE Founder and Executive Director Maya Martin Cadogan for a conversation with organization board members. PAVE has an all-parent governing board and aims to create partnerships between communities and parents with schools.
Look Ahead with Team Rayceen
On Monday, January 13, Councilmember Henderson spoke on a panel hosted by Rayceen Pendarvis of Team Rayceen, an organization that produces media in the DC area aimed at entertaining, informing, educating, and inspiring. During the panel Councilmember Henderson presented viewers with a “practical checklist” for the year ahead, which included signing up for DC Alerts, DC Traffic, shielding yourself from misinformation, and keeping important documents up to date. Fellow panel participants included Councilmember Zachary Parker, Councilmember Charles Allen, and DC Shadow Senator Ankit Jain.
Legal Aid Client Advisory Council’s (CAC) Quarterly Meeting
The next day, (January 14) Councilmember Henderson visited the Legal Aid Client Advisory Council’s (CAC) Quarterly Meeting to discuss their upcoming priorities, housing issues (such as zoning and DCHA), Medicaid redeterminations, prior authorization, and the timeline for the opening of the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center.
Ward 8 Health Council Meeting
On Wednesday, January 15, Councilmember Henderson joined the Ward 8 Health Council during their first meeting of the year. The Ward 8 Health Council’s updated priorities include: the black maternal health crisis, quality of life for seniors, economic mobility, and behavioral and mental health.
The following week (January 21), Councilmember Henderson took a visit to the DC Superior Court to observe their Mental Health Community Court. The Mayor’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 eliminated the program and Councilmember Henderson identified funding to restore the program, allowing hundreds of clients to continue benefiting from this crucial co-located service. The Court Urgent Care Clinic provides on-site initial clinical services like psychiatric assessment, therapy, referrals for services, and intensive case management. Supports include on site mental health staff and a Department of Behavioral Health peer navigator for the Mental Health Community Court.
Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus
On Wednesday, January 22, Councilmember Henderson toured the Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus in the Shepherd Park neighborhood of Ward 4. Children’s work includes researching and treating rare pediatric diseases, which collectively affect up to 10% of District children. Councilmember Henderson also toured their Johnson & Johnson innovation lab (JLAB), where startup health businesses are developing new cancer treatments, vaccine enhancements, and more. The Campus sits on the historic Walter Reed campus.
In Case You Missed It: Councilmember Henderson in the News
Constituent Service Corner
DC Commission on Climate Change & Resiliency Knowledge Forum
You are invited to attend the DC Commission on Climate Change and Resiliency’s 2025 Knowledge Forum on Saturday, January 25, 2025! The Knowledge Forum will bring together leaders, researchers, and advocates who are working to enhance the resiliency of the District. Each of the event sessions will focus on different topics related to climate adaptation, mitigation, and community engagement. You can RSVP for the event here and view the full agenda for the event here.
Meet the Ombudsman
Join the DC Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education for a virtual event where families, students, and the education community can meet Kimberly R. Humphrey Esq., the Ombudsman for Public Education. Learn about the services their office provides, their successes, and their priorities for the future. The virtual meeting will be held on January 28 at 6:00pm via Zoom, interested parties can register, here.
The DC Ombudsman for Public Education, an independent, impartial office, that helps students and families with questions, concerns, and complaints about DC public and public charter schools
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.
Metro Notice of Public Hearing
A public hearing will be held by the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority on the Proposed FY2026 Capital Improvement Program and Federal FY2026 Grant Applications and the Proposed FY2026 Operating Budget and Associated Service Proposals. These proposals cover proposed spending to further improve service and customer experience.
Individuals wishing to provide testimony in person during a hearing are encouraged to pre-register by emailing speak@wmata.com or calling (202) 962-2511 by 5 p.m. the day prior to the hearing at which you wish to testify. Please submit only one speaker’s name per request.
Testimony about this proposal may be submitted online via a survey at www.wmata.com/budget. The survey will open by 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2025, and will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2025. For those without access to computers or internet, testimony may also be mailed to the Office of the Board Corporate Secretary, SECT 2E, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, P.O. Box 44390, Washington, DC 20026-4390. All comments must be received by the Office of the Board Corporate Secretary by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2025, to be included in the public record.
TakeOver Tuesday
TakeOver Tuesday is seeking contributions of toiletry kits containing items such as: soap, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, and other hygienic essentials. TakeOver Tuesday is a community-driven initiative serving residents of Ward 7. Kits can be dropped off at Marshall Heights Community Development Organization (MHCDO), located at 3939 Benning Road NE, Washington, DC 20019.
The next TakeOver Tuesday is scheduled for February 11, 9:30 – 11:30am at Solstice, 3534 East Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20019. For more information call (202) 209-9624.
26th Annual Youth Poetry Contest
DC students in the fourth through the eighth grade have the opportunity to participate in the Junior League of Washington’s 26th Annual Youth Poetry Contest! Submit your best stanza, haiku, limerick, acrostic, or simple rhyme on this year’s theme: shine.
All submissions must be submitted by a teacher, librarian, school administrator, or program administrator on behalf of a student, and emailed as a PDF to poetrycontest@jlw.org by Friday, March 28, 2025, 6pm EST. Late entries will not be accepted.
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.
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.
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