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Neighbors,
The year is sprinting to the finish line, and I am both humbled and invigorated by the opportunity to continue serving as one of your At-Large Councilmembers for another four years. The road ahead will be challenging, but I am up to the task of creating better outcomes for the residents of DC and protecting our best interests, which includes the preservation of Home Rule.
Established by the “District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973”, the DC Council stands as the embodiment of the District’s self-determination for local autonomy. While this autonomy has frequently come under attack, never before has the District seemed as susceptible to hostilities.
In light of these recent threats, I am prompted to share legislation that has been directed towards the District in the past, so that you may be reminded of what the District has to lose going forward. The following are all examples that Congress has used to threaten the District’s autonomy:
In service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
Committee on Health Updates
On Monday, October 28, the Committee on Health held an oversight roundtable on The Oversight, Capacity, and Quality of In-Patient Psychiatric Facilites and the Continuum of Behavorial Health Care in the District of Columbia. The roundtable focused on how the Department of Behavorial Health (DBH), DC Health, and the Department of Healthcare Finance monitor in-patient psychiatric facilities, whether current regulations and frameworks can effectively maintain patient well being, and what kinds of investments can be made to meet community needs.
Councilmember Henderson asked questions regarding capacity management, under-reporting of Major Unusual Incidents (MUI), and how these entities are addressing gaps in the continuum of care for children and youth, especially around Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilites (PRTFs).
On Thursday, November 7, the Committee on Health held a confirmation roundtable on appointees to several DC Health boards:
Key Legislative Updates
On Thursday, November 7, the DC Council held a hearing for the Luggage for All Youth in Foster Care Amendment Act of 2024 (Lisa’s Law) which was co-introduced by Councilmember Henderson. The bill would require the Child and Family Services Agency to provide new luggage to youth in foster care and to establish and maintain a supply of new luggage that would be the property of youth.
On Monday, November 12, the DC Council held its thirty-third legislative meeting, during which the Child Behavorial Health Services Dashboard Act of 2024 was passed on final vote. The bill creates a publicly available directory and dashboard of behavioral health services to improve accessibility to children, youth, and their families.
During the same legislative meeting, the DC Council held its first vote on the Recidivism Reduction, Oversight, and Accountability for DYRS (ROAD) Act of 2024. The bill would create a permanent oversight body for the Department of Youth Rehabilition Services (DYRS), require DYRS to significantly reform its supervision and intervention practices, and strengthen the court’s authority to intervene when DYRS fails to provide the appropriate rehabilitative services. Councilmember Henderson raised concerns about the bill’s implementation, emphasizing the bill’s incompatibility with the agency’s current staffing levels.
Christina In the Community
Volunteering at Food and Friends
On Thursday, November 7, Councilmember Henderson and her team volunteered at Food and Friends, an organization that delivers over 6,000 medically tailored meals daily to clients that have a range of serious illnesses. Their work is partially funded through a DC Health grant.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s Panel on IVF Benefits
On Wednesday, November 13, the Committee on Health’s Health Policy Legislative Advisor Rebecca Cooper, participated in the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's Panel on IVF Benefits for District residents and federal employees. Ms. Cooper shared insight on the “Expanding Access to Fertility Treatment Amendment Act of 2023”, which Councilmember Henderson introduced and the DC Council approved in 2023.
The bill improves access to fertility treatments for all District residents through fertility insurance coverage for those with private insurance and by requiring DC Medicaid to cover the diagnosis and medication treatment of infertility. Other speakers included the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, Congressional Research Service, the DC Health Benefit Exchange, and representatives from the offices of Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Gerry Connolly.
In Case You Missed It: Councilmember Henderson in the News
DC Lawmakers Target ‘Onerous’ Certificate-Of-Need Law, Mark Payne for Law 360, 11/5/2024
Constituent Service Corner
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.
Pediatric Vaccination Oppurtunites
The month of November offers several opportunities for our youngest residents to obtain their vaccinations. Now until November 30, parents and caregivers can take their children to one of the below locations to receive their pediatric vaccinations.
1. Cedar Hill Urgent Care 2228 Martin Luther Kin, Jr. Ave, SE Washington, DC 20020 (202)715-4444 Sunday – Saturday, 8am to 7pm
2. Grubbs Pharmacy SE
1800 Martin Luther Kin Jr Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20020
(202)503-3610
Monday – Friday, 8am to 6pm
Saturday, 9am to 3pm
3. Ingenuity Prep
3600 Livingston RD, SE
Washington, DC 20032
(202)562-0391
Saturday, November 21, 10am to 2pm
Fall Leaf Collection 2024
The Department of Public Works (DPW) will conduct leaf collection service beginning October 28, 2024, through February 8, 2025, for residents who receive DPW trash and recycling services. To view the leaf tracker and find your leaf collection section based on your address, the leaf tracker will show the raking area in Wards 1 through 8 and can be viewed here.
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.
Events DC Presents: Feast of Sharing
The Safeway Feast of Sharing celebrates the spirit of the “season of giving” by serving a festive meal on the day before Thanksgiving to underprivileged District of Columbia residents, senior citizens and veterans. Additionally, the Feast of Sharing includes a community services expo, health screenings, free winter coats (while supplies last) and much more. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center located at 801 Allen Y. Lew Place, NW (formerly, Mt. Vernon Place, NW).
Metro: Downtown Blue, Orange, and Silver Line Station Closures
Beginning December 20, Metro is altering train service and closing some Downtown Blue, Orange, and Silver stations as part of a major construction project to improve tracks, signaling, and make a smoother ride for customers. Free shuttle buses will replace trains during the 11-day project. Work will be completed in two phases. You can find more information, here.
Closures From December 20 to 26,
Closures From December 27 to 30,
Stations will reopen December 31.
Free Weekly Veggie Giveaway
Mayor Bowser presents FREE weekly veggie giveaways at DPR Communal Farms. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday you can pick up local, fresh, and FREE vegetables from DPR community gardens! For locations and times, refer to the list below. Every Saturday, you can volunteer and harvest during open hours.
• Lederer Garden 4801 Nannie H. Burroughs Avenue NE Giveaways every Wednesday, 11am to 12pm through November 28 Volunteer every Saturday, 9am to 2pm through November 28
Shelter Locations
Low-barrier shelters are accessible for those experiencing homelessness, operate year round, and remain open 24 hours.
Shelters for Men
Shelters for Women
Shelters for LGBTQ+:
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
Nicholas Pcholkin
Senior Legislative Assistant
npcholkin@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