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Neighbors,
As Halloween draws near, one of the most haunting things I can imagine is Congress’ uninformed opinions leading to harmful policies, specifically impacting the District.
Earlier this week two members of Congress had an op-ed published in The Washington Post criticizing the education and training standards the District has put in place for our early childhood education workforce. It amplifies their misinformed (there is a huge difference between a Child Development Associate credential and traditional Associate’s degree) and misguided legislation which would prohibit the District from requiring any training or education for those who seek to work in the early childhood setting. If passed, not only would this be more extreme than what’s happening in their own states, but across the country.
Their comments came just as the DC Council met to approve the Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2024, which would update minimum salaries child development facilities must pay assistant and lead teachers beginning in January 2025 to participate in the Early Childhood Pay Equity Program. As many of you know, we had to fight earlier this year to restore the Pay Equity Fund which enables childcare centers to be able to pay their educators a fair wage and offer health insurance coverage. The District’s work on early childhood education – from offering universal pre-K to all three and four-year olds, to now raising the wages of these educators – has truly made us a model in the nation. There is more work to be done to sustain these achievements, limit Congressional meddling, and expand, but for now, I want to celebrate this move and all we have accomplished. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Early Childhood Educator Compensation Task Force for their work shaping the Pay Equity Fund and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education for their committed partnership in administering the program.
In the rest of this newsletter, you’ll find information on upcoming Committee on Health hearings and important fall updates.
In service, Christina HendersonCouncilmember, At-LargeChristinaHendersonDC.com
Committee on Health Updates
On Wednesday, October 9, the Committee on Heath held a hearing on the Certificate of Need (CON) Amendment Act of 2024 and the Public School Health Services Amendment Act of 2024. The CON Act would improve and expand health care services for District residents by removing unnecessary obstacles for health care facilities to operate in the District; while the Public School Health Services Amendment Act would introduce regulations for public and public charter schools nurses to supply better coverage to students through setting minimum hours of coverage possible, and requiring new schools to request nursing services from DC Health to ensure efficient budgeting and planning. The record closes on both of these bills on October 23 at 5pm; if you would like to submit testimony, you may follow this link: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings/.
On Thursday, October 17, the Committee on Health held a hearing on the Consumer Health Information Privacy Protection Act (CHIPPA) of 2024. The bill, which was introduced by the Office of the Attorney General, aims to establish consumer protections for health data collected by entities that are not covered under federal HIPAA protections. The Office of the Attorney General highlighted the possibility of corporations using arbitrary information gained through websites and apps and selling it to other entities without users’ consent. The record closes for receiving testimony on October 31 at 5pm; if you would like to submit testimony, you may follow this link: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/hearings/
Key Legislative Updates
Personal Property Tax Simplification Amendment Act of 2024
On Friday, October 11, Councilmember Christina Henderson introduced the Personal Property Tax Simplification Amendment Act of 2024. The bill would raise the current personal property tax exemption for businesses in the District from $225,000 to $325,000, tie prospective annual increases to the Consumer Price Index, and remove the requirement for filers under the threshold to field the personal property (FP-31) tax return form. The goal is to ease the paperwork burden on small businesses.
Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2024
On Tuesday, October 15, the DC Council approved the Early Childhood Educator Pay Scales Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2024. The bill will update the minimum salaries child development facilities must pay assistant and lead teachers beginning in January 2025 to participate in the Early Childhood Pay Equity Program.
Upcoming Committee on Health Hearing Dates
The upcoming schedule for the Committee on Health is below. If you are interested in testifying or submitting written testimony you can sign up on the Council’s website at dccouncil.gov/hearings.
Christina In the Community
Mobilize Recovery in DC
On Wednesday, October 9, the Committee on Health staff member Marcia Huff attended “Mobilize Recovery in DC!”, which brought together local recovery thought leaders and local advocacy groups working to end the addiction crisis and highlight recovery resources for the community. Highlights of the event included leaving messages of hope or remembrance on the Mobilize Recovery bus, overdose prevention education that provided free Naloxone to participants and shared life saving information, the presentation of Live Long DC (a plan to combat the opioid crisis in DC), and Narcan training and education.
Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission Meeting
On Wednesday, October 16, Councilmember Henderson and the Committee on Health team attended the Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission meeting. Presentations were made by the three subcommittees: treatment and recovery, prevention, and harm reduction.
Fair Budget Coalition Fall Walkaround
Later that day, Councilmember Henderson met with the Fair Budget Coalition as they presented their priorities for fall and discussed rapid rehousing, ERAP, and community investment. The Fair Budget Coalition includes residents involved with various DC advocacy groups, including the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, EmpowerEd, Legal Aid DC, Bread for the City, and more.
In Case You Missed It: Councilmember Henderson in the News
The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi, Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood for WAMU, 10/4/2024
Hearing the Council with Josh Gibson, Josh Gibson for DC Radio, 10/11/2024
Constituent Service Corner
Roving Leaders’ Halloween Costume Skate Party
Join DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation for the spooktacular night! Grab your costumes and hit the rink for a night filled with thrilling music, creepy costumes, and roller-skating fun. Bring your friends and family! The event will be held at the Kennedy Recreation Center at 1401 7th St NW on Thursday, October 31, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program
DC residents are required to remove snow and ice from the paved sidewalks, curb ramps and curb cuts bordering their property after a snowstorm. Qualified residents who are disabled and/or 65 or older are exempt from enforcement with an approved exemption. The Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program (SSEP) exempts qualified residents from enforcement by DPW for not removing snow and ice from their sidewalks within the first eight hours of daylight after the end of a winter storm. The exemption is valid for two consecutive snow seasons. Once approved, residents must apply every other year to DPW to continue to receive the exemption. You can apply for the Sidewalk Shoveling Exemption Program by October 31, 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.
DC Hires VETs
The District of Columbia’s Department of Human Resources (DCHR) will hold a career fair for veterans on Thursday, November 14, 2024, 10:00am to 4:00pm, at the D.C. Armory located at 2001 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003. Participating District Government agencies, partnering private sector companies, and partnering non-profit organizations will make on-the-spot job offers for available opportunities in several industries. Offers that cannot be made on-the-spot will be made within weeks after the event pending any required suitability prescreening requirements. The event is free and individuals wishing to participate must preregister.
Pre-Registration: Friday, November 1, 2024, 12:00pm to Sunday, November 10, 2024, 11:59pm. You can find more information, here.
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.
1.Edgewood Rooftop Farm 301 Franklin St, NE Giveaways every Tuesday, 11am to 12pm through October 26 Volunteer every Saturday, 9am to 11am through October 26 2.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 3.Powell Communal Farm 3149 16th St NW Giveaways every Thursday, 11am to 12pm through October 26 Volunteer every Saturday, 9am to 11am through October 26
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