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Dear Neighbors,
Budget oversight hearings are in full swing, and this week the Committee on Health held hearings on the proposed FY27 budgets for the Department of Behavioral Health and the Department of Insurance, Security, and Banking. Our hearings will continue until May 6, with the next hearing covering the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and the Department of Health Care Finance on Monday, April 27. You can read a recap of this week’s hearings and view the full schedule for the Committee on Health below. Thank you to all the witnesses who have submitted testimony so far; your feedback is an essential part of the budget process and provides the Council insight into how funding allocations impact the community.
Earlier this week the Council passed the permanent version of the Juvenile Curfew Amendment Act of 2026 on first vote. The legislation advanced with amendments that aim to address both public safety and youth safety concerns by limiting who can request a curfew zone, requiring structured and supervised youth programming when a curfew zone is in effect, and prohibiting law enforcement from engaging with youth solely based off their presence in a curfew zone prior to its enforcement.
Last year, the success of the youth curfew was largely due to the on-the-ground work of community organizations who not only informed young people about the zones, but deployed teams of trusted adults each night to redirect those who didn’t know. Now, a year later, an expanded curfew cannot be our only resource, which is why I sent a letter to the Executive on March 11 asking about the District’s plans to further engage youth this spring and summer. They responded a few weeks ago and since then the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) rolled out very successful and engaging Teen Spring Jams and programming for all ages during Spring Break. I’ve followed up with DPR to ask how things went, the amount of resources (staffing and funding) it took to pull it off these events, and what this looks like from a sustainability standpoint.
I’ve also started a conversation with some of our Business Improvement District (BID) leaders about how they can adapt spring and summer programming to offer something geared towards teens in their future lineup. I’m excited about the possibilities there.
I’ve often said that the expanded curfew is not a panacea. There is more we can do on the DC government side to offer appropriate and appealing programming for teens, but we also especially need the support of parents and community to curb some of the unruly behavior we are seeing.
May is right around the corner, and to kick it off I’ll be speaking at the DC History Conference on the panel “Statehood or Bust” on Saturday, May 2 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. The conference is from 9:30am to 5:30pm and is free to attend, you can register here. I hope to see you there.
The rest of this newsletter is filled with this week’s legislative updates and information on constituent services.
In Service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
ChristinaHendersonDC.com
Councilmember Henderson chairs the Committee on Health's FY27 Budget Oversight Hearing on the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and the Department of Insurance, Security, and Banking (DISB).
On Monday, April 20, the Committee on Health held the first part of the budget oversight hearing on the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and the Department of Insurance, Security, and Banking (DISB) with 56 public witnesses signing up to testify.
Witnesses testifying about DBH raised concerns about the agency’s comprehensive plan to revamp the School-Based Behavioral Health program, particularly the proposal to phase out Community Based Organizations' (CBO) participation by SY 2027–2028 and shift high schools to a telehealth model. School-based clinicians also spoke about the impact of immigration-related challenges on students and families.
Witnesses further expressed concern about the planned elimination of the Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (ChAMPS) contract with Catholic Charities, which has operated the program for nearly two decades. Staff from Saint Elizabeths Hospital also shared longstanding concerns about hospital operations, including issues related to security, supplies and inventory, and staffing.
On Friday, April 24, the Committee on Health held the second part of the budget oversight hearing on the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) and the Department of Insurance, Security, and Banking (DISB) and received testimony from government witnesses.
Government witness testimony mirrored concerns from Monday’s budget oversight hearing, specifically regarding the implementation timeline of the School Based Behavioral Health Program (SBBH), including the hiring of licensed and unlicensed staff for upcoming school year and decisions regarding community based organizations.
Testimony also included updates on the status of the Catholic Charities contract for the Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (ChAMPS), with DBH sharing that once ChAMPS was brought in-house they scaled back operation times, and that the Community Response Team (CRT) has been responding in the evenings and weekends. DBH added that they have trained staff ready and would be hiring additional people, specifically child speciality personnel, with hopes to bring on 6 to 8 new staffers. This would allow for 4 more individuals on the team to respond to crisis.
Councilmember Henderson questioned what behavior health services are available to individuals that are on Alliance or DC’s Basic Health Plan. DBH shared that Assertive Community Treatment and Recovery Support Services (with a substance use benefit) will be available, but not the Community Services program.
Budget hearings for the Committee on Health continue on Monday, April 27, at 9:30am, when the Committee will hear public testimony on the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and the Department of Health Care Finance. You can sign up to testify at FY 2027 Budget Oversight Hearings, here.
On Monday, April 20, Councilmember Henderson introduced the Surveillance Pricing Prohibition Amendment Act of 2026. This bill would address emerging concerns around digital marketplace practices that hike prices of goods and would protect DC residents from exploitative surveillance-based pricing strategies.
On Tuesday, April 21, the Committee of the Whole held an additional legislative meeting, and the Council approved Councilmember Henderson’s introduced bills the Judith Heumann Memorial Workers with Disabilities Act of 2025, the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act of 2025, and the Prenatal and Postpartum Remote Patient Monitoring Clarification Amendment Act of 2025 to be considered for votes at the next legislative meeting.
On Wednesday April 22, Councilmember Henderson attended the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor’s budget oversight hearing on the Department of Employment Services. Several of the Councilmember’s questions focused on budget proposals which would make significant cuts to youth employment opportunities, including programs like the Career Ready Early Scholars Program, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act program, and the Youth Apprenticeship Program. Currently, these programs offer wage support, technical training, and safe spaces for youth between ages 14-24 to explore early career pathways. In response to proposed cuts, Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes, Director of the Department of Employment Services, committed to leveraging federal funds to address gaps in funding and maintain program capacity.
On Friday, April 24, Councilmember Henderson attended the Committee of the Whole’s budget oversight hearing on the FY26 Revised Local Budget Emergency Act of 2026 and the FY26 Revised Local Budget Temporary Act of 2026, otherwise collectively known as “the Supplemental.” The Supplemental reprograms funds in the current fiscal year across multiple agencies in one legislative vehicle, and it’s the largest reprogramming the District undertakes each year. Councilmember Henderson asked City Administrator Donahue and Director of the Office of Budget and Performance Management Jenny Reed about reprogrammings in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the Department of General Services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Executive Office of the Mayor, with the overall goal of understanding the sufficiency of budgeting in FY26 and balancing cost pressures that emerge due to program demand or unforeseen circumstances.
On the same day, Councilmember Henderson attended the Committee on Human Services' budget oversight hearing on the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. At the hearing, Councilmember Henderson focused on the Mayor’s proposed Supermarket Tax Incentive which aims to retain and attract more grocery stores to the District’s most underserved neighborhoods. Nina Albert, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, stated that the expected revenues for wards 5, 7, 8 do not meet the prospects for new grocers, however this tax credit is intended to showcase the District as business-friendly and invite increased market participation.
The DC Federation of Democratic Women
On Wednesday, April 22, Councilmember Henderson joined the DC Federation of Democratic Women for their annual Women in Blue Council Advocacy Day in the John A. Wilson Building. The group shared their priorities for the FY2027 budget and their support of legislation that tackled issues such as the bottle bill, consistent trash and recycling pickup, expanding access to safe and structured recreational environments for youth, and increasing youth wages through the Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program.
Delta Day at the DC Council
On Thursday, April 23, the Deputy Committee Director for the Committee on Health, Marcia Huff, met with members of the Federal City Alumnae Chapter and the Washington DC Alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The group shared their perspectives on public safety and community trust, healthcare access, and educational programming for the youth. They also expressed concerns over the latest news related to Cedar Hill Regional Hospital and emphasized the need for expansive healthcare options east of the river.
Joining Forces with PG Fire & EMS and MPD
On the same day, Councilmember Henderson joined with other fellows from Leadership Greater Washington for a day of hands-on day of activities focused on public safety. They got to try out some firefighter duties, thanks to the Prince George's County Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department. This eye-opening experience was in addition to a recent ride-along Councilmember Henderson did with a MPD officer in the Fourth District.
Learn How to Be a Tandem Captain
The Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA) wants to teach you how to ride a tandem bike. Learn how to be a tandem captain with the MWABA! Come to a training any Thursday with MWABA and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), at the Eastern Market Metro. Stop by anytime between 5:30-7:30pm to experience the fun and camaraderie of tandem biking. MWABA provides the tandem bikes and trains interested captains and stokers. Rides are every Thursday nights from Eastern Market on the Anacostia Trail; and Friday nights in Bethesda on the Capital Crescent Trail.
You can learn more, here.
Eat, Drink. Shaw.
Eat.Drink.Shaw. is an in-person food and beverage showcase event at the historic Howard Theatre, with ticket holders enjoying complimentary food and beverage items from all participating restaurants and bars for two-and-one-half hours on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 7:00pm to 9:10pm.
Participating businesses include 801 Restaurant & Bar, All Purpose Shaw, Ambar Shaw, Baan Mae, Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant, Dolci Gelati Cafe, Everyday People DC, Gogi Yogi, Minya's Pizza, Nina May, Shaw's Tavern, Silk Lounge, SOST, Unconventional Diner, Urban Garden Brewing, and more.
You can register for the event, here.
52nd Annual DC History Conference
Join your neighbors at the 52nd Annual DC History Conference! This year’s program reflects on DC as a proud hometown at a moment of both celebration and challenge—set against the nation’s 250th anniversary and a shifting political and financial landscape for history and humanities work. See the full scheduled at: conference.dchistory.org/programs. The conference takes place on Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, with sessions starting at 9:45am at the Marin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
You can register, here.
My School DC Lottery Results
My School DC released lottery results for the 2026-27 school year today, March 27. Families can access their results by logging into their My School DC family account.If a family received a school match in the lottery, they have until May 1, 2026 to enroll at their matched school. Enrolling at their matched school will not remove their child off of waitlists.
Families will need to follow schools' enrollment procedures, which include:
Families can also add additional schools to their child's application at this time by logging into their family account. Their child will automatically be added to the schools' waitlists. More here.
If you know of a family that did not receive their lottery results, cannot access their My School DC account, or needs help understanding their results and next steps, please direct them to contact the My School DC Hotline. They are available Monday – Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm at (202) 888-6336 or info.myschooldc@dc.gov.
New Hotline to Report Environmental Violations
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is encouraging District residents to report possible environmental violations directly to them so that the office can investigate whether to take legal action against polluters and others who endanger DC residents and our natural resources. Residents can share tips about violations of DC environmental laws—like illegal dumping, idling commercial vehicles, or unsafe use of pesticides—with OAG by email at environmental.justice@dc.gov or by phone at (202) 442-9828.
Golden Gears: E-Bike and Scooter Rides
AARP DC, in partnership with Vision Zero, invites you to join us for Golden Gears: E‑Bike and Scooter Rides, a fun and beginner‑friendly way to explore DC’s trails on two wheels. These rides are designed especially for adults 50+ and are open to riders of all experience levels. Thanks to our collaborators Lime and Capital Bikeshare, participants will have free access to shared e‑bikes and scooters while enjoying a guided, relaxed ride along some of DC’s most scenic trails. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. For any questions related to registration, please email Renee Moore (Special Assistant at the Mayor’s Vision Zero Office) at renee.moore@dc.gov.
Upcoming Rides:
Saturday, May 16 at 10:00am Anacostia Trail (Anacostia Park – SE DC)
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/May16VZRide
2026 Licensure Renewal Deadlines and Requirements
DLCP reminds licensees across multiple Boards and Commissions to review upcoming renewal deadlines and requirements for the 2026 cycle. Please see the summaries below to support timely submission of your renewal application.
Opens: February 1, 2026
Deadline: April 30, 2026 Renew online through Access DC (Sign Up required for new users). CE Requirement: 24 hours of Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) approved by AIA or NCARB, unless this is your first renewal by examination.
Licenses not renewed by June 30, 2026 convert to Inactive – Reinstatement Eligible.
The FY27 East Arts (EA) Awards
The Commission on the Arts and Humanities (“CAH” or “the Agency”) seeks applications for the FY27 East Arts (EA) Awards. East Arts furthers CAH’s mission by encouraging progress in the arts and humanities in the District of Columbia by supporting non-profit arts, humanities, arts education, and service organizations who significantly contribute to the District of Columbia as a world-class cultural capital. The submission deadline is Friday, May 22 at 5:00pm.
This grant opportunity program goals:
You can find details on the application process, 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.