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Original Photo Double Reflection by Emma K Alexandra
Dear Neighbor,
The weather is finally giving spring. WMATA recently hit 1 million riders for a single day on bus and rail. The ribbon cutting for the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center is scheduled for next week. Ovechkin is now 3 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzy's record (Caps play at home tonight). And the NCAA Final Four weekend has finally arrived (the women play tonight!). I wish the government world was looking this bright, but so far, this April isn’t starting the way we planned.
I had hoped to be able to share updates with you all this week about the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget process, as the Mayor was scheduled to release her proposal on April 2. Unfortunately, since the US House of Representatives has yet to take up the bill to allow DC to continue spending its local dollars at approved FY 2025, we are in a bit of a holding pattern. We are hopeful that the House will vote this week and we'll be able to proceed on the FY 2026 process shortly thereafter. We will continue to inform you of schedule updates accordingly, but for now, delete the budget hearings that may already be on your calendar. New dates are coming.
The last few weeks have been full of challenges that have taught new lessons and reinforced teachings on what good government means, specifically for the District. But we must not allow these challenges to immobilize us. As Senator Cory Booker said during his historic 25-hour speech on the Senate floor, “I’m not going to allow my inability to do everything undermine my ability to do something.”
Keep reading for more information on my current legislative and community endeavors. One important heads up – this weekend is the Cherry Blossom Festival 5K and 10 miler (Saturday and Sunday, respectively). If you're coming downtown, metro, bike, scoot, skate, or walk. :)
In service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
ChristinaHendersonDC.com
On Tuesday, March 25, the Committee of the Whole held a public hearing on the Heads Up! Distraction Free Learning Amendment Act of 2025. Testimony was received from an array of witnesses from the DC education community. Representatives from Benjamin Banneker High School, Basis DC Public Charter School, and Hardy Middle School spoke regarding the positives from their own no-phone policies. They stated that phone storage was provided via cell phone lockers or zippered cases left with teachers, and that storage methods differed depending on student age. A strong correlation between the no-phone policy and academic success was also noted. Paul Public Charter School provided testimony that urged against implementing the policy without enforcement strategies or clear funding guidelines. Paul already has a no cell policy in place.
On Wednesday, March 26, the Committee of the Whole held a public hearing on Councilmember Henderson’s introduced bill, the Board of Trustees Training Amendment Act of 2025. During the hearing, the Committee received testimony from members of the public and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Many witnesses spoke about board members not fully understanding the breadth of their responsibility when joining a public charter school board, stating that complex aspects such as managing flex space for their campus or maintaining their school’s charter required a training process. Others added that trainings needed to allow for flexibility given the differences among schools and that data should be collected regarding training mandates implemented throughout the country.
On Tuesday, April 1, the Committee of the Whole held its sixth legislative meeting and the Council passed the Institution of Higher Education Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Resource Accessibility Act of 2025 on final reading. The legislation would assist survivors of sexual misconduct by establishing minimum criteria for institutions of higher education in the District when addressing sexual misconduct, chains of reporting, and amnesty protections for reporting parties when appropriate. This legislation is scheduled to go into effect in 2026.
The Council also passed the Certificate of Need Improvement Act of 2025 (CON), introduced by Councilmember Henderson, on final reading. The CON would improve and expand health care services for District residents by removing unnecessary obstacles for health care facilities to operate in the District. The bill also makes adjustments to the licensure pathway for certain social workers.
On Tuesday, March 25, the Committee on Health voted to approve the nominations to the Food Policy Council and Board of Integrative Healthcare, which were subsequently approved at the April 1 Legislative Meeting by the full Council. The nominations are as follows:
Food Policy Council
Board of Integrative Healthcare
On Wednesday, March 26, the Committee on Health held a joint public roundtable with the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor on Strategies to Support the District of Columbia’s Long-Term Care Workforce. The Committee on Health was pleased to receive virtual testimony from Home Health Aides and patients who benefit from their work but who were not able to testify in person. Many of these workers have been in the field for over 20 years, and they shared the emotional and physical burdens of their jobs. Other public witnesses spoke to a number of different topics, including the need to support workforce training, increasing the pipeline of interested potential workers from an early age, and thinking through the long-term care workforce issues from a systemic whole-of-government approach. Government witnesses from DC Health and the Department of Aging and Community Living discussed how the agencies support both the workforce and the seniors who require their care.
On Monday, March 31, the Committee on Health held a joint public roundtable with the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety on the Sense of the Council on Supporting Humane and Trauma-Informed Responses to Behavioral Health Crises Resolution of 2025. This resolution focused on the improving the District’s response to behavioral health crises. Community members and advocates shared their experiences with the Department of Behavioral Health’s Community Response Team (CRT) and the Child and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (ChAMPS). Testimony of note addressed the impact of reduced ChAMPS services since 2023 and the CRT's expanded role in child and youth crisis response. Tahir Duckett, Executive Director of the Georgetown Law Center’s Center for Innovations in Safety, also shared valuable insights from other jurisdictions, including Durham’s HEART program that operates within their Community Safety Department and responds to over 1,000 calls each month. A recurring theme throughout submitted testimony was the critical need for a strong network of behavioral health providers to help prevent crises and the importance of making sure residents know about alternatives to 911 when facing a behavioral health emergency.
Under 3 DC and Jews United for Justice Townhall on PKEEP
On Saturday, March 22, Councilmember Henderson joined Councilmembers Janeese Lewis George (Ward 4) and Matthew Frumin (Ward 3) at Petworth Library for a town hall hosted by Under 3 DC and Jews United for parents, teachers, and DC residents concerned about potential cuts to pre-K funding. Councilmember Henderson spoke on the importance of early childhood education and the District’s PKEEP program, emphasizing the need to invest in the District’s youngest learners despite a looming tight budget.
DMVMoves Taskforce Meeting
On Monday, March 24, Councilmember Henderson participated in the DMVMoves Task Force to discuss the current funding outlook for Metro and local transit systems, a new proposal to manage Metro’s State of Good Repair maintenance program, and target investments to deliver more service, more efficiently for the region.
Experiencing Autonomous Vehicles
On Thursday, March 27, Councilmember Henderson joined representatives from Waymo to experience a ride in their autonomous vehicle. The vehicle experienced several live situations (i.e., illegally parked car, pedestrian crossing not in crosswalk, etc.) that it navigated with no problem. Safety data reflects that autonomous vehicle performance is better than human drivers. The DC Council will be considering approval for commercial rides for autonomous vehicles beginning in 2026.
The 2025 Richard K. Gilbert Policy Advocacy Competition
On Saturday, March 29, Councilmember Henderson served as a judge for DC Justice Lab’s 2025 Richard K. Gilbert Policy Advocacy Competition. The competition brings together students, lawmakers, lawyers, and advocates in celebration of the importance of legislative advocacy. The competition consisted of oral advocacy rounds at the John A. Wilson Building, where teams engaged in simulated legislative hearings.
Institute for Women’s Policy Research Webinar
On Thursday, April 3, Councilmember Henderson participated in the Institute for Women’s Policy Research Webinar on “Supporting Workers, Strengthening Families: What We Learned from Workers on DC Paid Family Leave” as a panelist. Councilmember Henderson spoke about the initial skepticism from employers on the subject and the need to have nationwide policy on paid sick and family leave.
Pinknic and Kite Fly
Soar into spring at the Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly on April 6, 2025, at Oxon Run Park (Valley and Wheeler Rd., SE) in Ward 8! Enjoy a day of kites, culture, and community with live performances by Washington Performing Arts, exciting activities like face painting, kite flying, and community crafts for all ages, and free food for the first 200 attendees. Explore the Ward 8 vendor market, connect with neighbors, and experience the joy of spring in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
DMV Farmers and Flea Market
Join the RFK Farmers and Flea Market on Saturdays (weather permitting) for produce, food, clothes, shoes, accessories, books, toys, household items, antiques, health and beauty items, CDs , electronics, and more. The event is located on the Festival Grounds (Lot 6) at RFK Campus from 7:00am to 3:00pm. For inquiries please contact Tracy Fleming at 443-670-6225.
Visit the New Go-Go Museum & Cafe
The Go-Go Museum & Café is the official site for the appreciation and study of go-go music, history and culture from its headquarters in the historic Anacostia neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Go-go music is a brand of funk, R&B, hip-hop, and Afro-Latin rhythms created in the 1970s by "Godfather of Go-Go" Chuck Brown and his Washington D.C. fans. The museum officially launched on February 19. You can visit the museum's official site here for more information to plan your visit.
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.
Free Food Distribution from the Capital Area Food Bank
The Capital Area Food Area Food Bank is here to support the large number of our neighbors who have been impacted by recent reductions in federal jobs and funding. Beginning on Saturday, April 5th, the food bank will be holding new pop-up food distributions twice a week. These pop-up distributions will offer pantry items and fresh produce on Thursdays from 5 – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 – 11 a.m., or while supplies last each day. The distributions can be found in the parking lots of the following retail locations:
District of Columbia
Maryland
Virginia
Those in need of food assistance can learn more about these pop-up food distributions, as well as how to access support at other times and locations, by visiting capitalareafoodbank.org/dmv-help.
Health Insurance for Impacted Federal Workers
Enroll today in quality and affordable health insurance. All DC residents losing employer health coverage qualify for a DC Health Link private insurance plan offered by DC Health Link. Private health insurance plans start as low as $13 a month (depending on household income) and include 27 private health insurance plans to meet every need and budget.
You can schedule your virtual enrollment here.
Learn more by calling (855)532-5465 or by visiting DC Health Link here.
Introducing Brandywine Valley SPCA
Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) has taken over all animal care and control services for Washington, DC. In its first month of operations, BVSPCA has also launched adoptions for dogs, cats, and other critters, Express Pet Health Services for family pets, as well as volunteer and foster programs to engage the community in our work. BVSPCA is already celebrating reuniting lost pets with their worried families, adoptions of pets needing a new home, and lifesaving medical care for DC animals in need.
You can learn more about Brandywine Valley SPCA and its services, here.
To report an animal in distress in the District, please call BVSPCA at (202) 888-PETS.
Communal Farm Weekly Veggie Giveaway
DPR Communal Farms are urban Agriculture sites that are organized as communal production farms, managed by DPR staff and community volunteers, with the purpose of providing various ways for community members to receive free food, volunteer, and participate in hands on educational opportunities. From May to November DPR Communal Farms host three Communal Farm Weekly Veggie Giveaways where community members can pick up free veggies, volunteers on the farm, and/or participant in free programming.
Participants must register to attend any giveaway. Participants can register, here.
For questions or to receive updates on what is being harvested, volunteer opportunities, pop up giveaways, weekly programs and weather cancellations please email joshua.singer@dc.gov
Join the Access for All Advisory Council
Join the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Boards’ (TPB) Access for All Advisory Committee and help integrate the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities and underserved communities into the regional transportation planning process. You can apply here. Deadline to apply is April 14, 2025. Contact Laura Bachle at 202-962-3273, lbachle@mwcog.org with any questions.
Fathers & Finance
Join fathers from around the District for a financial education workshop on wealth building, tax awareness, and fiscal stability for Session #2 of Fathers & Finance, “Financial Foundations”. The session will offer workshops, group discussions, and expert panels focused on financial literacy, tax awareness, and wealth-building strategies.
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.
As I continue to vigilantly track the activities at the federal level, I am keenly aware of how some of our own residents are being personally affected. Amid the recent firings of thousands of our nation’s federal government employees, I’m sharing some resources for those impacted who call the District home. You can find these resources as well as those shared by the Executive on my website, here.
You can visit us online at christinahendersondc.com. Or stay connected by following Councilmember Christina Henderson on her socials.
Website: christinahendersondc.com
Twitter (X): @CMCHenderson
Instagram: @christinahendersondc
Facebook: @christinahendersondc
Bluesky: @cmchenderson.bsky.social