.svg)
Dear Neighbors,
Let’s talk about trash. I know many of you have been frustrated by the time it is taking for normal trash, recycling, and compost collections to be resumed by the Department of Public Works (DPW). Trash collection is among the most basic of government operations and we have not been hitting the mark the last couple of weeks both for residents and in public spaces. I’ve seen your messages, and when appropriate, my team and I have been escalating concerns to DPW and the City Administrator.
To address collection delays, DPW has activated seasonal employees to help with trash and recycling collection. This will allow the agency to respond more quickly to 311 missed collection service requests and operate seven days a week until collections are back on track. So, if you did not receive normal collections this week, as we head into the weekend, please do keep your cans out.
If service is missed, DPW is encouraging residents to submit a 311 request. They have also said – and I acknowledge this part is frustrating – that if a previous 311 request has not been resolved, you should submit a new one to ensure it is captured in the updated routing system.
The DPW crews have been working hard over the past few weeks, and I certainly thank them for the work. But I also know for many of you, no update about the tonnage of trash that has already been collected will assuage anyone whose household is still waiting. Please feel free to reach out to my office if you are continuing to experience delays, in addition to submitting a 311 request, and we will try to assist as best we can. You can also find DPW collection status updates here.
A quick word about budget – this past Tuesday at the Mayor-Council breakfast, Mayor Bowser and her team shared challenges related to the formulation of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget that she will be presenting in the coming months. We have some cost pressures approaching due to things like overtime spending, needed WMATA investments, childcare subsidy enrollment growth, Medicaid, pensions, leases, and more. These cost escalations combined with slower revenue growth will likely result in necessary programmatic changes. In the past, DC has been able to count on and bank end of year surpluses, which allowed us to spend in excess of our incoming revenues. Think of it as a savings account that you might use to supplement your monthly spending. In FY26 we utilized $1.1 billion to supplement our expenditures, but this limited resource is not as robust as it once was and has created a funding gap for FY27. Now we must realign expenditures with our actual revenue in an effort to address this shortfall.
The next few months are going to prompt challenging conversations for our community – conversations that I encourage all DC residents to participate in via the upcoming public hearings. That schedule will be available in a few more weeks. I know this may seem daunting, but one thing I know is that the District of Columbia is resilient. Even with the hits, we’re going to continue to work each and every day to serve and meet the needs of our community.
In Service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
ChristinaHendersonDC.com
On Monday, February 2, and Wednesday, February 4, the Committee on Health convened the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Performance Oversight Hearings for the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). The Monday hearing featured testimony from public witnesses, followed by government testimony on Wednesday from DBH Director Dr. Barbara Bazron and her leadership team.
Public witnesses included behavioral health providers, advocates, school leaders, union representatives, and community stakeholders. Testimony highlighted ongoing concerns related to operations at Saint Elizabeths Hospital, implementation and funding of the School Based Behavioral Health program, provider oversight and accountability, and delays or challenges in grant payments. Witnesses shared firsthand accounts of workforce strain, administrative barriers, and system fragmentation, and offered recommendations aimed at strengthening coordination, transparency, and support for frontline staff and community-based providers.
During the government witness hearing on Wednesday, February 4, the Committee members questioned DBH leadership about hospital operations at Saint Elizabeths, community housing, oversight of community providers, fiscal management practices, and steps being taken to address payment delays and improve communication with grantees. The discussion also focused on system level reforms, data tracking, and strategies to improve accountability and performance outcomes across the behavioral health continuum.
Together, the hearings provided an opportunity to examine both community perspectives and agency responses as the Committee continues its oversight of the District’s behavioral health system.
On Wednesday, February 11, the Committee on Health held a performance oversight hearing on the Food Policy Council and 3 Health Professional Licensing Boards: Board of Optometry, Board of Pharmacy, and Board of Dentistry. Food Policy Director Caroline Howe testified on the FY 2025 accomplishments of the Food Policy Council, including steps to improve the quality of food procurement for District agencies that serve meals in schools, correctional facilities, and recreation centers; implementation of the Farmers Market Support Act of 2025; and efforts to increase access to healthy food in low food access communities. Councilmember Henderson also asked the Health Professional Licensing Boards about the process of their investigations, decreasing application processing times for providers, and efforts to increase access to their health services for all District residents.
You can view the performance oversight calendar for the DC Council, here. Witnesses can sign up to testify at dccouncil.gov/hearings.
On Monday, February 9, the Committee of the Whole held a hearing on ten years of the Planning Actively for Comprehensive Education Facilities (PACE) Amendment Act of 2016 and the PACE Clarification Amendment Act of 2025, introduced by Councilmember Henderson. The PACE Act created an unbiased metric for prioritizing school modernizations based on facility condition, demand, community need, and equity. The PACE Clarification Amendment Act improves upon this by requiring more wholistic priority rankings for school modernizations and creating an information index related to historic preservation. In 2016, Councilmember Henderson wrote the Planning Actively for Comprehensive Education Facilities Amendment Act as the Committee Director for the Committee on Education.
The hearing offered an opportunity to look back on the strides that DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the Department of General Services (DGS) have made towards the maintenance and modernization of all District schools. Dr. Patrick Ashley, Deputy Chancellor of Finance and Operations at DCPS shared that 50 schools have received modernizations since the passage of PACE. Osei Headley, Deputy Director of DGS also shared that within that past five years the agency has completed facility condition assessments for 80% of schools within DCPS's portfolio. Notable testimony included Columbia Heights Education Campus students highlighting ongoing maintenance concerns that needed to be addressed at their school, with the hearing concluding with both DCPS and DGS expressing their support for the PACE Clarification Amendment Act.
On the same day, Councilmember Henderson attended the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) performance oversight hearing and questioned Director Sam Abed and his leadership team on Medicaid billing implementation, medical policy updates, placement housing challenges, and more. On housing, Councilmember Henderson asked DYRS about placement housing and efforts to increase District capacity for residential treatment facilities, including psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTFs). An upcoming Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) report will likely recommend establishing a PRTF in the District, according to Director Abed. Councilmember Henderson also highlighted DYRS’ report of delays in psychological evaluations that can contribute to placement delays. Director Abed clarified that this function is handled by the Child Guidance Clinic within D.C. Superior Court and noted that leadership has prioritized the issue and that he expects improvement. Our office plans to follow-up on both of these pieces.
Hearing from Our Front Line
On Friday, February 6, Councilmember Henderson joined DC Fire and EMS (FEMS) staff during the department’s District Government Immersion Day, which is an integral component to their Leadership Cohort 2025 - 2026 Mentorship Program. Conversation included topics such as responding to calls that may involve behavioral health, over- vs. under-responding with resources, handling day to day challenges, and how to better prepare students for a career in emergency services.
District 14 Congressional & DC Council Breakfast with the American Federation of Government Employees
On Tuesday, February 10, Councilmember Henderson participated in the Congressional & DC Council Breakfast hosted by AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) District 1. Councilmember Henderson shared updates on the state of the District and important current policy, specifically the Senate’s disapproval resolution on the D.C. Income and Franchise Tax Conformity and Revision Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.
The Mayor-Council Breakfast
Later that morning, Councilmember Henderson attended the Mayor-Council Breakfast at which Mayor Bowser shared challenges related to the formulation of the FY 2027 budget that she will be presenting in the coming months.
The District’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Finishing the day, Councilmember Henderson attended the Committee of the Whole’s performance oversight hearing on the FY25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The financial report is prepared each year and is rich in information regarding agency spending and financial processes, provides insight on demographic trends, and informs consideration of the next fiscal year’s budget. Councilmember Henderson asked the Chief Financial Officer about impacts of the Senate’s disapproval of local tax legislation, capital expenses, and end-of-year agency balances for FY25.
DC, The Story of Chocolate
The National Museum of the American Indian (14th Street & Independence Avenue, SW) offers a family friendly Valentine’s Day event that includes a day of chocolate history, culture, and food. Visitors can watch as Executive Chef Alex Strong of the museum's own Mitsitam Cafe shows how she makes some tasty chocolate treats, enjoy performances by dance group Danza Tecuanis, and follow the path from blossom to beverage with an interactive presentation, and make and take a bookmark to remember the day! The event is free and open to all
Event Schedule for February 14:
Level 3, imagiNATIONS Activity Center
Level 1, Potomac Atrium
Level 1, Potomac Atrium
National Girls and Women in Sports Day Expo
Celebrate strength, confidence, and community at DPR’s Power of Play! Spend the day exploring new sports, meeting inspiring athletes, and connecting with friends old and new. With 20+ vendors, hands‑on activities, and plenty of opportunities to move, learn, and play, this annual event shines a spotlight on the incredible impact girls and women make in sports. The event is located at Kenilworth Recreation Center (4321 Ord St NE), on Saturday, February 14, at 10:00am to 2:00pm.
You can rsvp for the event, here.
Meditation Mondays: Black History Community Concert
Join us in partnership with the Friends of the Lamond Riggs - Lillian J. Huff Library to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Negro History week with a community lecture and concert in tribute to composers of African descent of the early 20th century. The event takes place on Sunday, February 15, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Lamond Riggs-Huff Library (5401 South Dakota NE).
Blossom Kicks for Kids Program
The National Cherry Blossom Festival, along with Presenting Sponsor Events DC, is excited to invite DC residents in grades 5–8 from all eight wards to participate in our Blossom Kicks for Kids Program.
Blossom Kicks for Kids empowers young creatives to explore their passion for art, fashion, and design by creating original soccer cleat designs inspired by the beauty of cherry blossoms and the spirit of international friendship. This year’s theme, “Art of The Game,” encourages students to transform cleats into wearable art that reflects their connection to cherry blossoms and soccer.
Submission Window: Now open through March 1 Shoe Design Day: March 22 (for selected students)
You can access the application, here.
Freedom and Resistance Exhibition
In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Black History Month, the MLK Library is presenting Freedom and Resistance: An Exhibition Inspired by The 1619 Project until March 15. The exhibit kicked off with a mainstage talk with Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones of The New York Times, in conversation with artists from The 1619 Project: A Visual Experience.
Volunteer Snow Removal
Are you a DC resident who is a senior or has access and functional needs, who needs assistance clearing your sidewalks and front walkways this winter? The DC Volunteer Snow Program, brought to you by Mayor Bowser and Serve DC, matches volunteers with residents who need snow removal services in the aftermath of a winter event.
To sign up, please contact DC 311, 202-727-7925, or email your request to DCVSP@dc.gov. Information needed to complete the request includes your name, contact number, address and ward.
Please note: You only need to make one request per snow season.
Impacted Consumers in the District
The Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia has been working with residents and communities to address the fallout from damaging electrical power surges that followed Pepco power outages. Beginning last August, consumers in multiple wards reported to OPC extensive damage to their household appliances such as air conditioners, ovens, and thermostats, as power was restored.
If you experienced property damage as Pepco restored power, you can file a property damage claim with Pepco, here.
Impacted consumers should file a claim with Pepco as soon as possible. Pepco may deny your claim; however, a claim can document your losses and support broader investigations.
Filing a consumer complaint with the PSC ensures Pepco must provide a formal written response and allows regulators to review how the company handled your issue. You can file a consumer complaint with the PSC, here.
Applications Open for District E-Bike Incentive Program
The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is back helping District residents power their ride with the District E-Bike Incentive Program! Through the program, Preferred Applicants* can receive up to $1,500 toward an e-bike to be redeemed at authorized bike retailers. The application window for this program is February 1-21. Voucher recipients will be chosen at random after the application window closes. Apply and learn more at ebikes.ddot.dc.gov.
*A Preferred Applicant is a District resident enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, or the DC Healthcare Alliance.
Not everyone who applies for a voucher will receive one, as funding is very limited. DDOT uses a randomized selection lottery to select voucher recipients from the entire pool of applicants.
The DC Rockstar Fund
As a Rock Star, participants will:
Criteria for eligibility:
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.
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