November 3, 2023
Dear Washingtonians,
This week, we opened the District’s first Stabilization Center, which provides immediate 24-7 care in a safe environment for people with substance use disorder. The new facility at 35 K Street NE offers emergency intervention, typically lasting 24-72 hours. In the video below, hear from Eric, one of the peer specialists at the center, about how his recovery inspired his desire to help others.
 We first made the investment to build the Stabilization Center in our Fiscal Year 2022 budget. Since then, we've been looking at what other cities are doing, working to find the best sites in our city, and making sure we have a great team in place to provide culturally competent and empathetic care. When we bring people to the center, it will also provide relief for hospital emergency rooms and emergency psychiatric centers—which is good for EMS teams and good for the other patients waiting to be seen at the ER.
Services at the center are free and there are no insurance or residency requirements. And what makes this unique type of care so important: Once a person is stabilized, they will be linked with the resources and people they need to sustain long-term recovery.
One thing we know: When people get the right care at the right time, they will have better outcomes.
To that end, we also want residents to know that now is the time to sign up for high-quality and affordable health insurance. To enroll, visit DCHealthLink.com, the District’s online state-based health insurance marketplace. Need help enrolling? Use the Virtual One Touch Enrollment Center—schedule a virtual appointment at dconetouch.setmore.com or call 1-855-532-5465. You can also go HERE to find a site where you can enroll in person. Open enrollment runs through January 31, 2024.
Sincerely,
 View photos from this week on Facebook.
 On Wednesday, we activated the first hypothermia alert of the season. When it is cold outside, please remember that you can request free transportation to shelter for yourself or someone else by calling the Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or by dialing 311.
Hypothermia alert updates are shared through twitter.com/AlertDC and the AlertDC notifications system, which residents can sign up for at alert.dc.gov.
During a Hypothermia Alert, residents are also encouraged to follow these safety precautions:
- Stay inside if you can. Cover up and limit exposed skin when you go outside.
- Check on your neighbors and learn the signs of hypothermia - young children, the elderly, and those with access and functional needs are the most vulnerable in our community.
- For all animal emergencies, including animals left outside in extreme temperatures, call the Humane Rescue Alliance at 202-723-5730.
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Registration for the Department of Parks and Recreation's (DPR) 2023 Winter Programming is now open. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
DPR programs offered this winter include:
- Aquatics programs including learn-to-swim, aquatic fitness, water polo, and lifeguard training.
- Team and individual sports: basketball, soccer, cheer, gymnastics, tennis, pickleball, and more.
- Out-of-school time programs for young people like Fun Day, Winter Wondercamp, Young Ladies on the Rise, and Supreme Teens.
- DPR Roving Leaders programs including Girls Who Code!, Little Chefs University, and Art Escape.
- Arts programs including ballet, piano, drawing & painting, and sewing.
- Senior-centered programs including cardio, aquatics, and overall fitness.
Families can sign their children up for Wee Winter Wondercamp, available for ages 3-5, and Winter Wondercamp, available for ages 6-13, during the upcoming winter break. Registration for additional DPR winter break programs will be announced in November.
For more information and to view a complete list of DPR programs, visit DPRprograms.com.
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 Mayor Bowser and DC Health Link are encouraging residents to sign up for high-quality, affordable health insurance at DCHealthLink.com, the District’s online state-based health insurance marketplace. Open Enrollment for DC individuals and families is now open and runs through January 31, 2024.
This year, there are 27 private insurance options available from CareFirst BCBS and Kaiser Permanente for individuals and families on any budget. Eligible District residents can enroll in a health insurance plan online through DCHealthLink.com or by calling 855-532-LINK [5465]. Some residents will qualify for reduced premiums. Eligible residents who enroll on or before December 15, 2023, will have their coverage effective January 1, 2024. After that date, plan selections made by the 15th of each month during Open Enrollment will be effective on the first day of the following month.
In-person enrollment will also take place at DC Health Link’s Open Enrollment Celebration and Health Fair this Saturday, November 4 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library starting at 11:00 a.m.
Learn more HERE.
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 There are plenty of reasons to #BeDowntown, including these upcoming free events:
Attend the Hindu Festival of Lights and Diwali Celebration: Join the Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs for a Diwali Celebration that will bring people together to enjoy a lamp lighting ceremony, live performances, and refreshments.
Attend a Remarkable Indonesia Festival: Head Downtown for a community event that will celebrate Indonesian culture and Indonesian creative communities in fashion, culinary, music, dancing, and arts and crafts.
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When: Saturday, November 4 @ 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
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Where: Pennsylvania Avenue NW, between Constitution Avenue and 7th Street
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