Dear Ward 8 Residents,

During the legislative meeting yesterday, I asked my Council colleagues to support an emergency measure to confirm Interim Director Sam Abed as the Director of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.

Interim Director Abed is well-qualified, having served as the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary for the last thirteen years. In that role, he successfully oversaw a budget of $280 million and managed the work of 2500 employees.

During his tenure in Maryland, we understand that youth crime declined significantly, and Mr. Abed worked in an open and collaborative manner with policymakers, legislators, the judiciary, and constituents in a data-driven and results-based system.

Before Mr. Abed's tenure in Maryland, he served as the Interim Director, among other roles, in Virginia's Juvenile Justice Agency, meaning, if confirmed, he will have served as the Director of the Juvenile Services Agency in all three localities: DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Many are concerned about the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). This week, I conducted a walkthrough at the Youth Services Center and found many issues at the facility, many predating Mr. Abed's leadership.

I plan to hold a hearing in the next 45 days to allow everyone to weigh in on how we can improve DYRS.

Mr. Abed's confirmation is a huge step in moving forward to resolve the issues at DYRS, and I am happy that my colleagues voted to confirm his appointment.

Respectfully,
Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8

The District of Columbia’s Department of Human Resources ([link removed]) (DCHR) announces #DCIsHiring, #DCHiresVets career fair on Thursday, November 9, 2023, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington DC. 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 will be required to preregister. During registration, candidates may elect up to 2 positions to be considered for. Registrants will still be able to visit ALL participating hiring entities. Pending a resume review and qualifications assessment, candidates identified with matching backgrounds will be invited back to the event by the agency they have applied to.

Applicants will have the option of claiming additional preference(s), see below for a comprehensive list. Verification of the preference will be verified upon entry to the event. For a list of acceptable documents, please visit the District of Columbia Department of Human Resources website ([link removed]) .
1. A District resident. For additional details on qualifications click here ([link removed]) .
+ Anyone claiming District residency preference at the time of application should bring a DC government-issued form of identification and/or a combination of four substitute proofs of residency. For more information on how to prove residency please refer to the District’s Personnel Manual ([link removed]) .
2. A Veteran, Spouse of a Veteran, or eligible Survivor. For additional details on qualifications click here ([link removed]) .
+ For additional information on required documentation to claim this preference, click here ([link removed]) .
3. 18 to 21 years of age and is currently or was a Child and Family Services (CFSA) foster care recipient within the last five years.  For additional details on qualifications click here ([link removed]) .
+ Applicants claiming a foster care preference will need a letter or other documentation from CFSA or the Family Court of D.C. Superior Court showing that they are currently in foster care or showing the date they left court supervision.

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The DC Council voted unanimously to repeal the mandate requiring students to be fully vaccinated to attend public school.

During Tuesday's legislative meeting, the Council voted unanimously to repeal the mandate requiring students who are eligible for the COVID-19 shot to be fully vaccinated to attend public school.

The sentiments around the decision was too many students would miss school because they are not in compliance with the required immunizations.

The measure was introduced by Chairman Mendelson and At-Large Councilmember Christina Henderson. If approved by Mayor Muriel Bowser and the standard 30-day congressional review, the law would go into affect. It is expected that Mayor Bowser will approve as several DC agencies under her purview, including the Department of Health and the Deputy Mayor of Education, testified in favor of the measure.
The DC Council unanimously confirmed Pamela A. Smith as the Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Councilmember Trayon White, Councilmember Anita Bonds and staffers from Councilmember Brooke Pinto's office conduct walkthrough at Youth Services Center (YSC).
HEARING NOTICE

On Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 11:00am, Councilmember Trayon White Sr., Chairperson of the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs, will hold a public hearing to consider the following measures:
* B25-0133 - Weekend Equal Access to Swimming Amendment Act of 2023
* B25-0199 - Department of Parks and Recreation Program Priority Registration Act of 2023

Below is the official notice.

The roundtable will be available on the Council website and Councilmember White's YouTube ([link removed]) page. We will send over the Zoom link closer to the hearing. Please let us know if any Councilmembers would be interested in joining. If you have any further questions, please email [email protected].
Anacostia High School Students author a book, "In Through My Anacostia Eyes."

November 8, 2023

Councilmember Trayon White joined students from Anacostia High School at the University of the District of Columbia in celebration of a new book authored by its students.

“In Through My Anacostia Eyes” is a book of poems, essays, reports, and images. It’s a book about student voices and sure to be a great read and connection to Anacostia students.

The book is available for purchase at all bookstores and online. You can click here to check it out. ([link removed] ([link removed]) )
Councilmember White recaps Trunk & Treat and the Ward 8 Bike Ride

October 2023
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[Click to Watch]

October 28, 2023
Recap Video: 3rd Annual Ward 8 Trunk & Treat
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[Click to Watch]

October 21, 2023
Recap Video: Ward 8 Bike Ride 2023
Councilmember Trayon White's Constituents Service staff conducts Public Safety Walk on MLK and Melon Street SE.

November 3, 2023

Councilmember Trayon
White's Constituent Services team walked the neighborhood around MLK & Malcolm X Avenues. They engaged with residents, answered questions and provided resources on the spot for those in need.
Councilmember Trayon White's Constituents Service staff attends Congress Heights Library Meeting.

November 7, 2023

A meeting was held to discuss updates and concerns about the new Congress Heights Library. The library is expected to be completed in 2027.

The library will be a 20,000 sq. feet, one-story building with other friendly developments within the surrounding area. The library is expected to offer an outdoor sitting area with options for a cafe. There will be a multipurpose room equipped with digital technology and large screens, which will accommodate up to 150 people.

The plan is to have an entrust at the library offering loaner tools such as iPads, laptops, crafting materials, and gardening tools.

There was also a mention of how to maintain the culture by naming the library. The name of Tobias Henson was mentioned. Tobias Henson was a slave in the Washington, DC, area in the 18th and 19th centuries. Art and historical pictures were also offered as an option.
Read Full Article : [link removed]

Living conditions are so poor at a youth detention center in Northeast D.C. that some of the young people living there have broken sprinklers and flooded toilets to bring attention to the issue, Council member Trayon White said Monday.

White, Council member Anita Bonds and members of Council member Brooke Pinto’s staff spent time at the facility Monday morning. White said the visit, which he described as an “emergency pop-up walk-through,” came after several violent incidents and some people there not following staff directives and displaying “combative behaviors.”

Read Full Article: [link removed]
Read full article here: [link removed]

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** DC council member exposes 'inhumane' conditions at Youth Services Center
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D.C.'s Youth Rehabilitation Services is under scrutiny after a number of recent incidents – including a violent brawl at a Northeast facility between staff and juveniles. On Monday, D.C. Councilmembers Trayon White and Anita Bonds did a walkthrough of the coed Youth Services Center facility that White describes as "inhumane." FOX 5's Nana-Sentuo Bonsu has the story.


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