Dear Ward 8 Residents,

What are your plans for the weekend? I am excited to invite you to participate in Art All Night, happening tonight and tomorrow, September 27-28, 2024! This year's event will be bigger than ever, with activations across all eight wards—especially right here in our own Anacostia, Congress Heights, and surrounding communities.

Art All Night transforms public and private spaces across DC into vibrant showcases of visual and performing arts. From painting, photography, fashion, dance, and GoGo—there is something for everyone.

This festival is a fantastic opportunity to support your favorite local artists, discover new talent, and experience the heart and soul of Washington, DC. Art All Night has something for everyone. Get out this weekend and enjoy the creativity and spirit that makes our community so special. 

Respectfully, 

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8

The ERAP application portal is currently closed, and the program is not yet accepting new applications for FY 2025.

The DC Department of Human Services (DHS) originally planned to re-open the ERAP application portal on October 1, 2024. However, work is currently underway to reform the ERAP program to ensure its limited resources are going to District residents who are eligible for the program and face the most urgent need for rental assistance. As a result, there will be a delay in reopening the ERAP portal for FY25.

DHS is working with urgency and in partnership with Council and community stakeholders to complete this necessary work and make these emergency funds available as quickly as possible. 

During this time, ERAP providers are completing eligibility determination and payments for those applicants who applied in the last quarter of FY24. 

After program reforms are finalized, DHS will be able to announce the re-opening of the portal. DHS will make its announcement at least 15 days before the re-opening date, and additional information will be posted here, including options for residents who need assistance with their ERAP applications. At this time, a re-opening date has not been confirmed. 

Once the ERAP application portal opens, DHS will keep it open continuously until all FY25 funds have been allocated. This is a change from FY24 when the portal opened quarterly.

Residents seeking emergency rental assistance can submit their application when the portal re-opens. Click here to learn more about documents needed to submit a complete application.

If you are experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk of homelessness, please contact the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center (VWFRC), the central intake office for all families in the District seeking assistance with their housing needs. VWFRC is located at 920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE and is open Monday-Thursday from 8:30am-4pm and Friday, 8:30am-12:00pm. The telephone number is 202-526-0017. After business hours, families can call the Shelter Hotline for information about services and resources at 202-399-7093 or 311. 

If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the DHS/FSA ERAP office at [email protected]. 

Councilmember Trayon White connected with our Ward 8 seniors in a meaningful community meeting. He understands the importance of listening to their voices and addressing their concerns. Our elders have given so much to our communities. Together, we can ensure they receive the support and respect they deserve. 

September 21, 2024

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners Robin McKinney and Jamila White hosted their quarterly joint Single Member District (SMD) meeting. Wanda Lockridge, Chief of Staff, had the honor of participating in the event, which was titled "Community Cards, Chess, and Conversations." The gathering provided a relaxed and enjoyable setting where residents could connect over games like Chess and Connect Four while discussing important issues affecting the community.

Councilmember Anita Bonds was also in attendance to listen to and address community concerns.

This week, the Committee of the Whole held a public hearing to discuss Bill 25-826, “Recidivism Reduction, Oversight, and Accountability for DYRS Act of 2024,” commonly referred to as the ROAD Act. Chairman Mendelson introduced the bill in its current form; however, it was initiated under the direction of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr., and the former Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs.

The purpose of the ROAD Act (directly from the legislation) is “to amend Title 16 of the District of Columbia Official Code to increase accountability and oversight of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services ("Department") and to reform the Department's supervision and intervention practices, to require the Department, prior to a dispositional hearing, to develop and complete an individualized rehabilitation plan to aid in decreased risk of recidivism, implement the plan within 3 days after entry of the order, and regularly update the plan as necessary, to require the Department to provide services to those in a secure placement within 30 days of entry of a disposition order, except for good cause shown, to require the Department to develop a discharge and reentry plan upon a child's admittance into a placement outside the child's family's, guardian's, or custodian's home, and to allow a petition to modify a dispositional order to be filed no more frequently than every 4 months if the child is not receiving appropriate services or placement designed to reduce recidivism based on the individualized rehabilitation plan; to amend the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services Establishment Act of 2004 to expressly provide for the Department's duties to include developing and updating individualized rehabilitation plans, monitoring and ensuring safety of contracted facilities, and conducting oversight of facility compliance; and to amend the District of Columbia Auditor Subpoena and Oath Authority Act of 2004 to establish a permanent and independent oversight function of the Department within the Office of the Auditor the Deputy Auditor for Independent Juvenile Justice Facilities Oversight.

Follow this link for more information about the ROAD Act: B25-0826 - Recidivism Reduction, Oversight, and Accountability for DYRS Act of 2024 (ROAD Act) (dccouncil.gov)

This week, the constituent service team focused on assisting a senior who needed food and additional resources. The team successfully connected her with the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL), Martha’s Table, Bread for the City, and other community organizations. These efforts aimed to improve the quality of life by ensuring seniors have access to the necessary support and resources.

September 25, 2024

Constituent Service Specialist Edward Ford accompanied Councilmember Trayon White to the graduation ceremony for the MORCA/Georgetown University Paralegal Program. The event celebrated the achievements of returning citizens who completed the rigorous program, equipping them with valuable legal skills to pursue careers in the legal field. 

Constituent Services Specialist Louise Thorne chatted with Seth Peter from Medicare Made Simple. We all know these are tough times, and it can be especially challenging if you or a loved one is a senior living on a tight fixed income and relying on Medicare. With bills stacking up and the cost of medication draining your budget, it can feel overwhelming. 

But good news, seniors! There might be relief out there for you. It's super important to understand your Medicare benefits. Many of us assume Medicare covers all health needs and prescriptions, but that’s not always the case. There are different plans that can help. 

If you need a hand understanding your Medicare options, visit medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare for guidance. And for info about getting extra help, head to Medicare.gov/

September 19, 2024

Monique Diop, Constituent Services Director, took part in a follow-up tour of nonprofit medical providers in Ward 8 affiliated with the National Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This program supports low-income individuals, people with HIV, pregnant women, and those in need of transplants while also bolstering the healthcare workforce. In addition to Community of Hope, HRSA also supports the Whitman-Walker Clinics and Martha’s Table initiatives.