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Coronavirus Update: Vaccines for Homebound Residents, DMV Updates, & More
Dear Neighbors,
To date, over 212,000 District residents (including 60% of Ward 3 seniors) are fully or partially vaccinated. And to build off of this progress, DC Health is launching an at-home vaccination program for our homebound neighbors. I have been pushing for this type of mobile vaccination program for weeks and am especially relieved that we will now be able to reach those who are unable to safely access vaccination sites. Please help spread the news to your family, friends, and neighbors that homebound residents may sign up for an at-home appointment by calling 1-855-363-0333. Appointments will begin as early as next Monday, April 26th.
Another major announcement this week is the upcoming June 1st return of street sweeping, parking enforcement, active vehicle registrations, and the requirement that all ID cards will need to be up to date by July 1st. Upon hearing this announcement, I contacted the Director of the DMV to inquire as to how the agency planned to handle the significant influx of residents who will need appointments to meet these requirements—especially as it is already exceptionally difficult to get an in-person appointment. Director Robinson has provided me with several details on the agency's preparations:
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Expired registration — anyone with an expired registration should renew online, via DCDMV App, or through the mail
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Purchasing a vehicle from a dealership — a dealership should provide a temporary tag and complete the title and registration transaction for their customers. The DMV has cleared all delays related to processing these transactions and, as of last Tuesday, the agency is returning all dealer transactions within 10-15 days from paperwork being received
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Purchasing a vehicle from a private citizen — residents should use the NEW online/mail “Private Sale Vehicle Registration” transaction option instead of pursuing an in-person visit to the DMV
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Renewing a REAL-ID — Residents with REAL-ID licenses or ID Cards may renew online, via the DCDMV App, or through the mail. *It should be noted the 93% of all District residents already have a REAL-ID License or ID Card, so please double check your card for the black star to confirm if you are REAL-ID compliant. First time REAL ID licenses must be secured in person.
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Inspection — Those needing an inspection can come without an appointment (Tuesday 7am-3pm, Wednesday 8am-3pm, Thursday-Saturday 7am-3pm) or use the 24/7 Self-Service Kiosk at Takoma Rec Center
Director Robinson has also clarified that in-person staffing is unlikely to increase until the summer as many of the DMV's employees are teleworking from home due to having children still engaged in at-home/virtual learning. However, the DMV has filled most of its frontline staff vacancies and is actively hiring for the remaining positions. And, in a show of inter-agency support, a number of DDOT employees have been detailed to the DMV to assist with online and in-person services.
Many may prefer or be more accustomed to receiving in-person services at the DMV, but the agency's transition to offering dozens of services online is a strong step forward in terms of modernizing the agency. Of course, if you would like any help navigating these online services, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office and my constituent services team.
Regards,
Mary
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Please see coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates & resources on COVID-19
The Public Health Emergency has been extended through May 20th, 2021
Pre-register for the vaccine TODAY at vaccinate.dc.gov
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Updated Comp Plan Under Review - Chairman Mendelson has released an updated version of the Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) that is currently under review by the Council. The Chairman incorporated several of Councilmember Cheh's recommendations into the current draft—many of which are outlined in the Councilmember's Ward 3 Comp Plan community letter available: here—that balance the priorities of enabling affordable, denser development with the realities of Ward 3 neighborhoods and historic districts.
The first reading of the Comp Plan is scheduled for May 4th.
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Pictured Right: Councilmember Cheh speaking at the April 20th Committee of the Whole meeting during the Council's initial discussion on the updated Comp Plan (video available: here). The discussion begins at the 14:01 time mark and Councilmember Cheh's remarks begin at 20:51. |
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Free At Home COVID-19 Test Kits at DC Libraries |
Test Yourself DC - Test Yourself DC is a free COVID-19 testing kit that allows residents to take a COVID-19 test at home without having to wait in line at a public testing site. The COVID-19 At Home Testing Kits are available for pick-up at 16 libraries located around the District. Approximately 8,000 testing kits will be made available each week.
In April, kits may be picked up anytime Monday through Friday between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Once you have your testing kit, log in here and follow the steps to take your test at home.
Ward 3 Pick Up Locations Include:
- Chevy Chase Library (5625 Connecticut Avenue NW)
- Cleveland Park Library (3310 Connecticut Avenue NW
- Tenley-Friendship Library (4450 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 20016)
Saturday Library Hours Are Back - On May 3rd, Saturday hours will be added to all open DC Public Library locations and additional libraries across the District will reopen to the public. While regular cleaning will continue throughout the day, libraries will no longer close from 2:00-3:00 pm. The following Ward 3 libraries will be open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm beginning in May:
- Chevy Chase Public Library
- Cleveland Park Public Library
- Palisades Public Library
- Tenley-Friendship Public Library
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Ward 3 Volunteers Needed: |
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A Note to Stoddert Families & the Glover Park Community |
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Community Engagement - Several Ward 3 parents and community members have written to Councilmember Cheh to express concern with the future of the Stoddert Elementary School feeder pattern, overcrowding, and the DCPS engagement process for the two new Ward 3 schools.
Councilmember Cheh has sent the following community letter to clarify where DCPS is in the engagement process and to address the three main concerns the office has received on boundary lines, ANC representation, and funding for the Stoddert Elementary School addition:
A Note to the Stoddert & Glover Park Community
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On June 1st: Ticketing & Street Sweeping to Resume |
Restarting Enforcement - Beginning June 1st, the District will restart several government functions—such as all parking enforcement, towing of illegally parked vehicles, and requirements to renew vehicle registrations and inspections—that had been suspended during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
On June 1st, the following will restart:
- All parking enforcement
- Towing of vehicles violating parking zones (plus associated fines)
- Street sweeping and SWEEP enforcement
- Vehicles must display valid DC registration and inspection stickers
- New tiered residential parking permit fees
- Parking, photo, and/or minor moving violation tickets issued after June 1 will be subject to adjudication hearing timelines listed on the back of the ticket
A New Ticket Amnesty Program:
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Four Months of Ticket Amnesty - A new four-month amnesty program has been launched to give drivers the opportunity to pay outstanding tickets for parking, photo enforcement (including speed, red-light, and stop sign), and minor moving violations.
During the amnesty period, drivers are still obligated to pay the original ticket amount; however, all penalties will be waived. At the end of the amnesty period, all penalties will be added back on all tickets.
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STAY DC: Rent & Utility Support for District Residents |
Rent/Utility Funding is Available - The District has launched a new $350 million program to provide financial assistance to residents unable to pay rent and/or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through STAY DC, the District will:
- Pay unpaid rent going back to April 1, 2020
- Pay forward rent, up to 3 months at a time
- Pay for water, gas, and electricity expenses on your behalf
- Provide extended housing support for up to 18 months, per tenant
Anyone who is struggling to pay their rent or utility bills because of COVID-19 is encouraged to visit stay.dc.gov or call 833-4-STAYDC from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday for more information on the application for the STAY DC assistance program.
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Take Advantage of $36 million in Lower Health Insurance Premiums Provided by the American Rescue Plan |
Sign Up for Health Insurance Today - The DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority is urging District residents to take advantage of the opportunity to potentially save thousands of dollars per year in health insurance premiums through the American Rescue Plan.
The District has opened its online health insurance marketplace –DC Health Link –with all expanded health insurance benefits provided by the American Rescue Plan that will save District residents (covered through DC Health Link) approximately $36 million in health insurance premiums this year.
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Customers already receiving reduced premiums will see an additional average savings of $146/month starting in May |
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Open enrollment for the American Rescue Plan started on March 29th. District residents can go to DCHealthLink.com to enroll in a health plan. |
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National Crime Victims' Rights Week Proclamation |
Investing in Better Supports for Victims of Crime - This year was the first year that National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 19-24) was formally recognized in the District of Columbia. Councilmember Cheh joined the Network for Victim Recovery at the inaugural proclamation event and provided remarks on her vision for the future of victims' services.
Please click on the video below for the full proclamation program, Councilmember Cheh provides closing remarks at time marker 31:46:
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Ending this Update on a Happy Note:
Universal free lunch extended through the next school year!
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Expanding Food Access for Children - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced an extension to its universal free lunch program through the next school year. Councilmember Cheh, who currently chairs the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments FARM Committee and established free school meal programs through her Healthy Schools Act legislation, issued the following statement in response to the announcement:
"At a time of staggering household food insecurity and pandemic-related childhood hunger, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made the right call in extending universal free lunch through the 2021-2022 school year. But, Congress should take this opportunity to go further and make this a permanent program.
Last year alone, nearly half of households with children in the District of Columbia reported that they were unable to access or afford enough food and the number of food-insecure children rose to an estimated 37,000. That is 37,000 children that we are failing. Research has found that access to consistent, healthy meals correlates with improved school performance, attendance rates, and health outcomes and, for many of these children, it is at school where they are able to access the heartiest, healthiest meal of their day.
This extension will help food-insecure children in the District access healthy meals, eliminate administrative burdens for schools and low-income families, and remove the stigma associated with free or reduced lunch eligibility. And that is all the more reason to make these improvements and investments in food access permanent."
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Our Office is Open!
Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.
You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services requests.
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