Dear Ward 8 Residents:

Please join us tonight at the Ward 8 Redistricting Committee Meeting to learn more about our plan for new boundaries. Please use the meeting details below to attend:

Zoom Meeting: January 19, 2022 at 6:00pm
Register to attend: [link removed]

In preparation for the upcoming Ward 8 Redistricting Committee Meeting, please familiarize yourself with the online redistricting tool. ([link removed]) The redistricting tool will allow the Council, advocacy groups, and members of the public to draw Ward redistricting plans following the 2020 U.S. Census.

All meetings are governed by the Open Meetings Act and will be held virtually on Facebook live or other relative platforms for public comment until further notice. Chairman Brain K. Thompson may be contacted at [email protected] for more information.

See you tonight,
Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.


** Quick Links
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* Need a Test? Get a Test: Learn more about COVID-19 testing sites ([link removed])
* Hospital Coming to Ward 8: See Plans for New Hospital ([link removed])
* Check out the 2020 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW ([link removed])
The Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the DPR Fun Day Camp being held on January 26, 2022.

When the DC Public Schools (DCPS) have full-day closures for staff development, DPR offers Fun Day camps for children ages 6 and up. These are single-day programs featuring enriching activities, sports, arts & crafts, and more.

Locations: Arthur Capper, Deanwood, Ferebee-Hope, Fort Davis, Jelleff, Palisades, Raymond, Rosedale and Turkey Thicket recreation centers

Visit [link removed] ([link removed][0]=AT1kQOlDixUfK3hzqw-CDqO5yvPSZ-s7B2XXVFRjCWzrL1gxmsgzAz8O-kQySH2Ls1YH8RbaSNSdKuN0ibhvgVWxus8mzqsMoERcXycYLxqAaepUGqdV44AHBZsrfN4jgrlcWcL8I76pv1snQrvc05d4GA) for additional information and registration.

Please feel free to contact our Customer Care Center at (202) 673-7647 or send them an email at [email protected] if you have any questions.
Click To Learn More About ERAP ([link removed])
Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) ERAP helps District residents with incomes that do not exceed 40% of the Area Median Income (AMI) who are facing housing emergencies, by providing funding for overdue rent if a qualified household is facing eviction (including late costs and court fees).

The program also supports security deposits and the first month's rent. ERAP may provide up to five (5) times HUD’s Rental Reasonable guideline for the zip code and bedroom size. Eligible households may apply for ERAP up to two (2) times in a single twelve (12) month period from the date of the first application, during the public health emergency, and within 60 days of the end of a public health emergency, to access the rent assistance within the eligibility cap.

"Please note that the STAY DC program is no longer taking new applications. If you have already completed an application, your application will advance through processing. You may check the status of your application, at STAY.DC.GOV. ([link removed][0]=AT2J_ASWB4tgOh064zsDtqhuWQaBP4g0UoTFENltL5dMzK0bIaeAbCjmo3PkDSOJKGBumhhAw0iVbFWDWyOJ9fa8_39ueCDH1cY3--ogSlGtfXZSlcCQCrbOKpp1SVHAvRAaOYrBp7Mcfd5qVr0zl3D05w)

Please email [email protected] if you have additional questions or concerns. If you are behind in your rent 30 days or more, please visit [link removed] ([link removed][0]=AT2J_ASWB4tgOh064zsDtqhuWQaBP4g0UoTFENltL5dMzK0bIaeAbCjmo3PkDSOJKGBumhhAw0iVbFWDWyOJ9fa8_39ueCDH1cY3--ogSlGtfXZSlcCQCrbOKpp1SVHAvRAaOYrBp7Mcfd5qVr0zl3D05w) to apply for rental assistance. Please note that the ERAP program does not pay for future months' rent. Additionally, if you have questions about the District's Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), you can email [email protected] or contact 202-507-6666 to be connected with a member of the ERAP team."
[link removed]
January 13, 2022 | Click To Watch: www.facebook.com/trayon.white ([link removed])
The Committee on Recreation, Libraries & Youth Affairs is held a Performance Oversight Hearing.
The following agencies testified:
* Mayor’s Office on African Affairs
* Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs
* Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs
* Mayor’s Office on Fathers, Men & Boys

Performance Oversight Hearing Synopsis

MOAPIA, MOAA, MOAAA, MOFMB

January 13, 2022

MOAPIA

There were no government witnesses. Director Ben de Guzman discussed the support their office has given their constituents. He described how Filipino women over-index in the nursing profession and have higher death rates due to COVID-19. Due to that, his office supported the Filipino Nurses Association’s recent 50th anniversary. Director Ben de Guzman discussed efforts to continue to support Stop Asian Hate due to heightened racism since COVID-19, providing language services for important documents, especially those surrounding the virus. MOAPIA worked closely with businesses in their community as many suffered revenue loss due to the pandemic.


MOAA

There were three government witnesses: Ify Nwabukwu (African Women’s Cancer Association), Katya Quintanilla (Mary’s Center), and Sarah Priddy (AsylumWorks).

Each witness applauded MOAA for their grants in the work that they do. They stressed the issues of African immigrants, especially those who are undocumented. In addition, witnesses discussed barriers in society in this country, such as access to healthcare and language barriers.

The laws surrounding immigration are changing under the Biden administration, they see a more favorable outcome coming soon, but there are still challenges for the African population to overcome.

Director Aly Kaba spoke on staying engaged with the African community in the District and offering preventative measures to increase their engagement with the city. For instance, he mentioned fear of the police, so they have weekly meetings with MPD. He detailed how language is a significant barrier with the African community; MOAA does a lot of grassroots work to engage its constituents. Building trust is paramount to work by MOAA.


MOAAA and MOFMB

There were no government witnesses. Director Rev. Thomas Bowen discussed how MOAAA had worked closely with several significant events over the past fiscal year, varying from supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship to celebrating African American culture and history. Director Bowen stated that most of the more significant events they supported last year would continue this year, including Kwanzaa, Black History Month, DC Emancipation Day, Black Business Month, DMV Black Restaurant Week, and Juneteenth.

Their office has increased their social media presence and their newsletter readership. In addition, the office has held generational wealth workshops that have been successful, touching on such topics as homeownership, insurance, and financial planning. In addition, he broke down the grantees awarded funding from his office and the funding areas they offer.

Regarding MOFMB, he discussed how he oversees that office as well. He is excited about the change in demographic for the Committee, adding two young people to it for the first time. He mentioned several events surrounding health and wellness for MOFMB and is looking forward to the new additions to the Committee.


** Sign-Up & Give Feedback On How These Agencies Are Performing!
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Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 12PM
Councilmember Trayon White, Sr., Chairperson of the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs, will convene a public roundtable meeting of the Committee to conduct agency performance oversight.

Sign-up here: [link removed] ([link removed][0]=AT1lg2AwwDfzeV__glgQGHgpsejPCwcVYs8gQtPGlEcw0tIXC9vsVW6hKPyWrpcT0xAjjTe6K9Z3lvGwb281bm67bL7wAKo1cGPW_jSyIfgZ7ouxuDbfIs5dVAPIkuTepj15nYv5T6JbK7JvNqMapOdcZac)

For more information contact:
[email protected] or 202-417-7996

The Committee on Recreation, Libraries & Youth Affairs will hold a Public Roundtable on the following Legislation:
* PR24-0483 ([link removed]) – “BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES C BRIAN WILLIAMS CONFIRMATION RESOLUTION OF 2021”

The Committee invites the public to testify remotely or to submit written testimony. Anyone wishing to testify must sign up using the following hyperlink at [link removed] or by phone at (202) 743-0495, and provide their name, phone number or e-mail, organizational affiliation, and title (if any) by the close of two business days after the roundtable. Witnesses are encouraged, but not required, to submit their testimony in writing electronically in advance to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Witnesses will participate remotely via Zoom. The Committee will follow-up with witnesses with additional instructions on how to provide testimony in advance of the proceeding.

Watch: [link removed] ([link removed])


** Meetings & Hearings schedule
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Click to see the upcoming hearings: [link removed]


** CM Trayon White commemorates the legacy of Dr. King with a Day of Service throughout Ward 8.
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On Monday, January 17th, Councilmember braved the cold in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk. This year's march was centered around expanding voting rights legislation to include the Freedom To Vote Act. ([link removed]) This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, and campaign finance.

Councilmember Trayon White also joined various community-based organizations for a day of service, distributing free groceries, coats, hats, gloves, and toiletries.

DC Health Logo


** COVID-19 Vaccine Updates
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January 15, 2022


** COVID-19 Vaccine
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District Vaccine Requirement Goes Into Effect Today, DC Health Encourages Residents to Get Vaccinated and Boosted

Individuals are reminded that [as of], Saturday, January 15, the District's vaccine requirement at certain indoor venues goes into effect. To enter these venues, everyone 12 and older will be required to show proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and everyone 18 and older will also be required to show an ID that matches their proof of vaccination. Examples of venues that will require a vaccination include:
* Food and Drink Establishments
* Entertainment Venues and Nightclubs
* Gym and Fitness Facilities
* Conference and Meeting Spaces

You can find more information about the requirements at VaxDC.dc.gov ([link removed]) .

DC Health urges all people to ensure they are fully vaccinated and boosted. Individuals who are fully vaccinated and boosted are significantly less likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 or to die from COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its booster dose recommendations for those who received Pfizer or Moderna as their initial vaccination series. Now booster doses of either Pfizer or Moderna will be available after 5 months instead of 6 months. The CDC has also approved the Pfizer COVID-19 booster dose for 12- to 15-year-olds who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on or before August 14, 2021 to get a booster dose as soon as possible.  This means that the following populations are now eligible for a booster dose:
* Anyone 12 or older who received their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or before August 14, 2021
* Anyone 18 and older or moderately to severely immunocompromised who received their third dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or before August 14, 2021
* Anyone 18 or older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on or before November 14, 2021

All eligible 12- to 15-year-olds are now able to obtain their booster dose at District-operated library walk-up sites, pop-up sites, and pediatric clinics listed on vaccinate.dc.gov ([link removed]) . Additionally, anyone 65 and older can move to the front of the line at all District-operated walk-up sites listed on vaccinate.dc.gov ([link removed]) .

DC Health wants to ensure residents know that the District has plenty of vaccine available, everyone 5 and older is encouraged to get their primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine, and those 12 and older should get a booster dose as soon as possible. Residents can get a COVID-19 vaccination in the District by doing the following:
* Visit a DC Government walk-up location listed on vaccinate.dc.gov ([link removed])
* Request a vaccination at-home by calling 1-855-363-0333
* Go to a doctor
* Find a local pharmacy and schedule an appointment (vaccines.gov ([link removed]) )

* Make an appointment with your health care provider.

We want everyone to have a happy and healthy Winter. Remember to get your flu shot, keep wearing your mask whenever you’re indoors, and if you’re feeling sick or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, get tested. You can either:
* Visit a District-operated walk-up site listed on coronavirus.dc.gov/testing.
* Pick up and drop off a free at-home PCR testing kit at any of the 36 Test Yourself DC sites across the city, then just go on to coronavirus.dc.gov/testyourself to register your test.
* Pick up a free at-home rapid antigen test at any of the nine Test Yourself Express sites and log your results at coronavirus.dc.gov/overthecounter.
* Make an appointment with your healthcare provider.


** VaxDC FAQ
VaxDC: Vaccination Entry Requirement for Certain Businesses – Guidance and FAQ ([link removed])
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To help stop the spread of COVID-19, the District of Columbia is launching a city wide vaccination entry requirement (VaxDC), which calls for establishments to verify that patrons are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday from 9:00am - 5:30pm
CLOSED Saturday, Sunday & Holidays
Wendy Glenn: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Director, Constituent Services
Department of Employment Services
Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
DCACL
ERCPCP/ACC Faith Leaders

Louise Thorne: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
DC Public Schools
DC Housing Authority
Department of Human Services
Utilities: PEPCO, DC Water, Washington Gas
Office of the State Superintendent of Education

Eric Cleckley: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
District Department of Transportation
Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
Department of Energy and Environment

James Wood: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
Constituent Services Specialist
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Public Works
Senior Related Issues

For all other constituent services concerns, please contact Wendy Glenn.

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Ward 8 Outreach

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