Greetings Ward 8 Residents,

This week, I introduced the Commission on Recreation Establishment Act of 2019 ([link removed]) , along with Councilmembers Bonds and Robert White.

In recent meetings, Ward 8 residents have expressed the desire for stronger community ties and having activities that can bring them together. The Commission on Recreation can provide connections between neighbors and a sense of a community by engaging residents in recreational activities. The Commission on Recreation will work in a complementary manner to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Let's continue to unite as a Ward to ensure that we have stronger community ties that live on for generations beyond us.

It is a pleasure to serve the residents of Ward 8.


Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8
Hearings
Around the Council
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On November 5th, Councilmember Trayon White, along with Councilmember Evans, Silverman, and Cheh, introduced the Elaine M. Carter Way Designation Act of 2019. This legislation continues the celebration of Ms. Elaine M. Carter-Moore, affectionately known as Ms. E.

As a Ward 8 community leader, she helped the community by working as a community activist, political organizer, former president of the resident council at Stanton Dwellings, and volunteer at various senior centers.

Ms. E. worked to ensure those who lived East of the Anacostia River got a fair shot at services. She fed the underprivileged and advocated not just for the public housing community, but all Ward 8 residents, especially regarding redevelopment.Ms. E. left an indelible impact on all who have met and worked with her. Having a ceremonial street named in her honor is befitting of her legacy.
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On November 5th, Councilmember Trayon White introduced the Commission on Recreation Establishment Act of 2019 along with Councilmembers Bonds and Robert White.

The primary purpose of the Commission is to develop comprehensive strategies, recommendations, and programming that addresses improving health and public safety outcomes through recreational activities. The Commission will focus on research and exploring funding resources from public and private entities. The impact on improved health outcomes are critically important as numerous studies indicate disturbing trends in increased obesity, diabetes, and other preventable health illnesses.

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On November 5th, Councilmember Trayon White was pleased to introduce the Improved Coordination of Mental Health Care for System Involved Youth Act of 2019 with Councilmembers Nadeau, Bonds, Grosso, Cheh, and Robert White.

This bill seeks to improve the coordination of mental health care for system-involved youth by requiring the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to establish a program to improve continuity of services provided to committed youth.

This legislation requires the DYRS to develop individual support plans for committed youth related to behavioral and mental health that go beyond what is currently provided. These plans must consider how services will be provided if the youth transitions from a placement setting. The program must also work to strengthen the connections to community-based supports for youth who are placed in community settings and for youth following the end of their commitment to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.

Incarcerated youth are denied access to their families and loved ones, faced with challenging educational access, and often exposed to trauma and violence while detained. The conditions facing youth can hamper individual development and create lifelong negative consequences.

Between 90 and 100 percent of the young people who enter the deepest end of the juvenile justice system have experienced complex trauma, including witnessing or experiencing violence at home, in the community or at school. Effective assessments of and comprehensive responses to court-involved juveniles with mental health needs can help break this cycle and produce healthier young people who are less likely to act out and commit crimes.

Many juveniles who commit delinquent acts have a history of substance abuse. In the Department of Justice’s Arrestees Drug Abuse Monitoring Program, half the male juveniles arrested in nine separate sites tested positive for at least one drug. Studies also have shown that up to two-thirds of juveniles in the justice system with any mental health diagnosis had dual disorders, most often including substance abuse.

This measure will work towards closing these gaps so that young people connected to DYRS can efficiently and effectively receive the treatment that they need.

In the Community


** Coffee with the Council
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On November 4th, Councilmber Trayon White participated in the “Coffee with the Council” panel discussion with DC Refers- a network of affordable attorneys.

DC Refers has dozens of qualified, pre-screened attorneys who provide affordable legal services based on your income. They are committed to building a network of qualified lawyers so that modest-means clients can find reliable and affordable legal help in the District


** CM White Meets with Students at
Maya Angelou Public Charter School
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November 8th, Councilmember Trayon White joined students at Maya Angelou Public Charter School.

"I had an amazing time building with these young Kings and Queens," stated Councilmember White. "They asked the tough questions. If you do what everyone else is doing, you going to get what everyone else is getting. Be You. Let’s set up a follow before they grace the stage to go on to do amazing things."

In the Ward


** Johnson Middle School v. Hart Middle School Championship Game
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On November 7th, Councilmember White joined student-athletes from Johnson Middle School and Hart Middle School for their championship game at Ballou Senior High School football field.

After a strong fight from Hart Middle School players, Johnson players took the win. Councilmember White took to the field in celebration of all students that played a great game.


** Dancing with the Scholars IX
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On November 9th, Councilmembers Trayon White, Vincent Gray and Chairman Phil Mendelson, were guest judges at this year's “Dancing with the Scholars IX”.

This event is the William O Lockridge’s Community Foundation’s (WOLCF) signature event, held each year to support scholarships to graduating seniors and the International Ambassadors program which allows students the opportunity to travel to Africa. ⁣

Styled after TV’s “Dancing with the Stars”, three students from Wards 7 and 8 public high schools are paired with State Board of Education representatives to compete for the William O. Lockridge “Spread Your Wings Award”.⁣
In the News


** ANC 2E Endorses DC Council Bill Banning Flavored E-Cigarettes
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The rise of vaping among young people is in part due to the attractiveness of flavored products, according to D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3).

Cheh introduced the bill in the D.C. Council, which is co-sponsored by Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8), on Sept. 17 along with nine other councilmembers, including Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), whose ward includes the Georgetown neighborhood.

In August, U.S. health officials announced that they were investigating over 90 cases of severe lung illnesses associated with vaping, which has skyrocketed among teens and young adults and in recent years. In 2018, 37% of 12th graders reported having vaped in the past year, compared to 28% the year prior, according to a survey conducted by the National Institutes of Health.

Read full article at thehoya.com ([link removed])
Announcements
We are always looking for ways to better serve our constituents. This survey seeks to obtain information that will provide insight on how we are currently serving our constituents and what we can do to make things better. This survey is completely anonymous and will be used for internal purposes only.
Click HERE ([link removed]) to take the feedback survey.
Legislation


** Commission on Poverty Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Commission on Literacy Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Youth Mentoring Initiative Establishment Act of 2018 ([link removed])
Nonprofit Incubator Act ([link removed])
Fare Evasion Decriminalization Act of 2017 ([link removed])
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** Ward 7 and Ward 8 Restaurant Incentive Program Establishment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Children and Youth Vision Screening Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Criminal Record Expungement Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Close Relative Caregivers Subsidies Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Sense of the Council Urging Fair and Equitable Funding for Ward 8 Public Schools Resolution of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Housing Production Trust Fund Affordability Levels Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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** Prohibition of Marijuana Testing Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Hannah Hawkins Way Designation Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Players Lounge Tax Exemption Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Detained Youth Access to the Juvenile Services Program Amendment Act of 2019. ([link removed])
East of the River High-Risk Displacement Prevention Services and Fund Establishment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Local Rental Application Voucher Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Community Input for Hypothermia Shelter Amendment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
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Commission on Recreation Establishment Act of 2019 ([link removed])
Improved Coordination of Mental Health Care for System Involved Youth Act of 2019 ([link removed])

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