Dear Ward 8 Residents:

We are all sad to hear of the passing of Ms. Mary Cuthbert - a true Ward 8 legend.

Mary was as tough as they come. She was fearless and advocated unapologetically for District residents, especially those in Ward 8. Mary was not one to mince words; she told it like it was.

I smile, thinking back to our conversations. When speaking about her mode of transportation, Mary would say she had a BMW, but she did not mean the luxury car. Instead, she created the fun acronym that stood for "Bike, Metro, Walk" and would offer a slight grin at her cleverness when explaining this to someone new. These qualities and so many more are what we all loved and could expect from her.

Mary held several leadership positions, including Vice President of the Ward 8 Democrats; Committee member of the DC Democratic State Committee; President of the Congress Heights Community Association; President of the 7th District Citizens Advisory Council, and 34 years of committed services as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.

It is important to give people their flowers while they are alive to receive them. In June 2019, I introduced a ceremonial resolution for Mary to honor her lifelong community leadership and recognize her commitment to service.

There will never be another Mary Cuthbert. She will be missed.

Respectfully,


Councilmember Trayon White, Sr.
Click to see ceremonial resolution for Mary Cuthbert:
[link removed]


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

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

Councilmember Trayon White wants to hear from you. Use this link to register: [link removed]
Zoom Meeting: March 16, 2022 at 6:00pm
Register to attend: [link removed]

DC LOGO







FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2022

CONTACT:
Kevin Valentine Jr. (DHS); (202) 316-0832; [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


DHS identifies possible compromised benefits
Potentially impacted customers should file a police report and contact DHS’ Office of Program Review, Monitoring and Investigation

(WASHINGTON, DC) – On March 1, 2022, the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) began receiving calls from residents who reported missing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits from their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.

The DHS Office of Program Review, Monitoring and Investigation (OPRMI) preliminarily investigated the disbursement and availability of TANF benefits and identified a pattern consistent with possible compromised benefits. Once the pattern was identified, OPRMI began collecting data and notifying proper DHS personnel.

“We understand how crucial benefits assistance is for our residents and theft of these essential supports is unconscionable,” said Laura Green Zeilinger, Director of DHS. “I’d like to make three things clear: first, we will work with our families to replace funds that were wrongfully removed from their accounts; second, we will closely collaborate with law enforcement to be sure those responsible are held fully accountable; and finally, residents can protect their benefits and stop potential bad actors by heeding our call to immediately change their PIN.”

If you believe your DHS public assistance benefits have been compromised, please:
* File a report with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) by one of the following:
+ Call 311 and report a financial or cyber crime
+ If you are outside DC, you may call (202) 265-9100
+ Visit the nearest MPD station and ask an officer to take file a report and forward it to OPRMI

* File a report with DHS’ OPRMI using one of the options below:
+ Call the 24-hour OPRMI hotline at (202) 673-4464
o The voicemail should include full name and date of birth
+ Call to speak directly with DHS personnel (202) 671-4460, then press “3” for a live representative between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
o DHS has increased staffing to handle an influx of calls, but please expect extended wait times
+ Email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) with the subject “TANF benefit compromised,” and provide pertinent details of your case and the following information:
o name
o date of birth
o the number from the associated police report
o a phone number where you can be reached
* Visit the online portal: [link removed] ([link removed]) and click “Fraud Allegation Form”

As a reminder, EBT cards are like credit cards and should be kept in a safe place. Do not share your PIN or give out your EBT number. As a precaution, DHS is completing a general assessment of benefits for inconsistencies. For general information about eligibility or information about your case, please call DHS’ Economic Security Administration’s (ESA) Public Benefits call center at 202-727-5355.

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MARCH 9, 2022 COVID CENTERS

At the District's COVID Centers, individuals will have access to vaccinations, boosters, and take-home rapid antigen tests. There is also a new walk-up testing opportunity which will allow residents to administer and register a PCR test themselves.

[link removed]

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
[Click to watch]

Ward 8 Redistricting Committee Meeting #4
Ward 8 Redistricting Committee held its 4th meeting on March 2, 2022 via the Zoom Meeting Platform.

JPMorgan Chase launches a financial literacy program with Maya Angelou Public Charter School students.

March 3, 2022

Councilmember Trayon White, alongside Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray and representatives from JP Morgan Chase Bank, gathered at the Chase branch in the Skyland community to kick off a financial literacy program. The program will be implemented by the branch’s Community Manager, Brian Atkins.

The students who participated in this event are from the Maya Angelou Public Charter School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism. This track combines academic-based courses, worksite tours, job shadowing, and high-level internships locally, regionally, and internationally.

Each student received a framed quarter in honor of Dr. Maya Angelou - the first black woman featured on a coin. The financial literacy classes will be for Maya Angelou students who have shown interest in improving their financial education.

[link removed]
CLICK TO WATCH

Councilmember White celebrates "Read Across America Day" with students at Ketcham Elementary School.

March 3, 2022

Councilmember Trayon White joined students, teachers and administrators at Ketcham Elementary School ([link removed]) for their "Read Across America Day" event.

Ketcham prides itself on teaching its students how to read by giving them the foundation needed to defy the rigors of college and excel in their future careers.
Malcolm X Elementary School 2nd graders form a mock DC Council as a hands-on learning approach for their social studies curriculum.

March 4, 2022

Councilmember Trayon White joined Ms. Leadholm's 2nd grade class at Malcolm X Elementary School ([link removed]) , during an assignment needed to finish their social studies unit.

"The students have taken their learning very seriously and created a Mock DC Council to learn about government and law." stated Councilmember White. "This right here, is the future."

Turner Elementary School closes out Black History Month with an outdoor celebration.

March 4, 2022

Councilmember Trayon White celebrated the end of Black History Month with students, parents, teachers, and community leaders at Turner Elementary School.

The program celebrated our rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities often overlooked in the traditional American history curriculum.

NEW BILL ALERT

Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. will introduce, the “Illegal Dumping and Vehicle Abandonment Patrol and Resolution Act of 2022”.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS BILL?
This bill will require the District of Columbia Department of Public Works (DPW) to patrol areas with repeated reports and evidence of illegal dumping and vehicle abandonment for a period of 30 days, until the issue is resolved.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
This legislation would add enforcement provisions to the DPW Abandoned and Junk Vehicle Division and other operations intended to address the issue of illegal dumping and abandoned cars. Illegal dumping and abandoned cars present omnipresent issues in Ward 8 such as: health risks, safety hazards and sanitation problems. The current measures in place at DPW are not working to address these issues and serve District residents. An enforcement provision is necessary to require accountability on the part of DPW.


** March 2022
Meetings & Hearings Schedule
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Click to see the upcoming hearings: [link removed]
Click to read article at: [link removed]
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
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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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