Planning for FY24 . . .

Dear Ward Eight:

It’s budget time again!

Tomorrow, Thursday, February 16^th, I will hold my annual budget community conversation to hear from you, the residents, business owners, and stakeholders about what matters to you. The budget conversation will be held at THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Avenue SE, at 6:30 p.m.

We know that Ward 8 needs true equality when it comes to services. Every year prior to the budget submission, I meet with Mayor Muriel Bowser to share with her the budget priorities that you shared with me. That is one of the reasons I hold annual budget conversations with our residents. Another reason is that it is critically important for me to hear from you. What are your funding priorities? I need to know in order to better represent your interests downtown at the District Building.

Your input last year resulted in Ward 8 having some budget wins in the FY23 budgets. For example:

Education (Partial list)
Before and After School Program funding ($2M); Youth Mentoring Initiative ($1M); and Out-of-School time grant opportunities and preserve continuity to youth $5M).

Economic and Small Business Development (Partial list)
Anacostia BID with $5M; Nonprofit support ($3M); Employment and Entrepreneurship ($6M); Grocery Store Incentive ($1.5M); and Fresh food access points east of the Anacostia River to increase healthier eating options to the Ward 8 community ($22M).

Affordable Housing and Housing Support (Partial list):
Black Homeownership Fund and Strikeforce to increase homeownership for longtime DC residents ($10M); Community Land Trust to further support permanent affordability of commercial and residential real estate in Ward 8 ($2M); Condominium Relief ($1.5M); and Rent and utility assistance ($120M).

Public Safety
Expand violence prevention and intervention grants and contracts ($5M: Focus on Wards 7 and 8); ONSE violence interruption ($5.6M); DYRS violence interruption ($789K); Expand and enhance mental health supports ($10M); Safeguard students’ mental health ($3.8M); Grants for victims of sexual assault and other victim services, including crisis intervention, advocacy, and trauma-informed mental health services ($7.3M).

These are just a few wins. However, in addition to the above, I, with your input was able to advocate for additional funding for some targeted population initiatives, including for our seniors, returning citizens, and LGBTQ families, just to name a few.

I cannot express the importance of your voice in tomorrow’s budget conversation. Together, Ward 8 will get its fair share of resources and close the equity gap in our Ward.

Hope to see you tomorrow, Thursday, February 16^th at 6:30 p.m. at THEARC.

Trayon White, Sr.
Councilmember, Ward 8
RSVP ([link removed])
During Black History Month 2023 ([link removed]) , DC Public Library is lifting up those who have left their mark, using their words and actions to resist the oppression of the Black community. Throughout the month the library is hosting a series of events that will explore resistance movements locally, across the nation, internationally and most importantly, our individual relationship to resistance. How can you embody resistance to make positive change in your community? Upcoming events include:
* Feeder's Advisory: Black Food ([link removed]) | Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Northeast Library
* Author Talk: Finding my Voice with Emerald Garner ([link removed]) | Sunday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
* Family Author Talk: Books N Bros with Sidney Keys III ([link removed]) | Saturday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
* Strengthening African & African American Relationships ([link removed]) | Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6 p.m., Woodridge Library

For more information on resources, exhibits, and recommended reads for Black History Month, please visit our website ([link removed]) .
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 1, 2023
CONTACT:
Dr. Turnesha Fish – 202-294-1061; [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


(Washington, DC)—The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for entities to provide intensive mentoring, career readiness and social development training, curriculum development, and family support services to at-risk youth ages 10-14. DYRS seeks a community-based organization to provide rigorous, effective, appropriate supports and services for youth and their families at the DYRS campus in Laurel, Maryland, and in communities District-wide. The funding available for the project is up to $500,000 for an 18-month period beginning March 2023.
All applicants should be in alignment with the DYRS vision – to provide the nation’s best continuum of care for court-involved and at-risk youth and their families through a wide range of programs that emphasize individual strengths, personal accountability, public safety, skill development, family involvement, and community support.
The complete Request for Applications (RFA) and all eligibility information can be found on DYRS’s website at [link removed] ([link removed]) . The deadline for all submissions is February 24, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

Eligibility: All the institution types listed below may apply for this grant.
-Nonprofit organizations, including those with IRS 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) determinations
-Faith-based organizations
-Government agencies
-Universities/educational institutions
-Private Enterprises
For additional information regarding this RFA, write to: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

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ABOUT DYRS: The District of Columbia’s Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) is the District’s juvenile justice agency. DYRS improves public safety by allowing court-involved youth to become more productive citizens by building on the youths’ and families’ strengths in the least restrictive, most homelike environment consistent with public safety. DYRS seeks to incorporate best practices and promising approaches to creating the nation's best strength-based, data-driven juvenile justice agency.
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** OTR Tax Notice 2023-01: Sales and Use Tax Rate Increase on Transient Accommodations ([link removed])
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(OTR NOTICE: 2023-01): The District of Columbia Council has passed legislation increasing the sales and use tax rate on the gross receipts from the sale of or charges for any room or rooms, lodgings, or accommodations furnished to a transient by any hotel, inn, tourist camp, tourist cabin, or any other place in which rooms, lodgings, or accommodations are regularly furnished in the District. See Tourism Recovery Tax Emergency Amendment Act of 2022 ([link removed]) , approved on December 27, 2022 (A24-0703).

The total sales and use tax rate imposed on such gross receipts is increased from 14.95 percent to 15.95 percent during the time period of April 1, 2023, through March 30, 2027.

(Note: For bookings that were made before April 1, 2023, but were not fully paid by that date, the rate that applies to payments received on or after April 1, 2023, will be 15.95 percent. For bookings that were both made before and paid in full before April 1, 2023, the rate will remain 14.95 percent, even if the transient accommodation is furnished on or after April 1, 2023.)

For additional information, please contact OTR’s Customer Service Center at (202) 727-4TAX (4829).
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Sign Up to Testify ([link removed])
Stay ready, so you don't have to get ready! DPR will be opening spring program registration on March 1, so now is a great time to make sure your DPR Account is up-to-date ([link removed]) .

DPR offers programming at reduced rates to qualiftying DC residents. New this year, sign up once and receive reduced rates on all DPR programs ([link removed]) for all of 2023.
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Emmitt Till & Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See is a touring exhibition recommended for visitors ages 10 and up that shares the story of how a mother's bravery and fight for justice more than six decades ago fueled the civil rights movement in America. It provides a framework for people and communities committed to racial healing. The exhibition will be at the Martin Luther King Jr., Library through March 12th.

For more information, visit [link removed]
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Sycamore & Oak
On Thursday, February 9, 2023, Councilmember joined a tour of Sycamore & Oak. It is the site for an interim retail village. This site is intended to create opportunities for artists, lifestyle retailers, restauranteurs, and entrepreneurs in Congress Heights to showcase and expand their businesses.
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Fruits and Veggies Make Your Heart Dance and Swim: Seniors Event
Councilmember Trayon White joined the Department of Recreation and Ward 8 seniors in a day of activities. On February 10th, Councilmember White enjoyed speaking with our seniors at the Fruits and Veggies Make Your Heart and Swim event. The event was hosted to encourage continued movement and socialization.
Legislative Happenings

The legislative team continues to focus on performance oversight hearings held by the various standing committees of the Council. In addition to chairing the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs, Councilmember White also sits on the Committee of the Whole, the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor, the Committee on Hospital and Health Equity, and the Committee on Public Works and Operations.

On Monday, February 6th, the Committee of the Whole (commonly called the “COW”) held a hearing on the local school budgets to be released this week as part of its oversight of DCPS. The head of our public school system, Chancellor Lewis Ferebee, reported to the Chairman that the submission of the individual school budgets to the Council from DCPS is delayed, but should be transmitted before the February winter break starts next week. Other impactful agencies scheduled to testify later this week about their performance during the past and current fiscal year include the Department of Housing and Community Development, the agency tasked with implementing the District’s housing policy; the Fire and Emergency Medical Service and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner; the Office of Disability Rights and Department of Disability Services; the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and the Department of Health Care Finance; and the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority and Metro Transit
Police, the region’s public transportation agency and transit law enforcement agency.

This week, Councilmember Trayon White will co-introduce the “Michael Locksley Ceremonial Recognition Resolution of 2023”, which recognizes and honors the contributions of the University of Maryland Football Coach Michael Locksley, a Ward 8 native, for his excellence and commitment to coaching and mentorship in the sport of football.

The legislative team will also attend this week’s in-person Ward 8 budget hearing to receive legislative ideas directly from the community. We will also be able available to answer questions about performance or budget oversight, or the legislative process in general.
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Committee Happenings

Performance Oversight Hearing
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services

The Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs held its performance oversight hearing on the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) on Monday, February 13 at 2:00 pm.

The hearing came just days after DYRS Director Hilary Cairns resigned from her position. Several youth justice advocates applauded her work with the department regarding programming for youth.

EZ Street discussed his music academy with DYRS, which is the most popular programming for youth in care. He spoke about the support the department has given him through his program.

Some public witnesses had other concerns. Mark Jordan, the executive director of the Office of Independent Juvenile Justice Facilities Oversight, discussed how DYRS is short-staffed.

Interim director Trey Stanback and chief of staff Adam Aljoburi represented DYRS as government witnesses.

With a few serious allegations with the department, Councilmember White drilled down on the safety of the youth in the department’s care. The Councilmember asked about the rape allegations from a former DYRS employee and the reports of drug use with youth in care. He also discussed reports of a fentanyl overdose by a youth in care.

The Councilmember had several concerns with DYRS, especially with the timing of the director’s resignation, as well as the sensitivity of the agency’s work dealing with youth who have been involved with the justice system.

With many of the questions not being answered due to their newness in the role, interim director Stanback stated that he would have more detailed information for the Committee to answer concerns.
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Calendar of Events: Week of February 13th - February 24th
Remaining RLYA Performance Oversight Hearings:

Thursday
February 23 2:00pm-6:00pm Department of Parks and Recreation

Tuesday
February 28 12:00pm-4:00pm Serve DC
Hours of operation:
Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
CLOSED Saturday, Sunday & Holidays

Monique Diop: [email protected]
Director of Constituent Services
Area of Concentration: All things ANC 8D & ANC 8F

Eric Cleckley: [email protected]
Constituent Services Specialist
Area of Concentration: All things ANC 8A & ANC 8B

Kevin Coleman: [email protected]
Constituent Services Specialist
Area of Concentration: All things ANC 8B & ANC 8E

Louise Thorne: [email protected]
Constituent Services Specialist
Area of Concentration: All things ANC 8C


** 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])
* Check out the 2021 Ward 8 Progress Report ([link removed])

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