Dear Neighbor,

We have about 38 days left in this budget season and the Council’s imprint on this budget is taking shape. This past Monday, the Committee on Health unanimously passed its Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Report and Recommendations, which I have provided an overview of below. Here are a couple of key upcoming dates:

• June 30 – CFO releases its next revenue estimate

• July 2 – Council Budget Work Session

• July 14 – First Vote on the Local Budget Act (LBA) and the Budget Support Act  

• July 28 – Second Vote on the LBA

As always, I’ll keep you updated every step of the way. Let me just say a quick word about the future of RFK Stadium. Wednesday, the Council’s Committee of the Whole voted to remove the RFK Stadium deal language from the Budget Support Act and consider it as a standalone bill. There have been suggestions from the very beginning that the Council was not moving fast enough to evaluate and consider this deal. I just want to remind everyone that although the idea of the Commanders returning to RFK Stadium has been percolating in the public consciousness since December, the Council did not receive any legislation to formally consider until May 27. It took another couple of weeks for us to even receive all of the financial documents. It has been exactly one month. If we met the July 15 exclusivity deadline in the term sheet, the Council will have had one month and 18 days to review, deliberate, negotiate, and vote. For context, the last stadium deal in DC –Audi Field (soccer)– took 6 months.

Now, I do not want to suggest that we will take that long. But, in the words of a former Committee on Economic Development chair who just also happens to be the current mayor, the Council has a responsibility to ensure that this makes “economic sense” and “community sense.” The notice for the public hearing was recently filed – part one for public witness testimony will be on Tuesday, July 29. Those interested in testifying can sign-up here. You can also submit written testimony there as well. The government witnesses will testify on Wednesday, July 30.  

Temperatures are staying high in the District, and I hope everyone is keeping cool and staying hydrated. There are cooling centers located throughout the District, alongside indoor and outdoor pools, and spray parks to aid you in cooling down quickly. You can find more information on battling extreme heat, here.  

I’d also like to wish everyone an early Fourth of July. As the nation’s capital, the District will offer numerous events in celebration of Independence Day. You can find a list of fireworks viewing options, here.  

In Service,  

Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
ChristinaHendersonDC.com

_{Councilmember Christina Henderson chairs the Committee on Health through its Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Report and Recommendations Markup.}

On Monday, June 23, the Committee on Health approved its recommendations for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Local Budget Act. The Committee Budget Report was developed after several months of hearings, testimony, meetings and other forms of public engagement. I’d like to thank every resident, advocate, community organizer, student, and government official who testified; we are currently in a tight fiscal environment, and the testimony we received has been crucial in prioritizing investments.  

The top priorities for the Committee on Health for this fiscal year were (1) ensuring as many District residents as possible maintain high quality health care coverage, and (2) that key public health interventions to prevent and treat disease, which are being slashed at the federal level, are protected here in the District. Despite economic constraints, we remain deeply committed to supporting the most vulnerable among us. The Committee on Health Fiscal Year 2026 Budget can be separated into seven categories. Below are summaries of the Committee’s investments.  

Enhance Support for Behavioral Health and Substance Use Treatment  

• Extend the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Services Targeted Outreach Grants by providing an additional $1,000,000 from a transfer from the Committee on Transportation & the Environment and the Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund, and an additional $750,000 from a transfer from the Committee on Public Works and Operations to provide support and connections to treatment for individuals in need of substance abuse and behavioral health services at 6 locations in Wards 1, 5, 6, 7, and 8 with concentrated outdoor drug use

• Extend critical funding to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Illicit Drug Surveillance program by providing $400,000 from the Opioid Abatement Settlement Fund to sustain the agency’s forensic toxicology testing and development of new forensic testing methods  

• Fully fund the “Child Behavioral Health Services Dashboard Amendment Act of 2024,” (D.C. Law 25-0279) which will improve access to behavioral health resources for children, through a transfer of $111,599 in recurring funds for 1 FTE from the Committee on Youth Affairs  

• Fully implement the “Counseling Compact Approval Act of 2024,” (D.C. Law 25-0238) by working with the Department of Health to absorb the costs of the legislation  

• Fully fund B25-0692, the “Enhancing Mental Health Crisis Support and Hospitalization Amendment Act of 2024” (D.C. Law 25-0304), which will enhance processes and transparency for the District’s involuntary psychiatric hospital admissions, by providing $662,700 in recurring funds to the Department of Behavioral Health  

Increase Healthy Food Access  

• Extend the Grocery Access Pilot Program at $120,000, enabling 1,000 residents who participate in educational programs under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) to purchase groceries online without delivery fees  

• Restore $200,000 in one-time funds to backfill the cancellation of the federal Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement grant program for purchases of locally grown produce from Dreaming Out Loud, to ensure an on-time opening of the new Marion Barry Avenue Market, which will provide fresh food and job opportunities in Ward 8  

• Fully fund the “Farmers Market Support Amendment Act of 2025,” (B26-0109) which will support the operations of farmers markets in low food access areas, including streamlining the application to operate a farmers market in the District, by providing $493,829 to DC Health and $225,000 to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection through a transfer to the Committee on Public Works and Operations

Improve Health for Birthing Parents and Families

• Increase home visiting services for first time parents by approving a $100,000 increase, and accepting a transfer of $300,000 from the Committee on Public Works & Operations, for a total of $625,000 for the Nurse Family Partnership  

• Approve $500,000 in recurring funds for the distribution of diapers, formula, and other essential supplies via a grant to the DC Diaper Bank

Enhance Patient Care and Outcomes  

• Partially restore $1.15 million in recurring funding for critical HIV prevention and surveillance grants, previously funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including a $150,000 transfer from the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor  

• Restore $3,727,219 in FY 2026 and $12,112,538 over the financial plan to strike several provisions in the Mayor’s proposed DC Health Care Alliance Reform Amendment Act of 2025 that would have led to limits on eligibility and benefits for Alliance beneficiaries.  

Specifically, the Committee on Health made the following changes to the Alliance:

• Remove the face-to-face recertification requirement for adults;

• Remove the 6-month face-to-face recertification requirement for youth under 19 through the financial plan;

• Increase the moratorium age for new Alliance beneficiaries from 21 to 26 in FY 2026;

• Allow public school enrollment to count as proof of residency;

• Restore coverage of durable medical equipment (DME) for all adults through FY 2027; and

• Restore coverage of DME for youth through the financial plan.

• Approve the creation of a Basic Health Program within the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority in order to maintain health care coverage for the approximately 25,500 residents who will no longer be eligible for Medicaid due to eligibility changes  

• Expand the role of the Office of the Health Care Ombudsman and Bill of Rights to include other public benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs by adding an additional 2 FTEs within Department of Health Care Finance

Strengthen the Health Care Workforce  

• Fund the “Certified Nurse Aide Workforce Support Amendment Act of 2025” included in the Budget Support Act by providing $150,000 to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education to partner with a local university to train at least 25 District high school students to become certified nurse aides (CNAs) through a transfer to the Committee of the Whole

• Fund the “Department of Health Licensure Pathways Program Amendment Act of 2025” included in the Budget Support Act by adding 1 FTE at DC Health to assist internationally trained health professionals in obtaining licensure and credentials to practice in the District  

• Strengthening the long-term care workforce to support seniors and other District residents who use long-term care services in the District by creating a Long-Term Care Strategic Coordinator role in the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services

Promote Student Health and Achievement

• Approve an extension of the Sexual Health Peer Educators Grant at $150,000, which will provide training and stipends to high school students to serve as student health educators, teaching their fellow students about pregnancy prevention, consent, STIs, and other related topics  

• Approve the transfer of the School Health Services Program and the School Based Health Centers from outside grants to in-house administration at DC Health, in order to improve school health services, including plan to create 222 FTEs at DC Health  

• Transfer the administration of the School-Based Behavioral Health Program from the Department of Behavioral Health to the Department of Health to improve the program’s performance

Improve Access to Critical Health Care Infrastructure  

• Fully fund the “Certificate of Need Improvement Amendment Act of 2025” (D.C. Law 26-0007), which will make it easier for new health care providers to locate in the District, by providing $586,000 to DC Health  

• Restore $907,000 for the Court Urgent Care Clinic located within the Superior Court of the District of Columbia Moultrie Courthouse  
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• Require DBH to award grants for the operation of the SBBH Program at a rate of no less than $120,000 per clinician, and mandate that the agency submit a comprehensive improvement plan to the Council and Mayor by October 15, 2025, outlining its strategy to strengthen and transform the program.

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Supporting Neighborhood Libraries

• The Committee prioritized filling critical funding holes within the health agencies this year and had very limited funds to transfer to other Committees. However, Committee did transfer $500,000 to the Committee on Human Services to restore the Mayor’s proposed cut to the DC Public Library collections.  

You can watch the full Markup on the Fiscal Year 2026 Committee on Health Budget Report and Recommendations, here.  

First of All with Victor Blackwell

On Saturday, June 14, Councilmember Henderson joined CNN’s First of All with Victor Blackwell to discuss the parade celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday in the District. Councilmember Henderson described the potential costs to District roads due to the excessive weight from military vehicles and the MPD overtime spending costs of the parade, and she encouraged Congress to take action and vote on a bill that would right DC’s FY2025 budget after being cut due to federal interference.  

Brent Elementary School’s Modernization

Later that day, Councilmember Henderson joined the Brent Elementary School community as they said farewell to their current building and school name and prepared for the upcoming modernization and renaming of the school. She is pictured above with her Ward 6 colleague, Councilmember Charles Allen.  

Capitol Hill Village Discussion

On Monday, June 16, Councilmember Henderson joined members of Capitol Hill Village for a conversation about the FY2026 budget. Residents discussed issues such as long-term care, infrastructure and its impact on seniors, and RFK stadium.

Meeting with DC AARP

On Friday, June 20, Councilmember Henderson’s staff met with members of the local chapter of AARP. The members highlighted their priorities for the FY2026 budget, spelled out in their report, “Seniors Deserve A Fair Share of the Pie”.

Committee on Health Budget Report Unanimously Passes

On Monday, June 23, Councilmember Henderson chaired the Committee on Health as it unanimously passed its Fiscal year 2026 Budget Report and Recommendations. Councilmember Henderson is pictured above with Committee on Health staff: Committee Director Ona Balkus; Health Policy Advisor Rebecca Cooper; Senior Policy Advisor Marcia Huff; Legislative Assistant Ashley Strange; as well as with Chief of Staff Mike Shaffer.

1. D.C. Council members say stadium approval is likely, but they need more time, Jenny Gathright for the Washington Post, 06/14/2025  
2. The Politics Hour:  What this weekend’s big military parade means for local residents, Produced by Matt Blitz, 06/13/20205  
3. First of All with Victor Blackwell, Victor Blackwell for CNN, 06/14/2025  
4. DC Council expects to greenlight RFK Stadium deal, but not on Bowser’s timeline, Brady Knox for the Washington Examiner, 06/17/2025  
5. In budget hearings, councilmembers question cuts to city services aiding D.C.’s most vulnerable, Donte Kirby for StreetSenseMedia, 06/20/2025
6. Almost 1 in 5 D.C. Residents Burdened By Medical Debt Report, by James Wright Jr. for the Washington Informer, 06/25/2025
7. Where each D.C. Council member stands on the Commanders RFK stadium deal, by Meagan Flynn, Jenny Gathright, and Nick Mourtoupalas for the Washington Post, 06/26/2025

West Porch Fridays

Union Station is proud to introduce West Porch Fridays, taking place every Fridaythis summer (June 27th – September 26th) from 11:30am – 3:30pm. West Porch Fridays is a curated farmer’s market, featuring local makers and growers, a variety of music and more! Each week will bring something new and different to this historic venue.  

Late Night Drip

Late Night Drip is the poolside edition of DPR’s popular Late Night Hype series where young people can cool off, vibe out, and make a splash during extended pool hours. With music, games, and good energy, it’s a party with a purpose: teaching DC youth the importance of water safety in a fun and welcoming environment. You can find more information, here.  

Event Dates

Saturdays in July from 6:00pm to 10:00pm

• LND Ridge Road Pool Saturday, July 12 RSVP
• LND Langdon Park Pool Saturday, July 19 RSVP
• LND Reservoir Park Pool Saturday, July 26 RSVP  

Magic Wednesdays

Join Majic 102.3’s Vic Jagger, DJ Rico, DJ Face and the best local R&B, Go-Go and Jazz bands for a free summer concert series in DC. Bring your friends, family, and good energy to Sycamore & Oak (1110 Oak Dr. SE) every Wednesday starting at 6:30pm to 8:30pm from June 11 to August 13, 2025, and let’s make this season unforgettable with great music and community spirit!  

Please note that seating is limited, and for safety and comfort, lawn chairs are NOT permitted.

Discover Summer

You know that your DC Public Library Card can connect you to books, movies, music and more, but this summer your library card is also your ticket to some of D.C.'s hottest museums! DC Public Library is partnering with local museums to host Library Days where families can enjoy special experiences.

More dates will be added.  

• July 6 – National Museum of Women in the Arts
• July 9 – National Museum of Women in the Arts  
• August 11 – Museum of Illusions

Have a constituent service need related to the Health Committee or any of the other agencies in DC Government? Want Councilmember Henderson to come to your community event or meeting? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our Constituent Services Director Ana Berrios-Vazquez during regular business hours (9:00am - 5:30pm) at 202-724-8105, or ABerriosVazquez@dccouncil.gov.  

Keep Cool at DC Cooling Centers

When the temperature or heat index in the District reaches 95 degrees, District Government, through the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), will implement the Heat Emergency Plan and activate cooling centers for residents to seek relief.  

You can find a list of cooling centers, here.

Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Mediation Program

The OAG Mediation program works on behalf of consumers and tenants to try to resolve disputes with businesses and landlords without the need to go to court. This is a free service available to tenants and consumers who are DC residents or to address consumer complaints when the business is located or headquartered in DC.  

You can contact the OAG hotline at (202)442-9828 or consumer.protection@dc.gov

You can find more information, here.

Consumer Alert: Third-Party Energy Company Scams

Has anyone approached you asking you to switch energy suppliers? The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has learned of multiple third-party energy companies using sales tactics that we believe are deceptive and illegal, and pressuring or tricking DC residents into signing contracts. These companies also frequently charge customers higher prices for energy than Pepco or Washington Gas.

Here are some tactics to watch out for:

• Salespeople who ask to see your utility bill and claim to be from Pepco, Washington Gas, or DC government. Pepco, Washington Gas, and DC government will NEVER send a representative to your door asking to check your bill.

• Mailers that are labeled “urgent” or mailers that look like they are from Pepco or Washington Gas when they are not. Check the return address on envelopes to see whether the mailer was actually sent by Pepco or Washington Gas. Read letters carefully before filling out any attached forms.

• Language implying that you are “obligated” to choose an energy provider. This is false – you are NOT obligated to choose an energy provider. Residents who do not switch providers stay automatically enrolled by Pepco and Washington Gas, the regulated utility companies. Because Pepco and Washington Gas are regulated, their customers often pay lower rates than the rates charged by other companies.  

• Salespeople claiming that switching electricity suppliers will make your bill cheaper. While the initial bill after switching electricity suppliers may be cheaper, a higher variable rate can kick in later and can drastically increase your bill.  

Visit the OAG site submit a consumer protection complaint, here.  

DCPR’s Sweet As Can Bee Community Baby Shower

Come out Saturday, June 28, for DC Parks and Recreation “Sweet As Can Bee! Baby Shower” Celebrating and supporting expectant parents especially those in need. Free baby essentials, helpful resources, and info available to help you prepare for your little one. The event will be held Saturday, June 28, 1:00pm to 5:00pm at Woody Ward Community Center (5100 Southern Avenue SE).

You can RSVP for the event, here.  

Metro’s New Bus Network

Mark your calendar! On Sunday, June 29, Metro is launching their new bus network, designed to better serve you and the entire region. The new bus network is a system shaped by a two-year process that included extensive data analysis about where and when people travel today coupled with 23 weeks of community engagement. As Metro prepares for the launch, major efforts are underway, including updated bus stop signs and network maps, operator training, and system upgrades to ensure riders have the most accurate and up-to-date information.

It’s never too early to learn your new bus route! Explore the updated trip planner, network maps, route profiles and more, here.

Free eBike and Scooter Lessons

AARP DC is excited to partner with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Vision Zero Office to empower adults aged 50 and older with the knowledge and confidence to safely use eBikes and eScooters in the District of Columbia. AARP will host a series of in-person lessons and group ride-alongs on the dates below. Each lesson will support beginner level riders and those who want to brush up on their safe riding skills.

July 1 – Northeast DC

• eBike Ride – Meet at NoMa Metro Station

• eScooter Ride – Meet at NoMa Metro Station

Registration is required and open to individuals 18 years and older; interested parties may sign up, here.  

Housing Resiliency in Times of Change

Are you feeling the impact from recent budget cuts? Worried about how to secure your housing needs in these challenging times? Join DC’s Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking on Wednesday, July 9, and Wednesday, August 13, to learn how to navigate these concerns. Multiple sessions are available on each date.  

Registration is open now and can be accessed, here.  

Veteran Affairs, Resource Symposium

The Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs invites you to join their monthly Veterans Resource Symposium—a space for DC veterans to connect, share experiences, and explore available resources. Sessions highlight key programs and services offered by the Veteran Affairs office to ensure veterans across the District stay informed, supported, and empowered. Event takes place on the last Thursday of every month at the Marion Barry Building (441 4th St NW) from 12:00pm to 1:00pm.  

Free Food Distribution from the Capital Area Food Bank

The Capital Area Food Area Food Bank is here to support the large number of our neighbors who have been impacted by recent reductions in federal jobs and funding. Beginning on Saturday, April 5th, the food bank will be holding new pop-up food distributions twice a week. These pop-up distributions will offer pantry items and fresh produce on Thursdays from 5 – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 – 11 a.m., or while supplies last each day. The distributions can be found in the parking lots of the following retail locations:  

District of Columbia

• Safeway: 322 40th Street NE in Ward 7

• Giant: 1535 Alabama Ave SE in Ward 8

Maryland  

• Giant: 7074 Allentown Road in Camp Springs, Maryland

• Safeway: 7546 Annapolis Road in Lanham, Maryland

Virginia  

• Giant: 6364a Springfield Plaza in Springfield, Virginia

• Safeway: 4215 Cheshire Station Plaza in Dale City, Virginia

Those in need of food assistance can learn more about these pop-up food distributions, as well as how to access support at other times and locations, by visiting  capitalareafoodbank.org/dmv-help.

Health Insurance for Impacted Federal Workers

Enroll today in quality and affordable health insurance. All DC residents losing employer health coverage qualify for a DC Health Link private insurance plan offered by DC Health Link. Private health insurance plans start as low as $13 a month (depending on household income) and include 27 private health insurance plans to meet every need and budget.  

You can schedule your virtual enrollment here.  

Learn more by calling (855) 532-5465 or by visiting DC Health Link here.  

Communal Farm Weekly Veggie Giveaway

DPR Communal Farms are urban Agriculture sites that are organized as communal production farms, managed by DPR staff and community volunteers, with the purpose of providing various ways for community members to receive free food, volunteer, and participate in hands on educational opportunities. From May to November DPR Communal Farms host three Communal Farm Weekly Veggie Giveaways where community members can pick up free veggies, volunteers on the farm, and/or participant in free programming.

Participants must register to attend any giveaway. Participants can register, here.  

• Tuesdays 11:00am –12:00pm Edgewood Rooftop Farm, 300 Evarts St NE (Ward 5)
• Wednesdays 11:00am –12:00pm Lederer Gardens,4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE (Ward 7)
• Thursdays 11:00am –12:00pm Powell Communal Farm, 3149 16th St NW (Ward 1)
• Monthly Food Bank Giveaways – All Year Second Wednesday of each month 11:00am –12:00pm Lederer Gardens, 4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE (Ward 7)

For questions or to receive updates on what is being harvested, volunteer opportunities, pop up giveaways, weekly programs and weather cancellations please email joshua.singer@dc.gov

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Utility Discount Programs (UDP) assists low-income District residents with reducing utility costs. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines and utility bills must be in the applicant's name. Eligible residents could receive discounts on electric, gas, and water and sewer bills. Applicants can apply by phone by calling 1-800-234-9473 or by creating an account and applying online, here.  

You can visit us online at christinahendersondc.com. Or stay connected by following Councilmember Christina Henderson on her socials.

Website: christinahendersondc.com

Twitter (X): @CMCHenderson

Instagram: @christinahendersondc

Facebook: @christinahendersondc

Bluesky: @cmchenderson.bsky.social

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