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Dear Neighbors,
Happy Halloween! If you’re still looking for a safe and fun Halloween activity for the young people in your life tonight, the Department of Parks and Recreation has a range of events from costume skate party, silent disco, movie night, trunk or treats, and much more. Check out the events planned here!
The Wilson Building got in on the Hallo-week fun as my office hosted our 4th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Check out the winners below, and you can see all of the great entries on my Instagram page.
While this time of year should be filled with traditional fall fun-filled activities, I know it is also a precarious time for many residents as the federal government shutdown stretches into yet another week. Last night, Mayor Bowser announced that the District will use local funds to ensure that residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) will not see an interruption in their benefits in November despite the ongoing federal government shutdown. This is good news for not only the 141,000 residents who rely on SNAP and the 12,500 who use WIC services, but also for our local economy and businesses.
States and local governments across the country have been put in a tough spot with this federal government shutdown. I’ve been in ongoing conversations with our agencies and the Mayor’s team about the impact of this shutdown, and I’m glad the Mayor made this decision although it’s one she shouldn’t have had to make. The US Department of Agriculture has a reserve of $6 billion which is designed to be used in these very instances to ensure no interruption in food and nutrition programs, but they are refusing to release that funding. The District has joined a coalition of 25 states in a lawsuit against the USDA, but while the OAG works through the process, we needed to act. Food security and nutrition should never be used as a political bargaining chip.
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about the SNAP program out there. I even heard a “news” anchor suggest that folks were getting their nails and hair done with SNAP benefits. That couldn’t be further from the truth – you cannot even buy toilet paper or hygiene products with SNAP benefits. Most people who receive SNAP benefits are children, persons over 60 years old, and persons with disabilities. The average per household SNAP issuance in DC in recent months is $314. Of the SNAP recipients who can work, the majority of them do. SNAP is the backbone of the US’ social safety net program; that’s why we encourage all types of grocery stores, supermarkets, corner stores, and even farmers markets to accept SNAP benefits. Yes, even Whole Foods accepts SNAP. That’s why my team was excited to partner with Instacart on our Grocery Access Pilot Program, which just launched with DC Health and Martha’s Table, because they also accept SNAP benefits on the platform. All we needed to do was cover the membership fees, which we are doing for up to 1,000 families in Wards 5, 7, and 8.
Food banks alone cannot handle the need stemming from food insecurity, especially after the Trump Administration cut $1 billion in funding that helped food banks purchase from local farmers. When I say, this has been death by a thousand cuts, this is what I mean. I’m hopeful that talks will progress in the coming week about how to reopen the federal government. My team has put together a list of resources for those who may be currently furloughed or unemployed. We also have a list of community organizations who are distributing food and meals for those in need. LinkU is also an excellent source to find assistance near your address. Together, we’ll get through this.
In Service,
Christina Henderson
Councilmember, At-Large
ChristinaHendersonDC.com
On Thursday, October 30, the Committee on Health held a public hearing on the Community Health Amendment Act of 2025 and the PrEP DC Act of 2025.
The Community Health Amendment Act of 2025 would make permanent the Community Health Emergency Amendment Act of 2025, legislation introduced by Councilmember Henderson in September that ensures District residents have continued access to safe and effective immunizations at local pharmacies. Public witnesses at the hearing highlighted the importance of timely vaccines and emphasized that they protect our children and the broader community. With Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of DC Health, who provided testimony as a government witness, Councilmember Henderson discussed vaccination rates in DC, how DC Health is providing adequate access to booster shots to families who have vaccinated their children, and current changes to the vaccine landscape in the District. The also discussed the at-home vaccine program which was transferred from DC Health to Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS).
The PrEP DC Act of 2025, introduced by Councilmember Zachary Parker and co-introduced by Councilmember Henderson and other colleagues, would set guardrails prohibiting health insurers from restricting treatment and imposing cost-related requirements. Government witnesses included Philip Barlow, Associate Commissioner for Insurance at the DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking, and Clover Barnes, Senior Deputy Director, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA) at DC Health. Councilmember Henderson asked about insurance plans that do not cover PrEP or that impose cost sharing. Councilmember Henderson and the government witnesses also discussed how common it is for insurers to factor the use of PrEP into their insurance issuance decisions, whether there were any instances of residents being denied coverage, and how the changing federal landscape for HIV prevention and treatment are affecting access to PrEP and PEP drugs in the District.
The schedule for upcoming Committee on Health hearings and roundtables is above. If you are interested in testifying or submitting written testimony you can sign up on the Council’s website at dccouncil.gov/hearings.
On Monday, October 6, Councilmember Henderson introduced the Future Smiles Pilot Program Establishment Amendment Act of 2025. This legislation would establish a pipeline for high school students to the dental healthcare profession by establishing a two-year pilot program providing two cohorts of high school students in School Years 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 with the coursework and hands-on experience necessary to become Level II Dental Assistants in the District of Columbia.
On Tuesday, October 21, the Committee of the Whole held a public oversight roundtable on Budget Execution and Agency Overspending with the Office of the City Administrator and the Office of Budget and Performance Management. Councilmember Henderson asked City Administrator Kevin Donahue and Budget Director Jenny Reed about the Executive branch’s approach to budgeting for spending pressures in agencies, strategies to reduce the use of overtime, and the causes of spending pressures in the Department of Behavioral Health during Fiscal Year 2025. She also asked questions about the development and contents of Financial Review Process (FRP) reports, which are quarterly reports developed for each agency that provide a snapshot of an agency’s quarterly spending, spending pressures, and any surpluses, and that identify corrective actions to address overspending.
On Wednesday, October 22, the Committee of the Whole held a public hearing on the charter school review and renewal process with government witnesses Shantelle Wright, Chair of the Public Charter School Board, and Dr. Michelle Walker Davis, Executive Director of the Public Charter School Board. At the beginning of this year, in response to the sudden closure of Eagle Academy, Councilmember Henderson introduced the Board of Trustees Training Amendment Act of 2025 to avoid similar instances in the future. The legislation requires Board of Trustees members of a public charter school to complete training programs on best practices for school board governance. During the hearing last week, Councilmember Henderson questioned the reasons for school closures and the policies and practices the Public Charter School Board (PCSB) has implemented to mitigate sudden closure in the future. Councilmember Henderson also asked about the protocol for communicating with a school community about an underperforming school.
On Tuesday, October 28, the Committee of the Whole held a public oversight hearing on the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s Division of Student Transportation (OSSE-DOT) with government witness Raphael Park, Deputy Superintendent of Operations at OSSE. Councilmember Henderson asked the Deputy Superintendent questions about hiring and retention and about the delayed implementation of the GPS tracking system. She also highlighted testimony from parents who reported that many have decided not to use the OSSE call center for submitting complaints because they were told “complaints cannot be reported unless the issue has occurred more than three times in a row.” Councilmember Henderson questioned if OSSE could explain what the current complaint policy was, and what had been communicated to the public regarding it. She then asked for an update on OSSE’s licensure academy and was assured by Park that ensuring OSSE DOT has more qualified drivers is a priority. Park added that OSSE DOT has rolled out the academy in partnership with the Department of Public Works (DPW), with the most recent cohort resulting in licensing nine drivers, seven of whom have joined the OSSE-DOT work force. Park shared that OSSE-DOT considered this to be a success.
On Wednesday, October 29, the Committee of the Whole held a public oversight roundtable on Budget Execution and Agency Overspending with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). Councilmember Henderson asked Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee and other OCFO staff about the role and collaboration of Agency Fiscal Officers and agency directors in devising Financial Review Process (FRP) reports and developing corrective plans, about the need to make FRPs more detailed, and about making them publicly available so they can be used as an oversight tool. She emphasized her concerns that certain agencies’ proposed overtime budgets are often woefully inadequate. She also asked if a District agency has ever been referred to the Board of Review for Anti-Deficiency Violations for violations of the Anti-Deficiency Act. During the hearing, OCFO staff shared that they are working with the Executive branch to rebase the overtime budget so that overtime budgets more accurately reflect an agency’s true needs at the outset.
On Thursday, October 30, the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety held a public roundtable on a proposed Extended Juvenile Curfew and Designated Juvenile Curfew Zones in the District of Columbia. Councilmember Henderson, who had requested that the Committee hold this hearing, questioned Chief of Police Pamela Smith and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah about the impacts of the zones and whether the establishment of curfew zones has displaced disruptive activity to other areas of the city. She also asked about the Executive branch’s long-term goals for the existing curfew laws and the impacts of private curfews such as that established at the Wharf in early summer. Councilmember Henderson also discussed with Chief Smith and Deputy Mayor Appiah the shrinking list of publicly accessible activities in the District for young people and the importance of conducting proactive outreach not only to government partners, but to the community partners that are working directly with young people and who need additional resources to effectively direct and inform young people of other opportunities and be effective long-term partners to the District in keeping young people occupied and communities safe. We know that most of the District’s young people are engaged in productive activities and making their communities proud, she said during the hearing, and we want to ensure that the tools provided to address unusual activity are thoughtfully considered and viable long-term.
Fall Family Fest in Southwest
On Sunday, October 19, Councilmember Henderson helped judge the Pet Costume Contest at Fall Family Fest. Other festival activities included the 4th Annual Mutt Strutt, a family photo station, pet adoption by Rural Dog Rescue, and face painting.
Georgetown Capital Campus Ribbon Cutting
On Monday, October 20, Councilmember Henderson attended the ribbon cutting for a new building as part of the Georgetown University Capital Campus which will host the School of Continuing Studies, Berkeley School of Nursing, McDonough School of Business, Earth Commons Institute, School of Health, and executive education programs. Councilmember Henderson was joined by Mayor Muriel Bowser, Councilmembers Kenyan McDuffie and Charles Allen, Georgetown University’s Interim President Robert M. Groves, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer David Green, and Associate Vice President for Community Engagement and Government Affairs Cory Peterson.
Swearing in new ANC Commissioner
Later that day, Councilmember Henderson swore in newly elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for 8C08, Joy Page. Advisory Neighborhood Commissions are bodies of local elected residents who consider a wide range of policies and programs affecting their neighborhoods, including traffic, parking, recreation, street improvements, liquor licenses, zoning, economic development, police protection, sanitation and trash collection, and the District’s annual budget. You can find out more information about upcoming meetings for your local ANC, here.
Community Connections’ 1st Annual Partnership Convening
On Thursday, October 23, Councilmember Henderson gave opening remarks at Community Connections’ 1st Annual Partnership Convening and shared updates on ways the Committee on Health has been using budgetary, oversight and legislative approaches to ensure residents have access to meaningful, timely, and sustainable care, especially behavioral health care. Community Connections provides mental health services, addiction treatment, and residential care for the District's most vulnerable citizens.
A Fireside Chat with the DMV New Liberals
On Tuesday, October 28, Councilmember Henderson joined the DMV New Liberals for a Fireside Chat. She discussed her ongoing efforts to expand food access in the District, highlighting her grocery access pilot grant program, a partnership between the Department of Health and Instacart that would provide up to 1,000 eligible District residents with a free two-year membership to a grocery delivery service. Councilmember Henderson also spoke about how she and her Council colleagues are addressing chronic absenteeism and truancy, revitalizing the District’s tax base, enhancing behavioral health service delivery, and improving operations at the Office of Unified Communications, the agency that manages the District’s 911 and 311 call centers.
Final meeting of the DMV Moves Task Force
On Wednesday, October 29, the DMV Moves Task Force on which Councilmember Henderson served voted to approve a non-binding resolution stating that DC, Virginia and Maryland will together provide Metro with $460 million in additional capital funding before FY2029, an amount which would grow by 3 percent annually. The task force met over the past 18 months in search of a predictable and sustainable source of funding in order to keep the existing transit system in good repair, provide frequent rail and bus service, modernize assets, and grow the bus priority network.
Important Updates on Health Care Alliance
Attention! Do you receive Health Care Alliance, Immigrant’s Children’s Program? If so, please review the following DC Health Care Alliance and Medicaid changes that are coming.
Health Care Alliance Changes Effective as of October 1, 2025
What’s NOT Changing in Health Care Alliance
2025 Fall Leaf Collection
Section A, Wards 1-8: It’s time to rake out! If you live in Section A of your ward, have your leaves at the tree box or curbside by Sunday, November 2. Find raking tips and more information at dpw.dc.gov/leaf. During leaf season, weekly updates will be provided on DPWs location and where they will be collecting leaves. Stay tuned for the latest schedules, so you can know when crews will be in your neighborhood.
To follow live updates click, here.
My School DC, EdFest
My School DC is the common application and public-school lottery for participating public and public charter schools in the District that serve PK3 – Grade 12. The application for next school year (2026 – 2027) will be available Monday, December 15, 2025.
You can find participating schools, here.
Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Mediation Program
The OAG’s Mediation Program can help District tenants who are having heating issues. If a tenant is a District renter, and the landlord is being unresponsive, OAG’s Mediation Program will prioritize these complaints and will contact the responsible party the same day.
You can access the OAG’s tenant resources, here
Apply to Operation Understanding DC (OUDC)
The Operation Understanding DC (OUDC) Social Justice Fellowship is a free, year-long leadership program for high school juniors who care about justice and want to make an impact. This isn’t just another co-curricular program. Over the course of this free, year-long program, fellows:
Applications are open on a rolling basis until the class is filled. Those interested may apply, here.
DC 2050
The DC Office of Planning is offering many options for residents to raise their voice for the District’s future this fall. You can attend a November workshop, stop by the agency’s table at events, explore Storymaps on the project website on your own time or reserve time to chat 1-on 1. Choose the path that works for you!
Fall workshops
• Thursday, November 6 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Office of Planning (899 N. Capitol St. NE)
• Saturday, November 15 11:00am to 1:00pm
Office of Planning (899 N. Capitol St. NE)
You can register for DC 2050 fall events, here.
Talent Capital
Talent Capital is a regional initiative housed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments that enables the Greater Washington region to plan training and education systems based on real-time labor market dynamics. You can access it, 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.
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
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.