This Week’s Highlights
Dear Neighbors,
It’s hard to believe November is already here! This past week was packed full of fun Halloween events around Ward 4, with haunted houses, spooky hayrides, and lots of amazing costumes. Thanks to all the neighbors who hosted and volunteered at events to make this such a special Halloween!
This week’s newsletter is focused on sharing updates on important DC resources, including information on DC Health Link open enrollment and updated information on DC’s Child Care Subsidy Program.
With the holiday season quickly approaching, I also want to announce the details for my annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive with the Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association. Make sure to save the date and share with a neighbor!
Community News
DC Health Link Open Enrollment Begins
As of today, DC Health Link open enrollment has officially begun for DC residents! DC Health Link is the District’s online state-based health insurance marketplace with subsidized health care plans, and provides health care for thousands of DC residents. Residents can apply until January 31st, 2025, by visiting www.dchealthlink.com to explore plans and enroll. Many DC residents are also eligible for Medicaid coverage. Please visit the District Direct website to enroll in Medicaid or submit your Medicaid renewal forms to keep your Medicaid coverage.
For residents who need help submitting their applications or have questions about services, join DC Health Link’s Open Enrollment Community Day and Health Fair on Wednesday, November 13th from 10:30am to 2pm at 514 V St NE.
Council News/Legislative Updates
Updates to DC’s Child Care Subsidy Program
As of October, the Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE) has approved five key updates that are now in effect around DC’s Child Care Subsidy Program, which is responsible for helping families afford the cost of childcare. If you or someone you know is eligible for the program and in need of support with childcare, here are the changes to make note of:
- Streamlined application process and $0 co-pays for more families: OSSE has simplified the eligibility process and eliminated the interview requirement, making it easier for families to access support. Also, more of our most vulnerable families now receive $0 co-pays, including families experiencing homelessness, receiving TANF, or enrolled in Head Start.
- More childcare workers eligible for support: Thanks to new rules excluding income from work from the calculation of subsidy eligibility, more early child educators are now able to receive support and access to licensed care.
- Faster processing of subsidy applications: OSSE’s new rules help to speed up the time it takes for applications to be processed to 10 business days. This helps prevent the long delays that have often stood between families and receiving the support they need.
- Expanded eligibility for children in QIN and PKEEP: Families of children enrolled in Quality Improvement Network (QIN) or Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Programs (PKEEP) are now able to receive childcare subsidies, no matter their citizenship or immigration status.
- Faster enrollment for certain families: OSSE has also cut down on wait times by requiring DHS to speed up enrollment for children in protective services, experiencing homelessness, in Head Start, Early Head Start, QIN, or from families experiencing domestic violence. Now, these families can receive temporary support immediately with just one required document and have 60 days to submit additional paperwork.
Lisa’s Law Hearing
Next Thursday, the committee I chair, the Committee on Facilities and Family Services, will hold a public hearing on the Luggage for All Youth in Foster Care Act, or Lisa’s Law. The bill requires DC’s Child and Family Services Agency to provide children in DC’s foster care system with new luggage for use in transporting their belongings and bans the use of trash bags, a common practice in jurisdictions without foster luggage laws. It’s named for Lisa Cohen, a Chevy Chase resident and activist who grew up in foster care and has been advocating for them ever since with a simple message: when we treat kids with dignity and respect, it makes a world of difference.
I’m looking forward to hearing from members of the community who have been impacted by this issue at Thursday’s hearing. If you’d like to sign up to testify on the bill, you can sign up on the Council’s website here.
Community Resources
Leaf Collection Begins in Section 4A
Leaf collection will continue in Section 4A next week (the week of November 4). Section 4A on the leaf collection map includes residents in Chevy Chase, Barnaby Woods, Hawthorne, Colonial Village, North Portal, Shepherd Park, The Parks, Brightwood, and the part of Takoma and Manor Park west of 8th Street NW. Neighbors in these areas are asked to keep their leaves raked to the curb, easement, or tree box so DPW crews can collect them next week.
Register for DPR Winter Programs
Registration opens on Wednesday, November 6th for DPR’s winter programs, with dozens of programs running over the next few months. To view the full list of programs and subscribe, click here.
Share Comments on Eastern Ave Sidewalk Gap Construction
On Tuesday, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) released the proposed design for a new sidewalk along the west (even numbered) side of Eastern Ave NW, between Northgate Rd and Portal Dr NW. Neighbors can now submit comments on the project for the next 30 days. Comments can be sent by email to Karyn McAlister at karyn.mcalister@dc.gov.
DC Water Updates
DC Water has shared several updates on work taking place in Ward 4 neighborhoods. Here are some of this week’s updates, particularly for Brightwood Park, Sixteenth Street Heights, and Manor Park neighbors:
- Throughout next week, DC Water is expecting to conduct work on the 6100-6200 block of Blair Rd NW.
- Throughout next week, DC Water is expecting to perform installation of new water mains on the 300 & 400 blocks of Hamilton Street NW.
- Throughout next week, DC Water is expecting to perform water service reconnections to individual properties on the 5500 block of 3rd and 4th St NW.
- As part of the ongoing Piney Branch Sewer Rehabilitation Project, DC Water is expecting to perform daytime work at Georgia Ave and Gallatin St NW throughout next week.
- Starting this week, DC Water is conducting a new project in Manor Park to extend the service life of water and sewer infrastructure in the neighborhood. Work began on Tuesday on the 400 block of Rittenhouse St NW and the 400 block of Madison St NW. Stay tuned for more updates on this project.
Neighborhood Events
MacFarland MS Coffee Chat
On Saturday, November 2nd from 9:30 to 10:30am, come to Zeke’s Coffee to speak with DC Tutoring and Mentoring Initiative & MacFarland Middle School Principal Lucas Cooke about how you can get involved as a volunteer. You don’t need to have any prior experience working with kids and can assist with a variety of subjects & extracurriculars depending on your interests! The program runs from 8:45am to 5pm Monday through Friday, but the needs are the highest during the school day (from 8:45am to 3:20pm). Learn more and RSVP here.
Five Minute Horror Film Fest
On Saturday, November 2nd from 3 to 5:30pm, Petworth Library is hosting the culmination of its filmmaking workshop series with a showcase of five-minute horror films created by neighborhood filmmakers. An awards ceremony will follow the showcase, featuring special guest presenters and seriously spooky snacks. RSVP here.
Ward 4 E-Cycling Event
On Saturday, November 2nd from 10am to 2pm, the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is hosting an e-cycling event on 33rd St NW between Quesada St NW and Patterson St NW, near the Lafayette-Pointer Rec Center. Residents will have the opportunity to recycle electronic waste, including computers, TVs, keyboards, and other materials. Learn more here.
Justice Access at Shepherd Park Library
On Sunday, November 3rd from 1:30 to 3:30pm, community members are invited to Juanita E. Thornton-Shepherd Park Library to speak to a law librarian with Justice Access. Justice Access is a nonprofit mobile law library providing print and online legal information resources. Join to get help finding the right answers to your questions, understand possible steps to resolve your issue, and receive information and referrals. Be advised that Justice Access librarians provide legal information only, never legal advice.
Lafayette-Pointer Erosion and Field Project Meeting
On Thursday, November 7th at 6:30pm, DPR, DGS, and DCPS will host a public meeting to share updates on the Lafayette-Pointer Erosion and Field Project. For more details and to RSVP, click here.
The Parks at Walter Reed Holiday Market & Celebration
On Saturday, November 16th from 12 to 5pm, The Parks at Walter Reed is hosting its annual Holiday Market & Celebration! There will be tons of local handmade goods, holiday snacks, music, and a pop-up book sale, plus, a magical visitor to get neighbors in the holiday mood. RSVP and check out the full list of vendors.
2024 Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
The annual Ward 4 Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway for Ward 4 families in need will take place on Saturday, November 23rd starting at 11am at Riggs LaSalle Rec Center (501 Riggs Rd NE). The event will be first come, first serve while supplies last, and residents will be asked to bring proof of Ward 4 residency (DC ID, lease, utility bill, etc). To ensure we help as many Ward 4 families as possible, each family will be limited to one turkey. I am grateful to be partnering with the Lamond Riggs Citizens Association again this year to co-host this event.
Please help us get the word out by sharing the flyer in English, Spanish, or Amharic — or by sharing the flyer on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. If you want to spread the word about other Thanksgiving giveaway events in our community, please send them to us at teamjaneese@dccouncil.gov. Let’s ensure every Ward 4 family has a great Thanksgiving meal.
For more local events, check out DPR, DC Public Library, and NPS.
Important Reminders
Share Comments on Piney Branch Tunnel Project
DC Water is currently accepting public input on the Environmental Assessment for the Piney Branch Tunnel Project, which is intended to keep 40 million gallons of untreated sewage & stormwater from pouring into Piney Branch. The project includes construction of a diversion structure at the Piney Branch outfall to redirect sewer flows to the storage tunnel and eventually convey to DC Water’s Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant for treatment. Comments can be submitted here.
Office Hours in the Community
Every Wednesday afternoon, our Ward 4 constituent services team holds office hours at Fort Stevens Rec Center from 12 to 1pm, followed by office hours atHattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Community members can stop by and speak one-on-one with a member of our team about DC government services or our work in the Ward 4 community.
Ward 4 in the News
WUSA 9: Beautification is underway in DC with the start of leaf collection season
NBC 4: Gourd for the environment: How to donate and discard pumpkins in the DC area
Petworth News: La Coop’s Kennedy Street location Grand Opening November 1st!
Petworth News: Volunteering 1-2 hours a week could change a kid’s life
Next Stop…Riggs Park: November 2: Hellbender Record Fair
VegOut: 25-Year-Old Beloved Vegan Bakery ‘Sticky Fingers’ Is Now ‘Baked by Sticky’
Ward 4 Dispatch: Celebrating Halloween in Ward 4!
These are news articles that mention Ward 4 or pertain to events in our community. Councilmember Lewis George does not write or endorse their content but shares them for community awareness.
On Friday and Monday, my team joined with DC agencies and utility companies to hold two Utility Pop-Ups at Petworth Library and Emery Heights Community Center. Thanks to our agencies and utility providers for joining to share resources, and all the neighbors who stopped by. As a reminder, you can always reach out for support with any concerns around utility billing and services.
Lastly, on Monday, I shared news with neighbors of the arrival of our newest Ward 4 resident, Pierce James George! My husband Kyle and I are overjoyed to welcome baby Pierce into the world and can’t wait to begin this next adventure as a family of three. We are so grateful for all the love and support members of the Ward 4 community have shown to us.
Wishing you a relaxing fall weekend, neighbors!
Yours in Community,
—Janeese
