Interested in public policy, the DC budget, research and information to inform and improve the caliber of public policy discussions or advocacy? This is the place for you: information and intelligence that improves advocacy is the stock in trade of this blog.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The FY 2011 budget season kicks off October 2
S.H.A.P.P.E. has a new Web site
Can DCPS answer all S.H.A.P.P.E.'s questions correctly?
Hearing on proposed core college/career readiness standards
CM Mendelson's newsletter
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Youth hearing, October 10
Monday, September 28, 2009
Roundtable on Hartsock confirmation
NBM's Greening the Ghetto, and How Much It Won’t Cost Us
The Greening the Ghetto program is part of the larger Green Community exhibit that is nearing the end of its run on October 25. By all accounts, this is a terrific exhibit even if you only have a passing interest in green issues.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The executive branch in the 9/25 DCR
Final rules on newborn screening: The Department of Health issued final rules in the September 25 DCR concerning neonatal screening services. These screens include hearing and metabolic disorders.
As was announced by the DC Public Library in mid-September, public use of the underground parking garage at the main library (MLK, 901 G St NW) will be discontinued as a result of cuts made in the FY 2010 budget. The proposed rules (page 7655) published in the September 25 DCR state public parking will cease November 14, 2009. There is an associated public policy change notice also published.
City Council hearings from 9/25 DCR
Public oversight roundtable on "The Winter Plan" for homeless services: The Committee on Human Services (CM Wells, Ward 6, chair) is holding this roundtable on October 14 at Noon in Room 412 of the JAWB. Details about testifying are online.
Have you gotten a library card yet?
The question is, "Have you gotten your library card yet?" If not, get your card today and start checking out the world – here and very far away. Getting a library card is easy. You can do it online or in person. School-age children may apply for a card; young children may receive one upon request by a parent.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Week of 9/21 council hearings now online
Children's budget sees the light of day
Too bad that picture was used for that story. The CB idea held and still holds great promise. The District's children's budget is on the way to becoming a useful planning and evaluation tool. I will keep working with the executive branch to make that happen; AF is, after all, one of the original supporters of the DC children's budget (along with then Ward 7 CM Vincent C. Gray).
More on council's code of conduct
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Interested in the Council's ethics, code of conduct?
- Resolution to appoint an ethics counselor: This was introduced and adopted on September 22, 2009
- Resolution adopting code of conduct: This was introduced and adopted on September 22, 2009
- One pager on code of conduct as adopted by the City Council on September 22, 2009
- The Code of Conduct along with links to legislative and other applicable requirements
- Discussion of the issue at the September 21 press briefing (see 2:48 for beginning of presentation) and follow-up discussion about reprimands/sanctions and the lack thereof in the current code of conduct (see 15:45)
Gray’s News and Notes
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Legal Information Help Line
Events added to calendar
New revenue estimate not all good news
These figures take on new importance given the recent announcements of nonprofit challenges and closures, including WEAVE, DC Action for Children, DC Education Compact, and Hoop Dreams. More important, however, is how nonprofit challenges impact residents, especially those who rely on community organizations for assistance, often basic necessities.
Opening statement re: 9/23 lead entity roundtable
CM Wells' community office hours restart 9/24
Miss the 9/21 COW press briefing?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Accountability and health care reform on Ward 3 Dems' agenda, 9/24
The meeting is from 7:15 – 9:30 pm at St. Columba Episcopal Church (4201 Albemarle St NW, one block off Wisconsin Ave At Tenleytown Metro). Ms. Patterson is on at 7:15 pm with Ms. Walter and the health panel starting at 7:45 pm. More information is available online.
Nonprofit troubles
Legislation introduced to protect foster kids
Finally, FY 2010 budget docs
Monday, September 21, 2009
Literature for young 'uns, DC's great read!
DC's book is Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out, a creation of more than 100 authors and illustrators and the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. A Web site has been developed to complement the book; the site is geared toward adults to engender interest in and passion for this country's history with their children, grandchildren, and students.
9/22 COW and leg meeting agendas
DC Public Charter School Board to tweet during board meetings
Jacks-Fogle legislation hearing scheduled
CM Thomas presser on child care privatization
Sunday, September 20, 2009
DC Public Library cuts hours and services
The revised FY 2010 budget, expected to be approved on September 22, 2009, is nearly 11% less than the FY 2009 approved budget. DCPL has operationalized the cuts in the following ways:
- Library hours will change at all library locations.
- Neighborhood libraries will no longer be open on Sundays. Instead, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, which is currently closed on Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, will be open year-round on Sundays.
- The library’s bookmobile will not operate in FY 2010. However, Library staff will continue to visit schools to provide literacy support to students.
- Later in October, the parking garage at MLK will no longer be available to the general public.
How to contact Jesse Bailey
- Jesse Bailey
Senior Legislative Analyst
Office of Chairman Vincent C. Gray
Council of the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 727-5585
(202) 724-7139 (fax)
DCPL budget cut eliminates parking at MLK
Friday, September 18, 2009
Council press conference in advance of 9/22 leg meeting
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Council Chair gets new education staffer
Parents needed for special education panel
DC Young Democrats debate school vouchers
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Mayor Fenty's sked, September 16
- DCPS Blue Ribbon Award Announcement: 3:00 pm at Noyes Education Campus (2725 10th St, NE
- DCPS Budget Equalization Update: 4:00 pm at DCPS Headquarters (825 North Capitol St NE)
CM K Brown on adult job training
Courses include credential programs (such as Child Development Associate), computers, carpentry, and medical billing. Information about registration and class locations is online at the Community College's Workforce Development Program Web site.
The course list is quite impressive for the first semester of operations by the new Community College. So service providers (and everyone else), refer away!
About Patrick Swayze, the life he lived, and his fight
But I am more taken with his fight against pancreatic cancer, about how he lived his life with this terrible disease. The threat of pancreatic cancer touched my family not that long ago and it scared me to that bad place and back. Pancreatic cancer is a terrible disease. Thank goodness my family member ended up not having it.
I did not know Swayze; I'm sure he had downs to the many ups shown in interviews after his diagnosis. I am impressed with his spirit, and more, bolstered with hope that there is a life to be lived despite the many bad and annoying things that happen to us. I hope my life fully lived will have helped those I have sought to help.
Rest In Peace, Patrick Swayze.
4D PSA meeting sked
While reports of juvenile crime in 4D suggest it is significantly less than in other parts of the city, the fact is that crime exists. The 2007 youth division annual report states that where MPD District arrests are known, auto theft in 4D in 2007 was the same as in 7D -- 26 (this is from the 2007 annual report of MPD's youth division).
Make DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy the big winner!
WCP report of 2010 candidates
Clark Ray's new campaign Web site
Clark Ray running
Ray will be challenging current At-large CM Phil Mendelson; Tim Craig has more to say in his September 13 WaPo piece. Click here for more about Mendelson.
Monday, September 14, 2009
New events added to advocacy calendar
New contender for mayor
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Poor adult literacy negatively effects kids
This event, being held from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW), will highlight how adult literacy is connected to issues such as unemployment, health care, immigration, and poverty - all of which effect children and youth. The Adult Literacy Resource Center at the DC Public Library is partnering with DC LEARNS to bring featured speaker Talmadge Guy to the District to discuss this important issue. Dr. Guy is the author of Providing Culturally Relevant Adult Education: A Challenge for the Twenty-First Century.
RSVP by September 20 by emailing Benjamin [DOT] merrion [AT] dc [DOT] gov, by calling (202) 727-2431, or by registering on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/adultliteracy.
DYRS youth offer free lawn service in W5
Seniors who want to participate in this program should contact DYRS's Kathy Ashe at (202) 576-8397 or Kathy [DOT] Ashe [AT] dc [DOT] gov.
Public meeting on vacant property tax proposals
Because of the many intricacies of this issue and because no public hearing was held, the CM is hosting an informal meeting to discuss the current law, the pending amendment, and alternative proposals. The meeting will take place on September 16 at Emery Recreation Center (5801 Georgia Ave NW) from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Those who are unable to attend are being encouraged to submit written comments to Rob Hawkins, legislative counsel, at rhawkins [AT] dccouncil [DOT] us. Comments should be received no later than 5:30 pm September 14.
Why am I talking about this? Vacant properties can have a negative influence on communities, communities where children, youth and their families live.
New Ward 6 Community Relations & Services staffer
Friday, September 11, 2009
Ward 4 annual report
Advocates call for an independent DC State Board of Education
To learn more about taking action to advocate for an independent DC State Board of Education, click here. You will find a couple of options for voicing your concerns about Mayor Fenty’s actions.
Direct action check list
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
FY 2010 budget intel
Help make the Comfort Center warm and fuzzy
A Vista Events is an esteemed event design and production company which has done beautiful and over-the-top work for the likes of the Coca Cola, Washington National Opera, and the opening gala of the National Museum of the American Indian.
This Maryland-based company is donating the creative juices and manpower needed to transform this ho-hum waiting area to a warm, inviting, safe, and youth-oriented space for young people to wait when they first enter the foster care system, before they go home with a family.
But alas, A Vista Events cannot (nor in my opinion should not) do it all and much remains to be done to make this space all it can be. This means CFSA’s Partners for Kids in Care program needs YOU to donate some items for children and youth:
- Books: Ages 5-18
- Toys for infants and toddlers: Soft books, Leap frog toys, activity blanket
- Toys for young children ages 2–4: Leap frog toys, trucks
- Toys for young children ages 5–8: Arts/crafts, balls, Lego blocks, kids movies, work books, stuffed animals
- Toys for young children ages 9–12: Art activity kits, game boys, movies/DVDs, computer games
- Toys for young children ages teens/young adults ages 13–18: Video games, magazines, movies, self-help/development books
CFSA appreciates all those in the community who are partners to make life better for the children and youth in care. If you are interested in donating any of the items listed here, contact Beatrice Williar at (202) 727-7101 or Beatrice [DOT] Williar [AT] dc [DOT] gov by October 5, 2009.
Scrapbookers unite for foster kids!
Life Books for Children is an initiative of CFSA and the community. The purpose of a life book is to make sure that a child knows his/her history. It helps them to understand and make sense of some of the multiple changes that they have experienced. Most importantly, it is a way that we honor the child’s life and his/her memories.
You can help by donating the usual scrapbooking items such as albums and journals, embellishments, writing/drawing utensils, scissors, glue, and more!
If you are interested in making donations to support this innovative and incredibly powerful project, contact CFSA’s Partners for Kids in Care by October 15 (details in the flier linked above).
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Public hearing on tobacco legislation
Information about B18-428:
- Introduced by CMs Phil Mendelson and Yvette Alexander (Ward 7)
- Introduced on July 31, 2009
- Brief summary of bill and related information
Information about B18-124:
- Introduced by CMs Alexander, Thomas (Ward 5), Wells (Ward 6), Barry (Ward 8), M Brown (At-large) and Co-sponsored by CMs K Brown (At-large), Bowser (Ward 4), Catania (At-large)
- Introduced on February 3, 2009
- The purpose of the legislation is to ban the sale of individual cigars and cigar products that are intended/designed to be used to use marijuana
Rules published in 9/4 DCR
The Chancellor of DC Public Schools published emergency and proposed rules to correct a typographical error and clarify the eligible time period for extended leaves of absences (page 7344). The proposed rule will be submitted to the Council for a forty-five (45) day period of review. The rule will be adopted in not less than thirty (30) days from the publication of this notice in the D.C. Register or upon approval of the rule by the Council whichever occurs later.
The Department of Health Care Finance issued emergency and proposed rules to clarify the criteria through which applicants may prove DC residency for the D.C. HealthCare Alliance program (page 7345). These emergency rules were adopted on August 27, 2009. The emergency rules will take effect on September 15, 2009, and will remain in effect until December 25, 2009, unless earlier superseded by a notice of final rulemaking. The clarifications contained in this rulemaking will allow greater integrity and accuracy in verifying residency of DC HealthCare Alliance applicants, while expanding and standardizing the possibilities through which an applicant can prove residency. The proposed rule will be submitted to the Council for a thirty (30) day period of review. The Director also hereby gives notice of the intent to adopt this rule, in final, in not less than thirty (30) days from the publication of this notice in the DC Register, or upon approval of this rulemaking by the Council, whichever occurs later.
Council hearing notices in the 9/4 DC Register
- The Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary (CM Mendelson, At-large, chair) is holding a public hearing on B18-344, "Information Sharing to Improve Services for Children and Families Act of 2009", on November 4 at 11:00 am in the JAWB Council Chamber. The full hearing notice is on page 7280 in the September 4, 2009 edition of the DC Register; the notice includes information about testifying.
The purpose of the bill is to allow government agencies to share information about children and youth with persons with a "professional interest" in the "protection, welfare, treatment, and rehabilitation" of young people. The bill also requires the Attorney General to report to the public on a quarterly basis information about arrests of people under age 18.
The bill was introduced on June 16, 2009 by CMs Wells (Ward 6), Graham (Ward 1).
- The Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation (CM Thomas, Ward 5, chair) is holding a public oversight hearing on "The Status of Day Care Programs and Activities within the Department of Parks and Recreation" on September 9 at 6:00 pm in Room 123 of the JAWB. The purpose of the hearing is to review the current status of day care programs operated by the Department of Parks and Recreation. The notice has details about signing up to testify on page 7282.
- The Committee of the Whole (Council Chair Gray, At-large, chair) is holding a public oversight hearing on Youth Issues on Saturday, October 10 at 11:00 am in the JAWB Council Chamber. The notice has details about signing up to testify on page 7284.
- The Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary (CM Mendelson At-large, chair) and the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation (CM Thomas, Ward 5, chair) are holding a joint public hearing on B18-367, "Youth and Young Adult Promise Act of 2009", on November 4 at 10:00 am in the JAWB Council Chamber. The revised notice has details about signing up to testify on page 7285.
The purpose of the bill is to require the Mayor to implement programs to collect and analyze data relating to juvenile delinquency and criminal gang activity, implement an action plan to intervene and assist at-risk youth and young adults, and develop a Center for Youth-Oriented Policing utilizing the Roving Leader Program to assist in training and provide a comprehensive approach to curtailing juvenile delinquency and criminal gang activity by focusing on positive, early, intervention in policing.
The legislation was introduced on June 30, 2009 by CMs Thomas (Ward 5), M Brown (At-large), and Graham (Ward 1) and co-sponsored by CMs Alexander (Ward 7), Cheh (Ward 3), Wells (Ward 6), Evans (Ward 2), Bowser (Ward 4), Mendelson (At-large), and Gray (At-large).
Friday, September 4, 2009
Mayor Fenty to remark on H1N1 flu preparation this morning
Giving back is a piece of (cheese) cake
Sweet.
So do your part and Cosi will donate up to $53,000 to Greater DC Cares. Offer expires October 7.
Find a Cosi near you and learn more about this fabulous deal and Cosi Community Benefit Events.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Help lead change -- attend the Save Our Safety Net Campaign meeting, 9/17
These community leaders have scheduled the Save Our Safety Net campaign meeting at Busboys and Poets (5th and K Sts NW) on September 17 at 6:00 pm. This meeting kicks off the next phase of advocacy and public education -- as the FY 2010 budget is implemented starting on October 1 and as the city starts work on the FY 2011 budget. Now is the time to start building pressure for smarter and more responsible leadership and residents, businesses, the faith community, service providers, and others can help make a difference.
The event will feature a presentation on the budget crisis and discussion of alternative courses of action for our city’s leaders. We’ll also identify opportunities for concerned residents to take action and stay involved.
More information about the issues are on the Beyond Bread blog. You may RSVP for the event here.
Rep. Norton hosts health reform town hall, 9/15
The town hall will open with comments from three District residents. Experts will answer questions from the public. The experts are Len Nichols, health care economist, Health Policy Program, New America Foundation; Karen Pollitz, project director, Health Policy Institute; and Nora Super, director, Health and Long-Term Care, AARP.
Like her job fair, small business fair, and all other Norton events, the health care forum is a service to DC residents only and, as usual, residents are asked to bring proof of residency, e.g. driver's license, non-driver's I.D., voter registration card, pay stub, or utility bill.
Young education professionals learn and network
Young Education Professionals is a DC-based network created for and by individuals who are relatively new to the education scene and are looking to meet new colleagues, peers and compatriots. More information is available on the YEPDC Web site.
More information about the event is online; you may RSVP here.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Public comments needed on use of federal housing funding
The annual plan lays out the goals for the year, specifically about how DHCD will use federal entitlement program funding: Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships, Emergency Shelter Grant, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program.
DHCD also seeks public comment on the Five-Year Consolidated Plan
for Fiscal Years 2011-2015. This plan identifies the policies and strategies to be used to address the housing and community development needs of low to moderate income residents. Four public hearings are scheduled; details are here. Additional information is available by contacting DHCD, dhcdevents [AT] dc [DOT] gov or (202) 442-7251.
Domestic Violence Summit -- call for vendors/partners
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Ward 8 bloggers on WAMU
Library card = access to the world
Yup, ‘tis true.
The whole world is available to young and old at the library. At the DC Public Library, you can check out books and movies. Young children are exposed to stories, the excitement of language during story hour. Young people can get homework help and some teens even can get a job at the library. Older folks can get assistance with resumes and job searches.
The library opens up a whole new world. So visit your library today, get a card and start checking out the world – here and very far away.
Getting a library card is easy. You can do it online or in person. School-age children may apply for a card; young children may receive one upon request by a parent. [Note: A child’s record cannot be reviewed by the parents under the "District of Columbia Confidentiality of Library Records Act of 1984" (DC Law 5-128). The child must initiate such a request.]