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.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Calendar events added
DHCD public hearing, December 9
Funding was given through four programs: the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program; the HOME Investment Partnerships Program; the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) program; and the Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program.
The public comments will be part of DHCD’s and the District’s evaluation, as required by federal regulations (24 CFR 91.520). This hearing is reserved for a discussion of the District’s FY 2009 performance.
More information about the hearing, such as how to register to testify, is in the hearing notice.
Proactive apartment inspections roundtable, 12/16
What is the proactive inspections program? It is an inspection program for all 4,000 multi-unit rental properties in the District of Columbia. All units will be inspected regardless of whether complaints have been lodged by tenants.
DCRA has additional information on their Web site. This information includes consent forms for tenants in the event they are not present at the inspection. The forms are available in English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Amharic. Also online is the inspection schedule for the current month and a searchable database of past inspections.
Details about how to testify are in the hearing notice.
Comment on Healthy People 2020
Healthy People 2020 "will reflect assessments of major risks to health and wellness, changing public health priorities, and emerging issues related to our nation's health preparedness and prevention." (Healthy People 2020, http://www.healthypeople.gov/HP2020/). The kinds of areas covered in HP2020 are access to health services, adolescent health, early and middle childhood, educational and community-based programs, and injury and violence prevention.
The proposed national Healthy People 2020 objectives are online and the public is encouraged to comment. Comments may be submitted www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020online or by emailing HP2020 [AT] hhs [DOT] gov. Comments are due by December 31.
There are more than 40 objectives related to school and adolescent health. The American School Health Association has pulled these objectives together in this document Given the demonstrated value of school-based health and the District's interest in expanding offerings in schools (see this post on funding for such programs), those interested in teens should pay particular attention to these objectives.
The District presumably will update its Healthy People 2020 plan. That said, there is no information on a process on the DOH Web site.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Council presser November 30, 10:00 am
Mayor Fenty on homelessness, housing and HIV/AIDS on 11/30
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
On January 1, 2010 education in DC will change
Sign up for the CCDC email list to stay apprised of the many changes that will be made over the coming months.
Fenty's re-election site
Mayor to remark on DCRA inspections today
Funding for school-based health centers
Olga Acosta Price running specialty GW health care center
Monday, November 23, 2009
Council hearings noticed in 11/20 DCR
- B18-449, "Foster Care Youth Identity Protection Amendment Act of 2009", public hearing: The Committee on Human Services (CM Wells, Ward 6, chair) is holding a public hearing on December 9 at 1:00 pm. The purpose of the legislation is to discover if foster kids, prior to their emancipation, have had their identities stolen. Details about testifying are in the hearing notice.
- Aquatic programs in the Department of Parks and Recreation: The Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation (CM Thomas, Ward 5, chair) is holding a public oversight hearing on December 7 at 10:00 am. The purpose of the hearing is to consider concerns and challenges in DPR. Details about the hearing, including how to testify, are in the hearing notice.
- Youth Issues: The Committee of the Whole (Council Chair Vince Gray, At-large, chair) is holding the next youth-only hearing on December 12 at 10:00 am. Details are in the hearing notice.
- "The Performance of the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Administration" public oversight roundtables: The Committee on Health (CM Catania, At-large, chair) has scheduled two hearings concerning the administration’s performance in facilitating and monitoring the delivery of HIV/AIDS services to DC residents. The first hearing will be held on December 4, the second on December 11.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
New events added to calendar - check 'em out!
Should DC enroll more childless adults in Medicaid?
Final rules in November 20 DCR
- Authorizing some dental hygienists to administer local anesthetic: This final rule from the Department of Health will allow dental hygienists who have been administering local anesthetic and nitrous oxide to continue to do so by applying for authorization. These rules adopt a grandfather provision which allows those hygienists who have been administering local anesthesia or nitrous oxide during the past 2 years to continue doing so. The rules are final upon publication.
- Final rules regarding public parking at the MLK library: The final rules note that no public comments were received.
- Final rulemaking to add a new title to the DCMR on compulsory ed and school attendance: The Office of the State Superintendent of Education-issued final rules reflect moderate revisions to clarify the proposed language while maintaining consistency with the intent of the proposed rules. According to the rules,
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) recognizes the necessity for a transition period to enable a deliberative implementation of this rule and expects schools to address these requirements as expeditiously as possible to assure full compliance no later than the beginning of the school year 2010.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Will Congress give greater autonomy to DC?
Witnesses scheduled to testify included:
- The Honorable Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor of the District of Columbia
- The Honorable Vincent C. Gray, Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia
- Natwar M. Gandhi, Chief Financial Officer
- Walter Smith, director of District of Columbia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
- Alice M. Rivlin, Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution
Prepared testimony of the witnesses as well as an on-demand video of the hearing is on the subcommittees's Web site.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Media advisory from Chairman Gray re: community college roundtable
According to the media advisory,
"A high quality community college is key to effectively training and preparing District of Columbia residents for jobs in their own city that too often go to people who live outside of the District," Chairman Gray said.... My colleagues and I have been incredibly supportive of the Community College of the District of Columbia, the University of the District of Columbia, and these institutions’ progress; this hearing will give us new insight into how we collectively can provide the best college education possible for our residents."
Graham announces he will seek re-election
Every school should have a wellness center
While many schools in DC have access to nurses in schools, not all have a full complement of staff, facilities, and services young people, particularly adolescents, need. Cathy and others (led by Jennifer Guste Leonard, DC Assembly on School Health Care, (202) 237-6855, http://www.dcasbhc.org/) are encouraging school and health advocates to advocate for Woodson-like wellness centers. And now is the perfect time; agencies are putting their budget proposals together and the mayor will start on his priorities in February/March.
FREE youth conference, December 12
The Latin American Youth Center's free half-day conference is featuring:
- Workshops on topics like youth violence, education, and segregation/gentrification (These are examples only; the agenda is being finalized.)
- Inspirational speaker(s)
- Free food
- Opportunity fair featuring groups and organizations that offer youth community-based developmental, educational, leadership and/or organizing opportunities
The event is being held from 1:30 – 6:30 pm in Columbia Heights. More information in this flier and on the LAYC Web site.
But wait - there's more! To pull off this ambitious event for young people, volunteers (young and old alike) are needed. There's a job for everyone. They range from outreach, registration, note takers, and serving dinner. Volunteers get community service hours if they need it, free dinner, and LAYC's everlasting thanks!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Emergency and final rules re: excessive surpluses of health care companies
Also published in the November 13 DCR are emergency rules on the same subject.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
COW today at 10 am
Make the holidays brighter for children who have been abused
Listen and learn from youth in foster care
Then go to WNYC's "Growing Up in the System." "In the System" is the product of the Radio Rookies®, a New York Public Radio® initiative that provides teenagers with the tools and training to create radio stories about themselves, their communities and their world.
So take a listen. You may just learn something about why preventing child abuse and neglect is such a good thing. Preventing maltreatment is about more than helping parents not hurt their kids. It's about ensuring young people can achieve their promise.
Committee on Housing and Workforce Development 11/23 hearing
- B18-350, “Stimulus Accountability Act of 2009”
- B18-420, “Unemployment Compensation Administrative Modernization Act of 2009”
- B18-455, “Unemployment Compensation Reform Act of 2009”
Details about testifying are in the hearing notice.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bag giveway time change
Pre-k dream not yet realized
By all accounts, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) took a great deal of heat for their failure to make the progress the council planned and children deserve. Council Chair Gray kicked off the November 13 public hearing with this opening statement. A few of the key highlights from Mr. Gray are:
- "The Committee is deeply concerned with what appears to be a lack of collaborative and sufficient leadership in early childhood education within the Office of the State Superintendent of Education…"
- "Prior reports from the field…indicate that many critical stakeholders have yet to even be contacted. Most importantly, it is our understanding that since this legislation was passed, not a single new pre-k slot has opened in the community-based sector and not a single quality improvement for teacher preparation grant has been issued…"
- "The Committee was gratified to see that the charter school community has emerged as a leader in early childhood education…"
State Superintendent of Education Kerri Briggs had this to say. Briggs presented a background of pre-k and early childhood in the District, from that operated by the Department of Human Services to that operated by OSSE; accomplishments; challenges; and next steps.
Proposed rules re: student discipline
According to the notice,
The proposed rules provide state level standards for the development of student conduct at a Local Education Agency (LEA) in the District of Columbia. The proposed rules recognize there must be a balance between individual rights and responsibilities with the rights and responsibilities of the school community. The proposed rules give an LEA flexibility to develop a student code of conduct consistent with the state standards enunciated in Chapter A-25 of Title 5 of the DCMR. LEAs are required to establish policies and procedures with a broad range of strategies and interventions to maximize learning time, and to minimize classroom disruption. Consistent with best practices and a policy letter dated July 31, 2009, from the U.S. Secretary of Education to chief state education officers, these revisions also emphasize the importance of addressing the appropriate and selective use of seclusion and restraint techniques in schools.
The Office of the State Superintendent of Education will take final action on the rules no sooner than 30 days from the date of publication. Details about commenting are on the last page of the notice.
ANC vacancy bill hearing rescheduled
UPDATED: Free tote bag giveaway November 16
Mayor Fenty will join the Department of the Environment on November 16 at 10:30 am to remark on the launch of the Anacostia River Education Campaign. The event will take place at the corner of Anacostia Ave NE and Blaine St NE. One feature of the event is the distribution of free tote bags for residents to use at grocery stores and other retail outlets. The flier for the announcement and bag giveaway is here.
You may recall that the City Council passed and the mayor signed "Anacostia River Clean Up and Protection Act of 2009" which contains the contentious provision to charge a fee for disposable plastic bags. Other provisions include issuing Anacostia River Commemorative License Plates and creating a fund for the clean up of the Anacostia River. The bag fee goes into effect on January 1, 2010.
The Department of the Environment has previously announced that they will be distributing free tote bags through the end of 2009.
OCT should take a time out
So after my mini-rant, what is the change? There are actually three. The first one is that users must use Microsoft Silverlight to watch live streaming content. OCT correctly notes that the Silverlight plug-in works with Windows, Mac and Linux. For Firefox users, no fear; you can use Silverlight in your favorite browser! Second, users can now listen only (no video) to live streams. And third, you can live stream on your IPhone.
One final note: There is no mention of the change and Silverlight requirement on the City Council Web site; you can link to vids from there, too.
From the 11/13 DCR: Upcoming City Council hearings
- The Contracting Process Related to Parks and Recreation Projects (a continuation hearing): Joint public oversight roundtable convened by CMs Kwame Brown (At-large), Mary Cheh (Ward 3), Harry Thomas, Jr. (Ward 5), and Marion Barry (Ward 8) on November 16 at 10:00 am. Details in the hearing notice.
- The Performance of the HIV/AIDS, STD, and Tuberculosis Administration: Committee on Health (CM Catania, At-large, chair) is holding this public oversight roundtable on November 16 at 1:00 pm in the Council Chamber. Details in the hearing notice.
- Implementation of an Independent Community College in the District of Columbia: Committee of the Whole (Council Chair Gray, chair), November 20 at 11:30 am in Room 412 of the JAWB. The purpose of the hearing is to hear from experts on the costs and benefits of a community college and elicit recommendations about ensuring the delivery of a high quality curriculum that will meet the needs of DC residents. More information about the hearing, including how to testify, in the hearing notice.
- Government Contracting Reform in the District of Columbia: Committee on Government Operations and the Environment (CM Cheh, Ward 3, chair) is holding this public oversight roundtable on December 3 at 11:30 am in Room 412 of the JAWB. The committee is interested in hearing from the public about problems in contracting and recommendations to fix them. Details are in the hearing notice.
- DC Statehood and Self-Determination: The Perspective of Local Law Students: Special Committee on Statehood and Self-Determination (CM Michael Brown, chair), January 21, 2010, 2:00 pm at UDC. The committee is interested in hearing from local law students. More information in the hearing notice.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
2009 Gift of Love Tree Initiative
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Best practices models used by CFSA and Collaboratives
More on youth promise bill hearing
To watch the hearing, you can watch it on demand online. You can follow along by taking a look at the witness list.
Susie's comments: Not sure what to make of the skimpy witness list. Did few testify because this is not an important issue? If this is the case then I expect few to testify at the oversight hearings in February and March next year and at the budget hearings after that. Any other thoughts out there?
Have you missed NewsTalk with Bruce DePuyt?
- WTOP reporter Mark Segraves on new allegations that DC Mayor Fenty is misusing his security detail. (11/9/09)
- D.C. Councilman Tommy Thomas discusses the controversy surrounding Parks and Recreation contracts. (11/6/09)
- There is growing speculation that DC Mayor Fenty will be challenged when he runs for a second term. (11/3/09)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Mayor Fenty on 11/11 NewsTalk
Updated flier for holiday gifts for foster children
Challenges with Gov 2.0
FY 2011 DCPS budget hearing
The purpose of the hearing is to solicit comments from the public on programs and public funding levels regarding the FY 2011 budget for DPCS. Details about the hearing, including time, location, and types of information sought are in the hearing notice.
"Preventing Child Abuse and Improving Responses to Families in Crisis"
U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), chair of the House Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities (a subcommittee of the House Committee on Education and Labor), convened "Preventing Child Abuse and Improving Responses to Families in Crisis" to examine best practices to prevent child abuse and neglect and ways to strengthen and improve services for families in crisis. Materials from the hearing, and an archived webcast, are on the committee's Web site.
Taking a look at the testimony is worth the time. The testimony from witnesses from local and national organizations, including the CDC and American Humane Association, resonates in the District.
UDC law school rates may be increased
UDC will take action in not less than 30 days from the date of publication in the DCR. Details about commenting are in the notice.
Monday, November 9, 2009
"Life Liberty & the Pursuit of Family" adoption event
Sign on RIGHT NOW in support of CAPTA
State and local groups are urged to sign-on to CAPTA letter by COB November 9.The National Child Abuse Coalition is circulating a group sign-on letter in support of increased funding for the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) for federal fiscal year 2011. To sign on, email Tom Birch, Legislative Counsel, bircht [AT] earthlink [DOT] net.
Fall is a critical time for presidential administrations - now is the time when they craft the federal budget. Various negotiations are taking place between the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and various departments including Health and Human Services (HHS). The sign-on letter asks the administration to provide significant increases for CAPTA. CAPTA includes three programs with grants to the states to develop innovative approaches to improve their CPS systems. CAPTA discretionary funds support state efforts to improve their practices in preventing and treating child abuse and neglect. These funds support program development, research, training, technical assistance, and the collection and dissemination of data to advance the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Finally, there are grants through the Community-Based Family Resource and Support Program that support efforts to develop, operate, and expand a network of community-based, prevention-focused family resource and support programs that coordinate resources among a range of existing public and private organizations.
To sign up for the CWLA Children's Monitor, go to http://cwla.org/.
UPDATED: Will you buy a Christmas present for a child in foster care?
There are 900 children and youth signed up to receive presents this holiday season; this means that CFSA needs 2,700 gifts. Right now, their pledges fall short of the need and they are appealing to the public to make this holiday season a good one for kids who are not with their families. If you are interested in buying a gift or two (or more) details are in this NEW flier with no date for signing up.
Celebrate Council Chair Gray's birthday
CM Graham's opening statements re: youth legislation
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Events added to calendar
More on DCPS RIFs including Rhee's presentation
Mayor to remark on new work readiness initiative on November 9
Friday, November 6, 2009
Ellen London to lead CYITC on interim basis
Current director Millicent Williams' last day at the Trust is November 6. Remember, Millicent was nominated as Director of DC's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) by Mayor Fenty on October 26.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Must attend welfare-to-work forum November 12
Join advocates, providers, residents, and government officials at the release of a new report by SOME, Inc. (So Others Might Eat) and the DC Fiscal Policy Institute about improving services for TANF families. The event will feature a short video of TANF recipients discussing their experiences with the program and a panel discussion including CM Tommy Wells (Ward 6) and Georgetown Law School's Peter Edelman.
AG Nickles weighs in on two youth bills
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Pre-k enhancement status public hearing
The purpose of this hearing is to review the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s (OSSE) progress in implementing Law 17-202, the "Pre-K Enhancement and Expansion Amendment Act of 2008." The City Council unanimously passed this legislation to ensure that by 2014, every three-year-old is afforded an opportunity to attend a two-year high-quality pre-k educational program in a setting of their choice. The legislation proscribed actions to achieve the goal and the hearing is designed to elicit answers to the basic questions including ones about the status of the planning process and the status of the expansion plan.
The public is encouraged to testify; details are in the hearing notice.
Event: Use of Custody GALs in DC Domestic Relations Cases
The event is being held on November 16 at 3:00 pm. Details about the event, including location, are in this flier.
Tweets from 11/3/09 City Council breakfast
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
City Council maintains pressure on mayor, calling for improved practices
Sunshine is good for children says one attorney
Matt is interested from hearing from people on his views and the testimony delivered on October 14. Email him at mfraidin [AT] udc [DOT] edu.
Check out calendar updates
Monday, November 2, 2009
Wouldn't it be nice if kids engendered this kind of interest?
All I've got to say is this: Wouldn't it be great if as many folks who weighed in on the bill before the City Council took an equal interest in children and youth, poverty, the dearth of affordable housing, etc.?
Snitchin' on Kojo November 2
Emergency and proposed rules re: Newborn Safe Haven law
People may comment on the emergency and proposed rules; see the rules for instructions. Final rulemaking action will take place in no sooner than 45 days from the date of publication in the DCR.
Early Stages' new director, Nathaniel Beers, MD
Office of Special Education
District of Columbia Public Schools
1125 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington, DC 20001
T (202) 316-7125
F (202) 654-6075
E Nathaniel [DOT] Beers [AT] dc [DOT] gov
URL http://dcps.dc.gov
Information about Early Stages is abundant online.