April 5, 2018 | Vol. 4, Issue 14
Dear
Washingtonians,
Two weeks ago, I presented my Fiscal Year 2019 budget to the Council of the District of Columbia. From our youngest residents to our seniors, this budget makes broad investments that take into consideration the diverse needs of Washingtonians across all eight wards.
Once again, we are making historic investments in child care and education. This will be our largest investment ever in our families. We will be able to set more young children up for success with a $12.5 million investment in making early child care more affordable for all District residents. With a $94 million increase in funding for our public schools, we will be able to provide more students and educators with the resources and support they need to succeed. And with a $15 million investment in out of school time programming, we will continue to increase opportunities that engage and challenge students outside the classroom.
Of course, we know that the conversation around the state of public education in Washington, DC goes beyond talking about the budget. As I said at the State of the District - in recent months, there have been some pretty significant bumps in the road. As a community, we have grappled with difficult questions and reassessed specific policies and strategies. And we will continue these conversations. When I talk to parents, students, educators, and community members, I hear a community that is incredibly thoughtful about where we are and where we need to go. I hear a community that is committed to doing right by all our students and families.
Going forward, we will continue working together to do better. Next week, I will be out in the community talking about what I've heard and learned over the past few weeks and how we plan to move forward. You can listen to one such conversation on Wednesday morning on my Facebook page. Look for more details next week.
Sincerely,
This Earth Day weekend, the Bowser Administration calls on DC residents to help keep
our city clean. On April 21, join us in taking five minutes
to clean up outside your home, 30 minutes along your block, or team up
with others for a full neighborhood scrub!
Residents can also join larger cleanup
events hosted by the Mayor's Office of Community Relations and Services,
ServeDC, and the Anacostia Watershed Society.
Take the Clean City Pledge HERE and tell us how you plan to show your DC love on April 21.
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The Department of Public Works has created a new video to help residents better understand recycling in Washington, DC.
Watch and share HERE and learn more at zerowaste.dc.gov.
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Recently, the Bowser Administration launched SaferStronger.dc.gov, a website where residents can learn about the programs, resources, and initiatives that are helping us build a safer, stronger DC.
The website has information about:
- the
Safer Stronger DC comprehensive, citywide public safety agenda;
- the
ongoing implementation of the NEAR Act;
- public safety statistics;
- upcoming public safety events; and
- other helpful resources to inform and educate the public.
Learn more at SaferStronger.dc.gov.
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This
week’s District
Minute features
stories about a lease signing with more than 60 families and individuals who were experiencing homelessness, the Mayor's visit to Bright Beginnings, and the ceremonial wreath-laying in honor of the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination.
The mission of the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is to develop, manage, and oversee a public behavioral health system for District residents that is consumer-driven, community-based, culturally competent, and supports prevention, resiliency, and recovery.
DBH has an opening for a Recovery Peer Specialist. This position serves in the Peer Recovery Pre-Arrest Diversion (PAD) program. PAD seeks to reduce the number of people who cycle through the criminal justice system by connecting low-level offenders with mental health illnesses and/or substance use disorders to appropriate treatment. All details regarding this vacancy,
including qualifications, can be found by visiting the job announcement. |
