 On Friday, May 25, 2018, at 11 am, Mayor Bowser, Deputy Mayor Kenner, and Councilmember Todd will break ground on 77 units of affordable housing for homeless Veterans on the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus. Please come out and join as we take yet another important step in ending veteran homelessness in Washington D.C.
May is Military Appreciation Month
 As many of you are aware, May is Military Appreciation Month. On Thursday, May 10, 2018, Councilmember Todd, on behalf of the Council of the District of Columbia, joined The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs at our bi-monthly veteran round table where we discussed a number of issues facing our veteran community. Councilmember Todd joined us to present a Ceremonial Resolution recognizing Military Appreciation Month and the service of our veterans.
 Between 2014 and 2018 the District has seen a 25%
decrease in homelessness among veterans due to
increased housing resources and tireless efforts of the
District’s CAHP teams to place veterans into permanent
housing. Despite the net decrease since 2014, there was
a 7% increase between 2017 and 2018, from 285 to 306
veterans. Still, 449 veterans were housed through CAHP
during that time. The increase between 2017-2018
points to the challenge of stemming inflow for this
population (over 120 new veterans accessed services in
the District every month). Additionally, the work to
improve identification of veterans in the District’s
homeless services system has also likely contributed to
the increased PIT count of veterans, as more people are
revealing their status as veterans though they have
been served by the system for some time.
 On Friday, May 4, 2018, Mayor Bowser joined the residents of Knollwood, a military retirement community in Ward 4. Mayor Bowser discussed community construction projects, transportation issues, and military retirement benefits. Thank you to Knollwood for hosting us and providing an exceptional reception!
 On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, Director Ely S. Ross testified before Councilmember Brandon Todd, Chair of the Committee on Government Operations. Director Ross discussed Mayor Bowser's proposed FY 2019 Budget and the direction of the agency over the next year. Important highlights from his testimony include, continued funding for VetsRides, funding for the acquisition of a new database to house Veteran records, and new community programs for under-served veterans.
Director Ross was joined by several members of the veteran community who provided important testimony on the issues facing veterans in Washington D.C. and the success we have had as a community over the last year.
Thank you all of the veterans who testified, and also to those who have worked so hard to support the office and their fellow veterans.
MOVA is committed to helping veterans interested in starting their own small business, as well as providing resources for the development of existing veteran business owners. Veterans leave the military with a highly experienced skill-set attuned for small business, including managing an effective team, establishing and following operating procedures, and focus to achieve success.
The District of Columbia business community has a strong interest in taking advantage of the diverse skill-set veterans possess, and by collaborating with the local business community, MOVA is working to create veteran-centric programs designed to offer you the support needed to start and succeed in business.
Letter
from the Mayor
Dear Washingtonians,
For many residents, biking is a way of
life. Just one week ago, hundreds of students participated in Bike to
School Day. Tomorrow, thousands of Washingtonians are expected to
participate in Bike to Work Day. And, this Saturday, residents of all ages and
fitness levels will participate in the third annual DC Bike Ride.
While we still have work to do, we have a
lot to show for the progress we've made in becoming a more bike-friendly
city. Second grade students in our DC Public Schools are learning how to
safely ride a bike through the city. People for Bikes recently recognized
the District as one of the top big cities
for biking. In March, Washington, DC was named a Gold Status
Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists,
making the District the largest city on the East Coast to receive the
designation. And Washington, DC is now ranked second nationally among large
cities for the percentage of residents who bike to work.
As our city continues to grow, we will
continue improving and expanding our bike infrastructure and finding new and
innovative ways to make cycling a dynamic component of our city’s
transportation network. Together, we will use biking as a strategy for building
a healthier, greener, and more sustainable city.
Sincerely,
 Throughout May, the Bowser Administration
is putting the spotlight on the movement makers, barrier breakers, and
knowledge seekers that make Washington, DC the capital of inclusive innovation.
Upcoming innoMAYtion events:
Learn more and find a full list of events
at innomaytion.org.
This week’s District Minute
features stories about Potholepalooza
and PaveDC, the memorial service for Peggy Cooper Cafritz, and the
DC Hires Vets hiring fair.
Connect with your Mayor!
Mayor Muriel Bowser
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW | Washington DC, 20004
(202) 727-2643
muriel.bowser@dc.gov | mayor.dc.gov | @mayorbowser
Legislative Updates
On Monday, May 1, 2018, Councilmember Todd introduced the following pieces of Veteran focused legislation:
-
This bill establishes a Veterans
Emergency Food Program through The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs to
provide veterans and their families who are in a short-term crisis with access
to food.
The District of Columbia Infrastructure Academy (DCIA) is a key initiative of Mayor Muriel Bowser's Administration, led by the Department of Employment Services.
Infrastructure is one of the fastest growing industries in the country. DOES has opened the DC Infrastructure Academy to meet the need for skilled infrastructure professionals in Washington, DC.
DCIA coordinates, trains, screens and recruits residents to fulfill the needs of the infrastructure industry and infrastructure jobs with leading companies in this high-demand field. DCIA is located in the Anacostia neighborhood in Ward 8.
Programs and services include:
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Energy & Utilities
- Auto Mechanic Training
- OSHA 10
- Solar Panel Installation
- Interview Skills
- Job Fairs
- Job Referrals and more!
DC Infrastructure Academy Address:
2330 Pomeroy Road, SE
Washington, DC 20020
Closest Metro Station: Anacostia Metro Station
Closest Bus Lines: A33, W2, W3, W6, W8, and 94
For more information about opportunities to partner or to register for training call 202-899-6040 or email DCIA@dc.gov.
 For all DC Veterans
in search of employment. Transfer your skills and become certified for
free at SOME (So Others Might Eat) Center for Employment Training. SOME
CET provides training for careers as Medical Administrative Assistants and
Building Maintenance Service Technicians. Students earn occupational credentials
and certifications. Contact SOME to apply: 202-292-4460 or visit www.some.org/cet
Executive Service/Cabinet Positions
Senior Management/Policy Positions
Policy and Program Specialist
Specialty Positions
Internship Program
The D.C. Department of Employment Services is here to help veterans who need assistance finding employment. Check out their veterans services page to learn more about the veteran employment services DOES offers. Don't hesitate to reach out to them.
The D.C. government is looking for a few good candidates. Click here to find out more about the opportunities we have to offer.
 The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs is launching a new Vietnam Veteran recognition program. If you are a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, you are eligible to receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.
Additional details on our new program can be found here.
For more information, please call us at 202-724-5454.
Military and Veteran Caregiver Round Table
 The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation are convening a focus group with Military and Veteran Caregivers of all eras to discuss key issues related to military caregiver support in Washington D.C.
Please share this information about the upcoming roundtable far and wide with any caregivers who may be interested in attending!
Contact The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs at 202-724-5454 for more information or email info@elizabethdolefoundation.org.
 The DC Mayor's Office of Veteran's Affairs has partnered with the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development to launch a monthly Veterans' Business Stakeholders meeting. The aim of this meeting is to build a stronger support for our local veteran businesses through government and community support. Overall, MOVA is exploring the creation of programs to better serve the needs of the District's vetreprenuers.
Guest speakers include representatives from DC Office of Contracts and Procurement.
Come out
to learn:
- Where to
find opportunities to conduct business with DC government
- Required
documents for successful solicitation submissions
- How to
navigate the new automated DC Supply Schedule application process
- Understanding
the benefits of the Simplified Acquisitions Program through the Office of
Contracting and Procurement (OCP)
When: Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Where: 441 4th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
(Conference Room: 1112)
 The Advisory Board serves as an advisory body to the Mayor, the Mayor's Office of Boards and Commissions, the Office of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Employment Services, the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and other District government departments, agencies, and offices on all matters pertaining to Veterans in the District of Columbia All meetings are open to the public - please come out and join us!
Time and Date:
Tuesday, June 5, 2018, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Location:
441 4th Street, Northwest
Conference Room 1114
Washington, DC 20001
Call In Information:
Dial in: 712-451-0862
Passcode: 821260
The Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs Newsletter is distributed to over 7,800 subscribers every month. If you would like your event to be featured in our calendar, please submit the following details: what, when and where the event will take place. If available, please provide a link to direct readers to more online information. Please send all inquiries and posts to ova@dc.gov.
Director Ely S. Ross
202-724-5454
www.ova.dc.gov |
