Checking the Pulse on Health Data

District of Columbia sent this bulletin at 11/15/2023 01:30 PM EST

November 2023

Image Credit: DC Health

DC’s sustainability plan stands out among others for including topics such as education, food, and health. We cannot live up to our vision of becoming the “healthiest, greenest, most livable city” without establishing goals and taking action in these areas. In the plan’s health section, for instance, there are actions for supporting physical activity, reducing health risks, and increasing health knowledge.

A big part of tracking progress on our goals is making sure we have robust data. Thankfully we have a large portfolio of health data, which you can access through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Health Stat Query System. Here you can view a wide variety of data points on exercise, health coverage, and even fruit consumption broken down by ward, race, and other characteristics. However, we still have opportunities to get better data on difficult to track impacts, such as how the built environment affects health outcomes. As part of the ongoing update to Sustainable DC 3.0, we are taking a systematic look at the data we track, including health data, to see how we can best capture our collective progress on sustainability. Curious how we’ve done so far? Check out the latest progress report for a snapshot of where we stand on key data indicators.

Green Trades DC Program Prepares Residents for Green Jobs

The Green Trades DC Program recruits and trains District residents to prepare for careers as journeymen electricians to help the District meet its solar, energy efficiency, and sustainability goals. Residents ages 18+ are eligible to apply for the program's electrical pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs and receive critical wraparound services to start their path to becoming journey-level electricians. Those interested in entering the program should fill out the applicant form and someone will reach out to them.

Battery Recycling Program Launched

Starting this month, consumers in the District can now drop off household batteries for recycling at designated sites throughout the city. The program was developed in compliance with District law and regulations by Call2Recycle, the District’s battery stewardship organization, on behalf of battery manufacturers. The collection sites accept both single-use and rechargeable batteries at no cost to consumers for collection and recycling. The Department of Energy and Environment oversees the program. A map of the initial collection sites can be found on Call2Recycle’s locator webpage. The program is still adding collection sites, so monitor the online map to learn about new participating locations. For more details, visit Call2Recycle’s District program webpage.

Go Solar with Capital Area Solar Switch

Are you considering going solar at your home? If so, you'll want to check out Capital Area Solar Switch. This program, brought to you by the Department of Energy and Environment and Solar United Neighbors, makes it more affordable for homeowners to install solar panels and battery storage systems. By joining the program, you can access a group discount that will help you save on a turnkey solar and battery installation. Registering comes at no cost, and you're under no obligation to buy solar panels. Take advantage of this opportunity by registering at SolarSwitch.com/WashingtonDC before December 6.

Free Green Building Courses

The DC Sustainable Energy Utility teamed up with Steven Winter Associates and the Department of Buildings to develop two DC-specific online courses on Commissioning in Practice and Multifamily Air Sealing. For the rest of the year (until December 31), the courses are free for anyone who lives or works in the District. The registration process is very simple (takes less than a minute). The courses are available at https://dcseu.swa-academy.com/#/public-dashboard.

Reuse DC Holiday Guide Coming Soon

Ring in the holiday season this year with Reuse DC's Holiday Guide! Coming soon is the Reuse DC Holiday Guide to encourage sustainable shopping and gift-wrapping practices to make your holiday season more memorable and less wasteful. Support District thrift stores and organizations that sell unique second-hand items like clothing, home décor, toys, and games, in addition to local repair shops to repair loved items and much more. Keep your eyes out for the Reuse DC Holiday Guide, which will be available soon at https://reuse.dc.gov/page/resources-13.

Desmon Irving – Office of Urban Agriculture Intern

I am Desmon Irving, a senior at Dunbar High School, born and raised in DC, and an intern at the District Office of Urban Agriculture in the Department of Energy and Environment. I am an aspiring author and journalist, an avid explorer/controlled wanderer, and an anime watcher. My internship was set up via the City as a Classroom program, which allows students to gain real world experiences and put information learned in Dunbar’s classrooms to good use. Every Wednesday, students are sent out all around DC to their internship, which could be anything from libraries and zoos, to elementary schools and real estate agencies.

I am helping with youth connections and a new perspective for Rooting DC. Rooting DC is a free one-day event hosted at a high school that brings food systems and urban agriculture communities to an accessible space. Youth engagement at Rooting DC will help educate the next generation about improvements for everyday tasks and concepts that will better the local and global food system. To increase youth engagement, I will create social media posts, informational flyers, and feedback surveys to create wider awareness and understanding of what Rooting DC is and how it operates. In the process, I hope to learn more efficient ways to use our food systems and how impactful urban agriculture and urban farms can be to communities.

During this internship, I hope to gain out-of-school experiences that sharpen my social skills, increase ease in starting conversations with unfamiliar faces, and get used to putting myself out there into foreign situations.

GRANTS & FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Request for Applications - Permeable Surface Rebate Program

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) seeks eligible entities to manage DOEE’s Permeable Surface Rebate Program. The program will identify private property owners in the District willing to install permeable pavers and provide rebates to the owners for that purpose. The program will also educate District property owners about stormwater runoff, permeable pavement, the rebate program, and how the rebate program may complement other incentive programs available from DOEE. The amount available for the project is $950,000. For more information, please visit https://doee.dc.gov/node/1686891. Applications are due November 20.

JOBS

Department of Energy and Environment - Product Stewardship Program Analyst

The Department of Energy and Environment is seeking an early-to-mid career professional passionate about zero waste and sustainability at the local level to join as a Product Stewardship Program Analyst. The Program Analyst will work as part of a small team to implement the District’s product stewardship programs, currently covering hard-to-recycle items electronics, paint, and batteries. Core responsibilities will include inspection and enforcement work, engaging District residents and communities with product stewardship programs through outreach and education, and collaboration with District stakeholders on advancing the city’s zero waste goals.For more information and to apply, visit careers.dc.gov and enter job ID 24147. Applications are due December 15.

Potomac Conservancy – Digital Content Manager

Potomac Conservancy is a leading environmental organization in the Potomac River region, whose conservation and advocacy initiatives improve local water quality by strengthening the community’s natural defenses against pollution and the impacts of the climate crisis. Potomac Conservancy seeks an energetic digital content writer to execute a proven content marketing strategy to connect and build community with nature lovers in the Potomac River region. For additional information and to apply, please visit the Potomac Conservancy career page. Applications are currently being accepted, with a desired start date of late December 2023/January 2024.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Survey for Electric Vehicle Owners

If you are a DC resident and own an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, the Department of Energy and Environment wants to hear from you! Fill out the short survey at https://ev.doee.dc.gov/ to share your experience with charging your vehicle in the District. You can even share your experiences with specific charging stations. Survey responses are being accepted on an ongoing, rolling basis.

EVENTS

Fix-It DC

Fix-It DC events are community repair events dedicated to changing the “throw-it-away” mentality. Visitors bring their broken items to the Fix-It DC event where volunteer Fix-It coaches provide guidance in troubleshooting how to repair each item. The next event is:

Wednesday, November 15, 5:30 –7:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW) – Register Here

Event organizers are looking for coaches to help other residents try to repair their small household items. If you are interested in coaching, please sign up here.

Ready Ward 7 Series Community Gathering: Everything Flood

Calling Ward 7 community members! Join your neighbors, as well as federal and local agencies, to hear about flood reduction strategies, learn to use flood maps, and understand how to protect your home. The Ready Ward 7 Series Community Gathering is taking place on Thursday, November 16 from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. at the FH Faunteroy Community Enrichment Center located at 4800 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE. Small bites dinner will be served.

For more information, and to register, please email FCEC@Faunteroycenter.org or visit https://form.jotform.com/233044211532138.

Swapping for the Holidays

The Swapping for the Holidays event is taking place on Saturday, December 2 from 12 to 3 p.m. with Climate Classes DC at the Treehouse (4722 14^th St NW). Aimed at trying to reduce waste around holiday gift-giving by swapping clothes, ReThread DC will be there offering sewing repair. There will also be mending and upcycling demonstrations!

For more information, and to register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/swapping-for-the-holidays-tis-the-season-of-re-gifting-tickets-743247452137.

eCYCLE Collection Events

By recycling used electronics, individuals can help recover valuable resources and properly manage potentially hazardous materials. eCYCLE DC, through manufacturers’ collection and recycling plans, is bringing District residents more options for recycling their electronics.

The following items are banned from the trash and are collected at the eCYCLE DC collection events: computers and monitors, tablets, e-readers, mice, keyboards, DVD or VCR players, printers, televisions, game consoles, and portable music players. For more information, check out this fact sheet. See below for upcoming eCYCLE DC events around the District.

Saturday Nov 18, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Near corner of D St SE & 3rd St SE (Ward 6, Southeast of Folger Park)
Saturday Dec 2, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. O'Boyle Hall Parking Lot, 305 Fort Slemmer Drive NE (Ward 5, on Catholic University of America campus)

Please visit the eCYCLE DC website to check for any updates closer to the event date.

Seeding high-schoolers’ minds for a harvest of love for the earth: This article spotlights a partnership between the University of the District of Columbia and Anacostia High School that is empowering youth to address environmental crises.

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