Dear Ward 8 Residents,
It may still be winter, but summer will be here before we know it. The DC Parks and Recreation (DPR) Summer Camp Lottery opens today, allowing residents to secure a spot for their children to have a fun and engaging summer of great programs.
DPR’s Reduced Rates Program offers 50-75% off fee-based programs, including summer camps. Please do not wait. Visit the lottery page today to apply. For more information and resources on summer camps, learning opportunities, community programs, and financial assistance, visit dcsummercamp.com to learn more.
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Job Opportunity: 2025 MBSYEP Application is LIVE!
Job opportunities for youth 14 to 24! Applications close on March 6!
For over 40 years the Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) has provided District youth ages 14 to 24 with enriching and constructive summer work experiences through subsidized placements in the private and government sectors.
Through the MBSYEP, young people are provided the opportunity to:
- Earn money and gain meaningful work experience;
- Learn and develop the skills, attitudes, and commitment necessary to succeed in today’s world of work;
- Gain exposure to various exciting career industries; and,
- Interact with dynamic working professionals in a positive work environment.
Though MBSYEP is a short-term employment and training program, the goal is to introduce DC youth to employers who will positively impact their futures! Students are encouraged to apply before the March 6 deadline to get in on the hands-on experience, learning, and of course, summer fun!
Visit the Summer Jobs page to learn more about the summer program and begin an application today! Questions? Contact the Department of Employment Services by calling 202-698-3492 or by email at [email protected].
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The Pre-K 3 – Grade 8 lottery application deadline is March 3.
As you prepare to apply, make use of these tools:
The application is available in English and Spanish. Application instruction guides are available in Amharic (አማርኛ፤), French (Français), Chinese (中文) and Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt).
Ready to apply? Click here!
Important: If you’re considering any new public school option for the 2025-26 school year, submit a lottery application by the March 3 deadline. If you are matched to a school, you have until May 1 to decide whether you want to enroll at the school or not.
Need help completing your application? Our hotline team is standing by. Give us a call at (202) 888-6336, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or email us. You can also chat directly with us online as you complete your application. We’re here for you!
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DON'T FALL FOR IT!
IRS SCAMS ARE ON THE RISE
The DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) is warning residents about a surge in IRS tax scams. These con artists are getting clever, so it's crucial to stay vigilant.
How the Scammers Work
Imagine this: You see a yard sign promising huge tax refunds, or you get a call, text or email. It might say the IRS recalculated your refund (lucky you!) or that you suddenly owe money (uh oh!). They'll pressure you to "verify" your W-2 or hand over bank details, demanding immediate payment. They are masters of manipulation, creating fake urgency or weaving believable stories to trick you into giving up personal information like your Social Security number, driver's license, or even your online banking passwords.
The Cost of Deception
While it's hard to pin down the exact number of tax refund scams, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reveals a disturbing trend. In 2023 alone, DC residents lost a staggering $1,496,106 to government impersonation scams. That's money straight out of our community's pockets!
 How to Protect Yourself: Be Scam Smart!
The best defense is knowing how these scammers operate. Remember these golden rules:
The IRS will NEVER:
- Call, text or email you out of the blue demanding your account information or immediate payment.
- Call, text or email threatening arrest or deportation if you don't cough up your tax information.
- Ask you to pay with gift cards. Seriously, gift cards? That's a huge red flag.
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 Your Rights Matter
Familiarize yourself with your taxpayer rights at irs.gov/taxpayer-bill-of-rights. And remember, neverclick on links in emails or on websites you don't absolutely trust. Odd or misspelled web links can take you to harmful sites instead of IRS.gov.
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Been Scammed? Take Action!
If you think you've been a victim of a tax scam or any other financial fraud, don't suffer in silence. Contact the DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division at 202.727.8000. You can also report the scam to the IRS directly at mailto:[email protected]. Let's work together to protect our community!
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District E-Bike Incentive Program: Apply for Your Voucher!
The District E-Bike Incentive Program is making e-bikes more affordable for residents! Starting February 1st through February 21st, District residents can apply for a chance to receive a voucher of up to $1,500 toward the purchase of an e-bike, helmet, or lock.
How it Works:
- Residents 18 and older can apply at ddot.dc.gov/ebikes.
- Voucher recipients will be chosen at random after the application window closes.
- Not everyone who applies will receive a voucher, as funding is limited.
This initiative, led by the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT), supports residents looking for a sustainable, cost-effective way to get around while also boosting local bicycle businesses.
📅 Apply online between February 1 – February 21
🔗 Learn more at ddot.dc.gov/ebikes
Don't miss your chance to ride electric! 🚴⚡
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The next Full Commission meeting will be held February 20 at 5:30 pm
Sign up for public comment by Noon ET on Tues, Feb 18
Members of the public may request up to three minutes to speak to directly address the Commission during the public comment period held at the next Full Commission Meeting, scheduled for 5:30 pm ET on Thursday, February 20.
Requests must be submitted by no later than Noon ET on Tuesday, February 18. Written comments may also be submitted by no later than Noon ET on Tuesday, February 18, as an alternative or in addition to spoken comments. Public comments, signed, spoken, and written, will be included in the public record of the meeting.
Public comments are intended to be an opportunity to provide information, knowledge, experience, and opinions directly from the community, for Commissioners to consider and keep in mind in their oversight of the Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
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February 11, 2025
DCHR’s Winter Hiring Fair: Connecting Talent with Opportunity
The D.C. Department of Human Resources (DCHR) Winter Hiring Fair was a resounding success, bringing together job seekers and District Government agencies for an exciting day of networking and career opportunities. This free event was open to registered participants, allowing candidates to explore open positions, connect with hiring managers, and take the next step in their professional journeys.
Attendees at the DCHR Winter Hiring Fair engaged with multiple agencies to find roles aligned with their skills. Agencies reviewed resumes on-site, with some candidates receiving prescheduled interviews or immediate job offers. While certain positions required security clearances or prescreening, agencies assured follow-ups in the coming weeks. The event buzzed with energy as job seekers came prepared, reinforcing DCHR’s commitment to accessible government jobs and workforce growth. Missed this opportunity? Visit https://dchr.dc.gov for information on current job openings and the next hiring fair.
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Councilmember Christina Henderson introduced the “Certificate of Need Improvement Amendment Act of 2025,” which would exempt providers the certificate of need process for digital-only telehealth platforms and providers, as well as primary care and specialty care providers not affiliated with hospitals and medical schools. It would remove the 3-year maximum on the certificate of need applications for active projects. It would also require the State Health Planning and Development Agency to update the capital expenditure and medical equipment spending thresholds every two years. Finally, among other things, it would increase the number of beds that must be added or removed at a healthcare facility to trigger a certificate of need.
The Council Office on Racial Equity reported that:
- Changes making certificate of need laws less restrictive will likely improve access to health care for Black residents, Indigenous residents, and residents of color.
- Allowing residents to sell homemade food products wholesale will likely increase economic outcomes for Black residents and residents of color.
- Renaming the Board of Integrative Health and slightly changing licensing requirements for graduate social workers will have a negligible impact on Black residents, Indigenous residents, and residents of color.
And they suggested:
The District should consider studying the effectiveness of certificate of need laws and their impact on health outcomes for residents of color.
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For more information on Council hearings, schedule and calendar, visit: https://dccouncil.gov/.
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