WI Web Staff
Catania Proceeds with South Capitol Street Memorial Amendment Act
Tuesday, 21 February 2012 17:43 Published in Local
Washington, D.C. – On the same day the case against five men accused in the South Capitol Street shooting of 2010 went to trial, the Council of the District of Columbia's Committee of the Whole considered and moved the landmark youth behavioral health and truancy legislation, the "South Capitol Street Memorial Amendment Act of 2012", setting the stage for a first reading vote a the Council's legislative meeting on March 6.
The legislation is the result of the combined efforts of Councilmember David A. Catania, Nardyne Jefferies, the mother of South Capitol Street shooting victim Brishell Jones, Mayor Vincent Gray, and Chairman Kwame Brown.
"The correlation between unmeet behavioral health needs and delinquent activity is clear," said Councilmember Catania. "It is critical children in need are provided with appropriate behavioral health services before it's too late. The Act will transform how the District addresses youth behavioral health needs, strengthening our ability to identify signs of unmet behavioral health needs early, and allowing us to effectively intervene in order to prevent negative outcomes later."
In the days after the shooting, Catania and Jefferies began working to come up with real and substantive reforms that would make tragedies like the one on South Capitol Street less likely. Nixon Peabody, LLC provided extensive research into both youth mental health services and truancy in the District.
This past summer, Catania's office convened four public meetings to get input on the Act from residents, stakeholders, and advocates. The Act as it stands today is the product of hundreds of hours of research, scores of meetings, and significant input from those on the frontlines of the relevant issues. The Act calls for the extension of behavioral health services to all public and public charter schools students, enhances truancy regulations to ensure needed services are delivered to youth, and increases behavioral health screening at District agencies that deal with youth.
Specifically Title I of the Act calls for a comprehensive study of the behavioral health needs of District youth. This epidemiological study would collect data on the type and prevalence of behavioral health conditions including demographic and geographic information, utilization of behavioral health services, the location of services accessed, the barriers preventing access to services, and efforts to remove them. It will create evidence-based responses to address unmet needs and inform efforts to improve the current delivery apparatus.
Title II requires the creation and implementation of a comprehensive plan to expand school-based mental health services to all schools by 2016-2017 school year with a ramp up period in preceding school years. Currently only about 1 out of 3 schools in the District have behavioral health services. The plan would implement services at both public and public charter schools that include interventions for families of student with unmet behavioral health needs, reduce aggressive and impulsive behaviors, and promote social and emotional competency.
Title III enhances the District's truancy protocols by focusing the first intervention, which occurs after 5 unexcused absences, on the underlying causes of truancy and providing appropriate services. Mandating this root cause analysis will increase identification of youth with unmet behavioral health needs. Behavioral health interventions and connections to care improve outcomes for youth. The Act also empowers the Mayor to create needed enforcement mechanisms to increase the accountability of administrators and teachers involved in preventing truancy.
Title IV establishes a behavioral health training program within the Department of Mental Health for teachers, principals, and licensed staff at child development centers to identify youth with behavioral health needs and refer them to appropriate services. The Department of Mental Health will draw on its expertise to create behavioral health resource guides for parents and youth. Title IV also establishes an Ombudsman for Mental Health, an office that will serve as an advocate for District children and parents. The Ombudsman's office will help parents negotiate the inter-agency bureaucracy, resulting in better outcomes for children.
Title V addresses behavioral health practices in the District's agencies dealing with vulnerable and at-risk youth. It requires all youth in CFSA and DYRS receive behavioral health screenings within 30 days of their initial contact with either agency and, if needed, more comprehensive assessments by behavioral health professionals. It also requires the creation of resource guides for parents who come into contact with the child welfare agency or the juvenile justice system. These resource guides ensure that parents are informed of their rights and responsibilities as soon as their children enter the either the juvenile justice or child welfare systems.
Point Guard Makes Second Consecutive Appearance in All-Star Competition
Washington, DC – The NBA announced today that John Wall has been selected to participate in the Taco Bell® Skills Challenge to be held on Saturday, Feb. 25, in Orlando during NBA All-Star 2012.
Wall will be making his second consecutive appearance in the competition and will also represent the Wizards during the 2012 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 24 as part of All-Star 2012. The second-year guard is averaging 16.9 points, 7.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.29 steals on the season. Over the last 20 games, Wall has raised those averages to 19.4 points, 7.9 assists and 5.3 rebounds.
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors will defend his Taco Bell® Skills Challenge title against a field consisting of Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets.
This is the third year Taco Bell has offered the Graduate To Go™ experience for teens at the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. In partnership with NBA Cares and the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, each Taco Bell Skills Challenge player will be paired with an All-Star teen from an Orlando area Boys & Girls Club who has shown outstanding leadership and determination to stay in school despite personal obstacles. All participating teens will receive the Graduate to Go™ experience of a lifetime: a behind-the-scenes career tour of NBA All-Star; an opportunity to meet with NBA players; the chance to be on the court during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge to cheer on their NBA player; and an educational scholarship. At the conclusion of this event, $55,000 in educational scholarships will be awarded to the participating All-Star teens. The teen paired with the winning Taco Bell Skills Challenge player will receive a $25,000 educational scholarship.
The Taco Bell Skills Challenge was introduced at NBA All-Star 2003 in Atlanta and features six players competing in a two-round timed "obstacle course" consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations. All players must observe basic NBA ball-handling rules while completing the course. The three players with the fastest times from the first round advance to the finals with the order of competition determined by inverse order of the first round times. At the discretion of the referee, television instant replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.
The Taco Bell Skills Challenge will be televised live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm, which will also feature the Haier Shooting Stars, Foot Locker Three-Point Contest and Sprite Slam Dunk. TNT and ESPN Radio's national coverage will begin at 8 p.m. EST from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. The 61st NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 26, will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio, and in more than 200 countries in more than 40 languages.
Baker Administration Prepares to Offer Young People Summer Jobs
Monday, 20 February 2012 22:18 Published in Local
The Prince George's County Office of Human Resources Management, Recruitment, Examination and Classification Division, has opened enrollment for county residents between the ages of 15 – 19 as of June 18, 2012 in their summer jobs program.
The Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP) is a six-week, entry-level introduction to public service for the youth of Prince George's County. This countywide initiative offers the youth enriching and constructive summer work experiences in various assignments throughout our government.
Young people who are interested in applying must apply before the deadline, March 23rd. No applications will be accepted after the deadline. All applications must be done online and applicants must have a valid email address. To help with those who might not have access to a computer, the department is making computers in their office available.
Young people can begin applying on February 27th at www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/employment
D.C. High Schools Compete in Regional Science Bowl
Saturday, 18 February 2012 00:35 Published in Local
Winner Will Compete in National Finals in D.C.
Washington D.C. –The Washington D.C., High School Science Bowl, -- which builds upon President Barack Obama's efforts to help more students excel in math and science -- takes place Saturday, Feb. 18 at Friendship Collegiate Academy, 4095 Minnesota Ave. in Southeast.
This competition, which is part of the 22nd annual U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl, allows District high schools to compete for a spot in the national finals in D.C., at the end of April.
The National Science Bowl brings together thousands of middle and high school students from across the country to compete on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, astronomy, and math.
Registration begins at 8 a.m, Competition, 9 a.m.
Baker on Gaming Facility in Prince George's County
Friday, 17 February 2012 17:36 Published in Local
Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker has released the following statement regarding a gaming facility in Prince George's County:
"After a comprehensive evaluation of this issue, I have determined that if gaming comes to Prince George's County, it must be a high-end facility. I believe we should develop a world-class destination facility that features gaming, live shows, dining, and lodging. I envision a facility that attracts tourist, visitors, meetings and conventions from all over the world.
A $1 billion entertainment complex would bolster travel and tourism for our county, help us grow our commercial tax base, create nearly 5,000 new jobs, provide revenue to help us fund education and public safety, and create an entertainment corridor with upscale amenities. National Harbor is the perfect location for this high-end $1 billion entertainment complex.
I can only support Senate Bill 892 with amendments that will address some of the concerns I have. When analyzing this bill, I want to ensure that it does not compromise who we are as a county, alter our focus on growing our commercial tax base, or hinder us from providing the level of service and amenities that our citizens deserve. From my perspective, that would be a win for the county, the state of Maryland and the Washington region."
Friendship Collegiate Academy, Academies at Anacostia Students Earn Scholarships Totaling $6.2 Million
Friday, 17 February 2012 17:25 Published in Education
Officials at Friendship Public Charter School (FPCS) announced recently that 89 students who attend Friendship Collegiate Academy, and 35 students at Academies at Anacostia, have earned full college scholarships from the D.C. Achievers Scholarship Program, which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The college scholarships total $6.2 million.
"Congratulations to our students and their families, and a big thanks to the teachers who have worked so hard to get them to this point in their education," said FPCS chairman Donald Hense,
Friendship Collegiate Academy PCS is a college preparatory high school serving students in grades nine through 12. Collegiate has a 95 percent graduation rate and 100 percent of its graduating class is accepted to college. Some 75 percent of its students are eligible for free- or reduced-price school lunches.
The Academies at Anacostia has been run by FPCS in partnership with D.C. Public Schools since September 2009, when Friendship was invited to assume management of the school by former DCPS Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Since the partnership began, the graduation rate has increased from 57 percent to 79 percent, with 90 percent of graduates being accepted to college. Currently, 95 percent of Anacostia's students are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunches.
The Achievers Scholarship Program was founded in 2007 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. To date, it has provided college readiness, mentoring and support, as well as scholarship financial aid, to hundreds of low-income youth in the District of Columbia.
Friendship's mission is to provide a world-class education that motivates students to achieve high academic standards, enjoy learning and develop as ethical, literate, well-rounded and self-sufficient citizens who contribute actively to their communities.
District Residents Get Second Opportunity on Schools Budget
Friday, 17 February 2012 16:18 Published in Education
Mayor Vincent Gray and Deputy Mayor for Education De'Shawn Wright have added a second public hearing on the District's budget for public education on March 8 at 5:30 p.m., with the location to he announced.
The hearing will provide an additional opportunity for public feedback on school-budget issues to complement the already-announced budget hearing, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at H.D. Woodson High School.
The hearings are opportunities for community members to weigh in and offer testimony before the Mayor finalizes Fiscal Year 2013 total budget allocations for D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools.
The additional hearing is a bonus opportunity for the public to provide input prior to the final stages of the budget process. The March 8 hearing will provide an opportunity for feedback on individual budget proposals for DCPS campuses, which will receive their initial allocation proposals shortly after the latest Fiscal Year 2013 revenue projections are provided later this month by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer and reviewed by the mayor's office.
Initial budget allocations are the overall amounts each DCPS school receives within which to craft its budgets. These school-budget allocations are the vehicles through which school communities propose the specific staff positions and non-personnel spending that they need to enable their students to achieve. These schools then submit their proposed budgets back to DCPS.
Gray and Wright look forward to holding these two hearings and having the community weigh in on such important matters. Members of the public are invited to testify. Testimony may be limited to three (3) minutes per witness and five (5) minutes per organization or group. Those wishing to testify on February 22 at H.D. Woodson High School should contact Joshua Thompson in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone at 202.701.9289 no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17.
Those wishing to testify on March 8 (location TBD) should contact Joshua Thompson in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by telephone at 202.701.9289 no later than 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6.
Projects in Capital Region Share More than $3.9M in Awards
Thursday, 16 February 2012 19:00 Published in LocalMaryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Secretary Raymond A. Skinner has announced more than $3.9 million in Community Legacy program awards to 35 municipalities and community groups around the state for revitalization projects.
Thirteen projects in the Capital Region of Maryland were selected to receive $1,237,000. Community Legacy provides flexible funding to local governments and community development organizations for essential revitalization projects in existing communities through activities that expand neighborhood business and job development, homeownership investment, commercial revitalization, and other activities that support Governor Martin O'Malley's Smart Green & Growing initiative.
"The Community Legacy Program supports jobs across Maryland while improving the quality of life for residents and visitors though home rehabilitations, cultural and community center improvements and 'green' upgrades," said Gov. Martin O'Malley. "By making investments in these improvements today, we can ensure that our local treasures are preserved for many years to come."
Smart, Green & Growing is a multi-agency, statewide initiative launched by Governor O'Malley to help Maryland achieve a more sustainable future by linking community revitalization, transportation improvements, economic development, smart growth and environmental restoration efforts.
Community Legacy projects directly support the Smart, Green & Growing initiative, including a program in the City of District Heights that provides assistance to elderly property owners to make green improvements and enhancements and upgrades to an existing HVAC system in Cottage City to make it compatible with solar panels.
For more information about Smart, Green & Growing, visit http://green.maryland.gov As one of its traditional, core goals, Community Legacy provides assistance to attract and support small businesses in historic downtown communities, including a façade improvement program in downtown Frederick, as well as projects that increase tourism and downtown foot traffic, including the restoration of a historic building in Thurmont to create a Main Street headquarters and visitor's center, improvements to the historic B&O Railroad station in Gaithersburg, and sidewalk improvements in Frederick and Forest Heights.
The list of award winning projects in the Capital Region includes: City of Frederick Amount: $100,000 Project: Carroll Creek Park Description: Construction of an ADA-compliant crosswalk connecting the park to the neighborhood. Awardee: City of Frederick Amount: $50,000 Project: Downtown Façade Improvement Program Description: Façade improvements to support economic revitalization initiatives on Main Street. Awardee: Town of Thurmont Amount: $75,000 Project: Main Street Headquarters Renovation Description: Restoration of an historic building on Main Street, which will help create Main Street headquarters, visitors' center, office space, and meeting space. Montgomery County Awardee: City of Gaithersburg Amount: $80,000 Project: Historic B&O Station Interior Improvements Description: Installation of ADA-compliant restrooms for a MARC train and to comply with Environmental Protection Agency requirements. Prince George's County Awardee: Town of Capitol Heights Amount: $200,000 Project: Property Acquisition for TOD Mixed-Use Site Description: Acquisition of properties near the Capitol Heights Metro station for land assemblage for a mixed-use Transit-Oriented Development site. Awardee: City of College Park Amount: $75,000 Project: Acquisition and Demolition of U.S. Route 1 Sites Description: Acquisition and demolition of blighted properties for redevelopment along the Route 1 Corridor. Awardee: City of District Heights Amount: $100,000 Project: City Beautiful Program Description: Provides grant funding to senior citizens making green improvements to their properties. Awardee: Town of Forest Heights Amount: $97,000 Project: Upgrade of Existing Pedestrian Facilities Description: Upgrades to the Town's sidewalk infrastructure to ensure ADA compliance. Awardee: Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. Amount: $150,000 Project: Palmer Park Acquisition and Rehabilitation Description: Acquisition and rehabilitation of derelict properties for sale to first-time homebuyers. Awardee: Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. Amount: $150,000 Project: Capitol Heights Acquisition and Rehabilitation Description: Acquisition and rehabilitation of derelict properties for sale to first-time homebuyers. Awardee: City of Mount Rainier Amount: $25,000 Project: Green Initiative Bike Share Program Description: Purchase and installation of bicycle racks to be used in the City's bicycle shared rental program. Awardee: Port Towns Community Development Corporation Amount: $35,000 Project: Cottage City HVAC Restoration Project Description: Energy efficient upgrades of an existing HVAC system to make it compatible with solar panels. Awardee: City of Seat Pleasant Amount: $100,000 Project: Seat Pleasant MLK Jr. Highway revitalization Project Description: Acquisition and demolition of several blighted properties along Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway. TOTAL AWARDS: $1,237,000
Survey Asks African-Americans: 'What's Missing from Your TV Choices?'
Thursday, 16 February 2012 16:05 Published in Local
"What's Missing From Your TV Choices?
A coalition of consumer groups, media activists, clergy and concerned citizens are launching a national online survey to ask African-American households to tell their preferences about the kind of relevant programming choices they want to see on television.
The coalition is being brought together by the Black Heritage Network, a new cable channel planned for launch this year that will offer what it calls "Black-oriented non-fiction programming." The network hopes to use the information gathered as a guide for its own programming plans.
According to Nielsen data, African-Americans watch 40% more hours of television per month than the general population. Despite being one of TV's most important audiences, programming that addresses their varied interests are not being offered. Coalition members says that there is plenty of research on what African-American are watching, but virtually nothing on what they would prefer to see on television.
A review of TV programs currently being aired that feature African-Americans in starring roles reveals that most are so-called reality-based shows or re-runs of comedies were once featured on the major four networks. The next largest block of hours of particular interest to blacks consists of re-broadcasts of theatrically released movies (again, mostly comedies) starring black actors.
"Based upon the viewing options available to black households, there seems to be a conscious effort to ignore certain types of programs that appeal to African-Americans," said Dr. Teresa Hairston, a member of the coalition and consultant to the Black Heritage Network. "News, interviews, documentaries and issue-oriented programs targeted for African-Americans are almost impossible to find, especially during the primetime schedule."
Conducting a first-time national survey asking African-Americans what they want to see on TV will clearly demonstrate there is demand for a broader range of programs beyond entertainment. WhatIWantToSee.com, which is being supported by various African-American groups and media outlets, plans to get as many participants to "vote" for more TV options as possible during the next two months.
"Many of the decisions that are made by the TV industry are based not necessarily on research but on the opinions and experiences of executives'," said Dr. Hairston. "This is an important opportunity for black families to let the industry know exactly what kinds of program choices they want, especially for their children."
In addition to gathering ideas for programs, the survey will ask participants to rank their interest in programs covering news and current affairs, documentaries and independent films, public television programs and regionally-aired shows.
The survey will be available online at www.WhatIWantToSee.com beginning January 15th -- the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King -- until February 29th -- the end of Black History Month. Some of the nation's leading newspapers, radio programs, magazines and Web sites will be encouraging their audiences to participate. The results will be made through these same outlets and will also be delivered to key leaders in media, civil rights and academia.
For further information, visit www.WhatIWantToSee.com. or call 312-408-1881.
A City Council retreat this week at the Washington Convention Center turned into a profanity-laced shouting match between Council members Marion Barry and David Catania.
The Valentine's Day incident was sparked by a discussion on the United Medical Center in Southeast. And, while it wasn't the first time Barry and Catania have traded barbs, the verbal fight -- that included insults -- might have represented a new height of animosity between the pair, according to reports.
Barry said in an interview afterward that Catania had been "disrespectful and rude." Catania countered that Barry "has cussed me more times than Carter's got liver pills."
In the end, as the Council closed out its planning for the upcoming legislative agenda, Vincent Orange good-naturedly walked around the conference room handing out Valentine's gift bags to his peers.
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