February 18, 2022
Dear Washingtonians,
This week, I made good on a promise that I made at the start of my first term: we broke ground on a new hospital on the St. Elizabeths East campus in Ward 8.
The new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, GW Health will be the hospital our community deserves—it will be a point of pride, not just for Wards 7 and 8, but for our entire city.
Most importantly, the new 136-bed, full-service hospital will offer the resources that the community has asked for:
- A certified trauma center;
- Women’s health services, including newborn delivery with a neonatal intensive care unit;
- A full range of hospital, emergency, and specialty care services, including but not limited to orthopedic, liver, heart, kidney, brain, bones and joint care – all staffed by practitioners from GW Medical Faculty Associates in coordination with the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences; and
- a children’s emergency department and neonatal care unit staffed by Children’s National Hospital.
When it opens in 2024, the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, GW Health will be fully integrated with two new urgent care facilities, existing providers, and the George Washington University Hospital to establish a robust system of care for all District residents and in particular, communities east of the Anacostia River.
With the name of the new hospital, we are honoring an iconic Washingtonian. But we are not just honoring one person – we are honoring all the people who fought to preserve Frederick Douglass's legacy and tell his story. We are honoring the family and the generations of women, Black women in particular, who persisted, persevered, and eventually succeeded in preserving the Douglass family home. And we are honoring our community for never giving up, no matter how difficult things got along the way, and for refusing to settle for anything less than a world-class hospital.
Sincerely,
 Today, Mayor Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Contee announced a new collaborative effort to reduce violent crime through strategic prevention and focused enforcement. With the new partnership, MPD will focus resources and intelligence-led policing strategies in collaboration with local and federal law enforcement and criminal justice partners, DC government agencies, and community partners.
The partnership will focus on reducing violent crime within four Police Service Areas throughout the entire 2022 calendar year. These areas include PSAs 603, 604, 706 and 708, which accounted for 21% of all murders city-wide in 2021. The objective of the partnership is to use a “whole of government” approach to reduce violent crime, have a positive impact on the community’s perception of safety and security, and increase trust among residents in the police and DC government. By committing an entire year, the goal is to sustain success after the conclusion of the initiative.
MPD has achieved reductions in violent crime and overall crime during previous Summer and Fall Crime Prevention Initiatives. During the most recent 2021 Summer Crime Prevention Initiative (SCPI), focus areas experienced a 20% reduction in violent crime, a 9% decrease in property crime, and an overall 12% reduction in crime. During the 2021 Fall Crime Prevention Initiative (FCPI), focus areas experienced an 11% reduction in overall violent crime. The new partnership will include elements of past SCPI and FCPI initiatives, but will be enhanced by greater collaboration and contributions by other agencies.
MPD is also working closely with federal and local law enforcement such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency, and the DC Housing Authority to monitor and identify individuals at high-risk of becoming involved in violent crime.
Watch today's press conference HERE.
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 With DC Public Schools (DCPS) now on a week-long February Break, parents and families are reminded that the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will be hosting daytime and evening programming next week to help keep students engaged during their out of school time.
DPR Mid-Winter Break Camps: DPR is providing full-day options for parents of youth ages 3-5 years old and 6-12 years old at recreation centers across the District. The camps will offer a blend of enrichment activities, sports, and arts and crafts.
DPR Community Events: DPR is hosting a range of sports, game, and movie events. Learn more and register at dpr.events.
Open Indoor DPR Pools: Nine indoor pools are open across the District next week, including Marie Reed, Wilson, Roosevelt, Turkey Thicket, Dunbar, William H. Rumsey, Deanwood, HD Woodson, and Barry Farm. For hours of individual pools, please visit dpr.dc.gov/page/indoor-pools (all DPR facilities are closed Monday, February 21, 2022 in observance of Presidents Day).
Open Gyms at DPR Recreation Centers: Gyms will be open next week at the following DPR recreation centers: Bald Eagle, Barry Farm, Benning Stoddert, Edgewood, Fort Davis, Fort Stanton, Hillcrest, Kenilworth, Lamond, Langdon Park, North Michigan Park, Raymond, Ridge Road, Riggs-LaSalle, Shepherd Park, Sherwood, Trinidad, and Woody Ward. A full list of open gym hours can be found HERE.
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 DCPS families are reminded that all students must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before returning to school from February Break on Monday, February 28.
Test kits were distributed this week. Check your student’s backpack for the COVID-19 test kit provided to them. If your student was not in school and did not get a test, visit a District COVID Center or a Rapid Test Pickup site to receive one.
On Sunday, February 27, take the easy to use, at-home test and follow the instructions provided. Families may choose to utilize their own testing option, but tests administered before February 27 will not be accepted.
Provide proof of your test results by Sunday, February 27 at 9:00 p.m.
Key dates:
- Week of February 14: test kits were distributed
- February 21-25: DCPS schools are closed
- February 27: families administer the rapid test and upload results
- February 28: students and staff return to school
Learn more about the process and how to upload your results at dcpsreopenstrong.com/safereturn.
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 Are you a DC resident age 60 or older and interested in representing your peers as Ms. Senior DC 2022? Submit your application today!
The Ms. Senior DC Pageant is held each year to select the District woman age 60 or older who will represent the District of Columbia as Ms. Senior DC. Contestants compete for the title in four categories and are judged on their elegance, poise, and style during their interview, philosophy of life, and evening gown presentations. The winner will serve as Ms. Senior DC throughout the year and represent the District in the Ms. Senior America Pageant.
Apply HERE. For more information, call 202-635-1900 or email dacl.communications@dc.gov.
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 Applications for the 2022 Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) are open and District youth between the ages of 14 and 24 are encouraged to apply at summerjobs.dc.gov.
Employers and organizations who are interested in partnering with DC Government to create opportunities for young people this summer are also encouraged to go to summerjobs.dc.gov to learn more.
Applications will be accepted until Monday, February 28.
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