Monday, February 13, 2017

Update Your Calendar!


I’ve been pretty distracted by national issues lately, and by the potential effects of the election on our city.  But the beat goes on, and there are many upcoming events you should be aware of.  Here are a few, and all are open to the public without RSVP unless otherwise indicated:

Wednesday, February 15, 10 A.M., Room 412, Wilson Building.  The new chair of the council’s human services committee, councilmember Brianne Nadeau, will preside over the DDS performance review (http://dccouncil.us/events/performance-oversight-hearing-human-services) on Wednesday of this week.  Andy Reese will testify for the first time as DDS director.  This is the “season opener” for the 2018 fiscal year budget, looking backward at DDS’ performance.  Over the next couple of months DDS will be developing its budget, and sometime in April the committee will hold a forward-looking hearing on that. 

While you’re downtown for this on Wednesday, you can also make it to DC Vote’s Lobby Day on Capitol Hill:  http://www.dcvote.org/events/statehood-coalition-lobby-day.

Thursday, February 16, 3:00 P.M., Conference Room 1114, 441 4th St. NW (Judiciary Square).  The D.C. Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC), also known as the Developmental Disabilities State Planning Council, will hold its first meeting of the new year this Thursday:

Saturday, February 18, 10 A.M.-1 P.M., Kennedy Institute, 801 Buchanan St. NE.  On Saturday Project Action will hold its monthly meeting until noon, followed by pizza and a seminar on alternatives to guardianship led by Quality Trust attorneys.

Wednesday, March 1, 4:30-7:00 P.M., Momofuku Restaurant, 1090 I St. NW.  And on the subject of Quality Trust (https://www.dcqualitytrust.org), QT will hold its annual Better Together reception - tickets $45.00 for an outstanding cause, great eats and wonderful company – on the evening of March 1st.

Friday , March 10, 10:00-2:00 P.M., Walter Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place NW.  “Voices of Change” conference on secondary transition - requires preregistration:  http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07edo5sz1gbbae7d13&llr=7r5atidab).

Thursday, March 16, 9:30-3:30, place to be determined.  Supporting Families Community of Practice.  Subjects will be new employment initiatives and (back to those national issues) ways in which Medicaid might be affected over the next few years.  

This spring promises to be busy.  We in D.C. need to stay aware and active in these uncertain times.  Disability rights, and D.C. rights, are human rights.  Let’s be ready to protect them.