The Council of the District of Columbia

The Council of the District of Columbia is seeking recommendations for improvement on special education. I will host a preparation meeting to draft recommendations for City Council. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) provides resources and supports to assist the District’s most vulnerable student populations as the needs of students with disabilities vary greatly. Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that students with disabilities be provided a free public special education and related services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP). While this is an important corrective step to best educate students, often students are two or more years behind before they are identified for this program. Also, we know that students in special education are, as a category, among the lowest performers on the PARCC assessment. In 2020, the Council adopted D.C. Law 23-191 to require schools, through OSSE guidance, to identify and remediate reading disorders such as dyslexia. Dyslexia affects roughly twenty percent of the population, as it is the most common of all neuro-cognitive disorders. The purpose of this hearing is to examine how OSSE, DCPS, and other schools are providing adequate special education to ensure that students with disabilities are academically successful. https://www.mobilize.us/salim4dc/event/437374/

"If the person on the phone had told me that I just needed to sit tight and wait for help to arrive, he would have died for sure." When Ashley woke up in the middle of the night to find her husband in cardiac arrest, she immediately called 911. With coaching from the 911 call taker, Ashley administered #TeleCPR for five minutes to save Andrew’s life. One day later, she gave birth to their son. The moments immediately following a cardiac arrest mean the difference between life and death, and without T-CPR policies, there is no guarantee 911 call takers can effectively coach CPR over the phone when a cardiac arrest occurs. In 2020, D.C. Fire and EMS reported 964 sudden cardiac arrests with only a 4.7% survival rate. T-CPR is associated with a 51% greater likelihood of survival compared to no bystander CPR. We urge Charles Allen and The Council of the District of Columbia to ensure T-CPR training is a requirement for 911 call takers to save more lives in our community! Read Ashley and Andrew’s story here: http://spr.ly/6181K1pWX and see why DC needs a quality T-CPR program: http://spr.ly/6182K1pWk. #CPRSavesLives

"If the person on the phone had told me that I just needed to sit tight and wait for help to arrive, he would have died for sure." When Ashley woke up in the middle of the night to find her husband in cardiac arrest, she immediately called 911. With coaching from the 911 call taker, Ashley administered #TeleCPR for five minutes to save Andrew’s life. One day later, she gave birth to their son. The moments immediately following a cardiac arrest mean the difference between life and death, and without T-CPR policies, there is no guarantee 911 call takers can effectively coach CPR over the phone when a cardiac arrest occurs. In 2020, D.C. Fire and EMS reported 964 sudden cardiac arrests with only a 4.7% survival rate. T-CPR is associated with a 51% greater likelihood of survival compared to no bystander CPR. We urge Charles Allen and The Council of the District of Columbia to ensure T-CPR training is a requirement for 911 call takers to save more lives in our community! Read Ashley and Andrew’s story here: http://spr.ly/6181K1pWX and see why DC needs a quality T-CPR program: http://spr.ly/6182K1pWk. #CPRSavesLives

Yesterday, I introduced, and the The Council of the District of Columbia passed several emergency bills to help District residents during the public health emergency. 1. A bill to allow our ANCs to continue operating remotely and to support the public health response through grants. 2. A bill to extend the time for people to file their unemployment insurance appeals. Considering the public health, economic and bureaucratic impacts of the pandemic on the city, it is necessary to ensure people filing claims do not experience an even more burdensome appeals process. 3. A bill to require credit reporting agencies to accept a personal statement from a consumer indicating the consumer experienced financial hardship resulting from the public health emergency. The Council passed identical provisions but those are set to expire on Feb. 4.

The Saturday before Christmas 2019, Mary woke up feeling “off.” Thinking her symptoms could be related to her heart, she decided it was time to see a doctor. While in her physician’s office, Mary’s heart stopped, and doctors performed CPR for 6 minutes to save her life. That day Mary was surrounded by medical professionals equipped to save her life. However, for many cardiac arrest victims, this is not the case. Each year, over 350,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and 70% occur at home. #TeleCPR empowers bystanders to act quickly and administer CPR no matter when or where a cardiac arrest occurs. T-CPR is associated with a 51% greater likelihood of survival after OHCA. We’re urging Charles Allen and the The Council of the District of Columbia to ensure T-CPR training is a requirement for 911 call takers. The power is in your hands to save more lives in DC. Read Mary’s full story: http://spr.ly/6187KBljP and see why a quality T-CPR program could mean the difference between life and death for DC residents: http://spr.ly/6188KBlju. #CPRSavesLives

The Saturday before Christmas 2019, Mary woke up feeling “off.” Thinking her symptoms could be related to her heart, she decided it was time to see a doctor. While in her physician’s office, Mary’s heart stopped, and doctors performed CPR for 6 minutes to save her life. That day Mary was surrounded by medical professionals equipped to save her life. However, for many cardiac arrest victims, this is not the case. Each year, over 350,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and 70% occur at home. #TeleCPR empowers bystanders to act quickly and administer CPR no matter when or where a cardiac arrest occurs. T-CPR is associated with a 51% greater likelihood of survival after OHCA. We’re urging Charles Allen and the The Council of the District of Columbia to ensure T-CPR training is a requirement for 911 call takers. The power is in your hands to save more lives in DC. Read Mary’s full story: http://spr.ly/6187KBljP and see why a quality T-CPR program could mean the difference between life and death for DC residents: http://spr.ly/6188KBlju. #CPRSavesLives

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/01/11/2021-28135/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records

In 2016, John Harrity was playing a pick-up basketball game when he suddenly didn’t feel like himself. That’s when his heart stopped, and he collapsed on the court. #TeleCPR instruction from a 911 call taker allowed his friend to administer lifesaving compressions while they waited for emergency medical services. In the moments following a cardiac arrest, CPR can mean the difference between life and death. We urge The Council of the District of Columbia to require ongoing training for 911 call takers to ensure they can effectively teach CPR over the phone. Through bystander CPR, John is alive and healthy today. He stays active as the Co-Chair of our annual Lawyers Have Heart 10k, 5k and Fun Walk and gives back to cardiovascular research through Harrity & Harrity, LLP. Read his story on WUSA 9: http://spr.ly/6187J7FEU and see how a quality T-CPR program will save more lives in DC: http://spr.ly/6180J7FEs. #CPRSavesLives #RunLHH Charles Allen Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

In 2016, John Harrity was playing a pick-up basketball game when he suddenly didn’t feel like himself. That’s when his heart stopped, and he collapsed on the court. #TeleCPR instruction from a 911 call taker allowed his friend to administer lifesaving compressions while they waited for emergency medical services. In the moments following a cardiac arrest, CPR can mean the difference between life and death. We urge The Council of the District of Columbia to require ongoing training for 911 call takers to ensure they can effectively teach CPR over the phone. Through bystander CPR, John is alive and healthy today. He stays active as the Co-Chair of our annual Lawyers Have Heart 10k, 5k and Fun Walk and gives back to cardiovascular research through Harrity & Harrity, LLP. Read his story on WUSA 9: http://spr.ly/6187J7FEU and see how a quality T-CPR program will save more lives in DC: http://spr.ly/6180J7FEs. #CPRSavesLives #RunLHH Charles Allen Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department

“We deserve better.” COVID cases are rapidly surging through the DC Jail and the City has the plans necessary to change. Read the letter we sent to Mayor Bowser & The Council of the District of Columbia weeks ago with more than 50 organizations and dozens of DC residents: https://tinyurl.com/yc39dmzf https://dcist.com/story/21/12/22/dc-jail-covid-surge/

🗣 Make your voices heard! Next week, DC Council will reconvene a joint public hearing on Climate Resilience Planning in the District & the Flood Resilience Amendment Act of '21 (B24-410). Share your experience with flooding by signing up via email by tomorrow, Jan. 7th @ 10AM. Watch the hearing live on Monday, Jan. 10th @ 10AM via: - The The Council of the District of Columbia site at, https://bit.ly/2ooL0l1 - The DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music & Entertainment site, at https://bit.ly/2JNZIro - On TV, Channel 13 or 18 #OurWard5

D.C. Residents Remember U.S. Capitol Riot of 2021 #January6th #CapitolRiot The Council of the District of Columbia Charles Allen