The time is upon us. DC Council will begin holding oversight hearings this month on the performance of DC government agencies in 2020. We don’t have to tell you that 2020 was a doozy of a year. Government agencies were forced to rethink their service delivery models when the pandemic hit, while simultaneously facing growing human needs. Some rose to the occasion while others faltered. Yet no assessment of their performance can be done by the DC Council without hearing from DC residents who rely on government agencies.

What does it mean to testify before DC Council?

Testifying is a way to share stories with DC Councilmembers and staff about the ways in which DC programs have affected your life. This is an opportunity for families and individuals who’ve dealt with DC government agencies to share their experiences with shelters, hotels, housing programs, and other government services.

Things to keep in mind

  • These are public events. All DC Council hearings and roundtables are recorded and shown on public access television. The public can watch hearings live, as well as view the recordings afterward on the DC Council website.
  • Testimony can be verbal and written. Written testimonies are added to the public record.
  • During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Council hearings are happening virtually. “Live” testimony means participating in the hearing online, “voicemail” testimony means leaving a voicemail with your thoughts.
  • Generally, people who testify are referred to as witnesses, and individuals are usually given three minutes to speak (although there is some variation among committees).
  • If you or someone you are helping needs language interpretation or reasonable accommodations for live testimony, let the Council committee know when you sign up.
  • A full list of oversight hearings and instructions can be found here.

Here are some tips on testifying from Legal Clinic Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator, Kristi Matthews:

  • Identify who you are (name, why you are testifying, and program you are testifying about)
  • Tell your story (pick an event or issue that you have worked directly on or been affected directly by that you are comfortable sharing with the public)
  • Explain why you felt the need to testify (how you have been impacted by this program)
  • Describe solutions (how can they improve the program if needed)

Please feel free to contact us with questions or to request help preparing your testimony: (202) 328-5500.

 

Some Key Agency Performance Oversight Hearings

Department of Behavioral Health

Under the oversight of the Committee on Health (Committee Chairperson: Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray)
Programs covered: mental health services, housing programs for people with mental illness

Live testimony

  • Date: February 12, 2021, 9AM-6PM
  • How to sign up: email mcameron@dccouncil.us or call 202-341-4425
  • Deadline to sign up: 5PM on February 11, 2021

Voicemail testimony: 202-350-1828

Written testimony:

Office on Returning Citizens Affairs, Commission on Reentry and Returning Citizen Affairs

Under the oversight of the Committee on Government Operations and Facilities (Committee Chairperson: At-Large Councilmember Robert White)
Programs covered: services and housing for returning citizens

Live testimony:

  • Date: February 19, 2021, 12PM-6PM
  • How to sign up: email facilities@dccouncil.us or call (202) 741-8593
  • Deadline to sign up: COB February 17, 2021

Voicemail testimony: none

Written testimony:

Department of Human Services and Interagency Council on Homelessness

Under the oversight of the Committee on Human Services (Committee Chairperson: Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau)
Programs covered: homeless services, emergency shelters, Permanent Supportive Housing, Targeted Affordable Housing, Rapid Re-housing, TANF, EBT (food stamps), IDA, ERAP, child care, Homeward DC’s plan to end homelessness

Live testimony:

Voicemail testimony: 202-741-2111

Written testimony:

Department of Employment Services

Under the oversight of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (Committee Chairperson: At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman)
Programs covered: job programs, unemployment, paid family leave

Live testimony:

Voicemail testimony: 202-455-0153

Written testimony:

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services

Under the oversight of the Committee on Health (Committee Chairperson: Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray)
Programs covered: encampments, including trash removal and clearings/displacement

Live testimony:

  • Date: March 4, 2021, 9AM-6PM
  • How to sign up: email mcameron@dccouncil.us or call 202-341-4425
  • Deadline to sign up: COB March 3, 2021

Voicemail testimony: 202-350-1828

Written testimony:

Metropolitan Police Department

Under the oversight of the Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety (Committee Chairperson Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen)
Programs covered: policing, violence prevention, diversion of funding to community needs

Live testimony:

Voicemail testimony: none

Written testimony:

Office of Human Rights

Under the oversight of the Committee on Government Operations and Facilities (Committee Chairperson At-Large Councilmember Robert White)
Programs covered: enforcement of the DC Human Rights Act, Fair Criminal Records Screening for Housing Act, proposed new protections including Fair Tenant Screening Act, Michael A. Stoops Anti-Discrimination Act and Eviction Records Sealing Authority Act

Live testimony:

  • Date: March 5, 2021, 12PM-6PM
  • How to sign up: email facilities@dccouncil.us or call (202) 741-8593
  • Deadline to sign up: COB March 3, 2021

Voicemail testimony: none

Written testimony:

DC Housing Authority

Under the oversight of the Committee on Housing and Executive Administration (Committee Chairperson: At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds)
Programs covered: public housing, vouchers, Local Rent Supplement Program

Live testimony:

  • Date: March 5, 2021, 9AM-12PM
  • How to sign up: call 202-724-8198 or email housing@dccouncil.us
  • Deadline to sign up: March 1, 2021

Voicemail testimony: 202-350-0894

Written testimony:

Department of Housing and Community Development

Under the oversight of the Committee on Housing and Executive Administration (Committee Chairperson: At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds)
Programs covered: Housing Production Trust Fund, use of federal funds for rent relief

Live testimony:

  • Date: March 9, 2021, 9AM-3PM
  • How to sign up: call 202-724-8198 or email housing@dccouncil.us
  • Deadline to sign up: March 5, 2021

Voicemail testimony: 202-350-0894

Written testimony:

Office of Planning

Under the oversight of the Committee of the Whole (Committee Chairperson: Chairman Phil Mendelson)
Programs covered: Comprehensive Plan

Live testimony:

Voicemail testimony: 202-430-6948

Written testimony:

Department of Health

Under the oversight of the Committee on Health (Committee Chairperson: Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray)
Programs covered: DC Healthcare Alliance, vaccine distribution, pandemic testing and response, housing programs for people with HIV/AIDS

Live testimony:

  • Date: March 19, 2021, 9AM-6PM
  • How to sign up: email mcameron@dccouncil.us or call 202-341-4425
  • Deadline to sign up: COB March 18, 2021

Voicemail testimony: 202-350-1828

Written testimony: