March is Women's History Month, created to “commemorate and encourage the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.” Two areas in which women’s contributions have often been unacknowledged and underappreciated are our role in driving social change and our work as caregivers. This Women’s History Month, DC Action is highlighting an area where the two overlap: the fight - led largely by women - for accessible early childhood education, with a fairly compensated work force, in the District.

The Coalition for Nonprofit Equity invites DC nonprofits to an online briefing on the status of the Nonprofit Fair Compensation Act of 2020. The law provides five ways for nonprofits to calculate and negotiate their indirect costs on DC government grants and contracts. This fiscal year (FY23) all DC grants and contracts valued at up to $5 million (excluding those to universities, hospitals, and foundations) should provide for indirect costs for nonprofit awardees. Nonprofits need to know their rights and how to successfully negotiate their contracts accordingly. Join us for this discussion and learn how to help advocate for full funding and implementation on March 9 from 9-10 am.

DC Council budget hearings begin later this month, providing community organizations and District residents with the opportunity to share their requests and suggestions on how the District should spend its money in fiscal year 2024. DC Action staff and members of our coalitions will be testifying, and encourage others to join us. If you’re new to testifying, take a look at our step-by-step guide. Each of our coalitions has developed talking points for members to incorporate into their testimonies. To learn more, or to sign up to testify, please contact us.

DC OST Coalition: Ryllie Danylko

Health, Nutrition, and Safety: Hannah Francis

Home Visiting Council: Nisa Hussain

Under 3 DC Coalition: Vanessa Lopez

Youth Economic Justice and Housing Coalition: Rachel White

Thanks to the many coalition members and partners who have worked to hold District agencies accountable by testifying at recent performance oversight hearings. 

In case you missed the hearings, DC Action staff testimonies are available here.

• Ryllie Danylko, Policy Analyst, testified before the Committee of the Whole on improvements needed to out-of-school-time infrastructure and before the Committee on Recreation, Libraries & Youth Affairs on the role of the Department of Parks and Recreation in providing out-of-school-time activities.
   
• Rachel White, Senior Youth Policy Analyst, before the Committee on Housing and  the Committee on Executive Administration and Labor on the need for tailored workforce development programming for youth experiencing homelessness.
   
• Rachel Metz, Data and Research Manager, testified before the Committee on Health about Medicaid coverage.
   
• Nisa Hussain, Early Childhood Program Manager, testified before the Committee on Health and before the Committee on Facilities and Human Services on improving compensation and conditions for home visitors.
   
• Vanessa Lopez, Under 3 DC Campaign Manager, testified (on behalf of Natasha Riddle Romero, Bilingual Organizer) before the Committee of the Whole on the importance of the pay equity fund for early childhood educators.

About DC Action

DC Action is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, multi-issue advocacy organization making the District of Columbia a place where all kids grow up safe, resilient, powerful and heard. DC Action uses research, data, and a racial equity lens to break down barriers that stand in the way of all kids reaching their full potential. We are home to DC Kids Count, Under 3 DC, DC Out-of-School Time Coalition, the DC Home Visiting Council and the Youth Economic Justice and Housing Coalition. Our collaborative advocacy campaigns bring the power of young people and all residents to raise their voices to create change.

WeAreDCAction.org

info@dckids.org

Copyright © 2023, DC Action, All rights reserved.