Do you qualify for D.C.’s paid family leave?

Hey everyone,

As residents anxiously await the House's return from recess on March 24 and their vote on whether D.C. can spend its own local budget, we've been reflecting on the risks of losing that right (which congress came close to jettisoning last week).

D.C.'s robust social services include its relatively rare universal paid family leave program. It's not a perfect program, but it's made a big difference to a lot of residents caring for family members or themselves. We have an explainer this week on how it works and whether you're eligible.

We also have a piece from opinion contributor Eduardo Ferrer of the Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative who argues that the budget fight (and revenue shortfalls due to federal worker layoffs) risks cuts to the programs needed to continue reducing crime in the District. Despite Trump's fear-mongering, he writes, the city is the safest it's been in decades.

We also have your weekend plans, readers' first glimpses of spring, and an update from our Ward 7 Community Connector.

Take care of yourselves out there.

–Abigail Higgins

How to access D.C.'s paid family leave benefits

D.C. is one of just over a dozen jurisdictions that offers paid time off to care for a family member or oneself. Still, eligibility and access can be confusing. If you work in the District, here’s what you need to know about the program. 

Opinion: As Trump stokes fears about D.C.'s crime, the city is safer than it's been in decades

Since retaking office, President Donald Trump has floated an executive order cracking down on crime in D.C., told reporters the federal government “should take over” the city due to crime, and called on Mayor Muriel Bowser to clear homeless encampments to increase safety. In early February, two Congressmen introduced a bill to strip D.C. of its local governance entirely. The reason? Also crime. But opinion contributor Eduardo Ferrer of the Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative says D.C. may actually be the safest it's ever been.

12 things to do around D.C. this weekend

Kick off cherry blossom season with a pedal boat race across the Tidal Basin, celebrate spring with a walk around Theodore Roosevelt Island, and take a vinyasa flow class set to Afrobeats.

ICYMI: What we heard from Ward 7 residents

In late December, George Kevin Jordan became the first Community Connector for The 51st, focusing on Ward 7, where he's lived for the past six years. The program’s goal is to learn about how residents engage with local news and how The 51st can help fill gaps between local media and the communities we serve. Here's what he's learned so far.

Your photos: The first glimpses of D.C. spring

It's been a long, long winter. But spring is here! We rounded up your photos of D.C.'s best and brightest season.

Here's more news you may have missed this week:

• Georgetown postdocotoral fellow Badar Khan Suri was detained by masked DHS agents outside of his Rosslyn home. He's here on a student visa studying peace-building. [Politico]
• Arts coverage hasn't escaped the gutting of local journalism. [730DC]
• A wholesome (nutritionally and spiritually) tradition is simmering in Mount Pleasant every day in March – perpetual stew! [The Post]
• Elon's cronies continue their pillaging, this time of an independent nonprofit – and apparently with the help of the police. [AP]
• Chef Shamim Popal landed in D.C. after fleeing Afghanistan in the 1980s. Today, she's one of the city's most successful restaurateurs. [City Cast]
• Border patrol arrested a Venezuelan couple in D.C. and separated them from their children, despite their protected status. [The Post]
• No significant ties to hate groups in MPD, according to D.C. auditor, but individual concerns remain. [WCP]
• Public transit couple goals. [The Post]
• The Kennedy Center was never the only game in town – here's where you can still see great performances in the District. [WCP]
• D.C.'s police chief goes against the findings of a jury and a federal judge, asserting that officers did not attempt a cover-up in the killing of Karon Hylton-Brown. [The Post]

Your Civics Download

You’ll find this handy guide to public meetings at the bottom of every edition of The 51st. We’ll refine and improve along the way, so if you think we’re missing resources, please let us know!

• Looking to get more involved in your neighborhood? Ward 1 Mutual Aid is meeting on Sunday, March 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. to recruit new organizers. You’ll learn more about mutual aid, hear about their ongoing efforts, and find opportunities to plug in. They’ll be meeting at the Festival Center on Columbia Road. 
• Calling all federal workers! The People’s Parity Project and MDCDSA are hosting a know-your-rights (workplace edition) training on Monday, March 24 at 5 p.m. If you’re nervous about what you can say at work, what you can do outside of work, or even what you can post on your personal social media during this coup – this training is for you. It’ll be led by Scott Michelman of the ACLU. Sign up to attend the virtual event here. 
• On Tuesday, March 25, DDOT will host a public meeting about a planned 1.1-mile stretch of the Anacostia River Trail that will connect the future Arboretum Bridge to Maryland Avenue. DDOT is currently running a feasibility study to identify any issues with the trail plan and will gather residents’ feedback at the meeting. Presentations will be held at 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. The meeting will take place at the National Arboretum. 
• On Wednesday, March 26 at 6 p.m., Housing Counseling Services, Inc. is holding a webinar for laid-off government workers facing housing insecurity. You can register for the online session here. 
• Over the next week, Rock Creek Park Trees and Extinction Rebellion D.C. will host a series of educational picnics about the city’s plans to revamp Rock Creek Park and cut down more than 1,000 trees. All meetings will take place at picnic grove #6, 696 Beach Drive NW.
  • Saturday, March 22, at 10 a.m. 
  • Friday, March 28, at 7 a.m. 
• The city is kicking off its process of revamping D.C.'s comprehensive plan for the first time since 2006. It sounds boring and dry, but don’t be fooled: A comprehensive plan guides the city's housing, jobs, public spaces, and more. Residents can weigh in on priorities during a series of public meetings, which you can register for here.
  • Saturday, March 22, 11 a.m. at MLK Library
  • Tuesday, March 25, 6 p.m. at Barry Farm Recreation Center
  • Thursday, March 27, 6 p.m., virtual

Hope you make time to stop and smell the cherry blossoms this weekend! (I know, I know, they don't really have a scent.)

Abby