August 29, 2025

Welcome to the new DC Health monthly newsletter - your source for updates, resources and news to keep our community healthy and informed.

DC Health took over the School Health Services Program (SHSP) from Children’s National Hospital on June 29, 2025. This change streamlines services, strengthens accountability, and improves health support for more than 90,000 students in 186 public and public charter schools.

DC Health now manages:

• Staffing health suites with licensed nurses and health professionals
• Providing daily health checks, first aid, and care coordination
• Supporting students with chronic conditions, health plans, and medication needs
• Reviewing health forms (Universal Health Certificates and Oral Health Assessments)
• Referring students to doctors, dentists, and specialists as needed

Health suites will stay open from 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on school days. Parents will continue receiving alerts, referrals, and reminders to keep students up to date with school health requirements.

This year, DC Health is improving services with a focus on fairness and efficiency. We’re strengthening data systems, modernizing technology, improving workplace culture, including more community voices, and updating policies. Residents will benefit from faster service, clearer communication, and more responsive programs.

Expanding Social Worker Access 

Graduates with a Master of Social Work can now get an initial license as a licensed graduate social worker (LGSW) without taking the national exam. They can then become fully licensed after passing the exam or completing 1,500 supervised hours.

New Vital Records Kiosks

DC Health’s Vital Records office has new self-service kiosks to reduce wait times. The kiosks are easy to use, handle high volumes, and include secure ID checks to protect personal and payment information.

Nursing Improvements

DC Health created faster and easier ways for professionals to get licensed in the District as nurses and certified nurse aides (CNAs):

• Nurses licensed in other states through the Nurse Compact can transfer their license with less paperwork.
• Certified nurse aides licensed in other states can quickly gain certification in the District.
• New CNAs benefit from expanded testing opportunities and faster licensing.

Advancing Health Literacy in the District

DC Health worked with community partners to help residents access and understand health information through the Advancing Health Literacy Grant. Together, we improved communication between providers and communities, making it easier for residents to make informed health decisions.

One example is our partnership with the United Planning Organization (UPO). By combining UPO’s community trust with our health literacy work, we created messages that reflect local culture and meet neighborhood needs. This work is featured in the video DC Voices of Wellness: Representation That Matters – Highlighting the importance of trusted messengers and representation in building healthier communities.

Improving Patient Care Through Data Sharing

DC Health partnered with the District’s Health Information Exchange (CRISP) to expand access to test results. Providers can now view colonoscopy, mammogram, and Cologuard results more quickly. Thanks to partnerships with MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Breast Care for Washington, and Exact Sciences, this effort reduces delays, improves coordination, and strengthens patient care.

Accessing Immunization Records

Residents can use the free Docket® app to view their personal and family vaccination records. Key features include:

• Access to your own and your children’s records
• Ability to download official vaccine records in PDF format
• Reminders for upcoming vaccinations

The app is optional, free, and does not share your personal information with outside companies. Visit: Docket.

Tracking Overdose Trends

The new DC Overdose/Live Long DC Dashboard tracks overdose data in real time. It shows neighborhood- and ward-level information on ambulance transports, fatalities, naloxone distribution, harm reduction, and syringe testing results. This dashboard helps the District respond faster and more effectively to save lives.

Love Is . . .

Join us for "Love Is... A Teen Dating Violence Awareness Event" hosted by the DC Rape Prevention and Education Program (DC RPE), focused on promoting healthy relationships, raising awareness, and empowering youth. Enjoy games, a live DJ, free food, giveaways, and access to community resources - all in a fun, safe space that celebrates love built on respect and equality.

Saturday, September 20, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Register here.

7th Annual Latine Conference for People with Disabilities

This virtual event, organized by the DC Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC), provides information and resources in Spanish to connect people with disabilities and their families with essential services. 

• Tuesday, September 23, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Thursday, September 25, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Visit Vamos DC for event information.

16th Annual Food Safety and Defense Conference

On September 30, 2025, DC Health will hold its 16th Annual Food Safety and Defense Conference for food service industry, academia, members of our community, and regulators to discuss topics pertaining to foodborne illness, food defense, special code requirements and special programs such as vending, shared kitchens, and HACCP Plan requirements. Experts will discuss best practices, trends, & solutions to protecting the District's food supply chain.

• What do I need to bring with me to prove my identity when visiting Vital Records?

  During your visit, you will be required to complete an identity verification questionnaire at our self- service kiosks. (Read more under “How do the on-site kiosks work?”)

  When visiting Vital Records, you will complete an ID check at the kiosk. Bring one original, valid, and undamaged unexpired photo ID such as a:

  • State-issued driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card
  • Passport or passport card
  • Permanent resident card
  • Employment authorization card
  • Department of State card
  • Military ID Card
  • Law enforcement ID (must also present DC Superior Court subpoena)

Government employee ID (applies only to licensed social workers or government representatives with pre-existing approval from the State Registrar).