July Newsletter
As we enter into the thick of summer, I wanted to take this opportunity to connect with you to provide some news related to the District as well as keep you updated as well as share some great opportunities for local businesses and keep you up to date on what I’ve been up to around the 86th. I hope you and your family are enjoying the warm weather and staying cool!
Primary Results!
Just a month ago, the June primaries resulted in some big changes for the General Assembly and for local politics. In light of who won, we can expect a legislature that’s younger and more diverse this coming session.
I want to congratulate Jimmy Bierman, our candidate for Dranesville District Supervisor. We will miss Supervisor John Foust, but I have every confidence that Jimmy will continue the work John started in making Fairfax County the best community for families to live, work, and play. I also want to extend congratulations to our new General Assembly primary winners in the region. I look forward to welcoming and working alongside Karen Keys-Gamarra, Saddam Azlan Salim, and Stella Pekarsky. An extra special congratulations to Delegate Suhas Subramanyam who handily won his primary for the state senate.
Medicaid Unwinding
During the pandemic, the federal government signed a continuous enrollment provision that kept many families on Medicaid that otherwise wouldn’t have been able to retain it. However, that provision ended on March 31st of this year, beginning a process of phasing down Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by conducting eligibility screenings. If you are on Medicaid, for now, follow these steps to make sure you can keep yourself and your family healthy.
Update your contact information, including your mailing address, phone number, and email here, or by calling Cover Virginia at 1-833-5CALLVA (TDD: 1-888-221-1590).
Be sure to respond to official communications and forms about your Medicaid coverage quickly.
If the Department of Medical Assistance Services later determines you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, you will get notice of when your coverage will end, information on how to file an appeal if you think the decision was incorrect, and a referral to other options to find affordable healthcare through Marketplace or Enroll Virginia. If you need assistance with the transition, or any other aspect of this process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at delishin@house.virginia.gov or at 703-677-8334.
PSA for Travelers
If you’re planning any international trips in the coming months, be sure to check your passport expiration date, as there are major delays (between 10 to 13 weeks!) at the State Department in processing passport applications. Remember to also check how long your destination country requires your passport to be valid for after your entry date - some countries require your passport to be valid for a few months after you arrive. Make sure to get ahead of the game if your passport is expiring anytime soon, or if you need to acquire one for the first time, and visit here to apply today.
Air Quality
With climate change increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events, the Canadian wildfires earlier this month might not be the last ones. If you or a member of your household belong to a group at risk from poor air quality, such as the elderly, those with respiratory issues, or young children, consider signing up for alerts from the Department of Environmental Quality to make sure you’re the first to know when it’s not safe to go outside.
Metro Reduced Fares Program
Customers in the DMV area that qualify for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are now eligible to enroll in Metro Lift: Metro’s reduced fares program! You can get 50% off all Metrorail and Metrobus rides by applying online or in-person at this link.
Northern Virginia Public Transportation
Speaking of public transportation, a recent study by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission found that Northern Virginia’s transit system is a massive boon for the economy. That’s why I will continue to support initiatives to fully fund effective public transit.
For Cultural Nonprofits, Libraries, Museums, and Historical Societies
Virginia Humanities is an organization dedicated to enriching our communities by exploring our history, arts, and culture. They are offering some fantastic grants to organizations hoping to begin storytelling-related projects, such as community forums, community history projects including oral histories, or festivals. Apply to their VA250 grants by September 7th, or to their Rapid Grant program by July 31st.
Youth Mental Health Services
School may have ended, but mental health requires year-round care. That’s why we want to get the word out that Fairfax County Public Schools has partnered with Hazel Health to bring telehealth therapy professionals right to teens that need them—for free! Parents, you can visit FCPS’s page for directions on how to opt-in your child.
In addition, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual mental wellness consultations from now until August 4th. Any FCPS parent or secondary student can schedule a virtual 45-minute consultation with a school mental health professional. All parents and secondary students are encouraged to take advantage of this service. Consultations can be requested online or by calling 703-503-2520 and leaving a message.
FCPS Free Summer Meals
Hunger doesn’t take a summer break, so FCPS is providing free meals at elementary schools all over the county throughout the summer to any FCPS student that needs them, no registration required. Check here to view the times and locations.
For Small Businesses - Introducing RetirePath Virginia and Town of Herndon Survey
Providing an employer-sponsored retirement savings option can be taxing or downright impossible for some small businesses. That’s why RetirePath Virginia was launched, to help Virginians save for retirement, and help employers facilitate those savings. More than 8,000 Virginia businesses will receive a RetirePath registration notification this month, and businesses will be required to register or to provide their own qualified retirement plan.
Employee participation is voluntary and flexible—any Virginian, even those who are self-employed or don’t work for an employer registered with RetirePath, can open an account and save on their own.
In other news, the Town of Herndon has hired a contractor to administer a survey of its businesses beginning the week of July 17 online and via phone. It will ask for opinions on town services as well as general information on issues relevant to the town’s commercial sector. You can contact Economic.Development@Herndon-va.gov for more information.
Low-Cost Internet for Free and Reduced-Price Eligible Students
During the pandemic, we saw how integral online tools can be for quality learning. If your family qualifies for free or reduced lunches, you may be eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program! You can receive $30 per month toward internet services and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Check your eligibility and register here or by calling 877-384-2575.
Commuter’s Corner
Living in Northern Virginia means constant driving, and constant construction. That’s why my office is launching our Commuter’s Corner posts at the top of every week on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, letting you know about major road closures or construction impacting our community and your commute. Be sure to check in each week so you are ready to go on Monday mornings!
Community Events
Last month, I attended a wonderful Eid-al-Adha celebration at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center with Senator Boysko and Hunter Mill Supervisor Walter Alcorn!
Friday Night Live is back! You can find live music every Friday, starting at 6:00PM on the Herndon Town Green behind the Fortnightly Library.
Cornerstones is now offering classes to help prepare anyone who wants to become a US Citizen for the legal process! You can read all about it here.
Arrowbrook Centre Park Concert Series
Arrowbrook Centre Park is hosting a concert every Saturday night throughout the summer at 7:30 PM! So happy to have some live music in our community. For more information, click here.
Cornerstones Back-to-School Drive!
Cornerstones is having their annual back-to-school drive to support low-income K-12 students in our area! You can donate online via their Amazon backpack wishlist, or order any of the following supplies to Cornerstones, ATTN Nate King, 11150 Sunset Hills Rd. Ste. 210, in Reston by August 8th. If you’d prefer to drop off items in person, you can do so between Monday, July 31 through Friday, August 4 between the hours of 9 AM and 4:45 PM daily. Visit here for more information.
Colored markers, box of 10 (fine line)
Colored pencils, box of 12
Crayons, box of 64
Rubber erasers
Scissors (pointed tip, for elementary school ages)
Three-ring binders, 1-inch
Team Irene is Growing
We are so excited to welcome Hillary and Lucy to Team Irene!
Hillary Yoon (she/her) is a rising senior at Phillips Exeter Academy, N.H. who lives in Herndon. She loves serving her local community and does event & sport photography! As our social media intern, she works on multimedia for numerous online platforms. Hillary plans on continuing her studies in history and public policy in college, and we are so happy to have her on our team!
Lucy Hartman (she/her) is a native to Virginia and electoral politics. She comes to our team with experience in campaigns, reproductive rights advocacy, and political and legislative advocacy for workers' rights. Lucy lives in Northside, Richmond, with her husband and two-year-old son, along with two rambunctious hound dogs. She is overjoyed to work in Fairfax County, meeting voters and activists in the eighth district and beyond. Together, our team is a force for positive change that uplifts everyone who is a part of this community. Welcome, Lucy!
Herndon Village Network
The Herndon Village Network is a fantastic organization that provides transportation to non-driving seniors in our area who would otherwise not be able to get to medical appointments, grocery stores, religious services, and social activities. They are always looking for more members they can serve, as well as volunteers! To learn more, you can visit https://herndonvillagenetwork.org/.
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As always, it is my true honor to serve as your representative in the House of Delegates. I hope you’re staying cool this July, and don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at delishin@house.virginia.gov or at 703-677-8334 if you are ever in need of assistance.
Warmly,
Irene
