Dear Friend,
Our neighbors in federal service all work with a common goal, to serve the needs of the American people. Some help seniors and veterans access the benefits they’ve earned. Others assist us with our tax returns. Some save lives by developing breakthrough medical treatments — others by helping us stay out of the way of a dangerous storm. Without dedicated federal workers, planes falling out of the sky would be a regular occurrence, not a heartbreaking anomaly.
I’ve spent most of my life serving beside and witnessing federal workers doing the often mundane and sometimes dangerous work of protecting our national defense. I’ve both been and worked with the contractors who support our federal agencies and without whom those agencies couldn’t do their missions.
I take the assault to our federal workforce personally, I think most of us do.
They deserve respect, not the attention maximizing machinations that Elon Musk pursued at Twitter and caused the company to lose 80% of its value. Last week, during a doctor visit, my clinician mentioned just how many federal workers and contractors he’s seeing with anxiety and depression as a result of the President’s and Musk’s wrecking ball approach to their lives and livelihoods and the standing and power of the United States.
Our office is working to call out this harm at every turn. We are partnering with other members of the General Assembly to address the impacts to our economy. We are working to identify ways to fill the vacuum created by the wanton destruction of federal services. We’re also gathering resources — some listed below — that those impacted by these cuts can use. And as always, if you are impacted and need help, please reach out.
In the vein, Delegate Karrie Delaney and Senator Stella Pekarsky will be joining me this Thursday night for a town hall meeting. We will review the work we did in Richmond this session and answer any questions you may have. More information and a link to sign-up is listed below.
Warm Regards,
Dan
Town Hall
Sign-up here for the town hall.
Veteran Alert:
TRICARE Online Patient Portal Decommissioning: Download Your Health Records Now
Heads-up for anyone with a large veteran/military family population. On April 1, 2025 the Department of Defense will shut down the TricareOnline Patient Portal.
Beneficiaries should visit the portal now and download their legacy healthcare records, as they will not have online access to the records after the site is decommissioned. The records go back about 30 years.
To keep copies of your legacy health records, follow these instructions:
Visit TRICAREOnline.com.
Log in: Sign in using your DS Logon, CAC, or DFAS myPay credentials. If you don’t have a DS Logon, you’ll need to create one by clicking “Need An Account.”
Access: On the TOL homepage, click the blue “Health Record” button to view your personal health data.
Find data: Select “Download My Data.” You’ll see several data categories.
Customize: Choose the person, data types, date range, and format for the records you want to download.
Download: You can choose to download your records in portable document format (.pdf) or as a (.xml) continuity of care document. The CCD format allows you to share your data with family, caregivers, providers, and healthcare systems, or to document data in your preferred personal health record. Save: After downloading, you can either open the file or save it securely for future use. You can also print your records and store them in a safe place.
Opportunity for Laid-Off Federal Workers
NOVAnext: New Training Opportunity for Recently Unemployed Federal Workers and Contractors
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) has launched NOVAnext, a new program offering recently unemployed federal workers and contractors the chance to explore new career paths. NOVA is offering scholarship aid, which would cover enrollment costs for 14 specialized courses and providing access to online workshops on resume writing and job search techniques.
Participants in the program can earn industry-recognized certifications in IT, program management, and human resources or explore self-paced entrepreneurship courses and a new Generative AI class. Eligible applicants must have been laid off on or after February 1st, 2025, reside within NOVA’s service area, and apply online through Virginia Career Works.
For more information, visit NOVAnext.
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Resources for Laid-Off Federal Workers
Applying for Unemployment
Job Search Resources
Federal
State
Local
- Fairfax Economic Development Authority Career Services & Listings
- Fairfax County Employment Center Services
- Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) Openings
- Fairfax County Government Openings
- Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC)
Health Care Resources
Family Services Assistance
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP Benefits)
- Virginia Department of Health Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program
- Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR)
- Fairfax County Department of Family Services
- Northern Virginia Family Service
Housing & Rental Assistance Resources
- Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development
- Fairfax County Housing and Community Development
- Good Shepherd Housing
Misc. Assistance and Resources
Human Services
- United Community (Human Services)
- Lorton Community Action Center
- The Koinonia Foundation
- Fairfax County Human Services Resources
- Clifton Lions Club of Virginia
Miscellaneous Resources
Federal Representative Contacts
Senator Mark Warner: 202-224-2023| https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/
Senator Tim Kaine: (202) 224-4024 | https://www.kaine.senate.gov/
Congressman Suhas Subramanyam: (703) 236-1300 | https://subramanyam.house.gov/
Congressman Don Beyer: (703) 658-5403 | https://beyer.house.gov/
Congressman Gerry Connolly: (703) 256-3071 | https://connolly.house.gov/
Top of the Tenth
Surviving the Law is a remarkable story of resilience, passion, and the unwavering belief that you can carve your own path no matter the odds. Authored by Jose R. Campos, the book chronicles his journey from growing up undocumented in America to becoming a successful lawyer. Campos’s story serves as an inspiring testament to perseverance and determination in the face of adversity, showcasing the incredible talent and strength within our own community.
“I’m really proud of this book, and I truly believe there are kids out there who will benefit so much from it,” Campos shared. “ This isn’t just another memoir; it’s a story of hope, resilience, and triumph. It’s my story: an undocumented boy who defied the odds and became a voice for justice.”If you are interested in supporting a local author and learning more about Jose’s story, consider picking up a copy of Surviving the Law.
Local Events
Free Prom Dresses
This year’s Prom Dress Shop, located in a modular classroom building near Centreville High School’s stadium (in the parking lot, outside of door 12), launched Friday, March 7, and will continue on weekends through Sunday, April 6.
The Prom Dress Shop is filled with hundreds of high-quality donated gowns and accessories. Students presenting a valid ID from any school in the region, not just Fairfax County, are invited to try on dresses and take one home at no cost.
Nominations Needed!!!!!!
One of the best parts about serving in the General Assembly is being able to honor individuals, groups and organizations in the 10th district that deserve recognition with a Commending or Memorial Resolution. Know a person who has given back to the community, a group engaged in an activity worthy of noting, a small business doing a great job, or a team that has excelled either on the field or off? Tell us about it! We can also honor significant anniversaries both for couples and institutions, as well as remember those that have passed. Give us all the details by emailing us at deldhelmer@house.virginia.gov and a member of my staff will be in touch.
Ongoing Community Resources
Unemployment Assistance
Many individuals have reached out to our office regarding troubles with the Virginia Employment Commission. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, whether it be from the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) or elsewhere, our office is happy to help. Please email our office at DelDHelmer@house.virginia.gov.
Affordable Broadband for Students
Cox internet is announcing a new program: Connect2Compete (C2C), designed to provide low-income households with school-aged children with affordable broadband service. Virginia families that participate in any government assistance program are eligible for C2C—and can subscribe to speeds up to 100 Mbps download for just $9.95/month. You can learn more about the program here: www.cox.com/digitalequity
Fighting to Keep Life Affordable
If you or someone you know needs assistance, I have provided resources below that may be helpful. In addition, you may always reach out to our office by email at DelDHelmer@house.virginia.gov – and we will work to connect you with community partners.
General resources:
● Commonhelp: https://www.commonhelp.virginia.gov/
● FCPS Family Services: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/
● PWC Mutual Aid: Prince William County Mutual Aid’s Resources and Services Request Page is available to those living in the region, as well as those from Fairfax County. You can also contact them directly at pwcmutualaid@gmail.com, or find more information about the organization on their Facebook page.
Food resources:
● Food for Others: https://foodforothers.org/
● Western Fairfax Christian Ministries: https://wfcmva.org/; provides food and rent assistance to community members.
● FACETS: http://facetscares.org/; This program serves hot meals to unhoused individuals in the Fairfax Circle area. Roughly 100 meals are cooked and served once a month.
Labor resources:
● The Centreville Labor Resource Center: http://centrevilleimmigrationforum.org/centreville-labor-resource-center/
● The Virginia Career Works: https://vcwnorthern.com/fa-booking/
Rent and housing resources:
● Cornerstones: https://www.cornerstonesva.org/
To find the cheapest fuel prices, you can visit this website, which allows you to compare gas prices in your area.
