COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, nw
Washington, D.C. 20004
1
Statement of Introduction
Alternative Restorative Therapy Options for Youth Amendment Act of 2023
September 26, 2023
Today, I am introducing the Alternative Restorative Therapy (ART) Options for Youth
Amendment Act, along with Councilmembers Janeese Lewis George, Charles Allen, Kenyan R.
McDuffie, Brooke Pinto, Matthew Frumin, and Robert C. White, Jr.
This bill would make a vital amendment to the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Act of
1977 by requiring the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) to provide alternative forms of
therapy to foster youth, including art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy, dance or movement
therapy, and narrative therapy. While CFSA currently offers a broad array of therapy options for
youth and families, most do not explicitly facilitate opportunities for youth to non-verbally and
physically externalize their experiences in a therapeutic setting.
CFSA-involved youth face unique challenges, ones which traditional talk-based therapies may
not fully address. For example, many children and teens in the child welfare system may not
want to verbalize, or may struggle to verbalize, their experiences and emotions due to trauma or
difficult circumstances. Alternative therapies provide creative and nonverbal avenues for them to
express their feelings and experiences.
1
Alternative therapies also offer structured and safe
outlets for youth to explore complex emotions. Young people can externalize their feelings,
making it easier to discuss and reflect upon their experiences during therapy sessions. Alternative
therapies are holistic, engaging different parts of the brain than traditional talk therapy, and allow
youth to access and process emotions that may not be reached through traditional therapy options
alone.
2
The expressive processes involved in alternative therapies teach valuable coping
strategies that extend beyond therapy sessions, aiding in stress management and facing life's
challenges. Finally, alternative therapies can foster a strong therapeutic relationship between the
youth and therapists, promoting trust and rapport through collaborative expressive endeavors.
3
Holistic and flexible approaches to therapy are essential for the well-being of CFSA-involved
youth. While talk-based therapies remain an important tool, alternative therapies provide youth
1
Art Therapy with Children
2
The Helpfulness of Holistic Arts–Based Group Work with Children Living in Foster Care
3
Innovative and Brain-Friendly Strategies for Building a Therapeutic Alliance With Adolescents
Christina Henderson Committee Member
Councilmember, At-Large Hospital and Health Equity
Chairperson, Committee on Health Judiciary and Public Safety
Transportation and the Environment
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, nw
Washington, D.C. 20004
2
with the opportunity to grow and heal without having to verbalize the narrative and effects of
trauma.
I look forward to working closely with Council colleagues to advance this legislation in the
coming months. Together, we can ensure that foster youth in the District of Columbia receive the
comprehensive care and support they need and deserve.
1
_____________________________ ___________________________ 1
Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Christina Henderson 2
3
4
_____________________________ ___________________________ 5
Councilmember Janeese Lewis George Councilmember Brooke Pinto 6
7
8
_____________________________ ___________________________ 9
Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie Councilmember Matthew Frumin 10
11
12
_____________________________ 13
Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 14
15
16
A BILL 17
18
_______________ 19
20
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 21
22
_______________________ 23
24
25
To amend the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Act of 1977 to require the Child and Family 26
Services Agency to offer alternative forms of therapy to children in the custody of the 27
agency. 28
29
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act 30
may be cited as the “Alternative Restorative Therapy (ART) Options for Youth Amendment Act of 31
2023”. 32
Sec. 2. Section 303e(b) of the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Act of 1977, effective 33
June 7, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-141; D.C. Official Code § 4-1303.03e(b)) is amended to read as 34
follows: 35
2
“(b)(1) The Agency shall connect all children who are assessed as being in need of 36
behavioral health care to an appropriate behavioral health service. 37
(2) The Agency shall make available to children in the agency’s custody alternative 38
forms of therapy, including: 39
“(A) Art therapy; 40
“(B) Music therapy; 41
“(C) Drama therapy; 42
“(D) Dance or Movement therapy; and 43
“(E) Narrative therapy.”. 44
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 45
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal impact 46
statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 47
October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 48
Sec. 4. Effective date. 49
This act shall take effect after approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, 50
action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as provided in 51
section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 52
Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia 53
Register. 54