Santa Clara County Voter's Guide On Children's Issues

Palo Alto Unified School District

Alison Kamhi

https://www.alisonforpausd.com

I am committed to creating equitable opportunities for all children and families. My focus is on academic achievement for all, safety, and community trust, ensuring every child has the resources and support they need to thrive in school and life.

  1. Over 80% of voters polled say they want elected officials to prioritize children and families. What are the top three issues affecting our children and families and how will you make our region a place where all families can thrive?

    Opportunities for all: Our schools must serve every student and offer opportunities for all children to excel. I am committed to thinking creatively and collaboratively about how to achieve this.
    Safety for all children: We must invest in mental health and special needs services, strong protocols to address hate speech and bullying, screen use guidelines in school, bike safety, and gun violence prevention. Every child deserves to feel safe and supported.
    Trust and community: I understand that meaningful relationships with parents, teachers, students, and community members are essential. I am committed to ongoing dialogue and will do so by attending community events and being available.

  2. High quality childcare improves school readiness and parents' workforce participation. What will you do to improve access to high quality childcare and preschool programs in our diverse communities?

    I served on the Palo Alto School Board Ad Hoc Committee on Childcare in 2022 to expand care placements for low-income, special needs, foster care, and unhoused youth. I sit on the board of Palo Alto Community Child Care, which offers aftercare programs at 11 out of 12 PAUSD elementary schools as well as summer camps and infant/toddler and preschool centers. I will continue to advocate for increased funding to expand access to high-quality childcare and preschool programs. This includes supporting policies that raise wages for childcare providers and improve facilities, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to start school ready to learn.

  3. Much of the student achievement gap has been linked to the opportunity gap that children in low-income families and children of color confront (e.g., lack of access to healthy food, preschool, tutors, and enrichment activities). If elected, what will you do to increase equity of opportunity?

    As a non-profit attorney, my life’s work has been fighting for opportunities for under-resourced populations. I will focus on closing the opportunity gap by advocating for increased funding and resources for programs that support low-income families and children of color, such as free or subsidized tutoring, access to healthy meals, and enrichment activities. Partnering with local organizations, I will work to expand community-based programs that provide comprehensive support to students and their families, ensuring every child has the tools and opportunities to succeed.

  4. What steps will you take to improve inclusion and outcomes for children with disabilities and their families in our community?

    I will advocate for increased funding, resources, and staffing for special education services to ensure that every child with a disability receives the support they need. I will work to create inclusive learning environments by promoting training for educators on differentiated instruction and inclusive practices. Additionally, I will engage with families to understand their unique challenges and collaborate on creating individualized support plans to improve outcomes for all students.

  5. If elected, how will you use the resources of your new role to improve children's well-being and access to mental and behavioral health services?


    I will continue the ongoing work of the district to take student mental health seriously, destigmatize services, and gather meaningful data from students about what additional measures could be helpful both in addressing students in crisis as well as preventative measures. I will work to expand partnerships with local health organizations to provide comprehensive mental and behavioral health resources, including crisis intervention and ongoing support. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where students' mental health is prioritized, and families have access to the resources they need.