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

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, District 2

Betty Kim Duong

https://www.bettyduong.com

As a mother, I bring that passion and love to my public service for children and families. I intend to lead the County to a place where every child is safe, is provided with shelter, food and education, and where children receive love and the emotional support they need to thrive and succeed. The County must put children and families at its center.

  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?

    Homeless children and families and those on the verge of becoming unhoused - we have to prioritize prevention of families becoming homeless. This will stabilize families and help children stay housed and healthy. Foster Youth & Dependency Care families - improved support of foster youth can reduce the likelihood that they suffer or may enter the criminal justice system and eventually face homelessness. The County has the responsibility to create and maintain a foster care system that works for our youth. Childcare - I will support Supervisor Ellenberg’s work to provide quality child care to families. Affordable childcare is transformational for families and a healthy and thriving community.

  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 will support the Build the Future Initiative to secure federal, state and local funding to provide quality child care at a reduced or no cost. I will continue my advocacy that the County serve as a role model by providing childcare in our facilities for employees and the community surrounding the county facility. I will build on the County’s investment of $15 million of federal funds to improve and expand center and family child care. The County of Santa Clara County can strengthen preschool programs and high quality childcare by working even more closely with First Five and the Santa Clara County Office of Education given their central roles in the provision of childcare and preschool.

  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?

    I am committed to leading revisions to the County Charter through a Charter Review Committee and by asking voters to approve such changes. By embedding equity in our Charter, the commitment to equity will continue beyond any given elected official or administrator. The County provides behavioral health, public health, and social services to the most vulnerable among us. We hold the levers in our hand to increase equity to close the opportunity gap. An important social determinant of health is food security. The County is implementing a comprehensive food systems plan. The plan will move us towards providing food security to every child in our County in an efficient and effective manner.

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

    Expand affordable housing for individuals with Developmental Disabilities, continue our support of Special Olympics and make the County’s Intern and Earn program accessible for youth with disabilities are all ways I will improve inclusion and outcomes. The County must make sure services and processes are inclusive of all children and families. By combining the County’s language access policy and a renewed commitment to inclusivity for children with disabilities and their families, we can reach into communities that have traditionally been hard to reach. I am proud to have partnered with Parents Helping Parents, to launch Vietnamese language support groups for parents.

  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 apply my experience implementing programs at the County to improve access for children to behavioral health services and fight back against the Fentanyl epidemic. Our children and youth continue to experience a crisis of behavioral health after the isolation and trauma of the pandemic. Delays in achieving developmental assets, the experience of fear and stress Covid brought to our lives, and sense of uncertainty have all contributed to the increase in depression, substance use, and suicidal thoughts among our youth. I will build on the County’s investment of federal funds in School Wellness Centers, demand increased focus on the delivery of behavioral health services to foster youth.