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

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, District 1

Johnny Khamis

https://www.johnnykhamis.com

As a refuge from the war in Lebanon, my family and I know what it is like to struggle. Our family arrived with very little cash and a determination to use the opportunity given to us to build new lives. Our struggles have lead to achieving the "American Dream" and I would like to make sure that all families have opportunities to succeed.

  1. In a recent poll by Choose Children 2022 of likely general election voters, more than half of parents with children under age 18 say they are likely to move out of the Bay Area in the next few years. What do you think are the top three issues affecting our children and families and how will you make our region a place where all families can thrive?

    Housing affordability, inflation and rising crime are of paramount concerns to families. I have written many articles on how to reduce fees and regulations to produce more affordable housing as well as ideas on how government can use the hundreds of millions it receives every year to buy more units and convert them to affordable housing.
    On inflation I have fought against new taxes and regulations that have caused costs to rise and will continue to find ways to save money for taxpayers. On public safety I will work with my colleagues and with the Sheriff to create skills training and reintegration programs to help the incarcerated become better prepared for life while in jail not after.

  2. As we have learned over the past three years, without quality, affordable, childcare, parents can’t go to work. What will you do to address challenges accessing childcare and preschool programs in our diverse communities?

    I will partner with non-profits like the YMCA and fund childcare programs for those who need help as I did in my roll as a San Jose city council member.

  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 council member we worked through the library system to provide online individualized tutoring, free WIFI hubs and worked with business to provide laptops. I will continue to look for ways to bring business leaders to fund programs like free community college and help smaller cities with library programs like the ones we worked on in San Jose.

  4. What steps will you take to support inclusion and outcomes for children with special needs or with disabilities and their families to be fully included in our community?

    As a member of the Kiwanis club and a council member I have worked with the county and donors to create an all Inclusive playground at Almaden Lake (which is still in the design phase). As a Supervisor I will continue to make sure that funding is allocated for families with special needs children to have access to needed services.

  5. There is a mental health crisis among children, youth, and those who care for and educate them. If elected, how will you use the resources of your new role to improve access to mental and behavioral health services?

    In last year's budget more than $102 million that where provided to the county to be spent on mental health services where unspent. I would make sure that new programs to help high-school children with depression are funded. I will also make sure that the program that teams up mental health experts with police, is expanded so that emergency mental health calls don't turn into tragedy. I have a multiprong plan on homelessness that addresses the needs of the root causes like drug addiction and mental health. to learn more log on to www.johnnykhamis.com