City of Santa Clara, District 5

Suds Jain

https://www.votesuds.com/

Seven percent of Santa Clara County residents are food insecure. Too many families are housing burdened, paying over 30% of their income on rent. We need to prioritize the social safety net for children and families by providing more affordable housing. Childcare affordability is a crisis and too many kids have TV babysitters.

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?

   1. Childcare affordability : It is out of the reach of most people so they often resort to using the TV as a babysitter. When families can’t afford childcare, it’s the woman who usually has to stay at home with the kids
   2. Food Insecurity : In a country as rich as the United States, no one should be food insecure.
   3. Cost of Housing : People are paying way too much for housing, leaving people impoverished. People can’t build wealth. I have worked hard to build more inclusionary housing for people with extremely low income levels.
   

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?

   Recently I participated in a Working Partnerships worker roundtable where I got to meet a group of people who have home daycare businesses in low income neighborhoods. They were literally crying because, after all expenses, they were making less than minimum wage despite getting support from the County. We need to find better ways to support these small businesses. We also have to expand preschool education.

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 absolutely agree that there is a link between student achievement and poverty. My son was able to attend many expensive summer camps. Most kids don’t have that opportunity. We have to subsidize summer school and camps for low income families. That money often comes from the board of supervisors and not the cities. I will advocate for more money for these programs.

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

   My son attended schools where there were large numbers of kids with IEPs. I think it is important to mainstream people rather than to hide them away like we used to 50 years ago. ALL the kids benefit as they learn that everyone is different in their own way.

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?

   Mental health issues seem to be much higher since COVID. The pandemic made most people more anxious. Many students are emotionally set back, due to not being able to socialize with their friends. On top of all of this there is often despair caused by the realities of Climate Change. We need to work hard to remove any stigma associated with seeing a therapist and to train more therapists.