City of Milpitas

William Lam

Our community holds great promise for growth and change. As a proud 35 year Milpitas resident, I understand the importance of public safety, enhancing our quality of life, and managing the city’s budget responsibly. Together, we can build a better community where businesses can thrive, youth can succeed, and families can feel secure.

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?

Inspired by raising my daughter, I dedicated 13 years to school district, serving as Chairperson of the Community Board Advisory Council, School Site Council, and Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. Top three issues affecting our children and families would be stable home environment, parents pay enough attention and care for our children and correct their behaviors when they are wrong and praise them when they do good. Most importantly let our children be themselves.
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 allocate more funding and continue certain funding which assist the low income families for preschool programs. There are already several Federal and State funded programs for preschool programs. I will promote these programs so more families will be benefited from them.
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?

Many low income families may not aware of Federal, State and local Funded programs. Social Service needs to do more to promote these programs. Most public schools have free meal programs, after school tutoring and enrichment activities. Schools need to promote and encourage parents to participate.
What steps will you take to improve inclusion and outcomes for children with disabilities and their families in our community?

There are mental and physical disabilities. For mental disabilities, we need to constantly train and retrain the teachers to be more sensitive and culturally open. We can also bring in AI or computer learning platform as part of school curriculum. For physical disabilities, we need to educate teachers and students to treat everyone fairy and have an open mind. Schools need to educate students to socialize or be friends with children with disabilities.
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?

Many children are under a lot of pressure from parents to do well in school or they have peer pressure to match certain expectations. There are more families’ issues for low-income families which will have direct effect on the children's well-being. I will allocate more resources for student behavioral consulting and therapy sessions, especially after school. I will start mental health service as early as 3rd or 4th grade. Many schools already started inviting professional from behavioral health services. I will make sure all schools need to have these kinds of services.