City of Sunnyvale, District 5

Satyam V. Dave

http://www.satyamforsunnyvale.com

Families need to be kept together as much as possible, it has been shown that loving families with less resources are far more capable of providing better childhood than state provided care. Also, children do need to be protected from abusive homes and state needs to firmly step in when abuse is indicated to protect the children.

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?

   Three issues facing families are housing affordability, opportunity for children and quality affordable child care. Many parents who work in Sunnyvale can not afford to live in Sunnyvale. I will advocate for building affordable housing with path to ownership. I will push for city to create scholarships for deserving students for higher education.

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?

   Affordable and quality child care is paramount for parents. I will advocate for city supported child care centers and support creation of home based child care businesses so parents can have affordable local child care by cutting red tape in getting the business started.

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?

   First, I will create outreach to parents of low-income families to educate them on all the opportunities available for their children. Second, I will encourage our school system to create a tutoring program where higher grade students can tutor their fellow lower grade peers.

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?

   I will continue to support our school system special needs programs. I will also reach out to people taking care of special needs children and find out what additional support they most desire and be advocate for that additional support in the city council.

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?

   Mental health is critical for growing children. Columbia Neighborhood Center is a very good existing resource, I would look to expand and create addition CNC type centers. Also, I would advocate to create Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC) similar to Mountain View which is a one stop place for affordable, multi lingual, multi cultural counseling for children.