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Issues

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Education

A quality education is the cornerstone of our society. Ensuring that our educators are healthy and whole is the first step to making sure that our children are properly educated. We must ensure our children attend school, have safe school communities, and have functioning facilities to learn in.

 

As the Ward 8 Councilmember I would advocate for:

 

  • Mental health leave days and a wellness coordinator for educators

  • Student loan repayment assistance for educators

  • Improved facilities and infrastructure for our schools

  • Enhanced special education protocols for students with disabilities

Environmental Justice & Sustainability

Environmental issues such as air quality, illegal dumping, mold, insufficient green space, and heat island effect are prevalent in Ward 8.  As a result of these issues, our quality of life is reduced and our neighborhoods are unsafe.

 

As the Ward 8 Councilmember I would advocate for:


 

  • The forming of a Ward 8 Environmental Task Force that can help handle the variety of issues that plague our community and reverse the years of neglect.

  • Increased technology to identify and hold accountable those that commit acts of illegal dumping.   

  • WMATA to electrify it’s bus fleet to reduce harmful emissions that impact air quality  

  • Work with Ward 8 schools to enhance existing community gardens and help to establish new gardens with schools that are without.

Quality Housing

Many Residents in Ward 8 are forced to live in properties that are neglected and not up to code. Several issues are present, including mold, rodents, broken appliances, and insecure buildings. Additionally, many residents are not aware of their rights.

 

As the Ward 8 Councilmember, I would advocate for:

 

  • More resources to establish and strengthen existing tenant associations

  • Expansion of housing for domestic violence survivors

  • Increased oversight and maintenance of public housing 

  • Dedicated housing for returning citizens

  • Improved building inspection policies and protocols

Healthcare

Health care is a key component of a flourishing and prosperous life. Unfortunately, Ward 8 residents are faced with many of the city's highest health disparities. There are a number of factors contributing to this problem, including a lack of information, ineffective and sustainable health programs, and limited access to maternal healthcare.

 

As the Ward 8 Councilmember I will:

  

  • Work with the Department of Health and maternal health providers to improve services and increase awareness of holistic prenatal and postnatal care.

  • No cost prostate cancer screenings. By doing so, we would be able to identify and address health concerns at an early stage.

  • Increase awareness of sexually transmitted infections and reproductive health by partnering with community-based organizations and the Department of Health.

Economic Development

Our community depends on a thriving economy. By improving economic development in Ward 8, we position our community to be successful for generations to come. In order to do so, we must strengthen the businesses we do have, consistently provide technical assistance to  

 

As the Ward 8 Councilmember I will:

 

  • Enhance the School Year Internship Program for youth ages 14 - 21,  with the Department of Employment Services.

 

  • Develop a partnership with the Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) to expand DC opportunities.

 

  • Build the capacity of the Ward Farmers Market in collaboration with the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
     

  • Working with the Department of Small and Local Business (DSLBD) to provide small, local, and disadvantaged businesses with the technical assistance they need to grow and become more profitable.

Public Safety

Ward 8 families deserve to be able to live, work, and enjoy their local communities in an environment that is safe. Sadly, residents of this district do not feel safe and homicides have increased dramatically over the past year. It is imperative that public safety be improved by addressing the root causes of violence and holding accountable those who are responsible for causing harm.In my capacity as a Ward 8 Councilmember, I would:

 

  • Improve the oversight of community-based violence prevention and intervention programs

  • Increase funding for organizations that provide services to domestic violence survivors, in the areas of housing, mental health support, advocacy, crisis response, culturally specific services, legal services, and prevention.

  • Work to develop a stronger continuum of care for sexual assault survivors developing and implementing a protocol for receiving and storing anonymous physical evidence recovery kits.

  • Support efforts to have School Resource Officers available to school communities that are in need of them

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