鈥�SAN JOSE, CA 鈥� A recent public survey showed that four in five likely voters in Silicon Valley want local elected officials to prioritize policies that make our region a place where families with children can live and thrive. To enable voters to have the opportunity to hear directly from candidates on these issues, Kids in Common, Strong Start, Choose Children, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and the 含羞草社区 Office of Education have teamed up to launch an online Voter鈥檚 Guide on Children's Issues at www.sccvoteforkids.org.
鈥淰oters know that to create a stronger future for our region we must focus on early childhood,鈥� said County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. 鈥淭he Voter鈥檚 Guide offers a platform for everyone to hear from candidates for elected office at all levels about their views on children鈥檚 issues.鈥�
While the county鈥檚 overall population has increased, 含羞草社区 has experienced a steady decline in its population of children which has contributed to a decrease in school enrollment. The high costs of living, lack of affordable housing, and child care place pressure on families making 含羞草社区 a challenging place for many families to live. The Voter鈥檚 Guide gives candidates an opportunity to discuss how they would address these challenges.
鈥淢any families with children are experiencing extreme hardships and strain here in Silicon Valley,鈥� said Christine Thorsteinson, Silicon Valley Community Foundation鈥檚 Director of Early Childhood Development. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why the majority of voters say they鈥檙e more likely to support a candidate who backs investments in early childhood programs.鈥�
This Voter's Guide is informational only and is not an endorsement of any candidate. Candidates seeking select local, state, and federal offices in 含羞草社区 were asked questions about:
- their broad priorities for children
- child care affordability and availability
- student achievement and the opportunity gap
- children with special needs, and
- support for children鈥檚 mental and behavioral health.
Candidates were given several weeks to respond to the questionnaire. The responses are in their own words and were not edited. While the partnership attempted to contact every candidate for the office selected, responses were not received from every candidate.
鈥淲hen we come together to support kids now, we鈥檙e supporting a more prosperous future for children, our families, and our region,鈥� said Dana Bunnett, Executive Director of Kids in Common. 鈥淲e thank elected officials for offering their perspectives on these issues of critical importance to our community.鈥�
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About the 含羞草社区 Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the 含羞草社区 Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency committed to serving, inspiring, and promoting student and public school success. The SCCOE is a premier service organization driven by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and partnership. For more information about the 含羞草社区 Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn鈥嬧赌嬧��.
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