Carol Schwartz for Mayor Committee
1005 Seventh Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 393-7300--Fax (202) 639-8737

Carol Schwartz Responses to DC Action for Children

(1) Considering that health and human service budgets have been cut by 65% between FYI 1992 and 1997, and considering that the District had a $186 million surplus in FY 1997 and expects a surplus of $254 million in FY 1998, how much and to what programs would you restore funding regarding children and families?

Answer

At this point, I am not prepared to commit to specific dollar amounts. There may already be enough money, but it may not be allocated properly. Maybe additional funds will be needed. That is something 1 will need to evaluate with the working group described in question number three. However, at this point I would like to describe what I consider to be the best ways of addressing the needs of children and families.

A critical and central component of the District’s revitalization efforts must be the provision of quality programs and services to the District's most vulnerable populations — poor families and children, the elderly and others with acute medical, mental and social needs. We need to provide increased child care support for the District’s welfare-to-work efforts, to improve the monitoring and oversight of job training contracts (especially in the welfare-to-work arena), improved staff and managerial training for essential agencies such as the Child and Youth Services Administration, and the Income Maintenance Administration along with technical skills/hardware, and an increased commitment to homeless programs (with particular emphasis upon (1) emergency shelters for individuals and families and (2) transitional housing for homeless families).

Expand child care. As the District moves forward with welfare-to-work planning and implementation, for example, relevant agencies need to assist with child care. Trained and capable staff must be hired to address the significant needs of former welfare recipients Affordable child care is oftentimes a significant stumbling block to the employment efforts of low-income parents.

Improve the oversight and monitoring of job training contracts. Adequate monitoring of DOES and other pertinent agencies involved in the management and oversight of contracts involving job training and placement must take place. Highly skilled contract oversight and performance-based accountability will help to ensure that needy residents are receiving the necessary skill sets that will enable them to access the region’s growing economy.

Improve management and technological capabilities. Managerial inefficiencies are also to blame for the District’s inadequacies in providing quality services to low-income families and their children. Infrastructure improvements and training to improve contracting and technological capabilities at the Income Maintenance Administration and the Office of Early Childhood Development, for example, can help to substantially control costs and avoid the need for program/service reductions.

Effectively administer homeless programs & services. Distinct funding must be restored to adequately provide services to our city's homeless population. This includes funding across the entire spectrum of services — emergency shelters, transitional housing for families, etc. It is also crucial that the District seek to expand Head Start placement slots for homeless children and provide funding to District agencies that serve homeless children and youth so that this most vulnerable of populations can begin the journey towards self-sufficiency.

(2) What is the biggest problem facing youth today and how would you address it?

Answer:

The problem is multifaceted and immense and the result of society's problems. Today’s youth live in a world that a generation ago could not have been imagined. It is a world of violence, drugs, separated families, mediocre (at best) education, poor health care, and lack of nurturing.

As mayor, I want to tackle each of these issues. I want to provide safe streets and schools with more police and security, I want to protect young, people from violence and abuse in their homes by having it reported and acted upon. I want to improve our schools, our health care and recreational opportunities.

I have a life-long history of working to improve the lives of young people. 1 will encourage all the appropriate government agencies, along with private groups such as yours, to work so that together we can give our young people the experiences, opportunities, and the lives they deserve.

(3) For some time, there has been talk about establishing a cabinet for children, youth and families. What are your views on such a concept? How would the cabinet be structured?

Answer:

I have always envisioned starting a working group of all relevant agencies that will meet on a regular basis to focus the efforts of government on our children and youth.. I would welcome the suggestions of how to structure such an entity from groups with relevant expertise, such as DC Action for Children.

Paid for by the Carol Schwartz for Mayor Committee Richard A Smith, Treasurer, 1005 Seventh Street, NW. Washington, DC 20001
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