Community Action Towards Children's Health Questionnaire

As an addendum to your questions I would like to add the following:According to the Early Development Instrument, 30% of kindergarten children are considered “vulnerable” and this is trending upward. It is my opinion that oneof the factors related to this is parenting. As a School Trustee I will promote parent education, such as Early Learning for Families (ELFF) in the hope of helping parents to better nurture and support their children, thus better preparing them for kindergarten.

1. In what ways will you help make your community more child friendly (for example: safe routes to school and access toservices), and how will you report your progress?

First of all, the main function of the Board of School Trustees is the governance of a quality education for our children, which makes the work of a School Trustee child friendly just by definition. I have always used the slogan “Is it good for kids?” in all aspects of my experience as an educator, and I will continue to do so.

Regarding what I will actually do as a Trustee to make my community more child friendly, I will listen to the concerns of community members and bring those items to the table. In addition, I have some concerns myself that I will certainly be bringing up when our Board meets, namely, safe routes to school and the erosion of services to students with special needs.

2. How will you help children in your community find housing that is safe, comfortable and does not cost more than 30% of thefamily budget, and how will you report your progress?

As a School Trustee I will promote communication between schools and supportive agencies like CATCH, BC Housing, BCNPHA.

3. What will you do to increase access to community owned resources and facilities to improve early childhood development (for example: co-location of services in public buildings and remove barriers towider use of public buildings), and how will you report your progress?

I will continue to support the progress made and promote our school district’s pre-school, StrongStart, before and after school care, Young Parent, and full day kindergarten programs.

4. What will you do to encourage businesses to bemore child friendly (for example: breastfeeding friendly policies and childsafe public spaces), and how will you report your progress?

I will promote awareness of the public education system and the partnerships that exist between the school and the community.

5. As an elected mayor, councilor or trustee, how will you ensure that all council and board decisions are made from a child friendly perspective, and how will you keep residents aware of your advocacy for children?

I will always ask “Is it good for kids?” I will continue to promote the partnerships that already exist between the school and the community, and as I said above, I will promote awareness of the public education system.

I will report progress on all the above through encouraging the Board to establish goals, and evaluate those goals.