BOH agenda 022416 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

We should ensure that we have equal justice for all, from the streets to the courts. Reduced sentences for minor offenses will help keep families intact and minimize the interruption of young peoples' development, as well as save taxpayer money. lmmmmmml DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATES Jamezetta R. Bedford There are numerous societal conditions which contribute to poverty, including institutional racism. Often these factors weave together making it difficult for an individual to escape their circumstances. Inadequate education, employment, housing, medical care, social services and inequalities in our legal system are a few of the many factors that contribute to an individual's inability to thrive. Examples of these factors include: Education: Orange County has an alarming and persistent achievement gap between minority and white students that leads to limited earning opportunities in the future. Underpaid and understaffed teachers in deteriorating buildings only exacerbate existing problems and make it difficult to reach the students most in need. There is also a shortage of quality, affordable childcare to allow parents to work and children to be prepared for success in kindergarten. Economic/Housing: Although our unemployment rate in Orange County is relatively low, many of our citizens are "working poor" because they are not paid a living wage. We have a shortage of affordable housing in our county, which restricts the ability for low income families to provide safe and stable homes. In 2014, the hourly wage needed to afford a two bedroom apartment in Orange County was $16.21. Our state hourly minimum wage is $7.25. Taxation policies also contribute to poverty, including a decrease in unemployment benefits and length of benefit, and elimination of the state earned income credit and the pension deduction of $2,000 - $4,000 for seniors. Health and Social Services: Limited access to medical care, disease prevention and prenatal care all contribute to poverty. Mental illness, substance abuse, and disabilities also cause and sustain poverty, particularly in a political climate that will not expand medicaid. The county is using several tools and partnerships to directly and indirectly address poverty. • The county sets a living wage for county employees. • The county Family Success Alliance partners with other organizations to tackle poverty "to improve children's chances for educational and economic opportunities by serving a defined geographic area (a zone) and its children with a seamless `pipeline' of evidence -based programs, service, and supports from cradle to career." This provides a good example of the programming we need to develop and expand. • Indirectly the county approved school construction standards that allow for and fund pre -K classrooms to be included in new schools.