2010 Election Guide to the
Mayoral and DC Council
Elections
Issues Affecting Women and Girls
&
Supplemental Questions from Girls in
Wards 5,6,7,and 8
Introduction
The DC Women’s Agenda
The Washington, DC Women’s Agenda (DCWA) is a local advocacy and policy coalition that began in the spring of
2003. The group’s primary mission is to promote the advancement of equality and well-being for all women and girls
in DC. The coalition is made up of a diverse group of advocates, service providers, and individuals who work together
to address issues of social and economic justice that women and girls face on a daily basis living in our community.
The DC Women’s Agenda is a project of Wider Opportunities for Women.
DCWA’s Goals:
Support and empower women to reach their full potential at home and in the workforce;
Pursue policies and programs that incorporate a gender lens and advance the state of women and girls;
Support the voices and political will of women and girls;
Educate ourselves and our communities about issues facing women and girls and efforts to address them;
Identify the connectedness of issues facing women and girls and the community as a whole; and
Ensure broad-based membership and goals that are reflective of the diverse communities in DC.
To accomplish these goals, the DCWA has undertaken a range of efforts through legislative and policy advocacy,
public education, communications and grassroots activism. Our latest effort at public education and advocacy is the
document introduced here, the DCWA’s 2010 Election Guide on Issues Affecting Women & Girls. Included in the
survey are respondents’ answers to a variety of policy questions addressing current and future women’s and girls’
issues as we look to this fall’s elections. The questions have been contributed by DCWA members and partner
organizations on the issues of health care, reproductive health, housing and homelessness, child care and child
health, and wages, benefits, and economic self-sufficiency. Additionally two focus groups of teen girls from Wards 5,
6, 7, & 8 organized by staff at Sasha Bruce Youthwork generated questions on issues important to teens in DC. We
have included the responses to the girls’ questions from all of the candidates.
The DCWA is thankful to the contributing members who are responsible for the success of this guide including the
DCWA Steering Committee: Chair of the Steering Committee Camille Cormier of Wider Opportunities for Women;
Courtney Chappell, DC Employment Justice Center; Michelle Durham, Rachael’s Place; Debby Shore, Sasha Bruce
Youthwork; Pamela White; DCWA Program Assistant: Katie Kraft; members: Jen Bissell, DC Campaign to Prevent
Teen Pregnancy; Ben Parisi, Empower DC; Alyssa Best and Joan Kuriansky of Wider Opportunities for Women;
Shannon Hall, DC Behavioral Health Agency; Kristin Roberts, DC Hunger Solutions; M. Victoria Bellard, Anacostia
Senior High School New Heights Teen Parent Program; Judith Levy, DC Coalition on Long Term Care; and our
generous funders: the Herb Block Foundation and the Moriah Fund, without whom none of this would be possible.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 2
Health Care
As the primary caregivers and heads of households in the District of Columbia, women are also the primary users of
health care services. District women and girls are particularly in need of access to family planning clinics, as well as
pre-natal care and screening for HIV/AIDS. They need access to quality, affordable health care and they need the
tools to make informed decisions about their own and their families’ health care. Although 91% of women in DC are
insured many women have insurance that doesn’t cover all the health services they need and requires higher out-of-
pocket payments. As health care costs continue to rise, we must consider solutions that will expand access to
affordable and comprehensive coverage, help those most in need, provide strong consumer protections, and offer
innovative strategies for covering the uninsured and the underinsured.
Reproductive Health
Women need quality and affordable reproductive health care in order to make sound reproductive choices and lead
healthy lives. Women of all ages require regular reproductive health check ups whether or not they have children
and many health care plans do not cover the reproductive care women need. Teen girls are in special need of
access to affordable reproductive health services as teen pregnancy is on the rise in DC. Between 2005 and 2008
the number of teen girls ages 15-19 who gave birth increased by approximately 27%. As reproductive health choices
play a key role in the general well-being and economic security for many young women we need to ensure that all
women have access to quality reproductive care and that all girls are educated on how their reproductive choices will
affect their futures.
Housing and Homelessness
FY2010 has been one of instability and uncertainty. To date, the DC City Council has voted to cut many programs
that keep individuals safely housed. And more budget cuts are under consideration for FY2011. Women and girls are
disproportionately affected when social service programs are eliminated or downsized. For instance, the Rapid
Housing Program received a $1.1 million budget cut, thereby eliminating a program that allowed children to remain
with their parents when the risk of homelessness threatens to force children into the foster care system. It also
supports children aging out of foster care who have nowhere to go. Every dollar invested in it saves four dollars in
foster care costs that year. Eliminating this program, which helps 150 families per year, will push children into the
foster care system or into unsafe housing conditions. There were also major cuts to the Emergency Rental
Assistance Program. This $1.3 million budget cut in funding will place at least 650 families at risk for becoming
homeless. Without the support of this program, which provides one-time assistance to pay overdue rent, a security
deposit, or first month’s rent, low-income families will be unable to remain in their homes and out of overcrowded
shelters. Moreover, a $1 million budget cut to the Local Rent Supplement Program will prevent at least 75 families
from obtaining safe, affordable housing. This program provides housing vouchers for very low income families. Many
families that benefit from this program were homeless prior to participating in it. In 2009, $2 million was cut from
LSRP, however, the Council has restored $1 million. Should families and individuals become homeless, their return
to self-sufficiency and independent living depends upon the homeless services they receive. The past two years have
seen a 37 percent increase in family homelessness. In fact, 200 families were crammed into space suitable for only
135 during the winter of 2009. Each night hundreds of individuals and families are turned away from already
crowded shelters. The DC Council cut $4 million from homeless services in 2010 with the plan to keep funding in
FY2011.
Child Care and Child Health
All working parents rely upon accessible, affordable, and responsible child care services to assure both job and
family security. Affordable child care is especially crucial for lower-income workers. The FY2011 budget of the
District’s current administration dramatically cut child care subsidies by $27 million less than FY2007, despite a
reported number of over 10,000 children on child care providers’ waiting lists. Although the Office of the State
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 3
Superintendent of Education (OSSE) justified the cut by citing “historical utilization data” that indicated the allocated
child care funds weren’t being used, both the approach and interpretation of this data need to be questioned. For
example, according to a 2008 study by the UDC Center for Applied Research and Urban Policy, less than 10% of the
District’s family home child care providers and less than 30% of child care facilities offer slots for children with
disabilities. Yet, the Children’s Defense Fund reports that 36% of low-income, single-mother headed families have a
child with a disability. This is the very population that is most in need of affordable and reliable child care. If slots are
unavailable, naturally the funds can’t be utilized. In addition, there is a considerable financial gap ($15-17) in the
market rate for child care versus the amount reimbursed by OSSE. Similarly, a study published by the Office of State
Superintendents in Education reported that child care providers may lose as much as $986 a month. It should be
noted that most (95%) of the family home child care providers are for-profit, and a quarter of the child care facilities
are also for-profit. Collectively, this information appears to negate the surface justification for cutting the child care
subsidies. Although there was a legitimate DC Council commitment to reverse the bulk of the child care subsidy cuts,
even still, there is an unprecedented need for a more detailed, and comprehensive understanding of the factors
involved with the provision of quality child care services in the District of Columbia.
Wages, Benefits, and Economic Self-Sufficiency
In 2009, an estimated 73.7% of female-headed households in DC lived below the federal poverty guideline. With the
economic recession deepening, safety net services are critical in order to prevent more women and families from
slipping into poverty. This year, the District took significant steps to support working families. The Department of
Employment Services issued final regulations to implement the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act, and the DC
Council passed legislation that strengthens and expands access to unemployment insurance.
While these efforts will have a positive impact on women workers, additional changes are necessary to ensure that
all workers can access self-sufficient wages and achieve economic security. The Department of Human Services is
in the process of redesigning the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides a
crucial opportunity to improve a program that has historically been criticized as being unresponsive and inefficient. In
addition, a recent audit found that the First Source Act and Living Wage Act are not being properly monitored and
enforced. These laws ensure that jobs funded by the DC government go to District residents and that workers are
being paid a living wage. The path to economic self-sufficiency for all District workers requires well-designed safety
net programs, enforcement of wage and hour laws, and policies that will support women-headed households.
Survey Questions on Issues Affecting Women and Girls
Health Care
The District has been a forerunner for expansion of Medicaid eligibility, even beyond the requirements of the recently
enacted 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Further, both the Mayor and Council members
Catania and Bowser have proposed District legislation (Mayor’s Order 2010-97, Establishment – Mayor’s Health
Reform Implementation Committee and B18-791, Health Care Reform Implementation Advisory Board Establishment
Act of 2010) to improve health care delivery in the District of Columbia, including an interagency taskforce. There
appear to be some glaring gaps in these proposals.
1. Are you willing to surpass the currently proposed legislation by requiring public involvement, for example
representatives from consumer and/or advocacy groups, in the creation of a quality health care system for
District residents?
2. At the present time, the Departments of Human Services, Mental Health, and Disability Services are excluded
from a proposed Advisory Board to set policy and procedures. Each of these agencies provide invaluable
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 4
services that dovetail with many aspects of health care services, including long term care and eligibility for public
benefits for services. What is your proposal for ensuring that these existing resources can be integrated into a
reformed health care service delivery system?
3. How will you ensure that no one loses health care services as a result of health care reform, particularly mothers
and children, residents with disabilities, and non-English proficient residents?
4. What are you plans, if any, for re-investing any savings (as a result of the PPACA) back into the District’s health
care system?
5. Many District residents – especially those living in Wards 5, 7 and 8 – do not have sufficient access to affordable
healthy food, including full-service grocery stores. What will you do to improve access to grocery stores and
help the District capture the $112 million in grocery dollars leaving the city each year because residents are
underserved in their food purchase options?
Reproductive Health
1. What kinds of teen pregnancy prevention models that you are prepared to fund and implement in DC?
2. Are you in favor of expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists to include contraceptives so that teen girls
can get Depo Provera shots, Emergency Contraception and oral contraceptives at the drug store? Would you
support making those contraceptive methods over the counter at pharmacies in DC? Describe your plans (if
any) to increase the availability of free contraceptives for teen girls?
3. What will you do to ensure that teens can get contraceptive services from the provider of their choice even if that
means going outside of their primary medical coverage?
4. Will you support increased funding for programs that ensure teen moms can stay in school and get their high
school diplomas?
Housing/Homelessness
1. What proposal do you have to preserve safety net organizations that provide homeless services and housing
assistance for families as well as single adults?
2. The DCHA waitlist is backlogged as far back as 2003/2004 and women comprise 68% of that list. What will you
do help that agency become more efficient in providing housing to homeless residents given that so many of
them are women?
3. What is your answer to the housing crisis in the District? What, if anything, will you do to create more low-
income housing in the District?
4. Many individuals experiencing homelessness are also living with mental illness and or substance abuse issues.
What will you do to promote training and job opportunities for those who are in need of specialized education
and job training in order to join the workforce?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 5
5. While residents await affordable housing, they must reside in the shelters. Conditions in the emergency shelters
are substandard and are compounded by overcrowding. Do you plan to support the creation of more emergency
shelters and transitional housing programs, especially for women with families?
Child Care and Child Health
1. Will you fund and ensure child care placements specifically for the children of low income teen mothers? What
will you do to guarantee there are sufficient child care slots available?
2. Many District families rely on child care services from community and faith-based organizations. Under the
Federal Child Care and Development Fund, the District is required to reimburse child care providers an amount
equal to the market rate. Currently, the reimbursement amount in DC is still set at levels from over 5 years ago.
As a result, many child care centers are struggling to make ends meet, threatening the available numbers of
child care slots. What are your plans, if any, to address this direct impact on the providers, as well as the families
who depend on their child care services?
3. Child care can easily eat up $20,000 per year of a working family’s income. In the past, DC’s child care subsidy
program was considered one of the best in the country. In just the past four years however, subsidies have been
cut by nearly $30 million, leaving many families without the resources that would otherwise facilitate a path
towards self-sufficiency. In your own list of priorities, where would you rank the issue of the District’s child care
subsidy program, and why is it ranked that way?
4. Decades of research consistently show that the human brain develops most quickly and is most impacted by
health nurturing, including reading and the development of cognitive skills, during the first three years of life.
These early years literally determine the future kindergartner, adolescent, and eventually adult’s ability to learn,
function, and become a contributing member to our society. The District of Columbia has yet to make Early Care
and Education for 0-3 a priority, and continues to allocate more funding to the older children (K-12) who are past
this critical stage of impact. Will you address this issue through funding and/or development of evidence-based
programs in the District? How will you approach the systemic barriers to achieving an interagency shift in focus
towards the 0-3 population?
5. Last year, 40% of District households with children reported that they could not afford enough food for their
families. What are your plans to reduce and end hunger in the District?
6. What will you do to ensure that all elementary school aged kids have access to quality and affordable before and
after school care?
7. What will you do to support school programs and community-based health centers that address the specific
mental health issues that girls face?
8. What specific efforts will you make to ensure that children with disabilities are able to access appropriate special
education services as early as possible?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 6
Wages, Benefits, and Economic Self-Sufficiency
1. Developers that have contracts with the DC government for more than $100,000 are required to provide a
minimum wage of $12.10 an hour under the Living Wage Act. In addition, all developers that have contracts with
the DC government are required to reach a 51% District employment level for newly created jobs under the First
Source Act. A recent audit concluded, however, that the Department of Employment Services has failed to both
implement the Living Wage Act and monitor compliance with the First Source Act. What will you do to ensure
that that these laws are properly enforced?
2. The Department of Human Services is in the process of redesigning the Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) program. What changes to the TANF program will you support to help women meet the work
requirements of TANF, specifically women who are victims of domestic violence and single mothers with child-
care needs?
3. The Department of Employment Services recently issued regulations for the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act.
This law is important for all workers in the District, but particularly working mothers who overwhelmingly serve
the role of primary caregiver and whose decision to take time off from work to care for a sick child is one of
necessity. How will you ensure that the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act is properly enforced and that workers
know about their rights under the law?
4. Under current law, victims of domestic violence are not protected from discrimination in the workplace. The
Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010, which was introduced in May, would prohibit employment
discrimination on the basis of a person's status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and stalking. Will
you support efforts to pass this legislation?
5. This year, the DC Council passed legislation that expands access to a critical safety net program, unemployment
insurance. The new legislation extends eligibility to those who leave their jobs to care for an ill/disabled family
member, to relocate with his/her spouse or domestic partner, or because of domestic violence against the
individual or against his/her immediate family member. In addition, jobless workers with kids and other
dependents will receive an additional benefit amount. These changes will no doubt help women workers.
It is anticipated that the economic recession will continue at least through 2011 and that unemployment will
remain high during this time. In light of the District’s historical rate of unemployment, what will you do to support
jobless workers and strengthen the unemployment insurance system?
6. Given that DC’s current unemployment rate is hovering around10% what kind of supportive services would you
provide to enable women, particularly single heads of households, to train for and be hired in jobs?
Supplemental Questions from Teens
These questions were developed from conversations held with two focus groups with teen girls as well as through
consultation with numerous youth workers who provide direct services to high risk teens.
HIV/AIDS and STD testing and care
DC’s annual rate of new HIV/AIDS infections is nearly 12 times the national average and quite possibly the highest of
any major US city? DC Youth have a high rate of STD’s which often go untreated for a long time.
What proposals do you have to promote HIV/AIDS prevention among teens? How will you increase access to STD
diagnosis and treatment?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 7
Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen Parent Support Services
DC has very high rate of teen pregnancy even though the rate has improved over the past 5 years. Youth reported
difficulty in accessing contraception and getting helpful sexual health information. Teen Parents reported not getting
as much assistance in their school with keeping them up with their classmates while being a teen parent.
What will you do to improve teen youth access to contraception? What ideas will you bring to assure that young
people have good sexual health information? Do you think the schools should do more to have a sexual health
curriculum? Can the schools be required to help teen parents stay in school?
Dating/domestic violence and school and police responses
DC has a high rate of teen dating violence; however, education in the schools is not required.
How will you guarantee that there is education for all teens about dating violence? Do you believe this education
should be required in the schools? What will you do to assure that young people’s complaints about sexual
harassment and dating violence is handed appropriately by the schools and the police?
Violence and Safety in the Community
There are initiatives to curb crew and gang violence in the city though most of them are geared to young men.
Young woman are involved more than ever before in crew fueled violence.
What will you do to target services to young girls who are engaged in negative activity in the community? What new
strategies do you have to curb youth violence?
Employment
The unemployment rate among youth in the city ranges from 45 to 75% depending on who is counting. Summer jobs
are very important but jobs through the year that include real training are also very important. Youth are very
concerned about the lack of opportunities that are available to them for jobs and careers.
What will you do to affect the youth unemployment rate in DC? What are your strategies for creating more training
and employment opportunities for youth?
Homelessness and Family Problems
Homelessness is a complex issue. Homelessness among youth, if unaddressed, can either lead to long term issues
and poor outcomes or can be the road back to strengthened family and community bonds.
What will you do to insure that there will be an end to youth homelessness in the city? What will you to do assure
that families who are having trouble can get help to stabilize and strengthen their capacity to care for each other?
What will you do respond to the need for more permanent housing options for young adults who are disconnected
from school, family and community?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 8
Problems at School
Some youth have reported that their school had better discipline and better materials to work with. Others reported
that their school had fired or transferred the best teachers and have had long term substitutes. They all reported that
there was a need for more afterschool programming with activities of interest to those who were not into regular
sports to keep young girls (and boys) away from trouble.
What will you do to improve the schools and make sure young people are learning and engaged in school? What will
you do to increase after school programming that will be of interest to those students not involved with sports? What
will you do to insure that the schools are listening to young girls and their point of view (sexual harassment in schools
including by teachers, access to contraception and sexual health education, STD prevention and testing, teen
parents needing special supports)?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 9
Table of Contents
Survey Responses/Issues Affecting Women and Girls in DC
Mayoral Candidates …………………………………………………………………………………pages 12-33; pages 90-97
Leo Alexander
Carlos Allen
Sulaimon Brown
Adrian Fenty
Vincent Gray
Michael Green
Ernest Johnson
Council Chair and Council Member At-Large Candidates ……………………………….……pages 34-62; pages 98-107
Council Chair Candidates ……………………………………………………………………….pages 34-51; pages 98-103
Kwame Brown
Dorothy Douglas
Calvin Gurley
Vincent Orange
Council Member At-Large Candidates …………………………………………………………pages 52-62; pages 104-107
Michael Brown
Phil Mendelson
Clark Ray
Will Ross
Ward 1 Candidates ………………………………………………………………………………pages 63-76; pages 108-114
Jim Graham
Jeff Smith
Bryan Weaver
Marc Morgan (R)
Ward 3 Candidates ……………………………………………………………………………………..……page 77; page 113
Mary Cheh
Dave Hedgepeth (R)
Ward 5 Candidates ………………………………………………………………………………pages 78-88; pages 116-119
Kathy Henderson
Delano Hunter
Kenyan McDuffie
Harry Thomas Jr.
Tracey Turner
Timothy Day (R)
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 10
Ward 6 Candidates ……………………………………………………………………………..……………page 89; page 120
Randy Brown
Kelvin Robinson
Tommy Wells
Jim Demartino (R)
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 11
Mayoral Candidates
Health Care
The District has been a forerunner for expansion of Medicaid eligibility, even beyond the
requirements of the recently enacted 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Further, both the Mayor and Council members Catania and Bowser have proposed District legislation
(Mayor’s Order 2010-97, Establishment – Mayor’s Health Reform Implementation Committee and B18-
791, Health Care Reform Implementation Advisory Board Establishment Act of 2010) to improve
health care delivery in the District of Columbia, including an interagency taskforce. There appear to be
some glaring gaps in these proposals.
-Question 1-
Are you willing to surpass the currently proposed legislation by requiring public involvement,
for example representatives from consumer and/or advocacy groups, in the creation of a quality
health care system for District residents?
Adrian Fenty
“After the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed by Congress, the Fenty Administration
moved quickly to embark on reform. First, the Mayor created the Health Reform Implementation
Committee which consists of the directors of District agencies that are on the frontlines of health care
reform. The co-chairs are Commissioner Gennet Purcell, Esq., of the DC Department of Insurance,
Securities and Banking and Dr. Julie Hudman of the Department of Health Care Finance. Also on the
committee are Dr. Pierre Vigilance of the Department of Health and Clarence H. Carter of the
Department of Human Services. The reform committee had its first meeting on Thursday, August 19,
2010. Members of other important District agencies, such as Department of Disability Services and
Department of Mental Health, will be members of the subcommittees along with advocates, providers,
insurers and consumers.
In addition, the Fenty Administration moved quickly to take advantage of an opportunity in the recently
passed legislation. We recently added over 32,000 Alliance members to the Medicaid program where
they will receive more benefits and services, and providers will be paid more to serve these clients. This
change will also save the District tens of millions of dollars over the next several years which enabled the
District to maintain its generous eligibility levels and benefits in the Medicaid program, and not make
the drastic cuts to Medicaid that were seen in other states. This change, along with other policies, has
continued to decrease the number of its uninsured in the District --which at 6.2 percent of the
population is the 2nd lowest in the nation. Medicaid coverage for women in the District is significant,
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 12
and a much larger percentage than the national average of 15.9 percent. Over 22 percent of nonelderly
women (including kids) are covered by Medicaid, ranking the District second behind Mississippi (22.7%)
in percentage of women covered by Medicaid in a state.”
Vincent Gray
“Yes. Public engagement and involvement has been a hallmark of my chairmanship at the Council of the
District of Columbia, and is something the current Administration seems to have marginalized and
discounted. A Gray Administration will move quickly to attract the active participation and engagement
of community leaders, health care providers, businesses, educators, advocacy groups, and the public to
create a healthy environment for all our residents.”
Ernest Johnson
“As a candidate for the office of Mayor of the District of Columbia in 2010, I am absolutely in favor of a
quality care system for District residents. When I am elected mayor, the Johnson Administration will not
be limited by any proposed legislation that falls short of that goal. Public involvement is a must.”
-Question 2-
At the present time, the Departments of Human Services, Mental Health, and Disability
Services are excluded from a proposed Advisory Board to set policy and procedures. Each of these
agencies provide invaluable services that dovetail with many aspects of health care services, including
long term care and eligibility for public benefits for services. What is your proposal for ensuring that
these existing resources can be integrated into a reformed health care service delivery system?
Adrian Fenty
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Gray
“The Departments of Human Services, Mental Health and Disability Services are integral components to
a reformed healthcare delivery system. Unfortunately, this administration has chosen to bury these
important agencies, along with others, in the City Administrator’s portfolio. As Mayor, I will reinstitute a
Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth and Families, in order to facilitate and integrate policy and planning
related to these dovetailing services. As such, I will ensure that each of the aforementioned agencies
and their invaluable expertise and concerns become a part of our reformed healthcare service delivery
system.”
Ernest Johnson
“A reformed health care service delivery system must absolutely include all agencies that are Germaine
to a comprehensive delivery effort. It would be short sighted to exclude the Departments of Human
Services, Mental Health and Disability Services. All three should be included in any proposed advisory
board.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 13
-Question 3-
H ow will you ensure that no one loses health care services as a result of health care reform,
particularly mothers and children, residents with disabilities, and non-English proficient residents?
Adrian Fenty
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Gray
“The transition of over 32,000 residents from the Alliance to the Medicaid roles as a result of the
Medicaid expansions provided by the Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will require thoughtful
and efficient implementation. A Gray Administration will ensure that all eligible individuals can access
quality, affordable health care. I am supportive of providing temporary Alliance re-enrollment to
beneficiaries transitioned to Medicaid, but subsequently dropped for lack of proper documentation. I
also want to ensure that those residents not deemed eligible for Medicaid transfer maintain coverage
with the Alliance.”
Ernest Johnson
“In order to be effective in dealing with varied needs of DC residents, including mothers and children,
residents with disabilities, and non-English proficient residents, the Johnson Administration will follow a
policy of inclusion. We will take a studied look at all the health care needs of our citizens.”
-Question 4-
What are you plans, if any, for re-investing any savings (as a result of the PPACA) back into
the District’s health care system?
Adrian Fenty
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Gray
“The District of Columbia stands to save tens of millions of dollars as a result of transitioning Alliance
consumers to Medicaid. The savings realized from this transition must be reinvested in our Healthcare
system. I plan to direct these savings to our community-based mental health system, the creation of
School-based mental health services and expansions of school-based health clinics.”
Ernest Johnson
“It is imperative in the future that the District of Columbia invests in Comprehensive Health Care for all
its citizens, whether it is done through savings (as a result of the PPACA) or by other means. This city
truly needs more revenue streams. My administration will scrap the idea of street cars in the District,
for example and use some of that proposed revenue to invest in much needed health care.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 14
-Question 5-
M any District residents – especially those living in Wards 5, 7 and 8 – do not have sufficient
access to affordable healthy food, including full-service grocery stores. What will you do to improve
access to grocery stores and help the District capture the $112 million in grocery dollars leaving the
city each year because residents are underserved in their food purchase options?
Adrian Fenty
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Gray
“My Administration will tackle the challenges of food insecurity - limited access to affordable grocery
stores, the rising cost of living, inadequacy of assistance programming, and high rates of unemployment
and underemployment - by ensuring the implementation of the Healthy Schools Amendment Act of
2010 co-introduced by myself and Councilmember Mary Cheh; continue Council initiated modernization
and expansion of the District’s Food Stamp Program; create public-private partnerships and tax
incentives to bring full service grocery stores to communities with limited access to healthy food; and
engage and encourage local farmer’s markets and grocery stores to accept SNAP and WIC benefits.”
Ernest Johnson
“The Johnson Administration will meet with citizens in the wards and discuss their food service needs
and wishes. The result could be future new locations of existing grocery chains, more effective
distribution points for existing food programs, or inviting other food stores to do business in the nation’s
capitol.”
Reproductive Health
-Question 1-
What kinds of teen pregnancy prevention models that you are prepared to fund and
implement in DC?
Adrian Fenty
“This year Congress finally removed the ban on the District to use its own local dollars on funding
coverage of abortions. The Department of Health Care Finance worked with family planning advocates
and providers to implement this change immediately. As of July 1, 2010, the District began covering
elective abortions through our managed care contracts. These health plans (Chartered, Unison and
Health Services for Children with Special Needs) have all developed relationships with local abortion
providers and informed their members of the benefit through their enrollee newsletters. Furthermore,
we have continued to work with the providers and advocates to increase access to contraception for the
women in the Medicaid program. In September, we will be adding Mirena and Implanon to our
Medicaid benefits, and working with our health plans to pay reasonable rates to providers who
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 15
administer these products. We think these new policy changes greatly improve reproductive health
access in the District for women.”
Vincent Gray
“Our current approach to teen pregnancy prevention - access to contraceptives, health education and
abstinence messaging is not enough. As Mayor, I will ensure that the District adopts a holistic and
comprehensive approach to reproductive health. In addition to traditional models, I will ensure that our
teen pregnancy prevention approach focuses on youth achieving success in school, having access to
quality healthcare, establishing close, caring relationships with trustworthy adults and role models and
ensuring that youth have access to meaningful employment. In concert, these methods address factors
affecting a teen’s life as a whole, thereby having a powerful contraceptive effect.”
Ernest Johnson
“Because of its ongoing problem of teen pregnancy (emphasized during the Barry Administration with
the thrust in Public Housing through operating service assisting youth (O.S.A.Y.), I think the District has a
good operational model that can be expanded. Including outreach in recreation centers and schools,
community forums, including half-way housing and increased media coverage (TV ads, print ads).”
-Question 2-
Are you in favor of expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists to include
contraceptives so that teen girls can get Depo Provera shots, Emergency Contraception and oral
contraceptives at the drug store? Would you support making those contraceptive methods over the
counter at pharmacies in DC? Describe your plans (if any) to increase the availability of free
contraceptives for teen girls?
Adrian Fenty
[See Reproductive Health Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Gray
“Presently, District of Columbia pharmacists do not have prescriptive authority; this authority rests with
physicians and other primary healthcare providers (nurse practitioners etc.). While I recognize that
prescriptions can act as barriers to hormonal birth control access, I believe that physicians are best
positioned to prescribe appropriately based on patient history, record and knowledge of a given patient.
Given that the FDA has yet to approve an over-the-counter drug for chronic usage, substantive data
demonstrating that proposed contraceptives can be used appropriately and safely by teen consumers
without the input of a healthcare provider is needed before endorsing such a plan.”
Ernest Johnson
“I have no plans at this time to increase the availability of free contraceptives. I think that local
programs have done a good job of distributing materials to places of need. I would support more over
the counter contraceptive methods after some research into effectiveness or lack thereof, of current
contraceptive methods.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 16
-Question 3-
W hat will you do to ensure that teens can get contraceptive services from the provider of
their choice even if that means going outside of their primary medical coverage?
Adrian Fenty
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Gray
“Unfortunately, there is currently no centralized responsibility for the City’s teen pregnancy prevention
efforts. The current fragmentation has resulted in significant barriers and challenges for teens seeking
to access care. As Mayor, I will move quickly to create a coordinated and focused approach to
pregnancy prevention - centralizing responsibility for policy, planning, implementation and funding of
teen pregnancy programming. To ensure that teens have access to contraceptive services, I will
continue and enhance investments in our School-Based Health Centers, school and community based
condom distribution programs and look to begin integrating peer providers into many of our current
healthcare settings.”
Ernest Johnson
“The Johnson administration will be ready, willing and able to meet with health care providers to
determine “best methods in securing contraceptive services that could very well include going outside
of their medical coverage.”
-Question 4-
Will you support increased funding for programs that ensure teen moms can stay in school
and get their high school diplomas?
Adrian Fenty
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Gray
“The District currently has no city-wide policy and procedures in place to support pregnant and
parenting students. Ensuring high quality K-12 education city-wide necessitates being committed to the
success of all of your students, particularly those most at-risk. As Mayor, I will support expansions of the
New Heights Program currently serving Anacostia and Cardozo High Schools to ensure that our pregnant
and parenting students get their high school diplomas and the tools they need to succeed as parents.”
Ernest Johnson
“I absolutely support increased funding for stay in school moms to get their diplomas, if the funding is
necessary. I’m not so sure that the current administration is spending money judiciously with a budget
shortfall in excess of $600 million dollars. We need and will mandate a comprehensive audit.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 17
Housing/Homelessness
-Question 1-
What proposal do you have to preserve safety net organizations that provide homeless
services and housing assistance for families as well as single adults?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“One of the moral tests of government is how it deals its most vulnerable citizens. To strengthen the
District’s safety net and begin the process of poverty reduction, I plan to focus on providing
opportunities to help our most vulnerable residents achieve self-sufficiency: jobs, education, child-care,
transportation and housing.
Whether due to economic hardship, physical or mental health issues, substance abuse, unemployment
or underemployment, our homeless neighbors deserve our assistance and protection. As Mayor, I
commit to ensuring 12 month contracts for service providers to ensure adequate planning and
preparation for services to the population throughout the year.”
Ernest Johnson
“Having owned my own real estate firm, Johnson and Johnson for many years in the District, I am very
well aware of ongoing problems with housing and homelessness in the District. We will reduce the rolls
of the 26,000 residents on the housing waiting list when I am mayor. We will utilize the outrageous
number of boarded up, vacant housing for the homeless. We will employ a plan that will include a
combination of subsidized housing, affordable houses and apartments, and utilization of federal
initiatives to alleviate our housing crisis. Increasing the number of citizens with jobs will also help.
Organizations that provide safety net services will be atop our list of “key organizations”.”
-Question 2-
The DCHA waitlist is backlogged as far back as 2003/2004 and women comprise 68% of that
list. What will you do help that agency become more efficient in providing housing to homeless
residents given that so many of them are women?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 18
Vincent Gray
“With 28,000 residents on DHCD’s waiting list for affordable units, we need a more stable funding
mechanism for the District’s affordable housing programs, including the Housing Production Trust Fund
which has seen a two-thirds drop in its funding level.
As Mayor, I will raise new revenue to stabilize and broaden the funding base for the Housing Production
Trust Fund and dedicate new taxes from other new large-scale developments (Hill-East, McMillan
Reservoir, Anacostia Waterfront, St. Elizabeth’s, etc) to HPTF and other housing programs.”
Ernest Johnson
“As mayor I will advocate for and utilize the power of the office to seek legislation in favor of those
mired in poverty and homelessness. I will seek an increase in taxes on commercial properties. I will
work with DCHA to pare down the list of 26,000 citizens awaiting housing assistance.”
-Question 3-
What is your answer to the housing crisis in the District? What, if anything, will you do to
create more low-income housing in the District?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“Building a "world-class city" requires "growing an inclusive city," with real enforcement of existing
requirements for affordable and mixed-income housing. As Mayor, I will continue to support and
enforce a 30% affordable housing requirement on all DC government land dispositions and District-
assisted development projects.
As Chairman, I enacted and funded the Rent Supplement program, restored cuts by the Mayor to the
Home Purchase Assistance and Rapid Housing programs, co-introduced legislation extending and
strengthening the rent control and tenant opportunity to purchase programs, provided funding sources
for New Communities, and ensured funding for the Historic Homeowner Grant program. As Mayor, I will
continue my strong support for greater access to affordable housing among DC’s poorest residents.”
Ernest Johnson
“As mayor I would initiate a comprehensive training and jobs program that will allow women to become
self sufficient and able to maintain affordable housing. The program I propose will be a $5 billion dollar,
over 10 years, workforce development program. Not funding a $3 billion street car program will give us
60% of the needed revenue and we can add $250 million dollars by not funding a convention center
hotel. We must be cognizant also of the way we drive our citizens out of the city through unaffordable
high rents and mortgages. The greater the decrease in population in the District the greater the loss of
federal funding.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 19
-Question 4-
M any individuals experiencing homelessness are also living with mental illness and or
substance abuse issues. What will you do to promote training and job opportunities for those who are
in need of specialized education and job training in order to join the workforce?
Adrian Fenty
“Under Mayor Fenty's leadership, inter-agency collaborations on housing for special needs have been a
priority as we seek to achieve a system within which those in need of services as well as affordable
housing can gain access to both in a coordinated fashion. DHCD has been working closely with DMH and
DHS to provide housing and services to the special needs community. These programs include a
partnership with DMH that has leveraged their capital funds to identify and finance the development of
345 total special needs units; through this partnership it has also established the Housing Improvement
Program initiative, a collaboration with a DC non-profit to provide financial housing improvement
assistance to affordable housing units for DMH consumers. DHCD is also working with DHS to provide
assistance to homeless and potentially homeless individuals through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid
Re-housing Program, a Recovery Act program.
The District of Columbia is the recipient of Federal funding through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009. This funding will allow the city to increase the development and demonstrate
the Administration’s continued commitment to growing and improving the city’s inventory of high
quality affordable housing.
On July 23, 2010, the Fenty Administration celebrated a major milestone in its Housing First initiative
with the placement of the District’s 1,000th household in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). PSH
shows a 100-percent retention rate for families and a 95-percent rate for individuals – a rate that’s 11
percentage points higher than the national average. The District has also streamlined the housing
process and reduced the average time it takes a PSH participant to be housed from 6 to12 months to
only 4 to 6 weeks. Prior to the Fenty Administration, the District focused on meeting the survival needs
of individuals by providing blankets and shelter. But in 2008, Mayor Fenty led the creation of the
Housing First initiative, an innovative approach to ending to chronic homelessness by connecting
families and individuals to PSH.
The success of this locally funded initiative has generated additional resources that have enabled the
Housing First Initiative to expand, even in difficult economic times. Along with $10 million in local funds,
the program received $17.2 million in appropriations from President Barack Obama’s 2010 federal
budget.”
Vincent Gray
“My Administration will make workforce development and jobs training a priority. This includes
enforcing the District’s First Source law, reinvigorating the Workforce Investment Council, expanding
and leveraging the Community College’s workforce programs. As Mayor, I will work to establish the
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 20
Community College as the District’s Workforce Intermediary. I will revamp the Transitional Jobs Program
to better provide an on-ramp to employment. The program should provide short-term transitional work,
with subsidized wages, while participants learn about the essentials of a responsible work ethic:
timeliness, communication, and productivity. I will also require specialized programming to meet the
needs of those with mental health and substance abuse issues.”
Ernest Johnson
“Unfortunately our first contact with many of our residents living with mental health and substance
abuse issues is after they commit crimes and get arrested. As mayor I will utilize outreach programs
such as the Roving Leader program to seek out those who need help in our wards and make the
necessary referrals to government and private resources.”
-Question 5-
While residents await affordable housing, they must reside in the shelters. Conditions in the
emergency shelters are substandard and are compounded by overcrowding. Do you plan to support
the creation of more emergency shelters and transitional housing programs, especially for women
with families?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“It is not my belief that large shelters are the ideal way to provide services to those who are homeless.
Reliance on this type of shelter system has largely been ineffective for most residents. The best way to
address the needs of our homeless neighbors is through smaller, more manageable housing where
services to help residents move beyond homelessness can be co-located. Emergency shelter however, is
a critical component of our continuum of care. Emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent
supportive housing and day programs work in concert to ensure a safety net for our homeless
population.”
Ernest Johnson
“I will work immediately as mayor to move citizens out of the shelters and into affordable housing.
Because of all of the inclusive social issues (substance abuse, mental health, etc.) It will be necessary to
provide my array of wrap around services I will absolutely support more transitional housing for women
including a large numbers of ex-offenders returning yearly to the district from prisons around the
country. I know that an increase in shelters is not the answer.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 21
Child Care and Child Health
-Question 1-
Will you fund and ensure child care placements specifically for the children of low income
teen mothers? What will you do to guarantee there are sufficient child care slots available?
Adrian Fenty
“The Administration is committed to providing viable child care options for families in the District of
Columbia. The city’s subsidy budget for FY10 is $74 million in direct child care services. There are 290
programs that serve subsidy children in the District of Columbia; which also include Early Head Start
programming and family support. The Early Care and Education Administration (ECEA) in the Office of
the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) serves as the CCDF Lead Agency. The Early Care and
Education Administration works closely with the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Early Childhood
Development (MACECD), which is composed of professionals, advocates and DC Government staff who
are concerned about the needs of DC’s children and families. Mayor Adrian Fenty charged MACECD with
“driving systemic quality improvement in early care and education policy.”
The Early Care and Education Administration offers residents a choice from the following range of Child
Care Options:
1. Level I Center Based Provider – accepts children who are referred for subsidized care after eligibility
determination and intake at the Department of Human Services (DHS), Child Care Services Division
(CCSD).
2. Level II Center Based Provider – conducts child care eligibility determination and intake on behalf of
OSSE/ECEA using OSSE/ECEA eligibility requirements.
3. Family Child Care Home Provider – accepts children who are referred for subsidized care after
eligibility determination and intake at the DHS/CCSD.
4. Child Development Home Satellite System (Level II) – is an accredited nongovernmental agency with a
signed OSSE/ECEA agreement. It conducts child care eligibility determination and intake for their
associated licensed family child care home based providers on behalf of OSSE/ECEA. Relative care and
in-home care providers are exempt from the licensing requirements and these are care of last resort
according to the Day Care Policy Act of 1979, as amended. Parents must demonstrate that they could
not find care in licensed centers or homes to meet their schedule needs or the care needs of the child.
Relative care and in-home care providers must enter into agreement with the DHS/CCSD to participate
in the Child Care Subsidy Program. The agreement has specific health, safety and education
requirements for which these providers must follow.
5. Relative Care Provider – Parent/guardian selects the relative to provide care in the child’s own home.
Eligibility determination and Intake must be performed by DHS/CCSD.
6. In-home Care Provider – Parent/guardian selects the provider to provide care in the child’s own
home. Eligibility determination and Intake must be performed by DHS/CCSD. The variety of schedules
and types of programs enable families to choose the setting that meets their needs. Eligible families can
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 22
apply for subsidized child care at more than 45 community based child care centers throughout the
District. A list of these centers is available from WCDC, the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency.
The State Plan identifies a full range of child care and development services that are offered throughout
the District in both licensed and license-exempt settings, including centers, family child care homes, and
in the child’s home (license-exempt). It also provides a description of family fees for child care and
development services using a sliding scale, based on family income and family size. The State Plan
specifies that services are available for children from six weeks of age through age twelve (12). Children
with disabilities are eligible for care up to age nineteen (19).”
Vincent Gray
“In July, I released a comprehensive ‘birth to 24’ education reform plan which addresses this issue. As
Mayor, I will make sure we offer comprehensive pre-natal to toddler programs with strong family
support and involvement components, to serve families with special needs children and children who
are most at-risk of developmental delays and eventual failure in school. Teen mothers face unique
challenges that will be supported through this program. I will also finish the job that I began as Council
Chairman of making high-quality pre-k for all available to all three- and four-year-olds and their
families.”
Ernest Johnson
“As a member of President Obama’s healthcare task force I am very concerned about the health of
children and low income mothers. As mayor I believe that we must first stop people from stealing our
city’s money and resources. Forty percent of the $4.9 billion dollars that our citizens contribute to this
city through our property, sales, and income taxes goes to businesses outside the city for consulting and
construction contracts. Seventy-five percent of District of Columbia government employees are not
District of Columbia residents. By protecting our revenue we will increase our ability to provide specific
placements for the children of low income teen mothers as well as sufficient childcare slots.”
-Question 2-
M any District families rely on child care services from community and faith-based
organizations. Under the Federal Child Care and Development Fund, the District is required to
reimburse child care providers an amount equal to the market rate. Currently, the reimbursement
amount in DC is still set at levels from over 5 years ago. As a result, many child care centers are
struggling to make ends meet, threatening the available numbers of child care slots. What are your
plans, if any, to address this direct impact on the providers, as well as the families who depend on
their child care services?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 23
Vincent Gray
“In July, I released my plan for education which addresses this issue. As Mayor, I will expand
infant/toddler programs by directly funding slots for families with special needs children and children
who are at risk of developmental delays. I will also incentivize child development centers to expand
infant/toddler care in high-demand areas by opening up access to small business tax credits and
increasing the childcare subsidy rate for infants/toddlers. Finally, I will also ensure that all centers that
serve three- and four-year-olds and meet high-quality standards will receive funding equal to that of the
uniform per student funding formula.”
Ernest Johnson
“As mayor I will not only address the flow of revenue out of the District as I have previously outlined, but
will also look at other streams of income for the District besides taxes and parking fees. Greater
revenue means more reimbursement funds for childcare providers and increased child care services.”
-Question 3-
C hild care can easily eat up $20,000 per year of a working family’s income. In the past, DC’s
child care subsidy program was considered one of the best in the country. In just the past four years
however, subsidies have been cut by nearly $30 million, leaving many families without the resources
that would otherwise facilitate a path towards self-sufficiency. In your own list of priorities, where
would you rank the issue of the District’s child care subsidy program, and why is it ranked that way?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“The childcare subsidy program is just one component of a larger system that must be sufficiently
funded and managed to provide the type of support that children and families need to thrive in the
District of Columbia. As part of my birth to 24 education reform plan, building such a system is a major
priority. I’ve also committed specifically to increasing the subsidy rate for infants and toddlers and
ensuring all CBO programs that serve three and four year olds and meet high-quality standards will
receive funding equal to that of the uniform per student funding formula. “
Ernest Johnson
“The next mayor of the District of Columbia must have and extraordinary “capacity” to provide across
the board leadership on a myriad of issues. I rank them all as “immediate need”. I will be prepared to
“hit the ground running” and return our DC child care subsidy program to its former status as one of the
best in the country.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 24
-Question 4-
D ecades of research consistently show that the human brain develops most quickly and is
most impacted by health nurturing, including reading and the development of cognitive skills, during
the first three years of life. These early years literally determine the future kindergartner, adolescent,
and eventually adult’s ability to learn, function, and become a contributing member to our society.
The District of Columbia has yet to make Early Care and Education for 0-3 a priority, and continues to
allocate more funding to the older children (K-12) who are past this critical stage of impact. Will you
address this issue through funding and/or development of evidence-based programs in the District?
How will you approach the systemic barriers to achieving an interagency shift in focus towards the 0-3
population?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“I am a long-time champion of this issue because I believe we can make no greater investment in the
well-being of our city than to invest in high-quality early care and education programs. As Chairman of
the Council, I championed legislation to make universal pre-k available to every three- and four-year-old
in the District. In July, I released a comprehensive ‘birth to 24’ education reform plan that builds on this
work. I am the only candidate for Mayor who has specifically committed to investing District dollars in
prenatal, infant and toddler programs for children.”
Ernest Johnson
“It appears to me that people across the nation are talking about the need for instruction and learning in
the early years for children. As mayor in my first 60 days in office, I will convene a one week summit of
education stakeholders and experts and make sure that we have and early childhood development
system that includes 0-3 as a primary and better use of the DC budget to fund K-12.”
-Question 5-
Last year, 40% of District households with children reported that they could not afford
enough food for their families. What are your plans to reduce and end hunger in the District?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“Many of our residents experience food insecurity as a result of gripping poverty. My Administration
will address limited access to affordable grocery stores, cost of living, inadequacy of assistance
programming, and unemployment by ensuring full implementation of the Healthy Schools Act; making
child nutrition programs accessible for underserved children; continuing Council initiated modernization
and expansion of Food Stamp Program; creating public-private partnerships/tax incentives to bring full
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 25
service grocery stores to communities with limited access; encouraging local farmer’s markets and
grocery stores to accept SNAP and WIC benefits; and making workforce development a top priority –
ensuring job training and readiness, connecting District residents to jobs.”
Ernest Johnson
“I am not so sure that all of the problems related to lack of food for our children are system related. As
mayor I will make sure that we have the resources in place to feed our youth. Solutions run from better
identification of needy families and follow up referrals; to getting the names of families to programs like
capitol area food bank to help provide more comprehensive food resources.”
-Question 6-
What will you do to ensure that all elementary school aged kids have access to quality and
affordable before and after school care?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“Despite the clear need, high quality programs that extend the day before and after school are widely
unavailable. As Mayor, I will leverage existing resources to expand extended day services to students at
every elementary school. Activities will be offered through partnerships with organizations that bring
services directly to students within the school. The school system will work with PTA’s and LSRT’s to
shape individual school offerings, and enhance coordination with DPR to ensure access for students
citywide. Costs will be supported by contributions from partnering organizations, federal grants, local
funds and program fees that are affordable for working families.”
Ernest Johnson
“It has been said that “It is far better to inspect than expect”. As maybe I will make sure that we have
the best before and after school program that we can provide. We will go into the schools and work
with administrators to insure as successful program.”
-Question 7-
What will you do to support school programs and community-based health centers that
address the specific mental health issues that girls face?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 26
Vincent Gray
“Creating a robust community-based mental health system will be a priority of My Administration.
Access to services for children and youth have been limited at best. As our need for mental health
services continues to rise, we must tackle this challenge head on. The District of Columbia stands to
save tens of millions of dollars as a result of the Medicaid expansions provided by the Protection and
Affordable Care Act (PPACA), and as Mayor, I plan to direct these savings to our community-based
mental health services; the creation of School-based mental health services and expansions of school-
based health clinics.”
Ernest Johnson
“The next mayor of Washington DC must have the capacity and will to enforce current DC laws related
to health care and the willingness to insure that every aspect of health care reform is implemented
through the DC Department of Health and the DC Department of Human Services. That includes support
in my administration for community based health care centers and girls mental health issues.”
-Question 8-
What specific efforts will you make to ensure that children with disabilities are able to access
appropriate special education services as early as possible?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“As Mayor, I will implement a system to improve our Early Intervention Services. I will also ensure the
integration of infant and toddler mental health approaches into the provision of early intervention
services and supports. I recognize that a child’s parents and caregivers are the primary individuals
responsible for the child’s growth, development, and learning, providing love, security, nurturance and
encouragement and actively influencing the early childhood period. These infant and toddler mental
health approaches will support the child within the context of the caregiver, highlighting the importance
of supportive and nurturing primary care giving relationships.”
Ernest Johnson
“As I have stated as mayor I will assemble administrators and other educational stakeholders to discuss
all aspects of our current system including special education services.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 27
Wages, Benefits, and Economic Self-Sufficiency
-Question 1-
D evelopers that have contracts with the DC government for more than $100,000 are required
to provide a minimum wage of $12.10 an hour under the Living Wage Act. In addition, all developers
that have contracts with the DC government are required to reach a 51% District employment level for
newly created jobs under the First Source Act. A recent audit concluded, however, that the
Department of Employment Services has failed to both implement the Living Wage Act and monitor
compliance with the First Source Act. What will you do to ensure that that these laws are properly
enforced?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“The District’s First Source and Living Wage laws have been mismanaged, abused, and ignored. As
Mayor, I will sign an executive order directing the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic
Development to actively oversee First Source and Living Wage compliance. The Deputy Mayor will
immediately establish a First Source and Living Wage tracking system, complete regular internal
oversight-review processes, and monitor recordkeeping to ensure the implementation of the regulations
associated with these important workforce development tools.”
Ernest Johnson
“As mayor I will have the capacity to ensure that all laws of the District of Columbia are enforced. In fact
that is a mayor’s number one responsibility. If we implement the Living Wage Act and bring the first
source act into compliance that would go a long way towards helping to solve our revenue program.”
-Question 2-
The Department of Human Services is in the process of redesigning the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) program. What changes to the TANF program will you support to help
women meet the work requirements of TANF, specifically women who are victims of domestic
violence and single mothers with child-care needs?
Adrian Fenty
“Through the TANF Employment Program redesign, the District will have an earlier opportunity to assess
and identify victims of domestic violence at the point of program intake. As a result, interventions and
supports may be offered in a more timely and responsive fashion. If appropriate, the victim may be
made exempt from TANF work requirements, protecting the family from sanctions, ensuring their safety
and removing barriers to successful work engagement. For those women with child care concerns, the
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 28
TANF program design will recognize such concerns as a basis for exemption from work mandates. This
flexibility will allow the District to work with the Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE)
to maximize child care options and build capacity for the most hard to serve—mothers of infants and
toddlers.
Approximately 16,400 District families receive TANF benefits each month with 74 percent of families
being required to engage in work, training, or education activities. DHS aims to become a national model
for an accountable, compassionate and person-centric approach that helps welfare recipients build
capacity, increase earnings, and transition towards self-sufficiency. The District Department of Human
Services (DHS) is redesigning the administration, service continuum and operations of the work, training
and education related portions of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. There
are approximately 16,400 District families who receive TANF each month. Of these families, 26% are
exempt from program participation requirements. Exceptions are being outlined for TANF recipients
who are experiencing domestic violence. In addition, the agency is working to address the needs of
single mothers and coordinating child care needs.
The remaining 12,000 non-exempt families are required to engage in work, training or education
activities. Due to multiple factors, participation rates of non-exempt TANF families in DC are low. The
District does not currently place time limits on the receipt of TANF benefits. Benefits are awarded
regardless of work participation, though non-exempt families who are not meeting work requirements
may be partially sanctioned.
With the redesign of the TANF program, the District of Columbia is committed to becoming a national
model for an accountable, compassionate and person-centric approach, which helps welfare recipients
(1) build their capacity, (2) increase their earnings and (3) transition from welfare assistance towards
self-sufficiency. The system redesign is simultaneously balanced between federal “work first” welfare
mandates, which the District is required to meet in order to access federal funds, and a commitment to
providing quality services to TANF clients, whatever their presenting circumstances. Throughout, the
redesign aims to effectively manage and maximize limited resources.
The new program includes six design elements, which are:
1. An upfront, DHS administered orientation and assessment for all TANF applicants. The orientation will
inform TANF customers of program requirements and opportunities. The assessment will be used to
develop a profile of each customer’s strengths, barriers and goals.
2. A referral process to match TANF customers to the appropriate program and service provider based
on the results of the customer’s assessment.
3. Customer service levels that reflect varying TANF customer profiles and needs. Each service level will
provide a continuum of program offerings.
4. Formal links between the TANF program and existing District government and community based
education, training and employment services. New links will help to account for activities in which TANF
customers are engaged and better connect clients with needed services.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 29
5. Best-practice employment, education, training and/or supportive services that move TANF customers
towards employment. Services will be provided especially in areas where significant service gaps exist.
6. A tracking and coordination process that ensures that TANF families are linked to programs/services
and measured against their individual goals and federal work participation targets.”
Vincent Gray
“The District’s TANF program has suffered from inadequate implementation of policies that address the
individual needs of women and the barriers they face in meeting the work requirements of the program.
To address this problem the District must improve the assessment and referral process by adopting a
more individualized approach that addresses the TANF recipient’s specific employment skills, barriers
and goals. This may include a combination of education, job training and supportive services such as
child care, domestic violence, substance abuse treatment, and health services. Increasing the range of
options for job training, adult education and supportive services will assist families in reaching their full
potential.”
Ernest Johnson
“I will support any changes to the TANF Program that make the program more effective especially for
single mothers with child care needs.”
-Question 3-
The Department of Employment Services recently issued regulations for the Accrued Sick and
Safe Leave Act. This law is important for all workers in the District, but particularly working mothers
who overwhelmingly serve the role of primary caregiver and whose decision to take time off from
work to care for a sick child is one of necessity. How will you ensure that the Accrued Sick and Safe
Leave Act is properly enforced and that workers know about their rights under the law?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“As an original co-sponsor and someone who voted for the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act, I will ensure
that the Department of Employment Services has the necessary and appropriate resources in order to
enforce this important legislation that will improve workers’ health and financial well-being, increase
workplace productivity and reduce the spread of contagious illnesses. My administration will be
proactive in educating workers about their rights through public service announcements, community
meetings and other communication methods; ensuring employers comply with the worker notification
requirements that contain information on how to file a complaint of an employer violation with the
District government; and ensuring that all complaints are investigated and resolved in an expeditious
manner.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 30
Ernest Johnson
“As mayor I will work hard to ensure that everyone in my administration is aware of District Laws and
the necessity to enforce those laws. This includes the Department of Employment Services and all of its
rules and regulations.”
-Question 4-
Under current law, victims of domestic violence are not protected from discrimination in the
workplace. The Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010, which was introduced in May,
would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of a person's status as a victim of domestic
violence, sexual abuse, and stalking. Will you support efforts to pass this legislation?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“As a co-sponsor of Bill 18-796, the “Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010,” I will
absolutely support efforts to enact this important measure that will amend the District of Columbia
Human Rights Act to protect victims and family members of victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse
and stalking against discrimination by employers.”
Ernest Johnson
“I do support the Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010. We are experiencing an
unbelievable level of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and stalking nationwide. My administrations will
support all efforts to pass this legislation.”
-Question 5-
T his year, the DC Council passed legislation that expands access to a critical safety net
program, unemployment insurance. The new legislation extends eligibility to those who leave their
jobs to care for an ill/disabled family member, to relocate with his/her spouse or domestic partner, or
because of domestic violence against the individual or against his/her immediate family member. In
addition, jobless workers with kids and other dependents will receive an additional benefit amount.
These changes will no doubt help women workers.
It is anticipated that the economic recession will continue at least through 2011 and that
unemployment will remain high during this time. In light of the District’s historical rate of
unemployment, what will you do to support jobless workers and strengthen the unemployment
insurance system?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 31
Vincent Gray
“The Council under my leadership has recently amended the District's unemployment compensation law
to extend benefits in an effort to assist families during this economic recession. As Mayor, I will ensure
that my administration is taking a pro-active approach in public outreach to all neighborhoods and
communities about eligibility for unemployment benefits, by sponsoring public service announcements,
town hall meetings, job fairs, and other public communication and education strategies so that residents
fully understand their potential eligibility for benefits, and receive assistance in completing the
necessary application forms.
The best way to strengthen the District unemployment insurance system is by putting residents back to
work. As Mayor, I will establish a comprehensive economic development strategy aimed at connecting
District residents to real, meaningful jobs. For too long, the city has had a haphazard approach to job
training and readiness, with existing programs having little or no accountability for their preparation and
connection of residents to the workforce. I will enforce the District’s First Source law, reinvigorate the
Workforce Investment Council to provide improved oversight and foster better outcomes for local job
training programs, expand and leverage the Community College’s contribution to workforce
development, and revamp the Transitional Jobs Program to better provide an on-ramp to employment
of District residents.”
Ernest Johnson
“Every generation has its challenges. In the 21st century ours is making sure that we are prepared. As
the next mayor of DC I have previously stated that I will introduce a $5 billion dollar work force
development and job training program called DC Pride. I fully intend to put our jobless back to work.”
Question 6-
Given that DC’s current unemployment rate is hovering around10% what kind of supportive
services would you provide to enable women, particularly single heads of households, to train for and
be hired in jobs?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“My administration will provide the necessary supportive services to assist women and single heads of
house holds in seeking employment. This necessitates improving access to quality childcare, ensuring
access to viable transportation and affordable housing. As a key part of my education plan, I am calling
for an aggressive expansion of high-quality infant/toddler care for low-income and special needs
children. This in concert with the pre-k for all initiative I championed as Chairman will enable families to
go to work or attend workforce training while their children are well-cared for in a quality setting.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 32
I will continue to champion critical strategies to assist working families in keeping more of their income.
These strategies could include putting the inflationary increase back into the standard deduction and
personal exemption, and further increases to the Earned Income Tax Credit.”
Ernest Johnson
“Any Training or job placement program should also be able to provide transportation assistance,
educational support (tutorial), and child care assistance. These wraparound services are necessary and
will be fully supported by me as mayor.”
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Leo Alexander
Carlos Allen
Donna Jean Alston
Sulaimon Brown
Nestor Djonkam
Michael T. Green
Chanda McMahan
Lyndon P. Walker
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 33
Council Chairman
Health Care
The District has been a forerunner for expansion of Medicaid eligibility, even beyond the
requirements of the recently enacted 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Further, both the Mayor and Council members Catania and Bowser have proposed District legislation
(Mayor’s Order 2010-97, Establishment – Mayor’s Health Reform Implementation Committee and B18-
791, Health Care Reform Implementation Advisory Board Establishment Act of 2010) to improve
health care delivery in the District of Columbia, including an interagency taskforce. There appear to be
some glaring gaps in these proposals.
-Question 1-
Are you willing to surpass the currently proposed legislation by requiring public involvement,
for example representatives from consumer and/or advocacy groups, in the creation of a quality
health care system for District residents?
Kwame Brown
“Consumer and advocacy organizations must have a seat at the table when efforts to improve our
health care system are under consideration. I would be inclined to support requiring public involvement
in the creation of these improved systems”
Dorothy Douglas
“I fully support the new Health Care Reform and will continue to work with our local and National
legislators to make health care accessible to the uninsured and underinsured District of Columbia
residents.
It is my goal to gain a full understanding of the various health systems that service our residents. Once I
have a full understanding I will proceed with making changes where necessary and include the
consumers in all of the decision making process.
I will focus on health care communication in the area of data and connectivity. Patients should have
consistent access to both caregivers and medical information. Patients should have access to their own
records and should be able to send, transmit or carry it from one provider to another.
Lastly the right system need to be focused on the patients need for affordable, well informed,
customized and compassionate care.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 34
We have known for some time that food deserts exist in low income communities and with wards 5 – 8
having the highest unemployment rates and communities that are most underserved. I would like to
work the Churches and Non Profit Organizations including the Food Banks to foster community gardens
and develop partnerships with local grocery and local farmers to end the food shortage in the area
through educational and outreach program and have a learn and teach program from the gardens they
plant.”
Vincent Orange
“Yes, public involvement is necessary in creating a quality health care system for District residents.
Representatives from consumer and advocacy groups should be regarded as experts and they need to
have a seat at the table.”
-Question 2-
A t the present time, the Departments of Human Services, Mental Health, and Disability
Services are excluded from a proposed Advisory Board to set policy and procedures. Each of these
agencies provide invaluable services that dovetail with many aspects of health care services, including
long term care and eligibility for public benefits for services. What is your proposal for ensuring that
these existing resources can be integrated into a reformed health care service delivery system?
Kwame Brown
“I would reinvest our savings back into the District's healthcare system to expand our community
centers. I believe that increasing access to community health centers will reduce the number of
expensive hospital costs most incurred by our uninsured residents. As a result of overcrowding
conditions at our current community health clinics and centers, many patients turn to the emergency
room as a last resort to meet an immediate need for seek treatment for a terminal illness. We must
continue to expand access and capacity of community health centers, as recommended by the Rand
report. The Council recently allocated additional funding for a Pediatric Emergency Room at the United
Medical Center, located in Ward 8 which will provide the most advanced emergency rooms in the
country. We want our families to have access to this world class facility and without the incurring out-
of-pocket expenses.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
“I will include the departments as part of an Advisory Board that can recommend policies and
procedures.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 35
-Question 3-
H ow will you ensure that no one loses health care services as a result of health care reform,
particularly mothers and children, residents with disabilities, and non-English proficient residents?
Kwame Brown
“As the newly formed National Prevention Health Promotion and Public Health Council develops its
strategy to promote health and well-being, I would work with the Council's Committee on Health to
propose emergency legislation that will require Mayor to launch a public awareness campaign, through
the Department of Health, that will educate all residents about the provisions in the Affordable Care Act,
to ensure that no one is confused by the newly enforced regulations. While providing public health
education/outreach throughout the city, throughout our community health centers, we will coordinate
our efforts with the National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council to carry out the
strategy to reduce the incidence of preventable illness and disability in the U.S. and promote health and
well-being.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
“I will ensure that no District resident loses health care services including at-risk populations as
described above, either through oversight of the Departments and/or inclusion in the legislation.”
-Question 4-
What are you plans, if any, for re-investing any savings (as a result of the PPACA) back into
the District’s health care system?
Kwame Brown
[See Response to Question #3]
Dorothy Douglas
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
“Re-investing into the District’s health care system is necessary, but I would have to explore specifically
where the funding would have the most impact in closing some gaps and/or improve services for all
District residents, including mothers and children, residents with disabilities, and non-English proficient
residents.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 36
-Question 5-
M any District residents – especially those living in Wards 5, 7 and 8 – do not have sufficient
access to affordable healthy food, including full-service grocery stores. What will you do to improve
access to grocery stores and help the District capture the $112 million in grocery dollars leaving the
city each year because residents are underserved in their food purchase options?
Kwame Brown
“As Council Chair, I will continue to work with my colleagues to bring more full service grocery stores to
our neighborhoods. Since joining the Council in 2005, I worked with the Mayor and fellow Council
members to bring the largest Giant Foods grocery store in the District to Ward 8; welcome the
completion and opening of another Safeway in Ward 6, opening of Harris Teeter in Ward 6; recently
celebrated the opening of Yes! Organic Grocery Store in Ward 8 and another new, healthy addition to
Ward 5 with the Opening of ALDI grocery store. I will continue to work to expand healthy options to all
of our communities, providing a variety of full service grocery stores, especially in our neighborhoods
that need them most.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Health Care Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
“As a Ward 5 council member I brought the first economic development project in 20 years to Ward 5- it
includes the Home Depot and a brand new full-service Giant, which was much needed. I would make a
full-service grocery store a requirement of mixed-use development proposals that request government
dollars for those Wards that do not have that basic access.
I’m always about keeping our dollars in the District so all our residents can benefit from this.”
Reproductive Health
-Question 1-
W hat kinds of teen pregnancy prevention models that you are prepared to fund and
implement in DC?
Kwame Brown
“I am dedicated to ensuring that our young adults are properly informed of the ways in which they can
plan their futures. Equipping them with the options will allow them to gain a wider perspective of what
they can become. More importantly, I believe that our city should embrace the model of ensuring that
our young and women form healthy relationships with adults. I support mentoring models as
implemented by DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Metro Teen Aids, Comfort House and Sasha
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 37
Bruce that allow our teens to have an outlet, an opportunity to form a healthy relationship with an adult
that can help advise them on the choices before them rather than charge them with what they can and
cannot do. I have had the opportunity to work with organizations such as the DC Campaign to Prevent
Teen Pregnancy and Metro Teen Aids, both of which have adopted the model of first engaging
teenagers with outreach activities, while reinforcing positive self images.”
Dorothy Douglas
“I would review models that offered Comprehensive, Medically Accurate and Age Appropriate
Reproductive and Sexual Health Education at all age levels.
I would also look to augment Sexual Health Information with social media and current technology used
by youth as means of a communication strategy with peers and parents in the school setting.
I would need to further review the needs of teens and their contraception choices. I feel that with
proper education on the part of the parents and child we can reach some agreement with the
dispensing of contraception. I do feel that teens need access to reproductive health services but how
this is done would need further research and data on my part.
We have to realize all teens do have access to a private Doctor. This is an issue we need to explore. I will
work closely with the Committee on Health and other health agencies to make medical homes available
and utilized by underserved teen population.
Yes, I do support that and I will work with the schools and community organization to make available
other options for teen parents.”
Vincent Orange
“It’s clear from statistics and research that safer-sex education, including information on contraception,
in appropriate grades is a crucial element in teen pregnancy prevention. Youth development programs
that include sex education along with other activities (such as volunteering, mentoring, and job training)
are associated with delayed first sex and lower teenage pregnancy rates. Overall, there are no simple
approaches; a strategy to reduce teenage pregnancy must include sexuality education, strategies for
teen pregnancy prevention, and changing teenage behavior in relationships. Comprehensive
information leads to making more informed decisions and behavior and that’s what our teens need to
be doing.”
-Question 2-
Are you in favor of expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists to include
contraceptives so that teen girls can get Depo Provera shots, Emergency Contraception and oral
contraceptives at the drug store? Would you support making those contraceptive methods over the
counter at pharmacies in DC? Describe your plans (if any) to increase the availability of free
contraceptives for teen girls?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 38
Kwame Brown
“I would support measures that would allow teen girls to gain parental consent prior to a drug store’s
issuance of emergency contraceptives. I believe our first priority should be to ensure that our young
adults are communicating with their guardians about the options that they are considering in efforts to
prevent teen pregnancy. We must teach our children how to take proactive steps for family and career
planning. Expanding access to contraceptives will not reduce pregnancy rates. While I understand that
not all of our young adults have strong relationships with their parents, I believe that the more our teen
girls are able to openly discuss the options with an older adult, the more we empower them with the
responsibility of making an active decision each day.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Reproductive Health Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
“Ideally, teen girls should have a relationship with their health care provider who prescribes
contraceptives. I understand that teens need to have access to contraceptives but I don’t think that
those particular contraceptives mentioned above should be available over the counter. With regards to
increase the availability of free contraceptives for teen girls, I would look at best practices in other parts
of the country and see if those are feasible to implement in the District of Columbia. Possible
partnerships with stakeholders and drug companies might be an option.”
-Question 3-
What will you do to ensure that teens can get contraceptive services from the provider of
their choice even if that means going outside of their primary medical coverage?
Kwame Brown
“I would support all measures to ensure that teens can receive education about all contraceptives
available, prior to obtaining them from their primary physician. I would support ensuring that all
community health centers are equipped with all materials and trained professionals to educate and
counsel our young adults about the contraceptive services that they provide and their options.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Reproductive Health Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
“I’m a strong advocate for education so yes, I support programs that insure teen moms can stay in
school and earn their high school diploma. With regards to increased funding, I would have to examine
the existing programs and their budgets. If the budgets are not sufficient to support the effort I would
do my best to find the dollars.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 39
-Question 4-
W ill you support increased funding for programs that ensure teen moms can stay in school
and get their high school diplomas?
Kwame Brown
“Yes, I would support all measures that give teen mothers the opportunity to advance their educational
careers. As a strong advocate for vocational education and champion for bringing career training
programs back in our high schools, I will continue to look for ways to empower our young adults
whether in high school or after school programs to reach forward to take advantage of the career
development/continuing education programs that currently exist, while working with my colleagues to
introduce measures that will provide incentives for our young adults to continue their education without
being overwhelmed by the growing tuition rates.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Reproductive Health Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
Housing/Homelessness
-Question 1-
W hat proposal do you have to preserve safety net organizations that provide homeless
services and housing assistance for families as well as single adults?
Kwame Brown
“The organizations that provide services to the homeless are essential to our ability to connect them
with services. During these difficult economic times, and given our budget pressure it is very important
that we assess the entire network of organizations that provide these services to make sure they have
the resources to get the job done. Continued city funding for these organizations is essential.”
Dorothy Douglas
“I would like to see Ward based housing programs to address the need of transportation that is often a
barrier for residents.
The DCHA waiting list needs to be better managed. Better accountability is needed in the agency.
I would take advantage of the vacant housing, buildings and public property in the city and make those
accessible to the neediest residents.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 40
I would reinforce what is already in the community such as the many collaborative and nonprofits to
help with the housing services.
Shelters are not a good place for anyone to live. I will support transitional housing. Having said that I will
work to ensure that the person operating the housing and the housing program is fully qualifies and
adheres to stringent guidelines.”
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
-Question 2-
The DCHA waitlist is backlogged as far back as 2003/2004 and women comprise 68% of that
list. What will you do help that agency become more efficient in providing housing to homeless
residents given that so many of them are women?
Kwame Brown
“I believe that one way to reverse this trend and increase access to affordable housing in the District is
to ensure that our affordable housing and inclusionary zoning development requirements are vigorously
enforced. Each year, this government gives millions of dollars in subsidies and tax incentives to housing
providers who, in turn, promise to produce affordable housing for residents of Washington, DC What
experience has taught us, however, is that the lax enforcement efforts and inadequate compliance
mechanisms have failed to ensure that developers keep their promises. By adopting aggressive
oversight and reporting requirements, I believe that the Council of the District of Columbia can better
ensure that development incentives tied to residential properties increase the stock of available
affordable housing units.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Housing Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
-Question 3-
What is your answer to the housing crisis in the District? What, if anything, will you do to
create more low-income housing in the District?
Kwame Brown
[See Response to Question #2]
Dorothy Douglas
[See Housing Statement in Question #1]
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 41
Vincent Orange
“DC should use federal funds and its own resource to ensure that at least a third of new units built in the
city are affordable for low-income and lower-income families. In addition, modify zoning to allow
development for low and mixed-income housing especially on public owned lots that are currently
abandoned or under utilized.”
-Question 4-
Many individuals experiencing homelessness are also living with mental illness and or
substance abuse issues. What will you do to promote training and job opportunities for those who are
in need of specialized education and job training in order to join the workforce?
Kwame Brown
“Establishing programs specifically for those struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues is
a good next step in expanding our training programs. We know many of these individuals are being
served by the program now, but support services for those individuals should be a high priority.
I believe that the creation and funding of adult education and job training programs in growth industry
sectors must be a critical component of this government’s strategy for alleviating poverty and ensuring
long-term economic growth in the District of Columbia. Programs at schools like Phelps Engineering and
Cardozo High School to ensure that adult resident’s access to training programs that fit their schedules.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Housing Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
“We need to create adequate training and job opportunities for those who are in need of specialized
education. Focus should be on creating community based adult learning centers with trainers sensitive
to these issues. We need to create a public/private funded job creation organization charged with
creating new job opportunities such as entry-level positions with benefits and job security for these and
all residents in various sectors. Training centers need to partner with employers so that at the end of
their training a job will be waiting. For example, Goodwill is training smart meter installers that are part
of a force that will install 180,000 smart meters for Pepco.”
-Question 5-
While residents await affordable housing, they must reside in the shelters. Conditions in the
emergency shelters are substandard and are compounded by overcrowding. Do you plan to support
the creation of more emergency shelters and transitional housing programs, especially for women
with families?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 42
Kwame Brown
“One of my top priorities as a councilmember has been addressing the tragedy of domestic violence.
Through my legislation and funding I secured, the District will soon have tripled the number of domestic
violence shelter beds in the city. This is a good start towards creating more shelter space for those in
most critical need.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Housing Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
“Yes.”
Child Care and Child Health
-Question 1-
Will you fund and ensure child care placements specifically for the children of low income
teen mothers? What will you do to guarantee there are sufficient child care slots available?
Kwame Brown
“During deliberations over our most recent budget, I was able to identify unallocated funds in the Great
Streets Tax increment Financing Program. I directed $1 million of those funds to restore some cuts made
to child care subsidies. Child care is essential for young mothers who are seeking employment or job
training. I am committed to providing as much access to these programs as possible under the current
budget constraints.”
Dorothy Douglas
“I support ensuring that child care placements specifically for the children of low income teen mothers
and will guarantee there are sufficient child care slots available.
I will make sure that the City Council and the Mayor reallocate the funds that were just cut in the budget
for child care and the funds for the providers. I feel that we should continue to follow the process for
the subsidized program that is already in place for families that depend on the child care services.
Many developers have started the process for early child care and daycare centers that would impact
kids and early learning. In addition the State Board of Education and the president’s office on Education
and the reauthorization plan have set rules and policies in place for 0-3 priority and K-12 and pass the
common core standards that would help our youth.
Lastly I will need to research and gain more information on the budget and why these funds were cut.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 43
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
-Question 2-
Many District families rely on child care services from community and faith-based
organizations. Under the Federal Child Care and Development Fund, the District is required to
reimburse child care providers an amount equal to the market rate. Currently, the reimbursement
amount in DC is still set at levels from over 5 years ago. As a result, many child care centers are
struggling to make ends meet, threatening the available numbers of child care slots. What are your
plans, if any, to address this direct impact on the providers, as well as the families who depend on
their child care services?
Kwame Brown
“Our child care workers should be paid a higher rate. Right now, the city is engaged in training programs
through the University of the District of Columbia that would provide certification for care givers that
would allow them to earn a higher wage.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Child Care/Health Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
-Question 3-
C hild care can easily eat up $20,000 per year of a working family’s income. In the past, DC’s
child care subsidy program was considered one of the best in the country. In just the past four years
however, subsidies have been cut by nearly $30 million, leaving many families without the resources
that would otherwise facilitate a path towards self-sufficiency. In your own list of priorities, where
would you rank the issue of the District’s child care subsidy program, and why is it ranked that way?
Kwame Brown
[See response to Question #1]
Dorothy Douglas
[See Child Care/Health Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 44
-Question 4-
D ecades of research consistently show that the human brain develops most quickly and is
most impacted by health nurturing, including reading and the development of cognitive skills, during
the first three years of life. These early years literally determine the future kindergartner, adolescent,
and eventually adult’s ability to learn, function, and become a contributing member to our society.
The District of Columbia has yet to make Early Care and Education for 0-3 a priority, and continues to
allocate more funding to the older children (K-12) who are past this critical stage of impact. Will you
address this issue through funding and/or development of evidence-based programs in the District?
How will you approach the systemic barriers to achieving an interagency shift in focus towards the 0-3
population?
Kwame Brown
“We are making progress towards reaching this group through the expansion of our pre-K programs.
Clearly, we need to redouble efforts to provide our child care providers with higher levels of training and
continue to provide access to child care for all of our families. We also must engage community health
providers as well as the private health community in an effort to better educate parents about the
importance of this developmental stage.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Child Care/Health Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
-Question 5-
Last year, 40% of District households with children reported that they could not afford
enough food for their families. What are your plans to reduce and end hunger in the District?
Kwame Brown
“If elected Council Chair, a key component of my platform for combating hunger, ameliorating poverty,
and improving the economic condition of residents will be the creation of One-Stop Social Service
Centers in each Ward of the District—places that are available to the public beyond traditional
government hours (nights and weekends) and can serve as a central place to apply for and process
applications for all social service programs operated by the government, including food stamps. People
who are struggling simply cannot be expected to navigate the social service bureaucracy. Also, by
providing information on all government service programs at one location, we can increase the
possibility of residents learning about programs that they were previously unaware of and, in turn, using
those programs to get the assistance they need.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Child Care/Health Statement in Question #1]
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 45
Vincent Orange
“We need to educate and train adults and we need to create jobs that will sustain families. Immediately,
we need to organize public information programs with the Department of Agriculture to provide food
information and demonstration on the availability of food and financial assistance to low-income
families. USDA has numerous food programs available to low-income families. The USDA/DC Food
Program can be funded by USDA and the Extension Service at the University of District of Columbia.”
-Question 6-
What will you do to ensure that all elementary school aged kids have access to quality and
affordable before and after school care?
Kwame Brown
“One reason I supported the education reform legislation was the promise that reform would include
creating wrap around services at the schools. The city has made a strong effort to extend the hours of
before and after school care in many areas of the city. I will continue to protect those programs as
council chair. More importantly, those services must include provision of services for parents and
grandparents who are dropping off and picking up their children. For those who do not use the school
programs, we must continue to make funding of child care a high priority.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Child Care/Health Statement in question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
-Question 7-
What will you do to support school programs and community-based health centers that
address the specific mental health issues that girls face?
Kwame Brown
“Again, wrap around services that were supposed to be part of school reform must include improved
counseling programs for students of all ages – particularly for girls. We know that young women face a
host of challenges in the school and community environments.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Child Care/Health Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 46
-Question 8-
W hat specific efforts will you make to ensure that children with disabilities are able to access
appropriate special education services as early as possible?
Kwame Brown
[No response]
Dorothy Douglas
[See Child Care/Health Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
Wages, Benefits, and Economic Self-Sufficiency
-Question 1-
Developers that have contracts with the DC government for more than $100,000 are required
to provide a minimum wage of $12.10 an hour under the Living Wage Act. In addition, all developers
that have contracts with the DC government are required to reach a 51% District employment level for
newly created jobs under the First Source Act. A recent audit concluded, however, that the
Department of Employment Services has failed to both implement the Living Wage Act and monitor
compliance with the First Source Act. What will you do to ensure that that these laws are properly
enforced?
Kwame Brown
“As chairman of the Economic Development Committee, I authored and passed the legislation that
established the compliance unit within the Auditor’s office. The report you mentioned looked at several
projects that were completed several years ago. My legislation for the first time will hold companies
accountable for promises they made, and includes fines for those companies that fail to adhere to the
living wage and first source requirements. As council chair, I will make certain these requirements are
strictly adhered to.”
Dorothy Douglas
“I would have the City Council to enforce the living wage act that was passed 4 years ago to increase the
wages that the developers are suppose to pay employees. This item is not being enforced currently. The
first source agreement is not complete according to a DC audit. When there is an incomplete form it
does not exist. This is the loop hole that the developers use to skirt their responsibly.
I feel that the City Council should make sure that the laws are properly enforced.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 47
Also the City Council rejected over $320,000.00 that would have sustained families in house holds.
Everyone needs to be treated fairly with regard to work.
I would keep what is already in place when it comes to TANF. If the redesigning will improve the service
delivery I will support it. I will support a welfare to work program to limit the amount of time persons
can stay on TANF. In addition I would make sure that there are one stops in each ward to assist the
families with TANF issues.”
Vincent Orange
“When I was on the council in 2006, I championed the living wage and I’m disturbed that this has not
been implemented. The DC Auditor’s report estimates that the city lost 360 jobs and 14 million dollars in
wages because of the lack of oversight by the Council’s Economic Development Committee.
Through aggressive oversight and shining the spotlight on issues like this, I will make sure that all
contracts with DC government are enforced.”
-Question 2-
The Department of Human Services is in the process of redesigning the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) program. What changes to the TANF program will you support to help
women meet the work requirements of TANF, specifically women who are victims of domestic
violence and single mothers with child-care needs?
Kwame Brown
[No Response]
Dorothy Douglas
[See Economic Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
-Question 3-
The Department of Employment Services recently issued regulations for the Accrued Sick and
Safe Leave Act. This law is important for all workers in the District, but particularly working mothers
who overwhelmingly serve the role of primary caregiver and whose decision to take time off from
work to care for a sick child is one of necessity. How will you ensure that the Accrued Sick and Safe
Leave Act is properly enforced and that workers know about their rights under the law?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 48
Kwame Brown
“Employers who do not make workers aware of their rights under this act face fines and other penalties.
But those penalties are meaningless if we do not have strong enforcement.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Economic Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
-Question 4-
Under current law, victims of domestic violence are not protected from discrimination in the
workplace. The Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010, which was introduced in May,
would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of a person's status as a victim of domestic
violence, sexual abuse, and stalking. Will you support efforts to pass this legislation?
Kwame Brown
“Yes. Protecting victims of domestic violence has been a major priority for me as an At-large
Councilmember. I passed legislation that allows domestic violence victims to get a restraining order
seven days a week, and pushed through funding to expand our domestic violence shelter system.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Economic Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
“Yes.”
-Question 5-
This year, the DC Council passed legislation that expands access to a critical safety net
program, unemployment insurance. The new legislation extends eligibility to those who leave their
jobs to care for an ill/disabled family member, to relocate with his/her spouse or domestic partner, or
because of domestic violence against the individual or against his/her immediate family member. In
addition, jobless workers with kids and other dependents will receive an additional benefit amount.
These changes will no doubt help women workers.
It is anticipated that the economic recession will continue at least through 2011 and that
unemployment will remain high during this time. In light of the District’s historical rate of
unemployment, what will you do to support jobless workers and strengthen the unemployment
insurance system?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 49
Kwame Brown
“As highlighted in a previous question, we cannot expect those who are struggling to make it to navigate
the social service system. We need a way for people in need to access social services in a one-stop
fashion. Unemployment insurance will be a vital income stabilization program over the next several
years and into the future. I strongly support efforts to expand those benefits to caregivers and victims of
domestic violence.
Jobless workers not only need to know that the unemployment insurance system will remain strong, but
they also need to be made aware of training opportunities when they are applying for benefits or an
extension. The best way to keep the system sound is to reduce unemployment. In many cases we do not
have a jobs problem, but a training problem. We must give people who want to work the training they
need. ”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Economic Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
-Question 6-
Given that DC’s current unemployment rate is hovering around10% what kind of supportive
services would you provide to enable women, particularly single heads of households, to train for and
be hired in jobs?
Kwame Brown
“As highlighted in previous questions, I championed the revitalization of our vocational education
system and made certain adults will benefit from these new opportunities. By keeping our vocational
institutions open at night, on weekends and during the summer, we will certainly be more likely to reach
more single mothers.”
Dorothy Douglas
[See Economic Statement in Question #1]
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Calvin Gurley
James George Walker
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 50
Candidate Douglas included a statement regarding other critical issues.
I feel that there needs to be more accountability and transparency with District’s budgeting process
early on. It is important to me to review all the financial facts so that I can make an informative decision
with the City’s Budget. As far as making cuts I need the facts first. There may not be a need for cuts if
there are surplus monies that could be reallocated. I recognize that these are tough times for budget
slashed. However this drastic reduction and the continuance will prevent government agencies from
effectively carry out their duties. To serve our communities, our city cannot sustain government
operating services without an adequate functioning budget, because it will have a negative impact on
financial structure and the quality of life for DC residents.
I believe it is the responsibility of our city council and the mayor to work together to improve the
services to our constituents by increasing the quality of services provided to them., spending allocated
funds properly and being accountable. I would work with the city council and the mayor to review the
facts to see what is working and what is not working before making decisions on spending resident’s tax
dollars.
The Council is already playing a role in Statehood. They are already involved in this process. Eleanor
Holmes Norton is working very close with the City Council to make Statehood a reality for the district.
I intend to work with the current administration to carry out and continue the level of support given to
those impacted the most by unemployment. In addition I will support economic development in the
form of small business and those likely most in need of career and vocational training and support youth
to assist them in getting back in to the job market or to enter the job market for the first time. I will also
work with the City Council to enforce the fist source agreement and accountability for developers in
hiring District residents.
I do support the current system of school governance. I think that the parent should have more input on
decision making involving teachers and school administrators. There needs to be more accountability
and transparency with the chancellor’s office to the people and not the Mayor.
School reform should continue because we still have more than a 38% drop out rate and our school
system need to be a more competitive school system in line with the likes of Fairfax County VA.
In addition I strongly support Education reform due to the fact that Public Education Reform
Amendment Act of 2007 address the needs of all students not just those in DCPS and DCCS. I am firmly
committed to remaining part of the State level reform effort and continuing to focus on city-wide
educations standards and policies, in giving a strong voice for education reform and excellence to help
improve the educational standards, access for all learners, highly qualified teachers and educational
outcome for all residents of the District of Columbia.
Nothing is more important than the student’s education to ensure resources by engaging parents,
teachers and partnering with communities to put in place a strong foundation to help improve
educational standards and prepare our youth for college readiness and careers in the 21st century.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 51
Council At-Large Candidates
Health Care
The District has been a forerunner for expansion of Medicaid eligibility, even beyond the
requirements of the recently enacted 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Further, both the Mayor and Council members Catania and Bowser have proposed District legislation
(Mayor’s Order 2010-97, Establishment – Mayor’s Health Reform Implementation Committee and B18-
791, Health Care Reform Implementation Advisory Board Establishment Act of 2010) to improve
health care delivery in the District of Columbia, including an interagency taskforce. There appear to be
some glaring gaps in these proposals.
-Question 1-
Are you willing to surpass the currently proposed legislation by requiring public involvement,
for example representatives from consumer and/or advocacy groups, in the creation of a quality
health care system for District residents?
Clark Ray
“Yes. I think it is crucial that representatives from consumer and advocacy groups are represented when
policy is made regarding healthcare in the District of Columbia. It is important to have the views of
consumers in formulating any policy that will affect them and how they live their lives. Often we only
hear from those we call “experts” or the business side of an issue and don’t consult with those who are
on the receiving end of the intended policy. The District must become a leader in making sure those
consumers and advocates are involved in planning and developing policy.”
-Question 2-
At the present time, the Departments of Human Services, Mental Health, and Disability
Services are excluded from a proposed Advisory Board to set policy and procedures. Each of these
agencies provide invaluable services that dovetail with many aspects of health care services, including
long term care and eligibility for public benefits for services. What is your proposal for ensuring that
these existing resources can be integrated into a reformed health care service delivery system?
Clark Ray
“Due to new federal regulation on healthcare the District will be re-examining how the city administers
healthcare. Although we have been successful in giving coverage through the Healthcare Alliance and
we will now be able to move people off that system onto Medicaid. We need to study at how this
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 52
impacts residents and how we integrate long term care and other services into new coverage. It is
important that each of the agencies involved in providing health care services are at the table and I will
work to ensure they are included.”
-Question 3-
H ow will you ensure that no one loses health care services as a result of health care reform,
particularly mothers and children, residents with disabilities, and non-English proficient residents?
Clark Ray
“There will be changes to the healthcare system due to new federal healthcare legislation and it will
take years for the total impact of that legislation to be felt. The District must carefully monitor each step
in its implementation to see how it will impact mothers and children, residents with disabilities and non-
English proficient residents here in the DC. I would ask that the Council and the various committees that
are conducting oversight put together a joint task force to monitor the city’s administration and
implementation of the new policies to ensure no one falls through the cracks.”
-Question 4-
What are you plans, if any, for re-investing any savings (as a result of the PPACA) back into
the District’s health care system?
Clark Ray
“I don’t believe we know the actual amount of any savings at this point and it would be improper to say
exactly where that savings should be spent. I have been very vocal and outspoken about the fact that
there are three areas in which the City must focus its budget and those are education, public safety and
the safety net for those most in need. I will insist that the savings be invested in those areas and it will
depend on the budget next January when I join the Council as to how I recommend those savings be
spent.”
-Question 5-
Many District residents – especially those living in Wards 5, 7 and 8 – do not have sufficient
access to affordable healthy food, including full-service grocery stores. What will you do to improve
access to grocery stores and help the District capture the $112 million in grocery dollars leaving the
city each year because residents are underserved in their food purchase options?
Clark Ray
“We must continue to look for investment in the District, particularly in those Wards that still need this
type of economic development. I recognize that without full-service grocery stores people in Wards 5, 7,
and 8 end up paying more for their food. We need to also recognize that people living in these wards
need access to fresh produce. I will work to support economic development programs and to fund the
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 53
ones that will provide needed services and opportunities to those wards. I also believe that we should
work with community groups in those wards to open farmers markets.”
Reproductive Health
-Question 1-
What kinds of teen pregnancy prevention models that you are prepared to fund and
implement in DC?
Clark Ray
“I am not an expert in this area but will work with women’s groups, planned parenthood, physician
groups and community residents to see that a variety of models are available to teens so that they have
the appropriate sex education to prevent pregnancy and then work to ensure that they have the
services and options available to them if they do get pregnant. I am a proponent of age- appropriate
health education and sex-education in both DCPS and Public Charter Schools.”
-Question 2-
Are you in favor of expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists to include
contraceptives so that teen girls can get Depo Provera shots, Emergency Contraception and oral
contraceptives at the drug store? Would you support making those contraceptive methods over the
counter at pharmacies in DC? Describe your plans (if any) to increase the availability of free
contraceptives for teen girls?
Clark Ray
“I will work with DCPS, the Department of Health and advocacy groups to ensure that teens in the
District have appropriate access to methods they need to help prevent pregnancy. I am opposed to
abstinence only being the only education method available in our schools and believe that we must
teach young women to protect themselves not only from getting pregnant but from all Sexually
Transmitted Diseases. All of this information should be part of a curriculum that teaches young women
them how to stay healthy and live healthy lives.”
-Question 3-
W hat will you do to ensure that teens can get contraceptive services from the provider of
their choice even if that means going outside of their primary medical coverage?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 54
Clark Ray
“I believe that we need to provide counsel to young women on these issues and that young teens may
require different counseling than girls who are 18 or 19 years of age. Calling all girls teens as if they are a
monolithic group is not appropriate. I believe that all women should have the right to various providers
when it comes to contraceptive services.”
-Question 4-
Will you support increased funding for programs that ensure teen moms can stay in school
and get their high school diplomas?
Clark Ray
“Yes. I believe that teen moms deserve the same right to a good education as all children and that we
must ensure that we provide the services they and their children need in order for them to finish
school.”
Housing/Homelessness
-Question 1-
What proposal do you have to preserve safety net organizations that provide homeless
services and housing assistance for families as well as single adults?
Clark Ray
“I will fight for a budget that preserves the safety net and funds legitimate organizations that provide
homeless services and housing assistance to families and single adults who are in need. I have proposed
a potential solution to the earmark issue and support earmarks with appropriate safeguards that could
be used for some organizations such as the ones you mentioned in the question.”
-Question 2-
The DCHA waitlist is backlogged as far back as 2003/2004 and women comprise 68% of that
list. What will you do help that agency become more efficient in providing housing to homeless
residents given that so many of them are women?
Clark Ray
“I will encourage the Council to provide more oversight of DCHA and based on the review I will look at
the budget needs for the agency. I will work with the private sector, business groups and women’s
groups to develop partnerships and solutions to these recurring problems. I do not believe that anyone
has a simple answer to solve this problem but it needs a constant focus and I will provide that when I am
on the Council.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 55
-Question 3-
W hat is your answer to the housing crisis in the District? What, if anything, will you do to
create more low-income housing in the District?
Clark Ray
“I will continue to work with the private sector and look for creative solutions to this problem. One
innovative project was how Level 2 Development Corporation worked with the local ANC and Jubilee
housing to award a $1 million grant to jubilee to provide more affordable housing units in the
neighborhood where the project was being built Instead of building 12 units they worked to have 44
units constructed. I will also work to make sure that there is a constant flow of funds into the housing
production trust fund.”
-Question 4-
Many individuals experiencing homelessness are also living with mental illness and or
substance abuse issues. What will you do to promote training and job opportunities for those who are
in need of specialized education and job training in order to join the workforce?
Clark Ray
“I will make sure we fund workforce development programs and include programs for individuals with
special needs. I will work with community organizations that are experts in this area and ask for
recommendations for new and expanded programs. I will also work with the new community college to
develop needed programs.”
-Question 5-
While residents await affordable housing, they must reside in the shelters. Conditions in the
emergency shelters are substandard and are compounded by overcrowding. Do you plan to support
the creation of more emergency shelters and transitional housing programs, especially for women
with families?
Clark Ray
“Yes - I will support upgrading shelters and creating however many emergency shelters are required to
house those who are in need of housing units. I will give special focus to families who are in need of this
service. We need to be able to have some type of stable housing especially for school aged children.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 56
Child Care and Child Health
-Question 1-
Will you fund and ensure child care placements specifically for the children of low income
teen mothers? What will you do to guarantee there are sufficient child care slots available?
Clark Ray
“I will work to fund child care placements for children of low income teen mothers. While I have stated
before I will work to educate children on how to avoid becoming pregnant I believe that as a society we
must work to make sure that if they do and decide to have those children that they are able to care for
themselves and their child.”
-Question 2-
Many District families rely on child care services from community and faith-based
organizations. Under the Federal Child Care and Development Fund, the District is required to
reimburse child care providers an amount equal to the market rate. Currently, the reimbursement
amount in DC is still set at levels from over 5 years ago. As a result, many child care centers are
struggling to make ends meet, threatening the available numbers of child care slots. What are your
plans, if any, to address this direct impact on the providers, as well as the families who depend on
their child care services?
Clark Ray
“I will work with both faith-based groups and other child care service organizations to see that we meet
the federal law and reimburse providers at the market rate.”
-Question 3-
Child care can easily eat up $20,000 per year of a working family’s income. In the past, DC’s
child care subsidy program was considered one of the best in the country. In just the past four years
however, subsidies have been cut by nearly $30 million, leaving many families without the resources
that would otherwise facilitate a path towards self-sufficiency. In your own list of priorities, where
would you rank the issue of the District’s child care subsidy program, and why is it ranked that way?
Clark Ray
“I rank that very high. It is clear that if we are to see that people go to work we will need to ensure that
they have adequate child care. It is counter productive to keep people from working and becoming tax
paying residents and supporting their families because child care is either not available or costs more
than they make at work. We need to see that child care options are part of the economic development
vision that this city has and that I will fight for that vision.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 57
-Question 4-
D ecades of research consistently show that the human brain develops most quickly and is
most impacted by health nurturing, including reading and the development of cognitive skills, during
the first three years of life. These early years literally determine the future kindergartner, adolescent,
and eventually adult’s ability to learn, function, and become a contributing member to our society.
The District of Columbia has yet to make Early Care and Education for 0-3 a priority, and continues to
allocate more funding to the older children (K-12) who are past this critical stage of impact. Will you
address this issue through funding and/or development of evidence-based programs in the District?
How will you approach the systemic barriers to achieving an interagency shift in focus towards the 0-3
population?
Clark Ray
“I am in favor of early care and 0-3 education. As someone with two degrees in education I understand
the research and the value of providing this type of program. We don’t need new research. Too often by
the time we get children in school they are so far behind that catching up is difficult. I believe that early
care and programs for parents can be funded by Medicaid and that the District needs to support these
programs.”
-Question 5-
Last year, 40% of District households with children reported that they could not afford
enough food for their families. What are your plans to reduce and end hunger in the District?
Clark Ray
“I will support continuing and expanding nutrition programs in schools and through the Department of
Parks and Recreation. As Director of Parks and Recreation – I ran the largest summer feeding program
in the city. We served – annually – over 1.2 million meals. I will continue to support and search for ways
to expand programs like these for all of those who are in need.”
-Question 6-
What will you do to ensure that all elementary school aged kids have access to quality and
affordable before and after school care?
Clark Ray
“I will continue to work with both DCPS and the Department of Parks and Recreation to ensure that
quality before care and after care programs are provided. I believe that we should explore opening
Recreation Centers later in the school day – around 3:00pm and extending the closing hour to 11:00pm
in order to give youth an opportunity to study and play in a safe environment.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 58
-Question 7-
W hat will you do to support school programs and community-based health centers that
address the specific mental health issues that girls face?
Clark Ray
“I will support them and work with community groups and the DC Department of Health to see that the
programs are funded and available.”
-Question 8-
What specific efforts will you make to ensure that children with disabilities are able to access
appropriate special education services as early as possible?
Clark Ray
“I have and will continue to speak out about the need to have special education programs in DCPS and
to work with the Department of Health and other agencies including the Healthcare Alliance, hospitals
and disability groups to take stock of the programs that are now available and to fill in the gaps where
they don’t exist.”
Wages, Benefits, and Economic Self-Sufficiency
-Question 1-
Developers that have contracts with the DC government for more than $100,000 are required
to provide a minimum wage of $12.10 an hour under the Living Wage Act. In addition, all developers
that have contracts with the DC government are required to reach a 51% District employment level for
newly created jobs under the First Source Act. A recent audit concluded, however, that the
Department of Employment Services has failed to both implement the Living Wage Act and monitor
compliance with the First Source Act. What will you do to ensure that that these laws are properly
enforced?
Clark Ray
“While I support it we need to stop pretending that the First Source Act will solve the problem. We need
to create workforce development programs that will train people for the jobs that will exist in the 21st
century. Examples include technology, healthcare and the hospitality industry. I support expanding
workforce development programs with the private sector and in the new community college. I will
demand compliance with current law and use Council oversight to bring this to the public’s attention.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 59
-Question 2-
The Department of Human Services is in the process of redesigning the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) program. What changes to the TANF program will you support to help
women meet the work requirements of TANF, specifically women who are victims of domestic
violence and single mothers with child-care needs?
Clark Ray
“I am not an expert in this area but will immediately bring together a committee of experts in this area
to advise me on the needed changes when I join the Council on January 1st.”
-Question 3-
The Department of Employment Services recently issued regulations for the Accrued Sick and
Safe Leave Act. This law is important for all workers in the District, but particularly working mothers
who overwhelmingly serve the role of primary caregiver and whose decision to take time off from
work to care for a sick child is one of necessity. How will you ensure that the Accrued Sick and Safe
Leave Act is properly enforced and that workers know about their rights under the law?
Clark Ray
“That is a role for the Mayor’s office and I will participate in Council oversight of the law. It is important
for the Council to review the legislation it passes to see what impact it is having on the community and
how it is being implemented. Too often now that doesn’t happen. Under current law, victims of
domestic violence are not protected from discrimination in the workplace.”
-Question 4-
Under current law, victims of domestic violence are not protected from discrimination in the
workplace. The Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010, which was introduced in May,
would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of a person's status as a victim of domestic
violence, sexual abuse, and stalking. Will you support efforts to pass this legislation?
Clark Ray
“I will look at this legislation carefully. I believe that society must protect victims of domestic violence,
sexual abuse and stalking but we must do so in a way that is realistic and determine who will pay the
cost of such protection and how it will be handled. I do not believe the current wording of the legislation
sufficiently addresses this issue.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 60
-Question 5-
T his year, the DC Council passed legislation that expands access to a critical safety net
program, unemployment insurance. The new legislation extends eligibility to those who leave their
jobs to care for an ill/disabled family member, to relocate with his/her spouse or domestic partner, or
because of domestic violence against the individual or against his/her immediate family member. In
addition, jobless workers with kids and other dependents will receive an additional benefit amount.
These changes will no doubt help women workers.
It is anticipated that the economic recession will continue at least through 2011 and that
unemployment will remain high during this time. In light of the District’s historical rate of
unemployment, what will you do to support jobless workers and strengthen the unemployment
insurance system?
Clark Ray
“I will work with experts in this area to determine what the City can do. I hope that people don’t
anticipate an easy answer. One of the things I have done is to lobby congress to pass the unemployment
compensation extension. I believe that the role of a City Councilmember is to get involved in the issues
at all levels. We have no legislative or budget autonomy here in the District so fighting at the
Congressional level for all programs is crucial.”
-Question 6-
Given that DC’s current unemployment rate is hovering around10% what kind of supportive
services would you provide to enable women, particularly single heads of households, to train for and
be hired in jobs?
Clark Ray
“It is actually higher than that in many parts of the City. I have spoken out on increasing workforce
development programs and expanding ones like the HOPE Project which have proven successful.”
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Donna Jean Alston
Michael Brown
Phil Mendelson
Kelvin J. Robinson
Will Ross
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 61
Ward 1 Candidates
Health Care
The District has been a forerunner for expansion of Medicaid eligibility, even beyond the
requirements of the recently enacted 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Further, both the Mayor and Council members Catania and Bowser have proposed District legislation
(Mayor’s Order 2010-97, Establishment – Mayor’s Health Reform Implementation Committee and B18-
791, Health Care Reform Implementation Advisory Board Establishment Act of 2010) to improve
health care delivery in the District of Columbia, including an interagency taskforce. There appear to be
some glaring gaps in these proposals.
-Question 1-
Are you willing to surpass the currently proposed legislation by requiring public involvement,
for example representatives from consumer and/or advocacy groups, in the creation of a quality
health care system for District residents?
Jim Graham
“Yes. I have always been a champion of providing health care services to children and families in Ward 1
without access to insurance.”
Bryan Weaver
“Although decisions are made for our city by elected representatives, public involvement should always
be a key element to any proposed legislation. I absolutely believe that consumer and/or advocacy
groups should be participants in the creation of a quality health care system and would have no problem
making that requirement within any proposed legislation.”
-Question 2-
At the present time, the Departments of Human Services, Mental Health, and Disability
Services are excluded from a proposed Advisory Board to set policy and procedures. Each of these
agencies provide invaluable services that dovetail with many aspects of health care services, including
long term care and eligibility for public benefits for services. What is your proposal for ensuring that
these existing resources can be integrated into a reformed health care service delivery system?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 62
Jim Graham
“I agree that the agencies mentioned should be part of the Advisory Board and if re-elected, I will work
to ensure that they participate in setting policy and procedures for the District’s health care reform
system.”
Bryan Weaver
“Any Advisory Board which sets policy and procedures should be required to include the Departments of
Human Services, Mental Health and Disability Services and I would be willing to introduce legislation
mandating this requirement. If we are going to reform our health care system, it needs to be done
holistically and therefore representatives from all affected departments need to be included in any sort
of advisory board.”
-Question 3-
How will you ensure that no one loses health care services as a result of health care reform,
particularly mothers and children, residents with disabilities, and non-English proficient residents?
Jim Graham
“I will continue to work with health care organizations to aggressively identify gaps in the reform
legislation that could result in DC residents losing some of their services. This is a particularly critical
issue in Ward 1 where we have diversity in races, nationalities and income-levels.”
Bryan Weaver
“While there is a dramatic decline in the District’s uninsured --- from 15 percent to 6 percent --- we need
to do more. Many residents make too much to qualify for Medicaid or the DC Healthcare Alliance but
not enough to afford private insurance. These residents need a “bridge” between a 100 percent
subsidized program and purchasing private health insurance.”
-Question 4-
What are you plans, if any, for re-investing any savings (as a result of the PPACA) back into
the District’s health care system?
Jim Graham
“I will look to re-invest savings for further expansion of the number of clinics that can take part in the
District’s free clinic liability insurance coverage for medical providers.”
Bryan Weaver
“The District should reinvest any savings from health care reform back into the health care system
towards incentives designed to promote quality, affordable health care—especially with regard to
fighting the epidemic of HIV/AIDS that plagues our community.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 63
-Question 5-
M any District residents – especially those living in Wards 5, 7 and 8 – do not have sufficient
access to affordable healthy food, including full-service grocery stores. What will you do to improve
access to grocery stores and help the District capture the $112 million in grocery dollars leaving the
city each year because residents are underserved in their food purchase options?
Jim Graham
“Like Wards 5, 7 and 8, for years Ward 1 residents experienced a lack of retail and food offerings. Things
have improved dramatically in Ward 1 due mainly to robust planning efforts, two Metro stations,
increased housing starts, aggressive policing and strong advocating to national retailers. I would propose
similar actions in Wards 5, 7 and 8.”
Bryan Weaver
“We’re already seeing a growth in grocery stores in the District with expansion of farmer’s markets and
Costco and Target (including full-service grocery stores). While we need to continue to encourage large
grocers to come to our community, we must make sure that our efforts do not bankrupt the city
through ill-planned tax abatements.”
Reproductive Health
-Question 1-
What kinds of teen pregnancy prevention models that you are prepared to fund and
implement in DC?
Jim Graham
“I support teen pregnancy prevention planning, health/sex education programs and program
performance measures and outcome follow-ups.”
Bryan Weaver
“While unlike half of the rest of the county, the percentage of District teens becoming pregnant actually
decreased from 2000 to 2006 (the most recent numbers available) by more than 24 percent, we cannot
rest on our laurels. The District must be willing to combat teen pregnancy with everything possible —
from free condoms to abstinence programs just to name two. Part of any teen pregnancy program
should also be a jobs program. Providing young women with career-path training shows them that there
are other opportunities out there.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 64
-Question 2-
A re you in favor of expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists to include
contraceptives so that teen girls can get Depo Provera shots, Emergency Contraception and oral
contraceptives at the drug store? Would you support making those contraceptive methods over the
counter at pharmacies in DC? Describe your plans (if any) to increase the availability of free
contraceptives for teen girls?
Jim Graham
“I am in favor of expanding prescriptive authority to include contraceptives. I am not in favor of over the
counter contraception methods or offering free contraceptives for teen girls. I think they should be
made available with some professional or adult supervision.”
Bryan Weaver
“I am absolutely in favor of expanding the prescriptive authority for pharmacists in order to make it
easier for teen girls (and all women for that matter) to get Emergency Contraception, oral
contraceptives, and Depo Provera shots over the counter at a drug store — without parental permission.
Any young woman receiving city assistance should also be able to receive free contraceptives.”
-Question 3-
What will you do to ensure that teens can get contraceptive services from the provider of
their choice even if that means going outside of their primary medical coverage?
Jim Graham
“I will make certain any changes to the DC Health Reform bill includes progressive language allowing
teens to obtain contraceptive services from providers of their choice.”
Bryan Weaver
“By giving pharmacists prescriptive authority and supporting making certain contraceptives available
over-the-counter, the District could effectively eliminate any service provider barriers that a young
woman might face.”
-Question 4-
Will you support increased funding for programs that ensure teen moms can stay in school
and get their high school diplomas?
Jim Graham
“Yes.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 65
Bryan Weaver
“Like many of the programs within the District we need to re-prioritize how we spend what funds we do
have. Making sure that teen mothers are able to stay in school and get their diploma should be a priority
under the restructuring of these funds.”
Housing/Homelessness
-Question 1-
What proposal do you have to preserve safety net organizations that provide homeless
services and housing assistance for families as well as single adults?
Jim Graham
“I have preserved health care for children of Ward 1 residents without insurance and I would like to
expand to all residents in any health care reform passed in the District.”
Bryan Weaver
“Per capita the District has one of the highest homeless populations in the country and while we’ve
made some progress with permanent supportive housing programs we face an immediate crisis in
emergency shelters, particularly around families and women and children. We need to re-shift our
priorities. Affordable housing issues reflect one percent in the District budget—part of that can be made
up by reforming the entire tax code rather than just the “hail Mary” of the millionaire’s tax.”
-Question 2-
T he DCHA waitlist is backlogged as far back as 2003/2004 and women comprise 68% of that
list. What will you do help that agency become more efficient in providing housing to homeless
residents given that so many of them are women?
Jim Graham
“I will continue to work with DCHA to make certain we have the right management team and systems in
place to improve the backlog.”
Bryan Weaver
“Like so many agencies in the District, DCHA is in need of an overhaul that would streamline the
processes for placing families in homes.
Additionally, federally subsidized housing provides an important source of truly affordable housing in
the District — housing that is typically affordable for tenants at/or below 30 percent of AMI. But our
stock is not nearly sufficient enough to meet the ever-growing need.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 66
Between 2000 and 2007 the District of Columbia lost 34 percent of its affordable housing including
2,000 project-based Section 8 units. Within the next 10 years up to 68 percent of this housing is set to
expire. The District must preserve this housing by partnering with the federal government to create new
project-based Section 8 housing.
Federally subsidized housing provides an important source of truly affordable housing in the District —
housing that is typically affordable for tenants at/or below 30 percent of AMI. But our stock is not nearly
sufficient enough to meet the ever-growing need.”
-Question 3-
What is your answer to the housing crisis in the District? What, if anything, will you do to
create more low-income housing in the District?
Jim Graham
“I will request an extensive survey of DCHA to identify problem areas and solutions and to adhere to
strict timelines to fix the problems.”
Bryan Weaver
“The District spends only $1 per $100 on housing and $24 per $100 on human support services;
however, safe, affordable housing is arguably the most basic human support. The District should
increase its locally funded budget designation for affordable housing from $80M ($1.33 per $100) to
$255M ($4.26 per $100) incrementally over the next five years.
Under Mayor Anthony Williams, the District made a pledge to add 65,000 new low-moderate income
housing units, but that pledge has not been fulfilled. One way to do that would be to spend up to $6
billion in capital funds over the next 10 years either to build new housing, and/or through the creation
of a program that would allow DC to buy existing affordable housing buildings in rapidly gentrifying
neighborhoods and then use tax abatements to assist with the rehabilitation of those properties.
The District must also make solid commitments to fully fund the Housing Production Trust Fund, install
permanent, aggressive rent control, and most importantly, enforce housing code violations and actually
use the nuisance abatement fund.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 67
-Question 4-
M any individuals experiencing homelessness are also living with mental illness and or
substance abuse issues. What will you do to promote training and job opportunities for those who are
in need of specialized education and job training in order to join the workforce?
Jim Graham
“There were many cuts earmarked for social service programs in the latest DC Budget but I, along with
several colleagues, were able to identify monies to cover the shortfalls. As such, we will continue to fund
organizations with a solid background in promoting training and job opportunities.”
Bryan Weaver
“We’ll never eliminate racism, poverty and homelessness until people have jobs and until people have
education, therefore the keys to ending poverty and homelessness in DC are a reformed school system
and career-path job training for all individuals, regardless of their mental capabilities, which results in
jobs that can sustain a family.”
-Question 5-
While residents await affordable housing, they must reside in the shelters. Conditions in the
emergency shelters are substandard and are compounded by overcrowding. Do you plan to support
the creation of more emergency shelters and transitional housing programs, especially for women
with families?
Jim Graham
“Yes.”
Bryan Weaver
“While there is no doubt we need to create more emergency shelters and transitional housing for
everyone, more emphasis needs to be placed on getting women and families into safe, family-oriented
shelters and transitional housing. It is absolutely unacceptable that the hypothermia shelter is being
used for families — many of them living in common areas. Instead of auctioning off our surplus property
to the highest bidder, the District should use some of these properties to create more emergency
shelters and transitional housing — especially for families. Renovating these properties would also
provide jobs to District residents.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 68
Child Care and Child Health
-Question 1-
W ill you fund and ensure child care placements specifically for the children of low income
teen mothers? What will you do to guarantee there are sufficient child care slots available?
Jim Graham
“Yes through careful planning and working with childcare organizations and advocates.”
Bryan Weaver
“Yes. I was the son of a single teenage mother. The struggle of finding a balance of school, job training
and providing for a young child was almost too much for her. I believe that we need a robust campaign
to create private and public partnerships around child care is critical to train a DC work force that does
not live by the “traditional” definition of a two parent household, with “traditional” 9 to 5 jobs. The
growth of DC’s trained work force will come from younger women of color. We need to create a support
system that ensures that women need not choose between work and child care. Many young women
are in this same boat.”
-Question 2-
Many District families rely on child care services from community and faith-based
organizations. Under the Federal Child Care and Development Fund, the District is required to
reimburse child care providers an amount equal to the market rate. Currently, the reimbursement
amount in DC is still set at levels from over 5 years ago. As a result, many child care centers are
struggling to make ends meet, threatening the available numbers of child care slots. What are your
plans, if any, to address this direct impact on the providers, as well as the families who depend on
their child care services?
Jim Graham
“I believe in fair wages and compensation across the board and will look into these discrepancies and
identify ways to offset the reimbursements.”
Bryan Weaver
“DC has some amazing nonprofit and faith based programs that provide free child-care and Pre-K
programs. For those programs that rely on the District for reimbursements equal to the market rate,
then it is obvious that DC must set the levels to the current conditions and not levels from 5 years ago.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 69
-Question 3-
C hild care can easily eat up $20,000 per year of a working family’s income. In the past, DC’s
child care subsidy program was considered one of the best in the country. In just the past four years
however, subsidies have been cut by nearly $30 million, leaving many families without the resources
that would otherwise facilitate a path towards self-sufficiency. In your own list of priorities, where
would you rank the issue of the District’s child care subsidy program, and why is it ranked that way?
Jim Graham
“As you know, affordable housing and crime prevention has been my most pressing priorities but the
child care subsidy is important and, if elected, I will look into replenishing some of the subsidies that
have been cut.”
Bryan Weaver
“Without a doubt, child care is the most important work support for low-income families — frankly it’s
the most important work support for any family regardless of their income. Therefore in my list of
priorities, I would rank the District’s child care subsidy program right up near the top of my priorities
along with reforming our education system.”
-Question 4-
Decades of research consistently show that the human brain develops most quickly and is
most impacted by health nurturing, including reading and the development of cognitive skills, during
the first three years of life. These early years literally determine the future kindergartner, adolescent,
and eventually adult’s ability to learn, function, and become a contributing member to our society.
The District of Columbia has yet to make Early Care and Education for 0-3 a priority, and continues to
allocate more funding to the older children (K-12) who are past this critical stage of impact. Will you
address this issue through funding and/or development of evidence-based programs in the District?
How will you approach the systemic barriers to achieving an interagency shift in focus towards the 0-3
population?
Jim Graham
“I strongly agree that more funding is needed to support programs that help parents nurture children
during the first 3 years of life and I will work to adequately fund such programs. I will also work with the
Mayor’s Office to ensure there is a strong focus across agencies to deal with this critical issue.”
Bryan Weaver
“We need more programs for low-income working families by providing supports for children to
participate in early learning programs. Programs such as the Spanish Educational Development Center
and Jubilee Jumpstart which not only provide childcare (24 hours per day for Jubilee), but also includes
early learning.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 70
-Question 5-
Last year, 40% of District households with children reported that they could not afford
enough food for their families. What are your plans to reduce and end hunger in the District?
Jim Graham
“My plan is to make certain that during these tough economic times in the District, monies continue to
be made available to support nutrition and other social services for struggling families.”
Bryan Weaver
“Sadly, one of the best ways to address hunger and get more eligible working poor families to
participate in the District’s Food Stamp Program would be through a branding and education campaign.
Few people want to admit they are “on food stamps” and by partnering with local nonprofits and area
grocers on a branding and educational campaign, the District could go a long way to eliminating the
stigma many people attach to food stamps which often prevents their participation in the program.
Other ways we can address hunger are through better access to healthy school meals year-round, access
to programs that provide after-school snacks to children and partnering with local entrepreneurs who
are driving the current food truck-craze to send them into underserved neighborhoods with affordable
healthy options — including trucks that just sell fruits and vegetables at low prices.”
-Question 6-
What will you do to ensure that all elementary school aged kids have access to quality and
affordable before and after school care?
Jim Graham
“I will support legislation that expands affordable before and after school care.”
Bryan Weaver
“Create true community schools and as a part of that I believe that every school should have a before
and after school program. This is a fundamental part of overall education reform.”
-Question 7-
What will you do to support school programs and community-based health centers that
address the specific mental health issues that girls face?
Jim Graham
“I will support legislation that expands school programs and community-based health centers.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 71
Bryan Weaver
“So much emphasis in the District is placed on at-risk young men that sometimes we as a society
forget—or marginalize—the issues that face young women, which are more often than not, vastly
different than what our young men face. The city needs to work with already existing nonprofits that
work largely (or solely) with at-risk young men and encourage them to expand their programming to
include more young women. Or create new programs geared solely toward young women.
The District is also home to some of the most well educated and powerful women in the world. We need
to find ways to harness their talents and power to show the young women of the District that anything
is possible.”
-Question 8-
What specific efforts will you make to ensure that children with disabilities are able to access
appropriate special education services as early as possible?
Jim Graham
“Special education services are crucial for many children throughout the District and, if elected, I will
continue to support increased funding of these services.”
Bryan Weaver
“I would work with DC Public Schools to reduce reliance on litigation by parents and schools, so children
with special education needs get the education they deserve more quickly, and school funds are spent
on education, not lawyers' fees.
Immediately DC needs to:
1) The development of an independent mediation program for the DC Public Schools;
2) Training for DCPS staff to help them communicate more effectively with parents and their advocates;
and
3) A pilot program that will provide early dispute resolution training and services in a small number of
DC schools, with the ultimate goal of implementing selected strategies citywide.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 72
Wages, Benefits, and Economic Self-Sufficiency
-Question 1-
Developers that have contracts with the DC government for more than $100,000 are required
to provide a minimum wage of $12.10 an hour under the Living Wage Act. In addition, all developers
that have contracts with the DC government are required to reach a 51% District employment level for
newly created jobs under the First Source Act. A recent audit concluded, however, that the
Department of Employment Services has failed to both implement the Living Wage Act and monitor
compliance with the First Source Act. What will you do to ensure that that these laws are properly
enforced?
Jim Graham
“I was disappointed to learn that District government is not enforcing the First Source and Living Wage
Acts. If elected, I will work with the respective agencies to make sure developers are complying.”
Bryan Weaver
“Enact and Enforce Money-Back Guarantees on Subsidies: Just like the breakfast guarantee at all-
American burger if promises are not kept we citizens of the District should expect a company to return
all or part of the value of a subsidy if the company fails to meet the obligations agreed to as a condition
of receiving the award.
Ensure that Subsidized Companies Create Quality Jobs: Job quality standards are requirements that
subsidized companies create full-time positions paying livable wages and/or providing health insurance
and other benefits; A recipient of a city contract that fails to meet the living wage requirement at any
time during the duration of the contract shall not eligible for a city contract in the next contract cycle or
the next calendar year. Any recipient of a city contract that fails to meet the living wage requirement
shall be liable to the city for liquidated damages at twenty (20) percent of the value of the contract.”
-Question 2-
The Department of Human Services is in the process of redesigning the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) program. What changes to the TANF program will you support to help
women meet the work requirements of TANF, specifically women who are victims of domestic
violence and single mothers with child-care needs?
Jim Graham
“I will continue to support a strong TANF program and look forward to reviewing the changes. If these
changes are not sufficient, I will look to work with DHS to strengthen them.”
Bryan Weaver
“In order:
Increase employment services that lead to a living wage
Increase access to childcare
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 73
Increase training for TANF and CSE staff workers around domestic and sexual violence
Provide emergency relocation and other related assistance to
victims fleeing violence
Increase transportation services
Improve screening for family violence
Increase TANF benefit levels”
-Question 3-
The Department of Employment Services recently issued regulations for the Accrued Sick and
Safe Leave Act. This law is important for all workers in the District, but particularly working mothers
who overwhelmingly serve the role of primary caregiver and whose decision to take time off from
work to care for a sick child is one of necessity. How will you ensure that the Accrued Sick and Safe
Leave Act is properly enforced and that workers know about their rights under the law?
Jim Graham
“I believe the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act is critical for all workers but especially working, single
women and I will monitor the program to ensure it is enforced properly.”
Bryan Weaver
“Willful violations of the law subject the employer to fines up to $1000 and violations of not posting the
requirements is a fine of $500.00. But without enforcement, these fines mean nothing. Enforcement of
law is a huge crisis in DC. I would like DOES to have enforcement and audit officers to ensure that not
only ASLA is being enforced but also Livable Wage Requirements.”
-Question 4-
Under current law, victims of domestic violence are not protected from discrimination in the
workplace. The Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010, which was introduced in May,
would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of a person's status as a victim of domestic
violence, sexual abuse, and stalking. Will you support efforts to pass this legislation?
Jim Graham
“Yes.”
Bryan Weaver
“Yes. Remarkably the bill is based upon laws and best practices in other jurisdictions. DC normally has an
aversion to best practices. This bill prohibits employers from firing or retaliating against workers on the
basis of their status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or stalking. It also requires
employers to take reasonable steps, when necessary, to ensure the overall safety of an employee. Any
such change or accommodation must be reasonable in relation to the size, staffing levels, and resources
of the business and could be as simple as modifying a victim’s work schedule or changing a phone
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 74
number. Finally, the bill also requires employers to post a policy about workplace violence and, in
partnership with experts in the field, provide trainings on the topic. Good first step.”
-Question 5-
This year, the DC Council passed legislation that expands access to a critical safety net
program, unemployment insurance. The new legislation extends eligibility to those who leave their
jobs to care for an ill/disabled family member, to relocate with his/her spouse or domestic partner, or
because of domestic violence against the individual or against his/her immediate family member. In
addition, jobless workers with kids and other dependents will receive an additional benefit amount.
These changes will no doubt help women workers.
It is anticipated that the economic recession will continue at least through 2011 and that
unemployment will remain high during this time. In light of the District’s historical rate of
unemployment, what will you do to support jobless workers and strengthen the unemployment
insurance system?
Jim Graham
“I have always been a strong supporter of unemployed workers and will be a strong advocate in
strengthening the unemployment insurance system.”
Bryan Weaver
“I will fight to extend and secure additional funds for Unemployment Insurance, particularly around
unemployed workers who have children. But in a city where the unemployment rate recently reached
12 percent, we have to looks beyond just extending Unemployment Insurance and get people back to
work again.
We need to create more Green Projects, like “The DC Project” where 700 unemployed residents were
trained to weatherize (for free) between 2,000 and 4,000 homes of low income residents to cut their
energy bills. The jobs will pay $13.25 to $25 per hour, depending on the task. The focus of the training
by the Laborers International Union, a partner in the effort, is that workers will walk away from the
project with a trade.”
-Question 6-
Given that DC’s current unemployment rate is hovering around10% what kind of supportive
services would you provide to enable women, particularly single heads of households, to train for and
be hired in jobs?
Jim Graham
“As Ward 1 Councilmember, I have worked with area businesses and developers to identify jobs for the
chronically unemployed, including many single women heads of household. I will also continue to
support full funding job training agencies that serve this population.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 75
Bryan Weaver
“We should provide transit benefits (pre-loaded SmarTrip cards) to those who are participating in
unemployment benefits and job training programs so they can get to and from job interviews and job
programs. The District Department of Employment Services should also consider partnering with other
city agencies to provide childcare opportunities for those currently receiving benefits and actively
seeking employment.”
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Marc Morgan
Jeff Smith
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 76
Ward 3 Candidates
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Mary Cheh
Dave Hedgepeth
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 77
Ward 5 Candidates
Health Care
The District has been a forerunner for expansion of Medicaid eligibility, even beyond the
requirements of the recently enacted 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
Further, both the Mayor and Council members Catania and Bowser have proposed District legislation
(Mayor’s Order 2010-97, Establishment – Mayor’s Health Reform Implementation Committee and B18-
791, Health Care Reform Implementation Advisory Board Establishment Act of 2010) to improve
health care delivery in the District of Columbia, including an interagency taskforce. There appear to be
some glaring gaps in these proposals.
-Question 1-
Are you willing to surpass the currently proposed legislation by requiring public involvement,
for example representatives from consumer and/or advocacy groups, in the creation of a quality
health care system for District residents?
Tracey Turner
“I believe that reasonable efforts should be exercised to gauge and elicit public opinion on matters that
impact the public. In a representative democracy, elected officials have been blessed with the
opportunity to represent their fellow citizens and this sacred trust should not be taken for granted or
handled lightly. Good health should not be a luxury in the DC; it should be a guaranteed right. As with
any other public right, a thorough public discourse is required.”
-Question 2-
At the present time, the Departments of Human Services, Mental Health, and Disability
Services are excluded from a proposed Advisory Board to set policy and procedures. Each of these
agencies provide invaluable services that dovetail with many aspects of health care services, including
long term care and eligibility for public benefits for services. What is your proposal for ensuring that
these existing resources can be integrated into a reformed health care service delivery system?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 78
Tracey Turner
“I believe in a holistic approach to healthy living involves the mind, body, and the spirit. An ideal health
care service delivery system will encompass all of those parts. “Good health” is not confined to the
body alone. Neither should an effective, responsible health care service delivery system. All the
organizations that represent the various aspects of total health should be considered stakeholders in the
creation of a reformed health care service delivery system.”
-Question 3-
How will you ensure that no one loses health care services as a result of health care reform,
particularly mothers and children, residents with disabilities, and non-English proficient residents?
Tracey Turner
An ideal and effective health care service delivery system should be one that is accessible to the vast
majority of District of Columbia residents especially those that may be considered disadvantaged. I
believe it is possible to design a system that removes potential access barriers to care. We can do this by
purposefully ensuring that our providers are diverse and culturally competent and sensitive to our
wonderfully diverse population. Transportation vouchers, day care service, flexible operating hours, and
other methods have a demonstrated track record of addressing access barriers to care. An effective
reformed health care service delivery system will include these practices and others to properly address
barriers to health care service delivery.
-Question 4-
What are you plans, if any, for re-investing any savings (as a result of the PPACA) back into
the District’s health care system?
Tracey Turner
“Any savings or deduction in expenditures garnered as a result of health care service delivery reform
should necessarily be reinvested into to that system. These additional funds can be used to further
ensure access to the improved system, as well as, to update the system with state-of-the-art technology
to make the system a national model of access and excellence. I wholeheartedly endorse this measure.”
-Question 5-
Many District residents – especially those living in Wards 5, 7 and 8 – do not have sufficient
access to affordable healthy food, including full-service grocery stores. What will you do to improve
access to grocery stores and help the District capture the $112 million in grocery dollars leaving the
city each year because residents are underserved in their food purchase options?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 79
Tracey Turner
This as a two-part challenge: grocery store offerings and pricing barriers. As a resident of Ward 5, this is
a very important issue for me. Residents of Ward 5, 7, and 8 should have the same healthy options as
other wards. Grocery stores can be given incentives to provide healthier options. We can provide food
vouchers, like in the WIC program, to encourage buying healthier foods. A healthy lifestyles campaign
can be used to express the benefits of healthy choices behaviors. This measure is essential to prevention
of disease; a core principle of any effective health care service delivery system.
Reproductive Health
-Question 1-
W hat kinds of teen pregnancy prevention models that you are prepared to fund and
implement in DC?
Tracey Turner
“Teen pregnancy is a complex problem that requires a varied approach. Two models of teen pregnancy
prevention show promise. The Children’s Aid Society Carrera Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program is an
intensive program lasting through high school. It includes: 1) Family life and sex education; 2) General
education; 3) Work-related intervention; 4) Self-expression through the arts; and 5) Individual sports.
This holistic approach has demonstrated success in preventing teenage pregnancy. Girls Incorporated:
Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy, another promising program, provides information, fosters skills in
communication, assertiveness and refusal, contraception and STD prevention, and academic and career
planning.”
-Question 2-
Are you in favor of expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists to include
contraceptives so that teen girls can get Depo Provera shots, Emergency Contraception and oral
contraceptives at the drug store? Describe your plans (if any) to increase the availability of free
contraceptives for teen girls?
Tracey Turner
“Yes, I am in favor of expanding the prescriptive authority for pharmacists to include contraceptives to
teen girls. This seemingly simple measure can prevent girls from seeking illegal options to obtain
contraceptives and/or illegal ways to end pregnancy. Our girl’s safety should be our primary concern. By
providing contraceptives in schools that implement sex education programs or teen pregnancy
prevention programs, continuing free contraceptive methods at their local health clinics and allowing
contraceptives to be free or low cost for disadvantaged teen girls in their local pharmacy (according to
age requirements), we can effectively combat teen pregnancy.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 80
-Question 3-
W hat will you do to ensure that teens can get contraceptive services from the provider of
their choice even if that means going outside of their primary medical coverage?
Tracey Turner
“Effective and responsible contraceptives should be readily availability to teens. Teen prevention
programs should be implemented in District schools and should provide contraceptive methods with the
professional assistance of the school nurse or qualified provider. We should increase access to these
services wherever possible to ultimately improve the health and vitality of our youth.”
-Question 4-
Will you support increased funding for programs that ensure teen moms can stay in school
and get their high school diplomas?
Tracey Turner
“Yes. One of the main reasons that teen mothers dropout of school is lack of resources that assist with
support of their child. Also, allowing teen mothers to obtain diplomas will increase confidence and self-
esteem in order for them to develop future career plans. By providing case management services that
coordinate the variety of services that pregnant or parenting teens need and working with teen mothers
to prevent subsequent pregnancies, we can encourage successful high school completion and quite
possibly a more successful future.”
Housing/Homelessness
-Question 1-
What proposal do you have to preserve safety net organizations that provide homeless
services and housing assistance for families as well as single adults?
Tracey Turner
“During this time of incredible financial challenge, it is imperative that our safety net organizations are
able to assist our citizens that find themselves in financial hard times. I see this as a “homeland” security
issue. We must protect our families and our homes because therein lies the strength of America.
Although DC has been relatively shielded from the blunt of the Great Recession, certain sections of our
population are more vulnerable than they normally are. Programs like TANF, Housing vouchers, and
other needy programs help sustain our citizens until they are ready to enter the working force.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 81
-Question 2-
The DCHA waitlist is backlogged as far back as 2003/2004 and women comprise 68% of that
list. What will you do help that agency become more efficient in providing housing to homeless
residents given that so many of them are women?
Tracey Turner
“I propose that Section 8 waiting lists be expedited. In its current state, the waitlist is shortened only
after current Section 8 recipients move off of the program. The program should be time-limited and
temporary. Additionally, we should provide instruction on responsible homeownership to Section 8
recipients. None of these measures work, however, without a concurrent increase the availability of
low-cost housing for qualified applicants.
-Question 3-
W hat is your answer to the housing crisis in the District? What, if anything, will you do to
create more low-income housing in the District?
Tracey Turner
“We should stabilize and promote the District’s Housing Production Trust Fund. The DCHD is a source of
public funds focused on producing and preserving units of affordable housing for low- and moderate-
income residents. It is administered by the DC Department of Housing and Community Development,
and distributes funds through an annual, competitive application process. This program supports self-
sufficiency and addresses an ongoing need in the District.”
-Question 4-
Many individuals experiencing homelessness are also living with mental illness and or
substance abuse issues. What will you do to promote training and job opportunities for those who are
in need of specialized education and job training in order to join the workforce?
Tracey Turner
“In order to promote training and job opportunities amongst the dually-diagnosed, you must first
stabilize their medical condition. An individual that is going through a manic-depressive episode most
likely will be unable, if not unwilling, to focus enough to commit to a series of tasks as required by any
work activity. Once an individual has been stabilized, they can then participate in the job training and
readiness programs currently available.
It is paramount that we promote a medical approach to this condition. It is also important that we also
educate our fellow citizens about this often misunderstood condition.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 82
-Question 5-
While residents await affordable housing, they must reside in the shelters. Conditions in the
emergency shelters are substandard and are compounded by overcrowding. Do you plan to support
the creation of more emergency shelters and transitional housing programs, especially for women
with families?
Tracey Turner
“I believe the District has an obligation to provide safe and clean affording options to its citizens.
Emergency shelters should be considered part of the continuum of housing options and should be held
to the same exacting standards applied to its counterparts. Women and children that seek transitional
housing are already in a compromised position and we should compound their suffering by subjecting
them to substandard housing. I wholeheartedly support a viable affordable housing system in which
emergency and transitional housing options play a substantial role.”
Child Care and Child Health
-Question 1-
Will you fund and ensure child care placements specifically for the children of low income
teen mothers? What will you do to guarantee there are sufficient child care slots available?
Tracey Turner
“I will fund and ensure child care space specifically for the children of low income teen mothers. More
slots should be made available according to their demonstrated need. Teenage mothers are already
faced with many challenges due to their educational and economic plight and I believe that a beneficent
and caring District government should take all reasonable measure to alleviate their suffering. Investing
in teenage mothers increases the likelihood that our teenage citizens can grow to become fully
functional, healthy, viable families.”
-Question 2-
Many District families rely on child care services from community and faith-based
organizations. What are your plans, if any, to address this direct impact on the providers, as well as the
families who depend on their child care services?
Tracey Turner
“The District’s compliance with the Federal Child Care and Development Fund should be investigated. If
we are found to be out of compliance, every reasonable effort should be employed to bring us
immediately in compliance. Furthermore, I will support the scheduled and periodic review of the fund
and organizations that participate within it to ensure future compliance and parity. If it is found that the
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 83
reimbursement rate is out of sync with market rates, the review should result in the needed
adjustment.”
-Question 3-
C hild care can easily eat up $20,000 per year of a working family’s income. In the past, DC’s
child care subsidy program was considered one of the best in the country. In just the past four years
however, subsidies have been cut by nearly $30 million, leaving many families without the resources
that would otherwise facilitate a path towards self-sufficiency. In your own list of priorities, where
would you rank the issue of the District’s child care subsidy program, and why is it ranked that way?
Tracey Turner
“The restoration of the District’s child care subsidy program ranks high amongst my priorities. It is an
integral part of any viable safety net system. Ensuring that mothers have the ability to work and their
children are properly cared for is not only the right thing to do, it also has direct tangible financial
benefit to the District, as well. A working mother that has affordable child care options is less likely to
need additional, potentially more costly District provisions. More importantly, a self-sufficient mother
serves as the ultimate role model for any family that finds itself in financial difficulties.”
-Question 4-
Decades of research consistently show that the human brain develops most quickly and is
most impacted by health nurturing, including reading and the development of cognitive skills, during
the first three years of life. These early years literally determine the future kindergartner, adolescent,
and eventually adult’s ability to learn, function, and become a contributing member to our society.
The District of Columbia has yet to make Early Care and Education for 0-3 a priority, and continues to
allocate more funding to the older children (K-12) who are past this critical stage of impact. Will you
address this issue through funding and/or development of evidence-based programs in the District?
How will you approach the systemic barriers to achieving an interagency shift in focus towards the 0-3
population?
Tracey Turner
“Early Care and Education for 0-3 should be a priority for the District of Columbia. And yes, we should
address this important issue through funding and/or development of evidence-base programs in the
District. We can do so by promoting private/public partnerships through charter schools created
specifically to address this issue and by continuing or increasing the funding to agencies that currently
perform this important task. By thoroughly promoting its benefits, such potentially lower costs
associated with educating special populations and resulting higher academic performance, throughout
the District’s safety net program we can encourage more interagency cooperation and compliance.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 84
-Question 5-
Last year, 40% of District households with children reported that they could not afford
enough food for their families. What are your plans to reduce and end hunger in the District?
Tracey Turner
“In addition to strengthening our current safety net programs designed to address this issue, we should
also take the necessary measures to ensure that the District becomes a hub for economic development
and growth. A growing and vibrant economy lessens the likelihood that a family will be unemployed or
in need of support to meet its basic needs. Also, we should review the current system to ensure that it
is maximally effective and efficient to ensure that our precious public monies are being used
appropriately.”
-Question 6-
What will you do to ensure that all elementary school aged kids have access to quality and
affordable before and after school care?
Tracey Turner
“I support adequate quality affordable before and after school care for all elementary school aged kids.
The easiest way to accomplish this aim is to expand the current school day to include these additional
hours of care. Not only will our children receive quality before and after school care, they will be in a
safe environment that is designed to promote their academic growth and general wellbeing.”
-Question 7-
What will you do to support school programs and community-based health centers that
address the specific mental health issues that girls face?
Tracey Turner
“I propose that the health care professionals that work within the District’s school programs and
community-based health care centers receive additional training targeted specifically to the mental
health issues that girls may face. Additionally, we can make reasonable efforts to ensure that our health
care providers are socially and culturally competent to deal with this target population.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 85
-Question 8-
W hat specific efforts will you make to ensure that children with disabilities are able to access
appropriate special education services as early as possible?
Tracey Turner
“In addition to requiring that all District schools are 508 (ADA) compliant, we can work to ensure that
these needed services are properly funded. We can also work to remove the stigma, from the student
as well as their parents, that is often associated with being considered “disabled”. By investing in our
special needs students, we encourage their full civic and social participation and that their unique and
special gifts can contribute more fully to society.”
Wages, Benefits, and Economic Self-Sufficiency
-Question 1-
D evelopers that have contracts with the DC government for more than $100,000 are required
to provide a minimum wage of $12.10 an hour under the Living Wage Act. In addition, all developers
that have contracts with the DC government are required to reach a 51% District employment level for
newly created jobs under the First Source Act. A recent audit concluded, however, that the
Department of Employment Services has failed to both implement the Living Wage Act and monitor
compliance with the First Source Act. What will you do to ensure that that these laws are properly
enforced?
Tracey Turner
“I would continue to make sure that audits are done for each contract awarded to developers for DC
government. If contractors continue to fail to comply with the statues of the First Source Act and the
Living Wage Act, they will be prohibited from further contracting activities with the District.”
-Question 2-
The Department of Human Services is in the process of redesigning the Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) program. What changes to the TANF program will you support to help
women meet the work requirements of TANF, specifically women who are victims of domestic
violence and single mothers with child-care needs?
Tracey Turner
“I would support any changes to the TANF program that would help women that are victims of domestic
violence and single mothers with their child-care needs. The current programs can be expanded to
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 86
include information on how to prevent and avoid domestic violence. Additionally, we can expand the
current offerings of transitional housing to further support these victimized women. By stabilizing and
supporting these women, we reasonably ensure that the next generation can grow up healthy, strong,
and free from violence.”
-Question 3-
The Department of Employment Services recently issued regulations for the Accrued Sick and
Safe Leave Act. This law is important for all workers in the District, but particularly working mothers
who overwhelmingly serve the role of primary caregiver and whose decision to take time off from
work to care for a sick child is one of necessity. How will you ensure that the Accrued Sick and Safe
Leave Act is properly enforced and that workers know about their rights under the law?
Tracey Turner
I would support enforcing employers to implement training and/or issue informational emails regarding
the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act. It should be vigorously and consistently applied to all of the
organizations under its jurisdiction.
-Question 4-
U nder current law, victims of domestic violence are not protected from discrimination in the
workplace. The Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010, which was introduced in May,
would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of a person's status as a victim of domestic
violence, sexual abuse, and stalking. Will you support efforts to pass this legislation?
Tracey Turner
“I would support the Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010. Protecting the victims of
domestic violence from workplace discrimination is very important to me. The victims of domestic
violence should not be further victimized and the Protecting Victims of Crime Amendment Act of 2010 is
a step to ensuring that the victimization of stops.”
-Question 5-
This year, the DC Council passed legislation that expands access to a critical safety net
program, unemployment insurance. The new legislation extends eligibility to those who leave their
jobs to care for an ill/disabled family member, to relocate with his/her spouse or domestic partner, or
because of domestic violence against the individual or against his/her immediate family member. In
addition, jobless workers with kids and other dependents will receive an additional benefit amount.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 87
It is anticipated that the economic recession will continue at least through 2011 and that
unemployment will remain high during this time. In light of the District’s historical rate of
unemployment, what will you do to support jobless workers and strengthen the unemployment
insurance system?
Tracey Turner
“As part of the DC Council, I will introduce legislation to support jobless workers and help strengthen the
unemployment insurance system. This measure is essential to the well-being of countless District
families. Oftentimes, women are the sole breadwinners for their families. They are a force of moral and
financial stability. We should support them at every conceivable opportunity. If the country is still in the
grips of this unfortunate economic recession, it will be paramount to support our citizens until they can
gain meaningful employment and return the workforce.”
-Question 6-
Given that DC’s current unemployment rate is hovering around10% what kind of supportive
services would you provide to enable women, particularly single heads of households, to train for and
be hired in jobs?
Tracey Turner
“I would support any business owners or contract work that would be willing to provide training or
employment to the DC’s currently unemployed. However, when women are the single head of
households and the primary breadwinner, they require additional attention. Any increase with job
training should also include a comparable increase in the amount of child care services to support our
mothers. Also, more employers can be encouraged to allow “flex-place” or “job sharing” opportunities
which have been shown to benefit working mothers.”
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Timothy Day
Kathy Henderson
Delano Hunter
George Jackson
Kenyan McDuffie
Harry Tommy Thomas, Jr.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 88
Ward 6 Candidates
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Randy Brown
Jim DeMartino
Kelvin J. Robinson
Tommy Wells
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 89
Girls’ Questionnaire
Mayoral Candidates
HIV/AIDS and STD Testing and Care
-Question 1-
DC’s annual rate of new HIV/AIDS infections is nearly 12 times the national average and
quite possibly the highest of any major US city? DC Youth have a high rate of STD’s which often go
untreated for a long time.
What proposals do you have to promote HIV/AIDS prevention among teens? How will you
increase access to STD diagnosis and treatment?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“I believe that we need an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to the HIV epidemic. My Administration will
focus on reducing the spread of the epidemic, increasing access to treatment, and reducing
stigmatization of the disease, effective education efforts, testing, and condom distribution. As Mayor, I
will champion high quality reproductive health education and services for our young people, ensuring
uniformity and continuity across all public and charter schools; continued expansion of STI screening
programs in our schools; and expansions of our School Based Health Centers.”
Ernest Johnson
“As mayor I will launch a strong citywide campaign through the Department of Health highlighting the
ongoing problem of HIV/AIDS. Our collaborative effort will include work distribution of preventive
materials, community outreach and referrals, and the development of a city wide task force to focus on
diagnosis and treatment.”
Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen Parent Support Service
-Question 1-
DC has very high rate of teen pregnancy even though the rate has improved over the past 5
years. Youth reported difficulty in accessing contraception and getting helpful sexual health
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 90
information. Teen Parents reported not getting as much assistance in their school with keeping them
up with their classmates while being a teen parent.
What will you do to improve teen youth access to contraception? What ideas will you bring
to assure that young people have good sexual health information? Do you think the schools should
do more to have a sexual health curriculum? Can the schools be required to help teen parents stay in
school?
Adrian Fenty
“The Department of Human Services provides teen pregnancy prevention and teen parent support
services through the Teen Parent Assessment Program. Services include assessment, case management
and support services, pregnancy prevention initiatives, and motivational workshops. DHS collaborates
with the Department of Health and community partners to provide contraception, abstinence and
fatherhood programs.
The Teen Parent Assessment program empowers teen parents to move toward self-sufficiency.
The program strives to accomplish its mission in three ways:
1. Complete Assessments of the living arrangements for TANF applicants and clients who are under 18
years of age but not living with their parent or legal guardian;
2. Provide case management and support services to teenagers who receive TANF benefits to help them
develop goals and achieve self-sufficiency;
3. Work to reduce teenage pregnancy in the District of Columbia.
Most referrals for assessment and case management services for teen parents come from caseworkers
in the Income Maintenance Administration. However, if a teenager is receiving TANF benefits and needs
social services assistance, referrals are accepted from other sources, including the DC Public Schools and
community-based programs. An assessment of each client's situation will be completed, and services
will be provided to the extent possible. Community awareness of services will be increased via
communication updates with the Office of Community Affairs and the various constituent serving offices
including the Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives, Office of Latino Affairs, Office of Asian Pacific
Islander Affairs, Office on African Affairs, Office on Ex-Offender Affairs and the Office on Gay, Bisexual
and Transgendered Affairs.
The DC Commission for Women and the Department of Health will partner with the national Text4Baby
campaign. Many jurisdictions across the country are using mobile technology to improve prenatal health
of women and teen mothers. Text4baby is a free mobile information service designed to promote
maternal and child health. An educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
Coalition (HMHB), text4baby provides pregnant women and new moms with information they need to
take care of their health and give their babies the best possible start in life. Women who sign up for the
service by texting BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411 will receive free SMS text messages each week,
timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 91
The District has reinforced its commitment to decreasing the infant mortality rate of teen mothers.
DOH’s Community Health Administration’s Perinatal and Infant Health Bureau is spearheading the
Healthy DC Baby campaign. The purpose of the Perinatal and Infant Health Bureau is to improve
perinatal outcomes for high-risk pregnant and parenting women, and improve the health and
development of their infants into early childhood. The current overarching goal is to reduce infant
mortality and perinatal health disparities in the District of Columbia. HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, Obesity,
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/Safe Cribs Program and Fetal Alcohol awareness are some of the
issues focused on equipping teen mothers with the information and resources for a health pregnancy.”
Vincent Gray
“Access to contraceptives, health education and abstinence messaging have long been our approach to
teen pregnancy prevention. These approaches however are not enough. As Mayor, I will ensure that
the District adopts a holistic and comprehensive approach to reproductive health. In addition to
traditional models, I will ensure that our teen pregnancy prevention approach focuses on youth
achieving success in school, having access to quality healthcare, establishing close, caring relationships
with trustworthy adults and role models and that youth have access to meaningful employment. In
concert, these methods address factors affecting a teen’s life as a whole.”
Ernest Johnson
“I believe that a city wide task force bringing together many health professionals is necessary to pinpoint
specific solutions to the teen pregnancy problem. We have made progress as a city, but much more
needs to be done.”
Dating/Domestic Violence - School and Police Responses
-Question 1-
DC has a high rate of teen dating violence; however, education in the schools is not
required.
How will you guarantee that there is education for all teens about dating violence? Do you
believe this education should be required in the schools? What will you do to assure that young
people’s complaints about sexual harassment and dating violence is handed appropriately by the
schools and the police?
Adrian Fenty
“Since 2007, the DC Office of Victim Services’ Teen Victimization Initiative has placed special emphasis
on teen dating violence in middle and high schools that includes domestic violence and sexual assault
education; provision of mandated in-service trainings on teen dating violence for all teachers,
counselors and coaches; and provision of technical assistance to public schools in developing policies
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 92
and procedures to respond to teen dating violence. A collaborative effort of TVI partners, school, mental
health and juvenile justice stakeholders resulted in the FY 2008 publication of Safe Schools Model Policy:
A Comprehensive Approach to Addressing Dating Violence and Sexual Violence in District of Columbia
Schools.
OVS will fund programs that continue to educate principals, teachers, school nurses, coaches,
afterschool workers and parents through collaboration, distribution of information and provision of in-
person presentations about the dynamics and impact of youth relationship violence. OVS funds
programs that continue to provide outreach to heighten awareness and understanding among middle
and high school students of the dynamics and prevention of relationship violence. The programs include
weekly Men of Strength (MOST) clubs in middle and high schools that provide young men with the tools
to resolve conflicts, communicate effectively, make healthy decisions, develop self-esteem, and respect
gender diversity, and Sister Action Sister Strength (SASS) clubs in middle schools that educate young
women on issues of dating violence.
The District of Columbia Public Schools works directly with local service providers to train staff to be
"safe points of contact" that teens could go to when they want to disclose violence. DCPS launched the
New Heights Teen Parent Program run out of Cardozo and Anacostia, running specific workshops for our
parenting students on recognizing signs of dating violence. Programming can be replicated through
coherent policy, implementation and community collaboration through the Office of the Deputy Chief
for Youth Engagement.”
Vincent Gray
“Sadly, our youth are particularly vulnerable to interpersonal violence. The District has one of the
highest incidence rates for teen dating violence in the country. I believe that we must adopt a proactive,
comprehensive approach that supports and nurtures families - addresses root causes; goes beyond
response to immediate problems; and seeks prevention before it occurs. The holistic and
comprehensive approach to reproductive health that I propose will include education around healthy
relationships and dating violence. As Mayor, I commit to ensuring that the Department of Health has a
dedicated telephone line to receive youth complaints regarding dating violence and sexual harassment,
and counselors available immediately assist following a reported incident. The initial report will be
followed up by a team of Investigators dispatched to do fact finding, in concert with police officers.”
Ernest Johnson
“In answering previous questions, I have stated that as mayor I will convene a one week summit of
educators and stake holders to deal with all school problems. This summit will include police
representation as well in order to fully discuss dating violence issues and school as well as police
response.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 93
Violence and Safety in the Community
-Question 1-
There are initiatives to curb crew and gang violence in the city though most of them are
geared to young men. Young woman are involved more than ever before in crew fueled violence.
What will you do to target services to young girls who are engaged in negative activity in the
community? What new strategies do you have to curb youth violence?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“Dramatic increases in both youth perpetrators and victims of violence are alarming and are becoming
markedly pervasive. These escalations must be counted as failures of our fundamental systems, failures
to work effectively and with clear purpose. We must do more as a city, as a community, to provide
proper leadership, and guidance to stem this growing tide. As Mayor, I will ensure that we pursue a
dramatic city-wide effort, to abate this trend. We must recognize that youth violence prevention and
intervention go hand in hand with all other investments we make in young people. As Mayor, I will focus
on youth achieving success in school, having access to quality healthcare, establishing close, caring
relationships with trustworthy adults and role models and that youth have access to meaningful
employment.”
Ernest Johnson
“I will initiate a gang task force (some years ago DC had a gang commission) to actually come up with the
best solutions to the gang and so called crew problem. My administration will push for greater
intervention methods and increased presence of youth outreach problems such as the Department of
Recreation Roving Leaders Program.”
Employment
-Question 1-
The unemployment rate among youth in the city ranges from 45 to 75% depending on who is
counting. Summer jobs are very important but jobs through the year that include real training are
also very important. Youth are very concerned about the lack of opportunities that are available to
them for jobs and careers.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 94
What will you do to affect the youth unemployment rate in DC? What are your strategies for
creating more training and employment opportunities for youth?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“As Mayor, I will work tirelessly to reform education and expand job opportunities for District youth.
My administration will take a more holistic, ‘birth to 24’ approach to education by championing early
childhood and higher education. As Mayor, I will make prenatal, infant, and toddler care affordable and
accessible to all children with a priority focus on expanding infant/toddler care to low-income families. I
will also establish a new ‘College Bound and Job Ready’ Financial Aid and Support Program to provide
financial and other critical support to District high school graduates as they transition to college or into
the workforce.
My Administration will place a top priority in the District’s workforce development initiatives by focusing
job training on high-demand fields, development of industry partnerships using leveraged resources, re-
invigoration of the Workforce Investment Council, and coordination among the District of Columbia
Public Schools which includes vocational education, the District’s newly established Community College,
University of the District of Columbia, and the Department of Employment Services.”
Ernest Johnson
“It is imperative that we emphasize methods of prevention along our youth including a year-long jobs
program, incentive programs to increase graduation rates, bringing back the mayor’s youth leadership
council, and holding parent accountable for keeping young people engaged in the educational process.”
Homelessness and Family Problems
-Question 1-
Homelessness is a complex issue. Homelessness among youth, if unaddressed, can either
lead to long term issues and poor outcomes or can be the road back to strengthened family and
community bonds.
What will you do to insure that there will be an end to youth homelessness in the city?
What will you to do assure that families who are having trouble can get help to stabilize and
strengthen their capacity to care for each other? What will you do respond to the need for more
permanent housing options for young adults who are disconnected from school, family and
community?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 95
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
Vincent Gray
“As a lifelong advocate for the disabled, the homeless, and at-risk youth, I have worked tirelessly to
improve conditions and expand opportunities for those who have been economically marginalized and
disenfranchised in the District of Columbia. As Mayor, I plan to strengthen the District’s safety net and
begin the process of poverty reduction by focusing on providing opportunities to help our most
vulnerable residents achieve self-sufficiency: jobs, education, child-care, transportation and housing.
As the first Executive Director of the Covenant House DC, I am intimately aware of and sensitive to the
challenges our children and youth face daily. In this capacity, I led successful campaigns to purchase and
renovate a crisis center for homeless youth, a multipurpose center and established a new community
service center in far SE.”
Ernest Johnson
“We must work harder with our families to provide wraparound services that will address the myriad
problems we face in the District of Columbia. We need affordable housing, jobs, and training for family
“bread winners”, and community outreach for those failing to get city wide services.”
Problems at Home
-Question 1-
Some youth have reported that their school had better discipline and better materials to
work with. Others reported that their school had fired or transferred the best teachers and have had
long term substitutes. They all reported that there was a need for more afterschool programming
with activities of interest to those who were not into regular sports to keep young girls (and boys)
away from trouble.
What will you do to improve the schools and make sure young people are learning and
engaged in school? What will you do to increase after school programming that will be of interest to
those students not involved with sports? What will you do to insure that the schools are listening to
young girls and their point of view (sexual harassment in schools including by teachers, access to
contraception and sexual health education, STD prevention and testing, teen parents needing special
supports)?
Adrian Fenty
[No Response]
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 96
Vincent Gray
[No Response]
Ernest Johnson
“As mayor a list of problems that I will address in the educational summit I hold within my first 60 days
in office will include after school programming, sexual health education, and teen parenting issues.”
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Leo Alexander
Carlos Allen
Donna Jean Alston
Sulaimon Brown
Nestor Djonkam
Michael T. Green
Chanda McMahan
Paul Lyndon Walker
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 97
Chairman Candidates
HIV/AIDS and STD Testing and Care
-Question 1-
DC’s annual rate of new HIV/AIDS infections is nearly 12 times the national average and
quite possibly the highest of any major US city? DC Youth have a high rate of STD’s which often go
untreated for a long time.
What proposals do you have to promote HIV/AIDS prevention among teens? How will you
increase access to STD diagnosis and treatment?
Kwame Brown
“A recent youth survey by the Committee on Health revealed that young people receive most of their
HIV/AIDS and STD prevention information at school. DCPS has implemented one of the most aggressive
HIV/AIDS education and STD testing programs in the nation. New health standards require that sexual
health information be taught to every student at various times during their academic career. Now, we
must make certain these lessons are being effectively taught and that students are actually changing
behaviors. It is time to develop a thorough assessment of these programs. I am pleased that the
Department of Health is conducting STD testing and treatment in every DC high school. This provides the
best opportunity to educate students about STDs, and provide confidential treatment of STDs.”
Vincent Orange
“I would ensure that HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease prevention is part of the overall
health curriculum. I would also work with HIV/AIDS prevention groups to get educational programs into
the schools.
Furthermore, stakeholders need to work together to ensure that we get all the federal funding and
other sources available to run a comprehensive testing, referral, counseling and treatment program to
deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the District of Columbia. In addition, I will work with community and
faith based groups in the District to educate residents on HIV/AIDS information programs.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 98
Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen Parent Support Service
-Question 1-
DC has very high rate of teen pregnancy even though the rate has improved over the past 5
years. Youth reported difficulty in accessing contraception and getting helpful sexual health
information. Teen Parents reported not getting as much assistance in their school with keeping them
up with their classmates while being a teen parent.
What will you do to improve teen youth access to contraception? What ideas will you bring
to assure that young people have good sexual health information? Do you think the schools should
do more to have a sexual health curriculum? Can the schools be required to help teen parents stay in
school?
Kwame Brown
[No Response]
Vincent Orange
“I would continue and expand the DC condom distribution program in high schools and ensure that the
appropriate grades receive comprehensive sexual health education. School counselors and nurses
should be able to make appropriate referrals to teen youth with regards to contraception and any other
issues teens face. Schools must be required to offer wrap-around services that assist teen parents to
stay in school.”
Dating/Domestic Violence - School and Police Responses
-Question 1-
DC has a high rate of teen dating violence; however, there is no education in the schools
that is required.
How will you guarantee that there is education for all teens about dating violence? Do you
believe this education should be required in the schools? What will you do to assure that young
people’s complaints about sexual harassment and dating violence is handed appropriately by the
schools and the police?
Kwame Brown
“Dating violence is a serious issue that should be addressed by our schools, churches and community
groups. Young women must be empowered by the community to come forward when they are
victimized. Our schools have a very important role to play in this effort, as does the media. Instruction
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 99
for young men and young women about dating violence must be part of our school curriculum. Coaches
and other instructors involved in extracurricular activities should be required to hold a session on dating
violence as part of their duties.”
Vincent Orange
“I would make teen dating violence prevention education a requirement in middle and high schools with
the goal to increase student’s understanding and awareness of domestic, dating and sexual violence. In
addition to students, a core of school-based individuals such as faculty, counselors, and nurses need
training to provide information and assistance to those victimized by these crimes. A protocol needs to
be implemented that outlines how to report these crimes to the police for their appropriate follow up.
We need to do all we can do to keep our young adults safe and to teach respectful healthy
relationships.”
Violence and Safety in the Community
-Question 1-
There are initiatives to curb crew and gang violence in the city though most of them are
geared to young men. Young woman are involved more than ever before in crew fueled violence.
What will you do to target services to young girls who are engaged in negative activity in the
community? What new strategies do you have to curb youth violence?
Kwame Brown
“As we work to reform our Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services, who must have a special focus
on young women. The conversation so far has focused heavily on protecting our communities from
young people who have been released from our facilities. Much more focus must be placed on reaching
our young women when they are involved with the juvenile justice system.”
Vincent Orange
“We need to create educational environments conducive for learning and achieving with zero tolerance
for disruption, extend the school day and school year with a focus on project-based learning, after
school homework camps/extra curriculum activities, summer schools and summer jobs. We need to
keep our youth busy and off the streets. In addition, DCPS should partner with programs that address
youth violence.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 100
Employment
-Question 1-
The unemployment rate among youth in the city ranges from 45 to 75% depending on who is
counting. Summer jobs are very important but jobs through the year that include real training are
also very important. Youth are very concerned about the lack of opportunities that are available to
them for jobs and careers.
What will you do to affect the youth unemployment rate in DC? What are your strategies for
creating more training and employment opportunities for youth?
Kwame Brown
“As mentioned in an earlier question, I will continue to push for expansion of our vocational education
programs. During my time as an at-large member of the Council, I have supported the creation and
funding of a number of job training programs, such as programs in the hospitality sector at hospitality
high, healthcare training programs at Carlos Rosario, and even the night and weekend opening of adult
training programs at schools like Phelps Engineering and Cardozo High School to ensure that adult
residents have access to training programs that fit their schedules. These programs can provide training
for our young people who are not planning to attend college – but they have to know about these
programs at a much earlier stage of their academic careers. These programs are among the best in the
nation and our teachers, counselors and school administrators need to do a better job of promoting
them.”
Vincent Orange
“First of all, we need to ensure that our students receive a high school diploma of value and we must
train our youth so they are prepared for employment in entry-level positions with living wages, benefits
and job security. We must connect education to employment and employment to economic
development for District residents.
We need to ensure that our students receive a quality education. As Councilmember I reopened
McKinley Technology High School, an $80 million project, but we need to increase the number of
vocational schools and offer various programs attractive to males and females.
We need to ensure that our students are trained and that we create (entry-level) positions with
benefits, development, and job security. Creating a public/private funded job creation organization
charged with creating new job opportunities would be a strategy I would like to implement.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 101
Homelessness and Family Problems
-Question 1-
Homelessness is a complex issue. Homelessness among youth, if unaddressed, can either
lead to long term issues and poor outcomes or can be the road back to strengthened family and
community bonds.
What will you do to insure that there will be an end to youth homelessness in the city?
What will you to do assure that families who are having trouble can get help to stabilize and
strengthen their capacity to care for each other? What will you do respond to the need for more
permanent housing options for young adults who are disconnected from school, family and
community?
Kwame Brown
“Again, this question returns to the issue of a lack of wrap around services at our schools. I will make
certain that the promise of improved school wrap around services becomes a central element of the
school reform effort. Until we can identify and work with those families that are facing struggles like
homeless, we cannot expect our students to thrive. Young people who are without a home and have cut
ties with family are a particularly important group to reach. They may not even attend school. The city
should step up support for organizations that have drop in centers specifically targeting these vulnerable
young people.”
Vincent Orange
[No Response]
Problems at Home
-Question 1-
Some youth have reported that their school had better discipline and better materials to
work with. Others reported that their school had fired or transferred the best teachers and have had
long term substitutes. They all reported that there was a need for more afterschool programming
with activities of interest to those who were not into regular sports to keep young girls (and boys)
away from trouble.
What will you do to improve the schools and make sure young people are learning and
engaged in school? What will you do to increase after school programming that will be of interest to
those students not involved with sports? What will you do to insure that the schools are listening to
young girls and their point of view (sexual harassment in schools including by teachers, access to
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 102
contraception and sexual health education, STD prevention and testing, teen parents needing special
supports)?
Kwame Brown
“After school programming like music, art and physical education is uneven across the city. With limited
resources and strong pressure to improve test scores, there is a great risk that programs that keep
children in school will be compromised. We must engage the community, the business sector and the
non-profit sector to create partnerships with schools that create non-academic programs of interest to
our kids. I have proposed a parent involvement pledge that asks all parents to donate 45 minutes per
month to their neighborhood school.
Several are law schools and law firms have established mentoring programs for young women. These
types of interactions are vital to addressing issues like sexual harassment and dating violence.”
Vincent Orange
“Young people learn and are engaged if they have teachers that are passionate about student success
and believe in the inherent capacity of all children to excel at the highest levels.
I’m a supporter of making the school day and school year longer so young people can take advantage of
home work camps and after school programs such as the arts and music. I had the opportunity in school
to participate in a music program and these kinds of programs contribute in making young people well
rounded. Well-trained counselors must play an important role in supporting students, especially young
girls.”
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Dorothy Douglas
Calvin Gurley
James George Walker
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 103
At-Large Candidates
HIV/AIDS and STD Testing and Care
-Question 1-
DC’s annual rate of new HIV/AIDS infections is nearly 12 times the national average and
quite possibly the highest of any major US city? DC Youth have a high rate of STD’s which often go
untreated for a long time.
What proposals do you have to promote HIV/AIDS prevention among teens? How will you
increase access to STD diagnosis and treatment?
Clark Ray
“I have worked to make sure that DCPS has appropriate education and services for Teens with regard to
all STD information including HIV/AIDS. I will be vocal proponent of more and targeted services across
the District. I have supported the Whitman Walker Clinic, Planned Parenthood and other groups across
the District and will continue to do so and see that there is funding for them when I am on the Council.”
Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen Parent Support Service
-Question 1-
DC has very high rate of teen pregnancy even though the rate has improved over the past 5
years. Youth reported difficulty in accessing contraception and getting helpful sexual health
information. Teen Parents reported not getting as much assistance in their school with keeping them
up with their classmates while being a teen parent.
What will you do to improve teen youth access to contraception? What ideas will you bring
to assure that young people have good sexual health information? Do you think the schools should
do more to have a sexual health curriculum? Can the schools be required to help teen parents stay in
school?
Clark Ray
“I will work with the groups I mentioned above and with other community groups and the DC
Department of Health to make sure that we have appropriate serves and information for Teens. I think
that schools should have not only a sexual health curriculum but provide services to girls and boys at an
age appropriate level. We must help teen parents to stay in school.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 104
Dating/Domestic Violence - School and Police Responses
-Question 1-
DC has a high rate of teen dating violence; however, there is no education in the schools
that is required.
How will you guarantee that there is education for all teens about dating violence? Do you
believe this education should be required in the schools? What will you do to assure that young
people’s complaints about sexual harassment and dating violence is handed appropriately by the
schools and the police?
Clark Ray
“I cannot guarantee that but I will focus on working with DCPS and the community to see that there are
programs to inform teens about dating violence and that teachers and administrators are taught to deal
with these issues. As a Reserve Police Officer I have gone through training at the MPD and know that we
need more training for our officers on this issue so they can deal with complaints in the appropriate
way.”
Violence and Safety in the Community
-Question 1-
There are initiatives to curb crew and gang violence in the city though most of them are
geared to young men. Young woman are involved more than ever before in crew fueled violence.
What will you do to target services to young girls who are engaged in negative activity in the
community? What new strategies do you have to curb youth violence?
Clark Ray
“I will work with the Metro Politian Department and community organizations representing girls and
women to develop needed strategies to deal with youth violence and particularly young girls engaged in
negative activity.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 105
Employment
-Question 1-
The unemployment rate among youth in the city ranges from 45 to 75% depending on who is
counting. Summer jobs are very important but jobs through the year that include real training are
also very important. Youth are very concerned about the lack of opportunities that are available to
them for jobs and careers.
What will you do to affect the youth unemployment rate in DC? What are your strategies for
creating more training and employment opportunities for youth?
Clark Ray
“I will continue to be a supporter of the DC Summer Youth Employment Program. However, I will be
even a bigger supporter of providing Work Force Development programs for youth. It will be my goal to
provide youth with the opportunity to learn a skill that can transfer into a productive career such as in
the field of technology, health and the hospitality industry.”
Homelessness and Family Problems
-Question 1-
Homelessness is a complex issue. Homelessness among youth, if unaddressed, can either
lead to long term issues and poor outcomes or can be the road back to strengthened family and
community bonds.
What will you do to insure that there will be an end to youth homelessness in the city?
What will you to do assure that families who are having trouble can get help to stabilize and
strengthen their capacity to care for each other? What will you do respond to the need for more
permanent housing options for young adults who are disconnected from school, family and
community?
Clark Ray
“This is not a simplistic issue and I will work with youth focused groups across the District like SMYAL,
and others who are working with youth.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 106
Problems at Home
-Question 1-
Some youth have reported that their school had better discipline and better materials to
work with. Others reported that their school had fired or transferred the best teachers and have had
long term substitutes. They all reported that there was a need for more afterschool programming
with activities of interest to those who were not into regular sports to keep young girls (and boys)
away from trouble.
What will you do to improve the schools and make sure young people are learning and
engaged in school? What will you do to increase after school programming that will be of interest to
those students not involved with sports? What will you do to insure that the schools are listening to
young girls and their point of view (sexual harassment in schools including by teachers, access to
contraception and sexual health education, STD prevention and testing, teen parents needing special
supports)?
Clark Ray
“As I have stated before in many answers – I will continue to support education reform efforts to ensure
that all students have access to a quality education. I will work agencies such as Parks and Recreation
and Employment Services to expand and create additional programs for youth and I will form youth
councils in each ward, conduct quarterly meetings and use the information to help formulate new policy
aimed at helping youth.”
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Donna Jean Alston
Michael Brown
Phil Mendelson
Kelvin J. Robinson
Will Ross
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 107
Ward 1 Candidates
HIV/AIDS and STD Testing and Care
-Question 1-
DC’s annual rate of new HIV/AIDS infections is nearly 12 times the national average and
quite possibly the highest of any major US city? DC Youth have a high rate of STD’s which often go
untreated for a long time.
What proposals do you have to promote HIV/AIDS prevention among teens? How will you
increase access to STD diagnosis and treatment?
Jim Graham
“As a 17 year Executive Director of the Whitman Walker Clinic, I am keenly aware of the HIV/AIDS
epidemic plaguing the District, especially among teens. I will stick to the measures that have help
promote AIDS prevention in the past, namely education. I will continue to support education-based
organizations and programs that stress HIV and STD prevention, diagnosis and treatment.”
Bryan Weaver
“HIV/AIDS is not just an LGBT issue — it is the number one killer of minority heterosexual women aged
25-44 — and therefore we must attack the problem with the same vigor we did with the LGBT
community in the last 80s and early 90s.
The current policy of issuing annual reports that repeat the lines that DC is comparable to nations in
West Africa is not working. Council oversight has been lacking, as have non-federal funds. The rates in
DC are peculiar to our population, our policies and our interest in the issue. We cannot wait for federal
largesse (largely from NIH) to solve it on our behalf.
I advocate an “all departments” approach to this issue — police, housing, transport, consumer and
regulatory affairs, DCPS, all departments — must be brought to bear on this issue. We must increase the
access to services and provide consistent monetary support from DC tax dollars for the community
groups providing support and education services about HIV/AIDS.
The District’s young people must be given free and easy access to all types of health testing. Those
under 18 should be offered the same free testing as adults.”
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 108
Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen Parent Support Service
-Question 1-
DC has very high rate of teen pregnancy even though the rate has improved over the past 5
years. Youth reported difficulty in accessing contraception and getting helpful sexual health
information. Teen Parents reported not getting as much assistance in their school with keeping them
up with their classmates while being a teen parent.
What will you do to improve teen youth access to contraception? What ideas will you bring
to assure that young people have good sexual health information? Do you think the schools should
do more to have a sexual health curriculum? Can the schools be required to help teen parents stay in
school?
Jim Graham
“Yes I believe schools should have a sexual health curriculum and help teen parents stay in school. I also
believe teen role models can be helpful in disseminating information about sex education.”
Bryan Weaver
“I am absolutely in favor of expanding the prescriptive authority for pharmacists in order to make it
easier for teen girls to get Emergency Contraception, oral contraceptives, and Depo Provera shots over
the counter at a drug store — without parental permission. Any young woman receiving city assistance
should also be able to receive free contraceptives. By giving pharmacists prescriptive authority and
supporting making certain contraceptives available over-the-counter, the District could effectively
eliminate any service provider barriers that a young woman might face.
Of course schools should be required to help teen parents stay in school. While all high schools cannot
provide daycare, some certainly can and for those that cannot, the school system should be willing to
work with teen parents on flexible schedules the same way they allow students to have flexible
schedules for work study or to take college courses.”
Dating/Domestic Violence - School and Police Responses
-Question 1-
DC has a high rate of teen dating violence; however, there is no education in the schools
that is required.
How will you guarantee that there is education for all teens about dating violence? Do you
believe this education should be required in the schools? What will you do to assure that young
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 109
people’s complaints about sexual harassment and dating violence is handed appropriately by the
schools and the police?
Jim Graham
“As you know, I am a strong advocate of crime prevention and I believe sexual harassment and date
violence are crimes that should be taken very seriously. I want to continue working with police to
encourage strong enforcement measures of these crimes. I also believe these topics should be part of a
curriculum in school.”
Bryan Weaver
“DCPS should require all students to attend yearly one-day workshops (at a minimum) at the beginning
of the school year about dating violence. The schools must strive to create an atmosphere where a
young woman or man feels safe reporting dating violence to a trusted school administrator.
In addition to students being required to take dating violence workshops, all teachers should also be
required to take workshops on how to spot and sensitively deal with dating violence.”
Violence and Safety in the Community
-Question 1-
There are initiatives to curb crew and gang violence in the city though most of them are
geared to young men. Young woman are involved more than ever before in crew fueled violence.
What will you do to target services to young girls who are engaged in negative activity in the
community? What new strategies do you have to curb youth violence?
Jim Graham
“I am proud to have established the Citywide Coordinating Council on Youth Violence Prevention. I
authored $1.5 million since 2008 to build a citywide network of community based organizations fighting
gang violence. Moreover, I authored k$125,000 in fiscal year 2008 for a local and national scan of gang
prevention and intervention best practices and to propose recommendations for legislative action to
adopt a citywide gang prevention and intervention strategy. I will continue this targeted work on youth
violence if re-elected.”
Bryan Weaver
“So much emphasis in our city is placed on at-risk young men. The city needs to work with already
existing nonprofits that work largely (or solely) with at-risk young men and encourage them to expand
their programming to include more young women.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 110
The District is also home to some of the most well educated and powerful women in the world. We need
to find ways to harness their talents and power to show the young women of the District that anything
is possible.
In addition, the District’s system of adjudicating young offenders needs to be completely overhauled.
The punishment for children found guilty of a crime should not be completely meted out by the
Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services — judges, prosecutors and victim and community impact
statements must be taken into consideration in the juvenile justice system. Violent juvenile offenders
must be incarcerated with an emphasis placed on training and educational opportunities to decrease
recidivism.”
Employment
-Question 1-
The unemployment rate among youth in the city ranges from 45 to 75% depending on who is
counting. Summer jobs are very important but jobs through the year that include real training are
also very important. Youth are very concerned about the lack of opportunities that are available to
them for jobs and careers.
What will you do to affect the youth unemployment rate in DC? What are your strategies for
creating more training and employment opportunities for youth?
Jim Graham
“I established Positive Resources and Opportunities for Youth (PROUrbanYouth), which provides
summer employment for teenagers who do not participate in the Department of Employment Services
Summer Youth Employment Program. These youth include gang and crew members, immigrant youth,
and young people that have dropped out of school and are disconnected from government services and
community based programs. If re-elected, I’d like to work with PROUrban Youth to expand the program
for year round employment for youth.”
Bryan Weaver
“While our schools are improving, we need more avenues to engage the youth of this city. Far too many
young people in the District simply give up, or give into a life of crime because, right or wrong, they feel
that there are no opportunities for them.
We need to crease more opportunities for on-the-job training, internships, apprenticeships and
fellowships. Any large corporation or developer receiving tax abatements, TIFS or requesting any sort of
relief from the District of Columbia should be required to create a paid, career-path internship program
for underserved District youth enrolled in a secondary school.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 111
We need to increase efforts for more technical training through DCPS. Not every high school student is
college-bound and for those that are not, the District needs to provide them the training they will need
not only with regard to job training, but also life-skills.
We also need to revamp the current Department of Employment Services (DOES) summer jobs program
for District youth which is simply not working. The program needs to work with District businesses, large
and small, to create career-path summer jobs, not just busy work.”
Homelessness and Family Problems
-Question 1-
Homelessness is a complex issue. Homelessness among youth, if unaddressed, can either
lead to long term issues and poor outcomes or can be the road back to strengthened family and
community bonds.
What will you do to insure that there will be an end to youth homelessness in the city?
What will you to do assure that families who are having trouble can get help to stabilize and
strengthen their capacity to care for each other? What will you do respond to the need for more
permanent housing options for young adults who are disconnected from school, family and
community?
Jim Graham
“Ending youth homelessness is a huge undertaking that will require leadership and commitment from all
areas of the government. We must make certain there is safe, quality housing for youth and jobs for
homeless youth who want to work. I authored funds for The Green Team Project to hire and train
homeless and low-income District residents, including some youth, to clean the U St. corridor and Shaw
neighborhoods in NW Washington. I also co-introduced legislation to fund more affordable housing with
local funds. If re-elected, I will seek to expand these programs to identify and train more youth for these
jobs.”
Bryan Weaver
“The District spends only $1 per $100 on housing and $24 per $100 on human support services;
however, safe, affordable housing is arguably the most basic human support. The District should
increase its locally funded budget designation for affordable housing from $80M ($1.33 per $100) to
$255M ($4.26 per $100) incrementally over the next five years.
Under Mayor Anthony Williams, the District made a pledge to add 65,000 new low-moderate income
housing units, but that pledge has not been fulfilled. One way to do that would be to spend up to $6
billion in capital funds over the next 10 years either to build new housing, and/or through the creation
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 112
of a program that would allow DC to buy existing affordable housing buildings in rapidly gentrifying
neighborhoods and then use tax abatements to assist with the rehabilitation of those properties.
Families must be given a priority new, affordable housing.
The District should also consider creating housing just for those who are under 23 and homeless. A
housing situation that will provide them with the support and services they need.”
Problems at Home
-Question 1-
Some youth have reported that their school had better discipline and better materials to
work with. Others reported that their school had fired or transferred the best teachers and have had
long term substitutes. They all reported that there was a need for more afterschool programming
with activities of interest to those who were not into regular sports to keep young girls (and boys)
away from trouble.
What will you do to improve the schools and make sure young people are learning and
engaged in school? What will you do to increase after school programming that will be of interest to
those students not involved with sports? What will you do to insure that the schools are listening to
young girls and their point of view (sexual harassment in schools including by teachers, access to
contraception and sexual health education, STD prevention and testing, teen parents needing special
supports)?
Jim Graham
“I believe we must lean more heavily on parental involvement to improve student performance in
schools. As I stated earlier, I am very supportive of expanding aftercare programming for all students in
need, including youth girls. I agree that a sexual health curriculum that addresses sexual harassment and
STD prevention should be offered in schools.”
Bryan Weaver
“The District of Columbia is in the midst of a bold effort to reform the school system. We have seen
gains in reading and writing proficiency among students. But while scores are up, critics are asking
whether reforms have actually made District schools better? Ward One averages only 51 percent
proficiency in both reading and math, meaning almost half of our 8th graders in Ward One do not know
how to read proficiently.
Even though we pay lip service to the urgent need to close the achievement gap, we tolerate huge
disparities in access to strong teachers on every meaningful measure. Over the course of their schooling,
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 113
low-income and minority students are much more likely to be assigned to inexperienced, out of field,
academically weaker and less effective teachers than other students. Core academic classes in high-
poverty secondary schools are twice as likely as those in low-poverty schools to be taught by a teacher
with neither a major nor certification in their assigned subject. The percentage of first-year teachers in
high-minority schools is almost twice as high as the percentage of such teachers in low-minority schools.
We spend a lot of money in our schools. It does not go to teachers and we do not get good results. This
has to change, not by throwing more money at the problem, and not by putting legislative handcuffs on
the decision makers, but by looking to worldwide best practices and current research to identify and
foster solutions that work.
Unfortunately there is not much an elected councilmember can do to increase afterschool programming
that will be of interest other than sport. However, I can work to ensure that the money is available to
create these programs, which, as a former member of the drama club, speech team and “multicultural
society”, I understand how important non-sports activities are.”
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Marc Morgan
Jeff Smith
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 114
Ward 3 Candidates
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Mary Cheh
Dave Hedgepeth
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 115
Ward 5 Candidates
HIV/AIDS and STD Testing and Care
-Question 1-
DC’s annual rate of new HIV/AIDS infections is nearly 12 times the national average and
quite possibly the highest of any major US city? DC Youth have a high rate of STD’s which often go
untreated for a long time.
What proposals do you have to promote HIV/AIDS prevention among teens? How will you
increase access to STD diagnosis and treatment?
Tracey Turner
“STD prevention and protection is very important to ensuring the safety of our teenagers. I believe that
HIV/AIDS testing should be more affordable through governmental aimed at DC youth. Early detection
could potentially slow the spread of HIV/AIDS and protect innocent youth from contracting the disease. I
also feel strongly about integrating testing information and prevention methods into health courses in
high school. Many students may not realize that when they choose to become sexually active they are
at a much higher risk contracting an STD. Keeping our youth educated about these matters is paramount
to ensuring their health.”
Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Teen Parent Support Service
-Question 1-
DC has very high rate of teen pregnancy even though the rate has improved over the past 5
years. Youth reported difficulty in accessing contraception and getting helpful sexual health
information. Teen Parents reported not getting as much assistance in their school with keeping them
up with their classmates while being a teen parent.
What will you do to improve teen youth access to contraception? What ideas will you bring
to assure that young people have good sexual health information? Do you think the schools should
do more to have a sexual health curriculum? Can the schools be required to help teen parents stay in
school?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 116
Tracey Turner
“Abstinence cannot be the only method used to combat teen pregnancy in our school system. Teaching
teenagers about birth control methods and having them readily available can prevent teen girls from
unexpected pregnancy. Teenagers should be more proactive about their sexual decisions and
contraceptives should be available without parental consent. I also find that schools have a certain
obligation to teen parents by making school more accessible to those students that have children.
Education, ultimately, will allow these teens to get a job and support their family.”
Dating/Domestic Violence - School and Police Responses
-Question 1-
DC has a high rate of teen dating violence; however, there is no education in the schools
that is required.
How will you guarantee that there is education for all teens about dating violence? Do you
believe this education should be required in the schools? What will you do to assure that young
people’s complaints about sexual harassment and dating violence is handed appropriately by the
schools and the police?
Tracey Turner
“Violence, especially in a relationship, can be prevented by giving special attention to the matter at the
school level. Our young women should be taught that they are valuable and precious. Furthermore,
every report of violence at school and to the police should be taken at the utmost sincerity and
prosecuted to full extent of the law. A follow-up process and mediation for the parties involved may
also be helpful. Most importantly, these cases should remain anonymous to protect the identity of
those involved as well as to encourage people to come forward with the truth.”
Violence and Safety in the Community
-Question 1-
There are initiatives to curb crew and gang violence in the city though most of them are
geared to young men. Young woman are involved more than ever before in crew fueled violence.
What will you do to target services to young girls who are engaged in negative activity in the
community? What new strategies do you have to curb youth violence?
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 117
Tracey Turner
“There are many good programs that target female gang involvement. The most important part of
curving gang violence is stopping the youth from getting sucked into gang membership. The Boys and
Girls Clubs of America, aims to get kids off the streets and into after-school programs by engaging them
intellectually. Another long-standing program is Big Brothers, Big Sisters which pairs students up adult
mentors that are a good influence on kids and encourage them to stay out of gangs. These two
programs, promoted in schools, would have a great impact on helping control gang violence in DC.”
Employment
-Question 1-
The unemployment rate among youth in the city ranges from 45 to 75% depending on who is
counting. Summer jobs are very important but jobs through the year that include real training are
also very important. Youth are very concerned about the lack of opportunities that are available to
them for jobs and careers.
What will you do to affect the youth unemployment rate in DC? What are your strategies for
creating more training and employment opportunities for youth?
Tracey Turner
“With youth unemployment at an all-time high, I believe that we should do all we can to encourage new
business growth in the District. Tax breaks have been shown to spur growth. . Offering tax rebates on
companies that buy older of abandoned buildings could also promote economic revitalization. More
business in DC could mean more jobs for the youth of the city. More importantly, many entry-level jobs
can lead to prosperous full time positions. The good work ethics and communication skills learned can
be priceless information to help students achieve a successful career out of school.”
Homelessness and Family Problems
-Question 1-
Homelessness is a complex issue. Homelessness among youth, if unaddressed, can either
lead to long term issues and poor outcomes or can be the road back to strengthened family and
community bonds.
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What will you do to insure that there will be an end to youth homelessness in the city?
What will you to do assure that families who are having trouble can get help to stabilize and
strengthen their capacity to care for each other? What will you do respond to the need for more
permanent housing options for young adults who are disconnected from school, family and
community?
Tracey Turner
“Strong family values and morals is an integral part of any stable society. It is important that families
are given every opportunity to stay together. But when that is not possible, I believe transitional housing
should be available for teenagers on a temporary basis for them to use if they are having problems at
home. DC government should play a role in helping families support their children.”
Problems at Home
-Question 1-
Some youth have reported that their school had better discipline and better materials to
work with. Others reported that their school had fired or transferred the best teachers and have had
long term substitutes. They all reported that there was a need for more afterschool programming
with activities of interest to those who were not into regular sports to keep young girls (and boys)
away from trouble.
What will you do to improve the schools and make sure young people are learning and
engaged in school?
Tracey Turner
“Ensuring that DC public schools have the competent faculty and plenty of after school programming is
how we keep our children on the path of success. If this includes more governmental funding to public
schools with an emphasis on diversifying after school activities and strengthening our teachers, we
should do it. We can find funds for such improvements by cutting a lot of the waste in programs that
aren’t working out of the school system.”
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Timothy Day
Kathy Henderson
Delano Hunter
George Jackson
Kenyan McDuffie
Harry Tommy Thomas, Jr.
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 119
Ward 6 Candidates
Responses were not received by the print date from the following candidates:
Randy Brown
Jim Demartino
Kelvin J. Robinson
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 120
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DC WOMEN’S AGENDA
Delese Harvey
1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 930
Washington, DC 20036
202-464-1596
dharvey@wowonline.org
2010 DC Women’s Agenda Voter Guide Page 121