Responses to Consortium for Child Welfare questionnaire

(50 or fewer words per answer).

1) What would you consider to be the most important issue affecting children, youth and families today in the District?

Government must do everything it can to remove obstacles and provide its citizens with the skills, environment and opportunities they need to excel. Quality education, safe streets and a strong job market are among local government's chief obligations to the people it serves. I will work hard to provide these.

2) What is your approach to stemming youth crime?

I embrace the “ounce of prevention, pound of cure” philosophy. Providing safe, encouraging settings for at-risk youth is central to preventing crime. As former president of the Metropolitan Police Boys and Girls Clubs, I know how vital recreational programs are. As mayor, I will strengthen and expand our youth programs.

3) What will your do to improve the operations of our public schools?

As a former teacher and school board member, a graduate of public schools, and mother of three children who attended D.C. Public Schools, I am deeply committed to public education. I want to see everyone — all city agencies, parents, the private sector, local universities — fully involved in educating our children.

4) What do you feel are the three principal factors driving an increase in the foster care population and what will you do to resolve these problems?

The chief reasons that children enter foster care are abusive or neglectful homes; absent, ill or deceased parents; and delinquency. Again, our efforts must focus on prevention. The root causes — drug and alcohol addiction, AIDS, crime — must be addressed in conjunction with efforts to improve the foster care system.

5) Would you support creation of a Department of Children, Youth and Families that, at a minimum, would bring together under one umbrella leadership for social services to vulnerable children, youth and families? If so, why? If not, why not?

I would be concerned that such a department would duplicate efforts within the government more than it would enhance delivery of services to District children and families. At worst, such a parallel structure could be counterproductive because every dollar spent on administrative costs is a dollar lost from vital services.

6) Neighborhood-based Family Strengthening Collaboratives are designed to intensify efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect and to bring services closer to people. Do you support the collaboratives, and if so, what will you do to ensure their success?

I applaud the efforts of the District’s eight Collaboratives to increase cooperation between organizations and government agencies that work with families. They help government maximize resources by reducing duplication. More importantly, they help families by bringing vital services closer to people needing assistance. As mayor, I will encourage continued funding.

7) As the District continues to develop its approach to welfare reform, what do you consider to be the most important features of an effective program?

Education, job training and placement, affordable childcare and transportation are critical elements of effective welfare reform. Department of Employee Services contracting practices must be improved. As we implement reforms, we must continue to support the efforts of those who have made the transition to work and learn from their examples.

8) Will you address the increasing role of the courts in operating services in the District of Columbia? If so, how? If not, why not?

As mayor, I will apply sound procurement, finance and personnel management practices to government so that we may build a case for ending receiverships. I am fully cognizant of reasons for the position we are in, but I believe I can lay the groundwork for restoring credibility to our government.

9) Outline your stratify for winning the right of self-determination for District citizens.

Fiscal accountability is vitally important if we want to manage our affairs and fend off Congressional attempts to rescind aspects of home rule. I am deeply committed to home rule and believe I could succeed in regaining the ground the city lost in recent years due to irresponsible financial management.