What policies will you propose to address the opioid crisis without eliminating pain management options for those who live with chronic pain?
I wasn't aware that this was an issue. I would welcome the opportunity to learn from your group as to how I can help in anyway I can once in office.
Would your proposed policies account for the needs of some individuals to utilize both medical marijuana and pain medication in different facets of their treatment? If so, how?
Yes. With your council I would learn how it is we can do this.
What changes will you make to ensure that people who require pain management services can access and receive services that center their individualized needs?
I plan on joining forces with you and other leaders to determine the best way to address this issue.
Do you plan to address the disparity in equitable pain management treatment experienced by those in the Black, Indigenous and People of Color or multiply marginalized communities? If so, how?
Yes. I have every intention of being a voice in the room that advocates for Black, Indigenous and People of Color but it is important that as a white women I follow the lead of those that represent these communities directly.
What policies would you implement to ensure people with disabilities receive comprehensive, high quality, and equitable mental health services and insurance coverage?
I intend to lead always looking at the big picture to ensure that no one is left behind. I look forward to learning from you as to how best to address this issue. We must do better in our state from a place of empathy and compassion.
Share your thoughts on co-responder programs (mental health & law enforcement joint response to mental health crises).
I believe that we must do better in this regard. Police are needed but they are trained more as a military operation. I have been endorsed by the National Assoc of Social Workers and I know that incorporating more mental health services within the police departments is a big priority.
How would you work to eliminate the disproportionate connection between being disabled and becoming entangled in the criminal justice system as opposed to being given necessary and equitable mental health treatment?
Investing in mental health capabilities in our communities, schools, police departments and even in our criminal justice system would create different paths to take that don't overwhelming lead to jail.
In your opinion, what can be done to identify and mitigate disability bias in the treatment of mental health? How would you work to address this?
I welcome your input to learn on how I can do this.
What policies would you propose to encourage public investment in improving accessibility and implementing universal design?
I have much to learn from you.
What policies or incentives will you promote to encourage private business owners to make their buildings accessible?
I have much to learn from you.
How can housing data be utilized to better account for the needs of people with disabilities and to promote increasingly accessible living spaces?
I have much to learn from you.
What policies would you implement to provide people with disabilities with equitable access to upward economic opportunity?
Utilizing the Sadowski fund for what it was intended to include those with disabilities for independent living.
What changes to the current social safety net would you propose to implement a more all-encompassing framework that allows people with disabilities to receive needed services that are not currently covered by private or employer-based insurance, such as personal care and other uncovered assistance they may require, while not limiting the ability to pursue economic opportunity? If so, how?
I have much to learn from you.
How would you work to promote and incentivize equal opportunity for those with disabilities in employment?
Information is power. Often times it's what we don't know that we avoid. I'd love the opportunity to work on a campaign that promotes directly to employers the benefits to hiring those with disabilities.
How would you propose to address the barriers that unequitable access to transportation create to economic opportunity for those with disabilities?
I'd love to learn more from you as to what is needed.
What policies will you propose to better protect the rights of parents with disabilities and to ensure they have needed supports?
Information is power. I'd like to learn more about what is needed.
Research shows that removing a child from their parents should only be used as a last resort. How might you work to ensure this standard is adhered to equally when parents with disabilities are involved and adaptation isn’t conflated with neglect or abuse?
By giving the family first what they need. If the child is not in danger but is still lacking we should have their needs met at home vs putting them somewhere else and directing funds in that direction.
What policies would you propose to further address bias against parents with disabilities among child protection workers?
I'd like to learn more from you.
When support is needed to guarantee that individuals with disabilities can exercise their parental rights, how will your policies ensure such supports are easily accessible to the family?
I'd like to learn more from you.
What policies do you propose to protect the reproductive rights of people with disabilities?
Same as every woman. I'm running as a Pro Choice candidate and will do everything possible to fight for our right to choose with no one left behind. I want to lead my community but I will most definitely be following in the footsteps and joining forces with other women who have been left out of the equation even while roe v wade was in place.