Improving Behavioral Health Outcomes

It's no secret that our behavioral health system is not working, and the pandemic has only amplified this. To create meaningful access and treatment options, we need leaders who understand how individuals accessing these resources interact with, and rely on, other public service systems. I have the unique professional and lived experience to work for a system that supports individuals with a variety of behavioral health needs, including culturally-relevant and LGBTQIA+-responsive services, school-based therapy, outpatient services, disability-specific care, and permanent supportive housing with wrap-around supports. I will work for a system that provides care as soon as care is needed, before or during a crisis – not just after things go wrong.

In my day job, I advocate for a behavioral health system with true choice that provides support at the earliest possible point. As your Representative, I’ll bring my experience to elevate the urgency of reforming our behavior health system. Washington State wastes millions of dollars waiting for people to reach a crisis level of care before providing treatment. We can save money and lives by providing low-barrier accessible housing, addressing basic needs, and providing a full spectrum of care for our residents. I will fight for smarter investments in quality behavioral health care across the spectrum.

 

​Increasing Public Safety

Law enforcement have been forced to take on the responsibilities of behavioral health professionals and social workers, even though they do not have their level of training. This takes police away from their primary responsibility, responding to crime. We cannot have another preventable tragedy in the 46th like Charleena Lyles’ death. To support law enforcement and increase public safety, we need to invest in diversion, re-evaluate police responsibilities, and ensure communities feel safe calling for help. This includes investing in programs that provide outreach in encampments or at first interaction with emergency services, to provide meaningful treatment and long-term housing. 

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Everyone should feel safe in their community. I’ve seen this district change greatly over the years, and both housed and houseless neighbors feel unsafe; this must change. That starts with the state fulfilling its responsibilities around behavioral health. When community members have what they need to not only survive, but to thrive, we all do better, and we all feel safer. Increasing public safety starts with providing care the moment it’s needed, including affordable, accessible low-barrier housing, and relieving the burden on law enforcement. 

Finally, I am a strong supporter of police accountability measures. When groups within our community are not comfortable calling the police, tragedy is inevitable. Police accountability and public safety are not mutually exclusive. I'll work passionately for both.

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Healthcare

As a disability advocate, I’ve heard countless stories of individuals without access to the healthcare, medications, and medical equipment that they need. Healthcare is a human right and our policy should reflect this. That is why I’m proud to endorse Whole Washington and take a stand for universal healthcare.

Healthcare shouldn’t force individuals to choose between rent, food, or medications. Healthcare also shouldn’t be bound to employment, because an inability to work should not sentence someone to suffer. And, above all, healthcare should prioritize patients over profits - which is why I’m proud to have signed the Patients Over Profits Pledge. I will always prioritize the wellbeing of patients.

Reproductive care, including abortion, is an integral part of healthcare. The recent overturning of Roe v. Wade is a shameful moment in our country’s history. This is devastating to not only women, but to everyone of reproductive age, and anyone who values the right to privacy. We cannot go back. There is much we can do in Washington to maintain our right to reproductive care. I will start by fighting to 1) ensure that we protect patients and providers from legal action in other states; 2) increase clinic access along our Idaho border; and 3) prevent loss of services through hospital mergers between secular and non-secular institutions through oversight by the Attorney General’s Office. Read my full statement on Roe vs. Wade for more.

 

Protecting Democracy

Our democratic process is precious and fragile. We must take full advantage of our vote and election system while simultaneously protecting it at all costs. My family, immigrants from Iran, instilled in me the importance of using the voice you have to advocate for yourself and your community. That is exactly what I’ve spent my career doing. 

It is imperative that all members of our society take part in the election process so that we have a truly democratic process. Here in the 46th, I’m proud to say that we have the highest voter turnout in the entire state of Washington. That means our constituents have the resources they need to understand their voting rights, the issues and candidates on the ballot, and return their ballot on time to be counted. Not all communities are this fortunate, even within the 46th. Individuals with disabilities, people who speak a language other than English, and low-income individuals have substantially lower voter turnout than average. I will continue my work to make sure that we have a stronger and more representative democratic process.

 

Housing Availability
Living in Lake City, I never expected to see $2 million dollar houses in my neighborhood, but they have arrived. Neighborhoods that used to be affordable are no longer affordable for longtime residents. Like many of my neighbors, I worry about displacement from the neighborhood I love. The cost of housing has skyrocketed, and we need help fast. That requires creative solutions that will allow marginalized communities to own their homes, seniors to stay in the homes they’ve built throughout their lifetime, and get those without homes into long-term homes. 

We need to increase housing stock; however, we also must keep in mind the most vulnerable in our housing policies. I strongly support the Missing Middle Housing Bill HB 1782, which would increase density around mass transit and increase mobility for the communities who need it most. From low-income seniors to those experiencing homelessness, we can't solve larger societal problems without ensuring everyone has a home. Housing is essential to a healthy life. 

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Public Transportation and Environmental Action

Public transportation is an invaluable resource for all our community members, whether you use it to get to Mariners games, access social services, or get to work or school. Mass transit is part of the solution to our climate crisis. When we expand access to transportation, we not only provide a lifeline for many, but we also invested in the future of our planet.

The 46th just realized our work towards a regional light rail network, with the Roosevelt, University District, and Northgate Link Light Rail stations. We are also fortunate to be receiving a fourth station on 130th Street. It’s imperative that with these new stations, we provide ample parking, traffic management, and accessible, frequent, connecting service, so that all our neighborhoods can benefit from our light rail system. We also need to stay vigilant and make sure that rising property values do not displace our neighbors in these typically low-income neighborhoods. Let’s use public infrastructure investments to build wealth for everyone in our community!
 

Educational Opportunity for All
My introduction to the legislative process was through education advocacy. I’ve spent countless hours talking with families whose children are not receiving the support they need to be successful. Many of these conversations relate to how systemic barriers prevent family members from meaningfully engaging in their students’ learning. Families are students’ biggest advocates, and data shows that family engagement is directly tied to student success. I have fought for students by addressing barriers to family engagement, including language access and meaningful communication. Not all family members communicate through spoken language or speak English; we need to be responsive to this. 

Even without having communication challenges, navigating school structures can be confusing. This is especially true for parents of students who are in special education, accessing McKinney-Vento services,, or an English language learner. In order to support students and teachers, we have to meet families where they are. This is exactly what I’ve fought for as an organizer and Public Policy Director. I will work to break down barriers and provide direct access for families to support their students. 

Similarly, when teachers have what they need to succeed, everyone wins. Our teachers have been put through the ringer these last two years, having to learn how to provide seamless instruction during a pandemic. They are underpaid, overworked, and lack the resources to do their jobs effectively. I understand that supporting students must include supporting teachers, which is why I will work for increased pay and support for teachers to feel valued and succeed in their workplace. 

Supporting students means providing individualized support and equity in education. When we recognize the whole student and see them as the unique individuals, we can create a lifetime of success. In the 46th, we are lucky to be in the backyard of two exemplary post-secondary education opportunities with the University of Washington to the south, and North Seattle College in the west. The University of Washington was recently named one of the ten best universities in the world. Together with a strong K-12 system, the 46th can be a national leader in public education.
 

Gun Responsibility
Constituents of the 46th district have told me that they do not feel safe in our community. This is a heartbreaking reality. Living in Lake City, gun violence and crime is a frequent event, but it doesn’t have to be. Addressing gun violence starts with early intervention and taking care of our youth. We need to invest in Community Violence Intervention programs, especially in the north end of our district, in neighborhoods like Lake City and the Aurora Avenue corridor. But this isn’t enough. We also need to prevent guns from getting into the hands of young people. We need to pass a strong, comprehensive ban on assault rifles at the state level.

Legislation was recently introduced to ban assault rifles, but it created several loopholes. We need strong leadership at the state level that will not only stop weapons of war from getting on to the street but also ways for constituents to dispose safely of these weapons through gun buy-backs. Additionally, some jurisdictions (including Seattle) are ready to go further than our state legislature is, and they should have the tools to do so. I’m a strong supporter of eliminating pre-emption so that cities and counties can pass stronger gun laws in their jurisdictions. 
 

Economic Relief
There is no way around it: we need to flip our tax code. Washington has the most regressive tax code in the country, and it results in a system that doesn’t address needs. Everyday people pay the consequences. By not fully funding our social services system and investing in prevention and diversion programs, we not only harm our communities, but we pay double the price in the long run. I strongly support developing progressive revenue streams, including wealth taxes. 

We are still fighting to make up for the cuts of our last recession, to programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Aged Blind and Disabled (ABD) program. Not only do these programs need to be restored to their pre-recession levels, but they need to be increased to reflect the current cost of living. We also need to rethink how these programs are structured; social service programs need to incentivize independence, rather than hinder those who access services.

Finally, we should protect the small local businesses and business owners who are generating revenue for the tax system we currently have. I’ve heard reportedly from business owners that the best way Olympia can help is by addressing public safety and creating safe neighborhoods. This means we need to address our core issues of the behavioral health crisis, homelessness, and the criminal justice system. 
 

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