Fight food and financial insecurity

● Fund food as medicine initiatives. Food insecurity significantly raises the risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease which can cause premature death. Compared to other cities, Detroit has the highest rate of diabetes in the country and the second highest rate of death due to heart disease. This is not a new issue, but it’s time we changed it. Our “food as medicine” strategy will bring together federal, state, and city governments; local health providers, payers, accountable care organizations and Detroit’s local food community to deploy evidence-based food and nutrition security strategies that could be paid for by Medicaid and Medicare. Strategies will include funding for strategically placed affordable grocery stores, delivery of medically-tailored meals, and investments in community gardens. These strategies will directly improve health for our residents while reducing healthcare costs.

● Create the Department of Opportunity and Empowerment (DOE) to coordinate all financial assistance programs across the city and get our residents the help they need. National data shows that approximately 20% of individuals that are eligible for some kind of public benefit, such as food and health benefits, are not enrolled. This is particularly true for our nation’s seniors and recently transitioned foster youth. An astounding 60% of seniors and 75% of recently transitioned foster youth who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) today, are not enrolled. Yet, groceries and other household items are cited among their most pressing needs. The barriers people face to benefit enrollment are numerous and include reasons as simple as lack of eligibility awareness, lengthy and overly complex paperwork, and simple application errors that lead to denials. These are only to name a few. Meanwhile, people are struggling to make ends meet as they encounter barriers to relief. This cannot continue. As Mayor, the newly created DOE will partner with any community organization, social service provider, corporate partner or government agency offering a financial assistance program to identify all those eligible and get them enrolled.

Be a Champion for our Children’s Success

● Partner with Detroit’s school community to address social barriers to education: As Mayor I will establish a senior cabinet-level position in my administration specifically tasked with working with our school administrators, educators, parents, and children to coordinate city services that support student success. Together, we will attack the root causes of truancy, such as housing instability, financial need, lack of transportation, and mental health, and set our students up for success. My administration will prioritize it, set metrics to track progress and keep us accountable. We will also scale up summer learning, youth employment, and afterschool programs that provide safety, community, learning and mentorship opportunities, meals, and access to technology for our kids.

● Build a Wifi City to bring an end to the digital divide: Forty-two percent of homes and 70% of Detroit’s school children lack reliable internet access. In an ever-increasing digital world, this limits opportunity for our children and residents in education, entrepreneurship, and employment. As Mayor, my administration will build on the previous work and significant investments made by many in the city and we will once and for all bring an end to Detroit’s digital divide. Together we will bring affordable high-speed internet options to Detroit’s kids.

● Launch the Detroit Children’s Trust Fund: Under the Kinloch Administration, Detroit will become known as the place where children are set up for success. To do this we will establish the first of its kind Detroit Children’s Trust Fund. This fund will hold in trust an initial seed deposit from the city for children born, raised, and educated in Detroit. On their 18th birthday and upon receiving their high school diploma or equivalent that investment will become available to them to use to advance their education in the state of Michigan or reinvest in their community by starting a Detroit located business, or buying a home in a Detroit neighborhood. By investing in our children, we will invest in Detroit’s future.