Cava has three initiatives going that will better the lives of Miami-Dade County residents, business owners, and animals
Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava has continuously proved herself to be a politician for the people through various legislations and initiatives she pushes forward that better the life of Miami-Dade County residents. Her most recent initiatives include a partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) to support the mental health of residents, her creation of the Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program, and her statement regarding the need for the protection of fish in Biscayne Bay.
Mental Health
Cava’s partnership with NAMI and the Health Foundation of South Florida comes just as the COVID-19 pandemic has increased mental health issues among Miami-Dade residents. Cava has worked with these organizations to set up a program called “Ending the Silence” which launched in August. Ending the Silence is a presentation that will be given to parents, caregivers and youth and will teach them the warning signs of mental health conditions and possible steps to take to support someone with symptoms.
NAMI will provide 25 free Zoom sessions of the presentation to parents of middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college students, with financial backing from the Health Foundation of South Florida and a nonprofit spearheaded by Cava.
The sessions are made to be interactive, where attendees can ask questions and gain an insight on the topic of mental health, which is often misunderstood and stigmatized. The sessions will also feature two speakers, one being a parent who will share practical information about mental health, and the other a young adult with mental health conditions that will share their journey toward recovery.
With the COVID-19 pandemic amplifying the community’s need for mental health education and support, Cava is happy to be able to support this initiative.
“I am proud to have cultivated a nonprofit network throughout our County that can help us reach those parents and youth in our communities that need mental health support.” Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava
Mom and Pop Grant
Cava continues to support the community’s vulnerable populations through her implementation of the Mom and Pop Small Business Grant Program. This program offers funding to small local businesses to use for wages, rent or mortgage payments, supplies, and more. The grants are administered by the Neighbors and Neighbors Association (NANA), directed by Leroy Jones.
NANA provides financial and technical assistance to businesses who are approved to receive the funding. Cava believes small business are a key component to the Miami-Dade economy and their struggles during the pandemic need to be mended.
“Behind every small business is a family and a community, and we must do everything possible to help them survive and thrive.” Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava
Biscayne Bay Environmental
Beyond supporting the people in the Miami-Dade Community, Cava is also supporting the animals. After images were revealed showing dead fish surrounding Biscayne Bay, Cava didn’t hesitate to speak up. Cava has also been an advocate on this subject, but according to her, her calls for actions have been ignored by Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.
“As a Commissioner I've passed legislation creating an action plan on pollution and seagrass die-off, expanding bay water quality monitoring, and combating pollution by banning Styrofoam in parks and improving storm drain maintenance.” Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava
However, Cava still feels that solutions are slow in their arrival despite her continued efforts to support the advocates and scientists that lead the effort for protection of the Bay from Biscayne Bay Marine Health Summit. She believes that the Bay Task Force has been delaying the action being that their recommendation for a solution has not been released, and now the problem has increased.
“It's long past time to act to protect our clean water. The health of our entire community is at stake.”
Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava
To learn more about the initiatives that Cava continues to put forth, visit the District 8 website.
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