KIMBERLY...
is well prepared to be your first-elected Desert Health Care District representative for Zone 6. She will lead with fiscal responsibility as a priority and build upon DHCD’s vision to equitably connect Coachella Valley residents to health and wellness services and programs through philanthropy, health facilities, information and community education, and public policy.
MISSION
Kimberly’s mission is to deliver effective, efficient, and respectful public service to the residents of the Desert Health Care District.
VISION
Kimberly’s vision is to enhance and expand health and wellness services for Coachella Valley residents, particularly those of the eastern most region, by serving as a Desert Health Care District Director and collaborating with local, state, and federal policy makers.
ABOUT
Kimberly Barraza has worked for the California State Legislature since 2014. As a Senior District Representative and Policy Advisor for Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, she serves as the liaison between constituents and the member with the purpose of learning about issues affecting the community, which may be resolved or bettered by the passing or amending of legislation; manages casework; coordinates outreach efforts; and oversees the Coachella office administration. Her policy areas of concentration include health, housing, education, social services, and women’s issues.
One of her many volunteer engagements includes serving as Commissioner for the City of Indio's Community Services Commission, which makes recommendations to the City Council pertaining to parks and recreation activities, programs, and facilities; and addresses matters concerning the parks and recreation element of the General Plan. Kimberly currently serves as the VP for the Desert Recreation Foundation where she has worked to advance access to recreational activities that contribute to the overall wellness of the Coachella Valley. She also collaborates with a working group organizing an annual Women’s March and sits on the board for Democratic Women of the Desert – a club dedicated to promoting and supporting social, economic, and political policies that reflect the priorities of women.
Highlights of her career include working on securing $4 million from the CA State Budget for the expansion of the Palo Verde College’s Child Development Center; her continuous advocacy for the developmentally disabled population; and her strong collaboration to ensure an accurate and complete count of the 56th Assembly District in the 2020 Census. Additionally, she worked on multiple pieces of legislation including AB 2414- Desert Healthcare District Expansion, AB 686- Funeral Assistance, AB 1169- ASL Interpreters Health Care Facilities.
Kimberly developed an interest in public policy and the passion to be an agent of change in her community after completing a set of internships at Senator Ben Hueso’s satellite office and with the City of Coachella. She grew up in the Imperial County, but has called the City of Indio home for the past 16 years. She is the proud mother of two children - Kamilah and Alonzo. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management; a Non-profit Management certification from University of California, Riverside; a certification in Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies from Harvard University; and a certification in Community Leadership from University of La Verne.