In February 2011, the Texas Legislature submitted a budget proposal for 2012-2013, which includes sweeping budget cuts to state health and education services.

The Austin American-Statesman reports that Travis County alone faces a proposed $762-million decrease in spending for health and human service programs over the next two years. These cuts amount to a 13 to 25-percent decrease in spending based on 2011 service levels, which will create a tremendous service gap in areas such as Medicaid, mental health, child abuse, family planning, hospice care, managed care and disability services. They affect not only government agencies but also nonprofit organizations that receive state grants and federal matching dollars to fund programs.

At the same time, the recent U.S. Census documents a 38-percent increase in Austin's Latino population, jumping from 201,000 in 2000 to 278,000 in 2010. This increase, coupled with the cuts in social services, will have a significant impact on El Buen Samaritano's client population.

For 23 years, El Buen Samaritano has provided high-quality, low-cost health and education programs for Texas families. Read how El Buen Samaritano addresses some of these issues facing our community, and how our work directly impacts the health and well-being of those we serve.