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Vol 1, Issue 1 |
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| City Seeks Public Comment on
Five-Year Consolidated Plan |
 The City of Austin is holding a series of public hearings on its new five-year Consolidated Plan for fiscal years 2009-2014. The Plan includes funding recommendations for the coming fiscal year, and sets priorities for the following four HUD funded programs over the next five years:
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
- Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG)
- Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
Over the last five years, these HUD grants allocated $69 million to the City of Austin. The first Public Hearing will be hosted by CAN on Tuesday, January 27th at 2 p.m. at 1000 E. 11th Street, Suite 400A. For a full listing of public hearings and to download copies of the Consolidated Plan, visit the NHCD website. |
| Teen Pregnancy Rate Increases |
Teen birth rates in the US increased 3% in 2006, ending a 14-year downward trend, according to a National Vital Statistics Report released last week. Only Mississippi and New Mexico had higher teen pregnancy rates than Texas' rate of 63.1 births to every 1,000 women aged 15 - 19. Texas saw a 2% increase in the teen pregnancy rate from 2005-2006.
Planned Parenthood will launch Talk First!, a new program to help parents communicate with their teens about sex, this Friday, January 16th from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. in Planned Parenthood's Korioth Community Room at 201 E. Ben White Blvd. Contact Simone at simone.nichols@ppaustin.org to RSVP or for more information. |
| National Report Card Flunks Texas in Access to ER Care |
Texas gets an "F" in Emergency Room access in a national report card recently released by the American College of Emergency Physicians. The National Report Card on the State of Emergency Medicine noted Texas' improvements in Quality and Patient Safety but noted significant problems in Access to Emergency Care. According to the report, "The state has the highest rates of uninsured children and adults (21.2 and 25.8 percent, respectively), and ranks among the lowest states regarding access to all types of providers." This combination of uninsured residents and a shortage of providers has a negative impact on emergency care access. The report also cites problems in Injury Prevention and Disaster Preparedness.
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| Texas has $9.1 Billion Less to Spend |
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| Poverty Awareness |
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January is Poverty Awareness month. This month's CAN Community Council will feature presentations on poverty in community. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall and will be broadcast live on Channel 6. |
| CAN Hosts NAPC Conference |
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The National Association of Planning Councils will hold their annual conference in Austin March 2nd - 4th. The conference will focus on doing community planning in difficult economic times. Click here for information and registration. | |
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| Protect Your Car From Theft With VIN-Etching |
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Car thieves are less likely to steal vehicles with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) etched into the windshield because it makes the car less profitable for them. Austin Police Department will offer free VIN-etching tomorrow, January 15th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Target at 8601 North Research. For more information on VIN-etching, contact APD's Auto Theft Interdiction Department at 974-5713. |
| Mental Health in the Workplace |
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A training teleconference on "Promoting Acceptance and Social Inclusion for People with Mental Health Problems in the Worplace" will be held on Tuesday, January 27th from 1 - 2:30 pm. The teleconference will address the benefits of a mentally healthy workplace and the misperceptions and beliefs that can lead to misunderstanding, social exclusion or discrimination against people with mental health issues. The teleconference is sponsored by SAMHSA's Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity and Social Inclusion Associated with Mental Health. Click here to register for this free session. |
| African American Men and Boys Conference |
| Assistant US Attorney Anthony Brown will facilitate discussion on "Making Career Choices Now" at the African American Men and Boys Conference on Saturday, January 31st 10 am - 2 pm at Reagan High School. Workshops on many differenct career fields will be lead by professionals in those fields. The conference is free with refreshments and door prizes. Pre-registration is not required. Click here for more information. |
| 2009 Poverty Roundtable: Focus on Employment |
 The Fifth Annual Faith Poverty Roundtable will focus on employment. Communities of faith, employment service providers and the business community will discuss how they can work together to help people achieve self-sufficiency through work. The Roundtable is hosted by Caritas of Austin and will be held at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa, on Wednesday, February 4th from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information or to register, visit the Caritas website or contact Tamara Landry Bell at 646-1277 or tbell@caritasofaustin.org |
| Property Taxes: Seniors Have Installment Payment Option |
 Property taxes are due February 2nd, and the Travis County Tax Office wants seniors and people with disabilities to know of their option to pay taxes in four installments. Property owners can access their bill on-line. People who have difficulty paying their tax or who want information on installment plans should call the Tax Office at 854-9473. |
| National Assessment of Adult Literacy |
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| Who is the Hero in Your Life? |
 The American Red Cross of Central Texas is soliciting nominations of heroes in the community who have made a difference in the lives of their fellow citizens. Celebrate the heros in your life by nominating them for this award to be announced during "Red Cross Month" in March. For more information. |
| Immigration, Education and our Future: Policy and Practice |
Austin Community College and St. Edward's University will host their second annual immigration conference on Friday, Feruary 6th from 8 am - 5 pm. National and regional speakers will review the status and impact of immigration policy; facilitator-led discussions will focus on practice within educational, governmental and social service agency settings. Click here for more information and registration.
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 CAN Partners: Austin Area Human Services Association, Austin Area Interreligious Ministries, Austin Chamber, Austin Community College, Austin Independent School District, Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center, Capital Metro, City of Austin, Community Justice Council, Integrated Care Collaboration, Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David's Community Health Foundation, St. Edward's University, Travis County, Travis County Healthcare District, United Way Capital Area, University of Texas at Austin, and Workforce Solutions - Capital Area.
CAN Issue Area Groups: Aging Services Council, Austin/Travis County Victim Services Task Force, Basic Needs Coalition, Behavioral Health Planning Partnership, Central Texas After-School Network, Child & Youth Mental Health Planning Partnership, Developmental Disabilities Planning Partnership, Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, Success by 6, HousingWorks, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Ready by 21, Reentry Roundtable, and Regional Transit Coordination Committee. | |
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