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February 25, 2009

Impact of Economic Stimulus Bill
Ben_FranklinThe White House estimates the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will bring 9,100 jobs into our 25th Congressional District.  Read the press release.

Albert Hawkins, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services estimates Texas wold receive an additional $4.63 billion in additional Medicaid funding over the next three years as well as increases in many other federal assistance programs.  View the presentation Hawkins made to the Texas House Committee on Public Health yesterday.  
What is the Status of Our Community's Health?
Community Health Status Indicators, a project of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, allows you to compare any county's health indicators with peer counties and with the nation as a whole. 
 
According to the site, the following "warrant more attention" in Travis County.
  • Births to women over 40
  • No care in first trimester
  • Black non Hispanic Infant Mortality
  • Motor Vehicle Injuries
  • Suicide
Free Foreclosure Prevention Workshop
Being past due on your mortgage can sometimes be overwhelming. This free workshop will cover:
�  Options for solving mortgage delinquency problems
�  How to avoid mortgage rescue scams
�  Understanding the Texas foreclosure process

The workshop will be held Thursday, February 26th from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Catholic Charities Office, 1817 E. 6th St. Call 651-6135 to sign up.  For a listing of other lifeskills courses, visit the Catholic Charities website.
In This Issue
Community Health Status
Foreclosure Prevention Workshop
Caregiver Resource Guide
Building Bridges Between Law Enforcement and the Community
UT Chancellor Will Address AISD Hispanic Futures Conference
Ecnomic Stimulus Transportation Projects
Hunger CROP Walk

crop_walk

Join the Austin Hunger CROP Walk March 7th & 8th.  Click the logo for more information.
Join our Mailing List!
Caregiver Resource Guide
handsThe Gray Panthers of Austin has updated its popular resource directory, "Caregiving:  A Family Guide."  The free guide helps older adults and their families through a range of choices and a maze of health and social service issues and options.  Order a copy by mail:  Gray Panthers of Austin, 3710 Cedar Street, Box 15; Austin, TX  78705.  For more information, call 458-3738.
City Close to Selecting Consultants for Comprehensive Plan
city of AustinThe Austin City Council could vote as early as tomorrow on the selection of a consultant to guide the development of Austin's Comprehensive Plan.  Austin Tomorrow, the current City of Austin comprehensive plan, was created in 1979. A new comprehensive planning effort will kick off in Spring of 2009 to create a new plan.  Click here to learn about the three finalists under consideration.
Building Bridges: Brick By Brick

Building Bridges: Brick By Brick is a partnership between the Travis County Sheriff's Department and the community to improve police-community relations and to create a sense of shared ownership for public safety.  The group is co-chaired by Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton and the Rev. Mike Manor with monthly meetings on the 2nd Friday of each month from 9 am to noon at St. James Missionary Baptist Church.  The group focuses on these "three bricks."

  • Brick One:  Racial Advocacy & Cultural Engagement
  • Brick Two: Youth Engagement
  • Brick Three: Adult Engagement

Learn more at the Brick By Brick web site.

New UT Chancellor to Speak at AISD Hispanic Futures Conference
CigarroaDr. Francisco G. Cigarroa, Chancellor of the University of Texas System, will be a guest speaker at the Austin Independent School District's third Hispanic Futures Conference. The conference, sponsored by the Department of Diversity and Intercultural Relations, will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, February 28th at Eastside Memorial High School, located at 1012 Arthur Stiles Road.

The keynote speaker will be retired educator Dr. Gonzalo Garza. The theme of the conference will be "Health, Housing and Education."  Click here to learn more.
4th Annual! Fun Fun Sober Run
UT's Center for Students in Recovery will host the 4th annual Fun Fun Sober Run on Saturday, April 18th a 8 am. Click here to register.
Grants to Provide Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for comprehensive substance abuse and mental health services for people who are homeless, including the chronically homeless.  SAMHSA expects to award up to $11 million for up to 33 grants of approximately $350,000 each.  Domestic public and private nonprofits entities are eligible to apply.  Applications are due April 30thDownload the application.
Regional Transportation Planning to 2035
By 2035, our five county region is expected to more than double to over 3.25 million people.  The CAMPO People, Planning and Preparing for the Future plan will guide development of a comprehensive multimodal regional transportation system by the year 2035. The plan will address regional transportation challenges, and will ensure that help ensure continued transportation funding through the US Department of Transportation. Click here to review a summary of the plan and to complete an on-line survey.
CAN Partners
CAN logoCAN 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.