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| CAN Hosts Forum on Census Changes |
Representatives of 20 Central Texas communities and ten states participated in a forum on March 2nd to consider how to prepare for U.S. Census Bureau changes. The Census Bureau's American Community Survey is an ongoing survey that produces important statistics about our nation's people and housing. In 2010 the American Community Survey (ACS) will replace the decennial census long form as the primary source of data on social, economic, demographic, and housing characteristics of the U.S. population. Due to smaller sample sizes, ACS data collected for smaller communities and for smaller sub-sets within a larger community will not always be available.
Representatives of the U.S. Census Bureau's Washington D.C. office shared information about the pending changes to a standing room only crowd in the Austin City Council Chambers this past Monday (link to a report on the changes). The forum was co-sponsored by Community Action Network, Envision Central Texas, Capital Area Planning Council of Governments, and the National Association of Planning Councils. |
| City of Austin Housing Market Study |
 BBC Research and Consulting will present the results of the City of Austin Housing Market Study on Friday, March 6th at City Hall in Council Chambers. A question and answer session will follow. Click here to review the study. |
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| Hunger CROP Walk |
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Join the Austin Hunger CROP Walk March 7th & 8th. Click the logo for more information. | |
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Final Opportunities to Comment on City's Five Year Consolidated Plan |
The City is seeking public comment on its Consolidated Plan for fiscal years 2009 - 2014. The plan sets priorities for about $69 million a year in HUD funding through four grants:
- Community Development Block Grants,
- HOME Investment Partnerships,
- Emergency Shelter Grants, and
- Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS.
The final two public hearings will be this evening at 6 p.m. before the Austin City Council in Council Chambers and Monday, March 9th at 6:30 p.m. before the Community Development Commission in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall.
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| Youth Offenders Costs $99k a Year |
The Austin American Statesman reports that the annual cost of locking up juvenile offenders in Texas has increased to almost $99,000 per inmate. The cost increase estimate was included in a report by the Legislative Bueget Board and represents a 66% increase since 2006. Legislative leaders are vowing to cut costs at the Texas Youth Commission. Read the full article. |
| Fixing Our School Accountability System |
 Save Texas Schools is holding a community forum "Fixing Our School Accountability System" that will focus on legislative action to change the way we measure school progress. The forum will be held Monday, March 9th from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pat Hayes Education and Conference Center at the Dell Children's Medical Center. Scott McCown, Executive Director of the Center for Public Policy Priorities, will be the keynote speaker. The forum is free. RSVP to savetexasschools@austin.rr.com . |
| Small & Minority-Owned Businesses Gear Up for City Contracts |
| The City of Austin's Small and Minority Business Resources Department invites small business owners to take part in "Getting Ready for Big Project Opportunities" a seminar to be held Wednesday, March 11th at 5:30 p.m. at the Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street. Small businesses will learn about opportunities to participate in upcoming City projects with scopes of work that range up to $50 million. Businesses are encouraged to seek certification as Minority-Owned Business Enterprises, Women-Owned Business Enterprises and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. Learn more. |
| Seminar for Small Businesses and Entrepreneuers |
Workforce Solutions, IBM, and the City of Austin's Small Business Development Program are hosting a seminar on Tuesday, March 31 from 9 - 11:30 a.m. which will open the door to valuable, no cost resources for the small business community. Discover a virtual treasure chest of resources for business management, planning, and human resources. Free admission and on-site parking. Learn more and RSVP here. |
| Parenting In Recovery - Helps Parents Get Back on Track |
 Jeannie Mercado is featured in an Austin American Statesman article about Parenting in Recovery. This voluntary program began a little over a year ago and is funded with a $2.5 million five-year federal grant. Parenting in Recovery offers up to two years help for mothers with substance abuse problems. The mothers receive medical treatment for chemical dependency, mental health services, parenting classes and visits to a special family drug court. Read more about how this program helps parents with drug addiction problems get their lives back on track. |
 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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