|
|
| Month Year |
Vol 1, Issue 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Congressman Lloyd Doggett attended the CAN Resource Council meeting on March 13th to discuss the $300 billion in tax cuts and the $500 billion in government spending that make up the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Doggett shared a Guide to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act prepared by his office listing the amounts Texas is expected to receive through each component of the bill and with links to the State contacts who will oversee each area of stimulus funding. The presentations shared with the Resource Council by Trish Young, President and CEO of the Travis County Healthcare District; Roger Jefferies, Travis County Criminal Justice Planning; John-Michael Cortez, Capital Metro; and Linda Young, Austin Community College, have been posted on the CAN website at caction.org.
Other links:
|
|
 |
"I just want a place to call home."
|
Over 3,000 Travis County residents were released from state jails and prisons last year, and another 5,000 are currently serving time.
The Reentry Roundtable and CAN have released an updated Reentry FAQ that outlines the issues facing people coming home to our community from the state jails and prisons.
| |
|
Carstarphen Named Superintendent of Austin ISD
|
 Austin Independent School District Trustees voted this week to hire Dr. Maria Carstarphen as
AISD's next Superintendent, effective July 1, 2009. She succeeds Dr.
Pat Forgione, who is retiring after a decade of District leadership. "I am proud to
assume leadership of a School District that is recognized nationally
for its excellence and its commitment to the success of all children,"
Carstarphen said.
As Superintendent of the St. Paul, Minnesota, Public
Schools since 2006, Dr. Carstarphen has guided a diverse urban school
district that is similar to Austin in many respects: multi-cultural
school environments; a growing number of English Language Learner
students; and challenges in overcoming achievement gaps among student
groups.
Learn more about Dr. Carstarphen from this AISD press release.
|
| Food Stamp Bills Increase Food Assistance to Needy Texans |
 The House Human Services Committee will hear two Food Stamp bills on Thursday, March 26, at 10:30 am in Room E23.06 at the Capitol. HB 1627 would use the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) program to maximize Food Stamp benefits for currently eligible families. HB 612 would eliminate the current ban on Food Stamps for drug felons. Read this CPPP policy paper on these two bills.
|
|
DWI Court Celebrates First Anniversary
|
Travis County DWI Court was created almost one year ago to enhance public safety by providing an intensive, judicially supervised program of team-based counseling, treatment, and supervision to alcohol/substance abuse dependent DWI offenders. County Court #7 and Judge Elisabeth Earle will celebrate the anniversary of DWI Court on April 8th at 4 pm on 6th floor of the Travis County Criminal Justice Center. RSVP to AnnMarie.Resendez@co.travis.tx.us. |
| AAHSA Candidate Forum |
| The public is invited to attend Austin Area Human Services Association's (AAHSA) Mayoral and City Council Candidates Forum on Thursday, April 9 at the Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street. Austin voters will go to the polls May 9th to elect a new mayor and council members in Places 1, 2, 5 & 6. Click here to see a list of those running for office.
Get to know the candidates and their positions on how our community can better meet the needs of our most vulnerable populations. The Forum is from 11 am to 1 pm. Please RSVP by visiting the AAHSA web site: http://www.aahsa.clubexpress.com/ Attendees may also pre-order a box lunch via this web site which will be purchased and served beginning at 11 a.m. at the Forum. Questions? Call Suki Steinhauser at 512-464-9713. |
|
Home Ownership for People with Disabilities |
| United Cerebral Palsy will host a workshop on home ownership opportunities for people with disabilities on April 14th from 9 a.m. to noon at UCP of Texas, 1016 La Posada, #160. The workshop is especially designed for housing organizations, housing counseling organizations, and lenders. RSVP to Otis Larry at 512-472-9195 ext 213. |
Free Training in HIV Trends and Treatment
|
 Global, national and local trends related to HIV/AIDS and developments in prevention, testing and treatment will be covered at a Texas HIV Connection workshop April 16th from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at UT's Joe C. Thompson Conference Center. This course reviews the latest
statistical information related to HIV/AIDS from the World Health
Organization, Centers for Disease Control, and Texas Department of
State Health Services. Trends are examined in the larger context of
health disparities currently impacting communities. Advantages and
challenges related to new methods of prevention and advancements in
testing and treatment are discussed. Finally, this training takes a
special look at the connections between HIV and substance use, and
considers approaches for those clients struggling with the diseases of
HIV/AIDS and addiction. Three alcohol and drug related Continuing Education Units will be awarded to Licensed Chemical Dependency
Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors and Social Workers. Click the logo to register. |
| Dell Lectureship on Childhood Obesity |
 The third annual Michael & Susan Dell Lectureship in Child Health will feature Shiriki Kumanyika, PhD, MPH, a professor in the Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Kumanyika's research focuses on the role of nutritional factors in the prevention of obesity and related health problems. Her studies involve the development of culturally appropriate interventions to treat obesity with a particular focus on African Americans and Latinos. Dr. Kumanyika will speak on Thursday, April 16th from 1:30 - 3:30 pm at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center Amphitheater, 1900 University Avenue.
|
Cigarette Tax Increase Could Provide Impetus to Quit the Habit
|
On April 1st the federal cigarette tax will increase by 62 cents a pack. The Austin Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition notes that most smokers want to quit; and the tax increase may be the impetus for many to quit successfully.
Austin and Travis County residents who want to stop smoking can get immediate help by calling the Texas Quitline at 1-800-YES-QUIT, where they can get free advice and counseling on how to stop smoking. Through the Quitline, Austin residents also are eligible for free nicotine replacement therapy.
If you would like more information and resources about quitting smoking please contact Megan Cermak, Program Coordinator for the Austin Tobacco Prevention and Control Coalition, at 972-6763 or megan.cermak@ci.austin.tx.us. |
|
Article - Tragic Incident Led to Community Collaboration
|
Dr. Lynda Frost and Dr. Susan Stone recently published an article in the journal The Foundation Review about the formation of the Mayor's Mental Health Task Force. The article explains that when a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia was shot and killed by a police officer, the community responded by creating the task force in collaboration with the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. The Task Force has identified 14 indicators related to positive behavioral health, such as fitness, housing, and employment and published a report card to track change in the community.
|
| Nominations Now Accepted for the 2009 Voice Awards |
|
Nominations are now being sought for the 2009 Voice Awards. Nominations for mental health consumer community leaders can include those who have promoted social inclusion; demonstrated that recovery is real and possible; and made a positive impact on their workplaces, communities, or schools. Special consideration will be given to nominees who have made a positive impact within special populations such as culturally diverse groups, young adults ages 18 to 24, and those who have worked to prevent suicide. Mental health consumer nominations will remain open until May 15, 2009. Get more information from the SAMSHA website. |
 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. | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
