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 April 29, 2009

Swine Flu - Local Preparations & Precautions
Mayor Will Wynn and City of Austin Health and Human Services Director David Lurie held a press conference Monday night to encourage people to stay home if they feel feverish or have respiratory problems and to take precautions like washing their hands often.

No cases of swine flu have been reported or confirmed in Austin to date.  The first confirmed death from the disease occurred Monday night with the death of a Mexican toddler traveling to the border area of Texas.  Following are some resources for tracking the flu.
Modernize Unemployment Insurance in Texas and Bring $555 Million to State
The Center for Public Policy Priorities has issued a "call to action" to encourage members of the Texas House to vote in favor of SB 1569 to modernize our unemployment insurance (UI) system and qualify our state for $555 million in funding under the new federal economic recovery law. The Senate passed SB 1569 last wee and it is now under consideration by the Texas House.  Click here for CPPP's analysis of what the impact will be for each Senate District.

CAN sent a letter to the Travis County legislative delegation in April urging our representatives to enact Unemployment Insurance reforms.  This letter, sent last month, noted that enacting unemployment reforms could result in an economic impact for Travis County of $25 million over three years or $58 million over seven years.
"The Released" PBS Documentary
frontlineYou can view the new PBS documentary The Released on-line at pbs.org.  The documentary offers a rare and intimate look into the lives of mentally ill offenders struggling to make it on the outside.  This year alone, hundreds of thousands of prisoners with serious mental illnesses will be released into communities across America.  Within 18 months, nearly two-thirds will be re-arrested.
In This Issue
"The Released" Documentary
Consultant Chosen for Comprehensive Plan
Mental Health Parity
Celebration of Families
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Apply to Review and Prioritize Projects for Homeless Funding
Free Skin Cancer Screening
Capital IDEA Enrolling for Fall
Cool Tools!
Sexual Abuse Prevention Day

denim day

Today is the second annual SafePlace Denim Day to promote awareness and prevention of sexual assault.  
Results of CAN Survey
Almost 300 people participated in the 2009 CAN Stakeholder Survey.
Review this summary of results.

The CAN Executive Committee will review the input provided and will use the information to inform CAN's program of work.

Join our Mailing List!
Consultant Chosen for City Comprehensive Plan
211_newlogoThe City of Austin has selected the Wallace Rogers & Todd (WRT) firm to help the City develop a comprehensive plan for Austin. The comprehensive Plan will replace the Austin Tomorrow Plan which was written in the 1970's and adopted in 1979.  The plan will encompass land use, housing, traffic, recreation & open space, water & wastewater, public infrastructure, and health & human services.  Learn more about the Comprehensive Plan and the consultants. 
Feds Seek Comment on Behavioral Health/Physical Health Parity
The federal government is seeking public comment on issues related to the implementation of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act which was signed into law in October 2008.  This legislation establishes parity between health coverage for behavioral health (mental health and substance abuse conditions) and physical health.   The Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service want ideas from the public on the most efficient and cost effective ways to implement the new law.  Read the Federal Register announcement for more information.
Celebration of Families - this Saturday!
family_connectionsFamily Connections' annual Celebration of Families will take place this Saturday, May 2nd  at the Palmer Events Center.  Artists participating in this free day-long event include Staci Gray, Sarah Hickman and the Biscuit Brothers.  Families will also enjoy clowns, face painting, family relays, a rock climbing wall and a petting zoo.  For more information, visit the Family Connections website.

"Hear Me Now" Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Childrens_MH_logoChildren's Mental Health Awareness Day will be celebrated on Thursday, May 7th from 5 - 7:30 p.m. on the South Plaza at City Hall.  The theme of the event is "Hear Me Now: A celebration of resiliency through the performing arts."  Students from area schools will participate in an art show, music performances, and a poetry slam.  Mayor Will Wynn will be recognized for his continued support of mental health issues and awareness in our community.  
ECHO Seeks Volunteers to Review and Evaluate Homeless Services
The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) seeks community volunteers to serve on the 2009 ECHO Independent Review Team (IRT).  The team is composed of both institutional members and community members who are interested in homeless issues and willing to make a one year commitment.  Committee members will review and rank the 2009 Continuum of Care (CoC) applications for 2010 funding to be submitted to the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and review progress for those programs that have just received funding from the 2008 CoC applications.  The complete announcement and application can be accessed on the ECHO website at AustinECHO.org.  Applications are due on or before May 1, 2009.
Free Skin Cancer Screening
The 22nd annual free skin cancer screening will take place Saturday, May 9th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the University Medical Center Brackenridge, 601 E. 15th Street.  Of the 508 persons screened last year, 170 had an abnormal finding that required a physician follow-up.  Of those, 63 were found to be cancerous. 
Capital IDEA Fall Enrollment Now Open
Capital IDEA will hold orientation classes in May for people who want to learn more about fall training programs.  The focus for this round of orientations is on pre-skills training programs including ESL, GED and the College Prep Academy.  Targeted careers include Renewable Energy Technician, Video Game Developers, Power Utilities Technician, 911 Call Takers, Information Technology Certification and the professional trades such as Electrician, Plumbing and Heating and Air Conditioning.
 
To be eligible, individuals must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Travis County or the City of Austin, eligible to work in the U.S. and earn an income of 200% of the federal poverty limit or less.  Capital IDEA provides financial assistance for training as well as childcare and other support services.  For more information, contact Ron Modesty at [email protected] or visit www.capitalidea.org..
Child Abuse & Neglect Professional Development Workshop
Prevent Child Abuse Texas and Austin Community College Child Development Department are offering a child abuse and neglect workshop for child care and school personnel.  The workshop, "It's Everyone's Problem," will be held July 11th at the ACC Eastview Campus.

Child care and school workers are usually the first non-family member to see children outside the home on a regular basis.  The workshop will train them to recognize potential victims of child abuse and let them know what to do if it is suspected.  For registration information, call 512-250-8438 x 18 or email [email protected].
Cool Tools - Create A Graph
partnershipsThis week's "cool tool" is Create-A-Graph, a graphing program designed for kids that is so easy even an adult can use it!  Create-A-Graph is a 'Kids' Zone' learning tool found on the National Center for Educational Statistics website.  You can create bar charts, line graphs, pie charts and other colorful graphs. The graph at left is one created to highlight the results for one of the questions on the recent 2009 CAN Stakeholder 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.