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 May 14, 2009

Texas Economic Outlook
Texas State Comptroller Susan Combs released the Comptroller's Economic Outlook for the State late last week.  While Texas is faring better than the rest of the nation, there are challenges.  From March 2008 to March 2009, sales of existing homes fell 19% and the prices for single-family existing homes fell 5%. Building permits fell 41.6% for single-family housing and 58% for multi-family housing from March to March.

The Comptroller estimates Texas will receive $16 billion in federal stimulus funding.  The Comptroller's federal stimulus website tracks stimulus dollars in the state.  The Comptroller's office has also compiled detailed information on grants and other potential funding opportunities made available by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).
  Stimulus Fund Impact by State
CNNmoney.com  has created an interactive map of the United States that shows how each state is predicted to fare in job creation and per capita stimulus spending. The Obama administration economists estimate the stimulus bill will create or save 3.5 million jobs nation-wide and 269,000 jobs in Texas.
Youth to Employ, Employers to Hire Sought for Summer Youth Program
Viva Verde
Goodwill and Workforce Solutions - Capital Area are seeking youth aged 14 to 24 to work this summer for $7.25  per hour.  Employers are also needed to put these youth to work.  Salaries will be paid with federal stimulus funds and youth will receive job training and preparation before joining the worksite. Participating youth must meet income guidelines. Learn more about Viva Verde.
In This Issue
Summer Youth Employment
Real Estate Bust Impacts Minority Groups
Employment Training
Benefits Enrollment Training
National Women's Health Week
African American Youth Conference
Cool Tools!
Stimulus Funding
Community Council Meeting - Behavioral Health and Older Adults' Mental Health
The Community Council meeting this Monday, May 18th will feature an overview of the new  Behavioral Health FAQ and a discussion of efforts to address the mental health needs of older adults. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall and will be broadcast  live on Cable Channel 6.
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Real Estate Boom and Bust  Impacts Minority Groups  Most
homeownership chartThe boom-and-bust cycle in the U.S. housing market over the past decade and a half has generated greater gains and larger losses for minority groups than it has for whites, according to an analysis of housing, economic and demographic data by the Pew Hispanic Center, a project of the Pew Research Center.

Overall, the ups and downs in the housing market since 1995 have reduced the homeownership gap between whites and all racial and ethnic minority groups. However, a substantial gap persists. As of 2008, 74.9% of whites owned homes, compared with 59.1% of Asians, 48.9% of Hispanics and 47.5% of blacks.  Read the full report.
Gainful Employment Training Program
Workforce Solutions announces a new training program, funded through Travis County, which provides training to specific populations.  The Gainful Employment Model (GEM) program can assist job seekers in training for a career in one of the following occupations:  administrative assistant, bookkeeping, automotive technicians, and pharmacy technician.  Click here for more details, or contact Liz Barbosa at 597-7286. 
Benefits Enrollment Training
BNC_logoThe Basic Needs Coalition will host a special training for social workers, service providers, and volunteers who would like to learn about assisting clients who enrolling in federal subsidy programs.  Catholic Charities of Central Texas and the Capital Area Food Bank will conduct the training on Thursday, May 28th from 10 a.m. - noon at the United Way.  The training is free but limited spots are available.  Learn more.  RSVP by May 22nd to Eric Luna at  [email protected] or 651-6124. 
"A Pregnancy Changes Your Life Forever" PSA's Win Award
Hispanic Austin Leadership recognized the efforts of the Healthcare Team at the 2009 graduation for this year's Hispanic Austin Leadership class.  The Healthcare Team created a series of PSA's in English and Spanish called "A Pregnancy Changes Your Life Forever."  The PSA's will soon be aired on Univision.  View the winning PSA's on YouTube.
 
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Panel Discussion
Live Here spotlightEach week in Texas, two women are killed by their intimate partners.  One in three women has been a victim of domestic violence.  Once Texas woman is raped every day.  These sobering statistics are included in the "I Live Here, I Give Here" monthly Community Spotlight for May.  Learn more and participate in a panel discussion about the issue on Friday, May 15th from to noon to 1 p.m. at Ballet Austin.  Read the article and RSVP for the luncheon.  

Increasing the Quality of Youth Programming
Ready by 21, the Central Texas Afterschool Network and United Way Capital Area are providing free assessments and low cost professional development to organizations that provide services to youth and children.  A professional development workshop on Cooperative Learning will be offered Friday, May 22nd from 9 a.m. to noon at the United Way Capital Area.  To learn more about the Quality Initiative, visit the Ready by 21 website.  To register for the training, click here.
 
National Women's Health Week
women's health weekWomen are encouraged to make their health a top priority during National Women's Health Week. The nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life.
women delay care
A new report published on the HealthReform.gov website entitled, "Roadblocks to Health Care: Why the Current Health Care System Does Not Work for Women" highlights gender equity issues in health care.  The report, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, finds that 57% of men have access to health insurance through their place of work while only 48% of women do.  The report also found that more women than men forego necessary medical care due to cost.


African American Men and Boy's and Women and Girl's Conference
The final African American Men and Boy's and Women and Girl's Conference of this school year will be this Saturday, May 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at LBJ High School, 7309 Lazy Creek Drive.  The theme of the conference is "Letting Go and Moving Forward."  Workshops for parents, students and educators will focus on life skills, employment, and responsible relationships. Refreshments will be provided and door prizes will be given.
Cool Tools - Google Maps
This week's "cool tool" features a new service available from Google.com to map public data.  Currently the public data that is mapped is U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Census data.  Click here to see a line graph comparing U.S. and Texas monthly unemployment rates for the past two years. Learn more about this new tool on the Google blog.
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.