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 July 29, 2009

Workforce Solutions Introduces New Employment Kiosks
The Austin metro area unemployment rate increased from 6.2% in May to 7.1% in June. As the chart below shows, The five-county Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is facing historically high rates of unemployment. 
 
In an effort to deal more effectively with the high demand for employment services, Workforce Solutions Capital Area this month launched ATM-like job search kiosks in two new Travis County locations.  The kiosks are already in use in all three Workforce Centers.  Touchpad maneuverability connects users to the full menu of services available through Workforce Solutions - Capital Area.  

june unemployment

In This Issue
Teens Who Expect to Dire Young Engage in Risky Behavior
Carstarphen's AISD Vision
2010 Census Webinar for Nonprofits
Middle School Mentoring
Non-Profit Risk Managment Summit
Cityworks Academy
Benefits Enrollment Workshops
Texas Drought
Click here to see this statesman.com time-lapse drought map of Texas. 
Student Vaccination Countdown
The "Shotclock" is ticking.  Click here for immunization requirements and clinic locations.
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Teens Who Believe They Will Die Young Are More Likely to Engage in Risky Behavior
A recent report by University of Minnesota Medical School researchers found that teens who believe they will die before age 35 are more likely to engage in risky behaviors.  Link to the report in Science Daily.
 
Researchers say their findings reinforce the importance of positive connections with parents, families and schools to instill optimism and hope in youth.  The report also supports physician screenings for the perceived risk of early death.  The report found no significant relationship between perceived risk of dying before age 35 and actual death from all causes during the study period.  The study was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. 
New AISD Superintendent's Vision for the Future
carstarphenDr. Meria Carstarphen will discuss her vision for the Austin Independent School District budget, finances and future at the Austin Chamber's next Education Roundtable on August 6th. Carstarphen officially replaced former Superintendent Pat Forgione as head of the 82,000-student Austin school district on July 1st.  As superintendent of the 40,500-student St. Paul, Minnesota public schools, she led the initial stages of a major district restructuring process including academic reforms, school closings and an overhaul of the district's school choice program. 
 
Carstarphen has already announced a restructuring of Austin ISD's administration and is scheduled to present her budget for the 2009-10 school year to the Austin ISD Board of Trustees on August 3.  Click here for more information on the Chamber's Education Roundtable event. 
Webinar for Nonprofits on Importance of 2010 Census
nonprofits_countNonprofit execs are invited to participate in a webinar "Nonprofits and the 2010 census:  Mobilizing communities for a Complete Count" on Tuesday, August 4th 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. 
 
Terri Ann Lowenthal, a member of President Obama's Transition Team for the Census, former director of the House Census Oversight Subcommittee,  and author of the Census Project's Census News Brief, will discuss the latest developments in the Census affecting nonprofit organizations.

Click on the logo above for more information and click here to register.
Middle School Mentoring Program
one_hour_for_kidsOne out of four students who enter 9th grade don't graduate from high school. The good news is that middle school students with at least one supportive adult in their lives are almost twice as likely to graduate.  
 
United Way Capital Area, along with 8 nonprofit partners, has launched a new middle school mentoring and tutoring initiative called 1 Hour For Kids. The goal is to recruit 400 volunteers who will play a critical role in a youth's life as a mentor or tutor.  This new collaboration is supported by the E3 Alliance, the Austin and Manor Independent School Districts, and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Visit  www.1HourForKids.org to learn more and to sign-up to be a mentor or tutor.
2009 Non-Profit Risk Management and Finance Summit
Non-profit leaders from across the country will be in Austin September 20th-22nd for the 2009 Risk Management and Finance Summit.  The summit will focus on risk management, finance and human resources.  Early bird registration ends July 31st.  Visit nonprofitrisk.org for registration and more information.
 
The keynote speaker at the opening session will be Tori Murden McClure, the first woman and first American to row solo across the Atlantic and author of the new book, A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean. On the morning of the second day Patti Digh, author of Life is a Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful, and Live Intentionally will deliver the keynote address.
Community Engagement and the Austin Comprehensive Plan
The City of Austin Public Participation Workshop on Wednesday August 5th to get input and ideas on how to engage the community in the Comprehensive Planning process.  The workshop will be held from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Town Lake Center, 721 Barton Springs Road.

To stay up to date with the Comprehensive Plan, visit the City of Austin Comprehensive Plan website.
Cityworks Academy:  the A to Z of City Operations

city worksCityWorks Academy is a new and unique opportunity for Austin residents to learn about the City's governmental processes, its procedures and the people who deliver these services.

The program will focus on informing Austinites about the business of local government from aviation to zoning. Executive Team members, Department Directors and other City staff will host unique, interactive and informative sessions designed to give Austin residents hands-on experience in City government operations.

The curriculum consists of ten sessions on Tuesday evenings beginning in September.  The first class will be limited to 30 people.  The deadline to apply is August 19th.  Visit the City of Austin website to learn more.
YWCA Workshops
The YWCA is offering three professional trainings in August:
  • "Human Trafficking: An Exploration of Issues with Trauma & Cultural Competency"  presented by Kate Rocke, MSW & Macelle Abusalloi, LPC on Friday, August 7th
  • "Boundaries: Walking the Line, Crossing the Line, Holding the Line" presented by Cynthia Schiebel, M.Ed., LPC, LCDC on Saturday, August 8th
  • "A Strength-Based Approach for Children with AD/HD" presented by Cecilia Locke, MAC, LPC-I on Saturday, August 22nd
Visit www.ywcaaustin.org for more information.

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Community Action Network is a collaboration of organizations and individuals in Central Texas who are working together to build a community of equity and opportunity.

CAN's role in the community is to ...
  • Enhance awareness of community issues;
  • Strengthen partnerships and connect planning efforts;
  • Support collaborative strategies that maximize community resources and impact; and
  • Mobilize action by reporting on progress made to improve the community's well-being.
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.