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 August 5, 2009

Local Non-Profits Win $3.5 Million in  Homelessness Prevention Grants
Local non-profit agencies competed for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Grants that are available as part of the federal stimulus act and won grants totaling $3,593,224. These grants will supplement the $3 million in stimulus funding that the City of Austin will receive for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing. 

Caritas will manage two collaborative efforts. The  Housing Stability Collaborative will provide direct assistance to families on the verge of homelessness.  The Right at Home Collaborative will target people with a history of institutional care who have chronic illnesses or disabilities.  Following is a summary of HPRP grants awarded:

State Demonstration Grants (10-county area)
  • Housing Stability Collaborative - Caritas (lead agency), Any Baby Can, Foundation for the Homeless, Front Steps, Goodwill and SafePlace $1,000,000.
  • Lifeworks $1,000,000
  • Catholic Charities $651,717
Federal Pilot Grants for subpopulations
  • Right at Home Collaborative - Caritas (lead agency), Crime Prevention Institute, Wright House Wellness Center and AIDS Services of Austin $600,000
  • Any Baby Can $341,507 for children with chronic illnesses or disabilities
Lawsuit Demands Repair of Public Benefits Eligibility System
Legal services lawyers for the poor have filed a class-action lawsuit demanding immediate repair of Texas' much-criticized eligibility screening system for health and welfare programs.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Austin last Friday by two Irving women who applied for food stamps more than two months ago but have yet to be interviewed by the State Health and Human Services Commission.  Read the full Dallas Morning News article.  
In This Issue
Lawsuit Demands Repair of Public Benefits System
Survey of Non-Profits
Symposium on Teen Reproductive Health
Mental Health First Aide
Back to School Health Fair
AISD Back to School Bash
Hogg Grants for Integrated Healthcare Learning Community
Crime Prevention Seminars
Austin 2nd Best City for Working Moms
Forbes Magazine ranked Austin 2nd out of the 50 largest cities on what's important to working moms.  Read more.
Student Vaccination Countdown
The "Shotclock" is ticking.  Click here for immunization requirements and clinic locations.
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How are Local Non-Profits Weathering the Recession?
United Way Capital Area and Greenlights for NonProfit Success have launched a survey to take the pulse of the local nonprofit sector. More than 1,100 senior nonprofit executives in Central Texas have been invited to complete the short online survey on behalf of their organizations.

The purpose of the study is to find out how nonprofit organizations are faring in this current economic climate, and provide valuable insight to increase awareness of issues, and encourage more advocacy and financial support for the sector as a whole. The study will be open to any nonprofit organization through August 7th. The findings, which will be anonymous, will be published and made available later in August.
Adolescent Health Symposium Focuses on  Reproductive Health
A free symposium on reproductive health issues and teen health will be held Tuesday, August 18th at the Austin Marriott South.  Melanie Gold, the Director of Family Planning Services and the Director of Adolescent Medicine Research at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, will be the key note speaker. 

The symposium for physicians, clinicians, and educators is sponsored by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Seton Family of Hospitals, Center for Health Training and People's Community Clinic.  The registration deadline has been extended until filled.  Register on-line.
 
Mental Health First Aide Community Forum
Austin/Travis County MHMR Cemnter will host a forum on Community Mental Health First Aid on Tuesday, August 18th.   The forum will be moderated by Kathleen Casey, ATCMHMR's Coordinator for Disaster Mental Health Preparedness and Response, from 5:30 - 7 PM. in the ATC MHMR Training Room at 1700 S. Lamar. For more information or to RSVP for the event, please contact Erika Canales at [email protected].
Back to School Health Fair
Superior HealthPlan will hold its 9th Annual "Back to School" Health Fair on Saturday, August 15th at the Cantu-Pan Am Recreation Center at 2100 E. 3rd Street from 9 a.m. to noon.

Superior HealthPlan is part of the Texas STAR Medicaid Managed Care Program and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  Over 500 children and adults are expected to participate in the health fair which will offer a hands-on, show and tell approach to sharing health and safety-related information with children and adults in a fun and entertaining way. 

Agencies interested in participating should contact Robyn Bruening at (512) 692-1465.
AISD Back to School Bash and Safety Fair
school bus girlsAustin ISD will kick off the 2009-10 school year with its fourth annual "Back-to-School Bash and Safety Fair," beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 22nd at the Delco Activity Center, 4601 Pecan Brook Drive.

Festivities include the Safe Walk to School, designed to help children develop safe walking habits to and from school and school bus stops; the Safety Fair, sponsored by the Austin School District Police, that includes a bike rodeo, bicycle helmet fittings, safety demonstrations, and opportunities to explore various aspects of law enforcement; and the Bash, that features school-related information and activities for children and parents.

Numerous District and community resources will be represented at the free event to help students and their families have a successful school year. Attendees will also enjoy free food and giveaways, including bicycle helmets. Backpacks (for students who qualify) and school supplies, while supplies last.
New Texas Learning Community on Integrated Healthcare
Texas-based primary care and mental health service provider organizations that are committed to moving towards an integrated system of health care are encouraged to apply for a new grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.

The Hogg Foundation is accepting applications from Texas-based nonprofit and for-profit organizations to participate in a new statewide learning community on integrated health care. Applications are due by 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on Monday, August 24th.  The Foundation will select up to 20 Texas-based organizations to participate in a new Texas Learning Community on Integrated Health Care. Learn more at the Hogg Foundation website.
Crime Prevention Seminars for Your Neighborhood
sheriffThe Travis County Sheriff's Department will bring crime prevention seminars to your neighborhood.  The seminars are free and interactive and cover a variety of issues including gang awareness, domestic violence awareness, crimes against children, identity theft and burglary prevention.  Contact the Community Outreach Unit to schedule an event.

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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.