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| The Recession and Texas Children |
 The organization Texans Care for Children released a report this week summarizing how the Lone Star State's kids are weathering the current economic storm. Some highlights:
- One in 10 Texas children lives in extreme poverty, subsisting at less than half the federal poverty level.
- Only about 2 percent of Texas' poor children receive benefits under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, in part due to the difficulty of accessing funds.
- Texas had the worst childhood food insecurity in the United States, meaning the highest rate of children experiencing hunger due to their household not having enough food or money to buy food.
- Texas has the highest rate of children without health insurance.
You can find a link to this report at www.texanscareforchildren.org/. |
| Evidence of Stabilization in Texas Economy |
The Regional Economic Update by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas reports some hope of improvement in the Texas economy toward the end of the year.
Texas employment fell at a rapid pace through the first half of the year as depicted by a sharp increase in first time claims for unemployment in the chart above. As the loss of Texas jobs has slowed, first time claims for unemployment have begun to decrease. The Federal Reserve Bank predicts a further decline in job loss for the third quarter of 2009. The Regional Update also summarizes improvements in home sales which are attributed to the first-time homebuyer tax credit, which expires November 30th. Read the full article. | |
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Report Card on Child Well-Being
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United Way Capital Area has released its 2009 Success by 6 Report Card on Child Well-being.
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Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee
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The deadline for applying to be a member of the City of Austin Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee has been extended to 5 p.m. on September 3rd.
The application is available at the Comprehensive Plan website.
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Recognize Good
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Austin is competing to be the number one city in the world for reported acts of kindness. Report someone today. |
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Deferred Electric Bill Payment
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 Austin Energy is offering a one-time, six-month deferred payment option for utility bills. In announcing the program, Mayor Lee Leffingwell said the record heat coupled with the economic downturn require additional consideration for people facing economic difficulties. The deferred payment plan allows customers to spread the payment of their balance equally over six months. Visit www.austinenergy.com for information on this and other payment assistance programs to help people keep their cool during this unusually hot summer. |
| Travis County Seeks Input for Strategic Planning |
| The Travis County Health and Human Services & Veterans Service Department is engaging in a strategic planning process to improve programs and services. The Department has launched a survey to gain input from customers, partners, and community members.
Survey results will be used to guide efforts to improve programs, services, and processes. Follow this link to the survey, which should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes to complete. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229EVTYCTQ9 |
| Day of Action School Lunch Eat-In |
 This Labor Day people in communities across the country will gather for public pot-luck lunches to take part in Slow Food USA's Time for Lunch Campaign. This day of action is to let Congressional leaders know: It's time to provide REAL FOOD in school.
Slow Food Austin has partnered with Rain Lily Farm to host a local potluck meal on Monday, September 7th at 11 a.m. at Rain Lily Farm, 914 Shady Lane. For more information, visit Slow Food Austin. |
| Green Building and Energy Efficiency in Affordable Housing |
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How can green building and energy-efficient features be incorporated in affordable housing development? Are there tradeoffs between costs and environmental benefits? What policies and programs can encourage green affordable housing? These are some of the questions that will be addressed at an Affordable Housing forum on Friday, September 11th from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at the Street-Jones Building, 1000 East 11th St. The forum is part of a series of affordable housing forums hosted by the City of Austin Neighborhood Housing and Community Development.
Affordable housing stakeholders, citizens, advocates, service providers, real estate professionals and policymakers are invited to attend. RSVP: Kelly Stewart Nichols at (512) 974-9375 or kelly.nichols@ci.austin.tx.us . |
| 2009 Texas Homeless Network Conference |
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Registration is now open for the 21st Annual Texas Homeless Network Conference. "Fostering Alliances in Communities to End Homelessness" will be held October 13th - 16th in San Antonio.
The THN conference is one of the largest and most diverse events of its kind in the southern and southwestern United States. Scores of learning and networking opportunities will be offered. Find more information and registration at www.thn.org. |
| Austin 3-1-1 |
 Austin 3-1-1 offers residents and visitors one easy-to-remember number to contact the City of Austin. Ambassadors are available 24/7 including holidays to provide information on City programs and events and enter service requests for a variety of issues ranging from loose dogs to traffic signal malfunctions. Not sure who to call for help? Austin 3-1-1 is the number to call.
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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, Early Care and Education, HousingWorks, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Ready by 21, Reentry Roundtable, and Regional Transit Coordination Committee. | |
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