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October 21, 2009
Local Delegation Attends National Summit on "Your City's Families"
Local leaders attended the National League of Cities "National Summit on Your City's Families" in Boston, Massachusetts earlier this month.  Austin Council Member Laura Morrison, City Manager Marc Ott, United Way Interim President Debbie Bresette and others representing Travis County, AISD, St. John Neighborhood Association, and the Central Texas Afterschool Network joined leaders from around the country to share best practices for promoting child and family well-being.  The Community Action Network and Ready By 21 Coalition plan to build on best practices identified by the Austin delegation to draft a compact for children and youth to be presented to the CAN Resource Council on December 11.

A new report entitled " The State of City Leadership for Children and Families" was released in conjunction with the Summit.  The report cites Austin for family friendly workplace initiatives, for use of technology to improve access to early care and education, and for its "ban the box" policies that help remove barriers to employment for people with criminal records.
Help Texas Kids Enroll in Health Insurance
Texas Impact is partnering with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to train people of faith on how to enroll children in Children's Medicaid and CHIP.

Children's Medicaid is a federal program that provides free health coverage to children in families with incomes at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). CHIP is a federal-state program that provides low-cost health insurance to children in working families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but less than 200% FPL. Both programs provide medical, dental, vision, and mental health benefits, as well as immunizations, prescriptions, medical supplies, and more. CHIP also provides prenatal care for pregnant women.

CHIP and Medicaid program staff people will come to a congregation or organization to train volunteers so they can help families enroll in CHIP and Medicaid. Each training session lasts approximately 3 hours and must a have a minimum of 8 participants. Visit TexasImpact.org for more information or contact Emily Shelton at Texas Impact at (512) 472-3903 or emily@texasimpact.org.
Comprehensive Plan Kick-Off
The City of Austin kicked off its Comprehensive Planning process earlier this month with an Open House and continues to seek public input.  The public is invited to take a brief on-line survey to share their priorities for Austin's future.  A summary of the results of the Open House and a listing of upcoming public hearings can be found at www.cityofaustin.org/compplan/.
In This Issue
Comprehensive Plan Kick-Off
Report on Children's Exposure to Violence
Funds Awarded for 827 Low-Income Units
On-line Tool to Access Federal Services
Travis County Proposes Changes to CDBG Funding
$1.3 Million for "Aging in Place"
Girls Giving Grants Seek Programs to Fund
Economic Impact of Healthcare Reform
College Forward Report
Apply to Join CAN Community Council
The CAN Community Council is currently accepting applications for new members through October 30th.  Visit www.caction.org and look under "What's New" for more information.
CAN Community Calendar
The new CAN website features a calendar of community events.  Check out the events in our community and add your events to the calendar at www.caction.org.
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Justice Department Report on Children's Exposure to Violence
abused girlThe U.S. Department of Justice has released a comprehensive nationwide survey of the incidence and prevalence of children's exposure to violence.  The study found that more than 60 percent of children 17 and under were exposed to violence within the past year.  Visit the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to learn more about the report and efforts to stop violence against children.
Austin Awarded Funding for 827 Low-Income Housing Units
Austin will add 827 units of affordable housing to its portfolio due to funding awarded by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). The decision to award housing tax credits to all three Austin applicants is unprecedented for a community with fewer than 1 million residents.

The Internal Revenue Service's multifamily tax credit program administered by TDHCA is the government's primary means of directing private capital toward the creation of affordable rental housing. Tax credits provide investors with a benefit that allows them to offset their federal taxes in exchange for providing equity to affordable rental housing.

Developments that were awarded tax credits include:
  • Malibu Apartments: a 476-unit existing development in north Austin (Mulholland Group, LLC, New York)
  • M Station: 150-unit family development, which will be located across from the new MLK rail station (Foundation Communities, Austin)
  • Wildflower Terrace: a 201-unit senior community and will be located within the Mueller Airport redevelopment area. (DMA Development Company, LLC, Austin)
The Austin City Council committed local financial support to the three applications. The City of Austin through its affiliate the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) approved $5 million in General Obligation Bond funds in August 2009 for the Malibu Apartments and M Station developments. AHFC is expected to approve $2 million for Wildflower Terrace at a future Board Meeting.
On-line Tool for Homeless to Access Federal Services
211_newlogoFirstStep is an interactive tool for case managers, outreach workers, and others working with people who are homeless. First Step provides information on assisting clients to access benefits from federal mainstream benefit programs and includes timesaving tips and resources.
 
FirstStep was developed through a partnership between the federal agencies that provide services such as Social Security, Medicare, housing supports, nutrition supplements, and other benefits.
Travis County Seeks Input on Proposed Changes to CDBG Funding
Travis County invites the public to comment on a draft document that outlines substantial changes for its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The proposed changes include the reprogramming of $500,000 in CDBG funds and program design changes to four CDBG projects.

Learn more about the proposed changes by visiting the Travis County CDBG website www.co.travis.tx.us/CDBG or calling Christy Moffett at 512-854-3460. Comments may be submitted at a public hearing on November 24th or through written comments November 11th through December 10th.  Visit the County website for more details. 
Grant to Help Elderly "Age in Place"
senior holding caneFamily Eldercare has been awarded a $1.3 million federal grant for an Aging in Place Initiative that will target seniors in Travis and Williamson Counties.  Family Eldercare is one of 13 awardees nationwide and will serve as the lead agency for a collaboration of local partners including; The Housing Authority of the City of Austin, Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area, Austin Groups for the Elderly (AGE), Helping the Aging, Needy and Disabled (HAND), Meals on Wheels and More, New Connections, and the University of Texas-Austin. The collaboration will provide innovative strategies linking older individuals to programs and services that maintain physical and mental health, enhance mental acuity, and create a community where older adults are active and engaged.
Girls Giving Grants Seek Programs to Fund
211_newlogoGirls Giving Grants, the youth initiative of Impact Austin is currently soliciting proposals for programs that benefit youth in Bastrop, Hays, Williamson, and/or Travis Counties.  Girls Giving Grants will award $5,700 in this grant cycle. The deadline for submitting grants is Friday, October 30th at 5 p.m.  More information about grant requirements, past awards and a copy of the very simple grant application can be found at www.girlsgivinggrants.org.   
Debate on Impact of Healthcare Reform on Local Business and Economy
A panel of state and national experts will discuss the likely ramifications of healthcare reform on business and the economy at a luncheon on November 19th sponsored by the University of Texas School of Law in partnership with the Austin Chamber and other regional Chambers of Commerce.

Panelists include a professor of economics, the president of the American Medical Association, the Vice Provost for Health Affairs at UT Austin, and a business CEO. The event will explore what to expect next as our nation attempts sweeping reforms of the healthcare system.

Visit the Austin Chamber website to learn more and to register.

College Forward Releases Study on Barriers to Success for Low Income, First Generation College Students
Hispanic female student
Austin-based non-profit College Forward has just released a longitudinal study, "The Price of Persistence: Barriers to Post Secondary Success for Low Income and First-Generation Students."  According to the report, national research shows that less than half of low-income students who are highly qualified for college attend a four-year institution.  Once in college, low-income students are less likely to graduate.
 
The College Forward report tracks low-income and first generation students who have gone through its program and finds that while the barriers are powerful, they can be overcome.  The research, conducted by professors with the University of Houston, identified strategies that help overcome barriers such as being prepared for the rigor of college academic demands, campus-based mentors or resources, financial literacy, and better balance of work and school.

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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 Integral Care, 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, Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, Early Care and Education, HousingWorks, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Coalition, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Ready by 21, Reentry Roundtable, and Regional Transit Coordination Committee.