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| CAN Leaders Release Community Dashboard |
 CAN leaders held a press conference last Thursday to share "Community Dashboard 2010." David Evans, Executive Director of Austin Travis County Integral Care and Chair of the CAN Board of Directors, said the dashboard will be an annual report of the Community Action Network. Council Member Laura Morrison told the media that the 16 dashboard indicators are inter-related and must be considered together. Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt said the Community Dashboard will help public and private agencies work better together to solve community issues.
Learn more about the Community Dashboard by visiting the CAN website.
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Travis County HHS Preparing for Budget Cuts
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As a result of the current economic environment, the Travis County Health and Human Services Department has been directed by the Commissioners Court, along with all other County departments, to submit reduction proposals totaling 5% of the respective budgets in the event FY 2011 revenue declines drastically. Travis County is currently working to identify cuts with the least possible impact to services. Any cuts will ultimately require approval of the Travis County Commissioners Court.
While it is unlikely that there will be funding for programmatic growth, any non-County entity wishing to request new funding related to health and human services in FY 2011 will need to make such requests by March 26. Please contact Kathleen Haas at 854-4100 to request required forms.
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Get Your Taxes Done for Free! |
The Community Tax Centers helps low income individuals and families file their tax returns for free! They will also help with prior years' returns and amended returns. This year, the Center has already prepared nearly 10,000 returns bringing over $22 million in tax refunds into our local economy. Beat the April rush....there are only five weeks before tax day. |
Guide to Community Mental Health Resources
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Faith-Based and Community Leader Input for Strengthening Non-Profit Capacity
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A State-appointed Task Force for Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity will
hold public hearings throughout the state this month to get input from
faith-based and non-profit organizational leadership on how to
strengthen the capacity of organizations to provide services to Texans
in need. The hearings will address what is working well and what
challenges exist. The Task Force would like suggestions on how the
State can support the work of faith-based and community organizations.
The Austin hearing will be this Monday, March 15th from 1 - 3 p.m. in the Brown-Heatly Building, Public Hearing Room, 4900 North Lamar Boulevard.
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Children Count
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 Dora the Explorer is teaming up with the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure children are counted in the 2010 Census. Census data is used to plan for child care, schools, health and other critical services. Click on Dora for links to fliers and other resources in English and Spanish.
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March 12 Census Rally at Capitol Steps
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| The 2010 Census Regional Bus Tour is making a stop in Austin on Friday, March 12th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the State of Texas Capitol Building at 112 East 11th Street at the South Steps. The 2010 Census Bus will be unveiled and free entertainment and giveaways will be provided. |
Important Census Contact Information
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In the coming week, Travis County households will be receiving the 2010 Census form in the mail. It only takes 10 minutes to answer the 10 questions on the form. For assistance contact 1-866-872-6868. Spanish speakers may also contact 1-877-352-3676.
You can also go to 2010census.gov for help.
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Update on 2010 CAN Initiatives
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| The CAN Board of Directors will get a progress report on 2010 initiatives this Friday, March 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. Tune in or view the webcast on Cable Channel 6. The open meeting takes place at the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall. |
Community Calendar
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Visit the CAN Events Calendar to keep up to date with community events and to post your events.
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| Austin Ranks 1st in U.S. Cities Recovering from Recession |
 The Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area tied Washington D.C. for first place in a Forbes.com listing of "Cities Where the Recession is Easing." The article notes that while most major cities were losing jobs, Austin actually saw job growth of 0.98% from December 2007 to December 2009. Forbes also predicts that three years from now, Austin jobs will grow by 8%. Read the full article. |
| Public Hearing on ATCIC Strategic Plan |
 Austin Travis County Integral Care (ATCIC) is the local authority for behavioral health and developmental disabilities services. ATCIC will host a special meeting on the upcoming 2011-2013 strategic planning cycle and the FY 2011 annual budget on Tuesday, March 23rd from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in ATCIC's
Large Training Room, 1700 S. Lamar.
The forum will begin with a guided discussion on strategic
planning issues including access to services, growing waiting lists and the roles of consumers and their families in treatment. The forum is free and open to the public. Consumers, family
members, providers and partner agencies are encouraged to come
and share input on the critical issue that directly impact our
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| Community Conversations on AISD Budget |
 The Austin Independent School District will host three community conversations on the 2010-2011 Preliminary Budget this month. These meetings will include a brief presentation by the District's Chief Financial Officer and an opportunity for the Superintendent and Trustees to hear citizen feedback about the Preliminary Budget. Be a part of the conversation...
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March 11th Anderson High School Cafeteria, 8403 Mesa Drive, 6 - 8 p.m.
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March 25th Reagan High School Cafeteria, 7104 Berkman Drive, 6 - 8 p.m.
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March 30th Travis High School Cafeteria, 1211 E. Oltorf, 6 - 8 p.m.
Light refreshments, child care and translation services will be provided.
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| CHIP Coalition Considers Impact of Maternal Drug Use on Children |
The Texas CHIP Coalition was formed in 1988 to bring together state and local organizations to support adequate state funding and program improvements for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Children's Medicaid. The Coalition engages in public education and advocacy, working closely with state agencies and the Texas legislature on behalf of children and their families. The Coalitions' meeting this Friday, March 12th, from 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. will feature a panel on the consequences of maternal drug use on young children. For more information about the Coalition's work and a complete schedule of meetings, visit texaschip.org. | |
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Community Action Network (CAN) is a partnership of agencies and organizations in Austin and Travis County that provide resources to improve the health and well-being of people in our community. CAN is a collaboration of organizations and individuals 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 Interreligious Ministries, Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Community College, Austin Independent School District, Austin Travis County Integral Care, Capital Metro, Central Health, City of Austin, Community Justice Council, One Voice Central Texas, Seton Family of Hospitals, St. David's Foundation, St. Edward's University, Travis County, 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 Afterschool
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.
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