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| $7.5 Million to Fight Tobacco Use |
 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced awards of more than $372 million to 44 communities, to support public health efforts to reduce obesity and smoking, increase physical activity and improve nutrition. Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services will receive $7.5 million over two years to reduce tobacco use and exposure to second hand smoke. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Austin and Travis County according to Dr. Philip Huang, Medical Director for Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department. Huang says, "tobacco use kills more people than AIDS, crack, heroin, alcohol, car accidents, fire and murder -- combined."
Local organizations wishing to apply for these funds through this grant, must attend a Pre-Application Workshop next Wednesday, March 30th from 1 - 3 p.m. at One Texas Center. Proposals are due April 26th. Learn more at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/purchase/.
The awards are part of the HHS Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative, a comprehensive prevention and wellness initiative funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. |
| College Financial Aid Applications Up 71% |
One of the first steps in going to college is to apply for financial aid. The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce is working with area school districts to provide personal assistance to families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Chamber reports that metro Austin FAFSA submissions in January and February 2010 have increased by 71% when compared to January and February 2007.
This weekend is the last chance to get free help to complete the form. Financial Aid Saturdays will be held Saturday, March 29th at Austin High School, Del Valle High School, Lake Travis High School and Manor High School. |
| Film on Condition of Health Care in America |
 Meet Hector Cardenas. He worked his whole life. Then he lost his job, his health insurance, and his infected foot to diabetes. Now he lives in a hotel and struggles to pay the medical bills.
The United Way Capital Area and KLRU-TV offer a free, special screening of the documentary Critical Condition, which captures the harrowing struggles of critically ill Americans who discover that being uninsured can cost them their jobs, health, home, savings, even their lives.
The screening will be at the Alamo Draft House South on Tuesday, March 25th from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. RSVP is required. | |
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| You Count. Mail in Your Census Form! |
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Take ten minutes to answer ten questions and you will help determine our federal funding and political representation for the next ten years. The Census is quick, easy and important.
For help in another language, call 1-866-872-6868. Spanish speakers may also contact 1-877-352-3676. |
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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| Follow CAN's Tweets |
 Click on the birdie and follow us on Twitter. Find out what's going on around town and get links to interesting reports and research. | |
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| Integrated Behavioral Health Care |
In 2006, St. David's Foundation awarded funding to People's Community Clinic and Lonestar Circle of Care, two clinics that serve indigent and underserved populations. The grants funded a new Integrated Behavioral Health model, which offers mental health services on-site and in collaboration with primary care. A three year study of the initiative shows significant improvements in behavioral health and physical health, fewer emergency room visits and an overall reduction in the cost of treating patients. Read the report. |
| African American Men and Boys and Women and Girls Conference |
Austin Students are invited to the
African American Men and Boys and Women and Girls Conference this Saturday, March 27th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dobie Middle School, located at 1200 E. Rundberg Lane. The theme will be "Urban Villages and the Making of Community."
The keynote speaker will be Mark Washington, Director of Human Resources and Civil Service for the City of Austin.
Workshops will be held for parents, students and educators. Topics include life skills, employment, and responsible relationships. Refreshments will be provided and door prizes will be given. For more information, call conference sponsor Michael Lofton at 585-6696. |
| Plan for Permanent Supportive Housing for Chronically Homeless |
An action plan for permanent supportive housing in Austin will be shared at a community forum next Thursday, April 1st from 8:30 a.m. to noon at St. David's Episcopal Church, 301 E. 8th Street. The Corporation for Supportive Housing developed the report for the Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable, the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition and the Mayor's Mental Health Task Force. According to the report, Austin needs 1,889 permanent supportive housing units that provide safe, affordable housing with services to end chronic homelessness. The Plan suggests a goal of 350 new units by the end of 2014. RSVP to attend the forum. The full report, "Permanent Supportive Housing Program and Financial Model for Austin/Travis County, Texas", and its Executive Summary can be found at www.mmhtfmc.org/. |
| Keep Homeless Children in School |
The Texas Homeless Network will hold training for child advocates on the laws protecting the ability of homeless children and youth to attend school. The free, half day training will be held on Tuesday, April 6th in Round Rock and is designed for social service providers, school staff and members of the faith community. Participants will learn how to protect the rights of homeless children to register for school and get an education under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. For more information, contact the Texas Homeless Network at (512) 478-9077 or email lori@thn.org. |
| Hispanic Futures Conference |
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 The Austin Independent School District, in Collaboration with the City of Austin, presents the Hispanic Futures Conference "Moving Up and Moving Forward."
The conference will feature speakers, exhibits, food, door prizes and community-based organizations. Students and parents are invited to learn about programs and resources available to help students be successful in school, college, work and life.
The event will be held on Saturday, April 10th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Akins High School, 10701 South 1st Street.
Lunch will be served. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the Department of Diversity and Intercultural Relations at (512) 414-088. |
| Symposium for Parents of Children with Special Needs |
 Parents and caregivers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to attend "Transitions to the Future" a symposium on the services, resources and options for people making the transition from pediatric to adult services.
Texas Monthly writer Mimi Swartz, at left, will be the keynote speaker. Her article, "Failing Darla" in the July 2009 issue of Texas Monthly, chronicled the harsh realities for the estimated 66,000 Texans with developmental disabilities.
The symposium will be held Friday, April 16th from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Goodwill Industries. the event is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. Learn more and register at http://www.iddc-ctx.org/. |
| State Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease |
 Texas ranks third in the nation in the number of Alzheimer's disease cases. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. A new person is diagnosed with the disease every 70 seconds.
The Alzheimer's Disease Program at the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Council on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, and the Alzheimer's Association Chapters in Texas will hold a public hearing on the first Texas State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease. The day-long meeting will be held Friday, April 23rd at the Texas Department of State Health Services. Contact Mary.Somerville@dshs.state.tx.us for more information. |
| Austin ISD "Up Close" Trains Future Leaders |
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The Austin School District invites community members to learn up close how AISD is managed and operated through AISD UpClose. Positions are available in the 2010-2011 class that will get underway in August 2010. The deadline to apply is April 30th.
Each month through the school year, AISD UpClose classes meet at various District sites to have an "inside look" at key programs and services. AISD UpClose graduates are challenged to become leaders and advocates for the District, to volunteer for service on committees and task forces, to speak up when misinformation is circulating, and to encourage other parents and community members to get informed and involved.
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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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