CAN 2010 masthead


September 1, 2010
Travis County Home to 11 of State's Most Congested Roads
The Texas Department of Transportation has ranked Texas' 100 most-congested roads.  Eleven of the roads are in Travis County.  Read this Texas Tribune article or click on the map above for more information. 
The State of Metropolitan America
About two-thirds of the U.S. population live in the 100 largest metropolitan areas.  Demographic trends in these cities provide a preview of long-term trends for our nation.  The Brookings Institute has released The State of Metropolitan America which identifies five demographics trends over the past decade for our nation's largest metro areas:
  • Metro areas grew faster than the nation as a whole.
  • Minorities accounted for 83% of the population growth.
  • There was rapid growth in the population age 65 and older.
  • Levels of education for all racial/ethnic groups increased, but educational disparities remained. 
  • Real household income declined, incomes grew more polarized, and the size of the middle class shrunk.
Unemployment Higher for People With Disabilities

Just in time for Labor Day, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its first analysis of labor force characteristics for persons with a disability.  People with disabilities were unemployed at a rate of 14.5% in 2009, compared to an overall unemployment rate of 9%.  Visit http://www.bls.gov/news.release/disabl.nr0.htm for the press release and links to the data.

Provide Input on Active Texas 2020 Plan
Active Texas 2020 is a draft action plan to improve the health of Texas by making physical activity a priority across the state.  The plan is designed to help local leaders find ways to promote physical activity. 
 
Active Texas 2020 was developed by the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, UT Health Science Center, Michael and Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living, UT Austin and the Austin Mayor's Fitness Council.  Review Active Texas 2020  and provide feedback on this draft plan. 
In This Issue
The State of Metro America
High Unemployment for People with Disabilities
Active Texas 2020
Suicide Prevention
Give Input on Plan for Permanent Supportive Housing
Fall Day of Caring
Crazy: A Father's Search
Legislative Forum: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Race, Place and Fair Housing
Community Resources 101
Planning for Housing Across the Continuum
The CAN Board of Directors will consider how our community can do a better job planning for housing across the continuum at its September 10th meeting.  The meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. and will be televised on Cable Channel 6.
Apply for CAN Community Council
The CAN Community Council is now accepting applications for new members.  Get to know the issues in our community and become engaged in building collaborative solutions.  Apply at www.caction.org
Nominations Open for 2010 Butler Award
Do you know of a collaboration that has been effective at bringing people and groups together to address community needs?  Consider nominating the collaboration for the 2010 Spirit of Collaboration Butler Award.  The deadline for nominations is October 30th.
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Suicide Prevention:  Save a Number to Save a Life

Each year, more than 30,000 people die by suicide in the United States and more than 6 people die by suicide each week in Texas.  Next week is National Suicide Prevention Week.  In commemoration,  announcements will be made at Friday night football games encouraging every adult and student to add 1-800-273-TALK, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, to their cell phone contacts. Suicide is one of the most preventable deaths.  Know the warning signs; take them seriously; and know where to refer people for help. 

Check the CAN Events Calendar for trainings and other events related to Suicide Prevention Week.

Two Additional Permanent Supportive Housing Meetings
The City of Austin has added two additional meetings to get stakeholder input as it develops a proposed Permanent Supportive Housing Strategy, which is due to City Council by October 1st.  A Report Back Session on stakeholder input to date will be held on Tuesday evening, September 7th.  A focused input session on capital costs, operating and service components will be held on September 8th
 
You can also give input through an on-line survey.
Hands on Central Texas:  Fall Day of Caring
United_WayThe United Way Fall Day of Caring connects hundreds of volunteers with worthwhile efforts to improve our community.  Click here to find an opportunity to volunteer and "Live United."  The day of volunteering begins early on Friday, September 10th an closes with a Volunteer Appreciation luncheon at the Long Center for Performing Arts.
Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness
 
Nationally acclaimed investigative journalist, bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Pete Earley will discuss his attempts to help his son, who was denied treatment and arrested during a psychotic break. Join Earley, author of "Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness," on Tuesday, September 21st, 3 - 4 p.m. in Room E2.002 at the Texas State Capitol.
 
Earley has visited 46 states and three foreign countries advocating for mental health reform since the publication of "Crazy," which refers to the mental health system and not persons with mental illness. He  explains why jails and prisons have become our new asylums, why this is wrong and what we need to do to turn mental health back into a health issue instead of continuing to make it a criminal justice problem. Learn more.
Legislative Forum: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

In partnership with The Arc of the Capital Area and Easter Seals Central Texas, Austin Travis County Integral Care will host a  community forum to learn about service and resource issues affecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local elected officials including Texas State Representatives Donna Howard, Eddie Rodriguez and Elliott Naishtat, will participate in the forum on Tuesday, September 28th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street. 

The community forum is free and open to the public. Consumers, family members, providers and partner agencies are encouraged to attend. Learn more
Race, Place and Fair Housing in Texas
Mercedes Marquez, Assistant Secretary, Office of Community Planning and Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be the keynote speaker for a Statewide Conference at the University of Texas School of Law.  "Race, Place, and Fair Housing in Texas" will bring together national and local experts to discuss the latest legal requirements and best practices for planning and creating fair housing opportunities for low-income persons of color.  The full-day conference will be held October 15th.  For registration and conference information, visit www.utlawjusticecenter.org/activities/fairhousing.html.
Community Resources 101
HelpUnited Way Capital Area and 2-1-1 Texas are beginning an on-going series of free trainings on community services for front-line staff and volunteers.  Participants will learn when to use 2-1-1 Texas and how to search the 2-1-1 Texas database to find information about available community resources.  The trainings will be held on Friday, October 22nd and Friday, December 10th from 9 - 11 a.m. at United Way Capital Area, 2000 E. MLK Blvd. RSVP to Community Action Network at [email protected] 414-0323.
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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.