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| More People Living in Poverty | |
One in 5 Austinites was living below the federal poverty level in 2009, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The most dramatic year to year increase in poverty was among children.
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| The "Collateral Costs" of Incarceration |
 The U.S. has the highest rate of incarceration of any nation in the world. Since 1980, there has been a 300% increase in the prison population. The direct costs of incarceration are estimated at more than $50 billion a year. A new report by the Pew Charitable Trusts entitled "Collateral Costs: Incarceration's Effect on Economic Mobility" measures the cost of the inability of former inmates, their families and their children to move up the economic ladder.
The study reports that the African American population is especially impacted by incarceration, "As adults in their twenties and thirties, when they should be launching careers, black men without a high school diploma are more likely to be found in a cell than in the workplace." People who have served time in jail earn lower wages than before they were incarcerated and are less able to support families and dependent children. According to the report, "1 in every 28 children (3.6 percent) has a parent incarcerated, up from 1 in 125 just 25 years ago. Two-thirds of these children's parents were incarcerated for non-violent offenses." |
| Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities |
Racial/ethnic disparities in health and healthcare in the United States are persistent and well documented. Communities of color fare far worse than their white counterparts across a range of health indicators: life expectancy, infant mortality, prevalence of chronic diseases, self-rated health status, insurance coverage, and many others. As the nation's population continues to become increasingly diverse, these disparities are likely to grow if left unaddressed. A recent report by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies examines how recent health care reform legislation offers an important first step and a unique opportunity to improve health equity in the United States. |
| Grant to Better Integrate Physical and Behavioral Health |
 Austin Travis County Integral Care was awarded $494,900 from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to integrate primary and behavioral health treatment at local mental health facilities operated by ATCIC. Through collaboration with CommUnity Care's local health clinics, people receiving treatment for severe mental disorders and substance use disorders will also have access to physical health care. ATCIC will have opportunities to apply for renewals of this grant for four additional years. |
| Non-Profits Could Lose Tax Exemption |
Over 2,000 small non-profit organizations in the Austin area could be at risk of losing their federal tax exemption status. The IRS requires even small charities with gross receipts under $25,000 to file a short return. This simple 8-question return seeks basic information about the organization. For small charities that have not previously filed this return, the extended deadline for filing is October 15th. An IRS factsheet with general information about this reporting requirement can be found at http://www.irs.gov/charities. |
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| CAN Board Meeting | | CAN's Board of Directors is comprised of policy makers and executive leaders from all 17 CAN partner organizations. At the October 8th meeting, the board will review highlights of Community Dashboard indicators including unemployment, health, and criminal justice. The Board will also discuss the CAN Workplan for 2011.
The 1 p.m. meetings will be televised on Cable Channel 6. |
| Community Council: Focus on Mental Health | | The CAN Community Council will continue its monthly forums on community indicators with an October 18th forum on Mental Health from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The Mental Health Task Force and the Child and Youth Mental Health Planning Partnership will share information. The meeting will be televised on Cable Channel 6. |
| 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. |
| Link to the Latest Research | | Community Action Network is constantly posting new research on social, health, educational and economic well-being on our website and on our CAN_Austin twitter page. All new postings are featured on our website www.caction.org. |
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| Capital Metro Approves Budget |
 The Capital Metro Board has adopted a FY2011 budget that includes increases in fares, reductions to MetroAccess services, and a new Park & Ride in Manor. Learn more about the Capital Metro $168 million operating budget and $45 million capital budget.
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| City Plan for Permanent Supportive Housing |
The City of Austin has developed a strategy for creating 350 permanent supportive housing units within the next four years. The goal of this strategy is to reduce long-term homelessness in Austin. A $9 million investment by the City of Austin will be leveraged with an additional $34 million in federal, state, and local funds over the next four years to finance the units. Read the City of Austin Permanent Supportive Housing Strategy. |
| Breakfast of Champions |
Congressman Lloyd Doggett will be the featured speaker at the 8th Annual Breakfast of Champions to be held on Thursday, October 4th at the Mexican American Cultural Center. The free event will recognize people in the community who have made quality afterschool and out-of-school activities possible for children in Central Texas. For more information, contact Maureen Brandyberry at mbbrandy@gmail.com. |
| Helping Teens Think About Violence and Peace |
The Humanities Institute at the University of Texas at Austin is offering a free six-week series for parents, teachers and community members interested in learning how to help teenagers think about violence and peace. This informal course will meet on Tuesday evenings, October 12th through November 16th, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. The sessions will be held at the Community Engagement Center, 1009 East 11th Street.
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| 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. |
| Accessing Community Healthcare |
Austin Travis County Integral Care and CommUnity Care will hold a forum to explore accessing general and mental health services in our community on Thursday, October 21st. Dr. David Vander Straten, chief medical officer of CommUnity Care and Dr. Jim Van Norman, Austin Travis County Integral Care medical director, will discuss the collaborative E-Merge program. E-Merge is an effort to provide access to behavioral health care at the CommUnity Care clinics. Stacy Wilson, director of governmental affairs for Central Health, will also discuss challenges in the upcoming 82nd legislative session. The forum will take place at 1700 S. Lamar from 5:30 - 7 p.m.
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| Women Living in Poverty | |
 How does poverty affect the mental and physical health of women, the choices they make, the futures of their children? The vulnerability and issues facing women in poverty and possible solutions for helping more people out of poverty will be the topic at the next YWCA Hallmark Speakers Series. Gertrude Schaffner Goldberg, Professor of Social Policy, Adelphi University, will be the featured speaker.
The conference will be held on Friday, November 12th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Social Work and LPC Continuing Education Unit hours are available. Register at www.ywcaaustin.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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