CAN 2010 masthead


April 20, 2011
Mental Health Workforce Crisis

Sixty-eight percent of all Texas counties have a shortage of mental health professionals, and 171 of Texas' 254 counties do not have a single psychiatrist, according to a new issue brief by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. Crisis Point: Mental Health Workforce Shortages in Texas cites a scarcity of training programs, the aging of the current mental health workforce, and low Medicaid reimbursement rates as factors contributing to the shortage.

 

The report notes the need to promote cultural and linguistic diversity in mental health care and to integrate health and behavioral health care. Tens of thousands of Texans are denied services every day, the report estimates.  This impacts the entire state with lost productivity, unemployment, job absenteeism, increased involvement with law enforcement and higher hospital costs.

Pace of Job Growth Picks Up

Job growth in the Austin metro area has picked up according to a report by the Austin Chamber of Commerce.  From March 2010 to 2011, Austin added 13,900 jobs, a 1.8% increase in year-to-year job growth.

 

metro area job growth

 

Austin is the 42nd largest metro area in the U.S. Job growth was the 8th highest among the nation's 50 largest metro areas.

Provide Input on Public Transportation Needs

What are the unmet transit needs in our region, and how can our community best meet those needs?  The Regional Transit Coordination Committee seeks public input on local public transportation needs and solutions.  A series of public hearing are scheduled throughout the region from April 28th through May 19th

 

Visit www.capitalareartcc.org/plan.html for more information, and to find draft documents outlining unmet needs.  Contact Stevie Greathouse at 512-974-9715 for more information or to request a presentation to a community group. 

Impacts of Travis County Investments in Services
The Research and Planning Division within Travis County Health and Human Services & Veterans Service has completed the 2010 Community Impact Report Part II: Performance Highlights. This report provides an overview of investment, programmatic, client demographic, and performance information on a subset of the Department's social service contracts for 2010.  View the report from the Department's website.
In This Issue
Job Growth Increases
Share Unmet Public Transportation Needs
Travis County's Social Service Investments
Urban Renewal Board Seeks Applicants
Access-A-Ride Service
AISD Expands Dual Language Elementaries
LGBT Resources
Update Community Justice Plan
Community Resources 101
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Urban Renewal Board Seeks Applicants

East 11th GatewayThe City of Austin is accepting applications for three vacancies on the seven-member Urban Renewal Board. The Urban Renewal Board's purpose is to eliminate slum and blightening influences with a curent focus on the East 11th and 12th Streets Urban Renewal Plan.   

 

Board members are appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Austin City Council. For more information on the East 11th and 12th Streets Commercial Revitalization project, visit www.cityofaustin.org/ahfc/comm_revital.htm

 

Applicants for the Urban Renewal Board must be  residents and property owners in the City of Austin. To access the online application, visit  www.ci.austin.tx.us/cityclerk/clbcappo.htm.

 

Capital Metro and Yellow Cab Team Up for Access-A-Ride Service

Access-a-Ride is a new premium, on-demand service provided by Yellow Cab. It's available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to certified Capital MetroAccess customers, including those using nontransferable mobility devices. After paying an initial enrollment fee of $5, participants receive an Access-a-Ride stored value card to which they may add funds each month. For every $5 a participant puts on the card, Capital Metro will add an additional $15 to the account, up to a  maximum monthly total of $80.

  
Access-a-Ride is a cost-shared service supported by Capital Metro, but is not part of the ADA-mandated paratransit program.
For more information, visit www.capmetro.org/riding/Ondemand_Taxi.asp.
  
Austin ISD Expands Dual Language Elementary Programs
Austin ISD's two-way Dual Language program will expand from four to six elementary campuses beginning in the fall 2011.  Sunset Valley and Travis Heights elementary schools will join Becker, Ridgetop, Perez, and Wooten elementaries in offering dual-language instruction to students in pre-kindergarten through first grade.

Classes are comprised of equal numbers of native English and Spanish speakers and the goal is for all students to become bilingual, biliterate and bicultural in both languages.

Applications for the Two-Way Dual Language Program are available at  www.austinisd.org and must be returned to the school by Friday, May 13.  Students will be selected by a lottery system at each school site, after all Dual Language applications are received. Students not selected will be placed on a waiting list, and parents will be notified.

LGBT Resource for Youth and Parents

Suicides linked to anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) bullying last year focused national attention on the needs of LGBT youth. The Centers for Disease Control has launched a new web-site focused on the health needs of these young people, with specific suggestions for schools and parents, useful background information, and links to valuable resources. http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm.

 

Help Update Community Justice Plan
The Travis County Criminal Justice Planning Department and a steering committee are gathering  input to update Travis County's Community Justice Plan. This plan, outlining priorities for funding, is updated every three years and is filed with the Governor's Office.  Two more input sessions are scheduled:
  
Friday, April 22th   Victims
Friday, May 27th    Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement 
  
People interested in participating in the work groups or learning more about the process should contact Cindy Finnegan at (512) 854-3277.  Participants will be asked to come prepared to discuss local trends and data, and to identify problems, resources and priorities

Community Resources 101

Help

United Way Capital Area and 2-1-1 Texas are offering 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.  Click here to registerClick here to view scheduled trainings.

CAN_logo_noback 

Community Action Network (CAN) is a partnership of agencies and organizations in Austin and Travis County that provides 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 as a convener, connector and informer helps our community: 

  • 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 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, Interfaith Action of Central Texas, 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, 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.