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Judge Rules Texas Housing Tax Credit Program Violates Fair Housing Act
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In his Texas Housers blog, John Henneberger reports that a federal court has found that the way Texas distributes its Low Income Housing Tax Credit causes "disparate racial impact" and violates the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Henneberger reports the court directed the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to develop a plan to assure that tax credits are awarded in a manner that is "objective, predictable, and transparent." The judge also encouraged the state to work cooperatively with the plaintiffs to find a remedy.
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Austin MSA Job Growth 2nd Highest in U.S.
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The Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area added 26,800 jobs in 2011, which was the second highest rate of job growth nation-wide. according to data analysis by the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Houston had the highest percentage of job growth of all metro areas in the U.S. Fort Worth joined Houston and Austin in the top ten list. Dallas had the eleventh highest percentage increase in job growth.
As the graph below shows, Austin and the State of Texas have been steadily adding jobs since 2009, but have not yet regained pre-recession job levels.
 | | Austin Chamber Economic Indicators |
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Electronic Submission of Applications
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 Texas residents can now file tax returns, apply for student financial aid, and submit applications for SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, and other benefits electronically through the Benefit Bank of Texas. This one-stop shopping approach is made possible through collaboration of Texas Health Institute, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and Solutions for Progress.
For an introduction and demonstration of The Benefit Bank of Texas view a presentation by webinar (Mondays from 2:00pm-3:00pm) or attend in-person (last Friday of the Month from 9:30am - 11:00am at Strayer University, Reunion Park Building, 8501 N. MoPac Expy, #104, Austin, TX 78759). For more information, contact Amanda Royston at aconway@texashealthinstitute.org or (512) 279-3907. |
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| CAN Community Council Focus on G.O. Bonds | |
Efforts to develop proposals for a fall bond election were discussed at Monday's CAN Community Council meeting. The Council also discussed affordable housing and Project Connect, a regional transportation collaboration. View the discussion on Cable Channel 6.
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| CAN Board of Directors | |
The CAN Board of Directors met on Friday, March 9th in and received a report from CAN staff on an analysis of 70 plans in the Austin MSA. The meeting can be viewed on Cable Channel 6.
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| CAN Events Calendar | |
Keep up with community events and post your own events on the CAN Community Events Calendar.
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| Follow CAN's Tweets | |
Get short, timely updates on meetings, research and more on CAN_Austin. |
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What Bond Projects Do YOU Want to Fund?
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 The City of Austin is holding four bond development work shops this month to give City residents a chance to consider what projects and priorities they think should be put before voters in a possible November bond election. During the 2-hour facilitated workshops, participants will be given "cash" and will work together in groups to decide how to spend limited funds. You can also share your ideas on what projects deserve tax payers' investments through an on-line survey.
Feedback will be shared with the Bond Election Advisory Task Force which will make recommendations for bond priorities to the Austin City Council in May. The Task Force is considering projects in the following four areas:
- Parks and Open Space
- City Facilities
- Affordable Housing
- Transportation and Mobility
In addition to these four areas, it is expected that the bond election will also include a proposal to fund urban rail.
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New Farmers' Market Targets Low-Income Families
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The Sustainable Food Center has opened a new farmers' market on 183 near the East YMCA. The market targets low-income families by offering a double-dollar incentive up to $10 per person to people who purchase fruits and vegetables with a Lone Star card or WIC. The farmers' market is the first in Texas to offer a double-dollar incentive. Learn more from KUT's coverage of the story.
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Help Improve Access to Medical Care for Children on Medicaid
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The Health and Human Services Commission's Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities and the Austin Disproportionality Committee are hosting a community conversation regarding how to improve access to medical care for African-American children on Medicaid. You are invited to share your concerns and experiences to improve services for all families on Thursday, March 22, 2012, 6 to 8 pm, at Kealing Middle School at 1607 Pennsylvania Avenue. For more information contact Damaris.Nicholson@hhsc.state.tx.us.
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| My Health, My Voice: Community Conversations About Health | |
 Key health partners in our community are holding a series of forums in each of the Travis County precincts to gather public input for the creation of a new Health Improvement Plan for Austin and Travis County. The second of these four monthly meetings will be held on Thursday, March 22nd from 6 - 8 p.m. at Del Valle ISD gym, 5301 Ross Road.
The forums will include free health screenings and refreshments, information about services currently available, and an opportunity to share what kinds of services community members want to see. Partners in the effort include the City of Austin, Travis County, the Austin Travis County Health and Human Services Department, Central Health, St. David's Foundation, the Seton Healthcare Family and UTHealth. Learn more.
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Rally at the State Capitol to Save Texas Schools
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Save Texas Schools, a grassroots nonpartisan coalition of parents, teachers, students and community members, is holding a march and rally at the State Capitol this Saturday, March 24th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Since last year, state funding for Texas schools has been cut by $5.4 billion, in spite of rising enrollments. Class sizes are bigger and programs like pre-k and dropout prevention have been cut. Another round of cuts is expected next year.
The Save Texas Schools March and Rally is meant to show public support for funding quality education for all children. Learn more and sign a petition at www.savetxschools.org.
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Groundbreaking - Asian American Resource Center
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 The public is invited to join a Groundbreaking Ceremony for a new Asian American Resource Center to be built at 8401 Cameron Road. The groundbreaking will take place on Thursday, March 29th at 10 a.m. The new facility will include a park, gardens, amphitheater, performance hall and meeting spaces. The Center will host Asian musical programs, art, educational initiatives, cultural festivals and other Asian-inspired activities. |
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Health Care Reform in Texas: What Does it Mean to You?
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You are invited to the 2012 Southwest Regional Patient Advocacy Leadership Summit, Health Care Reform in Texas: What Does is Mean for You?, to be held on March 29, 2012 from 8:30 am to 2:00 p.m. in downtown Austin. The summit is free and will provide you with:
- The basics of how health care is funded in Texas,
- Information about Medicaid and how it impacts your life,
- An understanding of the current opportunities and barriers facing health care in Texas,
- The role you can play in influencing the changing health care environment,
- Cutting-edge information and resources, and
- Networking opportunities and dialogue with your peers and thought leaders.
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Can Higher Ed Help us Solve our Problems?
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The Center for Ethics and Leadership and New College at St. Edward's University will co-host a community forum on Friday, March 30, 2012, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mabee Ballrooms, Ragsdale Center, St. Edward's University, 3001 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704 to explore the question "Can Higher Education Help Solve our Toughest Problems?" This free, public event will be testing a new issue guide being produced by the National Issues Forum (NIF) while bringing together students, individuals from the business sector, nonprofits, government, education and civic groups. They will explore the role higher education plays in helping respond to current economic struggles, growing gaps in society, loss of community and ability to work together. The forum will begin with a short panel presentation where local leaders will discuss the material highlighted in the NIF discussion guide. To register, click here.
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White House Young America Series
| | The Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Participation has been asked by the White House to help them host a White House Young America Series conference on the UT Austin campus, in conjunction with Millennium Momentum Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. The White House Young America Series are regional conferences held at 17 college campuses across the nation this spring. They are designed to connect White House Administration officials with young community, civic, non-profit and business leaders to discuss issues critical to young Americans and identify solutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Young adults (ages 16-30) from all over the State are invited to participate Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 4:00 - 8:00 pm. Visit the Annette Strauss Institute website to learn more and to register. |
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"Hollywood" Henderson Keynote for Reentry Roundtable Event
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The Austin/Travis County Reentry Roundtable will hold its annual "Let's Talk" forum on issues facing people who are returning to our community after incarceration. Former Dallas Cowboy Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson will kick off the discussion on Tuesday, April 10th at 6:00 pm at Goodwill Industries of Central Texas. A panel discussion with local elected officials Judge Sam Biscoe, Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole, Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt, Sheriff Greg Hamilton, and Council Member Bill Spelman will be followed with break out sessions. The audience will be very diverse and will include people with criminal histories, their families, law enforcement, service providers and others. Learn more and register.
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Join the Austin Recovery-Oriented System of Care Speaker's Bureau
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The Austin Recovery Oriented System of Care (ROSC) Initiative is a network that builds on the strengths and resilience of individuals, families and communities to achieve improved health, wellness, and quality of life for those with or at-risk of alcohol and drug problems through a long-term, community-based recovery approach.
If you are wanting to join the Speaker's Bureau, please contact Raul.Garcia@co.travis.tx.us or (512) 947-7854. The Speaker's Bureau will be on the forefront of educating the community about the ROSC initiative and focus on the need for a paradigm shift from an acute to chronic care approach to recovery. The training will include learning and practicing the presentation, some role play and feedback, engaging the staff and agency, and an opportunity for discussion.
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| 2-1-1 Training | |
 2-1-1 Texas offers free monthly trainings on 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 targeted audience for these trainings is social services professionals and volunteers. Registration for the training sessions, offered the last Friday of each month, is not required.
Training sessions are held on the last Friday of every month at 2 p.m. at United Way Capital Area, 2000 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and last about an hour and a half. For more information, call 2-1-1 and select option 1 or email Amy Price at amy.price@unitedwaycapitalarea.org.
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 Working to promote equity and opportunity. Community Action Network (CAN) is a partnership of agencies, organizations and individuals who work together to enhance the social, health, educational and economic well-being of Central Texas. CAN's role is to enhance awareness of community issues, strengthen partnerships, and support collaborative strategies to promote equity and opportunity.
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 Central Texas (iACT), One Voice Central Texas, Seton Healthcare Family, 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, Behavioral Health Planning Partnership, Central Texas Afterschool Network, Child & Youth Mental Health Planning Partnership, Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, HousingWorks, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Coalition, Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, Ready by 21, Reentry Roundtable, Regional Transit Coordination Committee and Success by Six. |
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