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Community Dashboard Presentation to Share
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CAN has posted a presentation highlighting the findings of the 2012 Community Dashboard report on the Community Dashboard website.
Under the tab "Community Dashboard report" you will find the presentation as well as a copy of the full report. You are encouraged to download the presentation and report and share them with others.
The website www,CANcommunitydashboard.org also features a detailed analysis of each of the dashboard indicators as well as information about how the Community Dashboard was created.
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Former Mayors Urge Citizens to VOTE
|  On May 12 voters in Austin and many surrounding cities will elect local government leaders. Former Austin Mayors Carole Strayhorn, Ron Mullen, Frank Cooksey, Lee Cooke, Bruce Todd and Gus Garcia held a press conference with the League of Women Voters on Monday to encourage voters to exercise their civic right and responsibility to vote. According to information shared at the press conference, participation in Austin municipal elections is lower than many of Austin's peer cities and has fallen from 57% voter turnout in 1971 to only 7% voter turnout in 2011.
Early voting will be open through Tuesday, May 8th. The League of Women Voters has published a Voter's Guide with candidate's answers to specific questions. The City of Austin has posted five minute video clips of each of the candidates for Austin Mayor and for Council Members for places 2, 5 and 6. |
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City Offers Matched Savings Program
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The City of Austin has received a $250,000 grant for a new matched savings program to help low-income residents build capital and achieve financial stability. The Assets for Independence Program will offer financial education and Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) to low-income individuals and families.
Residents with income levels at or below 60% of the median family income are eligible. Savings that are matched through the program may be used for investments in personal financial stability, such as higher education, purchasing a home or supporting a small-business endeavor.
This month and into the summer, the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development office will offer financial fitness seminars that will cover credit, everyday budgeting, and how to get money when you need it. Call (512)974-3100 for more information or visit the Neighborhood Housing and Community Development website.
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Straight Talk on Personal Finance
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 The United Way Capital Area has released a Financial Toolkit that will be distributed to employers and non-profits throughout the Greater Austin area.
The Financial Toolkit is a factual, convenient and easy-to-follow resource that addresses common financial issues, such as how to open a bank account, preparing your taxes and where to find financial education resources. Materials include information on tax prep, pay day lending, subprime credit cards, credit counseling, credit repair, debt management and consolidation, check cashing, identification needed to open a bank account, reliable financial providers, public resources and much more.
You will find the Financial Toolkit and more information at www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org.
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CAN Survey: We Appreciate Your Feedback
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CANews goes out to about 4,000 community members twice each month. Click here to take a brief, anonymous survey to let us know how the information and services CAN provides are useful to you.
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Mappers & Planners
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The CAN Mappers and Planners Group will meet on Wednesday, May 9th from 2 - 4 p.m. at Austin Travis County Integral Care's Large Training Room, 1700 S. Lamar. Discussion topics include... - Kirwin Institute Central Texas Opportunity Mapping Project,
- Regional Transit Coordinating Committee's Health and Human Services Transportation Plan,
- and the Austin GO Project. |
| CAN Board Reviews Health Initiatives | |
The May 11th meeting of the CAN Board will focus on health and behavioral health. Senator Kirk Watson will share his "10 in 10 Plan," Austin/Travis County HHS will discuss its Community Health Improvement Plan and Central Health and Austin Travis County Integral Care will discuss behavioral health planning efforts.
The meeting begins at 1 p.m. in the Boards and Commissions Room of Austin City Hall and will be broadcast live and on-demand on Cable Channel 6.
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| CAN Community Council Takes a Look at Disparities in School Discipline | |
The May 21st meeting of the CAN Community Council will take a look at "Breaking School Rules" a state-wide analysis of disparities in school discipline. They will also hear from a local group working to address these issues.
The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Boards and Commissions Room of Austin City Hall and will be broadcast live and on-demand 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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Critical Health Indicators for Austin and Travis County
|  The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department has released a Critical Health Indicators 2012 report which provides an overview of the well-being of Austin and Travis County's one million-plus residents. The report represents the department's inaugural effort to gather, analyze and present information on selected diseases, conditions, and risk factors. The report also examines health disparities that are related to race/ethnicity, access to care, income, education and other risk factors.
A few highlights of the report are:
- Cancer and heart disease were the two leading causes of death for Travis County residents in 2008.
- Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death, claiming the lives of almost 600 Travis County residents in 2008.
- One-fourth of all adults in Travis County are obese.
- Differences in disease burden by race and ethnicity were seen in the risk of death from diabetes and cardiovascular disease, being overweight or obese, premature births, and higher rates of HIV, AIDS and STDs.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month
| More people die from suicide in the United States than from traffic accidents or homicides, and 25 soldiers die from suicide for every soldier lost in combat. Fewer than one-third of adults and one-half of children with a diagnosable mental disorder receive mental health services in a given year. Mental health issues are treatable and, without treatment, the consequences can create life-threatening challenges. National Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to voice compassion for those who struggle with mental health issues and to promote treatment that can change lives.
Austin events commemorating Mental Health Awareness Month include...
- May 4th - Asian Behavioral Health Network workshop
- May 9th - Child and Youth Mental Health Planning Partnership workshop
- May 15th - Austin Travis County Integral Care will host an interactive webinar
- May 30th - Austin Travis County Integral Care will host the 27th Texas Council of Community Centers conference at the Renaissance Arboretum
- May 31st - The Voices of Recovery event focused on recovery and peer support programs www.beyondtoday.us
Click here for more information on Austin Mental Health Awareness activities.
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May is Older Americans Month "Never Too Old to Play"
|  "Never Too Old to Play" is the theme of this year's Older Americans Month, encouraging aging adults to stay active and engaged in their own lives and in their communities.
Physical activity and proper nutrition improves health at any age. Even people with a chronic disease report that regular physical activity reduces fatigue and pain, and helps manage daily symptoms. Activity can improve balance and strength, and slow the decline of bone mineral density that leads to osteoporosis. As a result, physically active people require fewer hospital stays and physician visits, and use less medication than people who are inactive.
TEXERCISE is an initiative of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services that promotes healthy lifestyle practices for seniors. Resources and information are available at www.texercise.com. The Aging Services Council of Central Texas is a local network of individuals and organizations who work together to ensure that older adults and their caregivers have the information and services they need to live healthy, safe, and meaningful lives in our communities. |
Town Hall Meeting on Eliminating Crime and Violence
| The Travis County Sheriff's Office Building Bridges Brick by Brick Initiative will host a Town Hall Meeting on what our community can do to eliminate crime and violence. The discussion will be moderated by Mike Manor, Chairperson of the Building Bridges Initiative and Margo Frasier, Police Monitor for the City of Austin. This important discussion will occur on Saturday, May 5th from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Simpson United Methodist Church, 1709 East 12th Street.
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A Taste of Health - Austin Chef Showdown
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The Mayor's Fitness Council is hosting the Austin Chef Showdown, where local chefs will prove that healthy food is good food. Sample some of the best tastes from 15 Austin food businesses.
This FREE event will feature...
- Free food samples
- Live music by Best Best Best Friends
- A sneak preview of the HBO documentary, "Weight of the Nation"
- Cooking demonstrations
- Kids activities
A Taste of Health - Austin Chef Showdown 2012 will take place Saturday, May 12th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street.
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Asian Dental Health Fair | |
In celebration of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, there will be an Asian Dental Fair on Saturday, May 12th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lanier High School cafeteria. Attendees will receive a free dental screening and will be referred to a dentist or specialist that can take care of their dental needs. Insure-A-Kid will also be on hand to help families register children for the Children's Health Insurance Program, which includes dental care for children. The fair will be family focused with activities for children that teach them about oral hygiene in a fun and engaging way. The Fair will also include entertainment, healthy snacks and drawings.
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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 government, non-profit, private and faith-based organizations who work together to enhance the social, health, educational and economic well-being of Austin/Travis County. As a convener, connector and informer, CAN enhances awareness of community issues, strengthens partnerships, and supports collaborative strategies that promote equity and opportunities for all people to reach their full potential.
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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