A national survey by the Pew Research Center  notes that Asians are now the largest immigrant group in the United States. The report notes, "Asian Americans are the best-educated and fastest-growing racial group in the United States. They are more satisfied than the general public with their lives, finances and the direction of the country, and they place more value than other Americans do on marriage, parenthood, hard work and career success."  

After two and a half years of work and the input of thousands of Austin residents, the Austin City Council has unanimously adopted a new Comprehensive Plan. Imagine Austin will guide the City of Austin's growth, policies, infrastructure and service investments through 2039.

The Imagine Austin Plan identifies community priorities for sustainability, livability, mobility, equity and prosperity. The plan envisions a city of "complete communities" where residents can easily meet everyday needs close to their homes, jobs, schools and more. Imagine Austin calls for household affordability and healthy foods across Austin; good roads and ways to get around with or without a car; excellent schools and paths to prosperity for all; more connected activity centers; and a creative and diverse community that values and respects each other.

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United Way for Greater Austin has released a new Financial Toolkit that provides simple, useful information to help individuals understand the financial resources, products, and services in the community. The Financial Toolkit will be distributed to local employers and non-profits throughout the Greater Austin area with the goal of providing employees and clients assistance with their financial situations.

The Toolkit is a factual, convenient and easy-to-follow resource that addresses common financial issues, such as tax preparation, pay day lending, sub-prime credit cards, credit counseling, credit repair, debt management and consolidation, check cashing, identification needed to open a bank account, and much more.

The Financial Toolkit was made possible by a grant from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.  It can be downloaded at www.unitedwaycapitalarea.org/financialtoolkit.  There are also a limited number of 4 tier display racks, brochures and posters that can be displayed in businesses' break rooms or lobby. For more information, please contact Faith Ryan at faith.ryan@unitedwaycapitalarea.org.

The Hogg Foundation and the federal Office of Minority Health have released a consensus report that provides a framework for eliminating health disparities by integrating behavioral health and primary care services.   "Eliminating Health Disparities through a Culturally & Linguistically Centered Integrated Health Care Approach" identifies strategies that are successfully being employed by integrated health and behavioral health care practices.

The consensus statements and recommendations are designed to inform a broad audience of health and behavioral health care providers, educators, advocates, consumers, youth and families, researchers, policy makers and other stakeholders on health equity for all through integrated health care.

Six of the ten most congested roads in Texas are located in the Central Texas North Corridor which includes Georgetown, Round  Rock, Pflugerville and Central Austin.  Project Connect, a collaborative effort of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the City of Austin, Capital Metro, and the Lone Star Rail District, is beginning a new effort to identify public transportation projects and services to improve mobility and access in the North Corridor.

An Open House with maps and staff to answer questions will be held Thursday, June 21st, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Austin Energy Assembly Room, 721 Barton Springs Road. Free parking is available at Palmer Auditorium.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 20% of all people infected with HIV are not aware that they have the disease.  Early detection is important to improve quality of life and to protect partners and family members. 

The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department is offering free and confidential HIV testing. People can receive free HIV testing on National HIV Testing Day, Wednesday, June 27th. Testing is available without appointment and on a walk-in basis from 1 - 7 p.m. at the Rosewood-Zaragosa Gym, 2800 Webberville Road.

Try this HIV Testing locator site https://locator.aids.gov to find other HIV testing locations.

The Capital Metro Board of Trustees has allocated $250,000 to a Basic Needs Transportation Fund, administered through the Austin Community Foundation, to provide transit assistance to low-income, transit-dependent people. A Basic Needs Transportation Fund Board is now accepting applications for proposals in two areas:

1. Bus passes for homeless, refugee and/or the working poor, and
2. Twelve-month demonstration projects to provide services in areas that are under-served by transit, but located within the Capital Metro service area.

Proposals will be considered by the Basic Needs Transportation Fund Board, which includes representatives of non-profit organizations, Capital Metro, and transit users. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 29th by 5 p.m.  For more information, visit the One Voice Central Texas website.