A new report finds that Texas and 34 other states are providing less funding per student to local school districts this school year than they did five years ago.  With the on-set of the Great Recession in 2007, many states cut funding to education and other programs. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a non-partisan policy research organization based in Washington D.C., found that education funding in Texas fell by $443 per student from Fiscal Year 2008 to 2013.    

The U.S. Census Bureau has released new data on poverty reporting that, despite a slight decline, 17.4 percent of Texans were living in poverty in 2011.  The Texas poverty rate is the 6th highest in the country and remains higher than the national poverty rate of 15%.  The U.S. Government defines poverty at different income levels for different family compositions.  In 2011, a family of four earning less than $22,350 a year was considered to be in poverty.    

The Center for Public Policy Priorities has created a new info graphic depicting some of the recently released U.S. Government data.  

The City of Austin currently elects six council members and one mayor at-large, but on November 6th, voters will have two options for changing this.  The UT Opportunity Forum will present a free lunchtime discussion on Austin's November ballot referendum calling for Single Member Districts.   

The ballot will include two single member district options for voters to consider. One calls for 10 district-elected council members and a mayor elected at-large.  The competing 8-2-1 option calls for 8 members elected from districts, 2 elected at large and one mayor elected at large. Proponents and opponents for each plan and for the status quo will engage in a lively discussion of which plan is best for Austin.

Seating is limited and RSVP is required
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4325930976.  

The AISD Department of Public Relations and Multicultural Outreach is starting to recruit for the AISD UpClose Program. The program has been enhanced to include a leadership development component and a group service project.   AISD UpClose graduates will be challenged to become leaders and advocates for the District, to volunteer for service on committees and task forces, and to encourage other parents and community members to get informed and involved.

The next AISD UpClose class for school year 2012-13 begins October 2012 and ends June 2013.  Applications are now being accepted and the deadline is Sept. 28, 2012. To apply or learn more, visit www.austinisd.org/upclose.  

This week's cooler temperatures remind us that flu season is just around the corner.  Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department is reminding people to protect themselves, their families and their communities by getting a flu vaccine.   The Health Department has scheduled walk-in and drive-thru vaccine clinics.  Free flu shots are available for uninsured and underinsured residents 6 months of age and older.  While some clinics accept walk-ins, others require appointments.  Call 972-5520 or visit www.austintexas.gov/health to learn more. 

There are many options and choices for health insurance for seniors.  Also, ongoing changes to the laws governing health insurance have made this complex subject even more confusing.   AGE of Central Texas is hosting an informational event with Norma Almanza, HICAP Coordinator for the Texas Department of Insurance, who will explain and clarify the health insurance maze.  Norma will discuss changes in federal health insurance laws, choices available in Medicare, prescription drug options, Medicaid, and Medigap insurance plans.  

AGE of Central Texas invites you to a FREE educational seminar on Saturday, October 6, from 10am until noon in the AGE building Dining Room at 3710 Cedar Street, Austin, 78705.  Seating space is limited. RSVP to Bruce Kravitz at  bkravitz@ageofcentraltx.org  or (512) 451-4611, ext 236.
 
During the seminar, AGE will also provide free respite care in a separate room in the AGE building.  If you are interested in requesting respite care, you must call Carla at (512) 255-4865 no later than October 3 to make a reservation.    

Bi-national Health Week is an international event spearheaded by the Mexican Government's Institute for Mexicans Abroad and is organized in Austin by the Ventanilla de Salud at the Mexican Consulate. From October 1-16th there will be over 20 events and free health events.

This year will feature the Wellness Stand, a pilot program with the Sustainable Food Center that will bring a mini health fair with wellness checks and prevention to the Sustainable Food Center's Double Dollar farmers market at the East YMCA on October 9th. to learn more, visit Ventanilla de Salud on Facebook facebook.com/ventanilla.de.salud.atx.  

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 for Greater Austin, 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.