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 December 12, 2012 

Butler Awards Recognize Plans with Promise

Each year, Community Action Network recognizes individuals, collaborations, or organizations that exemplify the CAN goal of leveraging mutual resources to collectively improve the social, health, educational and economic opportunities in our community. This year, the CAN leadership will acknowledge the following community planning efforts:

  • Justice and Mental Health Collaborative Program Planning
  • Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan
  • Community Health Assessment/Community Health Improvement Plan
  • The School Readiness Action Plan for Austin/Travis County
  • Join us in congratulating these efforts at the CAN Board of Directors meeting this Friday, December 14th at 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be followed by a CAN End of Year Celebration in the Atrium at Austin City Hall.

     

    The Butler Awards are named for CAN's first Executive Director, Fred Butler, in recognition of his many years of service to the community.

    Chambers Newest Economic Development Plan Seeks to Expand Prosperity

    Austin on a mapThe Austin Chamber unveiled Opportunity Austin 3.0 today. This newest economic development initiative strives to increase efforts to expand economic opportunity to more segments of the Austin population with an improved education to workforce pipeline and expanded transportation options.

     

    Like the previous two Opportunity Austin Plans, this 2014 - 2019 plan expands efforts to recruit high-tech jobs to the Austin area.  But the Chamber will also be tracking local poverty and wage rate indicators to determine whether economic growth is expanding opportunity for people at the lower end of the economic spectrum. 

    TEA Considering New College Ready Standard 

    The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is considering lowering the  standard that high school graduates must meet to be considered "college ready."  The Austin American Statesman reports that the agency's director of student assessment made the surprise announcement during testimony at the ongoing school finance trial. 

     

    The percent of high school graduates who meet the state's college ready standard is an indicator on the CAN Community Dashboard. Students who do not meet the "college ready" standard are required to pass non-credit remedial courses in college before taking regular college coursework.

    Transforming Health Care in Central Texas

    Central Health is the lead agency for the Region 7 Medicaid Transformation Waiver.  A proposed plan for transforming the way health care is delivered in  Bastrop, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee and Travis counties is available for review at www.texasregion7rhp.net.

     

    Central Health will host a public hearing on the plan next Tuesday, December 18th at 6 p.m. at 1111 E. Cesar Chavez Street.

    Popular Neighborhoods for People Moving to Austin

    Steiner Ranch near Lake Travis in northwest Austin, was the most popular destination for people moving to Austin from another state from 2007 - 2011, according to Brian Kelsey's Civic Analytics blog. Kelsey's analysis is based on the American Community Survey over the past five years.  Check out Kelsey's blog to see other areas where you are more likely to run into new neighbors from out-of-state.

    In This Issue
    New Chamber Economic Opportunity Plan Seeks to Expand Prosperity
    TEA Considering Lowering College Readiness Standard
    Transforming Health Care in Central Texas
    Popular Neighborhoods for New Austinites
    Restore Rundberg
    Children's Policy Conference
    2-1-1 Training

    CAN End of Year Celebration Dec 14

    CAN Senior Research Analyst Receives National Award

    CAN Community Dashboard

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    Austin Police Work to "Restore Rundberg"

    Austin Police are beginning an effort to work with people in the Rundberg community to fight crime and encourage revitalization of their North Austin neighborhood.  Rundberg comprises about 5% of the city's population, but 11% of its violent crime.  The City of Austin has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to improve public safety, address social impacts, and to ensure long-term planning and implementation of revitalization strategies within the Rundberg neighborhood.

     

    The first official meeting of the "Restore Rundberg" program will be held next Tuesday, December 18th at the Lanier High School cafeteria from 6:30 - 8 p.m.  Child care for children ages 5 - 12 will be available. Direct questions or comments to restorerundberg@austintexas.gov.  

    Building a Strong Texas Future:  Children's Policy Conference

    Texans Care for ChildreTexas experts, community and business leaders and advocates from across the state will come together for a Children's Policy Conference in Austin on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 
     
    The conference will share leading ideas for building success for all Texas children and political strategists Harold Cook and Ted Delisi will offer an inside look at Texas politics.  Expert-led workshops will be offered on a host of childhood issues.  
     
    Early Bird Registration ends December 1st. Visit www.txchildren.org  for more information. 
    2-1-1 Training

    Help2-1-1 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. 

     
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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,
    • connects efforts and strengthens partnerships across issue areas, and
    • provides a collaborative forum for developing strategies that promote equity and opportunity for all.

    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, City of Pflugerville, Community Justice Council, Del Valle Independent School District, Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Huston-Tillotson University, interfaith Action Central Texas (iACT), Manor Independent School District, One Voice Central Texas, Seton Healthcare Family, St. David's Foundation, St. Edward's University, Travis County, United Way for Greater Austin, University of Texas at Austin, and Workforce Solutions - Capital Area.

     

    www.caction.org