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CAN Board to focus on place-based planning and the new "opportunity maps"
The CAN Board of Directors will receive a report from the CAN Community Council on place-based planning and will also hear from Garner Stoll, with the City of Austin Neighborhood Planning and Zoning Department. Frank Fernandez will share new Opportunity Maps, created by the Kirwan Institute, that offer a spatial representation of high and low opportunity in the five-county Austin area.
The meeting will be held on Friday, May 17th and will be televised on Austin Cable 6.
To access past agendas, minutes, and presentations, click here. |
CAN Community Council to focus on the behavioral health continuum
The CAN Community Council meeting on Monday, May 20th will feature a discussion about the continuum of services and care required to have a mentally healthy community. Emergency psychiatric services, substance abuse treatment, peer counseling and mental health care are all integral pieces of a full continuum of services that are needed. Experts from the field will share their insights about existing efforts, where the biggest gaps exist along the continuum and how our community can respond.
The meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Boards and Commissions Room of Austin City Hall and will be broadcast on Austin Cable 6.
To learn more about the CAN Community Council and to access past agendas, minutes, and presentations, click here. |
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CAN to release 2013 Community Dashboard report at May 9th press conference
CAN leaders will unveil the 2013 CAN Community Dashboard report at a press conference at Austin City Hall on Thursday, May 9th at 9:30 a.m.
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Apply to be a member of the CAN Community Council
The CAN Community Council is a self-appointed board of community members who reflect the diversity of interests, concerns, issues and populations of the Central Texas community. Each year, the Community Council accepts applications from people who may want to serve a three-year term on this board. The Community Council meets most months for televised, evening meetings that feature presentations and discussions about important community issues. The role of the Community Council is to provide a link between the community at large and the policy makers and elected officials who serve on the CAN Board of Directors.
On-line applications are accepted year-round. Applications received by September 15th will be considered for election to the Community Council for a term beginning in January 2014. |
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2-1-1 Connects People to Services
The United Way Navigation Center offers free training on how to utilize the 2-1-1 system to link people in need with available community resources.
Training sessions last about an hour and a half and will be held on the following Fridays at 2 p.m. United Way for Greater Austin, 2000 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Reservations are not required.
May 24
July 26
September 27
United Way 2-1-1 will also provide special training sessions for social service agencies and community groups at their locations. For more information, call 2-1-1 and select option 1 or email Amy Price at
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Follow us!
 Get updates on news, meetings, research and more at CAN_Austin.
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CAN Partners
Austin Chamber of Commerce
Austin Community College
Austin ISD
Austin Travis County Integral Care
Capital Metro
Central Health
Capital City African American
Chamber of Commerce
City of Austin
City of Pflugerville
Community Justice Council
Del Valle ISD
Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce
Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Huston-Tillotson University
interfaith Action Central Texas
Manor ISD
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
Workforce Solutions - Capital Area |
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Austin ISD Bond Election
Early voting now open for $892 million in bond improvements
Voters in the Austin Independent School District are being asked to consider approving more than $892 million in new bonds that the district estimates would require a tax increase of about $70 a year for a home valued at $200,000. Early voting continues through May 7th and the election will be held on May 11th. Go to the Travis County Clerk's website for voting locations.
There are Four Propositions on the ballot:
- $140 million for Health, Equipment and Technology
- $234 million for Safety and Security and Relief from Overcrowding
- $349 million for Academic and Building Infrastructure Renovations and Repairs
- $169 million for Academic Initiatives, Fine Arts and Athletics
Go to www.austinisd.org/bond for more information about the bonds and for a school-by-school breakdown of how the bonds would be spent. |
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Today is National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Take the Quiz
May 1, 2013 is the twelfth annual National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. The purpose of the National Day is to focus the attention of teens on the importance of avoiding too-early pregnancy and parenthood. Teens are encouraged to take the interactive online National Day Quiz. The message of the National Day Quiz is straightforward: Sex has consequences.
Throughout May, teens nationwide can visit StayTeen.org to participate in the online quiz, which challenges them to think carefully about what they might do "in the moment" through a series of interactive scenarios. This year, for the first time, teens will be able to insert themselves and their friends directly into the quiz by creating personalized avatars (a graphical representation of the user). |
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How should Austin spend its money?
Budget in a Box lets citizens share how they would prioritize City funds
The City of Austin is seeking help from its residents over the next several months in deciding what services should be funded in next year's City budget. Austin City Council will adopt the final budget for Fiscal Year 2014 in September. Between now and then, the City is reaching out to residents for their input in the ongoing budget development process.
 | | Budget Basics |
The City has produced an informational video that gives insight into how tax and utility revenues are used to provide services. The centerpiece to the City's budget engagement efforts is an interactive tool known as Budget in a Box.
Designed for groups of 5-10 people, the Budget in a Box uses group discussion to decide how the City should fund certain services from parks and libraries to public safety. The Box contains materials to help guide participants through the exercise. Accumulated feedback from Budget in a Box meetings will be taken into consideration by the City as it continues developing its proposed Fiscal Year 2014 Budget this summer. |
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West Nile Virus
Learn how to protect yourself and your family
 Last summer, six people in Travis County died from the West Nile Virus and 153 people were diagnosed with the disease. Mosquitoes throughout the area have tested positive for carrying the West Nile Virus. The Austin Travis County Health and Human Services Department has created a website http://www.austintexas.gov/westnile with information about the disease and how to protect your family. Most people infected with West Nile Virus have no symptoms or are sick for only a few days, but severe illness and death can occur. Advanced age is the most significant risk factor for developing severe disease after infection. |
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May is Mental Health Month
Raising awareness of connection between mental health & overall health
"Pathways to Wellness" is the theme for this year's national Mental Health Month, giving attention to things all people can do to achieve wellness and good mental and overall health. Mental Health America has created an online calendar of daily tips and suggestions that people can use to improve their overall health.
Below are some local events to observe Mental Health Month with links to more information:
- Austin Travis County Integral Care will have month long twitter feeds#mhm2013
- Travis County Commissioners' Court Children's Mental Health Day Proclamation on May 7th at 9 a.m. in Commissioners' Court
- Austin City Council Children's Mental Health Day Proclamation on May 9th at 5 p.m. at City Hall
- Faith Partners Leadership Training, Saturday, May 4, 9:00-4:00 p.m. at Westlake United Methodist Church, contact drewbrooks@faith-partners.org
- Breaking the Silence: Understanding Asian American Mental Health, Friday, May 10th www.ywcaaustin.org
- CAN Community Council panel discussion on behavioral health continuum, Monday, May 20th, 5:30 p.m., Austin City Hall Board and Commissions Room
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Hispanic Health
Mexican Consulate releases report
The Austin area Latino community is not receiving access to basic prevention services, although they report good health. These are the findings from a report conducted by the Ventanilla de Salud and Dr. Maria Czyzewska of Texas State University. The study, administered and completed in 2012, surveyed almost 400 people while they accessed services at the Mexican Consulate in Austin.
Among the findings for survey participants...
- 57% had never been tested for HIV
- 37% had never been tested for diabetes
- 57% eat less than one portion of vegetables per day
- 53% have access to a regular doctor
On average, participants were in their mid-30's, had lived in the area about 10 years, and reported fair health. Find the report at http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/austin/index.php/ventanilla-de-salud. |
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CAMPO expands to Burnet Co.
Metropolitan Planning Organization now encompasses 6 counties
The Texas Transportation Commission has approved an expansion of the boundaries of the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, or CAMPO, to include Burnet County.
The purpose of CAMPO is to coordinate regional transportation planning with counties, cities, Capital Metro, TxDOT and other transportation providers in the region and to approve the use of federal transportation funds within the region. Planning organizations such as CAMPO are required by federal law for all urbanized areas having a population larger than 50,000.
The two main products of CAMPO are the Long Range Transportation Plan, and the short range Transportation Improvement Program.
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Work with banks to leverage community development
Training for community organizations
The Community Reinvestment Act requires banks to help meet the needs of borrowers in all segments of their communities, including low-income neighborhoods. T he Alliance for Economic Inclusion, United Way for Greater Austin, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency are hosting a free workshop to help community organizations collaborate more effectively with banks.
The training is for non-bank community service and community development practitioners that provide social services, housing, education, business development, or advocacy for low- and moderate-income communities and under-served consumers. Topics include an overview of the Community Reinvestment Act, understanding the impact of bank performance context, the types of activities that qualify for CRA consideration and strategies to develop successful partnerships with banks. The training will take place Wednesday, May 22nd from 1 - 4 p.m. at the United Way for Greater Austin. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required by Thursday, May 16th. If interested in learning more, email your name, title, organization and email address to Gvincent@fdic.gov. |
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Junior Entrepreneurship Track
Program prepares students for life
 People Fund is recruiting students for a year-long educational program designed to prepare students for life after high school graduation. The program includes a 5-week summer curriculum for students entering 9th through 12th grades. Each week during the summer program, from June 17th through July 26th, students will focus on a new content area with guest lecturers, subject matter experts, and community leaders in the areas of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, lifeskills, diversity and workforce development. Students are paired with a mentor throughout the following academic year.
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Home Away From Home
Event to help immigrants adapt
Moving to Austin from another country can be overwhelming. The Austin Police Department will host its first annual "Home Away from Home" event for new immigrants which is designed to introduce immigrants to the Austin Police Department and community services. Immigrants will learn about 9-1-1, personal safety, victim services, traffic stop procedures, and other issues.
Thursday, May 9th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Austin YMCA. For more information, contact APD Community Liaison, Binh Nguyen at 512-974-4737. |
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CAN is a partnership of governmental, non-profit, private and faith-based organizations which leverage mutual resources to collectively improve social, health, educational and economic opportunities in our community.
caction.org |
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