Austin's African American population declined from 2000 to 2010, according to U.S. Census data.  Austin is the only major city in the nation to experience a net loss in its African American population while experiencing double-digit population growth overall.  A recent study by UT Assistant Professor Eric Tang examines why this may be so.  In his issue brief, "Outlier: The Case of Austin's Declining African American Population." Tang cites the following that may have contributed to this decline:

• Segregation Followed by Gentrification:  In 1928, the City of Austin Master Plan designated specific areas in East Austin to become the "negro district." This same area was one of the first areas to experience gentrification in the 1990's and earl 2000's. 

• Policing: The exodus of African Americans from Austin coincides with a civil rights complaint against the Austin Police Department (APD) for excessive force and a Department of Justice investigation.  While African Americans made up 8% of the Austin population in 2009, they accounted for 30% of formal complaints against APD.  Between 2002 and 2012, 10 unarmed civilians died during encounters with Austin police; 7 of them were African American.  

• Disparities in Public Education: The low performance of schools in East Austin raises Tang to question whether African American families have been lured away by the prospect of a better education in school districts outside of Austin.

• Employment Opportunities:  Finally, Tang proposes that Austin's technology and construction focused economy is not a good fit for many African Americans. 

CAN's Vanessa Sarria participates in panel discussion of poll results.

67% of Millenials (people between 18 and 34) say Austin is headed in the right direction, compared with 46% of older residents.  A new poll by Austinite Peter Zandan surveyed adults in the five-county Austin metro area to find out what they think about the direction our community is headed in and the issues that top their list of concerns.  The poll results were revealed and discussed at an event at KLRU studios earlier this month.  

Traffic topped the list of concerns with 80% of respondents listing it as the most important problem.  Other top concerns were population growth, housing affordability and water/drought. The results of the poll can be found at www.zandanpoll.com. 

May is Mental Health Month, a national effort to raise awareness of mental health issues.  It also marks an expansion of collaborative efforts between Austin Travis County Integral Care and the Austin Police Department (APD) to divert people experiencing a psychiatric emergency away from jails and towards appropriate help. Since December of 2013, the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) has received more than 800 referrals from APD officers seeking assistance for someone with mental health needs. 

A similar MCOT partnership exists with Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services.  Since the partnership was launched last July, there has been an 85% emergency room diversion rate.  The MCOT program is just one of many programs funded by the federal 1115 Medicaid Transformation Waiver.

Click on the picture for a full map.

Project Connect's Central Corridor Study Team will share its plan for a 9.5 mile route for urban rail with the Austin City Council this Thursday. The proposed route would begin near ACC Highland and end at the ACC Riverside campus. Stops along the way would include UT Austin, the new Medical School, the Capitol, the Convention Center and neighborhoods along Riverside Drive. 

The proposed line would cost an estimated $1.4 billion in 2020, the year it is anticipated to be built.  The federal government is expected to pay half the cost of building the line, matching local funding. The Austin City Council is expected to consider later this summer whether to place urban rail on the November ballot.

Austin will host one of three national events for the release of "School Discipline Consensus Report: Strategies from the Field to Keep Students Engaged in School and Out of the Juvenile Justice System," a report by the Council of State Governments Justice Center.  The event on Wednesday, June 4th at the Supreme Court of Texas will include remarks by Chief Justice Nathan Hecht, Senator John Whitmire, TEA Commissioner Michael Williams and Interim AISD Superintendent Paul Cruz.  

Over the past few years, stakeholder advisory groups have worked with project staff to identify ways to reduce the number of youth removed from the classroom for disciplinary reasons, improve conditions for learning, and prevent children from engaging with the juvenile justice system. The report will include recommendations for local and state officials, educators and community leaders.  

Click here for registration information.

Austin Travis County Health & Human Services Department is holding a Job and Career Fair on May 21, 2014 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Dailey Middle School 14000 Westall St., Austin, 78725.  The fair will provide opportunities to learn about employment, training and other community resources.  Free health screenings will also be available.  Attendees are being asked to dress professionally and bring copies of their resumes.

Spanish: Feria de Empleo y Carreras - empleo - entrenamiento - recursos de la comunidad - esamenes de salud. Se recomienda vestimenta profesional con copias de su curriculum para dar a los empleadores!

The Health & Human Services Commission's Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities is hosting their 1st Annual Cross Systems Summit on August 21-22.  The theme of the summit is "Achieving Equality Across Systems and Communities for a Healthier Texas".  Registration will open June 2, 2014.  The call for presentations deadline is May 23, 2014.  For more information click here.. 

Please contact Melonee.carter@hhsc.state.tx.us if you have questions.

The YWCA is convening a free open discussion for community members on Friday, May 30th from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at YWCA Greater Austin at 2015 S IH-35, Suite 110.  May's topic will be "Exploring the web of oppression". The dialogue will explore the following questions:

- Is there a web of oppression?

- Who created it?

- Who acknowledges it?

- Why does it continue?

- Can it be undone or changed?

Please RSVP to laura@ywcaaustin.org.

The Regional Transit Coordination Committee will share progress made in its regional plan for coordinating public transit and health and human services transportation.  The workshop will be held on July 17th in Round Rock. The workshop will bring together elected officials, health and human service agencies, and transportation professionals to discuss opportunities for regional transit coordination in the Capital Area. Click here to register.