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Recent Report Finds that Schools Must Do More to Combat Obesity Among Hispanic Kids
A study conducted by the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio found that schools must do more to combat obesity among Hispanic Kids. Key findings from the study include:
- Schools with a majority of Hispanic students tend to offer fewer physical activity programs or facilities than schools where white students are in the majority.
- Hispanic children are less likely than other kids to take part in organized sports or after-school programs, and are more likely to be inactive.
- Hispanic-majority schools tend to have weaker rules on school snacks and drinks, are less likely to implement nutritional guidelines, and are more likely to be surrounded by fast-food restaurants and stores that sell snacks
Researchers from the study call for school policies to improve nutrition and increase physical activity among Hispanic students, including reducing access to unhealthy snacks and drinks, stricter nutrition standards, and offering structured physical activity programs during and after school.
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City to Commence Historic Survey of East Austin
The City's Historic Preservation Office has contracted with the consultant team to conduct a historic survey of the East Austin area. The survey will involve researching, photographing and documenting residential and commercial structures and other historic resources in the area to determine the potential for historic landmarks as well as potential boundaries for historic districts.
Throughout the year-long process, city staff will hold public meetings to solicit feedback and gather information from residents and property owners within the survey area. Residents are encouraged to share their stories or interesting facts about a home or structure with the photographers or at a public meeting.
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Austin Ranks 5th as America's Most "Future-Ready" City
Dell's Future Ready Economies Model ranked Austin 5th in the Nation as one of America's most future-ready cities. Rankings are based on insights and criteria developed at an Innovation Summit hosted by Harvard University in 2015. Austin surpassed most cities in the nation for its ability to attract people who are engaged in and open to lifelong learning that drives innovation; the presence of businesses that thrive in collaborative environments; and the existence of infrastructure that provides platforms for people to engage, collaborate, learn and innovate.
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City of Austin Requests Public Feedback for 3-1-1 App
Austin 3-1-1 is requesting public feedback on its mobile app and online Service Request Portal. The mission of Austin 3-1-1 is to provide uncomplicated access to City services and information. T he program receives over one million calls per year producing over 240,000 service requests for City of Austin departments.
Since being launched in July of 2014, the mobile app has been downloaded over 13,000 times.
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National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Event
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is an event focused on the education and promotion of HIV testing and treatment. To mark the occasion, the Austin/Travis County Health & Human Services Department invites the public to attend a free HIV testing event. The event will take place Friday, February 5th, from 6:00pm - 11:00pm at Midtown Live. This year's event themes: Get Educated, Get Tested, Get Involved, and Get Treated.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates one million persons, aged 13 years and older, are living with HIV infection. At the end of 2012, a total of 79,932 persons living with HIV resided in Texas. About 32% of Texas men living with HIV are African American, and 57.7% of Texas women living with HIV are African American.
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Race, Democracy and Public Policy in America
Nationally recognized scholars, activists and students will come together February 8th and 9th to analyze race, democracy and public policy from "LBJ's Great Society to the Age of Barack Obama and Black Lives Matter." This is an inaugural event for the new Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
The conference will feature keynote addresses by Charlayne Hunter-Gault, award-winning journalist and civil rights activist, and Yohuru Williams, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University and author of Black Politics/White Power: Civil Rights Black Power and Black Panthers in New Haven. Scholars from across the country, including a number of UT Austin faculty members, will participate in the two-day conference.
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Faith and Religion in Community Conversations
Join Leadership Austin and Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) in exploring how we might share and respect each other's faith based values when we have important community conversations. Conversation will take place on Wednesday, February 10th, at Leadership Austin's monthly Engage Breakfast.
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Promoting Love for the Over 70 Set
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| | The Age of Love - Official Trailer |
The Aging Service Council of Central Texas is co-sponsoring a screening of "The Age of Love," a groundbreaking new documentary that follows the comic and poignant adventures of thirty seniors who sign up for a first-of its-kind speed dating event for 70- to 90-year-olds. The screening will take place at Alamo Drafthouse Village on the evening of Tuesday, February 16th.
Following the screening will be a short facilitated discussion. Social workers will be eligible for 2.0 CEUs for attending the movie and discussion. As a follow-up to the film, Atria at the Arboretum will hold a speed dating event on Tuesday, March 15th. More information will be available at the screening.
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Request for Research Projects and Programs on Mental Health and Wellness
The Central Texas African American Family Support Conference has put out a request for research projects and programs focused on mental health and wellness. Students, professionals and consumers are invited to submit a poster presentation for the 2016 conference, taking place February 25th and 26th at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.
The 2016 Conference will feature outstanding speakers, thought-provoking sessions, and inclusive opportunities to share, network, and collaborate with other attendees.
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Join Interfaith Action's February Red Bench Conversation on Religious Intolerance
The Red Bench is an ongoing dialogue program designed to improve interfaith understanding and civil disclosure in society. Each conversation is centered on moderated small group discussions that are respectful and safe. This month's discussion on religious intolerance will take place Tuesday, February 23rd, at First United Methodist Church. Interfaith is also hosting table host training on Tuesday, February 16th, for those interested in helping to lead the conversations.
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Seeking Applications for a Full-Time Research Analyst
CAN is looking for a new Research Analyst! Responsibilities include updating, maintaining, and writing CAN's annual Community Dashboard report and website, as well as other CAN research projects. The Research Analyst also facilitates the CAN Dashboard Steering Committee, which reviews the Community Dashboard and makes recommendations for improvements to CAN staff and the CAN Board of Directors. Please pass along the link below if you know anyone who might be interested in the position!
Link to full job description
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Language Access Work Group
About one-third of Travis County residents speak a language other than English at home and 13% speak English less than "very well," according to 5-year American Community Survey data. Providing services and support to people who speak another language can be challenging. CAN is convening a Work Group of people representing public and private agencies who are interested in sharing best practices and developing shared community standards to increase the quality and availability of translation and interpretation services in the Greater Austin area. For more information, contact Raul Alvarez at ralvarez@canatx.org.
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CAN Board of Directors
Outcomes and priorities from the City of Austin's Spirit of East Austin community meeting will be the focus of the CAN Board of Directors meeting on Friday, February 12th, at Austin City Hall.
The CAN Board of Directors, comprised of board members and senior executives of the CAN partner organizations decided at its November board work session that all of its meetings this year will focus on understanding current efforts to bridge the economic divide in Austin. Watch the meeting live or recorded on ATXN under the Boards and Commissions tab.
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CAN Community Council
CAN welcomed new Community Council members at its January meeting. The next meeting on February 22nd will feature a Deliberative Dialogue on "Bridging the Divide in Economic Equity & Opportunity."
CAN is partnering with Leadership Austin and Interfaith Action Central Texas to design a series of dialogues on this topic throughout Austin. The Community Council is helping to test the issue guide for the conversation and to provide feedback for improving it.
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CAN is a partnership of governmental, non-profit, private and faith-based organizations which leverage mutual resources to collective improve social, health, educational and economic opportunities in our community.
CAN Partners: Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin Community College, Austin ISD, Austin Travis County Integral Care, Capital Metro, Central Health, City of Austin, City of Pflugerville, Community Justice Council, Del Valle ISD, Goodwill Industries of Central Texas, Greater Austin Asian Chamber, Greater Austin Black Chamber, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber, Huston-Tillotson University, Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT), 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, and Workforce Solutions - Capital Area
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