Community 2001 Urgent Issues Action Plans Overview
What are these "Action Plans?"
The Community Action Network's 2001 Urgent Issues Action Plans are provided to the community to assist in: 1) identifying urgent issues that need immediate attention, 2) investing resources where appropriate, and 3) collaborating for greater impact. This document suggests a community investment approach that deals directly with the needs of people in our community. It is not a comprehensive plan to address all of the community's social challenges faced by members of our community, but rather a description of some of the most urgent ones facing people in Austin and Travis County.
Why is this important?
According to 2000 Census figures, the population of Austin and Travis County has grown over 40% since 1990 to more than 800,000. Austin is now the 4th largest city in Texas with 657,000 residents. Even though Travis County has experienced a prolonged period of economic growth, the demand for human services - helping people be self-sufficient - has increased. Despite an unemployment rate of about 2%, Travis County continues to have a poverty rate of over 12%. Over 80,000 residents of Travis County live below the federal poverty income guideline ($17,050/ year for a family of four). The Texas Department of Human Services estimates that there are up to 200,000 working poor in Travis County (defined as living at or below 200% of the federal poverty income guideline, $35,300 /year for a family of four). Persistent poverty, combined with steady increases in the cost of living have increased the demand for affordable housing, education, job training, basic needs, health care, and all human services. The economy is now slowing, and if this continues, the number of people needing these services will only increase.
How did the community choose these actions?
The 2001 Urgent Issues Action Plans have been created through an inclusive process that involved hundreds of Travis County community members. "Planning Bodies" came together to address the following community issue areas:
The Planning Bodies were asked to ensure that all key community stakeholders were invited to participate and that they connected with other existing groups with similar interests. The Planning Bodies utilized data on community conditions and a consensus process and agreed on up to five issues that required urgent action. They then defined desired results and specified achievable and cost effective action steps. The plans, in the form of matrices, are designed for use by community individuals and organizations. They have been approved by the various Community Action Network bodies representing the community at large.
How to read the Plans
Each matrix is preceded by a brief narrative which puts the Plan matrix into context and points out unique considerations for the issue. Each Plan matrix includes a set of Urgent Issues depicted one at a time. Data Point(s) under each demonstrate its criticality, and a Desired Result describes the positive "change" the community wants to see. Suggested Solutions provide the details for the change and specific Actions are listed to put the change into motion. Human and Financial Investment Opportunities activate the actions with the full understanding that one investment will not necessarily yield a complete solution.
The Plans show what the Community Action Network community collaborative process members believe are urgent concerns and one set of ways to address them, now.
Common Themes in the Plans
Several "common themes" appear in the Plans. They are noted here to highlight them and to stimulate on-going attention.
- Accessibility - services available to all, eliminate disparities, reduce costs.
- Public Awareness - educate all sectors of the community about needs, opportunities, existing services, and service gaps.
- Policy Changes - streamline public policy to deliver services more effectively.
- Improving Services - focus on quality and best practices.
- Resources - leverage all resources to the maximum extent possible.
How are the Plans connected?
While Urgent Issues identified in each Plan matrix are shown separately, they are also connected and interdependent. Failure to address one urgent issue may have a negative effect on others. The data points provided both in the narrative and matrix are examples, illustrating part of the condition of our community in each of the issue areas. Comprehensive assessments of community conditions for each issue area are available from the CAN offices or at caction.org. Each of these assessments highlights best practice information and summarizes current efforts for each issue area.
What's Next?
The Action Plans are living documents that will be updated and provided to the community for implementation as conditions and urgencies change over time. The community collaborative structure outlined above will remain in place to accomplish this work.
Contacts
Each Plan area contains contact information for those individuals and organizations who are interested in investing in specific actions and becoming involved in this action process. If you are interested, please contact them directly or through the CAN offices at (512) 414-8203.
2001 Urgent Issues Action Plan Home Page
