REGULAR MEETING OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026, AT 5:30 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DR AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the African American Resource Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson, 512-974-2562, nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Alexandria Anderson, Chair Roger Davis Dr. Chiquita Eugene Joi Harden Daryl Horton Nelson Linder Mueni Rudd Justin Parsons, Vice Chair Sophia Dozier Emmy Goss Weisberg Kyron Hayes Antony Jackson Antonio Ross Greg Smith AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on August 4th , 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation from the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) regarding their relationships with African American families in Austin. Presentation by Stephanie Hennes, Faith- Based and Community Engagement, DFPS. 3. Presentation from Community Advancement Network (CAN) regarding their programming and priorities. Presentation from Jelina Tunstill, CAN Program & Operations Coordinator. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve the creation of a public health working group that creates recommendations regarding Black maternal health and improving the social determinants of life for Black Austinites. 5. Approve the creation of a public safety working group that focuses on community policing, conflict resolution, decreasing gun violence and job training and employment opportunities. 6. Approve the creation of a cultural competency working group that creates a document to share with presenters to gather information regarding their data surrounding Black Austinites and tracking demographic metrics of Black Austinites to share with the commission. 7. Approve the creation of an employment working group that creates a grant training workshop. 8. Approve the creation of a housing working group that writes recommendations to expand access to affordable quality housing for Black families and individuals, supports policies and programs that prevent displacement and combat gentrification in historically …
AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2026 The African American Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center. Chair Anderson called the African American Resource Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 5:43 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Alexandria Anderson, Chair Justin Parsons, Vice Chair Roger Davis Emmy Goss Weisberg Daryl Horton Nelson Linder Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Sophia Dozier Joi Harden Kyron Hayes Antony Jackson Greg Smith Commissioners Absent: Dr. Chiquita Eugene Antonio Ross Mueni Rudd PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jelina Tunstill – Community Advancement Network APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on July 7th , 2026. 1 The minutes of the July 7, 2026, regular meeting of the African American Resource Advisory Commission were approved during the August 4th meeting on Vice Chair Parsons’ motion, Commissioner Goss Weisberg’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Horton was off dais. Commissioners Eugene, Ross, and Rudd were absent. STAFF BRIEFING 2. 3. 4. 5. Staff briefing regarding the New Officer Involved Shooting Dashboard. Presentation by Sara Peralta, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager, Austin Police Oversight and Crystal Kimbrough, Policy Compliance Consultant, Austin Police Oversight. Briefing given by Sara Peralta, Public Information and Marketing Program Manager, Austin Police Oversight and Crystal Kimbrough, Policy Compliance Consultant, Austin Police Oversight. Staff briefing regarding an introduction of the Interim Chief Equity Officer. Presentation by Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion and Dr. Joseph Allen, Interim Chief Equity Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. Briefing given by Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion and Dr. Joseph Allen, Interim Chief Equity Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. Staff briefing regarding the Human Rights Impact Review. Presentation by Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion and Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. Briefing given by Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion and Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. Staff briefing regarding the East Austin Historic Resource Survey. Presentation by Sofia Wagner, Planner III, Historic Preservation Office. Briefing given by Sofia Wagner, Planner III, Historic Preservation Office. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. 8. 9. Approve the creation of a public health working group that creates recommendations regarding Black maternal health and improving the social determinants of life for Black Austinites. Chair Anderson postponed …
Rider 30 Report – Travis County Fiscal Year 2025 Stephanie Hennes Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist Rachel Duer Faith-Based and Community Engagement Director History of Work at DFPS • • In 2005, SB 6 passed by the 79th Texas Legislature mandated DFPS to review data to assess for disproportionality in the Texas child welfare system and, if found, develop a remediation plan This work has been done via multiple divisions and offices, most recently from 2022 – 2025 via the Office for Addressing Disproportionality and Disparities • As of 2026, the work is carried forward by the Workforce Development Division (Human Resources, Learning and Development) as well as program (CPI/CPS) and the Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs) in community- based care regions Family Code, Chapter 264, Child Welfare Services • Sec. 264.2041. Cultural Awareness. The department shall: (1) develop and deliver cultural competency training to all service delivery staff; (2) increase targeted recruitment efforts for foster and adoptive families who can meet the needs of children and youth who are waiting for permanent homes; (3) target recruitment efforts to ensure diversity among department staff; and, (4) develop collaborative partnerships with community groups, agencies, faith-based organizations, and other community organizations to provide culturally competent services to children and families of every race and ethnicity. Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B.6), Sec. 1.54, effective 9/1/2005 Rider 30 State of Texas – FY 2025 Rider 30 Travis County FY 2025 FY25 African American Children in Foster Care FY25 Category Children in Care Waiting for Foster or Adoptive Family Reunified with Birth Family Aged Out of Care # of Travis Co. Foster Children 111 13 29 7 FY25 % of Travis County Foster Children 26% 6% 12% Aged Out of Care Reunified with Birth Family Waiting for Foster or Adoptive Family Most children achieved either family reunification or continued care while working toward permanency. However, there is community need as 13 children were still waiting for a foster or adoptive family. Source: https://www.dfps.texas.gov/About_DFPS/Data_Book/Child_Protective_Servi ces/Family_Preservation/Children_in_Services_Aug31.asp Travis County Snapshot | August 25, 2026 139 African American children from Travis County were in foster care as of August 25, 2026. • 105 children (76%) were living in Region 7, which includes Travis County and surrounding Central Texas communities. The largest placement type was: • Unverified Kinship Homes: 52 • Basic Foster Homes: 24 • Specialized Foster Homes: 20 More than half of all children …
