BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20220309-3a: Budget Recommendation that Current Early Childhood Investments be Maintained WHEREAS, in the City of Austin only 36% of children under age 4 living in households with low-income are receiving any early learning services at all; and WHEREAS, 90% of these children age birth to 4 are children of color; and Whereas, decades of research prove that disadvantages begin the moment children come into the world because children born into poverty and children of color are disproportionately born early, at low-birth- weight, or with chronic illnesses, and are less likely than their peers to be ready for, or successful at school; and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the early childhood sector in Texas with an estimated loss of 22% of the state child care supply, as well as disproportionate impact on communities of color in Austin; and WHEREAS, current City investments in early childhood programs align with the goals and strategies of the Austin/Travis County Success By 6 Strategic Plan – a robust, data-driven community strategic plan designed to coordinate efforts, improve child and family outcomes as well as build more efficient and coordinated systems for equitable access; and WHEREAS, the investments align with the City of Austin Strategic Direction Strategic EOA.10: “Create equitable access to quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) by supporting families who do not qualify for existing free programs and cannot afford quality programs on their own, increasing availability of quality ECE programs, and encouraging living wages for ECE providers”; and WHEREAS, these investments also align with the Strategic Anchors of SD 2023 including equity, affordability, sustainability and resiliency, proactive prevention and community trust and relationships; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council recommends that the City of Austin maintain all current investments in early childhood programs and infrastructure including but not limited to: o Social Service Contracts o Staffing (2 FTE) positions specifically for early childhood through Austin Public Health o Leases for city-funded early childhood facilities o Essential infrastructure such as Family Connects and WIC programs that specifically serve families with young children prenatal to age 5. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________
Infrastructure Funding Strategies Christina Romero, Financial Manager III March 9, 2022 Overview Legislation Update TWDB Loans Update • SWIFT Loan for Reuse Projects & Advanced Metering Infrastructure • Drinking Water & Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) Projects • Aggregate Savings Future Projects for Potential TWDB Funding 3 Legislation Update $35.44 Billion to Texas Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) • Signed into law by President Biden on November 15, 2021 • Texas to receive $35.44 billion from IIJA • Per EPA, TWDB to receive $2.9 billion allocated over 5 years: • Estimated 71% of funds for Drinking Water State Revolving Fund • Estimated 29% of funds for Clean Water State Revolving Fund • Bureau of Reclamation, $8.3 billion allocated over 5 years Highways Public Transit Water Airports Bridges Electric Car Charging Network Broadband Wildfire Prevention Cybersecurity $ 26.9 B $ 3.3 B $ 2.9 B $ 1.9 B $ 0.5 B $ 0.4 B $ 0.1 B $ 53 M $ 42 M Source: Texas Will Benefit from the Long-Awaited Infrastructure Bill | Dallas Regional Chamber (dallaschamber.org) 4 TWDB SWIFT & SRF Loans SWIFT: • Reuse Projects - $65,605,000 • Advanced Metering Infrastructure - $80,195,000 DWSRF: CWSRF: • North Austin Reservoir and Pump Station - $43,200,000 • Ullrich WTP Pump Station Electrical Feed - $24,630,000 • Walnut Creek WWTP Pumping & Sludge Thickener - $42,300,000 • SAR WWTP Electrical Substation - $10,700,000 Aggregate Loan Savings 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 ) $ ( s r a l l o D f o s n o i l l i M TWDB Debt Service Loan Savings Loan Amount PV Savings $4.5 $45.2 2018 $2.0 $20.4 2017 $5.8 $21.2 2020 $.3 $3.0 2019 Fiscal Year $13.3 $71.1 $8.0 $36.8 2021 2022 $266.6 Million in TWDB Commitments (approved project amounts) $197.7 Million in Loan Closings To-Date $34 Million in Present Value Savings To-Date 6 Future Projects for Potential TWDB Funding SWIFT • Aquifer Storage and Recovery Drinking Water SRF • Ullrich WTP On-site Generation of Chlorine & Ammonium Sulfate Conversion, McNeil Road Water Transmission Main, Center Street Pump Station Replacement & Electrical Improv, South I-35 Elevated Water Tank, Southwest Parkway Southwest B Elevated Reservoir, Travis Heights Reclaimed Water Main, Galvanized Water Service Line Replacement Program Clean Water SRF • Walnut Creek WWTP Headworks Improvements, Primary Clarifier & Flow …
Community Needs Assessment Early Childhood Council Discussion and Public Hearing on community needs and spending priorities for the FY 22-23 Action Plan Agenda Review of FY 20-21 Performance Federal Reporting Process Community Needs Assessment/ Public Comment Schedule Provide Your Feedback Review of Past Performance A look at services provided with federal funding in FY 20-21 FY 20-21 Accomplishments Snapshot • Total number of people served through federally funded projects: 3,552 • Total number of people/households earning Extremely Low-Income (<30% MFI) served: 2,688 • Total number of federal dollars spent: Entitlement: $9,765,175 CARES Act: $10,196,749 4 Population Served by Income 2,688 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 411 406 85 Extremely Low Income (<30% MFI) Very Low Income (31%-50% MFI) Low Income (51%-80% MFI) >80% MFI 5 Population of Austin Vs. Population Served by Race Population of Austin Vs. Population Served by Ethnicity 120.00% 100.00% 80.00% 60.00% 40.00% 20.00% 0.00% 32.41% 33.90% 67.59% 66.10% Population Served, FY 20-21 Population of Austin, 2019 Not Hispanic/Latinx Hispanic/Latinx People Served by Investment Category Investment Category Persons/Households Served Special Needs Assistance Homeless Assistance Renter Assistance Homebuyer Assistance Homeowner Assistance Housing Development Assistance 33 Total 878 1,153 1,327 43 120 3,552 Austin Small Business Relief Grant Program Investment Category Businesses Served Other Community Development Assistance 89 8 FY 20-21 Services Provided- Goals vs. Outcomes Select Programs Childcare Services Youth/Mental Health Services Senior Services • Goal: 179 • Actual: 151 • Expended: $390,612 • Goal: 159 • Actual: 147 • Expended: $188,490 • Goal: 175 • Actual: 184 • Expended: $123,995 Tenant Based Rental Assistance Homelessness Services* Tenants’ Rights Assistance • Goal: 85 • Actual: 113 • Expended: $979,663 • Goal: 1,118 • Actual: 426 • Expended: $1,638,420 • Goal: 527 • Actual: 297 • Expended: $287,223 *This category includes Rapid Rehousing and Shelter Operation and Maintenance, funded by the Emergency Solutions Grant FY 20-21 Services Provided- Goals vs. Outcomes Select Programs Down Payment Assistance Architectural Barrier Removal-Owner Minor Home Repair • Goal: 25 • Actual: 43 • Expended: $1,585,999 • Goal: 80 • Actual: 29 • Expended: $567,166 • Goal: 200 • Actual: 85 • Expended: $781,409 Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan Program • Goal: 9 • Actual: 6 • Expended: $748,584 *includes General Fund dollars) Rental Housing Development Assistance • Goal: 411 • Actual: 335 • Expended: Federal: $269,585; GO Bonds: $22,057,711 Ownership Housing Development Assistance • Goal: 16 • Actual: 42 • Expended: Federal: $202,562; …
Community Needs Assessment Early Childhood Council Discussion and Public Hearing on community needs and spending priorities for the FY 22-23 Action Plan Agenda Review of FY 20-21 Performance Federal Reporting Process Community Needs Assessment/ Public Comment Schedule Provide Your Feedback Review of Past Performance A look at services provided with federal funding in FY 20-21 FY 20-21 Accomplishments Snapshot • Total number of people served through federally funded projects: 3,552 • Total number of people/households earning Extremely Low-Income (<30% MFI) served: 2,688 • Total number of federal dollars spent: Entitlement: $9,765,175 CARES Act: $10,196,749 4 Population Served by Income 2,688 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 411 406 85 Extremely Low Income (<30% MFI) Very Low Income (31%-50% MFI) Low Income (51%-80% MFI) >80% MFI 5 Population of Austin Vs. Population Served by Race Population of Austin Vs. Population Served by Ethnicity 120.00% 100.00% 80.00% 60.00% 40.00% 20.00% 0.00% 32.41% 33.90% 67.59% 66.10% Population Served, FY 20-21 Population of Austin, 2019 Not Hispanic/Latinx Hispanic/Latinx People Served by Investment Category Investment Category Persons/Households Served Special Needs Assistance Homeless Assistance Renter Assistance Homebuyer Assistance Homeowner Assistance Housing Development Assistance 33 Total 878 1,153 1,327 43 120 3,552 Austin Small Business Relief Grant Program Investment Category Businesses Served Other Community Development Assistance 89 8 FY 20-21 Services Provided- Goals vs. Outcomes Select Programs Childcare Services Youth/Mental Health Services Senior Services • Goal: 179 • Actual: 151 • Expended: $390,612 • Goal: 159 • Actual: 147 • Expended: $188,490 • Goal: 175 • Actual: 184 • Expended: $123,995 Tenant Based Rental Assistance Homelessness Services* Tenants’ Rights Assistance • Goal: 85 • Actual: 113 • Expended: $979,663 • Goal: 1,118 • Actual: 426 • Expended: $1,638,420 • Goal: 527 • Actual: 297 • Expended: $287,223 *This category includes Rapid Rehousing and Shelter Operation and Maintenance, funded by the Emergency Solutions Grant FY 20-21 Services Provided- Goals vs. Outcomes Select Programs Down Payment Assistance Architectural Barrier Removal-Owner Minor Home Repair • Goal: 25 • Actual: 43 • Expended: $1,585,999 • Goal: 80 • Actual: 29 • Expended: $567,166 • Goal: 200 • Actual: 85 • Expended: $781,409 Homeowner Rehabilitation Loan Program • Goal: 9 • Actual: 6 • Expended: $748,584 *includes General Fund dollars) Rental Housing Development Assistance • Goal: 411 • Actual: 335 • Expended: Federal: $269,585; GO Bonds: $22,057,711 Ownership Housing Development Assistance • Goal: 16 • Actual: 42 • Expended: Federal: $202,562; …
Winter Storm Uri Implementation Plan QUARTERLY UPDATE Water & Wastewater Commission | March 9, 2022 Presentation Overview Prioritization, Implementation and Reporting Community Outreach and Messaging Winterization of Operations Stephanie Sue, P.E. Water Treatment Operations Manager Emergency Management Anna Bryan-Borja Assistant Director of Business Services Infrastructure Improvements Priorities Shay Ralls Roalson, P.E. Assistant Director of Engineering Services 2 Prioritization, Implementation & Reporting Prioritization – Commission Working Group Recommendations Implementation – Executive Chaired Teams • Community Outreach and Messaging (AD Randi Jenkins) • Operations (AD Rick Coronado) • CIP Projects (AD Shay Ralls-Roalson) • Emergency Management (AD Anna Bryan-Borja) • Systems Planning (AD Kevin Critendon) • Master Steering Committee (Director Greg Meszaros) Reporting • Quarterly Austin Water Oversight Committee Meetings • Quarterly Commission Meetings Example - 2018 Colorado River Flood 3 Status of Recommendations, as of March 2022 Parent Level Recommendation Count Percentage 43 28 8 79 54% 35% 10% 100% Status Completed Ongoing Not Started Grand Total 4 Community Outreach and Messaging 5 Communications Strategies Key Recommendations Adjust and enhance Winter Weather Preparedness messaging Increase use of My ATX Water portal notifications during emergencies Conduct targeted outreach to multi-family properties Enhance guidance and training for use of public notification systems 6 Winter Weather Preparedness Materials Tips, Social Posts, Notifications in 6 languages Toolkit Distribution Educational Videos and Tools 7 Additional Actions Underway Notifications Improvements • Warn Central Texas – preloaded service area maps • My ATX Water – staff cross-training, Standard Operating Procedures Media Coordination • Updates timed to align with news cycle • Radio ads convert to emergency messaging 3-1-1 Coordination • Service request routing improvements Multifamily Outreach • Winter Preparedness e-newsletter developed with Austin Energy • Quarterly communications planned 8 Service Outage Map 9 Emergency Management 10 Emergency Response Plan Updated Revised Emergency Response Plan includes: Extreme Cold Response Plan Decision Matrices: • Extreme Cold Conditions • General Operations Conditions Enhanced Emergency Communications Emergency Alternate Drinking Water Supplies Added Data on Wastewater Facilities Emergency Water Use Restrictions Procedures 11 Emergency Supplies Hub Warehouse Equipped for Incidents and Emergencies • Shelter in Place Supplies for staff: cots, blankets, meals ready to eat, bottled water, and hygiene kits • Emergency water distribution supplies for customers: bottled water, water totes, fire hydrant adaptors Two Potable Water Trucks Delivered …
ADDRESSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN AUSTIN: RESIDENTIALTECHNOLOGY STUDY P R E S E N T E D B Y : M E M E S T Y L E S , M P A , D E I F O U N D E R & P R E S I D E N T P A U L E T T E B L A N C , M P H F O U N D E R & C H I E F O F R E S E A R C H R E Y D A T A Y L O R , P H D What We Do At MEASURE MEASURE works to use data and education to mobilize communities to fight structural racism and eliminate social disparities. Through our CARE Model process and other tools, we ensure communities and institutions embrace lived-experience data of Powerful Black, Brown and Multiracial/Ethnic Communities to deconstruct underlying narratives and work together to find equitable solutions. Learn more at www.wemeasure.org Problem We Are Solving Lived-experience and quantitative data about complex social problems impacting Powerful Black, Brown and Multiracial/Ethnic Communities are not used effectively for justice due to racism, a lack of equitable data tools and village support. Our Theory Of Change IF we support Powerful Black, Brown and Multiracial/Ethnic Communities by providing free data support, training and work to cultivate community power-building to fight structural racism, THEN Powerful Black, Brown and Multiracial/Ethnic Communities will be equipped to use data to mobilize and eliminate social disparities ultimately resulting in a world free of health, education, justice and economic inequities. Our Anti-Racist Data Support Tools MEASURE CARE Model Equity Focus Group Tool Community Survey Design Tool Community Impact Metrics Tool This 3-6 month partnership Build highly-specific, lived Gather insights to take action Identify the long-term with a MEASURE facilitator will experience feedback from with a professionally designed intended impacts and result in a clear understanding community members with lived survey for your stakeholders and plan of how your solution experience through our equity with an equitable lens. aims to support your community. focus groups. measurable short-term outcomes to effectively address the issue you’re seeking to change. H I G H L I G H T E D E F G P R O J E C T S BUILDING EQUITY IN THE AUSTIN CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS CHILDREN'S OPTIMAL HEALTH IT'S TIME …
JANUARY 2022 A D D R E S S I N G T H E D I G I T A L D I V I D E I N A U S T I N : R E S I D E N T I A L T E C H N O L O G Y S T U D Y Paulette Blanc, MPH | Urenna Onyewuchi, PhD | Reyda Taylor, PhD | A L I V E D - E X P E R I E N C E B L A C K P A P E R A B O U T M E A S U R E MEASURE is a research and public education organization led by Black women and dedicated to using data and technology to pursue community-defined goals. Since its founding in 2015, MEASURE has provided over 3014 hours of free antiracist evaluation support to our community to increase their access to and use of data. MEASURE believes that, when used strategically, data provides a common language upon which community members can meet and increase their knowledge about the causes and work together to create equitable change and increase awareness. A B O U T C I T Y O F A U S T I N T H E O F F I C E O F T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S & R E G U L A T O R Y A F F A I R S ( T A R A ) The Office of Telecommunications & Regulatory Affairs (TARA) provides consumer protection through regulatory oversight, access to information and communications technology resources and infrastructure, and generates revenue to support City services (1,2). One of TARA's activities is to promote digital inclusion through access to information and communications technology and trainings. C I T Y O F A U S T I N ' S R E S I D E N T I A L T E C H N O L O G Y S T U D Y The Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Residential Technology Study is building off of previous efforts that began in 1998 to understand residents' sentiments around the internet (3). The FY21 study’s goal is to gain a greater understanding of digital inclusion in Austin, particularly …
AUTHORS Urenna Onyewuchi, PhD, Paulette Blanc, MPH, Reyda Taylor,PhD REFERENCES See page 2 REDLINING DE-SEGREGATION OF SCHOOLS SILICON HILLS DIGITIAL INCLUSION PROGRAMS COVID-19 PANDEMIC DIGITAL INEQUITY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS UNPACKING THE HISTORY OF INJUSTICE 1928 MASTER PLAN CREATED The 1928 Master Plan created a "Negro District" which required all Black Austinites to move to East Austin. This plan evolved into the segregation of the Hispanic/Latino community as well (2). Public policies like the National Housing Act of 1934, which established and reinforced housing segregation (also known as "redlining"), have contributed to unequal opportunities and have marginalized certain groups of people (3). The echoes of this policy still influence our cityscapes. With educational funding tied to property. taxes, and in extension the value of the housing in a neighborhood, redlining still contributes to the systematic denial of resources to Black and poor neighborhoods. 1934 FREEDMAN COMMUNITIES Juneteenth, June 19, 1865 marked Black emancipation from slavery. An 1865 City Council meeting called for extreme policing and punishing of “idle” Black people (1).; anti-Black violence was praised. During this time Freedman communities in Austin were established (1). 1865 2000s SOCIAL MEDIA Modern social media emerges and quickly becomes a means for sharing information, making connections, and news updates. (11). Notably during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri many resources were being shared via social media and people without digital access were at a disadvantage. 1953 UNDER-REPRESENTATION 1964 CIVIL RIGHTS In 1953, Austin adopted a model for city council based on "at large" positions, limiting place-based representation (4). In subsequent years "The Gentlemen's Agreement" was adopted. These systems prevented non-White groups from being able to win elections to the City Council. The Civil Rights Act was the second to the last act that threw out Jim Crow laws. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 dealt a crucial blow to discrimination in the workforce by making it illegal for any business, private or public, to practice discriminatory hiring (and firing) practices (9). Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown vs. Board of Education, the AISD Board of Trustees originally adopted a policy of integration (5). Austin started as a high-tech hub in the '80s, and was known as “Silicon Hills.” The initial tech industries hosted in Austin included semiconductor (AMD, Samsung, Motorola/Freescale/NXP, Applied Materials), enterprise software (IBM, Trilogy, Tivoli, National Instruments) and computer hardware (Dell, IBM, Apple) (10). The Clinton administration began plans for …
a c c e s s i s p o w e r 2022 updates agenda 01 02 03 04 05 06 Overview Digital Literacy Training New Programs Current State of Affairs Future Planning Closing overview UNDERSTANDING THE LEGACY 26+ years of history in Austin Pioneering women in leadership roles A trusted resource for the community A champion for underserved populations Ana Sisnett on the cover of Austin Chronicle for Austin Free-Net, 2003 "Part of why we do what we do is to teach people about the pervasiveness of the technology, how it's in their lives whether they want it or not." - Ana Sisnett "Looking To The Future" Austin Chronicle, 2001 Partners and sponsors overview TURNING A NEW LEAF Update the organization, honor the legacy Evolve with technology and the needs of our community Focus on our strengths Reach 3,000 community members digital literacy training Community needs during Pandemic Device acquisition Access Remote Learning AFN services through Pandemic Over 300 devices donated to AISD Senior Tech Program Remote learning Computer Lab Access . . Staff member, John Fierro, gets devices ready for AISD Digital Inclusion week 2021 Assisted COA with the DIW Art Poster Contest Created Digital Inclusion PSAs in partnership with Austin Public . Digital Inclusion week 2021 Hosted two panels with popular digital inclusion topics and panelist . Digital Inclusion week 2021 Hosted two panels with popular digital inclusion topics and panelist . digital literacy training Post Pandemic Planning Transition into remote, onsite and hybrid instruction Updated classes and workshops to reflect community interest and needs New programs to meet community needs and incentivize participation Return to Community Partner sites Add new partner sites New and Updated Classes and Workshops 2022 first quarter Google Suite Class - An introduction to Google Suite web applications like Gmail, Google Docs, and the Google Drive. Organize it, Online! - Fundamentals of digital productivity tools including digital calendars, Google tasks, Microsoft tasks, and more. Microsoft Office Class - An overview of all things Microsoft Office, like Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. City of Austin Resources - An introduction to resources provided by the City of Austin for Austin residents. You've Got Mail! Digital Dating 101 - Learn all about love online. Online dating, dating applications, and navigating online dating world safely. Rapid Retrain Guide for Veterans - A brief introduction to veteran benefit applications, veteran employment opportunities and the Veteran's Rapid …
COMMISSION ON SENIORS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION 20220309-04Cvi RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE FOR OLDER ADULTS Strategic Direction: Economic Opportunity and Affordability Date: March 9, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Temperley Seconded By: Lopez-Guerrero Recommendation Expand funding for rental and utility assistance for all; and unlink rental payments for older adults from calculations based on median family income. Description of Recommendation to Council The Commission on Seniors recommends increasing funding for rental and utility assistance funding and programs for all, including older adults and discontinue basing rental payments for older adults on area median family income. Background and Rationale: Agencies serving older adults report that they are receiving an increased number of requests for rental and utility assistance. Austin is facing an unprecedented housing crisis as rent and utility costs increase. This has an even greater impact on older adults who are living on fixed incomes such as social security. A recent study, which compares the growth in the Social Security cost of living adjustments with increases in the costs of goods and services typically used by retirees, found that since 2000 Social Security benefits have lost 32% of their buying power. (https://www.thestreet.com/retirement/social- securitys-cola-raise-cant-keep-up-with-inflation) Housing costs and rents continue to increase exponentially in Austin. As noted in the City of Austin Comprehensive Market analysis for 2020 ( https://www.austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Housing/Austin%20HMA_final.pdf ) ● Austin’s median rent increased 38% from 2010 ● Naturally occurring (market-rate) affordable rentals continued to decline Additional funds are needed to support older adults who may be at high risk for homelessness due to these increasing costs. Housing costs were cited as concerns of residents during the budget townhalls held by the Joint Inclusion Committee member commissions. An older adult from the Mueller neighborhood noted that affordable housing supported by the city base qualifications, and rent, on area median family income. However, median family income in Austin continues to rise at a much higher rate than social security or other retirement plans. The Commission on Seniors supports the request to no longer base rent increases for older adults on changes to area median family income. Vote For: Briesemeister, Varteressian, Angel, Bauman, Bordie, De Maria Nicola, Garcia-Pittman, Kareithi, Lopez-Guerrero, Lugo, Spain, Temperley, Van Sickle Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Cagle Attest: _______________________________________ Janee Briesemeister, Chair
COMMISSION ON SENIORS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION 20220309 -04Cvii SUPPORT FOR TRANSPORTATION AND VOLUNTEER DRIVER RIDE SERVICE FOR OLDER ADULTS Strategic Direction: Mobility Date: March 9, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Varteressian Recommendation Provide funding and/or partner with organizations which provide the volunteer driver ride programs in Austin (examples include Chariot, Drive a Senior, Capital City Village, and others). Description of Recommendation to Council Seconded By: Kareithi • Direct the City Manager to identify appropriate City department staff and have them engage in discussions with the volunteer driver ride program managers to determine needs. • Have City department staffs identify funds, staff support, or other potential partnerships. • Include funding for transportation services in contracts for social service programs serving older adults. • Provide funds to expand these programs, such as supporting van services with paid drivers Rationale: Volunteer ride share providers serve a critical need for our community’s senior and people with disabilities. Demand for this service is high. Many people in these populations cannot drive. While Parks and Recreation and Capital Metro have services to assist these populations, the demand far exceeds the capacity. Further, many older adults who do not qualify for Metro Access will not ride the bus (for example, because there is not a nearby bus stop). Austin has one of the fastest growing senior populations in the nation so demand will only continue to increase. Older adults responding to the Commission on Seniors budget survey often cited transportation as a barrier to accessing city programs and services. Comments submitted to the Commission from the public also show a strong preference by older adults for transportation by the own vehicle, a ride share or a volunteer driver program. Volunteer Driver Ride programs provide a means to get older adults to the doctor, grocery store, or other critical appointments. Rides to social and cultural events would provide a means to help reduce social isolation, but these rides have to be given lower priority when demand exceeds capacity. If the City provides help, it could allow the organizations to scale up to meet demand, improve the organization’s ability to provide services more equitably, and develop collaborations to share resources. These 1 of 2 organizations are largely dependent on grants and their clientele cannot afford to pay a service fee. Vote For: Briesemeister, Varteressian, Angel, Bauman, Bordie, De Maria Nicola, Garcia-Pittman, Kareithi, Lopez-Guerrero, Spain, Temperley, Van Sickle Against: …
COMMISSION ON SENIORS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION 20220309- 04Cviii PERMANENT COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS STRATEGY PLAN FOR SERVING OLDER ADULTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS Strategic Direction: Health and Environment Date: March 9, 2022 Subject: FY 23 Budget Recommendation Motioned By: Garcia-Pittman Recommendation Seconded By: Temperley The Commission on Seniors recommends the Austin Public Health Homeless Services Division: 1. Transition the current temporary community health worker positions to 9 FTE permanent positions devoted to supporting the needs of persons experiencing homelessness. a. Of the allocated 9FTEs, 2 FTEs should be dedicated to serving the needs of persons 50 and older given the challenges and growth of this population as detailed below. 2. Develop and implement a strategy for serving the needs of older adults experiencing homelessness. Implementation should begin no later than January 1, 2023. The plan should: a. Identify the housing, health care, social, and other needs of older adults experiencing homelessness, including disability, long term care, dementia care, and caregiver support and develop programs to meet those needs; b. Ensure coordinated entry appropriately matches older adults with their needs; c. Include strategies to prevent older adults becoming homeless, such as deeply affordable housing and caregiver support; d. Develop the strategy in consultation with providers serving older adults and providers serving people experiencing homelessness (such as the collaborative described below). Rationale: Data provided by ECHO about the population experiencing homelessness in the Austin area shows that for all clients who entered a program between Oct 2019 and Oct 2020, 26% were age 50 or older. Nationally, data shows the number of older adults in the homeless population is growing rapidly and will continue to grow for the next decade. The number of older adults in the population of people experiencing homeless requires us to revisit and adapt assistance programs that were designed to address the needs of a much younger group and fail to account for medical, social, and emotional needs that emerge later in life. Older adults experiencing homelessness have diverse needs related to their housing, health care, social, and other needs. Further, the stresses of homelessness cause premature aging; Austin already classifies aged 55 and older in this population as older adults. In October 2020, a collaborative was formed in Central Texas to find ways to address the special needs of this aging homeless population. Members include representatives from both the aging and homeless space in non-profit, for- profit, and governmental organizations. Participants …
COMMISSION ON SENIORS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION 20220309-04Ci AGE FRIENDLY AUSTIN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST Strategic Direction: Government That Works Date: March 9, 2022 Subject: FY 23 Budget Recommendation Motioned By: Spain Recommendation Fund an FTE to serve as Community Engagement Specialist to support implementation of the Austin Age Friendly Action Plan. Description of Recommendation to Council Seconded By: De Maria Nicola The Commission on Seniors recommends funding an Age Friendly Austin Community Engagement Specialist. The Community Engagement Specialist will support the Age-Friendly Program Coordinator with day-to-day operations including, but not limited to, implementing the Age Friendly Austin Communication and Community Engagement Plan, supporting internal and external aging partners, and engaging in strategic planning efforts. Duties would include promoting Age-Friendly programs and services at local recreation centers, faith-based centers, and older adult facilities; facilitating trainings related to age-friendly practices; strengthening community partnerships; analyzing community data; and developing educational materials, including an asset map of programs and services. The Commission on Seniors is dedicated to improving equity in programs and services for older adults. To help achieve this goal the Communications and Outreach Coordinator will serve as a liaison between the Age Friendly Austin program and older adults, with emphasis on increasing communication and engagement with People of Color, LGBTQIA persons, low-income communities and other underrepresented or vulnerable older adults. Background and Rationale: Austin has one of the fastest growing populations of both “seniors (aged 65 and older) and “pre- seniors (aged 50-64). In response to these rapidly changing demographics, Mayor Lee Leffingwell formed the Mayor’s Task Force on Aging in 2012. The task force was charged with building public awareness, analyzing the city’s resources and opportunities for growth, and creating a set of strategic recommendations to accommodate Central Texas’ fast-growing senior population. The Task Force recommended both creating the Commission on Seniors and having Austin join the World Health Organization network of Age Friendly Communities. 1 of 3 Beginning in 2015, Austin’s Commission on Seniors partnered with AARP, AustinUP, regional aging-related service organizations and community members to develop the Austin Age-Friendly Action Plan, a requirement of retaining the Age Friendly designation. In 2016 Council voted to adopt the Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan as an addendum to Imagine Austin. In May 2018, the Commission on Seniors recommended to the Mayor and City Council that “The city provide adequate personnel resources for a Senior Program Coordinator to coordinate implementation of the Age-friendly Austin Action Plan. …
COMMISSION ON SENIORS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION 20220309-04Cii QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY OF OLDER ADULTS IN AUSTIN Strategic Direction: Government That Works Seconded By: Temperley Date: March 9, 2022 Subject: FY23 Budget Recommendation Motioned By: Varteressian Recommendation Fund a Quality of Life Study of Older Adults in Austin. Description of Recommendation to Council In order to improve the quality of life for older adults, Austin must better understand the experience of these individuals and how intersections between age, race, ethnicity, and other demographics impact those experiences. The Commission on Seniors recommends allocating $250,000 to conduct a study to evaluate the quality of life of older adults in Austin. $250,000 is the amount allocated for two recent Quality of Life Studies (People with Disabilities and LGBTQIA) Rationale: There has never been a proper quality of life study of older adults. Nearly 10 years ago then Mayor Leffingwell’s task force conducted a survey as part of the Mayor’s Task Force on Aging. However, 77% of respondents were white and this survey did not break down findings by race, ethnicity, or gender identification. According to the 2010 Census the Austin area is one of the fastest-growing areas for both seniors (age 65 and older) and pre-seniors (age 55-64). The city demographer has not yet released detailed demographics on age from the 2020 Census, but it is expected these trends will continue. The Commission is well aware that we hear primarily from older adults who are already active and engaged in the community. We want to know what other members of the community need; indeed, we want to understand how to better engage will all segments of the community. As an example, the Commission drafts and widely distributes an annual budget survey as a tool to get community input on budget recommendations. However, the majority of survey respondents are white women aged 65-74. The Commission is seeking updated information about the community and granular information about the needs of diverse populations of older adults. A Quality of Life Study will enable the Commission, Council and City departments to: 1 of 2 • Understand how city programs and services are serving older adults and where there are gaps • Identify and remove barriers to participation • Ensure programs and services for older adults are equitable and inclusive Per Austin Code Section 2-1-132 the Commission on Seniors shall serves as an advisory board to the council concerning the …
COMMISSION ON SENIORS BUDGET RECOMMENDATION 20220309-04Civ EXPANDING PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO OLDER ADULTS Strategic Direction: Health and Environment, Mobility, Culture and Lifelong Learning Date: March 9, 2022 Subject: FY2023 Budget Recommendation Motioned By: Kareithi Recommendation The Commission on Seniors recommends the following budget items that will maintain and expand Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) programs and services for older adults. Seconded By: Van Sickle • Fund three temporary 20-hr/wk drivers and one temporary dispatcher to support the increase in routes and the high demand for private rides. • Fund an FTE Administrative Assistant position at each of the 18 PARD facilities serving the Adult 50+ Community. • Equitable Funding for the George Washington Carver Museum. Description of Recommendation to Council PARD provides numerous programs that serve older adults in Austin, including congregate meals and transportation to meals and some other appointments. PARD needs additional funding and staff to ensure all older adults who want to participate are able. • Funding three parti-time designated drivers and a dispatcher for the Senior Transportation Program will ensure PARD’s ability to serve the Adult 50+ Community while expanding congregate meal programs. • Funding 18 FTE Administrative Assistants at each of the 18 PARD facilities servicing the Adult 50+ Community will ensure an equitable standard of administrative operations for each site that is consistent and the same throughout the Community Recreation Division. Funding permanent positions should reduce turnover of staff in administrative positions. • The Carver is underfunded when compared to the Asian American Resource Center (estimated $100,000 to $200,000 less) and Mexican American Cultural Center (about $400,000 less). Additional funding would be used for temporary staff, commodities, and contracts. This funding is not currently in the PARD budget. Rationale: Senior Transportation Program: PARD offers participants rides through the Senior Transportation Program. The program is partially funded through a grant with the Capital Area Council of Governments that provides reimbursement for rides provided to facilities that participate in the Congregate Meal Program. Pre-pandemic this program 1 of 2 provided daily ride routes to 8 senior and recreation centers throughout the City of Austin as well as private rides to doctor’s appointments and personal errands. These routes were provided to all registered participants living within a 5-mile radius of the center. In 2019 Council approved the expansion of the congregate meal program from 8 to 10 sites. When the congregate meal program …
