Draft April Minutes — original pdf

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AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 The Austin Travis County Public Health Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, April 1st, 2026, at 301 West 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Natalie Poindexter called the Austin Travis County Public Health Commission Meeting to order at 2:35 pm. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Natalie Poindexter, Chair Cara Dahlhausen Chris Crookham Jacob Whitty Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jawad Ali Martha Lujan William Rice Board Members/Commissioners Absent: Enrique Lin Shiao, Vice Chair Ex-Officio and Staff in Attendance: Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin/Travis County Public Health Authority Daniela Romero, Staff, Austin Public Health Juanita Jackson, Staff, Austin Public Health Ex-Officio and Staff in Attendance Remotely: Ana Almaguel Ex-Officio and Staff Absent: Adrienne Sturrup Perla Cavazos Megan Cermak PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Austin Travis County Public Health Commission regular meeting on April 1st, 2026. The minutes for the regular meeting of March 4th, 2026, were approved on Commissioner William Rice’s motion, Commissioner Jacob Whitty’s second on a 6-0 vote. (Absent: Commissioner Enrique Lin Shiao, Off-Dais: Commissioner Jawad Ali) DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Presentation by Communities in Schools of Central Texas. Presentation by Jacob Reach, Chief of Operations and Maria I. Campos, Chief Advocacy Officer. Received updates from commissioners on assigned action items. Food Plan Update: Commissioner Lujan provided an update on the Austin/Travis County Food Plan implementation. CHW Workforce Advocacy: Commissioner Lujan reintroduced the topic of Community Health Workers (CHWs). Raised concerns regarding employment barriers for certified workers. Commissioner also requests a follow-up with Ricardo Garay and potentially inviting him back for a future presentation on CHW workforce data. Refugee Health Initiative: Commissioner Ali met with the refugee community to discuss health outcomes and explore opportunities to integrate members of the refugee community into Central Health’s Community Health Worker program. UT Engagement: Commissioner Crookham and Rice met with a UT School of Pharmacy professor regarding data and public health funding. While the contact was not the right match for the current Public Health funding recommendation, the relationship will be maintained for future technical or data-related needs. AI Integration: Commissioner Rice reported his research on incorporating AI into Public Health initiatives. Proposed starting a dialogue with the University of Texas to potentially have experts present on the practical applications of AI in the local health system. Community Engagement: Focusing on the immediate three-to-six-month outlook for public health, Chair Poindexter aims to dismantle silos between the Commission and CBOs. In partnership with Dr. Walkes, she plans to launch "Fireside Chat" sessions—a strategic initiative designed to facilitate expert dialogue and foster direct community engagement. 4. Discussed draft recommendation “Sexual Health Funding” created by Commissioner Jacob Whitty. 2 Commissioner Whitty presented the draft recommendation. Commissioners and ex-officio’s provided input and proposed changes. Commissioner Whitty will take input and rework the recommendation. Plan to have final available for next meeting and hopefully vote on it. 5. Discussed draft recommendation “Bridging Public Health Funding” created by Commissioner Chris Crookham. Commissioner Crookham is currently refining the draft recommendation by incorporating previous feedback. An updated version with these technical insights and revised language will be presented at the May meeting. 6. Discussed draft recommendation “Heat-Related Illness Prevention for Outdoor Workers”. Commissioner Dahlhausen presented the draft recommendation. Commissioners and ex- officio’s provided input and proposed changes. Commissioner Dahlhausen will take input and rework recommendation. Plan to have final available for next meeting and hopefully vote on it. 7. Discussed commissioner terms DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Conducted officer election for Chair and Vice Chair. Commissioner Crookham and Commissioner Dahlhausen were nominated by current Chair Poindexter for the position of Chair. Current Chair Poindexter was re-nominated for the position by Commissioner Rice. Commissioner Crookham declined as he will not be renewing his position with the commission at the end of his term later this year. Commissioner Dahlhausen and Commissioner Poindexter both accepted nominations. There were two votes for Commissioner Dahlhausen and three votes for Commissioner Poindexter. Commissioner Poindexter was re-instated as Chair. (Abstain: Commissioner Jawad Ali, Off Dais: Commissioner Martha Lujan, Absent: Commissioner Enrique Lin Shiao) Nomination for the position of Vice Chair was Commissioner Cara Dahlhausen, the motion was made by Commissioner Rice and second by Chair Poindexter. The vote for Commissioner Cara Dahlhausen as Vice Chair was unanimous. (Abstain: Commissioner Jawad Ali, Off Dais: Commissioner Martha Lujan, Absent: Commissioner Enrique Lin Shiao) 3 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 9. Discuss and potentially approve recommendations on sexual health and bridging public health funding. ADJOURNMENT Chair Natalie Poindexter adjourned the meeting at 4:36 p.m. without objection. 4