REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 12:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM, #1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Commission for Women may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live 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 Chelsea Pfeifer at chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2498. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Alexandria Anderson, Chair Tasha Billet Becky Bullard Rabia Shaik Alicia Ramirez CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Vanessa Bissereth Angela Harris Diana Melendez Shaimaa Zayan 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 Commission for Women regular meeting on May 6, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the Maternal Infant Outreach Program. Presented by Cynthia Washington, Public Health Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, Demetra Tennison, Community Health Worker, Austin Public Health. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation by St. David’s Foundation regarding funding opportunity: Catalyzing Community-Led Change. Presented by Abena Asante, Senior Program Officer, St. David’s Foundation. 4. Presentation by SAFE Alliance regarding funding impacts on services for women and girls in Austin. Presented by Pierre Berastain, Chief Executive Officer, SAFE Alliance, Wendie Abramson, Chief Quality Officer, SAFE Alliance. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding SAFE Alliance funding. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding Communities In Schools funding. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Chelsea Pfeifer at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-2498 or chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Commission for Women please contact Chelsea Pfeifer at 512-974- …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES MAY 6, 2026 Commission for Women Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, May 6, 2026 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Anderson called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Alexandria Anderson, Chair Alicia Ramirez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Tasha Billet Becky Bullard Rabia Shaik Angela Harris Shaimaa Zayan PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women Regular Meeting on April 1, 2026. The minutes from the Commission for Women regular meeting on April 1, 2026 were approved on Commissioner Harris’s motion, Commissioner Ramirez’s second on a 7-0 vote. Vice Chair Tau was off the dais. Commissioners Bissereth and Melendez were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding women’s wellness by Noor Collective. The presentation was made by Donna Farra, Co-Founder, Noor Collective and Ayesha Shaheryar, Co-Founder, Noor Collective. 1 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES MAY 6, 2026 3. Presentation by Communities in Schools of Central Texas regarding the results of the economic mobility study and Communities in Schools of Central Texas programs. Presentation by Sharon Vigil, Chief Executive Officer, Communities in Schools of Central Texas. Presented by Sharon Vigil, Chief Executive Officer, Communities in Schools of Central Texas. 4. Discuss three priority areas and initiatives for 2026-2027. Discussed. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from Recognition Working Group regarding progress towards September goals. Withdrawn without objection. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Approve a recommendation regarding funding for Communities in Schools Formation of new Working Groups aligned with priority initiatives Update to Collective Sex Crime Response Model Working Group membership Presentation from St. David’s Foundation regarding their Health Equity initiatives Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting at 1:10 p.m. without objection. 2
Open Call Catalyzing Community-Led Change LOI Phase May 28, 2026 Welcome! 1. Understand the Catalyzing Community- Led Change Funding Opportunity 2. Understand Eligibility 3. Understand the Process Pathways to Health Equity 2024-2030 STRATEGIC PLAN Vision for Central Texas A vibrant and inclusive community in which every individual can flourish and reach their full potential. Mission for the Foundation To advance health equity in Central Texas through investment and action. Why This Funding, Why Now • Communities across Central Texas are navigating real pressure: public funding cuts, rising costs, and threats to basic services • At the same time, residents have demonstrated a remarkable ability to organize, advocate, and step in where systems have fallen short • St. David's Foundation believes that lasting change is driven by communities themselves "Change happens in the micro communities. We have to be hopeful and continue to support each other and continue to uplift the voices." — Community Partner, Bastrop County, Community Health Needs Assessment 2024 Goal: To grow, strengthen, and connect community-led networks across Central Texas, and to support resident leadership in communities facing the greatest health challenges. Funding Overview During the three-year grant period, we aim to: • Strengthen locally rooted networks in communities with the greatest health needs across our five-county region Catalyzing Community-Led Change • Increase the number of individuals from historically marginalized communities trained as resident leaders • Advance community-driven health priorities • Build a coordinated, connected ecosystem, a "network of networks," that sustains community-driven impact in health and wellbeing over time Funding Overview Award Amount: To be determined based on organization’s annual budget and scope of work Type of Award: One-time, flexible grant (grantees will have discretion on how the funds are spent as they carry out the grant purpose) Term: 36 months Budget for this Call: The Foundation expects to award up to $10 million in grants for this three-year funding opportunity, roughly $3.3 million per year across all grantees. Expectations During the Grant Term: ▪ Annual grant reports ▪ Learning & evaluation conversations ▪ Cohort peer learning Eligibility Criteria Organizations must: • Be a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (with a valid determination letter at the time of LOI submission), a public or government entity (county, municipality, public health department, public university, public school), religious organization, or use a fiscal sponsor • Operate in one or more of SDF's five-county service area: …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission For Women Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX]: Recommendation to the Austin City Council for the allocation of funding to Communities In Schools of Central Texas to support programs enhancing the academic and personal success of young girls in the Austin Independent School District. WHEREAS, the City of Austin Commission for Women is tasked with advising the City Council on issues affecting the economic security, health, and well-being of women and girls in our community; and WHEREAS, research, including the recently released Harvard Impact Study, demonstrates that personalized, integrated student supports lead to stronger academic outcomes, higher lifetime earnings, and increased local tax contributions; and WHEREAS, young girls in Central Texas, particularly those from under-resourced backgrounds, face unique barriers to education including lack of access to mental health services, basic needs, and mentorship; and WHEREAS, Communities In Schools (CIS) of Central Texas provides a proven “ecosystem of support” by placing dedicated program managers directly on campuses to provide case management, crisis intervention, and academic guidance; and WHEREAS, the support provided by CIS has been shown to empower young girls by improving attendance, graduation rates, and self-efficacy, thereby reducing their long-term involvement with public assistance systems; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to a Racial Equity Plan that seeks to eliminate disparities in outcomes for all residents, with education being a primary driver of such equity. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission recommends the Austin City Council allocate funding—specifically as part of the Social Services budget—to Communities In Schools of Central Texas to sustain and expand its campus-based services. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that funding be prioritized for Communities In Schools of Central Texas ensuring they have the mental health and academic resources necessary to achieve economic independence and long-term success. Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: Seconded By: . For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
