REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 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 Lauren Adams Vanessa Bissereth Angela Harris Alicia Ramirez Shaimaa Zayan CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Tasha Billet Becky Bullard Diana Melendez Rabia Shaik 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 June 3, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Human Rights Impact report. Presentation by Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion, Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation regarding GenATX, Mayor Kirk Watson’s movement to make Austin the best place in America to be a kid. Presentation by Jasmine Stoughton, Policy Advisor in the Office of Mayor Watson. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. 7. Approve two nominations of members of the Commission For Women to the Joint Inclusion Committee. Approve a recommendation to Council Opposing Proposed $5.1 Million Cut to Social Service Contracts in the City of Austin FY27 Budget and Highlighting Equity Impacts. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding funding for Communities In Schools. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding funding for SAFE Alliance. 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 …
Commission for Women Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 3, 2026 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Anderson called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 12:13 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Alexandria Anderson, Chair Becky Bullard Alicia Ramirez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Tasha Billet Angela Harris PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women Regular Meeting on May 6, 2026. The minutes from the Commission for Women regular meeting on May 6, 2026 were approved on Commissioner Bullard’s motion, Commissioner Ramirez’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Adams, Bissereth, Shaik, Melendez, and Zayan were absent. 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. The presentation was made by Cynthia Washington, Public Health Program Coordinator, and Demetra Tennison, Community Health Worker, Austin Public Health. COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2026 DISCUSSION ITEMS 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, and Wendie Abramson, Chief Quality Officer, SAFE Alliance. The presentation was made by Pierre Berastain, Chief Executive Officer and Wendie Abramson, Chief Quality Officer, SAFE Alliance. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding SAFE Alliance funding. Withdrawn due to lack of quorum. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding Communities In Schools funding. Withdrawn due to lack of quorum. 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. Withdrawn due to lack of quorum. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None discussed due to lack of quorum. Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting at 1:39 p.m. without objection. 2
Human Rights Impact Review Austin Equity and Inclusion What is a Human Rights Framework? A huma n right s fra me work e va lua t e s gove rnme nt pe rforma nc e t hrough t he le ns of residents’ rights, dignity, a nd equitable access to services. Ra t he r t ha n a s king whe t he r progra ms e xis t , it a s ks whe t he r pe ople 's right s a re be ing fulfille d a nd whe re barriers re ma in. Why is it necessary and how does it support the City? Policies and services can exist without reaching those who need them most. A human rights framework helps identify gaps, improve accountability, and ensure that city decisions advance dignity, equity, and access for all residents. 2 Co-Created Impact Review The City engaged He ne kom Group, a huma n right s c ons ult ing firm, t o c onduc t a n inde pe nde nt Huma n Right s Impa c t Re vie w. The re vie w inc lude d re s e a rc h a c ros s 160+ sources , e nga ge me nt wit h more t ha n 300 stakeholders , a nd a c ommunit y works hop wit h 120 participants priorit ize huma n right s ris ks a nd t o ide nt ify a nd opport unit ie s a c ros s 12 ke y is s ue a re a s . The re s ult ing re c omme nda t ions we re c o- c re a t e d, re fle c t ing c ommunit y input a nd be s t pra c t ic e from int e rna t iona l huma n right s s t a nda rds . 3 City of Austin - Human Rights Framework "Design and implement a Human Rights framework for assessing existing City services and programs to improve accessibility and responsiveness for residents' needs." 160+ 300+ Sources and commissions reviewed Stakeholders identified and engaged 120 Registered workshop attendees 92 Issues identified 69 Propos e d mit iga t ion for s a lie nc e s 4 Steps to Conduct a Human Rights Impact Review Issue Identification → Mitigation Identification …
Mayor s Committee for People with Disabilities Human Rights Impact Review Austin Equity and Inclusion Women’s Commission Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 12:00 PM (City Hall) What is a Human Rights Framework? A huma n right s fra me work e va lua t e s gove rnme nt pe rforma nc e t hrough t he le ns of residents’ rights, dignity, a nd equitable access to services. Ra t he r t ha n a s king whe t he r progra ms e xis t , it a s ks whe t he r pe ople 's right s a re be ing fulfille d a nd whe re barriers re ma in. Why is it necessary and how does it support the City? Policies and services can exist without reaching those who need them most. A human rights framework helps identify gaps, improve accountability, and ensure that city decisions advance dignity, equity, and access for all residents. 2 Co-Created Impact Review The City engaged He ne kom Group, a huma n right s c ons ult ing firm, t o c onduc t a n inde pe nde nt Huma n Right s Impa c t Re vie w. The re vie w inc lude d re s e a rc h a c ros s 160+ sources , e nga ge me nt wit h more t ha n 300 stakeholders , a nd a c ommunit y works hop wit h 120 participants priorit ize huma n right s ris ks a nd t o ide nt ify a nd opport unit ie s a c ros s 12 ke y is s ue a re a s . The re s ult ing re c omme nda t ions we re c o- c re a t e d, re fle c t ing c ommunit y input a nd be s t pra c t ic e from int e rna t iona l huma n right s s t a nda rds . 3 City of Austin - Human Rights Framework "Design and implement a Human Rights framework for assessing existing City services and programs to improve accessibility and responsiveness for residents' needs." 160+ 300+ Sources and commissions reviewed Stakeholders identified and engaged 120 Registered workshop attendees 92 Issues identified 69 Propos e d mit iga t ion for s a lie …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission For Women Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX] Opposing Proposed $5.1 Million Cut to Social Service Contracts in the City of Austin FY27 Budget and Highlighting Equity Impacts WHEREAS, the City Manager’s FY27 proposed budget includes at least a $5.1 million reduction to social service contracts in FY27, with a deeper $8.8 million in cuts anticipated in FY28, according to the City of Austin staff memorandum dated July 2, 2026 (“Social Services Contracts Analysis, Resolution No. 20260226-056”); and WHEREAS, proposed reductions potentially include up to 38% in transportation services, 35% in basic needs, 35% in legal services, 34% in family services, 32% in workforce development, 32% in HIV services, and 100% elimination of community planning and neighborhood capacity building, alongside ~10% reductions in behavioral health, health equity, and certain homelessness services; and WHEREAS, demand for these services remains high: for example, in FY26, City of Austin nonprofit partners served more than 40,000 households with eviction prevention and housing stability support, provided over 2.5 million meals through food access programs, delivered legal aid to more than 8,000 low-income residents, and supported thousands of older adults with transportation and eldercare; and WHEREAS, Austin-area nonprofits are already absorbing more than $42 million in federal cuts and freezes across 82 Central Texas organizations, which forcing service number reductions, staff layoffs, and program closures; while philanthropic funding has also declined, with several major funders reducing grants or shifting priorities, leaving nonprofits with fewer resources to offset public cuts; and WHEREAS, the proposed reductions will disproportionately harm marginalized residents: • African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, and LGBTQ residents, who rely on culturally responsive health and social services; • Women, children, families experiencing poverty, food insecurity, and domestic violence, and who depend on family services, legal aid, and housing stability programs; • Residents of the Eastern Crescent, where community-based services help address longstanding disparities in health, transportation and economic opportunity; • Older adults in suburban districts, who depend on transportation, nutrition, eldercare support services, and health equity programs to remain healthy, independent and avoid isolation; . • People with disabilities, who require accessible community services and supports to fully participate in community life; and WHEREAS, budget reductions of this magnitude would leave thousands of Austinites without access to basic needs, increase downstream costs to shelters, emergency healthcare, and law enforcement, and undermine the City’s adopted equity goals; and WHEREAS, Austin's community nonprofit organizations serve as …
. 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: _____________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission For Women Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX]: Funding for SAFE Alliance Eloise House and Shelters Date of Approval: Recommendation: The City of Austin Commission for Women urges City Council to provide emergency funding to keep the forensic exam program running at Eloise House and to right-size funding for SAFE shelters (increasing the current grant by $200,000). Rationale: Eloise House provides 95% of forensic exams in Travis County, a critical service for survivors and public safety, and is slated to close June 8th due to funding cuts. The trauma-informed care SAFE provides is nationally and internationally recognized. Quickly kicking these services to the overstrained Emergency Rooms with unspecialized staff and 5 or 10 hour wait times is not an appropriate substitute and will undoubtedly lead to less reporting, on top of the underreporting we know happens in sexual assault cases. Austin does not have enough shelter beds and SAFE is currently expanding services to assist with this gap. The community shelters that will close in October without increased funding support currently house about 88 children and 35 adults, all of whom are in imminent threat of serious harm, including murder. Closing the existing community shelters will leave these children and adults with nowhere to go. Survivors also have a statutory right to victim advocates. No one else provides them at the scale that SAFE currently does. Reduced funding for SAFE’s programs will result in higher crisis costs across public systems: emergency rooms, courts and jails, law enforcement, child welfare, homelessness systems, schools, crisis mental health. SAFE estimates that every dollar invested prevents $4 in downstream costs. The most fiscally responsible AND humane course of action is to invest in safety, survivor support, and homicide prevention by renewing and right-sizing the City’s financial support of SAFE programs. Motioned By: Seconded By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: __________________________________
