Item 2- CDC CSBG Neighborhood Services Unit Report August 2026 — original pdf

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Austin Public Health Report on PY26 Community Action Plan MISSION: To prevent disease, promote health, and protect the well-being of our community. TOP 5 NEEDS: Housing; Basic Needs; Employment; Health; Income Community Services Block Grant 2026 Contract Programmatic/Financial Report August 11th, 2026 The Community Services Block Grant funds the delivery of services to low-income Texas residents in all 254 counties. These funds support a variety of direct services in addition to helping maintain the core administrative elements of community action agencies. For the City of Austin, the grant provides funding for the delivery of basic needs, case management, preventive health and employment support services through the City’s seven (7) Neighborhood Centers. Mission: The Neighborhood Services Unit aims to improve the lives and health of people experiencing poverty by providing public health and social services and connecting residents of Austin and Travis County to community resources. ◼ Basic Needs (food, clothing, information and referral, notary services, transportation, car safety education and car seats, tax preparation, fans, Thanksgiving food baskets and other seasonal activities); ◼ Preventive Health (screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar including a1C, and cholesterol; pregnancy testing; health promotion presentations, coordination and participation in health fairs, immunizations, coordination of wellness activities, linkages to medical home providers and diabetes case management); ◼ Case Management (individual/family support counseling, advocacy, self-sufficiency case management, crisis intervention, linkages with employers, educational opportunities and training, and working with individuals on quality-of-life issues); ◼ Employment Support (intake, assessment and goal setting, job readiness training, job placement assistance, and job retention services) Expenditures Categories Personnel Fringe Benefits Other Total 2026 Contract Budget $ $ $ $855,640 Cumulative Expenditures through 6/30/26 $337,239.04 $196,590.21 $ $533,829.25 Percent of Total 62% 1 Neighborhood Services Unit Success Stories From the nurse’s own words: The client was referred to me by the social worker at the Montopolis Neighborhood Center for assistance in obtaining eyeglasses. The client had broken her eyeglasses the week before and was having difficulty performing work and daily activities due to poor eyesight. The client was employed part-time at HEB and, as a single mother, was unable to afford employer- sponsored health insurance. She had recently become eligible for the MAP card. I contacted MAP and was told coverage for eye exams and eyeglasses would not be available until the client established care. Her first appointment was scheduled six months later, with no earlier options. I researched and called several places until I found someone who could assist her. I scheduled an appointment at the Half Helen Eye Clinic near her home. The Half Helen Eye Clinic performed a comprehensive eye exam and provided eyeglasses at no cost to the client. Additionally, we were able to obtain glasses for her daughter as well. Of note (From Half Helen’s website): Vision impairment is one of the most prevalent disabling conditions among children. With 80% of learning being visual, early detection and treatment of vision issues can make a life-changing difference in a child’s academic success. Nationally, 40% of children who fail a school vision screening never receive follow-up care. The most common barriers? Unaffordable costs and lack of transportation. * Names and certain identifying details have been altered. 2