Special Meeting of the Joint Inclusion Committee Wednesday, April 22, 2020 Joint Inclusion Committee to be held April 22, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, April 21, 20202 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 22nd Joint Inclusion Committee Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-2544 or Jessica.coronado@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Jessica.coronado@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 3:00pm Via Videoconferencing CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Janee Briesemeister (Chair) Alternate: Sally Van Sickle Flannery Bope (Vice-Chair) Alternate: Rebecca Austen Amanda Afifi Karen Crawford Alicia Weigel Alternate: Maria Solis Nguyen Stanton Alternate: Krystal Gomez Sandra Chavez Alternate: Nathan White Robin Orlowski Gregory Smith Alternate: Joey Gidseg Alternate: Marissa Jones Alternate: Vince Cobalis Alternate: Charles Curry AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES None due to the cancellation of the March meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding COVID-19 and resources needed for the community. b. Discussion and possible action regarding FY2020-2021 budget recommendations 3. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE MEMBERS a. Update from the Commission for Seniors - Janee Briesemeister, Alternate: Sally Van Sickle b. Update from the Commission for Women - Flannery Bope, Alternate: Rebecca Austen c. Update from the Hispanic/Latino QOL Advisory Commission - Amanda Afifi, d. Update from the Commission on Immigrant Affairs - Karen Crawford, Alternate: Alternate: Maria Solis Krystal Gomez e. Update from the Human Rights Commission - …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02A Subject: Support of Commission for Women Resolution 20200417-03C: COVID-19 Responses for Women and Girls Motioned By: Austen Seconded By: Orlowski The Joint Inclusion Committee supports Commission for Women Resolution 20200417-03C: COVID-19 Responses for Women and Girls Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austin, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair 1 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN RECOMMENDATION 20200417-03C Date: April 17, 2020 Subject: COVID-19 Responses for Women and Girls Motioned By: Chair Rebecca Austen Seconded By: Sarah Tober Recommendation to Council WHEREAS, the Commission for Women (“Commission”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body to the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager concerning the needs and problems of women in the Austin area and shall recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront women in social, economic and vocational pursuits; and WHEREAS, the City has been responsive to the needs of the community regarding the COVID- 19 pandemic, and Council passed Resolution No. 20200326-091 on March 26, 2020 to provide programs and resources to address the impact of the pandemic; and WHEREAS, the effects of the pandemic have amplified adverse impacts on women and girls due to shelter-in-place, job losses, school closures and other circumstances, including: • Increased health and safety risks for women and children experiencing abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, sex trafficking and homelessness, with heightened risks for women and children of color, LGBTQ+, disabled, immigrant/refugee status, and foster care or runaway youth; abusers may become more predatory and violent as they experience economic pressures, isolation and stress; many organizations have reduced or eliminated services, resulting in fewer options for victims; in-person visits by advocates have been restricted or suspended, and virtual contact may not be safe or practical; victims are reluctant to contact law enforcement or medical providers for issues unrelated to COVID- 19; • Increased caregiving responsibilities due to closures of childcare facilities and schools, which disproportionately fall to women; the need for skills, equipment, internet access and time to teach children, often while working; caregiving for elderly, sick or …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02A Subject: Support of Hispanic/Latino American Quality of Life Commission Resolution 20200410-003a: COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing Motioned By: Solis Seconded By: Orlowski Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation The Joint Inclusion Committee supports Hispanic/Latino American Quality of Life Commission Resolution 20200410-003a: COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austin, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair 1 of 3 BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: 20200410-003a - COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing WHEREAS, early COVID-19 data around the nation indicates that the coronavirus is disproportionally impacting Latino/Hispanic and African Americans; and WHEREAS, Latino/Hispanic and African American populations are often on the front lines of exposure to the pandemic and less likely to have health insurance and access to transportation, which complicates the ability to seek treatment for illnesses; and WHEREAS, mass loss of employment and financial strain has worsened food and resource insecurity and increased the urgent need for food resources. WHEREAS, the Austin community values equity and ensuring that all our vulnerable communities are protected and sufficiently served NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable testing of COVID-19 Austin prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. Equitable testing includes geographic equity in location of testing sites, the use of community health workers to conduct mobile testing and contact tracing, distribution of personal protective equipment to community health workers and other frontline staff, and equitable services in care and recovery from COVID-19. All testing and treatment should incorporate racial and ethnic data collection. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable access to mobile social service and food distribution sites prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. In the interest of equity as well as public health, food distribution should be decentralized through the use of neighborhood centers and other methods of mobile distribution opposed …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02A Subject: Support of Hispanic/Latino American Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: (20200410-3a): COVID-19 Minority Small Business Aid Motioned By: Orlowski Seconded By: Austin Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation The Joint Inclusion Committee supports Hispanic/Latino American Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: (20200410-3a): COVID-19 Minority Small Business Aid with the addition of support provided in multiple languages including American Sign Language and Braille. Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austin, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair 1 of 3 BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (20200410-3a): COVID-19 Minority Small Business Aid WHEREAS, immigrant-owned businesses in 2019 employed 8 million Americans; and WHEREAS, about 3.2 million immigrants ran their own businesses, making up one in every five entrepreneurs in the country; and WHEREAS, in Texas in 2018 there were: 389,455 immigrant entrepreneurs and 635,942 employees at immigrant- owned firms; and WHEREAS, in the Austin Metro Area in 2017 we had 25,037 immigrant entrepreneurs; and WHEREAS, local small businesses continue to shape and influence the local economic landscape of our city. Unlike other businesses, many local small Latino minority/women-owned businesses continue to face market and financial barriers and discrimination. People of color continue to earn less than their white counterparts and are routinely subjected to predatory lending and higher interest rates, which impairs their ability to raise traditional capital and financing. Much of these disparities are documented in previous City of Austin disparity study reports; and WHEREAS, to date, there are gaps in the proposed loan programs recommended by the City that do not serve/support many Latino own businesses and/or our immigrant owned businesses; and WHEREAS, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission’s purpose is to advise the City of Austin on Latino/Hispanic American quality of life; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission requests that Austin City Council: 1. Expand scopes of work, tasks and deliverables with existing service provider contracts with Trade Associations and Chambers in an effort to expand the City’s efforts to support local small businesses, enhance communications, …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02B Subject: Support of Commission on Immigrant Affairs Budget Request on Funding of Immigrant Legal Services Motioned By: Crawford Seconded By: Orlowski Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation The Joint Inclusion Committee supports the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Budget Request on Funding of Immigrant Legal Services Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austen, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair 1 of 2 Legal Services Funding passed by Commission on Immigrant Affairs on 4/22/20 1) What did you hear from the community? We heard that legal services funding is crucial, and that there is still unmet need 2) What problem are they addressing? Helping immigrants who need access to counsel, and cannot afford attorneys. This is especially so for immigrants facing removal proceedings. 3) How does the problem show up? Who is most impacted? In a time of increased enforcement, more people are at risk of being placed in removal proceedings. In a time of increasingly restrictive immigration policy, people have more need of legal representation, as it’s become very complicated, and the risks of completing applications incorrectly are extremely high. Those most impacted are low income immigrants. 4) Is there funding dedicated to address this problem? yes 5) which department administers it? Public Health 6) How much funding? One vendor receives $210,000, one vender receives $70,000 7) Which organization is funded? How long have they been funded? American Gateways and Catholic Charities 8) How is success measured? Number of people served 9) what are the impacts? Who is served? Outcomes? Where are the gaps? Are there demographics? There is a need for increased funding. Immigrants often work in the service industry and are being hard hit by the COVID-19 situation. To compound that, if they do not have work authorization, they are not eligible for unemployment, and if at least one person in the family does not have a social security number, the family is not eligible for the stimulus payment. This leaves immigrant families in a significantly worse situation than other Austin families at this time. Meanwhile, immigration rules continue to get more …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02B Subject: Support of Commission on Immigrant Affairs Budget Request on Funding of Immigrant Affairs Office Motioned By: Crawford Seconded By: Orlowski Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation The Joint Inclusion Committee supports the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Budget Request on Funding of Immigrant Affairs Office Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austen, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair 1 of 2 Immigrant Affairs Office passed by Commission on Immigrant Affairs on 4/22/20 1) What did you hear from the community? Appreciation that the Immigrant Affairs position was created, and recognition that one person cannot handle all of the work that will be required 2) What problem are they addressing? Whether the needs of the immigrant community in Austin are met 3) How does the problem show up? Who is most impacted? We have a large and diverse immigrant community, with varying needs and varying degrees of involvement in city government. Those most impacted are largely unseen, whether because of language barriers, cultural concerns, or concerns related to immigration status. This office will be able to reach out to the community so that their voices can be heard. 4) Is there funding dedicated to address this problem? There is funding for one staff person 5) which department administers it? Equity 6) How much funding? $100,000 7) Which organization is funded? How long have they been funded? n/a this is a city staff position 8) How is success measured? This is a new position so how success will be measured is to be determined 9) what are the impacts? Who is served? Outcomes? Where are the gaps? Are there demographics? There is a large, diverse immigrant community in Austin. Our hope is that the immigrant affairs office can go out into the community to learn their concerns, see where there are gaps in services, and assess the City’s ability to address their concerns 10) How do we solve for the problem? We are including this request so that our commission’s concerns about this can be recorded. The immigrant affairs coordinator just started in her position …
Date: April 22, 2020 Subject: JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02B Support of the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Budget Request on RISE funding. Stanton Seconded By: Orlowski Motioned By: Recommendation The Joint Inclusion Committee supports the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Budget Request on RISE funding. Description of Recommendation to Council See attached. Rationale: The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. Vote For: Briesemeister, Austen, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair 2020-2021 Budget Recommendations Root Cause Analysis Story: What did you hear from the community? This request is related to the RISE relief approved by Austin City Council on April 09, 2020 of 15 million dollars allocated to the Austin community to fill the gaps in the Austin community to either lower income communities, communities that are unemployed or underemployed. Furthermore, it is the mission of the resolution that, “RISE relief can be achieved by expanding the capacity and reach of community-based organizations that may already be in partnership with the City of Austin, but may also require new partnerships with specialized providers with existing models to reach particular populations in new ways that meet impacted families where they are. Services and direct assistance should target populations who are traditionally marginalized or typically face additional barriers to enrolling in assistance programs, such as, but not limited to, language barriers. Services and assistance should be distributed by providers that have a history of trust and success in reaching communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrant communities, and other historically marginalized communities.” Problem: What is the problem you identify? There are few Asian organizations that are directly in place in Austin to direct this funding towards eligible members of the Asian community in Austin. Furthermore, there is a large segment of the Austin Asian population that that might not be eligible for the stimulus payments under the CARES Act signed into law by the federal government. This affects many Asian families here in Austin. How does the problem show up in your community? Who is most impacted by the problem? There is a large segment of the Austin Asian population that that might not be eligible for …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02B Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation Subject: Support of the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Commission budget recommendation on transportation Motioned By: Solis Seconded By: Orlowski The Joint Inclusion Committee supports the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Commission budget recommendation on transportation. Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austen, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair Form Name: Submission Time: Browser: IP Address: Unique ID: Location: Your Information Commission Budget Recommendation Form April 24, 2020 1:54 pm Chrome 81.0.4044.122 / Windows 66.90.190.251 604118981 Your Name Angelica Erazo Your Commission Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Email BC-Amanda.Afifi@austintexas.gov After question three, which questions from the flowchart are you prepared to answer? Is there funding? Which department holds the funding? What are the impacts, and gaps? Root Cause Analysis Story: What did you hear from the community? This recommendations looks to provide equitable transportation options and services in traditionally and currently underserved Hispanic and African American communities throughout the city. Time and time again, we are hearing that a lot of resources are being allocated for transportation; however, there continues to be lack of sidewalks, lack of lighting for people to walk safely during the night, and lack of viable public transportation options for the Eastern Crescent specifically. People on the Eastern Crescent rely more on public transportation, walking, etc., and barely have access to viable transportation options. While biking is a great alternative, creating bike trails is not the only solution. Additionally, Cap Metro has shades on several of the bus stops on the Western Crescent, but people on the East Side have no shade and Cap Metro is very unreliable. Sometimes people have to wait hours to get onto the bus. Also, the request for speed bumps is more difficult now and negatively impacts safety. When you drive on the west side, there are a bunch of speed bumps, but you do not see the same on the east side. The cops are always speeding down the street incredibly fast and violating the speed limit without having their lights on. This is incredibly …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02B Subject: Support of Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Resolution 2020410-04d: FY2021 Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Stanton Seconded By: Orlowski Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation The Joint Inclusion Committee supports Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Resolution 2020410-04d: FY2021 Budget Recommendations Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austin, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Asian American Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (2020410-04d): FY2021 Budget Recommendations. WHEREAS, the Asian American Quality of Life (AAQoL) Advisory Commission was created to advise the City Council on issues related to the Asian American Resource Center and will provide on-going guidance and support for the City's Asian American quality of life initiatives, and WHEREAS, the AAQoL Advisory Commission, as part of its duties, annually submits budget recommendations each spring in support of programs of that promote equity and the quality of life of Asian Americans in Austin, and WHEREAS, the AAQOL Advisory Commission was in the process of finalizing its budget recommendations for submission to the Equity Office for consideration in the City’s Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget when the COVID-19 crisis hit the Austin area, and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 crisis has and will continue to strain city resources during the response and recovery effort, and WHEREAS, City revenues from sales taxes are anticipated to be greatly reduced by the crisis, and WHEREAS, the complete picture of lost revenue and its effect on the FY 2020-21 budget is difficult to project at this time but it is expected to be severe, and WHEREAS, the City will need to direct additional resources in the current budget and the FY 2020-21 budget to provide relief in the form of health aid, housing, food aid, and other forms of assistance to those facing financial peril due to the spread of COVID-19, and WHEREAS, the City is planning to use a portion of its budget reserves to assist residents, and WHEREAS, City Council and staff are developing guidelines for the Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) Fund for direct aid programs and health care …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02B Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation Subject: Support of the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Commission budget recommendation on transportation Motioned By: Solis Seconded By: Orlowski The Joint Inclusion Committee supports the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Commission budget recommendation on transportation. Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austen, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair Form Name: Submission Time: Browser: IP Address: Unique ID: Location: Your Information Commission Budget Recommendation Form April 24, 2020 1:54 pm Chrome 81.0.4044.122 / Windows 66.90.190.251 604118981 Your Name Angelica Erazo Your Commission Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Email BC-Amanda.Afifi@austintexas.gov After question three, which questions from the flowchart are you prepared to answer? Is there funding? Which department holds the funding? What are the impacts, and gaps? Root Cause Analysis Story: What did you hear from the community? This recommendations looks to provide equitable transportation options and services in traditionally and currently underserved Hispanic and African American communities throughout the city. Time and time again, we are hearing that a lot of resources are being allocated for transportation; however, there continues to be lack of sidewalks, lack of lighting for people to walk safely during the night, and lack of viable public transportation options for the Eastern Crescent specifically. People on the Eastern Crescent rely more on public transportation, walking, etc., and barely have access to viable transportation options. While biking is a great alternative, creating bike trails is not the only solution. Additionally, Cap Metro has shades on several of the bus stops on the Western Crescent, but people on the East Side have no shade and Cap Metro is very unreliable. Sometimes people have to wait hours to get onto the bus. Also, the request for speed bumps is more difficult now and negatively impacts safety. When you drive on the west side, there are a bunch of speed bumps, but you do not see the same on the east side. The cops are always speeding down the street incredibly fast and violating the speed limit without having their lights on. This is incredibly …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02B Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation Subject: Support of the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Commission Budget Recommendation on mental health services. Motioned By: Solis Seconded By: Orlowski The Joint Inclusion Committee supports the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Commission Budget Recommendation on mental health services. Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austen, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair Form Name: Submission Time: Browser: IP Address: Unique ID: Location: Your Information Commission Budget Recommendation Form April 24, 2020 2:20 pm Chrome 81.0.4044.122 / Windows 66.90.190.251 604128692 Your Name Felicia Pena Your Commission Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Email BC-Amanda.Afifi@austintexas.gov After question three, which questions from the flowchart are you prepared to answer? Is there funding? Which department holds the funding? Which orgs receive it? How is success measured? What are the impacts, and gaps? Root Cause Analysis Story: What did you hear from the community? Problem: What is the problem you identify? How does the problem show up in your community? Who is most impacted by the problem? Is there funding to address the problem? Yes There is a need to expand mental health services for the Latinx community, including LGBTQIA+ communities, veterans, youth, families, and survivors of abuse. Addressing mental health concerns within these communities can potentially stop cycles of abuse and trauma. We also heard that victims of crimes are not receiving the appropriate support they need to process and heal from the traumatizing event they witnessed and/or experienced. There is a lack of affordable and accessible mental health resources for women, families, LGBTQIA+ communities, veterans, and survivors of abuse and the agencies that are currently providing these services need additional funding to expand services. Additional funding is needed to allow agencies to hire additional social workers, expand to provide services in schools and additional neighborhoods/communities, and align with City of Austin efforts to serve Latinx communities. Lack of mental health resources can lead to issues in the home, work, school, and public. Untreated mental health issues leads to an increase in overall suicide rates, and suicide is one …
Date: April 22, 2020 Subject: JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02B Support of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Budget Recommendation 20200408-2A(1) to Develop LGBTQ-Focused Programs Curry Seconded By: Solis Motioned By: Recommendation The Joint Inclusion Committee supports the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission Budget Recommendation 20200408-2A to Develop LGBTQ-Focused Programs Description of Recommendation to Council See attached. Rationale: The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. Vote For: Briesemeister, Austen, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408-2A(1) Budget Recommendation to Develop LGBTQ-Focused Programs WHEREAS, the City of Austin has recognized in their Strategic Direction the need to inclusively honor and preserve Austin’s unique and diverse history, culture and traditions, and WHEREAS, the adopted Strategic Direction also calls for a regular inventory and evaluation of cultural programming and facilities to identify gaps and opportunities for impacting equity and equality while implementing standardized process for collecting and analyzing demographic participation, and WHEREAS, the LGBTQ community has long advocated for the need for facilities and programs dedicated to the unique aspect of our community’s culture similar to those provided to the African American, Hispanic and Asian American communities, and WHEREAS, the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission community forum on the City’s 2020 Budget heard requests for more LGBTQ focused recreation and cultural programming, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends to the City Council that city departments develop LGBTQ focused programming using existing available resources and facilities as well as utilizing community organizations for support and volunteers, and that BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Council direct the City Manager to report back to Council on a plan for collecting and reporting on the demographic information on the implementation of such LGBTQ focused recreation and cultural programming prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year. Date of Approval: April 8, 2020 Record of the vote: Unanimous on an 11-0 vote. Present: Martinez, Gonzales, Baeza, Chavez, Curette, Curry, Dowling, Gonzalez, Hines, Taylor, Wollerson Attest: Kathryn Gonzales, Vice Chair Page 1 of 1
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20200422-02B Date: April 22, 2020 Recommendation Subject: Support of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission budget recommendation on use of nonprofits Motioned By: Curry Seconded By: Orlowski The Joint Inclusion Committee supports the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission budget recommendation on use of nonprofits. Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Inclusion Committee strengthens connections between City boards and commissions concerned with quality of life in Austin and advises the City Council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity, and inclusion. This resolution furthers equity, diversity and inclusion. For: Briesemeister, Austen, Solis, Crawford, Stanton, Curry, Orlowski See attached. Rationale: Vote Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Weigel, Jones Attest: Janee Briesemeister, Chair LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408-2A(2) Budget Recommendation to Utilize Community Organizations and Nonprofits to Achieve Strategic Direction Outcomes WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted a plan for focusing resources on the most important priorities known as Austin Strategic Direction 2023, and WHEREAS, the Strategic Direction recognizes the need for a city government that works effectively and collaboratively for all of us and that is equitable, ethical and innovative, and WHEREAS, city staff has asked that City Commissions be cognizant of the limitations that recent state legislation places on the City’s financial resources and include in their recommendations opportunities for departments to increase efficiencies, improve effectiveness and attain more equitable service delivery, and WHEREAS, Austin has a wide variety of community organizations and nonprofits with objectives similar to those in the City’s Strategic Direction, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council direct staff to explore additional opportunities for utilizing community organizations and nonprofits in achieving the outcomes set forth in the Strategic Direction for the benefit of the community as a whole such as, • Coordinating with community nonprofits who can expand existing efforts while offsetting costs through donations and volunteers such as the job fairs provided by AustinUp; • Utilizing city staff to organize volunteers to provide new or expanded services such as peer mentoring in practical skills suggested by participants at the Commission on Seniors community forum; • Working with community organizations to achieve the mental health outcomes identified by participants in the African American Quality of Life community forum; • Working with community organization grant recipients to identify process changes that can maximize resources on service delivery while minimizing overhead …
