REGULAR MEETING OF THE JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026, 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1401/1402 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DR AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Joint Inclusion Committee may be participating by videoconference. 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 Ryan Sperling, 512-974-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Diana Melendez Richard Bondi (Vice Chair) Primary Representative: Justin Parsons Nirali J Thakkar Member Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Commission for Women Commission on Aging Commission on Immigrant Affairs Diane Kanawati Commission on Veterans Affairs Early Childhood Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Human Rights Commission LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Lisa Chang Bryce F Laake-Stanfield Craig McNary Amanda Afifi (Chair) Tannya Oliva-Martínez Jerry Joe Benson Alternate Representative: Alexandria Anderson Nayer Sikder Becky Bullard Teresa Ferguson Azeem Edwin Christopher Wilson Delphi Alvizo Dulce Castaneda Lila Igram VACANT VACANT AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 Joint Inclusion Committee regular meeting on March 25, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Levers of Economic Mobility Index. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity & Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation regarding Long Covid awareness and its impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. Presentation by Katie Drackert, Clear the Air ATX, and Dr. Michael Brode, Medical Director, UT Post Covid Clinic. 4. Discussion to compile questions from commissioners to ask Austin Police Department staff. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the Community Conversation Working Group on outreach to community members to prepare questions for a quarterly briefing request for Austin Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Discussion on the commission’s current working groups and whether any should be dissolved, and possible approval of changes to working group membership. …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES [Day, Month Date, Year] JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MINUTES REGUAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026 The Joint Inclusion Committee convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Bondi called the Joint Inclusion Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Delphi Alvizo Richard Bondi Bryce Laake Stanfield Tannya Oliva Martinez Justin Parsons Nirali Thakkar Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jerry Joe Benson Dulce Castaneda Lisa Chang Diane Kanawati PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Joint Inclusion Committee Special Called meeting on February 26, 2026. The February 26, 2026 minutes were approved on Commissioner Oliva-Martinez’ motion, Commissioner Parson’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Benson was off the dais. Chair Afifi and Commissioners Bullard, McNary, and Melendez were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion to compile questions from commissioners to ask Austin Police Department staff. Postponed until April without objection. 1 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES [Day, Month Date, Year] DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and possible approval of a recommendation to Council regarding priorities & focus areas, safeguards & controls, and community engagement for social services funding. This item was taken up after item 4 without objection. There was a motion by Commissioner Laake-Stanfield, seconded by Commissioner Thakkar, to amend the document to strike “community planning” and insert “Homelessness Services” in the first THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED. The motion was approved on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Chang abstained. Chair Afifi and Commissioners Bullard, McNary, and Melendez were absent. There was a motion by Commissioner Laake-Stanfield, seconded by Commissioner Parsons to amend the document to strike “Stigma Index, Regional Planning contracts” and insert “Emergency shelter ops, Marshaling Yard, and Rapid Rehousing” in the first THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED. The motion was approved on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Chang abstained. Chair Afifi and Commissioners Bullard, McNary, and Melendez were absent. the document There was a motion by Commissioner Chang, seconded by Commissioner Kanawati, to amend Job Training, Apprenticeships, and Ready to Work Programs” in the first THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED. The motion was approved on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Alvizo, Castaneda, Kanawati, and Laake Stanfield abstained. Chair Afifi and Commissioners Bullard, McNary, and Melendez were absent. insert “Workforce Development – to There was a motion by Commissioner Laake-Stanfield, seconded by Commissioner Alvizo, to amend …
Economic Mobility Austin Equity & Inclusion Our Time Together • Economic Mobility Overview • Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections • Building the Economic Mobility Index • Turning the Index Into Action • Upcoming Event 2 What Drives Economic Mobility Economic mobility is shaped by our systems, policies, and investments — not just individual effort. Mobility includes building wealth and long-term stability for future generations. Education, health, housing, childcare, and strong social conditions enable families to thrive. In Austin, persistent disparities limit opportunities, but a person’s future shouldn’t be determined by their neighborhood or systemic barriers. Beyond Wages Quality of Life We Shape Systems 3 Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections High-Level Themes Financial Progress & Economic Outcomes • Deeply affordable housing • • Utility assistance and energy relief Job pipelines and employment access programs Quality of Life & Well-Being • Pop-up clinics in high-need areas • Culturally competent healthcare training • Inclusive planning processes for older adults Opportunities & Access Teen job search portal • • Strengthen multilingual outreach • Partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and public agencies Families, Communities, & Systems • Neighborhood safety audits • Greening and beautification initiatives • Strengthen family-support systems through childcare access and wraparound services 4 Definition Economic mobility addresses systems to improve unfair conditions that influence whether individuals, families, and communities can prosper over time and across generations. It means access to opportunities and resources needed for basic needs, financial security, and a dignified, high quality of life — regardless of race, place, gender, or ability. 5 Economic Mobility Index Human-centered, place-based tool for understanding conditions that shape residents’ ability to thrive in Austin. Visualizes neighborhood- level disparities as defined by economic mobility. Focuses on underlying conditions to guide service delivery and decision- making using data and community insights. Provides a common lens to support coordination, planning, and shared outcomes—without replacing existing tools. 6 Our Approach: Identifying Levers National Frameworks & Local Tools • Drivers of Poverty • Social Vulnerable Index • Justice 40 • Neighborhood Prosperity Dashboard etc. Hybrid Engagement Process • Quality of Life Studies • CoA Commissions • Internal & External Stakeholders • Every Texan Peer Cities Review 10 cities similar in: • State • Size • Demographics • Product CoA Levers of Economic Mobility • 3 Themes • 6 Sub-themes • 18 Levers of Economic Mobility 7 Building the Index Together Early childhood foundations shape mobility • Indicator: Enrollment in early education (public …
