IN THIS ISSUE:
- Texas Housing Summit: First-ever event declared a success!
- DPC Member Spotlight: Goodwill Industries of Central Texas
Texas Housing Summit: First-ever event declared a success!
Thanks to these
Housing Summit Sponsors!
- Amerigroup
- Texas State Affordable
Housing Corporation - Evercare
- Wachovia
- Bank of American
- In Home Attendant Services
- Reznick
- Wells Fargo
- Texas Council for
Developmental Disabilities
(consumer stipends)
After months of preparation, the two-day Texas Housing Summit seemed to fly by. More than 150 participants from around the nation gathered in downtown Austin to explore solutions to the housing crisis facing thousands of Texans with disabilities. People with a lot of different perspectives joined the discussion, including consumers, advocates, service providers, lenders, developers, state and federal government leaders and policymakers. It was great to observe so many people working together toward the common goal of making affordable, accessible and integrated housing available for all Texans.
April 22 was devoted to a pre-summit education session for participants interested in learning the basics of housing programs, policies and issues. Feedback from participants suggests the information was useful and the format of the day worked well.
On Day Two the summit focused largely on solutions, with panelists from several other states sharing information about creative approaches to using tax credits, bond financing and universal design, among other things. Keynote addresses from three important figures in the housing world added a “big picture” perspective. John Garvin, Assistant to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Texas Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., and Michael Gerber, Executive Director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, offered insight on state and federal government initiatives and their implications for the Texas housing scene. Lucio and Garvin were each honored with special awards for their achievements in promoting integrated, affordable and accessible housing opportunities.
If you were unable to attend the summit, but would like to get a sense of who was there and what they talked about, we've posted the full program1 on the DPC website, along with a list of the participants1. If you have questions or would like more information, please call the DPC office. The website and other DPC contact information appears at the end of this newsletter.
Finally, one of the most unique things about the summit was the planning process. A dedicated group worked for months to develop the agenda and line up speakers and sponsors. The following people deserve a big pat on the back for their excellent work: Jean Langendorf, (DPC Chair/United Cerebral Palsy of Texas), Amy Young (Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities), Sarah Mills (Advocacy, Inc.), Sarah Watkins (United Cerebral Palsy of Texas), John C. Morris (Texas Center for Disability Studies/ Technology Access Program), Judy Telge (Coast Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living), Russell Harris (Texas Association of Centers for Independent Living), Toni Byrd (DPC Project Coordinator), Janie Taylor (Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation) and Steve Ashman (Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services)
1 Adobe Reader Required.
DPC Member Spotlight: Goodwill Industries of Central Texas
Contact: Katie Navine
Address: 1015 Norwood Park Blvd. Austin, Texas 78753
Phone: (512) 637-7100
E-mail: katie.navine@austingoodwill.org
Mission: To enhance the quality and dignity of life for individuals, families and our community by providing job-related services for people with barriers to employment.
Values: Mission above all else. Respect is earned through leadership. Remove all barriers. Push the envelope. Superior customer service will lead to growth and a community that works.
Organizational structure: Goodwill is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that focuses on ‘servant leadership’ to coach and enable all employees to succeed. We have a culture of promoting innovation and inclusion. We are supported by a board of directors that reflects the community we serve. We promote our clients and partners to make informed choices on employment best suited to meet their goals, needs and experiences.
Goodwill’s mission is funded though our retail stores across Central Texas, and through grants and contracts. The revenue from each sale is circulated back into the community through the services we offer. Our workforce development programs work towards the mission every day by putting people to work. Job Source offers assistance for people seeking entry into the workforce who have a disadvantaging condition, such as limited access to employment, education, housing or health care. The Community Rehabilitation Program works individually with people with significant disabilities. Through extensive employment training and assessments, we assist individuals to find and retain employment within the community. Our Youth Services Program, with funding from WorkSource, Greater Austin Area Workforce Board supports youth ages 14-21 in completing their high school education and preparing for employment and post-secondary education and training. Goodwill Temporary Services (GTS) is a full-service staffing company providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment who are job ready.
What were your three best achievements in the past year?
Each day we enhance the lives and employment opportunities of the clients we serve. While working towards that goal, we also achieved the following:
- We were one of four national recipients of the 2007 Annie E. Casey Foundation Family Strengthening Award, recognizing programs that connect families with the services and resources necessary to overcome barriers to economic and social success.
- We received our third three-year CARF accreditation in February 2008, ensuring we offer the community and clients superior and nationally recognized standards of service.
- We became part of the Americorps program and have four Americorps members addressing critical needs in our community and building organization capacity using a family strengthening model.
If your organization could change one public policy right this minute, what would it be?
If Goodwill could change one public policy right this minute, we would improve upon publicly funded incentives such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to encourage employers to hire people with disabilities.
How long has your organization belonged to the Disability Policy Consortium? How has your organization benefited from being part of the DPC?
Goodwill has been involved with DPC for over two years. This affiliation is effective in keeping our organization aware of community issues and polices surrounding our mission. DPC keeps us plugged in to resources and networks.
About the Disability Policy Consortium
The DPC is made up of a diverse assortment of disability advocacy groups that have joined forces to advance the rights, inclusion and independence of Texans with disabilities. Each member organization contributes its unique perspective and resources to the collective effort to promote effective public policy for a variety of issues important to people with disabilities and their families.
Let your friends know about the Texas Action Center:
Tell-a-friend!
[Disability Policy Consortium's Home Page]
[Send email to the Disability Policy Consortium]
[UCP Texas Home Page]