Austin is one of 10 communities picked to participate in a federal program to help people with behavioral health needs in the criminal justice system. The Downtown Austin Community Court is an inaugural partner for the Criminal Justice Mental Health Learning Site Program, operated by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. Free training, resources and support are intended to promote a holistic approach to criminal justice and mental health. DACC was selected because it deflects people from the criminal justice system by providing comprehensive services to meet needs before situations escalate to involve law enforcement, such as on-site housing-focused case managers, basic needs and social service resources. A press release from the city calls the new program an essential step toward building a more equitable and compassionate criminal justice system that addresses the underlying mental health issues of the people involved. Through the program, the 10 learning sites will share best practices and successful strategies to be replicated across the country. “In our 24 years of service to the Austin community, we’ve proactively evolved to ensure our approach is meeting the needs of the people we serve and providing value to the community overall,” said Robert Kingham, DACC administrator. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve as a Criminal Justice Mental Health Learning Site to share what we’ve learned, and to help other communities across the country as they develop programs aimed at improving outcomes and serving people effectively and compassionately.”

Austin’s Youth Climate Equity Council has a new cohort. Recently, 33 youth leaders were named to the council, which was established to give younger climate activists a chance to engage in and influence local initiatives. This year, students will focus on the city’s Climate Equity Plan, looking at initiatives on sustainability and implementation of the 2021 plan. “I hope to make effective change through education and policy in Austin – and to help organize youth to not only understand the science but to find solutions to the problem that will affect us for the rest of our lives,” newly appointed youth council member Ellison from the Ann Richards School for Young Women said in a statement to the press. “My goal is to organize a movement into action – to make policy changes to stop industries from continuing to harm our communities and our futures, incentivize new industries to innovate solutions, and build new infrastructure to protect those most vulnerable to extreme climate events.” The council is a collaboration between nonprofit EcoRise and the city’s Office of Sustainability.

To reduce injuries and deaths caused by impaired drivers this holiday season, the No Refusal Initiative will take place every night between Dec. 14 and Jan. 1. That’s when officers are allowed to obtain blood search warrants during certain hours when an arrested driver refuses to submit to a blood alcohol test. During the rest of the year, the initiative typically occurs Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The Austin Transportation and Public Works Department and Austin Police Department remind Austinites to drive safe and drive sober. For a list of alternatives to driving under the influence, visit the city’s Know Before You Go, Get Home Safe web page. Public transit, taxicabs, ride-sharing and the Responsible Ride Home program are among the options.

Following a Dec. 7 closed session, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees is one step closer to choosing a new superintendent. The position was posted in November and is currently filled by interim Superintendent Matias Segura, who was previously the district’s chief of operations before assuming the role in January. A message from the board explained that they had received six applications. A potential vote to name a lone finalist is on this Thursday’s agenda. “If a lone finalist is named on December 14, the community will have an opportunity to participate in public forums with the lone finalist in January and the board anticipates voting on a contract in late January,” according to a letter addressed to the AISD community.

A trio of county judges expressed disappointment over recent news that the Austin, San Antonio and Dallas-Fort Worth corridor will not be included in a federal push to expand rail in Texas. Travis County Judge Andy Brown, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins released a statement Friday in reaction to the news, with Brown promising to continue to push for rail in the fast-growing region. “The (Federal Railroad Administration’s) failure to include the Travis-Bexar County corridor is a significant missed opportunity to support responsible growth and investment across Central Texas,” Brown said. “We live in one of the most dynamic and booming regions in the world without passenger rail. We will work closely with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to make this a priority for the next round of investments.” The Federal Railroad Administration announced Friday that the $66 billion in funding for rail development under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would not include efforts to link the three booming cities.

In an effort to study and recommend improvements to Parmer Lane between MoPac Expressway and Cedar Park’s Whitestone Boulevard, the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) will be holding an open house this week. The open house, according to a press release from the transportation planning authority, will introduce the study of improvements and collect feedback from community members “on existing concerns and needs, environmental features and constraints, and desired transportation and safety improvements.” Participants can attend in person from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the Northwest Family YMCA or virtually from 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Jan. 19, by visiting this link. Both meetings will provide the same information and opportunities for feedback. In addition, general questions about the project can be directed to 512-651-3964.

An updated hazard mitigation plan approved Tuesday by the Travis County Commissioners Court could help the county win federal funds for disaster preparation. As Blake Clampffer, chief deputy emergency management coordinator, told county commissioners, adoption of the Texas Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan is a step toward eligibility for federal Unified Hazard Mitigation Grant funding. These funds can be used to buy generators and fund road improvements, public information campaigns, drainage and flood control, wildfire mitigation and infrastructure hardening. “Prior to this revised plan, we had only four different jurisdictions, plus the county,” Clampffer said. “Now we have a total of 16 jurisdictions. So we have a really big plan.” H2O Partners, a business specializing in disaster planning, was contracted in 2022 to coordinate efforts of the jurisdictions, write the plan and then navigate it through the approval process. The approval of the state of Texas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local governing bodies is required. A few of the 16 other jurisdictions involved include Pflugerville, Rollingwood, Sunset Valley and West Lake Hills.

Free and low-cost testing and treatment resources are available locally to prevent the spread of infection, as numbers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise. Those resources include:

• 3rd Annual LGBTQIA+ Health and Resource Fair – noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Austin, TX 78752, free parking available with validation. This public event offers STI/HIV testing, valuable resources from community organizations, entertainment and more.
• RBJ Sexual Health Clinic – 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 15 Waller St., appointments recommended. $20 for testing and treatment of common STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.
• Red Ribbon program – Free testing for HIV as well as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis throughout the city by appointment or at the mobile clinic.

“Anyone can get an STI, but many don’t show symptoms,” said Austin-Travis County Public Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes. “At the same time, many STIs can be treated, and early detection can prevent major complications and spread. With the rate of infection rising nationally and locally, we urge everyone to get tested regularly and treat any infections as soon as possible.” A critical step to prevent the spread of STIs is to get tested regularly, even if you don’t have symptoms or don’t think you were exposed. Early treatment can prevent complications from STIs and keep you from passing one to someone else. You can also get vaccinated against HPV and start PrEP to prevent contracting HIV.

Today is a big day for Austin residents who either support or oppose the changes to zoning put forth in the HOME initiative. Council will begin to hear from the public and deliberate on the proposal at 10 a.m. There are numerous wrinkles to be worked out in implementing the initiative, in particular several suggested by the Planning Commission related to front yard setbacks, preservation and sustainability bonuses, and floor area ratio (FAR) maximums. Assistant City Manager Veronica Briseño outlined some options recommended by staff in a memo dated Dec. 1. Staff is recommending two alternatives on the front yard setback: 20 feet or the shortest setback provided by the closest four structures on the same side of the street. The preservation and sustainability bonus rules are more complex. As for the FAR maximums, staff would include garages and carports in their calculations, which the Planning Commission did not recommend. Alternatively, Briseño wrote, the FAR for two-unit developments could be lowered from 0.55 to 0.50, still allowing for consideration of garage structures in the calculations.

Operation Blue Santa is looking for help in delivering toys and presents to Austinites next Saturday. According to a press release, a perfect volunteer would have a valid driver’s license, a four-wheeled sleigh and “be willing to be on Blue Santa’s nice list.”

There is no need to sign up in advance, and gifts will be loaded directly into cars at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at all of these four locations:

• Blue Santa Warehouse – 4101 South Industrial Drive, Suite #260
• Green Garage at the Domain – Feathergrass Court next to Dillard’s
• APD East Substation – 812 Springdale Road
• APD South Substation – 404 Ralph Ablanedo Drive

Operation Blue Santa has provided toys and food for families in need for the past 50 years. Last year, the effort provided for 5,000 families and an estimated 17,000 children.

A total of $8 million in rental assistance and eviction prevention is now available through the city of Austin Housing Department’s I Belong in Austin (IBIA) Program. The program, which is administered by El Buen Samaritano, will provide financial assistance with rent, relocation and storage for tenants at risk for losing their home. El Buen Samaritano will work with the city, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid and Volunteer Legal Services to provide financial and informational support to those facing eviction. “There were many lessons learned through the RENT program, where we distributed more than $77 million to over 18,000 households. Most importantly, we have learned that the needs still exist; emergency rent assistance and eviction prevention is a critical step to help keep families housed, preventing them from sliding into our homeless population,” stated Nefertitti Jackmon, the city’s community displacement prevention officer, in a statement to the press. More information about the new program, including eligibility requirements and applications for assistance, can be found here.

With the goal of finding professional visual artists and artist-led teams to create artwork for public places in Austin, the application window for three public art opportunities is open till 5 p.m. Dec. 19. The effort is sponsored by the Economic Development Department’s Art in Public Places Program (AIPP), and budgets for the three projects range from $70,000 to $400,000. Austin-based artists are sought for a project (artwork budget: $70,000) for a family violence shelter and protection center, aiming to integrate the visions of key stakeholders into a functional and well-designed facility providing shelter for women and children experiencing family violence in Central Texas. Texas-based artists are sought for a project (artwork budget: $190,000) that’s part of the expansion and renovation of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, which hosts programs that cultivate a profound understanding and appreciation of Mexican American, Native American, Chicano and other Latin American cultures. National artists are sought for a project (artwork budget: $400,000) on the second level of the Palmer Events Center‘s main entrance lobby space. For details on AIPP, public art opportunities and eligibility, visit www.austintexas.gov/aipp.