Partner with United Way to build systems that get families to the incomes they need. In January, United Way for Greater Austin hosted the Family-Sustaining Income Summit, where we highlighted a persistent challenge in how we design and implement economic mobility programs, systems, and initiatives in our area. The data we commonly use to inform upward mobility opportunities does not reflect what families actually need to be stable. Poverty measures, like Federal Poverty Level (FPL), are used to evaluate household needs and set eligibility for government and nonprofit assistance. A household income of 100% FPL defines households living in poverty and 200% FPL is classified as low-income. Most government and nonprofit support systems are designed to phase out around these household income levels. However, because the Greater Austin area has a higher cost of living than other parts of the country and because the FPL has not meaningfully changed in decades, FPL is greatly undercounting the number of households actually struggling to make ends meet. Poverty measures show us what households are potentially in crisis and eligible for public assistance programs, but not the entirety of households struggling to make ends meet. Family-sustaining income measures calculate the income families actually need to be able to pay their bills, send their children to high-quality child care, and save for emergencies. This is the income families need to be stable, and beyond that, to thrive. The ALICE dataset is a family-sustaining income measure used by United Way that makes visible the thousands […]
United Way for Greater Austin’s 8th annual A Night United brought together more than 300 guests to celebrate and illuminate the impact made possible for children and families across Central Texas. As we look toward the future, we also reflect on the role United Way plays in our community. We are more than a funder or service partner; we serve as a strategic leader and trusted convener, bringing together partners, resources, and community voices to address our region’s challenges. The evening highlighted our 2030 North Star goals, which will guide our work in the years ahead. By 2030, we aim to ensure: 70% of children who enter Kindergarten are ready to learn. 19,000 households transition from low-income to financial stability, supporting nearly 4,000 households each year. 60% of people who use our resources see improvements in areas of stability, such as food access, income support, or health care, within six months. These North Stars represent United Way’s commitment to creating lasting, positive change across the region, made possible through the dedication of our staff, board, partners, and supporters. Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed several opportunities to participate in the fun while supporting the mission. Attendees could purchase a Golden Ticket for the chance to win a special group prize and also bid on exciting auction packages, including tickets to Austin City Limits Music Festival, a trip to New York City with Broadway show tickets, and a seven-night getaway to Los Cabos. The breakout star of the night was this year’s […]
In 2023, United Way for Greater Austin received the Texas Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five (PDG B-5), investing $484,500 over three years to strengthen early childhood support in Travis County. This report highlights what was accomplished and the foundation built to continue improving how families with young children access support in our community. Two key strategies guided this work: Creating a sustainable way for families to share their voices through the launch of United Way’s Family Advisory Council and a dedicated Family Engagement Coordinator to lead this effort. Bringing healthcare providers into early childhood conversations by establishing a Physician Champion role. Together, these efforts expanded the impact of the Success By 6 (SX6) Coalition, helping organizations collaborate more effectively to support families across the region. Centering Family Voices in Early Childhood Planning Funding supported the launch of the Success By 6 (SX6) Family Advisory Committee (FAC) and a new Family Engagement Coordinator role. This structure ensures parents and caregivers have a consistent voice in coalition planning and decision-making. “Having a dedicated person is the greatest need. You can’t do this work haphazardly,”— Dr. Nicole Cummings-Lewis FAC members were recruited through coalition partners including schools and community programs. Participants received stipends through United Way’s Community Compensation Plan, recognizing the value of parent and caregiver expertise and ensuring families could participate meaningfully in leadership discussions. Dr. Cummings-Lewis emphasized: “Compensation is non-negotiable.” The committee was also designed to reduce barriers to participation by providing: Translation services Childcare during meetings Through the FAC, parents […]
Every day, thousands of Central Texans face moments of uncertainty, wondering where they’ll find food, how they’ll pay a bill, or where to turn during a crisis. For many, hope begins with 2-1-1. This year marks United Way for Greater Austin’s 30th year helping Central Texans navigate basic resources through 2-1-1. 2-1-1 Assistant Manager Carmen and her team of 11 build off decades of expert service connection every day, ensuring every call is met with understanding and care. As we celebrate 2-1-1 Day today, we’re proud to spotlight Carmen and the extraordinary work she and her team do to support our community. For Carmen, this role is more than a job. It’s a chance to meet people at pivotal moments in their lives. “One of the most rewarding parts of this work is hearing hope return to someone’s voice,” Carmen shares. “Sometimes people call feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, and by the end of the call, they know they’re not alone.” Just this month Carmen recalls a powerful moment that reflects the impact of the 2-1-1 team. One of her staff members conducted a follow-up call with a survivor of domestic violence who had reached out for help. During the initial call, the team connected the caller to critical safety and support resources. During the follow-up, the survivor shared that she had successfully accessed services and was beginning to rebuild her life. “It was incredibly meaningful – not just for the caller, but for our staff member […]
How we use shared data to inform policy, strengthen systems, and improve outcomes for children and families in our region. For over 15 years, United Way for Greater Austin has utilized high-quality data to inform programs, understand community needs, guide funding and policy decisions, and measure impact across Central Texas. By expanding access to reliable, up-to-date information, we support better decision-making, spark dialogue, and reduce disparities. To advance this work, United Way develops and maintains regional, interactive data hubs that aggregate and visualize key indicators related to early childhood, economic advancement, and resource navigation. Through public-facing dashboards, targeted analyses, and programmatic tools, we share community insights with civic leaders, nonprofit partners, educators, and advocates. These data help strengthen systems advancing our mission to break economic barriers and create opportunity for all. Program Design and Implementation For all of our United Way programming, we track, visualize, and analyze our data in detailed ways to provide program staff with the information needed to ensure service delivery is high quality and expected outcomes are achieved. For example, in maternal and postpartum health, United Way is analyzing Family Connects and Pathways Community HUB data in uniquely comprehensive ways, providing regular visibility into who we are serving, where we may be experiencing program challenges, and where families are receiving and needing support. Understanding Community Need United Way is continuously gathering, analysing, and distributing programmatic, as well as community and public data to inform partner organizations where the greatest needs lie. This might include our Success […]
Pediatricians play a vital role in identifying developmental milestones, detecting delays, and ensuring children receive the support they need to thrive. Success By 6, Healthy Beginnings 2025 Progress Report The Healthy Beginnings workgroup, a pillar of the Austin/Travis County Success By 6 (SX6) Coalition, works to ensure families feel empowered to navigate medical systems and access resources they need to thrive before, during, and through a child’s first year of life.Their 2025 Progress Report offers a clear snapshot of the first year of progress under the Austin/Travis County (SX6) 2024-2029 Strategic Plan. The report is intended to strengthen transparency, accountability, and community understanding of the critical work underway to improve systems for families with young children experiencing developmental delays. It outlines four foundational steps taken to drive long‑term impact: Established an administrative group to shape the project’s scope Strengthened partnerships with Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) providers Cultivated a diverse and engaged cohort of stakeholders Expanded collective understanding of current screening practices and unmet needs across the community. A key insight from this early work is the significant gap in support for children who screen positive for mild developmental delays but do not qualify for ECI. In response, the workgroup is shifting from data collection to targeted system improvements focused on expanding available services, demystifying the pathways to access support, and increasing access to ECI‑related data. Overall, this report reflects a year of foundational work, learning, and collaboration – laying the groundwork for meaningful system change that will help more young […]
A young child exercising their fine motor skills, a foundational component of early childhood development. In Fall 2025, United Way for Greater Austin conducted a survey of Austin/Travis County Success by 6 (SX6) coalition members to better understand how local organizations identify and support young children with potential developmental delays. The survey gathered insights from a wide range of early childhood partners about current screening practices, referral processes, and challenges families encounter when seeking developmental support. Why it Matters Addressing developmental needs as early as possible helps ensure children are better prepared to succeed when they enter Kindergarten. Early identification and timely support can significantly influence a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, shaping long-term outcomes in school and beyond. In particular, strengthening supports for children who do not qualify for Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) but still experience developmental or learning challenges is critical to closing school readiness gaps. By improving access to screening, referrals, and services, communities can create more equitable pathways to success for all young children. Key Takeaways The survey findings underscore a clear need to: strengthen developmental screening practices, expand access to services, and improve coordination across early childhood systems in Travis County. Several key themes emerged that the Austin/Travis SX6 Healthy Beginnings Workgroup aims to address: Provider Capacity & Access: Partners reported a shortage of pediatric therapy providers – especially bilingual providers and those who accept Medicaid – pointing to an advocacy opportunity: increase state and local ECI funding and improve Medicaid reimbursement rates. Screening […]
Behind every community resource is a person who believes deeply in the power of connection. For Cecilia, that belief was shaped long before joining United Way for Greater Austin. Growing up with a front-row seat to her mother’s work with United Way in the Rio Grande Valley, she saw early on how meaningful community support could be. That foundation led her to United Way in Austin, where her journey with 2-1-1 and ConnectCTX would continue to grow. In this blog, she shares her path, why this work remains important, and what she’s learned along the way. My Journey with United Way and ConnectCTX I’ve been part of the United Way family since 2017, but my connection to the organization actually goes back much further. My mom has worked for United Way for most of my life in the Rio Grande Valley. Growing up, I saw firsthand how meaningful this work could be. When I moved to Austin for college, it felt like the right time to step into that world myself. I interviewed for a part-time role with the 211 team as a Navigation Specialist, and that role turned into so much more. Since then, I’ve had the chance to work across 211, the Behavioral Health Team, and ConnectCTX, our resource database. Each one has taught me something different. What I Love About ConnectCTX One of my favorite things about working with ConnectCTX is how new it is. We’re constantly growing this closed-loop resource tool so it meets our neighbors […]
Layla was tired. A single mom of two teens, she worked full-time and still struggled to afford the basics. She and her children shared a bedroom in her sister’s house. Without a car, she relied on buses and family rides to get to work and take her kids to school. For months, she fought to apply for health insurance benefits. Each time, her application was denied – not because she didn’t qualify, because the language barrier made the process confusing. Without an interpreter, every conversation about documentation left her stuck. Then, at her friend’s suggestion, Layla called 2-1-1, United Way’s 24/7 helpline connecting people to resources like food, housing, utilities, transportation, and health care. On the other end of the line was Alicia, a compassionate Navigation Specialist who listened with patience and understanding. Sensing how overwhelmed Layla was, Alicia invited her to the United Way office so they could complete the application together. An expert on community resources, Alicia guided Layla through the application, and they submitted it together. This time, her application was approved. For the first time, her children had health insurance. “Before, when my kids got sick, the most I could do was buy vitamins and pain relievers,” Layla said. “It broke my heart to see them sick and not be able to help. Now, I’m not as worried.” Without someone checking in and believing in her, Layla might have given up. “United Way helped me build a better life for myself and my kids,” she said. “My […]
The federal government shut down on October 1 and reopened on November 12. Full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits resumed November 14, providing vital support to thousands of Central Texans who rely on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. Even with benefits restored, many neighbors will continue to feel the ripple effects of the gap in SNAP services. United Way for Greater Austin stands ready to connect families to immediate food relief or help them apply for SNAP to ensure long-term stability. This is a developing list of information, resources, and ways you can support families affected. Please check back for ongoing updates. What We Know Now SNAP benefits resumed in full November 14. SNAP participants who receive benefits on or after the 14th of the month will receive their full benefits on their normal issuance date. SNAP participants who already received partial benefits will receive the rest of their monthly amount on or after November 14. Many Central Texans were struggling to put food on the table before the federal shutdown. Last year, our Navigation Center received more than 30,000 requests for food – our community’s top need. Resources 211 and ConnectCTX Call 2-1-1 (option 1), our 24/7 helpline, for information on food distributions, utilities, financial support, health care, transportation, child care, support applying for SNAP and more. Our trained Navigation Specialists are ready to connect you to resources you need. Our ConnectCTX referral database closes the loop and connects our neighbors to long-term support tools. Call […]