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 […]
Belonging is the foundation for a thriving community. When families are economically stable, have reliable access to resources they need to be healthy and well, and feel connected to their communities, they can reach their full potential. That’s what United Way for Greater Austin works for every day. Last year, with you, we made incredible strides toward that vision. Last year alone We answered over 1,000 requests daily for resources like food, health care, and housing We helped 18,000+ young children from low-income households gain access to high-quality early learning We connected 115,890 individuals and children to critical resources Early Education Win Building Stronger Futures: $75M Invested in Early Learning Through Proposition A At United Way, we believe that every child deserves a strong start, and that begins with access to high-quality early care and education. Thanks to our advocacy efforts and the support of our community, we celebrated a major win last year: the passing of Proposition A in Travis County. This measure secured $75 million annually in local funding to strengthen the early childhood care system, supporting 10,000 children. Our work didn’t stop there. Through additional legislative advocacy, we helped reduce permit restrictions for new child care centers and championed policies to streamline support for preschools, making it easier for centers, school districts, and teachers to reach more children with quality care and education. Still, we know that early learning is just one piece of the puzzle. Ensuring individuals and families have easy access to pivotal resources plays […]
The first few days and weeks home with a new baby can be a challenging time for all families, and research indicates that more than 90 percent of families can use some additional support. Family Connects Austin/Travis County nurses are trained to answer questions and connect families with the support they need. The program is simple — a registered nurse comes to visit around 3 weeks to check on mom, baby, and the whole family. Last month, Family Connects expanded to serve all families, regardless of which county they live in, who are Texas residents and have given birth at partner hospitals Ascension Seton Main or St. David’s South hospitals. Expanding beyond Travis County, Family Connects is now reaching more mothers, newborns, and parents with wellness checks, developmental resources, and vital care for mothers in their newborn’s first few weeks of life, regardless of income. Nurses perform comprehensive health and wellness assessments for mothers and their newborns in the comfort of their home. By identifying risks early, facilitating access to care, and providing education and support, Family Connects works to save lives and promote long-term health for babies and their families. “We were so blessed to have had Family Connects reach out to us,” said Zahra, a local mother. “The experience came at a very difficult and vulnerable time for me as a first time mom, and the compassion and care Nurse Sandy showed my baby and me was unparalleled. Not only was I provided a tremendous amount of newborn […]
Maria Dominguez, founder of Cielito Lindo Spanish Immersion Preschools, has grown her program to three locations across Greater Austin. Maria Dominguez knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was 9. Sitting outside her apartment with an easel and folding table, she helped neighborhood kids with their homework, her first makeshift classroom. That spark grew each year. Maria earned her degree in bilingual education, taught pre-K and first grade, and became a school counselor. When her daughter was born, a new dream took root: creating a safe, nurturing early learning environment so more children could access the same high-quality care she wanted for her daughter. The seed for Cielito Lindo, her Spanish immersion preschool, was planted. Living Room to Lifelong Learning Maria opened Cielito Lindo out of her living room. Five years later, the center has grown to three Austin locations. Two schools have received the highest quality rating in Texas, with the third on the way. Today, 95 children are enrolled in Cielito Lindo schools, learning in language-rich environments with small class sizes and nurturing teachers. Obstacles Face Families and Providers Building a small business has brought hurdles. Maria navigated complex city permits, licensing, and leasing requirements while striving to reach more families. Families across Greater Austin face their own barriers to accessing care: 6,171 children under age 6 are on the waitlist for high-quality subsidized child care. Partnering for a Stronger Early Childhood System That’s where United Way steps in. Maria joined United Way’s Pre-K Partnerships and […]