Recognizing a community-centered approach is built on intentional partnerships and feedback from impacted communities.
Within the Austin-Travis County Emergency Operations Center, the following task forces guide and implement community engagement activities that address disparities to ensure that disparities are not inadvertently created or exacerbated.
Task Forces
Asian/Pacific Islander Task Force
This task force holds a bi-weekly Facebook Live, MyAPI Live, in multiple languages including Burmese, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. They have also been active in promoting the national StopAAPIhate initiative, which developed an incident report for instances of Asian American and Pacific Islander harassment.
Black/African Diaspora Task Force
This task force continues to provide and improve access to COVID-19 service delivery, social support, education, and outreach. They recently completed an 8 week series titled “The Village Speaks," in partnership with Saffron Trust on Instagram Live, and are now working to set-up events with Black barbers and stylists in the Black Diaspora community to improve their overall health and wellness.