CAN Data and Research Roundup

CAN Data and Research Roundup

The inaugural Data and Research Roundup happened on October 8, 2025 on Zoom. The Data and Research Roundup is an event where CAN and our data and research partners share the results of their work on a wide range of issues relating to community well-being. 

Morning Session

The morning session featured an overview of the “Basic Needs” and “Safety, Justice & Engagement” sections of the CAN Dashboard as well as presentations relating to food access, housing affordability. The morning session closed with a presentation by the City of Austin on a new data tool that they have developed called the Community Profile Builder.

  1. CAN Dashboard “Safety, Justice & Engagement” & “Basic Needs” Presented by Raul Alvarez, CAN Executive Director and Carlos Soto, CAN Research, Planning, & Evaluation Coordinator
  • Recording Timestamp: 0:00-26:51
  1. Food Insecurity and Food System Insights Presented by Mia Burger, Central Texas Food Bank Research Manager and Laura Gougeon, Central Texas Food Bank Director of Research
  • Recording Timestamp: 28:26-1:05:30
  1. Leveraging Research to Address Housing Affordability in Austin and Central Texas Presented by Awais Azhar, Housing Works Executive Director
  • Recording Timestamp: 1:06:45-1:29:20
  1. Community Profile Builder Presented by Lila Valencia, City of Austin Demographer
  • Recording Timestamp: 1:31:32-1:58:19

Afternoon Session

The afternoon session featured an overview of the “Health” and “Achieving Our Full Potential” section of the CAN Dashboard as well as an overview of community needs based on an analysis of calls to 2-1-1. Additional presentations during the afternoon session related to early education and community health improvement.

  1. CAN Dashboard “Health” & “Economic/Educational Opportunity” Presented by Raul Alvarez, CAN Executive Director and Carlos Soto, CAN Research, Planning, & Evaluation Coordinator
  • Recording Timestamp: 0:00-32:53
  1. Overview of 2-1-1 Data and Dashboard Presented by Dan Brown, United Way for Greater Austin Data and Evaluation Manager
  • Recording Timestamp: 34:06-1:00:28
  1. Early Childhood Data Hub Presented by Alison Bentley, United Way for Greater Austin Vice President of Data and Evaluation
  • Recording Timestamp: 1:01:46-1:20:06
  1. Community Health Improvement Plan Presented by Shirley Aldana, City of Austin Business Process Specialist
  • Recording Timestamp: 1:28:36-1:56:20