The Travis County Medical Society (TCMS) was chartered in 1853, when Texas had been a state only eight years and construction of the State Capitol had just begun. On October 22, 1853, the Texas Medical Association officially organized the Travis Medical Society. Since that time, Travis County physicians have worked in partnership to address issues of public health, ethics, training, medical standards, and more. Today, TCMS has over 4,000 physician members. Physicians throughout Travis County rely on TCMS to lobby at the Capital for doctor and patient rights, provide resources to make the practice of medicine easier to navigate as well as providing up to the moment communication and educational opportunities.

Public Policy and Focus Areas Through the Texas Council’s public policy efforts, Community Centers gain the opportunity to expand and improve services to their

TAASA is the unifying voice to eliminate sexual violence in Texas. As the statewide coalition of rape crisis centers, advocates, and survivors, we are committed to fostering a culture that respects the fundamental rights and dignity of all Texans. For more information go to www.taasa.org.

Texas Nurses Association (TNA) is a state-wide, professional association of registered nurses (RN). Founded in 1907, TNA is the oldest professional nursing organization in Texas. Its members represent all segments of nursing practice, from direct patient care to administration, consulting to advanced practice, and education to legislation. Members come from all practice settings: hospital, home and community health, public health, higher education, long-term care, school health, and policy. Texas Nurses Association/Foundation Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

The Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) is one of the largest state veterinary medical associations in the nation and is recognized for its leadership on important issues, innovative solutions and effective representation. The excellence of its educational programs, publications and legislative efforts has fostered an outstanding reputation among veterinarians and sister associations across the country. TVMA was organized in 1903 and continues to operate as a nonprofit organization under the laws of the state of Texas. The mission of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association is to promote, advocate for and protect the veterinary medical profession and to advance animal health for the well-being of animals and humans.

Greater Texas Foundation supports efforts to ensure all Texas students are prepared for, have access to, persist in, and complete post-secondary education. We put particular focus on helping underserved and disadvantaged populations. We pursue our mission by forming partnerships, supporting research, sharing knowledge, and making grants.

The Arc of Texas is the oldest and largest nonprofit, volunteer organization in the state committed to creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be included in their communities and to make the choices which affect their lives in a positive manner. The Arc supports families, advances public policies, provides training programs, and builds a statewide network of advocates. Since our founding in 1950 by a group of parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, The Arc of Texas has been instrumental in the creation of virtually every program, service, right, and benefit that is now available to more than half a million Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Today, The Arc continues to advocate for including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all aspects of society. Read more about our history and major accomplishments.

We serve over 2,000 individuals and families in 17 counties with disabilities such as Down syndrome and Autism. We help these adults remain at home instead of being institutionalized and provide an array of services that allow them to live independently. We provide them with training, education and employment skills so that they can become productive and contributing members of society. Eighty-six cents of every dollars that we raise goes towards client care, saving the state of Texas millions of dollars. We pride ourselves on promoting independence and choice for these individuals. For over 70 years, we have removed obstacles for these individuals and given hope to their families. We are a place that parents can drop their adult child off and be confident knowing that these individuals are learning, socializing and having fun daily.

TCJE advances solutions and builds coalitions to end mass incarceration and foster safer Texas communities. Our three, often-intersecting goals are as follows: * Reverse the pipeline that pushes people into the justice system. We are fighting to reduce the number of people entering the system, including through deflection and restorative strategies. * Shrink the current justice system and its impact. We are fighting to reduce the number of people under correctional control (those who are incarcerated, or on probation or parole), as well as the number of people presently impacted by the harsh, long-term consequences of a conviction. * Prioritize approaches outside the justice system. We are fighting to shift investments away from the justice system and towards community wellness: programs and services that can help people address their needs – like substance use disorder, mental health problems, and past trauma. Building local capacity to address drug and behavioral issues will make communities safer.

AT CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL WE ARE... JOYFUL Shabbat services at CBI are full of joyful melodies, the beautiful voice of our Cantorial Soloist, vibrant sounds of acoustic guitar and piano. The Child Development Center & Preschool at Congregation Beth Israel (cdc@cbi) is now one of the most sought after & highly accredited early childhood programs in Austin. Each Friday, our halls are filled with little voices welcoming Shabbat with song and the sweet smells of fresh-baked Challah. DIVERSE We have a history of making a difference. Not only were we the first Jewish congregation in Austin, we were the first synagogue in Austin with a female rabbi, with a female cantor, with a gay rabbi, and with a gay cantor. One of the newest and most active groups in our community is our LGBTQ+ group, Ga'avah (Hebrew for "pride"). We envision a safe environment where LGBTQ people, inclusive of all our intersecting identities, are fully liberated within our congregation. We pioneered the Austin Jewish Community's MLK Social Justice Weekend (2016) and more recently have started Chavuraction Circles at CBI. The goal of the Chavruaction Circles is to build an anti-racist culture in our congregation by gathering for anti racist learning and action rooted in our shared Jewish values. INCLUSIVE We are intentional in our efforts to make CBI a joyful places for all worshippers. Open Door Shabbat, our sensory friendly, "come as you are", music and movement driven service, is for people with ALL abilities to come and share their Ruach (Hebrew for "spirit") and joy. Interfaith families are embraced here! About 1/3 of our members identify as being part of an interfaith household. We welcome your questions about Judaism and offer casual programming where new Jews, lifelong Jews, Jews by association, and Jewish adjacent people can all choose to participate at level that is comfortable to them.