The Issue:

Our commitment to reduce childhood adversity and build community resilience is in response to the growing body of research showing how early brain development and experiences are at the root of most major diseases and societal problems. While we are eager to begin this work, we believe that before we start investing for tomorrow, we need to take stock of where we are today.

To inform our work, the Foundation engaged the Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing at the University of Texas School of Social Work to identify the local assets within various sectors that support families and communities. Our goals were to better understand what assets already exist that we can learn from, build on, connect with, and scale up to help create a more resilient community.

Further, the intention of this asset map project was to serve as a springboard to foster discussion around available supports available in Travis County to build resilient children and families and explore areas that could be further developed through innovative and cross-sector approaches.

The Findings:

This asset mapping project focused specifically on Travis County with a longer-term vision to replicate in other counties if it proved to be a community benefit.

Key Findings for Travis County Resilience Assets:

• Travis County has a wealth of innovative community members dedicated to promoting optimal health, development, and support for children and families.
• The highlight of this research was hearing about the strong commitment from many community providers, advocates, and planners to develop trauma-informed approaches and building individual, family, and community resilience.
• A significant part of the community has a very high level of knowledge in the prevention, screening, and treatment of trauma, and a willingness to think critically and “out of the box” for solutions.
• Many stakeholders described feelings of community responsibility and an increased momentum over the last few years to address the needs of all children to prevent exposure to adversity and build resilience