Investing in Austin's Future: Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes on Child Care, Affordability, and Infrastructure

Could improving childcare access, cost, and infrastructure radically change the quality of life in Austin?

Join us as we sit down with Vanessa Fuentes, Austin council member for District 2, who shares her firsthand experiences and bold initiatives aimed at addressing issues like childcare accessibility, transportation, and housing affordability. We tackle the critical issue of the 30 ‘childcare deserts’ in Austin, focusing on the exorbitant costs and the need to make it easier to establish childcare centers, especially in underserved areas. We explore Austin's efforts to invest in its youth through the summer youth employment initiative, highlighting successful partnerships with local businesses, such as the airport and Tesla, and emphasizes the crucial role of grocery retailers and healthcare providers in bridging food access and healthcare gaps in Southeast Austin.

Transportation and workforce development are also covered, as we discuss exciting projects like the new light rail line and airport expansion. With $25 billion worth of infrastructure projects on the horizon, the creation of Austin's Infrastructure Academy is a game-changer, poised to upskill workers and address workforce shortages. Tune in to discover how these initiatives not only enhance job accessibility but also foster economic growth and improve the quality of life for all Austinites.

Vanessa Fuentes took office in 2021, and has championed improved health, affordability, and creative arts in her District 2 community. As Chair of the Public Health Committee, she has advanced health equity through legislation on displacement prevention, community health workers, and mental health services, to name a few. Raised in Central Texas by an immigrant mother and military veteran father, Vanessa’s career spans from criminal policy reform to national healthcare advocacy. She has also boosted local affordability by raising the minimum wage and expanding access to childcare and pre-K. Vanessa serves on several key committees, including Audit and Finance and CAMPO Transit Policy Board.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Introduction Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes, first jobs, lessons learned
• (04:00) Austin’s summer youth employment program
• (06:30) Need for healthcare infrastructure and food access in SE Austin
• (07:45) What ”Hire Local” means
• (08:40) Childcare and 30 childcare deserts in Austin, home-based childcare
• (12:30) Housing in Austin, displacement prevention program
• (15:40) Transportation, light rail, airport connectivity improvement
• (18:50) Austin’s Infrastructure Academy funding
• (23:25) Tracking trends in employment, the state of the workplace, mental health
• (26:00) Looking forward
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About the show:

Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area and hosted by WFS CEO Tamara Atkinson, dives deep with the trailblazers who are shaping the future of jobs in our city, our state, and even nationally. We pull back the curtain on the challenges we all face – the anxieties, the roadblocks, and what's holding us back from filling those critical open positions. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. We also celebrate the victories: the ingenious solutions, the unexpected collaborations, and the best practices that are making us all sharper. You’ll hear guests from all sides of the table – elected officials with a finger on the pulse of the economy, industry leaders from booming sectors like tech, healthcare, and skilled trades, and educators shaping