Creating a Thriving Super Region: Judge Andy Brown on Childcare, Transportation, and Mental Health

How does child care investment, more transportation options, and a robust mental health network contribute to building a more inclusive and thriving community in Travis County?

In this episode, host Tamara Atkinson of Workforce Solutions Capital Area delves into the future of workforce development and child care advocacy in the rapidly growing Austin metro area with Travis County Judge Andy Brown. Childcare accessibility remains a critical issue, with ongoing shortages and long waitlists affecting families. Judge Brown explains a proposed ballot measure designed to tackle these challenges, which would stabilize the number of childcare providers and enable more parents to enter the workforce. You’ll hear about the broader efforts in Austin and Travis County to invest in job training and workforce initiatives, including raising the county minimum wage and the establishment of a comprehensive Mental Health Diversion Center, aimed at providing essential care and supportive housing for individuals with mental health needs. The conversation also reveals the ambitious plans of super-region leaders to enhance passenger rail infrastructure, which promises to improve commutes, safety, and economic opportunities. Together, these efforts underscore a strong commitment to building a supportive and inclusive community for all residents.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown is the chief executive of Texas's capital county, overseeing a $1.4 billion annual budget and serving as the Director of Emergency Management. Since taking office, he has prioritized increasing resources for historically underserved communities, focusing on mental and behavioral health, affordable housing, and enhancing transparency in county operations. Before his current role, Judge Brown founded the Sobering Center-Austin as an alternative to jail for intoxicated individuals, established a successful law firm, and engaged with local boards and commissions. He is a proud Austin native and a graduate of The University of Texas School of Law.

In This Episode:

• (00:00) Travis County Judge Andy Brown discusses Austin's population growth and super region with Bexar County, and early job lessons and experiences in Hyde Park
• (06:00) Affordable child care access - investments, improvements and plans
• (10:28) How local child care investment can reduce childcare wait lists, and why residents should care (whether or not they have children)
• (14:37) Travis County priorities in job training and career building, with an example from Austin Community College's Make It Center.
• (17:00) Addressing affordability and workforce impediments in Travis County, including increasing the county minimum wage and building a comprehensive Mental Health Diversion Center to stabilize individuals
• (22:05) Travis County growth estimates, expansion plans for passenger rail infrastructure to connect the super region
• (27:54) Judge Brown's vision for Travis County's future in five years - a supportive, inclusive community for economic growth
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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