Discover Convene, a
Community-driven Initiative
Our mission is to improve how Travis County addresses substance use.
We recognize substance use impacts everyone’s lives differently. We also know members of the community in Travis County access and use support services differently. For this reason, we’re creating a space for people to share their unique perspectives, experiences, and goals related to substance use. Convene is a space where our community comes together to build a shared vision for substance use care in Travis County. Through open conversations and collaboration, we’ll lift up community priorities, explore solutions, and create a roadmap that helps guide resources where they’re needed most.
We’re curious about programs, services, and policies that support people living with substance use or in recovery. We want to understand how substance use care impacts or intersects with experiences like justice involvement, housing, emergency services, mutual aid assistance groups, wrap around programs, families, and schools. We also welcome your perspective on the strengths and barriers you have experienced while accessing substance use care.
Our community engagement plan includes several methods of collecting feedback. We encourage people to share their experience on the effects of substance use and its impact on Travis County with community ambassadors, in community conversations, or via our online forms.
We invite community members to come together (to convene) and co-design better systems for substance use. If you are passionate about substance use care in Travis County, please join our group of dedicated individuals committed to finding solutions. Every voice adds power to our mission – and we need your voice for change!
We're committed to gathering community perspectives.
Over the next six years, Convene will gather feedback into how to improve substance use systems in Travis County. We have three primary methods of collecting feedback:
Community ambassadors are trusted community members whose goal is to incorporate community voices into substance use planning. Community ambassadors elevate the voices of individuals in the community. They also help shape policies and services around substance use that impact the community.
Community ambassadors act as connectors between the Steering Group and the community. They share community insights and stories with the Steering Group, and share resources and information with the community.
We have created a simple anonymous feedback form to collect sensitive feedback. If you are most comfortable sharing your insights anonymously, please use this feedback form. Through this form, we do not collect any personal information.
You are also welcome to provide feedback through our contact form. This form is best for people who want to provide their contact information so they can take a more public role in sharing insight with Convene. Contact us today!
Community conversations are inclusive and casual conversations between people interested in improving supports and services related to substance use in Travis County. In these spaces, we focus on listening, learning, and co-creating ideas.
With this feedback, we’ll develop an action plan to improve services and support to those impacted by substance use. We will develop this plan based on the voices and feedback collected from community members.
Our key values shape how we work towards our mission.
Convene believes in:
An Informed Approach
We welcome evidence-based thinking that represents the unique experience of people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds. We believe an informed approach creates space for innovation.
Commitment to the Process
Committing to work for the best interests of the community. This includes staying engaged in the process and acting with integrity, trust, compassion, and empathy.
The Power of Hope
Upholding the value of hope to inspire, drive change, support recovery, and bring people together.
Advocacy
Accepting substance use disorders as a major public health issue. In so doing, we work to end stigma and better understand substance use disorders as treatable chronic illnesses.
Communication
Providing a forum for open and honest communication, safety of thought, and cultivating and valuing diversity of opinions.
Person-Centered Process
Fostering a process where people can receive the type of service specific to their needs.
Comprehensive Continuum
Providing accessible and high-quality services and supports, so that individuals can improve their quality of life.
Transparency
Committing to a full and transparent process with accountability for decision-making and service delivery.
Resourcing What Matters
This work deserves to be valued in every sense of the word. Resources are needed to embody these values.
Learn from our community news and insights.
Learn about the important ideas, progress, and work happening through Convene!
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Convene regularly shares progress reports and updates through our newsletter. Sign up for our mailing list today to join the conversation!