Dear Friends,

I hope this note finds you healthy and rested after the holiday season. The BCC team took a much-deserve break and has spent the week in professional development.

As you'll see in the newsletter below, our team and partners ended the year active and providing resources and special events to many across the county.

The team is coming back ready to continue that important work with many upcoming events for our beloved Bastrop County.

I hope you enjoy these updates and mark your calendar for all the events to come this spring!

Collaboratively yours,

Norma Mercado

Executive Director

Bastrop County Cares

Spreading the Holiday Spirit Far and Wide! ✨

This holiday season, the Bastrop County Faith Collaborative sprinkled some magic across Bastrop County by making gift baskets and sharing the spirit of joy with those who needed it most.

The festive initiative went beyond just gifts; with each thoughtful basket, we aimed to show love, laughter, and joy.

We hope everyone had a very merry holiday season! Here's to keeping this spirit alive as we head into the New Year.

BCACH Partners Gather for TACHI Winter Convening ❄️

On December 4 and 5, 15 partners from Bastrop County Accountable Communities for Health (BCACH) attended the TACHI Winter Convening in Austin. It provided an incredible opportunity to listen to speakers from Accountable Communities for Health (ACH) across the nation.

These sessions allowed us to tap into the wealth of experiences from well-established organizations and adopt their successful strategies. But it wasn't just about learning—this two-day event was also a chance to engage and exchange ideas with members from the other five Texas ACH coalitions.

Having focused time to collaborate with our BCACH team was truly valuable. A big thank you to all partners who took the time to join us!

Mental Health Series Kickoff: Open Minds, Open Hearts 🧠❤️

Save the date! January 18 marks the start of our 5-month virtual mental health series, "Open Minds, Open Hearts." Join us from 11:30 a.m to 1 p.m. for an enlightening, educational experience.

The first workshop focuses on understanding the nervous system. Here's what to expect:

• Understanding trauma and its impact on the brain and overall well-being
• Exploring stress responses, polyvagal theory, and connection
• Identifying your own stress responses
• Exploring self-regulation and co-regulation strategies

Participation is virtual and FREE. Plus, CEUs are available for professionals. Click here to register and secure your spot and join us in building a stronger, more supportive community!

This event is sponsored by Bastrop County Cares in collaboration with The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, YWCA Austin, and Bluebonnet Counseling Association.

Join Us in Building Economic Stability

Families and individuals in our community now have access to vital resources and affordable opportunities to enhance economic stability. Recently, BCACH partners gathered to develop a plan to identify ways to strengthen our neighborhoods.

These collaborative efforts support financial well-being by providing accessible programs and resources, from affordable healthcare to job training, childcare, gas assistance, food support, and more. Our partners bring a wide range of essential aid to help overcome immediate financial challenges.

Working together establishes a strong foundation for residents to pursue economic stability without sacrificing their basic needs. The goal is to eliminate obstacles and create pathways for anyone striving for stability.

This collaboration isn't just about offering opportunities and resources; it's about strengthening our community's resilience. Economic stability is a collective effort, and our initiative is geared toward empowering individuals with the tools they need to enhance their financial well-being.

We're inviting community members with firsthand experiences to join our team! For more details about BCACH or becoming a part of the team, reach out to jackie@bastropcares.org.

Let's come together and make our community even stronger!

Child and Family Programs

Joyful Celebrations: Recapping our Winter Family Event! ☃️

Bluebonnet Trails Parents as Teachers hosted their Winter Holiday Family Event and Resource Fair on December 12 at the Hampton Inn and Suites Ballroom.

Thanks to the incredible support from our community partners, every enrolled child received a toy, along with gift wrapping supplies, hot chocolate mix, and candy canes.

Families had a fantastic time enjoying refreshments and engaging in fun activities provided by our amazing community partners. Beyond the joyous moments shared together, families had the opportunity to connect with 17 different resource vendors offering a variety of services and resources for children and families.

This heartwarming family event welcomed 225 attendees, creating wonderful memories and building a stronger bond within our community.

Upcoming Events

Fatherhood Summit ⛰️

Join us on February 23 for a day dedicated to the power of fatherhood! The Fatherhood Summit is a gathering designed for dads to unite. This event is a space to break barriers, embrace change, and explore the transformative journey of meaningful parenting.

Stay tuned for more details and exciting updates as we prepare for this impactful summit! For any inquiries or early information, feel free to reach out to Martin at martin@bastropcares.org.

Gumbo Cook-Off 🥘

Join us on February 3 for a day of culinary fun as talented chefs compete to craft the most delectable gumbo dishes in partnership with Bastrop's 2024 Mardi Gras celebration! It's more than a cook-off; Sponsorship opportunities are available and team registrations are open. Reserve your team's spot now.

Harmony Fest 🧘

Imagine a day free from stress. Mark your calendar for March 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as Harmony Fest invites you to a day of community, relaxation, and well-being for Bastrop County.

Add the event to your calendar!

Open Enrollment for Marketplace Healthcare Plans

Bastrop County has a 22% uninsured population among insurable individuals, which means that approximately 22,000 individuals are without insurance coverage.

Open Enrollment for Marketplace Healthcare plans is open until January 15, 2024. Please share this information with everyone you know! If you had a marketplace health plan this year, check for plan changes, because benefits/providers may have changed. 

For more information, reach out to Foundation Community.

Call: 512-381-4520

Text: 737-209-6861

Email: enroll@foundcom.org

Job Openings

Breast Health Initiative Ambassador/CHW