Central Health

FY2027 Budget Community Conversation
2026-08-31 10:30 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Highland ACC Campus (Presentation Hall), 6101 Highland Campus Dr., Austin, 78752, United States
Help shape how Central Health invests in Travis County care in 2027

Event details
Monday, August 31, 2026
10:30 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
ACC Highland Campus, Presentation Hall
6101 Highland Campus Dr.
RSVP today

A New Style of Community Conversation
This year’s FY2027 budget community conversation will be unlike a traditional sit-down meeting. Central Health is bringing a more interactive experience that allows you to explore the Central Health system at your own pace. You will visit five engaging stations, connect directly with Central Health staff, and share your thoughts to help shape the future of care.

The future of care, one conversation at a time
Each station will focus on a different part of how the journey of care is changing in Travis County:

Station 1: Care should not be hard to get

The problem:
Travis County keeps growing, and as more people live here, more people need care, and the health care system has not kept pace for everyone. Dramatically, over the last several decades, vast health disparities have persisted.
The role of Central Health:
Central Health was created in 2004 as Travis County’s public health care system, ensuring everyone can get the care they need.
That’s what happened to Kafaren Fairly. Within days of arriving in Austin with nowhere to stay, Central Health staff connected her to coverage, care, and the support that helped her get back on her feet.
See Kafaren’s journey

Station 2: Connected care, closer to home

The problem:
Health care until this point hasn’t been centralized—the community needs a health care system that helps people access care earlier, brings care closer to home, and makes it easier for people to move from one part of the system to the next.
The role of Central Health:
Central Health now serves about one in six Travis County residents and operates dozens of clinical sites across the county, especially in communities that have historically faced the greatest barriers to care.
That’s what made the difference for Michael Vasquez. After multiple sclerosis put him on the streets, a CommUnityCare physician and Central Health care team helped him find coverage, treatment, and a doctor to see him through it.
See Michael’s journey

Station 3: The best care starts early

The problem:
Even when people have coverage and access to primary care, they may still wait too long to receive specialty care services. When care is delayed, health problems can worsen, chronic conditions can become harder to manage, and people end up in emergency rooms for care that could have happened earlier.
The role of Central Health:
Central Health has been expanding services so more people can get the right kind of care earlier. Over the last three years, the system has added 33 new specialty services, including cardiology, behavioral health, physical therapy, women’s health, podiatry, palliative care, and other specialty services.
That expansion reached Armando Vences. After a health crisis tied to alcoholism landed him in the hospital, a Central Health case manager and care team connected him with a behavioral health therapist, a psychiatrist, and a palliative care specialist who helped him move from crisis to recovery.
See Armando’s journey

Station 4: Mental health care in a crisis

The problem:
Mental health care remains one of the largest gaps in the community. Too often, people experiencing a mental health crisis end up in emergency rooms, jails, or other settings that are not designed to provide appropriate behavioral health care. Families, first responders, providers, and people in crisis need a clearer path to timely, compassionate support.
The role of Central Health:
Over the last several months, Central Health has been working with the City of Austin, Travis County, and community partners like Integral Care to strengthen mental health care and build a more coordinated crisis response.
That kind of clearer path made the difference for Glenda Locke. After a medical crisis nearly took her life, a Central Health case manager and care team—including behavioral health and addiction medicine providers—stayed with her through recovery, instead of leaving her to navigate it alone.
See Glenda’s journey

Station 5: FY2027 Central Health system strategic priorities

The problem:
Even with our progress in FY2026, our community continues to face significant structural gaps in care. There is still work to do to expand access to care, reduce appointment wait times to two weeks, eliminate health disparities, and ensure everyone in Travis County has access to primary and specialty care no matter where they live.
The role of Central Health:
The Central Health Board of Managers approved a set of system priorities to guide FY2027 budget investments. These priorities and the proposed budget are grounded in our mission, vision, and values: caring for those who need it most, working toward a healthier Central Texas, and advancing stewardship, innovation, equity, and collaboration.

Join us and help shape how the FY2027 budget moves this work forward.
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Public Hearing and Board of Managers Meeting
2026-09-02 17:30 - 19:30 | Central Health, 1111 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
Meeting agendas are posted at least 3 business days prior to the scheduled start of the meeting.

Board of Managers and Executive Committee Meeting
2026-09-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Central Health, 1111 East Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX, 78702, United States
