Background

Social services help Austin residents meet basic needs, improve health and well-being, build stability, and connect with essential support. As the City reviews its social services and plans for future funding and contracting, we want to hear from people who rely on these services, those who provide them, and others with knowledge of community needs. 

Choose the Survey That Best Fits Your Perspective 

Community and Service Needs Survey: Share your thoughts on community needs, gaps in services, meaningful results, and ways to improve access, coordination, and engagement. Open to community members, people with lived experience, service participants, family members, advocates, and anyone interested in social services in Austin. 

Existing and Potential Service Providers Survey: Share your perspective on City funding and contracting, provider capacity, measuring results, coordination, and engagement. Open to current, former, and potential social service providers, including organizations that have never applied for City funding. 

Not sure which survey to take? You are welcome to complete either or both surveys. Click the survey tab or links above to get started.

How Your Input Will Be Used 

The City will review, summarize, and share feedback to help inform the Social Services Reset, including recommendations and improvements to current and future processes. Feedback will be considered alongside community needs, service outcomes, operational factors, and available resources. While not every suggestion can be used, your input will help support informed decisions. Survey participation will not determine individual funding or contract decisions. 

Your input can help the City better understand: 

• Community needs, gaps in services, and ways to improve service access. 

• What the City should measure to understand whether social services are effective. 

• How the City can improve coordination, support effective service delivery, and involve the community. 

Learn More About the Social Services Reset 

View the City's October 7, 2026 presentation to the Public Health Committee for an overview of the reset, areas under review, and expected timeline. 

Thank you for taking the time to participate. 

Your thoughts, perspectives, and ideas will help inform the future of social services in Austin and support a more responsive and effective system for our community.