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IN THIS ISSUE:

• Presentation Recap
• September 15 deadline!
• Perry appoints Tom Suehs to lead HHS. Weizenbaum to serve as interim commissioner at DADS.
• Attention Social Security recipients!
• DADS symposium will focus on preventing, managing falls.
• Mark your calendar!

 

Presentation Recap
DARS leaders present program and funding outlook for FY 2010-11.

At its August 25 meeting, DPC welcomed Commissioner Terry Murphy and Assistant Commissioner Jim Hanophy of the Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). They presented an overview of the agency’s budget and program plans for the next 2 years. Following are some of the highlights:

• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR): Legislators gave DARS $5.7 million to match the federal appropriation of $21 million. The agency was also awarded full stimulus funding of $45 million, bringing total funding for VR to $71 million. The request for 198 additional employees in the VR program was declined.
• Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services (CRS): $4.3 million will serve 167 clients currently waiting to get services for traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. The funding is also expected to cover projected growth for the next 2 years.
• Independent living programs:
  • Independent Living Services (ILS): $400,000 will serve about 110 people (approximately 10%) on the ILS waiting list. This program got an extra $800,000 in IL stimulus funding which might be used for the waiting list or to fund an new ILC.
  • Independent Living Blind program: $2.5 million will help adults who are blind or visually impaired learn adaptive skills to continue to live independently with vision loss.
  • Independent Living Centers (ILCs): $1.5 million will fund 3 new ILCs. Organizations in 5 targeted areas (College Station, Collin County, Galveston, San Angelo and Sherman) are expected to apply for funding.
• Programs for children:
  • Early Childhood Intervention (ECI): $39.4 million will cover projected caseload growth for children with disabilities and delays from birth through 3 years old.
  • DARS Autism Program: $1.6 million will allow this program to expand to 2 new services areas—San Antonio and Austin. Currently operating in Dallas and Houston, the program serves children ages 3 through 8 who have autism. DARS hopes an interim study will prove the need to expand the program statewide.
  • Blind Children’s Program: With a $1.8 million appropriation the agency will be able to maintain current funding levels and add 2 caseloads and 3 employees to serve an additional 252 children who are blind or have vision impairments.
• Business Enterprises of Texas:$555,000 will support 3 new blind food service facility managers for the next 2 years.
• Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program: $581,000 will allow telecommunications contractors to spend 30 hours per week—3 times more than before—helping people with disabilities select communication technology.

 

September 15 deadline!
There’s still time to apply for the HHSC Consumer Direction Workgroup.

The Health and Human Services Commission is looking for members for its Consumer Direction Workgroup. The workgroup helps the health and human services agencies develop options for more consumer control of their home-based, long-term services and supports such as personal attendants and respite care providers.

Good candidates include people that use or may use consumer direction for their long-term services and supports, parents and guardians, service providers, and advocates. There’s more information on the HHSC website at:
http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us . The deadline to turn in an application is September 15.

 

Perry appoints Tom Suehs to lead HHS. Weizenbaum to serve as interim commissioner at DADS.

September 1 marked the start of a new era of leadership in Texas’ health and human services arena. On that day, Tom Suehs (pronounced like “sees”) took over as executive commissioner of Health and Human Services. Governor Perry appointed him to replace Albert Hawkins, who retired. Suehs has served as deputy executive commissioner for financial services at HHS since 2003.

In announcing the appointment, Hawkins described his successor as “a knowledgeable and skilled veteran of state government,” predicting he will be a “strong and effective leader.” To see the official announcement of Suehs’ appointment and more about his history, go to the Governor's website .

Meanwhile, Jon Weizenbaum is tapped to serve as interim commissioner for the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). He replaces Addie Horn, who retired at the end of August.

Weizenbaum has been with DADS for some time. He’s been a deputy commissioner since 2003 and was director of DADS’ Center for Policy and Innovation before that. He will serve while a nationwide search for a permanent commissioner is conducted. See the DADS website  for the announcement of Weizenbaum’s appointment.

 

Attention Social Security recipients!
Direct deposit can protect your payments when severe weather strikes.

This message is important to if:

• You live in an area where severe weather—like a hurricane—is likely to strike, AND
• You get a monthly Social Security check in the mail.

The U.S. Treasury Department urges you to switch to direct deposit so your check can go straight to your bank account. Even if mail delivery is stopped—or your have to leave the area—your payment will go safely into your account and you can get to your money in several different ways.

More information is posted on the Go Direct website .

 

DADS symposium will focus on preventing, managing falls.

Professionals and others who work with or assist seniors and people with disabilities might want to check out this training opportunity. The Department for Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Quality Assurance and Improvement unit will host the Standing Strong: Falls Prevention and Management Symposium on September 21 in Richardson.

This full-day conference will focus on falls prevention and management. Continuing education credits are offered for a number of targeted professionals.

The symposium website  has all the details. You can also get more information or request special accommodations by calling Carol Haynes at 512-438-4565 or sending e-mail to carol.haynes@dads.state.tx.us.

 

Mark your calendar!
Fall is full of DPC member organization events.

• Lone Star Association for Persons in Supported Employment
  When/Where: September 15-17—United Way of the Gulf Coast, Houston

  Self-Determination for Texas and Imagine Enterprises are hosting this conference for self-advocates and others who support self-determination. The “got determination?” conference will feature nationally recognized speakers and a broad range of topics. The groups are also planning an employment symposium for the day after the conference. Visit the Self-Determination for Texas website  or call 1-800-572-7159.

• Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas
  When/Where: September 25—Quarry Golf Club, San Antonio

  This is the foundation’s 3rd Annual Drive Fore A Cure golf tournament. Funds raised support the foundation’s efforts to build a strong, organized advocacy network to promote, protect and support the rights of people with epilepsy and seizure disorders. For more information, visit the Epilepsy Foundation of Central and South Texas website .

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Lone Star Chapter
  When/Where: Various Dates—Various Places

  Between now and the end of March 2010, the MS Society plans to beat the $1.4 million raised last year in the upcoming Walk for Texas Families Living with MS in Your Community. Participants in 13 communities throughout Texas will hit the streets to raise funds for MS research and provide programs and services to an estimated 20,000 individuals living with MS in 174 Texas counties.

  The first walk is planned for September 19 in Harker Heights. Find the details for that walk and all the others on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Lone Star Chapter’s website .

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Lone Star Chapter
  When/Where: October 3-4—San Antonio

  The Bike MS: Valero 2009 Alamo Ride to the River celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bike MS South Texas ride with a new route and new name. For more information, go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Lone Star Chapter’s website .

• Advocacy, Inc.
  When/Where: October 21-22—Hilton Garden Inn Hotel, Austin

  TALAC calls for presenters, exhibits, sponsors for March 2010 conference.

  The Texas Advanced Leadership and Advocacy Conference will take place in Austin, March 28-31, 2010. The conference offers leadership and advocacy training for adults with disabilities and/or parents of children with disabilities.

  If you’re interested in being a keynote speaker (inspirational/informative) or a workshop instructor, or if you would like to reserve a vendor table or become a conference sponsor, contact Jaime Duran at 979-845-1884 or
  talac@tamu.edu.

  If you’re an attorney, paralegal or advocate with an interest in assistive technology, you won’t want to miss the Bridges to Better Advocacy conference. Advocacy, Inc. and the National Assistive Technology Advocacy Project are joining forces to present a 2-day (3-day if you attend the pre-session) conference in downtown Austin. The agenda, registration information and everything else you need to know are available in one PDF file on the Advocacy, Inc.’s website.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness Texas
  When/Where: October 22-24—Marriott Westchase, Houston

  This year’s annual conference is a landmark event for NAMI Texas. The group is celebrating 25 years of grassroots education, support and advocacy to improve the lives of all people who are affected by mental illness. The theme is 25 Years of Achievements: Honoring the Past, Forging the Future. For all the details, call Kelly at the NAMI Texas office at (512) 693-2000.

• Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas
  When/Where: October 25—Reunion Ranch, Georgetown

  The annual Buddy Walk promotes awareness and inclusion for people with Down syndrome. Thousands of people around the world participate each year. This marks the 10th year of the walk.

  If you are interested in signing up to walk or joining the Buddy Walk® Committee, visit the DSACT website, call 512-323-0808 or send e-mail to info@dsact.com

• Brain Injury Association of Texas
  When/Where: November 14—Longwood Gold Club, Houston

  BIATX is proud to announce its Inaugural Golf Tournament. Funds raised will help support work with brain injury survivors, family members, advocates and brain injury professionals in Texas. For more information or to register, visit the Brain Injury Association of Texas website .

 

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