The document discusses various services and programs available to support individuals with disabilities including: service coordination to help access medical, social and other services; in-home and family support providing funding for equipment, home health services, and other items; home and community-based services including case management, residential support, and day habilitation; intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities providing 24-hour care; and respite care, day habilitation, supported employment and other services through programs like Texas home living. Eligibility requirements, admission criteria and brief descriptions are provided for each program.

2. People have the right to choose how they will live their lives, where, & with whom. People should have the opportunity to develop relationships with others of their own choosing. Everyone has the ability to contribute to their community in a meaningful way. Individuals with disabilities can make decisions & truly control their lives. Individuals will assume greater responsibility for their decisions & actions as they take greater control over their lives & their resources. All people have the right to be treated with dignity & respect. Individuals & their families will use public funds conservatively.

3. Service Coordination IHFS (In Home and Family Support) HCS (Home and Community-based Services) ICF/MR (Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation) Respite Day Habilitation Texas Home Living Additional Resources

4. Admission Criteria Diagnosis of Mental Retardation Individual of any age who have been determined by assessment or endorsement, in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code, to have a diagnosis of mental retardation or to be a member of the DADS mental retardation priority population and has been assessed as having multiple needs. A Brief Description Service Coordination provides assistance in accessing medical, social, educational and other appropriate services and supports that will help an individual achieve a quality of life and community participation acceptable to him or her as described in the plan of services and supports, which is based on a person-directed process. Service coordination includes assessment, service planning and coordination, monitoring and crisis prevention and management. The role of staff persons who provide service coordination is to support and assist the person in achieving personal goals.

5. Admission Criteria Eligibility is based on diagnosis, residency, financial, and need factors. Diagnosis factor - The person must have a diagnosis of mental retardation; or pervasive developmental disorder; or have a developmental delay diagnosed within the previous 12 months and eligible for early childhood intervention. Residency factor - The person must be currently living in his or her natural home, or must be leaving an institutional setting and moving into a home in the community. Applicants must reside in either Brazoria or Galveston County. Financial factor - A person or family meets the requirements if the current annual gross income is less than 150% of the current Texas median income level. Need factor - The person or family must have a need that can be met with an item that will promote the person’s self-sufficiency. A Brief Description The In-Home and Family Support program provides funding for services or items, including: Special equipment; Home Health services; Architectural modifications; Respite care; Counseling and training services; Transportation; and Other items or services that meet criteria Funding is limited to no more than $2,500 a year per recipient.

6. The HCS program is a Medicaid Waiver Program, which provides community-based services and supports to eligible persons as an alternative to the Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) program. Services are available to persons living in their own home and living with their family or paid companion. Services may also be provided to persons living in small group homes where no more than four persons may live. Services May Include: Case Management Residential Services and Supports Day Habilitation Nursing Supported Employment Dental Treatment Adaptive Aids Minor Home Modifications Respite Specialized Therapies

7. Eligibility Requirements are adults and children with mental retardation or a related condition who: meet the Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) Level of Care (LOC) 1 criteria, are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or eligible for Medicaid under one of the optional Medicaid groups covered by the MRLA program, require services that do not exceed the cost limits set by the state of Texas, are not enrolled in another Medicaid waiver program, and if they are enrolled in another Medicaid waiver program, they must choose which program is best for them, choose to participate in the HCS program instead of the ICF/MR Program. Waiting (Interest) List There is currently a long statewide waiting (interest) list for persons interested in receiving HCS Services.

8. Eligibility Requirements are adults and children with mental retardation or a related condition who: meet the Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR) Level of Care (LOC) 1 criteria, are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or eligible for Medicaid under one of the optional Medicaid groups covered by the MRLA program, require services that do not exceed the cost limits set by the state of Texas, are not enrolled in another Medicaid waiver program, and if they are enrolled in another Medicaid waiver program, they must choose which program is best for them, choose to participate in the HCS program instead of the ICF/MR Program. Waiting (Interest) List There is currently a long statewide waiting (interest) list for persons interested in receiving HCS Services.

9. Admission Criteria Individual must be Medicaid eligible Individual must have mental retardation or a related condition. Specific eligibility criteria are described in 40 TAC Chapter 9, Subchapter E governing ICF/MR Programs A Brief Description An ICF/MR, is operated by a private or public entity, provides residential and habilitative services, medical services, skills training, and adjunctive therapies with 24 hour supervision and coordination of the individual program plan. These residential facilities range from six beds to several hundred beds for persons who have mental retardation or a condition related to mental retardation. This is not a Medicaid Waiver Program.

10. Admission Criteria Must be determined eligible for Mental Retardation Service Must be assigned a service coordinator and have individualized budget Must receive Service Coordination and have individualized service budget A Brief Description Day Habilitation, or site based classroom activities, are available to individuals who do not currently have a desire for supported employment or for whom supported employment is not considered a current option. Day habilitation offers activities that will enhance the individual’s participation in their community. Providers will utilize the individual’s person directed plan to focus on individuals desires to increase their. Examples of these might include assistance in self help skills, socialization, money management, safety training etc…

11. Admission Criteria Individual must be Medicaid eligible Individual must have a diagnosis of mental retardation or an IQ of 75 or below with a related condition Specific eligibility criteria are described in 40 TAC Chapter 9, Subchapter N governing TxHmL Total annual cost for services may not exceed $10,000 NOTE: If an individual’s name is on the Interest list for the HCS Program, he or she may be offered an opportunity to enroll in the TxHmL program – no additional application is needed. A Brief Description The Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Program provides essential services and supports so that individuals with mental retardation can continue to live with their families or in their own homes in the community. TxHmL services are intended to supplement instead of replace the services and supports an individual may receive from other programs. Services consist of community support, nursing, adaptive aids, minor home modifications, specialized therapies, behavioral support, dental treatment, respite, day habilitation, employment assistance, and supported employment. Service coordination is provided to the individual by The Gulf Coast Center. TxHmL Program services are limited to a yearly cost of $10,000 per participant.

12. Admission Criteria Must be determined eligible for Mental Retardation Service Individuals must be at least 18 years of age and must have completed their public school eligibility. Must receive Service Coordination and have individualized service budget Individuals must be drug free or actively involved in a treatment program. Individuals must first apply for services with Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services prior to receiving Gulf Coast Center funding A Brief Description Supported Employment offers funding support for individuals interested in individualized, integrated job opportunities in the community. Employment services, through the Center’s provider network, offers consumer assessment, job development, placement assistance, job coaching and on-going support and assists individuals with mental retardation to work in real jobs

13. ICF/MR HCS/Group Home Apartment living

14. Psychologist (eligibility) Psychologist (counseling) Psychiatrist Behavioral Specialist

15. For dually diagnosed (Mental Health/Mental Retardation), including partial hospitalization and outpatient services.

16. Variety of behavior health services for children under 21 years of age

17. Parent to Parent - Support network for parents - One to one match Various Advocacy groups Autism Support Group Local Right To Education Task Force Play groups Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) Etc.

18. Educational Recreational Social Cultural Spiritual Other organizations, programs, services, facilities, etc.

19. Attend IEP meetings Assist in Transition planning Post-high school training & referrals Etc.

20. Please feel free to contact us at 713.778.9300