Guest guest Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 November 2010 IN THIS ISSUE Texas Update Federal Update Council News Resources QUICK LINKS TCDD Web Site Follow TCDD on Twitter Facebook Conferences Resources Announcements The November issue of the TCDD " FYI " is online at http://www.txddc.state.tx.us/resources/publications/fyi/fyinov10/fyinov10.asp or click on the section links provided below to read the full articles. Texas Update & Opportunities for Input The Texas Legislature faces a major budget shortfall when it convenes on Jan. 11, 2011, with estimates running as high as $25 billion for the next two fiscal years Given the severity of possible budget cuts, it is important for the disability community to follow the budget adoption process and provide input on how these reductions would affect you. Legislators need to know how the changes will affect people in their districts. The 82nd Texas Legislature starts on Jan. 11, 2011. Prefiling of bills begins on Nov. 8. The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Commissioner Terry will retire on Dec. 31, 2010. The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) awarded funds for three community-based Lifespan Respite Care pilot programs in North Texas, Central Texas and the Capital Area. A recent study examined the difference between services that children and families receive in the Texas Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Program and what they need. It found that ECI services have slowly declined over the past few years, despite suggestions that many children and families have more complex needs now. The Texas Task Force for Children with Special Needs (TFCSN) is seeking input from children and families through an online survey about services provided in Texas. The results will be used in developing recommendations to improve the service system. Houston Community College (HCC) was awarded one of 28 national grants to help students with intellectual disabilities transition to higher education. This five-year grant will be used to extend the capacity of the VAST comprehensive transition and postsecondary program. The Compliance Reports on the San State Supported Living Center (SSLC) and the Rio Grande State Center are done. The reports assess how the centers are doing in meeting the 2009 settlement agreement between Texas and the U.S. Department of Justice regarding living conditions, medical care, investigations of abuse or neglect, and serving individuals in the most integrated setting. Advocacy, Inc. wants to know if people with disabilities had difficulty voting or experienced a violation of their voting rights. Federal Update Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will not get a cost of living increase in 2011, for the second year in a row. However, the Democratic leadership of Congress and the White House have announced support for legislation to create a one-time payment of $250 for beneficiaries. Council News TCDD has switched from a Facebook Friends page to a Facebook Fan page. TCDD is also on Twitter, as well as having an e-mail announcement service. The 2011 Texas Advanced Leadership and Advocacy Conference (TALAC) is scheduled Feb. 27 through March 1 in Austin. This annual conference provides leadership and advocacy training to adults with disabilities and/or parents of children with disabilities. Former TCDD Chair Parrish received a national Meritorious Service Award for outstanding achievement in teaching, research and service. It was presented by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Resources A producer working on a documentary about children living in (or in danger of living in) nursing facilities is looking for volunteers to interview in order to understand why families make this choice. The documentary will investigate the history and current trends of the long-term institutionalization of children in nursing facilities. TCDD has added more entries to its Internet Resources Web page. Information on conferences, training and other disability events is on the TCDD Training and Events page. Got News? Please submit information for the “FYI” to lucy.walker@... or by mail to Lucy , TCDD, 6201 E Oltorf, Ste 600, Austin TX 78741-7509 Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities 6201 E. Oltorf, Suite 600 Austin, TX 78741-7509 Phone: (512) 437-5432 Toll-Free: 1- Rosser Public Policy Assistant Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities Office: Fax: www.txddc.state.tx.us We are on Twitter and Facebook! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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