The Arc of Texas is now accepting applications for the 2021 Partners in Disability Leadership program. Now in its second year, Partners in Disability Leadership is for professionals who are interested in being stewards of the disability rights movement and leaders within their agencies and organizations. Participants take part in sessions led by experts in disability advocacy, and gain skills to influence positive change in the services and support systems used by Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Applications are due February 15, 2021. A limited number of scholarships are available to participants from agencies or organizations with a financial need. Learn more and apply

Follow a sampling of bills The Arc of Texas is tracking during the 87th Texas Legislative Session at thearcoftexas.org/bills. The list will continue to populate as The Arc of Texas Public Policy & Advocacy team members find bills that might be of interest to you. In addition to this list, The Arc of Texas is tracking hundreds of bills that affect our areas of focus and will separately make calls to action when there are priority bills.

Wondering what some of the most important public policy issues are for Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families? The Arc of Texas 2021 Public Policy Priorities were informed by their concerns, goals, and solutions. Learn more about our work toward ensuring quality community supports and services, inclusive education, access to civil rights and justice, and competitive, integrated employment for all Texans with IDD.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is accepting applications for the Texas Council on Consumer Direction (TCCD) until February 15.

 

TCCD provides input and experience to HHSC on what's working and what isn't in the development, implementation, expansion, and delivery of services through the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option, which gives people receiving services control over who provides their services. The work done at the agency to implement and promote services and supports, such as the CDS option, is just as essential as the work to pass legislation.

 

The TCCD is looking for applicants from various backgrounds, including Texans receiving services through the CDS option, their family members, and their advocates. If you need assistance in filling out the application, please contact us.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are more likely than those without disabilities to be arrested, convicted, incarcerated, and serve longer sentences without equal opportunity for probation or parole. A law enacted from the 86th Texas Legislative Session required a comprehensive study on best practice standards for the detention of those with IDD, leading to the creation of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards IDD Task Force. The Arc of Texas Public Policy & Advocacy Manager Alex Cogan was appointed to the Task Force and played an integral role in researching and identifying recommendations. Among other information, the Task Force found that Texas jails generally do not collect data on inmates with IDD, do not have the staff to collect this data, and do not differentiate between an IDD and mental health diagnosis. The Arc of Texas is working this legislative session to address recommendations from the report and will continue to identify best practices for individuals with IDD in the justice system. Read the full report.

Join the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) virtually on February 16 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT for its latest Disability Policy Academy, "DD Experience in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Developing Responsive Public Policy." Hear from renowned infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Hotez, a professor of pediatrics and molecular virology at Baylor College of Medicine, and Dr. Emily Hotez, assistant professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The father-daughter team will discuss COVID-19 and disabilities and share information on a paper they recently wrote on the topic. Learn more about the program and register now.