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As our operations slowly return to normal, we want extend our support to our fellow Texans who experienced last week's winter storm and to those of you still dealing with the aftermath. We are inspired by the many incredible selfless acts we witnessed and the collective strength of our communities.
Know that we continue to stand with Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, and our allies. In this email you will find resources you can use and share. You will also find an important opportunity to advocate for your rights by sharing your experience as it relates to disability during last week's power outages. Together, we'll make sure the Texas Legislature doesn't forget about Texans with
IDD.
If you know of resource not listed here that you would like to share with The Arc of Texas community, please email us.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our work,
Jennifer Martinez
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Did you lose power during the winter storm? What other problems did you and your family face because of you or your loved one's disability? Could your personal attendant get to you? Did you have access to equipment you needed?
The Texas Legislature needs to hear how Texans with disabilities were impacted by this historic storm. The Texas House State Affairs & Energy Resources Committees will hold a joint hearing on Thursday, February 25 at 9 a.m. CT about last week's power outages. You can share your story about what happened when you didn't have power through an
online portal. If shared on the portal, your comments will be given to members of the committee and posted on the Texas House and legislative websites.
Contact us if you would like help writing your story before you send it, or if you cannot get an accommodation to share your story in a safe and accessible way.
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Now through March, Texans can use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for hot foods and ready-to-eat-meals. This includes items like rotisserie chicken or prepared foods from a store's deli.
SNAP recipients whose food was lost or spoiled due to the winter storm can apply for replacement benefits. Apply over the phone by dialing 2-1-1, option 2, or download the form and follow the instructions on the Texas Health & Human Services website.
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In response to those who were unable to apply for the 2021 Partners in Disability Leadership program because of the historic winter storm, we are extending the application deadline to March 1. If you are motivated to improve the services and supports used by Texans with
intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, we invite you to apply. Partners in Disability Leadership is an advanced, virtual training program for professionals who are interested in being stewards of the disability rights movement and leaders within their agencies and organizations. A limited number of scholarships are available to participants from agencies or organizations with a financial need.
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The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies operates the Disaster Hotline at 1-800-626-4959. The hotline team can provide assistance on issues affecting people with disabilities, including information on disaster housing programs, accessible transportation, healthcare access, and much more. The Disaster Hotline is accessible and offers multilingual information to callers, including via videophone for Deaf
callers upon request to info@disasterstrategies.org. Find out what types of information and referrals they provide at disasterstrategies.org/hotline.
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Stress, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Here are several free resources you can turn to if you or someone you know needs help.
- The Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 is available every day, all day long and can provide help if you are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to everyone.
- The National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 is available every day, all day long and is available in English and Spanish.
- The COVID-19 mental health support line at 1-833-986-1919 is free and operated by theTexas Health and Human Services Commission
- Text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a crisis counselor for free, all day, every day text support
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) provides 24/7 confidential support to anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking resources and information. Help is available in Spanish and other languages.
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