Implementation of the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) Adjustment

by | Dec 1, 2023

December 1st, 2023 ICF/IID Providers: Implementation of the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) Adjustment As required by House Bill 54 (88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023), the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is directed to increase the minimum monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) for Medicaid beneficiaries of a nursing facility (NF) or related institution licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, assisted living facility, intermediate...

Employment First Assessment Tool & Rules (HCS/TxHmL/CLASS/DBMD)

by | Dec 1, 2023

December 1st, 2023 As of Nov. 14, 2023, service coordinators and case managers in the CLASS, DBMD, HCS, TxHmL waiver programs and STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) must use the Employment First Discovery Tool as part of the service planning process to explore an individual’s desire to work. Review IL 2023-41 Employment First Discovery Tool for more information. Be sure to sign up for : Employment First Discover Tool Webinar Jan. 10, 2024 10–11...

Dr. Ollie Seay Knowledge Award For Excellence In Education or Research

by | Nov 25, 2023

November 25th, 2023 I am happy to announce that I was presented with the Dr. Ollie Seay Knowledge Award For Excellence In Education or Research.  I was so honored to receive this award especially since I first met Dr. Seay when I first started working with IDD services at Austin Travis County MHMR (Now Austin Integral Care) in 1992 when she was head of the psychology department at our offices.  We lost Dr. Seay earlier this year and she will be missed by all who...

Family Caregivers: HHSC Offers Webinars

by | Nov 12, 2023

November 12th, 2023 Texas HHS Aging Services Coordinationor will be presenting a webinar series during National Family Caregivers Month in November. This webinar series is for caregivers, people who work with caregivers and anyone interested in caregiving. November Caregiver Webinar Series November 15, noon-1 p.m. Cultivating Community and Support for the Lifespan: Caregiving for Children with Disabilities Register here. November 29, noon-1 p.m. Overview of...

From Our Friends at IntellectAbility: Clinical Pearls in IDD Healthcare that are Important Knowledge for DSPs

by | Nov 11, 2023

November 11th, 2023   I thought this was a great article for providers and their DSP’s.  Please feel free to check out their other articles and resources and their training on person-centered practices! Clinical Pearls in IDD Healthcare that are Important Knowledge for DSPs As co-published by National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC-CL) in the Frontline Initiative. By Craig...

EVV HAAeXchange Townhall Meeting

by | Nov 11, 2023

November 11th, 2023   The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP), and HHAeXchange will have one last Town Hall webinar for all Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) stakeholders. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input on the Texas EVV migration to HHAeXchange and the upcoming EVV expansion due to the Cures Act Home Health Care Services implementation. Webinar...