Letter To Providers From Twogether Consulting: August 3rd, 2026

August 3rd, 2026

From Twogether Consulting

Hello Everyone!

It’s a scorcher out there, and I don’t think there will be rain or cooler weather anytime soon!  Don’t forget to keep your individuals out of the sun for any major length of time and ensure they are well-hydrated.  Keep the sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats handy when spending time in the sun.

This month there are some exciting IDD and other disability events:

My dear friend and fellow consultant, Jo Beth Collier was loved by so many, and she will be missed.  She had a kind heart and worked tirelessly to help those receiving IDD services.  She had a very long career, including Denton SSLC and Mosaic. One of her last jobs was working at Metro Crest over the past year, and she was extremely passionate about this work.  For those of you who knew her, and are interested in participating in her “Celebration of Life”, it will take place on August, 15th, 2026. Location: Metrocrest Services, 1145 Josey Lane, Carrollton, TX 75006.

Just a few other reminders: 

*New Smoke Alarm Requirements were published 06-23-06 in PL 2026-09.  This letter provides clarification and policy interpretation of this rule language concerning the placement of smoke alarms in HCS residences, referred to in Texas Administrative Code §565.23(d)(4). New language was put in to address acceptable and unacceptable placement of smoke alarms in HCS homes. This includes both group homes and host homes.

* ISS Updates webinar session was moved to August 5th, 2026

*NAR and SEMARC Employability Check Training is available  through August 6th, 2026  (Nurse Aide Registry and Search Engine for Multi-Agency Reportable Conduct ) SEMARC

HHSC  “Road Show” Live Training Sessions continue this summer. Registration is now open for all the rest of the locations they will be traveling to in Texas this summer through August ( Galveston, Hurst, and San Antonio).

Last HCS/TxHmL Show of The Summer

Roadshow Stop #5:
Aug 12-13, 2026 at the San Antonio ESC Region 20
Register for HHSC San Antonio Roadshow Training

**HHSC, Medicaid, and TMHP will have information tables to assist HCS, TxHmL, ICF, and ISS providers with on-site questions and concerns for those providers attending the AAIDD Texas Chapter Convention on August 19th and 20th in Corpus Christi.  Register here

Special thanks to Jenifer Brown from THERAP and Anna Kuth from Daisy Consulting for presenting during our FREE IDD RESOURCE WEBINAR SESSIONS in July.  For any of those of you who missed these sessions, they recorded webinars are posted on our GoToStage page

TWOGETHER CONSULTING TRAINING:

August 2026 Training!

Webinar: “Important Policy Updates & Best Practices For ISS Providers” (For DAHS with ISS Only) 1 PM-3 PM (August 6th, 2026)

Other Upcoming classes in August or September 2026!  (to be announced at a later date, please check the website as well)

Webinar: Answers to Frequently Asked Utilization Review Questions

Webinar:  Common Challenges in Justifying CFC (Community First Choice) Hours to Utilization Review (HCS/TxHmL)

Not Too Late To Register For AAIDD Texas Chapter Convention, August 18th-21st, 2026

For Registration, Sponsorship, Exhibitor and Hotel info, and this year’s Agenda, please click this link.

Again, I wanted to invite everyone to attend this year’s American Association of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Texas Chapter’s  Annual Convention.  This will be our 50th year of the AAIDD Texas Chapter.  This year’s convention is “50 Years of Inclusion: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future.”  We are planning to have some amazing presenters, including self-advocates as well as breakout sessions for providers, LIDDA’s, and individuals with IDD, and their families.  This year’s convention will take place in Corpus Christi at the Omni Hotel, August 18th-21st, 2026, so please save the date.  For a recap of last year’s convention, please click on this link:https://www.aaiddtx.org/2025-convention   

Please note that AAIDD members receive a discounted registration rate to the annual AAIDD Texas Chapter convention, so if you would like to join AAIDD, please go to https://www.aaiddtx.org/about for more information and to become a member. This year, we will be giving a free raffle ticket to all newly registered AAIDD members who then register to attend this year’s AAIDD Texas Chapter convention. You will receive your ticket at the registration table at the convention, August 18th-21st. The raffle ticket is good for a free entry into our “New Membership Raffle” for the drawing to win a prize worth over $200-a Yeti cooler! We will be announcing the prize when registration information for the convention is sent out and posted on the AAIDD Texas Chapter website.  We will also be holding a separate raffle for “Current Members” to win 2 fantastic Yeti tumbler cups!

In Addition, HHSC experts will be at the event for those of you who didn’t make it to the “Road Shows” live training locations, at our “Information Tables” to answer your questions concerning: EVV, TMHP, Medicaid, Utilization Review, Contracts/Enrollments, and much more, so please bring your questions for “on the spot” assistance to resolve them.

Note: Our hourly off-site consultation fee has increased to $90/hr.  We do offer discounted rates for current clients.  We have updated the website concerning this rate change. Feel free to contact us at info@twogetherconsulting.com to request an appointment for consultation, or you can email our administrative assistant, Meghan Jones, to make an appointment at: meghanjones.tx@gmail.com

Please continue to check our website for webinars and live trainings.  We will post them on the website “calendar” page

We have a variety of pre-recorded webinar trainings for program managers (HCS), administrators (ICF & ISS), case managers, QIDPs, nurses, and direct care,  so feel free to email us at info@twogetherconsulting.com to inquire. Let us know what areas of training you would like, to help us plan future sessions.

Here are just a few of the recent pre-recorded webinar trainings available for purchase:  “Admission, Post-Admission & Other Follow-Up Requirements-HCS Program”, ICAPs/LON’s/IDRC’s-ICF Program” (Also have for HCS program), “Development of The Comprehensive Nursing Assessment & Nursing Service Plan-HCS or ICF”, “Best Practices For HCS Providers: How To Remain In Compliance With TAC Ch 565”, “Role & Responsbilities of The Q”,  “Surrogate Decision Making Process, Rights Restrictions & Immediate Jeopardy-ICF Program”, “Licensed ISS Providers: What You Really Need To Know.”,

We also have a pre-recorded 5-part Care Coordination/Case Management series, a 4-part Nursing series for HCS, and a 3-part Nursing series for ICF available.  These trainings are epecially important for new providers.  All these sessions come with handouts as well as the link to the pre-recorded session

Please contact Meghan Jones at: meghanjones.tx@gmail.com.  Most of these pre-recorded sessions run $65-$75/person.  We can provide the handouts as well as a link to the recording, once you have paid.  Please notify Meghan Jones, for payment and to receive the link to registration for the training on “Gotowebinar” and handouts for the session.

Please see our “Updates” section of the website for the latest news for IDD providers.