Letter To Providers: October 31st, 2026

by | Oct 31, 2026

October 31st, 2026

From Twogether Consulting

 

Hello Everyone!

Happy Halloween!  I know many providers may have some exciting activities planned for your individuals this weekend.  Don’t forget that the clock falls back an hour this weekend, so please remind your staff of the time change. (The time change is 2:00 AM on Nov. 1st.)  Many of you will also celebrate Día de los Muertos, also on November 1st, so all in all it will be a very busy and exciting weekend for many!

We are pleased to have Eric Dodd from Neighborhood LTC Pharmacy as our guest presenter for Twogether Consulting’s Free IDD Resource Webinar in November. The webinar will be on November 16th, 2026, from noon to 1 pm. “IDD 2.0: Smarter Tech, Better Care, What’s Next?” Presented By Neighborhood LTC Pharmacy.  Eric will be discussing EHRs (electronic health records), AI, medical innovation, and the future of IDD healthcare. Neighborhood LTC Pharmacy does currently interface with eMar EHR systems such as Therap, iCareManager, SETWorks, and QuickMAR.

Please click here, to register for FREE to attend.  If you can’t attend on the day of, please feel free to register, as we will send everyone a copy of the link to the recorded session. It will also be available on our “Gotostage” page.

Twogether Consulting is planning on having a series of live mentoring sessions primarily for new HCS/TxHmL providers, but current providers are welcome.  They will be provided via GoToWebinar at the end of November and through middle of  December of 2026.  Stay tuned for more information!

Twogether Consulting is happy to announce we intend to begin providing a series of  1-1.5 hr webinars specifically on “special needs” considerations for training, areas of concern, and best practices before the end of the year.  These will be presented jointly by Julie Blacklock along with Sheila Hanson and/or Rob Peek

Tentative Sessions

  •  “Special Needs” in General: Evaluation, Training, Monitoring
  • Behavioral Needs: Assessing Needs, Monitoring Requirements & Best Practices
  • Protective Devices: Evaluation, Monitoring Requirements, & Best Practices
  • Determining Level of Supervision Needs: Staff Training Needs & Concerns & Best Practices
  • Rights Restrictions: Requirements, Considerations & Best Practices

Please see “Twogether Consulting Webinar Trainings” below for more information.   For a complete copy of the topics on this webinar session, feel free to check out our website calendars on the home page www.twogetherconsulting.com 

Featured  Upcoming October Disability & Inclusion Events Around Texas This Weekend:

Austin & Surrounding Area:

  • Sensory-Friendly Hunt
      • Date & Time: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 3:00 PM
      • Venue: Let’s Play Soccer (1404 Royston Ln, Pflugerville/Round Rock, TX)
      • Description: An adaptive Halloween egg and treat hunt held on an indoor soccer field to provide a comfortable, lower-sensory environment for children with disabilities.
      • Cost: Free/Check local registration details. 

  • Halloween Morning Pancakes and The Rescue Crew
      • Date & Time: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 11:00 AM
      • Venue: Safe in Austin (14601 Honeycomb Dr, Austin, TX)
      • Description: A family-friendly gathering featuring pancakes, costumes, and a chance to interact with special-needs and rescued animals from the Safe In Austin sanctuary.
      • Cost: Check event website for current reservation details. 

  • We Rock the Spectrum Halloween Trunk or Treat
      • Date & Time: Held earlier in October (October 20, 2026, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
      • Venue: We Rock the Spectrum – Austin TX (6001 W Parmer Ln #430, Austin, TX)
      • Description: A sensory-friendly evening featuring indoor gym trick-or-treating, costumes, and a community resource night for families of all abilities.
      • Cost: Free.

  • Free Autism Indoor Trick or Treat Event
      • Date & Time: Held earlier in October (October 24, 2026, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
      • Venue: SOS Wells Branch (Austin, TX)
      • Description: Hosted by Success On The Spectrum, this event featured indoor playrooms, music, themed rooms, treats, and light refreshments in a low-stress setting.
      • Cost: Free

  • Adaptive and Inclusive Trunk or Treat (Round Rock)
      • Date & Time: Held earlier in October (October 24, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
      • Venue: Seton Medical Center Williamson (201 Seton Parkway, Round Rock, TX)
      • Description: Hosted by the Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department and Ascension Seton Williamson for individuals with disabilities and their families.
      • Cost: Free (participants bring their own bags).

    • Hosted by the City of Georgetown Parks and Recreation at the Georgetown Community Center (445 E Morrow St) on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 7:00 PM. The indoor party features a DJ, a photo booth, and giveaways for adults aged 18 and older with disabilities (caregivers must attend)

  • 19th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration
      • Date & Time: Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
      • Venue: Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (ESB MACC) (600 River St, Austin, TX 78701)
      • Cost: Free (No RSVP required)
      • Accessibility Perks: This is an outdoor, alcohol-free, family-friendly event. It features hands-on sugar skull decorating, face painting, and an outdoor community altar (ofrenda). A Community Resource Fair featuring local nonprofits is integrated directly into the festival, making it a comfortable space to connect with local support groups. Attendees are welcome to bring their own strollers, folding chairs, and noise-canceling headphones to customize their comfort. 

  • Día de los Muertos at Waterloo Park
    • Date & Time: Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    • Venue: Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Greenway (Downtown Austin)
    • Cost: Free
    • Accessibility Perks: Waterloo Greenway and the Moody Amphitheater feature modern, fully paved, and highly accessible wheelchair paths, companion seating spaces, and easily navigable terrain compared to older street festivals. The programming includes vibrant Danza Azteca and Ballet Folklórico

  • Easterseals Día de los Muertos Concert
    • Non-profit organization

    • Austin, TX. Easterseals Central Texas hosts an annual family-friendly Día de los Muertos Concert to mark Disability Awareness Day. The event raises critical funds to support individuals with disabilities while offering a vibrant, welcoming space to enjoy live music, community connection, and cultural traditions.
North Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth Area)

  • Dia de Muertos – Caregiving Festival
    • Date & Time: Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 5:30 PM
    • Location: Anita Martinez Recreation Center (3212 N Winnetka Ave, Dallas, TX)
    • Details: Tailored family festival centered on caregiving communities, featuring interactive activities and free treats in an accessible indoor recreation facility.
    • Cost: Free

    • Hosted by Success On The Spectrum (4200 Spring Valley Rd) on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 5:30 PM. Free admission with trunk-or-treating, face painting, crafts, and light refreshments tailored for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
  • SUPER Kids Boo Bash
    • Thu, Oct 29, 6:00 PM
    • Mansfield Activities Center
    • Sensory-friendly Halloween party

    • Held at the Mansfield Activities Center (106 S Wisteria St) on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM. This indoor program costs $6 and offers sensory-friendly indoor trick-or-treating and games.
  • The Great Pumpkin Plunge (Burleson)
    • Burleson, TX
    • BRiCk Indoor Pool

    • Held at The BRiCk Indoor Pool on Saturday, October 31, 2026. This event features a floating pumpkin patch and dedicated sensory swim sessions priced between $5 and $10
Houston, Gulf Coast & East Texas

  • Special Needs Halloween Trick or Treat (League City) – Hosted at the City of League City Community Center
    • on Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
    • This 12th annual accessible indoor event hands out toys instead of candy to accommodate dietary restrictions and sensory needs for children and adults. 

San Antonio & South/Central Regions

    • Hosted at Backyard on Broadway (2411 Broadway) on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 11:00 AM. Free admission featuring ASL interpreters, a dedicated quiet sensory room, a mobile changing unit for personal care, non-edible and edible treat options, and an inclusive costume contest.

Just a few important items: 

HHSC is beginning to require HCS/TxHmL providers with open-ended contracts (those start with 001 and which HHSC refers to as evergreen contracts) to amend their contracts.

Some of you may have received a letter from HHSC indicating that they needed to renew or amend their contract so HHSC could assign an end date.  This has to be done via CAMP which, heretofore, HHSC has stated CAMP was not fully operational and was only to be used for new contracts or renewal of contracts which had an end date.  This letter gave providers 5 days to complete the process, or they would be placed on vendor hold and not be able to bill.  HHSC later said the 5 days was an error and that one has 120 days.  As of now, there has been no training on CAMP or any mailouts of informational letters or FAQs.  There has also been no communication about HHSC now requiring all contracts with open-ended dates to now have an end date or information as to the process for securing an end date.  There is an extensive backlog of requests for contract amendments, new contracts, and renewal contracts, and because of this, the new CAMP system was intentionally being rolled out slowly.  My understanding is that development of training webinars, FAQs, informational letters, etc., regarding CAMP is in process and should be posted soon by HHSC. (Could be as early as next week from what I am hearing)

Update: The CAMP website updates may be in place as early as next week to help persons with guidance on renewing contracts and training material to access CAMP.  CAMP will be sending a communication out, but given the volume [of affected providers and contracts], it likely will not be a letter to all providers. They are determining how best to do that and may need to lean on providers [and other associations] a little for some help spreading the word.

Providers do need to have an account in CAMP.  It is, however, highly recommended that you do not initiate the process until you receive the generic letter if you have an open-ended contract, as this may only create further delays in the process.

To Do List:

  • Create an Account: If you haven’t already, you must create a legal entity account on the Texas Gov CAMP Portal using your Texas Identification Number (TIN). This allows the state to sync your new account with your existing open-ended contract data.

  • Check Your Email: The state handles existing contract actions via a formal renewal or transition email. You will need the specific number provided in that email to link your contract.

  • Online Management: Once set up, all future contract actions—including managing information, submitting required documents, and requesting contract amendments—must be executed through this online system

TWOGETHER CONSULTING WEBINAR TRAINING:

Nov 2026!  

Free Webinar Series 

November 16, 2026 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Hosted By: Twogether Consulting

Presented By:  Eric Dodd, Pharmacy Consultant (Texas) For Neighborhood LTC Pharmacy

“IDD 2.0: Smarter Tech, Better Care, What’s Next?”

FREE IDD RESOURCE WEBINAR REGISTRATION

For other upcoming classes, go to the calendar on our home page at:  www.twogetherconsulting.com

You can also contact us at info@twogetherconsulting.com if you would like to register for any of the trainings before the info is posted on the site.

Note: Our hourly off-site consultation fee is $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 a consultation or mentoring time, 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.

 Please feel free to e-mail us or contact Meghan Jones to schedule an appointment for consultation.  We have consultants available to provide consultation for HCS, TxHmL, ICF, and (some CLASS as well).  Please contact us directly for your care coordination, QIDP, direct care, and nursing needs or training at info@twogetherconsulting.com or you may contact our assistant, Meghan Jones at meghanjones.tx@gmail.com
We are happy to say that we will continue to provide whatever assistance we can with questions you may have, especially concerning HCS/TxHmL Care Coordination, Nursing, or general survey requirements from LTCR department in these programs.  We continue to assist those working with the ICF/IID program as well. We are currently providing both on-site in-person training at this time as well as in-person live training that is open to all providers.
FYI-We do still provide “mentoring” assistance for program managers, case managers, and especially for nurses.  We continue to provide nursing trainings and we can refer you out to our partner RN consultants, Nursing Innovations, who provide IDD nursing consultation, mentoring, and/or training for HCS, TxHmL, and ICF.  If you have new staff or nurses who need training quicker than classes posted on the calendar, please let me know and we do offer some of our previously recorded sessions for a low cost, which includes the handouts.   We are happy to schedule one-on-one training sessions and mentoring with one of our consultants.  We can also refer you to another resource, if more appropriate.  Twogether Consulting also continues to provide assistance with applying to become an HCS/TxHmL waiver provider.
For HCS Providers who want to purchase specific services and/or specific forms we have on our website, may go to the following link “purchase services” page. If you are having issues downloading forms, please feel free to contact us at info@twogetherconsulting.com and I will be happy to send them to you.
Thank you,
Julie Blacklock/ Owner & IDD Waiver Consultant