Center for Developmental Services (CDS)
Mental Retardation Authority (MRA) Services
Eligibility determination for all individuals and Service Coordination for eligible individuals who have Medicaid is guaranteed, although there may be a short waiting period for initial intake appointments and for assignment to Service Coordination depending upon overall client service demands at the time of admission. The ability to access services other than Service Coordination depends upon the actual service capacity at the time of the request for the service.
Access, Intake and Continuity of Services
As the Mental Retardation Authority for the Heart of Texas Region, the Center for Developmental Services serves as the single point of access within the local service area for publicly funded mental retardation services and supports. At the system level, the MRA manages the network of providers to ensure that qualified providers are enrolled in the network in such a way that an individual's access to general revenue funded services is facilitated. At the individual level, the MRA performs its essential functions to ensure the individual has access to appropriate general revenue services, choice among providers enrolled in the network, and the ability to navigate the network so that when viewed from his or her perspective, the network is as seamless as possible.
Authority staff work to ensure easy access to services and employ comprehensive intake procedures to determine eligibility for services. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who live in large congregate settings such as large ICF facilities or State Schools, and individuals who have been admitted to State Hospitals receive services through the MRA that ensure smooth transition to local, community living arrangements.
General Revenue and Texas Home Living Service Coordination
The Center for Developmental Services employs 16 people - all having acquired at least a Bachelor's Degree -- to provide Service Coordination in two programs: General Revenue Services and the Texas Home Living Waiver program. The role of the Service Coordinator is identical in both programs, to help individuals identify and prioritize needs, develop written plans targeting the need areas, and to coordinate service delivery with the goal of meeting the stated needs. The Service Coordinators take great pride in developing strong relationships with consumers and families, in serving as an advocate for each individual, and in developing comprehensive and individualized plans for each person on their caseloads.
Community Support
Dedicated staff provide training and support to individuals who live in their own homes, in apartment settings, or with family with the goal of skill acquisition and personal accomplishment that serves to support the individual in living a more independent and highly productive community life. Examples of training areas include personal hygiene, household maintenance, grocery shopping, and money management. Examples of support include transportation to medical and other appointments, companionship when new activities are attempted, and helping an individual as he or she tries to communicate with new people.
Respite
Every care-giver of people with disabilities needs time away from 24-7 care-giving duties, whether the time is used to do personal shopping, to attend a meeting or class, or to simply rest. Respite services are that time away. The definition of respite - relief from care-giver duties - indicates that it's availability is essential for the quality of life for both the individual and the care-giver.
Heart of Texas Industries -- Day Habilitation
We have made structural improvements and service curriculum changes to Heart of Texas Industries (HOTI) that have improved the level of participation, motivation, enjoyment and usefulness of the programs to those individuals who participate in them. Well staffed with seasoned HOTI employees, our internal program is strictly Day Habilitation, defined as providing assistance with acquiring, retaining, or improving self-help, socialization, and adaptive skills necessary to live successfully in the community and participate in home and community life.
Vocational Training for those whose interests are employment-related is available through contract with private providers of vocational training services.
Employment Assistance and Supported Employment
We work closely with the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to provide assessment of job related skills, training to develop and improve job skills, assistance in finding appropriate job referrals and employment opportunities, and support to individuals who attain employment in keeping the job they have. We have provided these services for more than 20 years, and have a record of keeping people with developmental disabilities employed that exceeds that of other job training, referral and placement agencies for people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities in the area.
Specialized Therapies
Specialized Therapies includes services such as Behavioral Supports, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy and Dietary assessment and intervention. For most of these services, we are able to provide funding when the service is justified and no other payment method is available for payment of the service. We have the availability of providing direct nursing services and behavioral support services through contracts and with employed staff.
Behavioral Supports
Behavioral supports assist an individual to increase adaptive behaviors or to replace or modify maladaptive or socially unacceptable behaviors that prevent or interfere with the individual's inclusion in home and family or community life. We employ a Psychological Assistant to provide this service, or contract with a PhD level psychologist to include counseling services when justified.
Nursing
We have five (5) LVNs and one RN to provide basic nursing services, such as medication training and monitoring, follow-up services based upon a physician recommendation, routine health screening and other related services when the services are justified and unable to be fulfilled through traditional community venues.
