Center for Developmental Services (CDS)
Heart of Texas Region Mental Retardation Provider Services
The Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center, Center for Developmental Services, was created to provide direct services to people in the local community. In addition to services provided as Authority functions, the Center has well-established and effective ICF (Intermediate Care Facilities/MR), HCS (Home and Community Based Waiver Services), and TxHmL (Texas Home Living Waiver Services) programs. ICF programs are available to anyone eligible for Mental Retardation services; HCS and TxHmL are eligible only to people offered the service based upon a state-wide interest list (waiting list) for the programs.
These programs are traditional rated excellent by State surveyors. For example, in the eight year period from 2000 through 2007,auditors of the HCS program have found no deficient areas during their annual reviews.
Intermediate Care Facilities for People with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR)
ICF is a group home model of community living. Heart of Texas operates 4 ICF group homes, three of which have 6 residents and one with 10 residents. Each house has 24-hour awake staff supervision for the residents.
Besides providing a place to live, learn new skills, and call home, this model of services offers day habilitation, vocational training, supported employment, nursing, psychological and psychiatric services. All needs of an individual can be addressed in these group homes, with the intent of developing independent living skills so the individuals can begin thinking about moving into less restrictive settings, such as to foster care in a related program or in an apartment setting alone or with a companion or roommate.
Our staff in the ICF group homes have helped many individuals develop skills to move forward in their lives. They have also taken in individuals who are having difficulties in a less restrictive setting, such as a family home, and helped to reduce problem behaviors and encourage, attain and maintain positive and adaptive behaviors.
Home and Community Based Waiver Program (HCS)
HCS is a Medicaid Waiver program available to an eligible individual in 3 or 4-person group home, foster care, or family and independent living situation. There are a number of ways to receive an invitation to participate in HCS, but the usual way is to first be entered on the statewide interest list for HCS, then to wait until your name rises to the top of the list.
Many people consider HCS to be the premiere program for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, with a fee for service structure and a potential for almost $70,000 worth of services each year if justified. In addition to Group Home living and Foster Care, individuals in the program can receive Supported Home Living (skills training in the community), Behavioral Supports, Day Habilitation, Supported Employment, Respite, and other Specialized Therapies not otherwise paid for by Medicaid or other insurance. Adaptive Aids, Minor Home Modifications and Dental Services are also available in HCS.
The Heart of Texas HCS program serves a capacity of 118 individuals. Twenty individuals reside in 4-bed group homes. Twenty-seven individuals enjoy sharing family life in Foster Care. The remaining individuals in our program live with family or in apartments on their own or with roommates. The Heart of Texas HCS program has enjoyed success in not only helping to make individuals more independent with greater participation in local community life, but in gaining a strong reputation as a model program in the state based on eight straight audits with no deficiencies.
Texas Home Living Waiver Services
TxHmL is also a Medicaid Waiver Program. Sometimes referred to as 'HCS Light', TxHml offers the same types of services as HCS, but no residential options. Created as both a way to draw down more Federal Medicaid funding and as a way to begin serving people on the HCS Interest List, TxHmL was started in 1984. Unlike HCS, the Service Coordination function for TxHmL is separate from provider services, and is controlled by the Mental Retardation Authority service coordination unit. Although the Authority services serve about 150 people in TxHmL, Heart of Texas Provider Services has a capacity of 26 individuals in the waiver program.
