Center for Developmental Services
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3420 W. Waco Drive,
Waco 76710
Phone: (254) 757-3933
Fax:(254) 752-1931
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Developmental services for mental retardation and autism are also available in all six counties in the Heart of Texas region, with an additional office in Mexia (Limestone County).
Access, Intake and Continuity of Service
General Revenue, Home and Community-Based Waiver Program Service Coordination, and Texas Home Living Service Coordination
Community Support
Respite
HOTI - Day Habilitation
Employment Assistance and Supported Employment
Specialized Therapies
Intermediate Care Facilities - Group Homes (ICF/MR)
Home and Community Based Services (HCS)
Texas Home Living (TxHmL)
HCS Case Management Transition to MRA Service Coordination
Although the Department of Aging and Disabilities Services contracts with and provides general revenue funding to the Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center to provide services to people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, services to individuals are not to be considered an entitlement, or free. There is an expectation that individuals or their LARs will pay for services, if able. Payment rates are based on a sliding ability to pay scale. Please visit our Charges for Services page for more information on payment options.
Each of the following services is available through both the Waco office and the Mexia office. The Mexia office is located at 700 W. Highway 171. Information about services in Mexia can be obtained by calling 254-562-0171. For the Waco office, the contact number for all services is 254-757-3933.
Access, Intake and Continuity of Service
The front door of the Center for Developmental Services handles eligibility determinations, community information and referral, service coordination referral, hospital and state school liaison, HCS, TxHmL, ICF/MR enrollment, Permanency Planning, State School Community Living Options Information Process, and emergency and crisis services.
General Revenue, Home and Community-Based Waiver Program Service Coordination, and Texas Home Living Service Coordination
Based on the requirements of the Texas Administrative Code, Service Coordinators assist individuals in planning, developing and coordinating a Person-Directed Plan, and in monitoring services to ensure their effectiveness. Our Service Coordinators develop strong working relationships with individuals and their families, and have significant knowledge of community resources.
Community Support
Provides community skills training, transportation and other supports and assistance primarily for individuals living in their own homes or apartments. Services can be provided by employees of Heart of Texas or can be contracted to a provider chosen by the individual.
Respite
Provides families and caregivers with a reprieve from the daily care and supervision of individuals with Mental Retardation and eligible Related Conditions. Respite can be provided by employees of Heart of Texas or can be contracted to a provider chosen by the individual.
HOTI - Day Habilitation
Participants in Day Habilitation are provided training in and maintenance of activities of daily living, including improvement in academic skills, attention to task, grooming, and socialization skills. There are also opportunities for volunteer work, such as delivering meals for Meals on Wheels. These services are for individuals not ready for or not interested in prevocational training or paid work. Services are offered in a congregate setting owned by Heart of Texas or are contracted to other providers.
Employment Assistance and Supported Employment
Employment assistance is getting people ready for and helping them to find desired paid employment. Supported employment is helping people to learn a secured job and to help them keep that job. Participants in these services must make a commitment of responsibility and motivation to work to the staff who provide the services and to the employers that participate with us in providing employment.
Specialized Therapies
The Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center directly provides limited nursing services and more extensive behavioral support services in the General Revenue program. Depending upon funding availability, we may also assist individuals to pay for occupational, physical and speech therapy assessments and ongoing services, dietary assessments, and some adaptive aids or minor home modifications.
The following services are specialized services that are a part of what we do, but are separate services from those offered through the Authority Contract with the Department of Aging and Disabilities Services. Each program requires a specific contract with DADS, has a specific funding source, separate rules, standards, principles or regulations for operation, and a rigorous review/audit process to assess ongoing quality of services.
Unless otherwise noted, the contact number for all services is 254-757-3933.
Intermediate Care Facilities for People with Mental Retardation (ICF/MR)
Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/MR) provide group home living for individuals with developmental disabilities who are in need of a more structured living environment as they acquire skills leading to quality community involvement. Individualized services provided include:
- Home management skills
- Recreational/Social activities
- Community integration training
- Vocational skills training/Day habilitation
- Supported employment
- Nursing services
- Psychological services
Home and Community Based Services (HCS)
HCS is a Medicaid Waiver program that provides specialized services to people with developmental disabilities in their home of in a home-like environment. Individualized services provided include:
- Independent Service Coordination - Service Coordination is a Local Authority function not controlled by the HCS provider as of June 1, 2010
- Residential Support Services/Supported Living - 3 to 4-bed group homes
- Foster Care - opportunity for family relationships
- Support Home Living - home and community training
- Day habilitation - maintaining and/or improving current skills
- Supported Employment - finding and keeping a job
- Nursing
- Respite - a relief from caregiver duties
- Behavioral Supports - an analysis of behaviors and recommendations for encouraging positive supports
Texas Home Living (TxHmL)
Similar to HCS, Texas Home Living (TxHmL) is a Medicaid Waiver program that provides specialized services to people with developmental disabilities in their home. Individualized services provided include:
- Independent Service Coordination - Service Coordination is an authority role not controlled by the TxHmL provider
- Community Support - training in community skills
- Day habilitation - maintaining and/or improving current skills
- Supported Employment - finding and keeping a job
- Nursing
- Respite - a relief from caregiver duties
- Behavioral Supports - an analysis of behaviors and recommendations for encouraging positive supports
