The Betty Hardwick Center contracts with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to serve as the agency’s local authority.  Services are available to persons who meet the state’s “priority population” criteria, which consist of the following:

• Persons with mental retardation as defined by Texas Health and Safety Code 591.003
• Individuals with a pervasive developmental disorder, as defined in the current addition of the DSM, including autism
• Individuals who have a related condition, listed in the Texas HHSC Approved Diagnostic Codes for Persons with Related Conditions, who are eligible for, and enrolling in services in the ICF/MR Program, Home and Community Based Services (HCS) Program, or Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Program;
• Nursing facility residents who are eligible for specialized services for mental retardation or a related condition pursuant to Section 1919(e)(7) of the Social Security Act; and
• Children who are eligible for Early Childhood Intervention Services through the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

Services available to those applying for community based services funded by state general revenue dollars through the local authority include:

Screening and Eligibility Determination – Gathering information to determine eligibility for priority population. This may include review of previous testing, administering testing, and social history.

Service Coordination – Assistance in accessing medical, social, educational and other appropriate services and supports that will help a consumer achieve a quality of life and community participation acceptable to the consumer. Assessment, service planning and coordination, monitoring, crisis prevention and management are all included in this service.

Day Habilitation – Site Based programming that assists with acquiring, retaining or improving self help, socialization and adaptive skills necessary to live successfully in the community and to participate in home and community life. Betty Hardwick Center offers this service to both children and adults.

Employment Assistance/Supported Employment – Services to assist a consumer in finding individualized competitive employment in the community and to sustain the employment.

Respite – Planned or emergency short term relief services provided to the consumers’ unpaid caregiver when the caregiver is temporarily unavailable to provide supports. Betty Hardwick Center offers respite in a 6 bed home with 24 hour care.

Community Support Services – Individualized activities that are consistent with the consumers person directed plan and provided in the home or community locations. Supports included activities that foster ability to perform daily living skills, activities to preserve the family unit, transportation between home and employment or day habilitation site or community activities.

Continuity of Services – Services to assist a consumer residing in the community, a state facility or an HCS, ICF/MR, or TxHmL program to develop another placement such as a change to another provider, or another type of residential setting.

Home and Community Based Services (HCS) – Individualized services and supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who live with their family, in their own home or in other community settings, such as small group homes.

• Adaptive aids
• Adult Day Activities Center (day habilitation)
• Dental treatment
• Minor home modifications
• Nursing
• Residential assistance
• Respite
• Specialized therapies (occupational, physical, speech)
• Supported employment

For more information about official HHSC HCS providers, click here:  https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/LTCSearch/index.cfm#resources

Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) – The Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/IID) program is a community-based residential service option provided in homes with six or fewer individuals. This ICF/IID program provides similar services provided in an HCS residential home. The services include staff available to assist individuals with identified needs, access to medical care, the opportunity to attend Day Habilitation or similar programs, and participation in community activities.

If you choose to access the ICF/IID residential option, you are able to keep your current placement on interest lists for home and community-based waiver services, such as HCS, Texas Home Living, Community Living Assistance and Support Services, and Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities programs.

For information about the ICF/IID program, please visit: https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/LTCSearch/index.cfm#resources.

If you are interested in this residential option, contact us at 325-690-5182. We will assist you in applying for the service. The application process for admission to an ICF/IID involves sharing an individual’s diagnosis and medical and support needs with ICF/IID providers to ensure they have the appropriate services and resources to best meet an individual’s needs.

Texas Home Living Program (TxHmL) – Services and supports, such as day habilitation, respite and employment assistance, for persons who live in their own home or their family’s home.

For information about these services and other services provided by HHSC, please call (325) 690-5182.  Additional assistance is available via email at: [email protected]