Has your child recently been diagnosed with a disability or been referred for special education services? Maybe your child has been receiving special education services and it’s time to figure out the next steps.
Wherever you are in the process, we’ve been there. We know the maze in which you find yourself and we’re eager to point the way to news you can use, information you can trust and understand, and reliable resources for more information. Welcome!
Visit the Parent Companion for a wealth of helpful information. This website is designed for families of children age 0-5, but has lots of great resources that would also be helpful at any age.
Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) – Children Age 0-3 are provided services by the Health & Human Services Commission. ECI should help you transition to the public school system when your child turns 3.
Early Childhood Special Education (formerly known as PPCD) – Children Age 3-5 are provided services by your local school district and monitored by the Texas Education Agency.
If you are NOT currently receiving services from ECI – You will need to make a written request for an evaluation to your local elementary school. You can find a copy of a sample letter on Pg 36 of the IDEA 2018 Manual.
Please download and use the IDEA 2018 manual published by Disability Rights Texas.
Feel free to call our office (713-466-6304) with questions about navigating special education. You can also submit questions on our Contact us page.
Believe it or not, there is a 14 year wait for some community related supports (ie respite, attendant care, etc.) – Put your child on the waiting list now! (The state calls this an “interest list”). For more information – See Adult services tab.
If you are seeking information and resources specific to students (age 5-21) with disabilities and their families, then the Texas Project FIRST web site is another practical place to start.
If you think your child may need special education or related services to be successful in school – You will need to make a written request for a special education evaluation to your local elementary school. You can find a copy of a sample letter on Pg 36 of the IDEA 2018 Manual.
Please download and use the IDEA 2018 manual published by Disability Rights Texas.
Don’t forget to plan for college/university!
If your child with a disability is between the ages of 14-22 and you are interested in future employment or post secondary education – We suggest that you register your child at your local Texas Workforce Solutions – Vocational Rehabilitation office for Pre-Employment Training Services which are to help your child prepare for post secondary education and employment. opportunities.
Believe it or not – There is a 16 year wait for many long term care community support services (ie respite, attendant care, etc.) – Put your child on the waiting list now! (The state calls this an “interest list”). For more information – See Adult services tab.
Feel free to call our office (713-466-6304) with questions about navigating special education. You can also submit questions on our Contact us page.
Once your child with a disability turns 18 – they become an ADULT. This is also called the “age of majority“. All your rights as a parent transfer to your child. The transfer of rights occurs regardless of your child’s disability label and/or level of need, unless you have made other legal arrangements. To learn more about your options – See Guardianship & Alternatives to Guardianship.
There are a number of options for services after Age 18:
Other than school based transition programs, each adult program can have its own requirements for participation or eligibility.
Individuals with disabilities are not entitled to adult services. Nothing is free!
Long term care services often pay for adult programs and are provided by the Health & Human Services Commission. There are extensive waiting lists for those services and different requirements for each program.
For additional information – See the State Agency Tab.
Call 211 or visit Your Texas Benefits – Click on Prescreening Tool at bottom of page. This is a good place to start understanding what services & supports your child or family may be eligible for. You will find Medicaid, CHIP, Family Services, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP or Food assistance), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
If you are using this website to complete the medicaid application for your child – Make sure you answer the questions as if your child was answering the questions.
There were 4 agencies under HHSC – yet only the first two remain subsidiaries of HHSC – All other responsibilities have folded into the one agency.
1) Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) – Child & Adult protective care, Foster & Kinship Care, and some Family Support programs.
2) Department of State Health Services (DSHS) – Mental and Behavioral Health for Children and Adolescents. There is a Youth Empowerment Waiver (YES) for youth children under age 19 with severe emotional disturbances.
3) Children’s Mental Health Services
4) Aging & Disability Services – HHSC is the agency responsible for administering programs to serve Texans with disabilities. The main number is . You will be asked to enter your zip code and this will direct you to the closest Aging and Disability Resource Center who can answer your questions. In the Houston area – This is Care Connection.
To register for Medicaid Waiver Programs “Interest Lists” (HCS, Tx Home Living, etc.) contact the following local authority agency for your county. Note the Tx Home Living budget is capped currently at $17,000 per year.
The Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
NEW!! Online Intake
713-970-7799 (to get on waitlist);
713-970-3449 (check status on the list)
713-970-7000 (Help Line);
1-866-970-4770 (24 hr Crisis line);
9401 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074
Texana (serving Austin, Colorado, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Waller & Wharton Counties)
281-239-1300, 281-239-1363,
1-800-633-5686 (Crisis Line)
Various locations depending on your county
Tri-County Services (serving Montgomery, Liberty, and Walker Counties)
936-521-6200 or 936-521-6203 (access and screening intake)
1-800-659-6994 (24 hr Crisis line)
Gulf Coast
1-888-839-3229 or email: IDDAdmissions_Intake@gulfcoastcenter.org (intake for IDD services),
1-877-226-8780 (intake for MH services),
1-866-729-3848 (24 hour Crisis line)
For these programs, please call the Health & Human Services Commission – call 1-877-438-5658 or to find the office closest to you https://www.hhs.texas.gov/about/find-us/where-can-i-find-services
For more information on Personal Care Services (age birth -20 and Medicaid Eligible) – Please call 888-276-0702
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/deaf-hard-hearing
**Please note – if you move, please call the agency and update your information so that the agency can find you when a waiver spot becomes available.
TO FIND VACANCIES in:
HCS Group Homes: https://hhs.texas.gov/search/providers/hcs
Assisted Living Facilities, ICF/IDD homes: https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/LTCSearch/
PreAdmission & Screening Review Process (PASRR): https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/intellectual-or-developmental-disabilities/pasrr-families-caregivers
Sometimes when you are working, you still need assistance with medical needs. There is an option for Medicaid Buy in:
If you need more assistance navigating each area, please feel free to call us at 713-466-6304 or Contact Us.