The Division for Developmental Disabilities Services provides Community Support, Respite, Behavioral/ Psychological Support, and Nursing services for eligible persons with mental retardation or a pervasive development disorder (i.e. Autism). We also provide Vocational and Day Habilitation Training programs are at numerous training sites in the Center's six-county service area; as well as, Employment Assistance and Supported Employment services which facilitate job placement in businesses throughout the community. Lastly, for those individuals enrolled in Home and Community-based Services we offer Family Living and Small Group Home residential services.

General Eligibility for Services

Individuals who live in one of the following six counties: Austin, Colorado, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Waller, or Wharton, and who meet one of the following descriptions:

People with mental retardation

People with pervasive developmental disorders, including autism

Nursing Facility residents who are eligible for specialized services for mental retardation pursuant to Section 1919(e) (7) of the Social Security Act

Children who are eligible for services from the Division of Early Childhood Intervention Services through the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

What is Developmental Disability?

Developmental Disability is a disability evident during childhood and that is expected to be lifelong, requiring ongoing services. The DMR rule defines Developmental Disability as "Significantly sub average general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period (birth to 18 years of age.)"

What is a Pervasive Developmental Disorder?

Pervasive Developmental Disorders are a class of developmental disorders that are also expected to be enduring and require ongoing services similar to those needed by persons with mental retardation. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) states that:

"Pervasive Developmental Disorders are characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development: reciprocal social interaction skills, communication skills, or the presence of stereotyped behavior, interests and activities."

Autistic Disorder is probably the most familiar of the Pervasive Developmental Disorders. Developmental Disability and other developmental disorders are frequently seen together in the same consumer. For example, the DSM IV-R states that 75% of children with Autistic Disorder function intellectually in the range of mental retardation.

The focus of the Developmental Disabilities Services Division is to assist individuals and their families in choosing and accessing quality services and supports that best meet their needs and requests. Services and supports are either provided by the Center or through a network of private and public agencies and organizations in the Center's six-county area. Services provided by the Center include:

• Authority and Admissions Services
• Medicaid Waiver Services
• In-Home and Family Support
• Transition Services
• Service Coordination
• Residential Service Options
• Individual Support Services
• Employment Services
• Day Programs

Counties

• Austin
• Colorado
• Fort Bend
• Matagorda
• Waller
• Wharton

Individuals and families who receive services from Texana Center are charged for those services based on their ability to pay. The Center accepts payment from third-party payor sources, such as Medicaid, CHIP, and private health insurance providers, when the individual is eligible for these benefits and when the third-party payor source covers the services and supports which are needed and provided to the individual and/or their families.

Texana Center , as the Local Authority, is mandated by Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to serve as the community's “safety net” for individuals and families who are eligible for Developmental Disabilities services, but who do not have an ability to pay. Services to these individual are paid for through state funds (general revenue). Some of the Center's Developmental Disabilities Service programs are available only to Medicaid eligible individuals, such as HCS, TxHmL and ICF/MR.

Exceptions to this system of payment are for goods/services which are funded through grant funds or private funds; and also, for goods/services which are funded through special initiatives (such In Home and Family Support ( IHFS )).