Check out the Texas support programs and agencies, nonprofits and web resources below!
Texas Support Programs & Agencies
Search “Texas Long-term Services and Supports Waiver Programs” to find an organized summary of State waiver assistance programs. Two good sites are:
• https://hhs.texas.gov/hhs-services
• http://medicaidwaiver.org/state/texas.html
There are several waiting lists you should get on now for services that will make a big difference later:
CLASS (Community Living & Support Services) (877) 438-5658
MDCP (Medically Dependent Children’s Program) (877) 438-5658
HCS (Home & Community Services) (512) 483-5800
TxHmL (Texas Home Living Program) (512) 438-3011
YES Waiver (Youth Empowerment Services) (512) 804-3191
STAP (Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program) (512) 900-5445
CSHCNS (Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program) (800) 252-8023
These programs provide funding based on the income of the individual with disabilities (not the family), for therapies, assisted/supported living, home and vehicle modifications, nursing, adaptive aids and more. Waiting lists are years long; so sign up now!
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Is my child eligible? https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-eligibilty-ussi.htm
Office of Acquired Brain Injury (OABI) is Texas’ premier resource for providing education, awareness, prevention and service referral and coordination in regards to brain injury.
2-1-1 Texas is an online database for services and resources in your area.
Health and Human Services Division (HHSC) The mission of the U .S . Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is to enhance and protect the health and well-being of all Americans . We fulfill that mission by providing for effective health and human services and fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services.
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Many programs and services previously administered or delivered by the former Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) have been transferred by the Texas Legislature to the Texas Workforce Commission or the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services (CRS) program assists eligible people who have a traumatic brain injury (TBI), traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), or both, function independently in their home and community . Services can be related to communication, mobility and self-care.
Texas Home Living Program (TxHmL) services are intended to supplement rather than replace the services and supports you may receive from other programs.
Amy Young Barrier Removal Program by Texas Department of Housing provides one time grants of up to $20,000 for Persons with Disabilities who need modifications to increase accessibility and eliminate hazardous conditions in their home . There are financial criteria that must be met.
Non-Profit Resources
Team Luke Hope for Minds enriches the lives of children with a brain injury and gives hope to families through support and education.
Ragan’s Hope helps parents of children with catastrophic injuries by providing financial, emotional and spiritual support, in the name of Christ.
The Arc of Texas promotes, protects and advocates for the human rights and self-determination of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Texas Brain Injury Alliance is a statewide non-profit organization wholly committed to helping brain injury survivors prevail.
Texas Parent to Parent is committed to improving the lives of Texas children who have disabilities, chronic illness, and/or special health care needs. Provides links to numerous resources.
UnitedHealthCare Children’s Foundation – Family Grants -UHCCF grants provide financial help/ assistance for families with children that have medical needs not covered or not fully covered by their commercial health insurance plan.
Any Baby Can is an Austin, Texas based nonprofit organization . They believe all children deserve the chance to be healthy and happy. They strengthen parents and their children through in-home therapies, resource navigation, and family support services.
Easter Seals offers a variety of services to help people with disabilities address life’s challenges from child development centers to physical rehabilitation and job training for people with disabilities.
The Special Needs Alliance helps individuals with disabilities, their families and the professionals who serve them.
Texas Elks Children’s Services provides medical equipment to eligible children who have no other funding source to pay for items needed. Must start at a local Elks Lodge – call for location nearest to you. Also has a camp for children with special health care needs.
Navigate Life Texas website is especially for families and parents of children with disabilities or special health-care needs and is designed to offer support, inspiration, resources, and links to services available.
Joshua’s Stage enrich the lives of children with special needs by providing the opportunity, through fine arts classes and student performances and exhibits.
C2 Change is a nonprofit behavioral health agency dedicated to providing quality behavioral health services to youth and their families.
Texas Community Resource Coordination Group (CRCGs) Local inter-agency groups comprised of public and private providers that come together to develop individual services plans for children, youth, and adults whose needs can be met only through inter-agency coordination and cooperation.
Legacy of Hope Austin provides opportunities to explore the arts, specialized horseback riding for kids with special needs, and ‘date night’ respite care for their parents.
The Determined Parents Foundation grants money for things like co-pays, deductibles and items insurance only partially covers or does not cover at all.
Variety of Texas Children’s Charity provides financial assistance for families of special needs children in need of medical equipment/devices, physical therapy, educational resources, home renovation and more .
Make A Wish Foundation grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories.
Growing Roots empowers families of children with special needs through information, resources and support.
Single Mothers Grants provides financial assistance for utility bills, child care, college, medical bills, medications, rent assistance, buying a home and more.
National AMBUCS Inc. is creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities by therapeutic tricycles to individuals unable to operate a traditional bike, awarding academic scholarships for therapists, and performing various other forms of community service.
iHOPE – The international Academy of Hope is a highly specialized brain injury school in New York City funded by the Sarah Jane Brain Foundation (SJBF) . The mission of SJBF is to change the world for children, youth and young adults who suffer from brain injury and other brain-based disorders by improving services, training and research in this country and beyond.
Texas Technology Access Program’s mission is to increase access for people with disabilities to Assistive Technology and an enhanced ability to function independently.
Partners Resource Network is a non-profit agency that operates the Texas statewide network of Parent Training and Information Centers.
Be An Angel Fund Financial assistance for adaptive equipment and select services.
Bright Steps Forward Grants, Sponsor a Child (Neurological Disorders).
Cerebral Palsy Group General information on CP as well as support resources.
Cerebral Palsy Guidance General information on CP as well as financial assistance resources.
Cherished Creations Dream requests for children with serious illnesses.
Chive Charities Funding for rare medical conditions, veterans with medical-related needs, first responders & emeregency assistance organizations & underfunded special needs education initatives.
Children’s Wish Foundation International Grants for wishes for children under 18 who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition.
Clayton Dabney Foundation for Kids with Cancer Last wishes, gifts, special events, family travel & financial assistance for families with children in the last stages of terminal cancer.
Different Needz Grants for people with developmental disabilities for equipment and medical services . Grant applications become available in January.
Disability Services of the Southwest Programs for individuals with disabilities Do It For The Love Grants live concert wishes for people with life-threatening illnesses, children with severe challenges & wounded veterans.
Dream Foundation Volunteer-driven wish-granting organization that serves children ages 3-18 who have a critical or chronic illness.
First Hand Foundation Financial Assistance.
Fund It Forward For anyone with a diagnosed disability or medical condition in need of medical devices or equipment.
Granted Wish Foundation Sports/Athlete specific wishes for people with a physical disability age 5-25.
Masonic Home & School of Texas Need based grants.
McLindon Family Foundation Gives adaptive bikes to children with disabilities.
Medical Transportation Program “Catch A Ride With Us” Covers transportation costs for those eligible for Medicaid or children with special health care needs. (877) 633-8747
Modest Needs Short term critical-need financial assistance for those who do not qualify for traditional assistance because of income level.
National MS Society Resources, support and programs for those living with multiple sclerosis.
National Patient Travel HELPLINE Provides assistance and referral to the best source of charitable medical air transportation help.
National Organization for Vehicle Accessibility Small grants to help complete accessible van purchases after other funding has been secured.
Project Angel Fares Provides all travel expenses paid trips to Morgan’s Wonderland & Inspiration Island (fully accessible theme & water park) in San Antonio.
Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation Grants for in-hospital life-saving treatments and surgeries for those who do not have medical insurance.
RxAssist Provides information on financial support organizations that help with the cost of prescriptions.
The Sunshine Foundation Grants special dreams to children, ages 3-18, who are chronically or seriously ill, physically challenged or have been abused.
Wheelchairs 4 Kids Wheelchairs, home & vehicle modifications, and devices for children with limited mobility.
Brain Injury Web Resources
General Information Resources:
Pediatric Issues – brainlinekids.org
Institutes for Achievement of Human Potential – iahp.org
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s Traumatic Brain Injury page – asha.org/slp/clinical/TBI/
Shepherd Center’s Brain Injury videos series – braininjury101.org
Traumatic Brain Injury overview video – tndisability.org/article/concussion-and-traumaticbrain-injury-information-families
LEARNet Problem-Solving System for teachers, clinicians, and parents working with students with Traumatic Brain Injury -projectlearnet.org/index.html
Government Benefit Finder – benefits.gov/
Brain Injury Organizations:
Brain Injury Association of America – iausa.org
Brain Injury Association of America (Texas Division) – biausa.org/Texas
United States Brain Injury Alliance – usbia.org
Texas Brain Injury Alliance – texasbia.org/
TX BIA Brain Injury Support Groups – texasbia.org/find-support-group
Brain Injury Network of Dallas – thebind.org/
Texas Health & Human Services Commission’s Office of Acquired Brain Injury – hhsc.state.tx.us/hhsc_projects/abj/index.shtml
TryMunity – Traumatic Brain Injury Social Network – trymunity.com
Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury (PABI) Network’s Sarah Jane Brain Project – thebrainproject.org
National Association of State Head Injury Administrators – nashia.org/Join.asp
Love Your Brain – loveyourbrain.com Aims to improve the quality of life of people affected by TBI through programs that build community, headed by survivor Kevin Pearce.
Family/Caregiver-Related Materials:
Dr . Gan, marriage and family therapist, Educating Families about Behavioral Changes after TBI video -brainline.org/content/multimedia.php?id=1429
Care for the Caregiver video – tbifamilysupport.cbirt.org/interactive-learning/6/
Helping Children Cope with Head Injury in the Family – brainline.org/content/2012/08/helping-childrencope-with-head-injury-in-the-family_pageall.html
Family Change Questionnaire – brainline.org/content/2009/06/family-changeafter-brain-injury.html
Caregiver Notebook – Top 10 Things Caregivers Don’t Want to Hear – texasbia.org/caregiving-notebook
The Adolescent Support and Peer Leadership Network’s Parents in Their Own Words – video projectlearnet.org/for_parents.html
Support for Siblings after a TBI – brainline.org/content/2010/09/when-the-unthinkable-happens-support-for-siblings-after-a-traumaticbrain-injury-strikes-a-family_pageall.html
Brain Injury Book List – brainline.org/content/2013/12/brain-injury-booklist.html
Children’s Books About Pediatric Brain Injury
Elvin the Elephant who Forgets (ABI) – dailymotion.com/video/xairke_elvin-the-elephantwho-forgets-brai_people
Benny the Bear – (hydrocephalus/shunt) Aimed at 4-5 year olds – www.shinecharity.org.uk/bennybear
Hands up for Andie – hemihelp.org.uk/support_us/shop/hands_up_ for_andie
Gilley the Giraffe … who changed – for 3-9 year olds (encephalitis) – sabin.scot.nhs.uk/files/gilley-the-giraffe.pdf
Education-Related Tools
Center on Brain Injury Research & Training (CBIRT)—TBI Education (Students Age 0-21) – CBIRT.org/resources/educators/
Texas Project First (created by parents for parents) – texasprojectfirst.org
Texas Education Agency—Education Services Centers (list by region) – tea.state.tx.us/regional_services/esc/
IDEA/ARD Guide for Parents – https://www.disabilityrightstx.org/resources/education
Special education law and advocacy – wrightslaw.com/
Professional networking site for school Issues/supports for students with brain injury – https://youthbraininjury.obaverse.net/welcome/
Specialized school (including residential) for students with brain injury (and related disorders) in MA – brocktonschool.mayinstitute.org/
College/Vocational Rehabilitation
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services – https://hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/comprehensive-rehabilitation-services
Making Cognitive Connections (technology-driven training tool) – id4theweb.com/
Richland College (DCCCD) program for students with TBI – https://alt.richlandcollege.edu/disability-services/total-re-integration-program/
Coastline Community College ABI Program (CA) – coastline.edu/students/students-with-disabilities/acquired-brain-injury/
Beacon College (FL) – beaconcollege.edu/
Advocacy Tools
University of Oregon Center on Brain Injury Research and Training’s Services Advocacy Toolkit – cbirt.org/resources/services-advocacy-toolkit/
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology resource database – abledata.com/
Toolkit for training assistive technology in the environment – cbirt.org/products/training-assistive-technologyenvironment-tate/
Able Link Technologies (TBI section) – ablelinktech.com/index.php?id=20
