Governmental Affairs

The Arc of Texas Governmental Affairs Department monitors local, state, and national issues that impact the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We work closely with legislators, government agencies, and school systems in an effort to improve the quality of supports and services for people with disabilities. Our goal goes beyond simply changing the laws. We are working to change attitudes.

Since our founding in 1950, The Arc has been instrumental in the creation of virtually every program, service, right, and benefit now available to the hundreds of thousands of Texans with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

Advocacy — We work with legislators and agency officials at the state and local levels to strengthen the laws and policies that provide rights and benefits to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Actionline — This newsletter provides members of The Arc with regular updates on Governmental Affairs activities and events. Click here for the latest copy of the Actionline.

Action Alerts — These urgent mailings inform members of The Arc and other interested constituents of pending legislation that could positively or negatively impact the lives of people with disabilities. The Action Alerts strongly encourage recipients to contact their legislators and express their opinion about the issue. To be added to the Action Alert mailing list, send your request to amizcles@thearcoftexas.org.

Committee Participation – The Arc of Texas staff members and volunteers spend much of their time outside of the Legislative session working on state agency committees and task forces.

Legislative Updates — We keep members up-to-date on current legislative issues at the state, local, and national levels through The Arc's Actionline newsletter and Action Alert postings.

Advocacy Training — The Arc believes that people with disabilities and their families are by far the best voices for change. Your personal stories are what will truly make a difference. Our Governmental Affairs team is here to teach you how to effectively advocate for yourself or the people you care about. For more information on a advocacy training near you OR to request a training, contact Amy Mizcles at amizcles@thearcoftexas.org.

Meet Your Governmental Affairs Team:

Mike Bright, Executive Director
1-800-252-9729 or (512) 454-6694, ext. 102
mbright@thearcoftexas.org
In addition to his role as The Arc's executive director, Mike is also the team leader for the Governmental Affairs Department. He has more than 30 years of experience in advocating for the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mike and his team work closely with HHSC, DADS, the Texas Education Agency and other state health and human services agencies to help shape policies that impact the lives of people with disabilities.

Amy Mizcles, LMSW, Director of Governmental Affairs
1-800-252-9729 or (512) 454-6694, ext. 106
amizcles@thearcoftexas.org
Amy, who serves as The Arc of Texas' lead lobbyist, works with members of the legislature and state agency staff to improve policies and programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Amy works closely with volunteers to ensure that individuals with disabilities and their families can share their personal stories with decision-makers at the local, state, and national levels. She also provides training on legislative advocacy and health and human services enterprise systems issues, in addition to working with the criminal justice and education systems.

Dawn Choate, Governmental Affairs Specialist
1-800-252-9729 or (512) 454-6694, ext. 104
dchaote@thearcoftexas.org
Dawn provides support to the Director of Governmental Affairs and key volunteers. She works with the Director to improve policies and programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Specialist recruits, coordinates, and supports The Arc of Texas volunteers to facilitate their involvement in advocacy activities at the local, state and national levels.