Programs and Services
The Arc of Texas' primary focus is to promote statewide inclusion via advocacy, training opportunities, promotion of promising practices in services and supports and statewide leadership in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, The Arc also provides specialized services benefiting consumers and families across the state.
Since 1997, The Arc of Texas Master Pooled Trust has served as the only trust in Texas designed specifically to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. The trust allows families to provide financial support to meet the special needs of family members while allowing them to remain eligible for government benefits such as Medicaid and SSI. Another version of the trust also protects the resources of consumers who have received court settlements and other forms of self-settled income. More than 600 families are now enrolled in The Arc of Texas Master Pooled Trust.
Texas Microboard Collaboration is a new initiative for The Arc of Texas. Recognizing that thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are languishing on long Waiting Lists for community-services, The Arc is exploring the ways and means by which families can organize themselves to plan, fund and implement supports that can respond to the basic life needs of their own family members with disabilities.
In addition to general Information and Referral, The Arc of Texas staff may be qualified to provide more in depth consultation to consumers and families on key issues of concern. While they do not have expertise in every area, The Arc's professionals have broad knowledge about the field of disability services and issues that often impact consumers and their families.
Some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the state can respond to your inquiries about programs and services, service delivery systems and issues impacting the lives of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We can provide information by e-mail or over the phone and mail information packets that can answer questions and help resolve individual challenges for consumers and their families.
Obtain the latest information about the inclusion of students with disabilities into regular education settings with non-disabled peers. Find out about the Inclusion Works! Conference, special training sessions, consultation and materials that can help you pursue inclusion in your school district.
Texas Advocates is a state-wide self-advocacy organization that supports
people with disabilities as they "Speak Out" for their own rights and
interests. The Texas Advocates is not a program of The Arc. Rather it
is an independent consumer-run non-profit membership organization which
conducts its own annual conference, training projects, programs and
advocacy initiatives. However, The Arc of Texas provides staffing, offices,
administrative support and technical assistance to empower Texas Advocates
to "Speak Out" for citizens with disabilities in Texas. Texas
Advocates Conference
The Arc of Texas offers the Don Miller Memorial Scholarship to junior
of senior students attending a publicly supported college or university
whose degree plan will lead to a professional career in the field of intellectual
and developmental disabilities services. Click above for details and
application
form.
If you have any questions please contact Rona:
Rona Statman, J.D., Director of Family Support Services
1-800-252-9729 or (512) 454-6694, ext. 112
rstatman@thearcoftexas.org
Rona is an attorney who oversees The Arc of Texas grant projects and
family support services including The Arc of Texas Master Pooled Trust,
the Inclusion Works project and Information and Referral. She supports
the Texas Advocates board, conference and Peer to Peer Grant. She developed
and updates the It's a New IDEA manual, provides training on IDEA and
also works on education policy issues with the Texas Education Agency
and the legislature.
