Author: Spencer Miller-Payne

INDEX TEMPLATE

5 takeaways from Whole Person Project research

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Manager of Public Policy & Advocacy Alex Cogan presented research from the Whole Person Project at the Texas Judicial Commission for Mental Health Annual Summit.

Interim charge recommendations for Texas Legislature includes requests for House, Senate committees to benefit Texans with IDD

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Find out what The Arc of Texas recommends for the Texas legislative interim session.

Judge upholds civil rights of Texas students with disabilities with ruling against Gov. Abbott’s mask-mandate ban

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Federal judge rules against Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order banning mask mandates and bars Attorney General Ken Paxton from its enforcement.

Essential services for Texans with disabilities at risk without funding from Texas Legislature

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Now is the time to ask the Texas Legislature to address decades of severely inadequate funding for Medicaid community attendants and direct care workers.

Supplemental Special Education Services eligibility guidelines go into effect November 1

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Grants available to families of qualifying special education students affected by COVID-19 school closures

Anti-discrimination protections remain in Social Worker Code of Conduct

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Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners keeps Code of Conduct anti-discrimination measures.

Why did Texas House Democrats (and some Senators) leave Austin? Here’s what to know

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Texas lawmakers travel to Washington, DC, to block passage of controversial voting legislation

What is going on with federal HCBS funding?

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The Better Care Better Jobs Act would strengthen home and community-based services for all Americans.

Texas disability advocates call on social work board to protect rights

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The Texas Attorney General’s nonbinding opinion would allow for discrimination against LGBTQ and disabled Texans.

87th Texas Legislative Session: Guardianship bill blocked after extensive opposition

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True guardianship reform deserves adequate time and stakeholder input

87th Texas Legislative Session: What are our opportunities for next session?

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Bills that didn’t make it this session but we continue to champion

87th Texas Legislative Session: What happened with education bills?

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Outcomes related to inclusive education bills

87th Texas Legislative Session: What happened with voting bills?

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Voting bill blocked for the regular session, but more to come

2020 Census results and what it means for redistricting

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Find out what we learned from the 2020 Census

Oppose legislation that would make it easier to strip Texans with IDD of their rights

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On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, the Texas House will consider House Bill 1675 (HB 1675) on the House floor, which would make it easier for someone with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to be placed under guardianship. The bill would remove the current and needed processes for guardianship and is based on one family’s personal … Continued

Voting bills make their way through Texas Senate, House

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Both the Texas Senate and House are considering bills this legislative session that would affect voters with disabilities. The bill authors for Senate Bill 7 and House Bill 6 say their legislation is intended to protect the integrity and security of elections, but advocacy groups, including The Arc of Texas, are opposed to provisions in … Continued

How to get involved in the 87th Texas Legislative Session

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The Texas Legislative Session is different this year, but there are still ways to let elected officials know what is important to you.

Texas SNAP recipients can get hot meals, request reimbursement for lost food

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Through the end of March, Texans can use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for hot foods and ready-to-eat-meals. This includes items like rotisserie chicken or prepared foods from a store’s deli. SNAP recipients whose food was lost or spoiled due to the winter storm can apply for replacement benefits. Apply over the phone … Continued