Whole Person
Project
The Whole Person Project seeks to expand access to quality mental health services for adult Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
About The Project
The Arc of Texas is uniquely positioned to help identify and address mental health care disparities experienced by Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In the Summer of 2024, we’re kicking off year five of our Whole Person Project, funded by a grant from the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD), by reaching out to organizations working in this space to get their perspective on what’s working and what’s not — because we know those closest to the problem are also closest to the solution.
We’re thrilled to welcome Alex Stuckey, Pulitzer Prize investigative journalist, to our staff to help with this phase of the work. As we identify solutions, we’re advocating for systemic policy change.
Watch the short videos below from our docu-series with self-advocates about their experience at the intersection of mental health and IDD.
IDD Advocate James Meadours sat down with us to detail his journey as a longtime Texan accessing state supportive services. James is a former board member of The Arc of Texas.
Wanting to live on her own, Brandy Rios struggles with her living situation because she’s on a seemingly never-ending waiting list for state services. Her thirst for independence living with Cerebral Palsy is attainable, but the wait for quality supports is tough.
When Kelly McCarthy moved to Texas with her mother, they had no idea how challenging it would be to receive state services for Kelly’s disabilities. Kelly and her mom discuss their experience.
When Judith Laufer of the San Antonio League of Self-Advocates met Pat Carnal and Suzie Breckons, she wanted to help them live their lives and honor their self determination. Individually, there were limited resources – but by pooling them, the results have been remarkable!
Learn More About Our Research
The Arc of Texas worked with the Center for START Services (CSS) to conduct a provider systems analysis in Texas. The results from the study indicate a need for increased access to mental health/IDD cross-training, information sharing, and collaboration throughout the health service delivery system.
Learn more about the Whole Person Project and our research:
