Marriage Education Classes Now Available Statewide Texas now offers free marriage education classes around the state. Couples who complete a class will save $60 on their marriage license. The classes are at least 8 hours long and focus on helping couples develop communication and conflict resolution skills and other tools for a strong relationship. After completing the class, you will get a certificate that you can take to your county clerk to save $60 on a marriage license. And you won’t have to wait 72 hours to be married. The waiting period is waived for couples who complete the course Find a class

Response to Hurricane Ike

• HHSC: Resources for Medicaid/CHIP providers and recipients
• DSHS: Health and Safety Resources
• Office notices: Updates on the status of health and human services offices

Texas Submits Waiver Request Health Care Reform

Texas has submitted a waiver request to get federal approval for a health care reform plan to provide more people with insurance, reduce reliance on expensive emergency room visits for basic care, and make it easier for the working poor to buy into employer-sponsored health coverage. The cornerstone of the Texas plan is a Health Opportunity Pool trust fund that will provide premium subsidies to low-income adults. [Health Care Reform Homepage]

Health and Human Services Consolidated Budget

The consolidated budget summarizes the legislative appropriations requests for the state’s five health and human services agencies, highlights critical funding needs and outlines major federal funding issues. [Budget]

Legislative Appropriations Requests

Health and human services agencies have submitted their legislative appropriations requests (LARs) for fiscal years 2010-2011.

Health and Human Services Commission LAR
Department of Aging and Disability Services LAR
Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services LAR
Department of Family and Protective Services LAR
Department of State Health Services LAR

Consumer Direction Workgroup Now Accepting Applications

Individuals who use or may use consumer direction for their long-term services and supports, their parents and guardians, service provider, and advocates are invited to apply for membership on the Consumer Direction Workgroup by January 19, 2009.  The workgroup helps the health and human services agencies develop options for greater consumer control of their home-based, long-term services and supports such as personal attendants and respite care providers. [Applications and More Information]