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New resource available for creating walking trails in your community
Thirty minutes of walking per day is one of the simplest and most effective forms of exercise. And, aside from a good pair of walking shoes, no other equipment is needed. Benefits of walking may include weight loss, lowered cholesterol, reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, increased bone strength and improved circulation… | continue this story
Aging Texas Well issue brief now available
A new Aging Texas Well issue brief — the fifth in a series — is now available for download… | continue this story
Impressions is more than just a store
It's more than just a place for Denton State Supported Living Center residents to sell their ceramic creations… | continue this story
Calendar
Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) System Redesign Stakeholder Meeting
Oct. 2, 2012
2-5 p.m.
Public Hearing Room
John H. Winters Human Services Complex
701 W. 51st St.
Austin, Texas
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) is conducting a public meeting to solicit stakeholder input about the redesign of the IDD long-term services and supports (LTSS) system, as required by SB 7 (82nd Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, 2011), which directs the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to seek a Medicaid waiver that "allow[s] for the redesign of long-term care services and supports to increase access to patient-centered care in the most cost-effective manner." Each individual will have up to 5 minutes to provide public comment.
This meeting is open to the public. No reservations are required and there is no cost to attend this meeting.
People with disabilities who require special adaptive aids or services for this meeting should contact Veronica Martinez at 512-438-5187 by Sept. 28, 2012, so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Culture Change Webinar: Decreasing Inappropriate Use of Anti-psychotic Medications in the Dementia Population
Oct. 4, 2012
1-2 p.m. CDT
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), in collaboration with the local Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes network, invites you to register for this second webinar which continues the discussion on reducting the use of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes.
Registration for this webinar is now open at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/116165985; space is limited.
Texas Board of Nursing Webinar - The LVN Scope of Practice: What Every LVN, RN, and Employer Should Know
Oct. 5, 2012
11 a.m.-Noon
(Registration deadline is Sept. 28)
The purpose of this webinar is to provide direction and recommendations for LVNs, their RN clinical supervisors, other clinical supervisors and their employers regarding the safe and legal scope of practice for LVNs and to promote an understanding of the differences between the LVN and RN levels of licensure as they work together to maximize what can be accomplished towards meeting the needs of patients. Registration information is availalbe in PDF format.
Texas Board of Nursing: The LVN Scope of Practice: What Every LVN, RN, and Employer Should Know
Nov. 2, 2012
8:30 a.m.-Noon
The University of Texas at Austin
JJ Pickle Research Campus
The Commons, Room 1.122
10100 Burnet Road, Bldg. 137
Austin, TX 78758
The purpose of this workshop is to provide direction and recommendations for LVNs, their RN clinical supervisors, other clinical supervisors, and their employers regarding the safe and legal scope of practice for LVNs and to promote an understanding of the differences between the LVN and RN levels of licensure as they work together to maximize what can be accomplished towards meeting the needs of patients. Registration information is available in PDF format.
Quarterly Interest List Enrollment Stakeholder Meeting
Nov. 5, 2012
9-11 a.m.
John H. Winters Human Services Complex
Public Hearing Room
701 W. 51st St.
Austin, Texas
DADS Culture Change Initiative: Symposium 2012
Nov. 13, 2012
Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center
San Antonio, Texas
As part of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) commitment to promoting culture change in nursing facilities, DADS will host four symposia in 2012.
To learn more, visit the DADS Culture Change website.
Please register at http://kessjones.com/CCSHOME.htm.
DADS Culture Change Initiative: Symposium 2012
Nov. 15, 2012
Hilton Houston Southwest
Houston, Texas
As part of the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) commitment to promoting culture change in nursing facilities, DADS will host four symposia in 2012.
To learn more, visit the DADS Culture Change website.
Please register at http://kessjones.com/CCSHOME.htm.
Email updates
If you want to subscribe to this page, click here. DADS contracts with a company called GovDelivery, Inc., to provide email updates. When you sign up for email updates, you are giving your information to both DADS and to GovDelivery. When DADS has your information, it is subject to the DADS privacy policy. When GovDelivery has your information, it is subject to their privacy policy. Read the GovDelivery privacy policy.
Links
Site policies
How to report abuse or make complaints about a DADS service provider
Consumer Rights and Services
The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has identified the Office of Consumer Rights and Services as its centralized source for the receipt of complaints by people who receive services from DADS, family members and the public.
To report a complaint about the treatment of older Texans and people with disabilities, including people with intellectual disabilities, who receive services in facilities or from agencies regulated by DADS click here to contact Consumer Rights and Services or call 1-800-458-9858.
Independent Ombudsman for State Supported Living Centers
If you are concerned with the treatment of someone living in a state supported living center (SSLC), call 1-877-323-6466, or 1-877-648-2233 if you use TDD, to speak to an independent ombudsman who can help. To learn more, visit the Independent Ombudsman website.
Suspected cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation of SSLC residents should be reported directly to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Long-term care ombudsmen work to resolve complaints about the quality of life and quality of care of people who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and to protect their rights. If you have concerns, call 1-800-252-2412. To learn more, visit the Long-Term Care Ombudsman website.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Ombudsman Office
Contact the HHSC Ombudsman Office if you have complaints or issues related to health and human services programs not administered by DADS.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Office of the Ombudsman, MC H-700
P.O. Box 13247
Austin, TX 78711-3247
Toll-free: 1-877-787-8999
Fax: 1-888-780-8099 (Toll-free)
TTY: 1-888-425-6889 or 1-512-438-3087
Email: contact@hhsc.state.tx.us
Report fraud
Report suspected waste, fraud or abuse in health and human services programs to the Texas State Auditor's Office at 1-800-TX-AUDIT and to the HHSC Office of Inspector General at 1-800-436-6184.
State supported living center monitoring
Consistent with requirements set out in the Settlement Agreement between the state of Texas and the U. S. Department of Justice, three teams of professionals in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities have been assigned responsibility for conducting a baseline review and subsequent on-site compliance monitoring visits at each of the 12 state supported living centers in Texas as well as at the ICF/ID component of the Rio Grande State Center.