TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND DISABILITIES SERVICES: WHAT’S THE STATUS?
Last week, I wrote about the Texas Department of State Health Services undergoing the sunset review process. As a reminder, this is the process in which the state has to identify and eliminate government waste, duplication and general inefficiencies in state agencies, the Texas Legislature established the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission in 1977. The sunset review process is designed to review each of these agencies every twelve years. This review is done by taking up a certain number of the state agencies each time the Texas Legislature convenes. In this week’s article, we are going to review the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services (DADS).
The Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services is an agency that serves as one of the largest state agencies in Texas and is responsible for assisting some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. DADS oversees the long term care and support services for people who are elderly and/or those with disabilities. Today, the agency is sub-agency of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Additionally, the day to day operations of the agency are overseen by the agency’s commissioner who oversees the staff of the Department of Aging and Disabilities Services and implements the duties and responsibilities of the agency.
According to a publication submitted to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission by the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services in May of 2014, the Department provides support services to over one million people and also operates 13 state supported living centers. This agency oversees many complex programs and facilities along with healthcare providers here in the state of Texas. This accounts for as many as 13,700 residents that receive housing assistance through this agency in the state system. In addition, the department oversees more than 10,000 providers who assist individuals that are elderly and/or suffer from a disability. Some of the types of services that these providers are responsible for can range from home healthcare services to full time 24-hour care in nursing facilities.
The Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services operates a total of 13 state supported living centers across the state. These centers help to aid those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). While the department does assist with the housing of over 13,000 individuals, about 3,650 were living directly in one of the 13 state supported living centers. As a result of the sunset review process, some of the recommendations from the commission were that the Austin state supported center along with 5 other regional centers be closed and to increase the overall capacity of the remaining seven to help elevate the quality of care and try and assist those living with IDD.
DADS is one of the largest agencies in the state of Texas with regards to the number of individuals that receive services from this agency. Due to its large network of services provided, the DADS executive team needs to be agile and have excellent multitasking abilities in order to be effective in crisis management related situations. A few of the key components of the agency are to be able to effectively try and integrate these healthcare services and provide assistance to those who are elderly and/or disabled.
If you are interested in learning go to Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services.
Some of the other agencies we will review in the upcoming weeks include the State Office of Administrative Hearings, the Texas Education Agency, Department of Family and Protective Services, University Interscholastic League, as well as a number of other agencies. If you would like to learn more visit the Sunset Advisory Commission.
If you have any questions regarding the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services or the sunset review process, please don’t hesitate to contact either my Capitol or District office. My offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
