The Arc of Texas

Take action! An excerpt from today’s Austin American-Statesman article, “'Transformational': Texas Senate Bill 568 would overhaul special education funding” highlights our concerns about a specific provision found in Senate Bill 568 and House Bill 3: Most state supported living centers “are not just another educational setting; they are the most restrictive, segregated and costly residential option for children with disabilities,” said Sabrina Gonzalez Saucedo of the ARC of Texas, a group that advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Prioritizing them in placement discussions without sharing information about community-based supports and services could lead to increased institutionalization and family separations, rather than supporting children in family-based settings," she added. https://ow.ly/vSZR50VhJPR ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITY: The Arc of Texas asks its community to respectfully request that the authors of SB 568 and HB 3 remove the language in the bills relating to State Supported Living Centers. Call committee members using this script: “My name is [NAME] and I live in [CITY], Texas. I am a concerned constituent and friend of The Arc of Texas, calling to kindly ask that you remove section 29.0056 from Senate Bill 568 and House Bill 3, which contains language that would require school personnel to provide parents with information about State Supported Living Centers (SSLCs) during an IEP/ARD meeting when residential placement is being discussed. SSLCs are the most restrictive and costliest residential option. Additionally, the language in both bills does not include a requirement that schools talk with parents about less restrictive options like home and community-based services that could support a family in keeping their child in their family home. Thank you.” House Committee on Education: Rep. Brad Buckely (Chair), (512) 463-0684 Rep. Diego Bernal (Vice Chair), (512) 463-0532 Rep. Alma Allen, (512) 463-0744 Rep. Trent Ashby, (512) 463-0508 Rep. John Bryant, (512) 463-0576 Rep. Charles Cunningham, (512) 463-0520 Rep. Harold Dutton Jr. (512) 463-0510 Rep. James Frank (512) 463-0534 Rep. Gina Hinojosa, (512) 463-0668 Rep. Todd Hunter, (512) 463-0672 Rep. Helen Kerwin, (512) 463-0538 Rep. Jeff Leach, (512) 463-0544 Rep. Terri Leo Wilson, (512) 463-0502 Rep. Alan Schoolcraft, (512) 463-0602 Rep. James Talarico, (512) 463-0821 Senate Committee on Education K-16: Sen. Brandon Creighton (Chair), 512-463-0104 Sen. Donna Campbell (Vice Chair), 512-463-0125 Sen. Paul Bettencourt, 512-463-0107 Sen. Brent Hagenbuch, 512-463-0130 Sen. Adam Hinojosa, 512-463-0127 Sen. Phil King, 512-463-0110 Sen. José Menéndez, 512-463-0126 Sen. Mayes Middleton, 512-463-0111 Sen. Tan Parker, 512-463-0112 Sen. Angela Paxton, 512-463-0108 Sen. Royce West, 512-463-0123 Image ID: Three images in a carousel are purple, white, orange and yellow and include the information above. #txlege #disabilityrights #education

Way to go Julia! Julia Chalker is a member of our Public Policy & Advocacy Committee & on the board of The Arc of DFW Area. She spoke up to #ProtectMedicaid for people with #disabilities at her rep's town hall: https://ow.ly/FeWI50VgYZb

This washingtonpost.com article features @thearcus legal expert Shira Wakschlag and The Arc of Texas Board President-Elect Veronica Ayala who'd be impacted by Texas v. Becerra lawsuit threatening critical Medicaid services that help people with disabilities avoid institutions. We're fighting back! https://lnkd.in/e9UkPMBD

Our advocate spotlight this week is Brooke Hohfield! Brooke is Co-Executive Director of Texas Advocates, the largest statewide self-advocacy organization run by and for Texans with #IDD. Her #advocacy makes a real impact in the fight for equal opportunities for all Texans. Brooke recently testified at the Texas Capitol to the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Article II, highlighting how important it is for Texas to provide adequate services and supports for people with disabilities. Watch Brooke's heartfelt testimony (starts at 7:01:42): https://ow.ly/emSw50VcaWx #txledge #disabiltyrights #medicaid #protectmedicaid

In today's legislative newsletter: Our disability budget requests for TX, federal activities threatening Texans with IDD, a spotlight on Brooke Hohfield, and more! https://ow.ly/I7Wy50VcM9Z #TxLege #DisabilityRights #IDD

Governor Abbott has named Ellen Bauman, member of The Arc of Texas Public Policy & Advocacy Committee, as Chair of the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities, which recommends changes in disability policies and programs, supports a network of committees on people with disabilities, issues awards to promote greater awareness, and promotes compliance with disability related laws. Ellen, thank you for your continued leadership! https://ow.ly/qrj750Vbrhf An excerpt from the press release: Ellen M. Bauman of Joshua has served on the Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities since 2018. She formally worked as the special needs ministry liaison for First United Methodist Church in Arlington and is a certified Christian educator. She is a member of the Texas Commission on Jail Standards Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee, Durable Medical Equipment Back-Up Taskforce, and The Arc of Texas Public Policy Advocacy Committee. Additionally, she is the immediate past president of the Arc of DFW Area and board chair of Texas Parent to Parent. Bauman attended Texas Wesleyan University and Tarrant County College and received a certificate of Christian Education from Columbia College in Columbia South Carolina. #txlege #disabilityrights #advocacyinaction

Here's a few findings from our investigative report, "Out of Options: Addressing Inequities in Care for Texans with IDD and Mental Illness." Hear proposed solutions at our 3/19 webinar: https://ow.ly/wY6l50Vas4g #MentalHealth #IDD #DisabilityRights #Txlege #DDAwareness2025 Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities

The Arc of Texas gathered today with #disabilityrights allies to tell TX Atty General Paxton “Don’t Mess with 504!” Paxton is asking the court to make all Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act unconstitutional, which would harm Texans with #IDD. Disability Rights Texas #txlege #protect504 #DisabilityRights Image ID: 1) Self-advocates posed in front of the Texas Capitol holding “Protect 504” signs. Some are in wheelchairs and have assistive devices. 2) Self-advocates are gathered and speaking on a mic. 3) The back of a person with a hand-painted “Protect 504” sign with hearts attached to their backpack. 4) A person holding “Don’t Mess with 504” signs.

It's Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! An excerpt from @thearcus blog post: Here’s what drives us at The Arc: the fundamental belief that everyone deserves to write their own life story. That means real access to education, meaningful employment, quality healthcare, and genuine community connections. Right now, too many barriers stand in the way of these basic rights. This month, we’re turning up the volume on voices calling for change. https://ow.ly/6E1p50V9CWR #DDAwareness2025 #DisabilityRights #IDD

URGENT: Use this quick form to send a note to your U.S. reps. It takes 30 seconds: https://lnkd.in/g9MeMuYf