Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Texas may reside in an institution such as a nursing facility, state supported living center (SSLC), or intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability or related condition (ICF/IID). Many of them have significant medical, psychiatric, and behavioral needs that create challenges to living successfully in the most integrated community setting. Serving individuals who transition or divert from these institutions often requires specialized staff, intensive training, and expertise across several fields of study as well as ongoing support and technical assistance.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) secured Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration funding to help individuals who have complex medical and behavioral needs and want to live or remain in the community to receive the services and supports they need.
Texas has 8 regional Transition Support Teams (TSTs), often referred to as Hubs, to serve all 254 Texas counties, including all 39 local intellectual and developmental disability authorities (LIDDAs) and the community waiver providers within a designated region. These interdisciplinary teams provide the following support services:
- Educational and training activities and materials, such as webinars, videos, and other correspondence, are provided at least quarterly and focus on increasing the expertise of LIDDAs, providers, and community members in supporting individuals with complex needs.
- Technical assistance provided to LIDDAs, program providers, and other community support services on specific disorders and diseases, emerging and best practices, and evidence-based services for individuals with significant challenges.
- Case consultations and peer reviews provided to service coordinators, crisis intervention staff, direct care staff, and other members of an individual’s service planning team who need assistance providing effective care for an individual.
A licensed professional, such as a clinical social worker, serves as each TST coordinator. TSTs include licensed medical staff such as physicians, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses as well as psychiatrists, psychologists, behavioral specialists, and other professionals who have expertise working with individuals with IDD. These interdisciplinary teams support the LIDDAs and service providers within their designated service areas.
TSTs are also designed to address unique regional and cultural issues and challenges as well as identify gaps in medical, psychiatric, and behavioral resources. They report information about these identified gaps to Texas HHSC.
Designated LIDDA | Covered LIDDA Service Areas |
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Alamo Local Authority for IDD | Alamo Local Authority for IDD Camino Real Community Services Gulf Bend Center Hill Country MHDD Centers |
Behavioral Health Center of Nueces County | Behavioral Health Center of Nueces County Border Region Behavioral Health Center Coastal Plains Community Center Tropical Texas Behavioral Health |
Emergence Health Network | Concho Valley Center for Human Advancement Emergence Health Network Permian Basin Community Centers West Texas Centers |
Integral Care | Bluebonnet Trails Community Services Central Counties Services Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center Integral Care MHMR Authority of Brazos Valley |
Metrocare Services | ACCESS Andrews Center Burke Community Healthcore Denton County MHMR Center Lakes Regional Community Center LifePath Systems Metrocare Services Spindletop Center Texoma Community Center |
My Health My Resources of Tarrant County | Betty Hardwick Center Center for Life Resources Helen Farabee Centers My Health My Resources of Tarrant County Pecan Valley Center for Behavioral and Developmental Healthcare |
StarCare Specialty Health System | Central Plains Center StarCare Specialty Health System Texas Panhandle Centers |
Texana Center | The Gulf Coast Center The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD Texana Center Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare |
If you need help to locate offices that can help you with intellectual or developmental disabilities, aging, behavioral health, and other disability services, please visit Where Can I Find Services?