Central Counties Services contracts with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) to serve as the agency’s local authority.  Services are available to persons who meet the state’s “priority population” criteria, which consist of the following:

• Persons with intellectual disability as defined by Texas Health and Safety Code 591.003
• Individuals with a developmental disorder, as defined in the current addition of the DSM, including autism
• Individuals who have a related condition, listed in the Texas DADS Approved Diagnostic Codes for Persons with Related Conditions, who are eligible for, and enrolling in services in the ICF/MR Program, Home and Community Based Services (HCS) Program, or Texas Home Living (TxHmL) Program;
• Nursing facility residents who are eligible for specialized services for intellectual disability, developmental disability or a related condition pursuant to Section 1919(e)(7) of the Social Security Act; and
• Children who are eligible for Early Childhood Intervention Services through the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).

Services available to those applying for community based services funded by state general revenue dollars through the local authority include:

Screening and Eligibility Determination – Gathering information to determine eligibility for priority population. This may include review of previous testing, administering testing, and social history.

Service Coordination – Assistance in accessing medical, social, educational and other appropriate services and supports that will help a consumer achieve a quality of life and community participation acceptable to the consumer. Assessment, service planning and coordination, monitoring, crisis prevention and management are all included in this service.

Day Habilitation – Site Based programming that assists with acquiring, retaining or improving self help, socialization and adaptive skills necessary to live successfully in the community and to participate in home and community life. Central Counties Services operates day habilitation sites in Temple, Killeen, Copperas Cove and Rockdale. This service is offered to adults.

Employment Assistance/Supported Employment – Services to assist a consumer in finding individualized competitive employment in the community and to sustain the employment.

Respite – Planned or emergency short term relief services provided to the consumers’ unpaid caregiver when the caregiver is temporarily unavailable to provide supports.

Community Support Services – Individualized activities that are consistent with the consumers person directed plan and provided in the home or community locations. Supports included activities that foster ability to perform daily living skills and community activities.

Behavior Supports-Specialized interventions by professionals with required credentials to assist a person to increase adaptive behaviors and to replace or modify maladaptive behaviors that prevent or interfere with the person’s inclusion in home and family life or community life.

Continuity of Services – Services to assist a consumer residing in the community, a state facility or an HCS, ICF/IDD, or TxHmL program to develop another placement such as a change to another provider, or another type of residential setting.

ICF Placement – The Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF/IID) program is a community-based residential service option provided in homes with six or fewer individuals. This ICF/IID program provides similar services provided in an HCS residential home. The services include staff available to assist individuals with identified needs, access to medical care, the opportunity to attend Day Habilitation or similar programs, and participation in community activities.

If you choose to access the ICF/IID residential option, you are able to keep your current placement on interest lists for home and community-based waiver services, such as HCS, Texas Home Living, Community Living Assistance and Support Services, and Deaf Blind with Multiple Disabilities programs.

For information about the ICF/IID program, please visit: http://www.dads.state.tx.us/services/intellectual/getservices.html. Information at http://www.dads.state.tx.us/providers/icf/search/index.cfm allows you to search ICFs/IID homes with vacancies by county, city or zip code. It also lists any special services or areas of expertise.

If you are interested in this residential option, contact us at 254-298-7000. We will assist you in applying for the service. The application process for admission to an ICF/IID involves sharing an individual’s diagnosis and medical and support needs with ICF/IID providers to ensure they have the appropriate services and resources to best meet an individual’s needs.

Additionally, Central Counties Services operates one Medicaid Waiver program:

Home and Community Based Services – Services and supports available in a person’s own home or family home, or in a small residential program. Services include day habilitation, employment assistance, respite, and specialized therapies.

For information about these services and other services provided by DADS, please call (254) 298-7000.