CRCG Newsletter December 2015

Community Resource Coordination Groups of Texas Newsletter

Version 1.3

Published by: State CRCG Office (512) 206-4658

Table of Contents

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Child
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Adults
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Events Calendar

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January 12 — Bridge Call 2-3pm CST

January 27 — Webinar 2-3pm CST

February 9 — Bridge Call 2-3pm CST

February 25 — Webinar 2-3pm CST

March 8 — Bridge Call 2-3pm CST

March 24 — Webinar 2-3pm CST

April 12— Bridge Call 2-3pm CST

May 10 — Bridge Call 2-3pm CST

Resources

Legislative Report

The State CRCG Office and Workgroup submitted a biennial legislative report to the Governor and 84th Texas Legislature. The report provides information of the experiences of local CRCGs, services barriers, and next steps to strengthen CRCG initiatives.  The report is available here.

 

Webinar Recordings

The CRCG State Office launched a webinar series in March 2015 to bring valuable resources and information to CRCG partners and members. Going forward, webinars will be held bimonthly. Click the links below to view the previous recordings.

• March, 2015: State CRCG Office CRCG Overview

• April, 2015: Department of Family Protective Services and Child Protective Services Transformation(note: recording starts about 10 minutes into the presentation)

• May, 2015: Department of State Health Services and the YES Waiver

• July, 2015: Health and Human Services Commission and Texas Juvenile Justice Department with Legislative Updates on Mental Health and Juvenile Justice

• September, 2015:Texas Education Agency and Non-educational Community-based Support Services (Non-ed funds)

Sharing Is Caring!

Please feel free to share our newsletter with your colleagues or anyone that might benefit from this information. Just use the SHARE button at the bottom left.

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Contact Us

We would love to hear from you!  If you have thoughts, concerns, comments, ideas, or anything else you'd like to share, please contact the CRCG State Office by email at CRCG@hhsc.state.tx.us .

State CRCG Workshops at the Strengthening Youth and Families Conference

In October 2015, the State Community Resource Coordination Group Office (CRCG) hosted two pre-conference workshops at the 11th Annual Strengthening Youth and Families conference. The conference is an annual event sponsored by a collaboration of youth-serving partners and offers workshops related to the promotion of positive youth development. This involves the prevention, intervention, and treatment of high-risk behaviors in youth, and the support of their families.

The first CRCG session, "Unpacking the CRCG Model," was facilitated by Fedora Galasso, State CRCG Program Manager, Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The session focused on understanding the ways in which CRCGs across the state work together with families to help individuals with complex needs. The session was attended by almost 50 members of local CRCGs from every corner of the state.

Conference 1

CRCG members share information about their local CRCG and what they love most about participating.Tuesday October 13, 2015 - Unpacking the CRCG Model

Conference 2

Utilizing interactive break outs, CRCG participants brainstorm about the CRCG model, what works, and where the state office can offer additional support. Tuesday October 13, 2015 - Unpacking the CRCG Model

On Wednesday, October 14, 2015, the second CRCG pre-conference session was attended by about 40 participants from local CRCGs. In the first hour of the session Fedora provided an update on the State CRCG Office activities and overview of the CRCG program. The next two hours of the workshop included a training titled "Stages of CRCG Development," which was co-facilitated by Laura Peveto, Travis County CRCG Chairperson. Together, Laura and Fedora guided CRCG leaders through the various stages of development of local CRCGs. Participants walked away from the session with an action plan to strengthen local CRCG membership and new ideas to share with their communities.

Conference 3

Fedora and Laura discuss the stages of development CRCGs go through when first established and then grow to succeed. Wednesday October 14, 2015 - Stages of CRCG Development

The feedback from the sessions was very positive. Sheila Davis, the CRCG Chairperson for Henderson County stated, "I really enjoyed the CRCG pre-conference sessions at the Strengthening Youth & Families Conference. It was important for me to network with other CRCG committee members throughout the state. By attending the sessions I was able to have a better understanding of who needs to be attending our CRCG meetings.”

Local CRCG Spotlight

The State CRCG Office recently commissioned focus groups composed of local CRCG members across the state. The focus groups were held in Travis, Tarrant, Hidalgo, Bexar, and Harris counties. Information from the focus groups will inform the updates and improvements to the CRCG website, model, and materials. The State CRCG staff enjoyed learning more about how local CRCGs are thriving. The results of the focus groups demonstrate the local CRCG dedication to providing comprehensive individualized service planning.

Most participants said local CRCGs play a key role in their community by helping families get the services they need. They described their interagency group as a last stop shop for parents whose children may be “falling through the cracks” in the system. Many of them expressed a strong sense of mission about their CRCG work, and described taking time out of their busy, hectic schedules to participate in their CRCG group.

I believe in unconditional commitment to the children and youth we work with here in Travis County. That unconditional commitment to do that on a monthly basis, twice a month—for six, seven, eight hours—as long as we’re in here for that family.– Travis County CRCG Member

Participants said the expertise of the interagency partners at the table is vital to the success of their CRCG. They rely heavily on one another to provide solutions for families. They described the variety of disciplines and expertise represented by CRCG members. Participants greatly value interagency professional knowledge, particularly in the more complex or nuanced family cases. Each group described a sense of synergy when their local CRCG worked together, and participants had profound gratitude for the partners at the table.

You don’t have to have all of it [program services] memorized, because somebody else does. They are an expert in their own field, so they can speak to the need of the family right then and there. That helps tremendously, because who knows the in’s and out’s and the red tape? – Hidalgo County CRCG Member

Send your collaborative success stories to be highlighted in the coming newsletters to the 

CRCG Email Box.

 

Upcoming Events

CRCG Bridge Call Series

The State CRCG Office offers a monthly bridge call series for Local CRCG chairs and members to receive peer-to-peer support, share ideas, discuss challenges, and network. Bridge calls are held every fourth Tuesday of the month.  Each call focuses on a particular topic relevant to local CRCGs. To participate, please see the conference call information below:

  • Dial in number: (877) 226-9790
  • Access code: 7541054

Upcoming Bridge Call Schedule

  • Tuesday, January 12, 2016 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT
  • Tuesday, February 9, 2016 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT
  • Tuesday, March 8, 2016 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT
  • Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT
  • Tuesday, May 10, 2016 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT


Mark your calendars for the upcoming bridge calls and join us for collaborative discussion!

CRCG Webinar Series

The State CRCG Office offers a webinar series for Local CRCG chairs, members, and other interested persons to highlight state agency partners and provide training on key statewide initiatives and programs that can help serve individuals involved with CRCGs. Each webinar focuses on a topic relevant to local CRCGs. See the upcoming webinar schedule below:

Upcoming Webinar Schedule

  • Thursday, January 27, 2016 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT
    Topic: CRCGs and the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
  • Thursday, February 25, 2016 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT
    Topic: CRCGs and Wraparound Services
  • Thursday, March 24, 2016 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CST / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT
    Topic: CRCGs and Refugee Services


Mark your calendars for the upcoming webinars and join in on the learning and discussion. Previous webinar recordings are available through the links on the left side bar.

 

CRCG State Agency Partner Updates

In this section we highlight updates from the eleven CRCG State Agency partners to hear about opportunities, new resources, and policy changes.

Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)

The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) administers the In-Home and Family Support (IHFS) Program, which provides small grants to individuals four years of age and older with physical disabilities and their families. The maximum grant total is $1,200 per year. These funds can be used to purchase equipment, items and services that enable the individual to live independently in the community. The program policies have recently been revised to allow funds to be used for the purchase of prescription medications. Individuals seeking assistance under this program should contact their DADS local office.  The website to locate the office is http://www.dads.state.tx.us/contact/search.cfm.

For more information, contact your CRCG DADS representatives:

Corliss Powell

Corliss.Powell@dads.state.tx.us
512-438-2430

Joyce Pohlman

Joyce.Pohlman@dads.state.tx.us
512-438-5555

Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

Beginning September 1, 2016, several programs currently managed by the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) will be administered by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). These include:

• The Vocational Rehabilitation program for individuals with visual impairments, including the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center.

• The Vocational Rehabilitation program for individuals with other disabilities.

• The Independent Living Services program for older individuals who are blind.

• The Business Enterprises of Texas program.

Placing these programs under the workforce service area was authorized through legislation passed during the 84th Texas Legislative Session and places all of the state’s programs funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) together under one agency. Transition teams made up of individuals from DARS, HHSC and TWC are working together to identify and implement steps that will ensure a smooth transition with no disruption to service delivery.

The teams are coordinating on communications, contracting, data performance, data sharing, facilities, finance, human resources, information technology, legal, and program and policy. These areas are reporting regularly to a Transition Steering Committee made up of executive level staff from all three agencies.

For more information, contact your CRCG DARS representatives:

• Karissa Garcia

Karissa.Garcia@dars.state.tx.us
512-424-6795

• Gaye Speake

Gaye.Speake@dars.state.tx.us
512-377-0583

Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Division, is working closely with the Texas Home Visiting program staff to ensure a smooth transition as the two areas merge.

In the summer of 2015, PEI created the Texas Prevention Network (TPN) to share important information and gather input on specific topics and questions. The TPN includes over 400 individuals from a broad range of backgrounds including community providers, health care providers, government workers and many others. Please visit the TPN webpage. Here you can join the group and to keep up to date on the work of the temporary think tanks created to address hot topics for the PEI strategic plan. For more information, contact your CRCG DFPS representatives:

• Valinda Bolton

Valinda.Bolton@dfps.state.tx.us
512-438-3303

• Lesley Guthrie

Lesley.Guthrie@dfps.state.tx.us
512-438-4308

Department of State Health Services (DSHS)

The Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Services Program at the Texas Department of State Health (DSHS) Services partners with community-based contractors across Texas to provide support for families with children and youth with complex medical needs. Not all services are available in all parts of the state, but may include in-home or center-based respite, parent to parent connections, educational training and workshops, support groups, and more. Texas Parent to Parent provides support to families in all areas of the state.  Case management for families is also available through DSHS regional offices.

For more information please visit http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/cshcn/Community-Based-Contractors.shtm or contact your CRCG DSHS representative:

• Ivy Goldstein

ivy.goldstein@dshs.state.tx.us
512-776-3406

Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

In children's mental health, the term “system of care” has a specific definition. The system of care framework delivers services through a coordinated community-based network that builds on meaningful partnerships with families and youth.  These partnerships reinforce the value of addressing a family’s and youth's cultural and linguistic needs to help them function better at home, school, the community, and throughout life. In Texas, we have a statewide System of Care initiative that is active in many communities and at the state level.  You can learn more about the Texas System of Care initiative and related activities and subscribe to periodic updates related to children’s mental health at: http://www.txsystemofcare.org/.

For more information, contact your CRCG HHSC representative:

• Sherri Hammack

Sherri.Hammack@hhsc.state.tx.us
512-424-6908

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)

On June 15, 2015, TDHCA, on behalf of the Housing and Health Services Coordination Council, contracted with CSH (not an acronym) to coordinate a Housing and Services Partnership (HSP) Academy.

The HSP Academy will provide local community teams the tools and education necessary to create safe, affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities and older Texans. The HSP Academy will provide a 1.5 day intensive workshop in February 2015, for nine local community teams.  Each team will include at a minimum: 1.) A housing provider/developer, 2.) A service provider, and 3.) A person with a disability. In addition, documents for the HSP Academy will be available through TDHCA’s Housing Resource Center's Tools for Serving People with Disabilities, and as resources for organizations and developers interested in creating community-based, affordable, integrated, accessible housing for persons with disabilities and aging Texans.

For more information about the Housing and Health Services Coordination Council you may visit:  http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/hhscc/index.htm or contact the following CRCG TDHCA representative:

• Terri Richard

terri.richard@tdhca.state.tx.us
512-475-2953

Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD)

Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy in Washington, D.C. recently selected seven Texas Juvenile Justice Department administrators as Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) Fellows.  The team presented a Capstone Project with the goal of improving service to youth in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) system. This Capstone Project provides individualized services for youth by offering flexible scheduling and improves treatment services for youth who have high-level needs.  The project consequently improves the public safety for Texas citizens and increases services to youths in THHD.

The TJJD Board has adopted changes to TAC Chapter 343 (Secure Juvenile Pre-Adjudication Detention and Post-Adjudication Correctional Facilities).  The changes will take effect on February 1, 2016.  See a summary of the changes and the revised text.

TJJD now has an official Facebook page. This page will include agency updates and other important information regarding juvenile justice in the state of Texas.

For more information, contact the following CRCG TJJD representatives:

• Kim Bullard

Kim.Bullard@tjjd.texas.gov
512-490-7137 

• Steve Spencer

Steve.Spencer@tjjd.texas.gov
512-490-7982

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)

TWC is proud to announce the fourth annual Hiring Red, White and You! (HRWY) statewide job fair which took place on November 12, 2015. In cooperation with 28 Workforce Solutions partners, the Hiring Red, White and You! Job Fair connects Texas veterans and their spouses with Texas employers who value the experience, discipline, and other exceptional qualities inherent with a military background.

In the first three years, HRWY has connected more than 31,000 veterans with over 4,700 employers.

It is estimated that there are 927,000 veterans in Texas who are eligible for work. By holding these Hiring Red, White and You! Job Fairs across the state, Texas employers can more easily connect to this highly qualified group of service men and women.

*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Please continue to check this website for updates on this event or contact redwhiteandyou@twc.state.tx.us.

• View a list of 2015 participating employers

For more information, contact the following CRCG TWC representative:

• Lorelei Miller

lorelei.miller@twc.state.tx.us 
512-936-6265