Bringing the community together to share experiences, challenges, results and possibilities
As parents search for the answers in providing services and care for their loved one with special needs, they sometimes don’t know the questions to ask to get the answers they need. Where do parents/guardians go for help? What types of services are available? Is there financial assistance to help pay for these services?
The good news is that under Home and Community-Based Services-Adult Mental Health (HCS) there is a waiver program that provides home and community-based services to adults with disabilities. The bad news is, the waiting list to receive such services is an estimated 18-20 years. That’s right, one nearly has to register their child for services in kindergarten to possibly receive services when they age out of high school.
“The demand for services is only growing,” said Rachel Jelks, Founder & CEO of TEAM Abilities, an agency that provides services to adults with special needs through ISS/Day Habilitation and Community Living care. “And while parents are waiting on services what are they supposed to do? Many parents have to quit their jobs to stay at home with their child. The need is desperate for interim and long-term care.”
The gap is so wide and vast that Jelks is hosting a conference with other leaders in the IDD Community so parents, professionals and educators can learn more about available services.
“There are numerous enclave services that can assist parents while in the gap of waiting for more advanced, long-term solutions,” said Jelks. “There are solutions, services and programs available and we need to start connecting the dots for our families, educators and professionals in our county.”
The conference, Connecting the Dots and Filling in the Gaps, is set for Saturday, October 26, 9am to 2pm, and is provided free-of-charge to parents, educators and professionals in the Montgomery county and surrounding area.
“The conference is a symposium for solutions with expert speakers and panelists that can engage one-on-one with attendees,” said Jelks. “This is our way of bringing everyone together in the same room to share experiences, challenges, results and possibilities.”
Notable speakers will be Nikole Crowder, Prof Speaker Ed/Parent Liaison Special Education/CISD; Gayle Y. Fisher, M.Ed., Ed.Tech./ Empowering the World of Learning Differences / Neurodiversity; Armando J. Bernal, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, Founder, Autism International Consulting, PLLC; Kelly Baughman, Executive Director Co-Founder, Project Beacon and Connie Baker, M-ED Founder, Advocacy Aid LLC. There will also be materials on hand provided by the Time to Care Coalition.
The event is free and lunch will be provided to all attendees. For more information, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/connecting-the-dots-tickets-1042317809627?aff=oddtdtcreator or call Donna Wick at 832-790-2879.
TEAM Abilities serves adults with special needs through day habilitation/ISS services and Community Living care. The agency has 20 Community Living homes located in Spring, Conroe, Willis and Houston, as well as a robust ISS program for those 16+. For more information, go to MyTeamAbilities.com.