Community Now!
Texas 82nd Legislative Recommendations for Long Term Care Reform 
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1) Direct the Health and Human Services Commission to develop a long range plan to re-balance long term care services for Texans with Disabilities.  This plan should include the following components: 

• Develop a diversely represented Task Force to guide plan development. 
• Close and consolidate State Supportive Living Centers (SSLC) as the population decreases. The closure process must include the choices of those choosing to remain in these facilities and ensure those who wish to leave have every opportunity to do so. 
• Ensure supports and services for people living in the community are available, exceptional and accountable. 
• People transitioning from SSLC’s to community settings should develop a Person Directed Plan to ensure the successful transition in order to meet individual needs. 
• Money Follow the Person protocols utilized for people with disabilities exiting nursing homes and private ICF-MR facilities should be incorporated to support people exiting SSLCs. 
• Designate all funding saved through consolidation and closure of SSLCs to fund people with disabilities on Waiting Lists for community services and supports.

2) Consolidate Medicaid Waivers into a system that determines services based on needs generated through Person Centered Planning.

3) Personal Care Attendants and other Direct Support Professionals must be paid a living wage of plus appropriate benefits.

4) Expand Consumer Directed Services (CDS) options to all waiver services and ensure information on how to access these services is readily available and accessible.  

For additional information, please send an Email to Joey Tate at: tate392@gmail.com or the Community Now! email address: communitynowfreedom@gmail.com.