News
DADS honors volunteers who emphasize healthy living
Annually, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) pays tribute to people and groups who provide exemplary volunteer services. These generous individuals and groups selflessly give their time, talents and expertise to improve the lives of older adults and people with disabilities. DADS honors these volunteers with the agency's Vision Awards… | continue this story
Did you know: Facts about older Americans
A meeting with the National Council of Senior Citizens resulted in President John F. Kennedy designating May 1963 as Senior Citizens Month, encouraging the nation to pay tribute in some way to older people across the country. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter's proclamation changed the name to Older Americans Month, a time to celebrate those 65 and older through ceremonies, events and public recognition… | continue this story
DADS honors volunteers for showing people respect and dignity
Annually, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) pays tribute to people and groups who provide exemplary volunteer services. These generous individuals and groups selflessly give their time, talents and expertise to improve the lives of older adults and people with disabilities. DADS honors these volunteers with the agency's Vision Awards… | continue this story
New 'Take Time Texas' website offers resources for caregivers
Caring for a loved one is rewarding, but it can also be stressful — mentally, physically, emotionally and financially. To address these concerns, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has launched a website — www.taketimetexas.org — that provides the resources caregivers need to take an occasional break from their day-to-day responsibilities… | continue this story
DADS honors volunteers for their advocacy and leadership
Annually, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) pays tribute to people and groups who provide exemplary volunteer services. These generous individuals and groups selflessly give their time, talents and expertise to improve the lives of older adults and people with disabilities. DADS honors these volunteers with the agency's Vision Awards… | continue this story
Older Americans: Never too old to play!
May is Older Texans Month and Older Americans Month, a perfect opportunity to show our appreciation for the older adults in our community. The theme for Older Americans Month 2012 — Never Too Old to Play!— puts a spotlight on the important role older adults play in sharing their experience, wisdom and understanding, and passing on that knowledge to other generations in a variety of significant ways… | continue this story
Calendar
DADS Quarterly Interest List Stakeholder Meeting
May 21, 2012
1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
John H. Winters Human Services Complex
Public Hearing Room
701 W. 51st St.
Austin, Texas
Texas Board of Nursing Webinar - The LVN Scope of Practice: What Every LVN, RN, and Employer Should Know
June 29, 2012
11 a.m.-Noon
(Registration deadline is June 22)
The purpose of this webinar is to provide direction and recommendations for LVNs, their RN clinical supervisors, other clinical supervisors and their employers regarding the safe and legal scope of practice for LVNs and to promote an understanding of the differences between the LVN and RN levels of licensure as they work together to maximize what can be accomplished towards meeting the needs of patients. Registration information is availalbe in PDF format.
2012 Texas Autism Research Conference
July 13-14, 2012
The Commons Learning Center
University of Texas J.J. Pickle Research Campus
10100 Burnet Road
Austin, Texas 78758
Please join TARRC for this exciting opportunity to learn about cutting edge autism research and evidence-based practices related to the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The conference will highlight the work of researchers from Texas and across the nation, who are respected experts in the field of ASD. Covering a range of interesting topics, conference presenters will share their research findings and address important implications for practices.
Texas Board of Nursing Webinar - The LVN Scope of Practice: What Every LVN, RN, and Employer Should Know
Aug. 24, 2012
11 a.m.-Noon
(Registration deadline is Aug. 17)
The purpose of this webinar is to provide direction and recommendations for LVNs, their RN clinical supervisors, other clinical supervisors and their employers regarding the safe and legal scope of practice for LVNs and to promote an understanding of the differences between the LVN and RN levels of licensure as they work together to maximize what can be accomplished towards meeting the needs of patients. Registration information is availalbe in PDF format.
Texas Board of Nursing Webinar - The LVN Scope of Practice: What Every LVN, RN, and Employer Should Know
Oct. 5, 2012
11 a.m.-Noon
(Registration deadline is Sept. 28)
The purpose of this webinar is to provide direction and recommendations for LVNs, their RN clinical supervisors, other clinical supervisors and their employers regarding the safe and legal scope of practice for LVNs and to promote an understanding of the differences between the LVN and RN levels of licensure as they work together to maximize what can be accomplished towards meeting the needs of patients. Registration information is availalbe in PDF format.
Email updates
If you want to subscribe to this page, click here. DADS contracts with a company called GovDelivery, Inc., to provide email updates. When you sign up for email updates, you are giving your information to both DADS and to GovDelivery. When DADS has your information, it is subject to the DADS privacy policy. When GovDelivery has your information, it is subject to their privacy policy. Read the GovDelivery privacy policy.
Links
Site policies
How to report abuse or make complaints about a DADS service provider
Consumer Rights and Services
The Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has identified the Office of Consumer Rights and Services as its centralized source for the receipt of complaints by people who receive services from DADS, family members and the public.
To report a complaint about the treatment of older Texans and people with disabilities, including people with intellectual disabilities, who receive services in facilities or from agencies regulated by DADS click here to contact Consumer Rights and Services or call 1-800-458-9858.
Independent Ombudsman for State Supported Living Centers
If you are concerned with the treatment of someone living in a state supported living center (SSLC), call 1-877-323-6466, or 1-877-648-2233 if you use TDD, to speak to an independent ombudsman who can help. To learn more, visit the Independent Ombudsman website.
Suspected cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation of SSLC residents should be reported directly to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Long-term care ombudsmen work to resolve complaints about the quality of life and quality of care of people who live in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and to protect their rights. If you have concerns, call 1-800-252-2412. To learn more, visit the Long-Term Care Ombudsman website.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Ombudsman Office
Contact the HHSC Ombudsman Office if you have complaints or issues related to health and human services programs not administered by DADS.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Office of the Ombudsman, MC H-700
P.O. Box 13247
Austin, TX 78711-3247
Toll-free: 1-877-787-8999
Fax: 1-888-780-8099 (Toll-free)
TTY: 1-888-425-6889 or 1-512-438-3087
Email: contact@hhsc.state.tx.us
Report fraud
Report suspected waste, fraud or abuse in health and human services programs to the Texas State Auditor's Office at 1-800-TX-AUDIT and to the HHSC Office of Inspector General at 1-800-436-6184.
State supported living center monitoring
Consistent with requirements set out in the Settlement Agreement between the state of Texas and the U. S. Department of Justice, three teams of professionals in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities have been assigned responsibility for conducting a baseline review and subsequent on-site compliance monitoring visits at each of the 12 state supported living centers in Texas as well as at the ICF/ID component of the Rio Grande State Center.