Early Childhood Intervention

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National Award Honors DARS for Innovative Collaboration
DARS Commissioner Terry Murphy recently accepted the RSA Commissioners 2010 Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation Education and Training for innovative collaboration with rehabilitation counseling students from the National Council on Rehabilitation (NCRE) )/Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) /Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR). | More about National Award Honors DARS for Innovative Collaboration.

An Analysis of Needs and Service Planning in the Texas Early Childhood Intervention Program
As part of the evaluation of ECI, DARS contracted with SRI international to assess the apparent gap between the services that children and families need compared to current service levels. The results of this analysis are available in an Executive Summary and a Complete Report.

Disability Employment Awareness Month Encourages Job Opportunities for All
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. During this important month, DARS encourages Texas employers to provide employment opportunities for people with disabilities. | More about Disability Employment Awareness Month Encourages Job Opportunities for All | Watch a video about a DARS business partnership

DARS Legislative Appropriations Request Available
The DARS Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 is now available for viewing online. An accessible version is also now available.

FEMA Disaster Assistance Loans Offered to Hurricane Alex Victims
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers low-interest loans to cover property loss and working capital loss to recover from Hurricane Alex. Homeowners, renters, and business owners who have been affected by the disaster are eligible for these loans. | More about FEMA Disaster Assistance Loans.

HHS Strategic Plan for 2011-15 Available
The Health and Human Services System has released its Strategic Plan for the years 2011-2015. This Strategic Plan assesses the economic, demographic, and legislative environment in which the five state agencies within the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) system will operate during the plan period. The plan focuses on current and planned actions the agencies are undertaking to address the major challenges associated with significant population growth, the recent recession, and increasing caseloads. | HHS 2011-2015 Strategic Plan.

Texas health and human services agencies, one of which is DARS, submitted their response to the January 15, 2010, request from state leadership to identify possible savings in agencies' FY2010-2011 budgets. Leadership has made decisions on those recommendations and the agencies have now posted their approved plans. | More on budget reductions.

Draft of HHS Strategic Plan for 2011-15 Online
A draft of the Health and Human Services System Strategic Plan 2011-15 is now available. Written comments on the draft will be accepted through 5 p.m., Friday, May 21. | Draft Health and Human Services System Strategic Plan 2011-15.

DARS Teams Up with Hadley to Offer Free Distance Education
Thanks to a new partnership, The Hadley School for the Blind and the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services are pleased to offer distance education courses at no cost to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, their families and Texas service providers. | More about DARS/Hadley School partnership.

New Informational Videos on the DARS Web Site
Videos added to the DARS Web site allow users to learn more information about DARS programs. | Watch how businesses can benefit from a DARS partnership. | Learn about the Vocational Rehabilitation program process.

Letter to All Stakeholders Regarding Early Childhood Intervention Eligibility Criteria
In December 2008, stakeholders representing various perspectives on the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECI) were invited to participate in a two-day meeting in Austin. | Letter to All Stakeholders Regarding Early Childhood Intervention Eligibility Criteria.

Evaluation of Early Childhood Intervention Services
DARS is evaluating its Early Childhood Intervention Services program. The goal of this evaluation is to develop recommendations for a sustainable ECI program that can effectively serve children and families. | Read more about the ECI evaluation.

The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, or DARS, administers programs that ensure Texas is a state where people with disabilities, and children who have developmental delays, enjoy the same opportunities as other Texans to live independent and productive lives.
The department has four divisions:

Through these divisions, DARS administers programs that help Texans with disabilities find jobs through vocational rehabilitation, ensure that Texans with disabilities live independently in their communities, and assist families in helping their children under age 3 with disabilities and delays in development reach their full potential.
It is a fundamental value of DARS to listen, to learn, and to be responsive to our stakeholders and our consumers in an ongoing effort to make programs and services even better. If you have suggestions or comments, please call the DARS Inquiries Unit at 1-800-628-5115, or email DARS.Inquiries@dars.state.tx.us

You can report suspected waste, fraud or abuse in health and human services programs to the HHSC Office of Inspector General online or by calling 800-436-6184. You may also make a report to the Texas State Auditor's Office by calling 800-TX-AUDIT.

A searchable database of state expenditures from the Texas Comptroller's Office