The Arc of Texas' mission is to promote, protect, and advocate for the human rights and self-determination of Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This is a statewide advocacy and membership organization that supports and advocates for these rights. To learn more, click here. To find your local chapter of The Arc of Texas, click here.

ETCIL provides training, resources, and information toward promoting independent living for persons with significant disabilities and their families in communities throughout Northeast Texas. Their phone number is 903-581-7542 and their website can be found here.

The HHS Office of the Ombudsman helps resolve all HHS complaints. If you have a question about your HHS benefits or are not satisfied after having talked directly to people involved in providing your services, call the HHS Office of the Ombudsman. 

Areas they provide help with include:

• Medicaid Managed Care

• Behavioral Health Services

• Long-term Care

• Foster Care

• Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

• Health, Developmental, and Independence Services

• State-Supported Living Centers

• Suspected Abuse of Older Persons or Persons with Disabilities

• Department of Family and Protective Services Programs

Their phone number is 877-787-8999 and their website can be found here.

PRN is a non-profit agency funded by the U.S. Department of Education and provides training, education, information, referral, emotional support, and individual assistance in obtaining appropriate services. Procedural Safeguards for parents can be found here. Their website can be found here.

According to their website, TCDD helps persons with developmental disabilities (DD) achieve their potential for independence, productivity, and integration into their communities. Their website can be found here.

DSHS supports individuals and families through its programs. DSHS case managers, who are specially trained social workers, can help you or your family get medical evaluation and treatment, developmental intervention, appropriate school programs, personal care attendant services, and rehabilitation services, as well as medical equipment and supplies.

Some of the health services you (or your family) may be eligible to receive:

• Services for children with special health needs (CSHCN)

• Case management services

• Attendant services such as personal care services (PCS) / Community First Choice (CFC)

• Supplemental security income (SSI)

Call your regional office or Texas state number (512-776-7111) and find a local social worker by asking for the region's Specialized Health and Social Services worker. 

Here is a regional map to know what region you fall into.

The Texas Project First website provides helpful tools that explain the special needs education process. Their website can be found here.

This is a great resource with reliable, up-to-date information about special education law and advocacy for children with disabilities. This website includes resources such as training and seminars for advocacy, education on special education laws, and more. Explore the website here.

You can find a great book written by the Wrights' about IEP's here.