Craddick creates committee to review state mental retardation services Print E-mail
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Wednesday, 16 January 2008
(Austin) - Speaker Tom Craddick (R - Midland) today announced the creation of the House Select Committee on Services for Individuals Eligible for Intermediate Care Facility Services. The committee will evaluate the state's infrastructure for serving persons with cognitive disabilities, and it will make recommendations for new strategies to improve the quality and availability of care in multiple settings.

 

"The Legislature recognized there were immediate needs in institutional care for Texans with disabilities," Speaker Craddick said. "Though funding and supervisory changes have occurred, further attention is warranted for the issue of institutional care and for the range of these services. I trust that this committee will do its best to ensure that the level of care our citizens with disabilities receive is not only safe, but fair and right."

 

Representative Larry Phillips (R - Sherman) will chair the committee, and Rep. John Zerwas (R - Richmond) will serve as vice chair. The committee's remaining, at-large members include: Rep. Myra Crownover (R - Denton), Rep. Susan King (R - Abilene), Rep. Armando Martinez (D - Weslaco), Rep. Dora Olivo (D - Rosenberg), Rep. Joe Pickett (D - El Paso), Rep. Patrick  Rose (D - Dripping Springs) and Rep. Vicki Truitt (R - Keller).

"I am thrilled that the Speaker continues to place a priority on this issue," Chairman Phillips said. "This is an area of great concern and importance to me. I am honored to be a part of creating public policy that will help improve the quality of care for these Texans."

The committee will specifically serve those who qualify for services through intermediate care facilities, which would include state schools as large ICFMR's (Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded).  In addition to its investigatory role, the committee will assess the risks to the health and well-being of those persons eligible for state services who are being cared for under the current system. The committee is also able to review the evaluation process used in determining eligibility for intermediate assistance and decide the state's ability to comply with federal regulations regarding care for this disabled population.

The House Select Committee on Services for Individuals Eligible for Intermediate Care Facility Services will report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives by December 1, 2008.
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