Special Needs Parenting :: How Long Does My Child Have to Wait for Services and Supports?
This is an important conversation for anyone who has a child with special needs or those who want to learn more about the challenges families like ours face.
A recent video from Kentucky highlighted the growing issue with disability services in the United States. Waiver Programs, which offer services and supports for families who have a loved one with a disability, are available in every state; however, some states provide such services nearly immediately while others, including Texas, have waiting lists that can be decades-long. Here's the video which illustrates a serious problem that impacts special needs families: https://www.wave3.com/2024/08/05/waiver-wait-list-growing-swallowing-hope-parents-special-needs-kids/
The long wait periods along with the almost hidden knowledge that such programs exit is the reason the Handley Family and The Handley Law Office, PLLC proposed a bill to the Texas Legislature in 2022. This bill, in the last legislative session, was called HB4716 “The Handley Bill". We testified in support of it in 2023 and, although it passed the Texas House, it stalled in the Senate.
A few takeaways about Waiver Programs:
1. Waiver programs are national, not just statewide
2. Waiver programs offer services and supports for all individuals with a disability, not just children
3. In Texas, Waiver programs (which vary from the ones mentioned in this video) have waiting lists of 16-20 years; our daughter has been on them for 16+ years (as of 2024)
4. In Texas, there are approximately 170,000 people on the Interest Lists
5. In Texas, there are only approximately 1,500-1,800 new open slots every two years when the legislature meets. This count is for the entire state.
6. The only ways to be offered a slot on a Waiver Program is for someone currently receiving services to pass away, for someone ahead of you on the list to decide they don't need services, or for the State to apply more money to the programs
7. Something that was said in this video was very pointed: "It isn't about dollars, it's about priorities".
8. Schools don't have to inform parents about Waiver Programs or refer parents to their Local IDD Authority (LIDDA) until their child is 14 years old.
9. To learn more about "The Handley Bill" and what we are trying to do for special needs families, watch the video testimony in this link: https://thehandleylawoffice.com/blog/special-needs-parenting/testifying-for-hb4716. Stay until the end when Rep Manuel in the House mentions Caytlin by name. She is the inspiration for "The Handley Bill".
10. To let your feelings be known to the Texas Legislature and The Arc of Texas which backed this bill and found the authors and sponsors, complete this important survey: HTTPS://qrco.de/handleysurvey
11. To learn how to add your child to the Waiver Programs Interest lists or to find your child's position on the list, go to: https://www.thearcoftexas.org/get-involved/waiting-2/
The Handley Law Office, PLLC compassionately assists all families with Estate Planning, Probate, and Elder Care Law. In addition, we help families like ours with Special Needs Planning and Guardianship & Alternatives to Guardianship.
To learn more or to set up an appointment with Attorney Boyd Handley, contact The Handley Law Office at 281.703.3616 or Boyd@TheHandleyLawOffice.com