Department of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services
Health and Human Services System
DRAFT Strategic Plan 2013-2017
HHSC is seeking public and stakeholder input for the 2013-2017 Strategic Plan. Comments are being accepted until June 1, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. More on the HHSC Strategic Plan.
DARS News
Public Input Requested for DARS Strategic Plan/Legislative Appropriation Request
DARS is seeking public and stakeholder input for the agency's 2013-2017 Strategic Plan and 2014-2015 Legislative Appropriations Request. Comments are being accepted until 5:00 p.m. June 1, 2012. | More on the DARS LAR and Strategic Plan.
State of Texas Plan for Fair Housing Choice: Analysis of Impediments (AI)
The Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs is updating the State of Texas Plan for Fair Housing Choice: Analysis of Impediments (AI). As a stakeholder, you are invited to participate in a survey to better understand your perspective on housing choice. | More on State of Texas Plan for Fair Housing Choice Analysis.
Disabilities History and Awareness: Air Travel in the Modern Age
Air carriers have come a long way in their dealings with passengers with disabilities. As the 2012 summer vacation season approaches, these passengers can expect safer, more convenient access to air travel. But that wasn’t always the case. | Disabilities History and Awareness: Air Travel in the Modern Age.
Nominate an Outstanding Volunteer or Community Service
The non-profit OneStar Foundation is accepting nominations for the Governor’s Volunteer Awards to recognize outstanding individuals, groups, or organizations that truly embody the Texas tradition of community service. | More on Governor’s Volunteer Awards.
HHSC 2013-2017 Strategic Plan Public Hearings
Texas Health and Human Services Commission has posted the public hearing dates and locations for its strategic plan. HHSC will post the Strategic Plan Draft at a later date. | Brownwood Public Hearing May 23 | San Antonio Public Hearing May 30 | Statewide video conference May 31.
DARS Sponsors Employment Forum in Harlingen
DARS Division for Rehabilitation Services office in Harlingen and Workforce Solutions of Cameron County present the 5th Annual Employer and Rehabilitation Network (EARN) forum October 25, 2012 on South Padre Island. | More on 5th Annual EARN Forum.
Commissioner Wanser: CRS Program Ready to Provide Service to More Texans with Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
The Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services (CRS) program at DARS has received an estimated $8.6 million in additional funding for fiscal year 2012 and will be able to serve more Texans than previously estimated. | More on increase in funding to CRS program.
New DARS Initiative to Increase Awareness of Disabilities and History of the Disability Rights Movement
DARS Commissioner Debra Wanser has announced that DARS is beginning a year-long effort to increase awareness of disabilities and encourage understanding of the disability rights movement. The agency’s initiative supports the newly designated Persons with Disabilities History and Awareness Month (October), which the 82nd Texas Legislature created in House Bill 3616. The DARS Web site Disabilities History and Awareness page will feature regularly updated information about a variety of disability issues, a historical overview of how people with disabilities have achieved independence and equality, and a calendar of disability events around the state and other observances. Every month, we will turn our attention to a different disability and the programs the agency provides to help Texans with that disability. DARS is committed to providing quality services to people with disabilities and families with children who have developmental delays. We invite you to join us in celebrating their accomplishments and successes throughout the coming year.
Message from Commissioner Debra Wanser About Changes in ECI Eligibility
DARS Commissioner Debra Wanser announces changes in criteria for Early Childhood Intervention Services eligibility, effective September 1, 2011. | Read Commissioner Wanser’s message.
New Videos Focus on ECI’s Unique Services and Delivery System
DARS Early Childhood Intervention Services (ECI) has produced two new videos that inform consumers’ families, ECI contractors, community partners, and healthcare providers and others who refer children to ECI about ECI’s unique services and delivery system. | More about new ECI Videos.
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.
DARS Overview
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:
- Rehabilitation Services
- Blind Services
- Early Childhood Intervention Services
- Disability Determination Services
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.
