The Current DARS Autism Program
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The DARS Autism Program serves Texas children ages 3 to 8 years old that
have an autism spectrum diagnosis.
Services are provided through contracts with local community agencies and
organizations in six areas of the State. The providers are currently located in:
Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Rosenberg and San Antonio.
The Autism Program model provides comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis
(ABA) treatment services. These services are designed to address a child’s
developmental needs in addition to behavioral challenges.
Contractors vary in their delivery of comprehensive ABA services.
o Treatment intensity varies from 10-35 hours per week based on an
individualized treatment plan developed by a Board Certified Behavior
Analyst (BCBA) or Licensed Psychologist.
o Services are delivered by para-professionals under the supervision of a
BCBA or Licensed Psychologist.
o Most services are provided in a clinic setting, although home-based
services may be provided as needed.
Children are eligible for up to 24 months of services.
Services are currently capped at $5,000 cost per child per month, based on the
number of service hours delivered and the contract rate; however, DARS may
approve requests to exceed this amount on a per-case basis.
All families are required to participate in the cost of services by paying a family
cost share.
DARS is the payer of last resort for services provided in the Autism Program.
Texas Medicaid and CHIP currently do not provide reimbursement for ABA
services (except through a small number of Medicaid long-term care waivers)
and only 30% of the private insurance plans are required by Texas statute to
cover the cost of autism treatment services.
The program’s funds are State general revenue appropriated by the Texas
legislature.
During the 83rd Legislative Regular Session, a Health and Human Services Special
Provision provided additional funding to expand the program to new areas of the state.
The Special Provision required DARS to develop a plan to increase the number of
children receiving autism services while considering the following criteria:
 Evidence based treatment modalities;
 The average number of treatment service hours necessary to make a
measurable impact on behavior and the most appropriate duration of time to
ensure progress is maintained;
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Which age range of children benefits the most from treatment;
Which provider qualifications are most appropriate for the delivery of treatment
services;
Best practices for including parental and caregiver training and involvement in
treatment services;
Best practices for inclusion of treatment services in an educational setting;
State and federal laws related to insurance coverage of treatment services for
autism; and
Funding options for treatment services that include maximizing non-state payer
sources such as public and private insurance and family participation.
Potential Modifications to the DARS Autism Program
DARS has contracted with the University of Texas, School Of Special Education to
research different Autism treatment modalities based on the above listed criteria. The
purpose of these public hearings is to receive input from interested stakeholders on
modifications to the DARS Autism program. We are seeking comment on the potential
changes to components of the DARS Autism program listed below:
Program Model Elements
 Change or expand the treatment services covered in the program
 Establish criteria for intensity of services allowed or required in the program
 Allow for service treatment in a group setting
 Increase the requirements for parent or school participation in the program model
 Establish requirements for location of service delivery
 Establish transition services criteria
Program Eligibility Elements
 Establish eligibility criteria to consider severity of impact of the autism diagnosis
 Change the age limits for eligibility in the program
 Change the length of time for eligibility in the program
 Change the maximum amount of treatment services allowed monthly or annually
paid by the program
 Establish criteria for child attendance and parent participation for continued
eligibility
 Establish family income limits for eligibility
 Establish program interest list criteria
Treatment Provider Qualification and Supervision Elements
 Change education, training or experience requirements
 Change credentialing requirements
 Change staff supervision requirements
Family Cost Share Elements
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Change how family cost share amounts are calculated
Change how family income is determined for family cost share
Change the definition of family for determining family cost share