The
SSLC
Vol. 1, Issue 1, Winter 2013
Community
Issue Highlights
Aktion Clubs page 2
Residents at state supported living
centers are giving back to their
communities by volunteering
across the state.
Texas Legislature page 3
The 83rd Session got underway in
January. Here’s a listing of the state
senators and representatives who
have a state supported living center
in their districts.
For Your Information page 3
Jon Weizenbaum
Commissioner
Joe Vesowate
Assistant Commissioner
Laura J. Albrecht
Editor
A message from Commissioner Weizenbaum
and Assistant Commissioner Vesowate
This is going to be a year that
presents us many challenges.
It is a year that will present an
abundance of opportunities –
not only to you as a state
supported living center staff
member but also opportunities
for those we serve.
We want to thank you for your professionalism and dedication to the people
we serve. You are working hard to fulfill our vision of providing services to
them in a way that supports their well-being, dignity and choice.
More than 3,500 residents, along with their families, guardians and friends,
trust all of us to do our jobs to provide vital supports and services.
As employees of a government
agency, our work is open to the
public. Here are some reminders on
what to do when an open records
request arrives at your center.
We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but it is important to ask yourself,
“What am I going doing to do today to help those I serve?” Just by doing this,
you can make a difference in the lives of residents.
Around the State page 4
Impressions – more than just a store
Residents are employed in a variety
of jobs and staff are working to
create more opportunities.
Contact us about your newsletter
We want your comments
about your newsletter, The
SSLC Community. Let us know
what topics and issues you are
interested in, and what you would
like to see in your newsletter.
Send comments to:
laura.albrecht@dads.state.tx.us
Thank you for what you do.
It’s more than just a place for Denton State Supported
Living Center residents to sell their ceramic creations.
Opened in December 2011 on the square in
downtown Denton, Impressions is an art gallery,
a training center and a retail store. It allows artists
to showcase and share their creative talents and
skills with the community in an environment that
encourages independence and builds self-esteem.
Participants in the on-campus ceramic and creations program are involved in
both the operation of the store, as well as classes held there. Handcrafted items
available for sale include plates, bowls, vases and votive holders.
The support and involvement from other merchants on the square is
invaluable and vital to ensure that the endeavor is successful. Community
support is evident through a generous donation of wood flooring for the store
from Home Depot. Center residents and staff are eager to answer questions
posed by business owners, visitors and customers about the community
project, as well as the services and supports provided for residents.
Continued on page 4
Spotlight On:
Volunteering at SSLCs
Touching lives. Enriching lives.
Fulfilling dreams. These are all
part of being a volunteer at a state
supported living center.
During fiscal year 2012, more than
2,000 people volunteered at state
supported living centers. That’s
a total of 64,926 hours, which
translates into a value of more than
$1 million.
Aktion Clubs help living center members
give back to their communities
From cleaning up a Corpus Christi beach to
providing meals to low-income children in
San Angelo, residents of state supported living
centers are giving back to their communities
by volunteering in service clubs across Texas.
These clubs, known as Aktion Clubs, are now
active at nearly all of the 13 state supported
living centers, with the Brenham center having officially launched its club on
Oct. 26. By donating their time and efforts, residents are enhancing the quality
of life for themselves and their communities.
Aktion Clubs are part of Kiwanis International, a civic organization that focuses
on changing the world one child and one community at a time. Each living
center Aktion Club is sponsored by a local Kiwanis organization.
Corpus Christi State Supported Living Center – Coastal Community Aktion Club
The list of activities and services
provided by volunteers is
practically endless. Some of the
projects include home decorating,
landscaping, special events,
holiday celebrations, parties, art
classes, community gatherings and
recreational activities.
The independent nonprofit
volunteer services councils at the
state supported living centers help
raise funds that are used for capital
improvements, services and other
items at the centers. The councils
raised more than $1.3 million in
fiscal year 2012.
More than 13,000
co-workers statewide
As of Dec. 31, 2012, 93 percent of
staff positions at the state supported
living centers were filled.
On Sept. 22, members of the Coastal Community Aktion Club joined the Island
Kiwanis for National Beach Clean-up Day. The groups met at Bali Park near
Bob Hall Pier and were issued gloves, bags, beach balls and other items so they
could have fun while participating in the cleanup.
Aktion Club members and living center staff picked up about 25 pounds of trash
from a quarter-mile stretch of beach. They enjoyed cooling off in the water and
tossing footballs and beach balls. Back at the Kiwanis Club tent, club members
enjoyed hot dogs, chips and drinks.
San Angelo State Supported Living Center – Aktion Club
During August, Aktion Club members delivered meals to older San Angelo residents
and served meals at Kids Eat Free, sponsored by St. Therese’s Catholic Church.
The weekly meals for older Texans project began in May and the Kids Eat Free
program serves a hot nutritious meal for children in the Carlsbad community.
This Aktion Club is sponsored by the San Angelo West Kiwanis. Members have
been active in traveling into San Angelo and Carlsbad to conduct these two
service projects.
Other events include the Feast of Sharing, where club members served food
during the community-wide Thanksgiving meal sponsored by H-E-B.
Denton State Supported Living Center – Working Hands
The Working Hands Aktion Club received two DADS Vision Awards in June. The
officers and sponsors traveled to Austin for the presentation of the awards, which
were given in the “wellness” and “choice” categories.
This club continues to support the Eliminate Project, a global campaign to
eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus.
On Oct. 10, the members presented a fall fashion show, sponsored by the Robson
Ranch Kiwanis, at the center. Members modeled outfits, and each participant was
presented a carnation.
Other events include attending a University of North Texas football game and
collecting hygiene products for Our Daily Bread. Making and presenting dolls
for ill children in hospitals will be the activity for February and a visit to a
nursing home is scheduled for May.
The
SSLC Community Vol. 1, Issue 1, Winter 2013
Page 2
Texas Legislature, 83rd Session
The 83rd session of the Texas Legislature took on the business of state government for 140 days beginning Jan. 8 in Austin. By the
last day of session on May 27, thousands of bills will be written and re-written, hundreds of hours will be worked and legislation
that affects the operation of state supported living centers may be passed.
Here’s the lineup of representatives and senators representing the centers:
• Abilene: Rep. Susan King, Sen. Troy Fraser, Sen. Robert
Duncan
• Lubbock: Rep. John Frullo, Sen. Robert Duncan, Rep.
Charles Perry
• Austin: Rep. Donna Howard, Sen. Kirk Watson, Rep.
Dawnna Dukes, Rep. Paul Workman, Rep. Elliott Naishtat,
Rep. Mark Strama, Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, Sen. Judith
Zaffirini, Sen. Troy Fraser, Sen. Donna Campbell
• Lufkin: Rep. Trenton Ashby, Sen. Robert Nichols,
• Brenham: Rep. Kyle Kacal, Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, Sen.
Charles Schwertner, Sen. Glenn Hegar
• Corpus Christi: Rep. Abel Herrero, Sen. Juan Hinojosa,
Rep. Todd Hunter, Sen. Glenn Hegar
• Denton: Rep. Tan Parker, Rep. Myra Crownover, Sen. Jane
Nelson, Sen. Craig Estes, Rep. Ron Simmons, Rep. Pat Fallon
• El Paso: Rep. Naomi Gonzalez, Sen. Jose Rodriguez,
Rep. Mary Gonzalez, Rep. Marisa Marquez, Rep. Joseph
Moody, Rep. Joseph Pickett
• Mexia: Rep. Kyle Kacal, Sen. Charles Schwertner
• Richmond: Rep. Phil Stephenson, Sen. Glenn Hegar, Rep.
Rick Miller, Rep. Ron Reynolds, Rep. John Zerwas, Sen.
Rodney Ellis, Sen. Joan Huffman
• Rio Grande State Center: Rep. Eddie Lucio III, Sen.
Eddie Lucio, Rep. Oscar Longoria Jr., Rep. Rene Oliveira
• San Angelo: Rep. Drew Darby, Sen. Robert Duncan
• San Antonio: Rep. Roland Gutierrez, Sen. Carlos Uresti,
Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, Rep. Philip Cortez, Rep. Joe
Farias, Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, Speaker Joe Straus,
Rep. Lyle Larson, Rep. Michael Villarreal, Sen. Judith
Zaffirini, Sen. Donna Campbell, Sen. Leticia Van De Putte
To track Senate and House bills during the session, bookmark the Texas Legislature website at www.capitol.state.tx.us.
For Your Information
DOJ Settlement
Agreement
As employees of a government agency,
our work is open to the public. Below
are some brief reminders about the Open
Records process and requirements to
respond to requests.
• All information held by government agencies is presumed to be public and
must be released unless there is an exception based on confidentiality.
• “Public information” is defined as all information that is created, collected,
maintained or stored by or for DADS in connection with the transaction of its
official business.
• DADS must respond to a request within 10 business days of the date the
request was received by any DADS department or employee.
• The Public Information Act applies only to information that exists at the time
the request is made.
• Some DADS information is considered confidential by state and federal law
and may not be released to the public.
• DADS may elect to withhold certain types of information that are covered by
exceptions in the Public Information Act itself.
• Requests for public information can be received by mail, hand delivery,
facsimile or email (i.e. any written format).
• Any DADS employee may be asked to collect or gather records in response to a
request for information by the open records coordinator or a supervisor.
Source: DADS Chief Operating Officer
The
SSLC Community Vol. 1, Issue 1, Winter 2013
Settlement Agreement (SA)
independent monitor teams
will begin their sixth round of
compliance reviews at the state
supported living centers and state
center in March. Reviews for the
seventh round will get underway
in September.
Congratulations to the Lubbock
SSLC staff for earning the most
substantial compliance ratings
(37) following the fifth round of
monitor reviews.
Meeting the conditions of the SA
is not only a step forward for staff,
but also a marked improvement in
the services and supports for the
individuals we serve.
The most recent SA monitor
reports, along with the original
complaint and the settlement
agreement, can be viewed at
www.dads.state.tx.us.
Page 3
Around the State
Spotlighting programs, events and activities affecting the lives of those we serve.
This installment features vocational opportunities at your centers.
Abilene
A job exploration program allows
residents to discover opportunities
and interact in the community by
volunteering and discovering their
real interests. Areas of employment
opportunities include retail, food
service, janitorial and clerical.
Austin
Six workshops offer a variety of
opportunities that includes snack
preparation (for Austin SSLC residents
and Austin State Hospital patients),
product packaging and furniture
assembly. Expanded services will
include car washes, ceramics
and recycling.
opportunity to promote environmental
awareness on campus but also to
engage with the area recycling center.
The program was recognized by its
community partner – Eco Wise – for
residents’ dedication and commitment.
Lubbock
Hearts and Hands Handcrafted Gifts
features the creative works of residents.
Residents operate the store, which is
open to the public, on campus, and
a satellite location at KKs Craft Mall.
Residents also participate in a variety
of crafts show in the community.
Brenham
Expressions Bistro, with locations on
campus and downtown, is a fullservice coffee shop featuring a variety
of coffees, teas and hot chocolate.
Items such as ceramics, wood art
and artwork created by residents are
available for purchase.
Corpus Christi
Residents maintain the landscape
and provide janitorial services at
the historical aircraft carrier USS
Lexington. The carrier is a major
attraction on the bay, and residents
interact with tourists from across the
United States and around the world.
El Paso
The on-campus recycling program
offers residents not only the
Lufkin
Job coaches recently celebrated with
a resident who is marking two years
of employment at Olive Garden
Restaurant. An interest in sports and
the restaurant industry has led to jobs
for several residents at Buffalo
Wild Wings.
Mexia
Thousands of plants are grown and
sold by residents through the yearround operation of the greenhouse.
Production includes vegetables,
flowering plants and poinsettias for an
end-of-the-year holiday sale.
Richmond
Specially
designated
workshops to
fit the needs of
residents are
operational at
“The Environmental Safe Workshop”
for residents with pica disorder and
at “Calm Creations” for residents
diagnosed with autism. Employment
opportunities are also available on and
off campus.
Rio Grande
Residents are given the opportunity
to experience the success of their hard
work when gravel bags are delivered
to customers. Communication skills
and community involvement are
strengthened for residents when
they interact with customers while
traveling with staff to pick up products
for shredding.
San Angelo
Residents develop their retail skills
by engaging with customers and
organizing merchandise at the
Christians in Action resale store in
San Angelo. Residents are also active
in producing meal kits used by local
businesses.
San Antonio
Residents are employed at local
businesses and there are also volunteer
opportunities at San Antonio Animal
Care Services.
Impressions more than just a store (from page 1)
The store and downtown square are also destinations for residents who are not involved in the ceramic program, but
who still enjoy the retail environment during community outings away from the center.
The store’s name was chosen by participants. Impressions has already been highlighted as a new business in Downtown
Developments, a publication of Denton’s Economic Development Department.
The community integration and training opportunity offered by this project are excellent resources to help residents
reach their vocational goals. Whether the goal is competitive, supported or self-employment, Impressions is providing
opportunities for individuals to advance towards these goals.
The
SSLC Community Vol. 1, Issue 1, Winter 2013
Page 4