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New Texas Commissioner Overseeing Disability Services Visits UCP Dallas

September 2, Dallas, TX – The new state commissioner heading the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), Jim Hine, spent his first day on the job visiting United Cerebral Palsy of Metropolitan Dallas.

Hine, who is a 35-year veteran in state government, took the reins of the newly- merged Texas health and human services agencies on September 1, then promptly flew from Austin to Dallas to visit four agencies that receive state funding for services for seniors and people with disabilities. UCP of Metropolitan Dallas was among the select group.

During his stop at the UCP Dallas center, Hine spoke with 20 parents, foster parents and caregivers about changes in state-funded programs and asked for their feedback.

He brought encouraging news from the Capital after a belt-tightening legislative session in 2004, when Texas made significant cuts to health and human services to help offset a $10 billion budget shortfall.

Based upon decisions made by the office of Texas Governor Rick Perry and the Legislative Budget Board in the past two weeks, the funding for long term care services in Fiscal Year 2005 will be similar to Fiscal Year 2004.

DADS will restore half of the rates reduced in the appropriations bill for nursing facilities and community care providers and there will be no reduction in hours for community care services.

Hine visited the UCP licensed pre-school program, which provides intensive learning and therapy for children with disabilities age three to six years old. Eighty-six percent of the children who graduate from the UCP Dallas program are mainstreamed into Texas schools.

He also visited the UCP Dallas adult program, IMPACT (Individuals Making Personal Achievements Come True). The affiliate operates this day program for 30 adults with a wide range of disabilities.

During his visit Hine spoke with Ed Miller, a non-verbal consumer, through Miller's augmentative communication device.

Hine praised the work UCP Dallas is doing and said this kind of front-line experience and feedback is vital to his decision-making back in Austin.

For more information, contact Robert Eilers at RobertEilers@ucpdallas.org.

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