The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network (formerly Heart of Texas Region MHMR Center) takes pride in working with two outside groups to support advocacy programs for its consumers. Center consumers are urged to contact the appropriate group to promote self-advocacy.

THE ARC OF MCLENNAN COUNTY

(254) 756-7491
Link to National ARC Website: www.thearc.org

The Arc of McLennan County is a non-profit United Way agency serving the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through a Self Advocacy program for adults and an inclusive summer program for individuals ages 7 to 22. Other programs include The Parent Connection, a family support program, After School Care, Best Buddies, The Talent Link Project, and an Information and Referral program. Please contact the Arc at (254) 756-7491 for further information.

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS - WACO (NAMI-WACO)

(254) 776-9227
Link to National Website: www.nami.org

The National Alliance on Mental Illness-Waco (NAMI-Waco) is a grassroots self-help support and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with severe mental illness. The NAMI-Waco organization offers monthly programs and support group meetings.

The primary goals are family support and education for information and empowerment. In addition, NAMI-Waco helps reduce stigma and advocates for improved service delivery and research at the national, state, and local levels.

In addition, The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network (HOTBHN) is a member of the following group:
Texas Council of Community Centers

LOCAL SUPPORT GROUPS

PROVIDENCE DEPAUL CENTER SUPPORT GROUPS

Providence Healthcare Network offers numerous support groups covering various topics for every family member. The complete listing of current support groups provided by the DePaul Center can be found here, or call (254) 776-5970 for more information.

ALL OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS MEET AT THE WACO VA, BUILDING 90.

PTSD Solutions Group - Vets Helping Vets Peer Support Group. Meets at Waco VA, Bldg 90, Room 1B-115 on Tuesdays at 6 pm. Call 254-297-3522.
Dual Recovery Anonymous - Vets Helping Vets Peer Support Group. Meets at Waco VA, Bldg 90, Room 1B-115 on Thursdays at 6 pm. Call 254-297-3522.

HERE ARE SOME OTHER SUPPORT GROUPS AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

Recovery, Inc. - Meets Thursdays from 7 pm to 8 pm, Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 1624 Wooded Acres. 254-772-2415.
Peer Support - Meets Mondays from 10:30 - 11:30 pm. Independence Center, 254-756-0258.
Spirituality Fellowship - Meets Tuesdays from 11 am-noon, Independence Center. 254-756-0258.
NAMI Journey of Hope - Meets 4th Tuesdays from 8 to 9 pm, after the NAMI Waco meeting. Providence Classroom. 254-776-9227.
Healing Grief - Hosted by Providence Hospice, Healing Grief is a six-week series dedicated to dealing with loss. Meets Thursdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm. For more information, call Providence Hospice at 254-751-4875.
Alzheimer's Support Group - Meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at St. Catherine's. For more information, contact Phyllis Hubbard at 772-9305.
Care Givers Support Group - Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 2:30 pm in the Community Room of St. Catherine's Center.

STATE OF TEXAS LINKS

LINKS TO STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS

FEATURED TOPICS

LINKS TO ORGANIZATIONS SERVING PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Advocacy Inc.

The Arc of the United States

The Center for Public Policy Priorities

Department of Family and Protective Services

Medicaid Program of Texas

National Association for Down Syndrome

Social Security Administration

Special Olympics of Texas

Region XII Education Service Center

Cerebral Palsy Group

www.aaidd.org - American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is the professional association run by and for professionals who support people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

www.thearcoftexas.org - The Arc of Texas is a state-level advocacy organization that creates opportunities for Texans with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to be included in their communities.

www.afpautismgroup.org - The AFP Autism Group was formed out of a need for Parents to get together and share information, resources, experiences, and knowledge. We are a group of parents with children on the Autism Spectrum, and as you may know, EVERY CHILD with Autism is different, but hearing other parents' experiences, you can take from that information and apply what you may need to help your child.

https://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/autism_support_group/ - The Autism Support Group (ASG) was created in February 2005 to support parents and professionals who expressed a need for assistance finding information and support about autism, pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), and Asperger> '> s Disorder. Parents of children with autism/PDD direct it. However, this group is available to any parent, professional, or person.

www.thenadd.org - NADD is the leading North American expert in providing professionals, educators, policymakers, and families with education, training, and information on mental health issues relating to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AWARENESS SERIES

Introduction

Welcome to the Behavioral Health Awareness series provided by Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Each module addresses a different mental or behavioral health topic and provides information about symptoms, treatment, recovery, etc. This series is designed to equip you with knowledge, resources, and hope for the future - for yourself or someone you care about.

Texas HHS Behavioral Awareness Series Modules

RESOURCES FOR THE PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS

Navigate Life Texas: Resources for kids with disabilities and special needs - The Interagency Task Force for Children with Special Needs is proud to announce the formal launch of a new website created by parents for parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. This unique site offers comprehensive, relevant, reliable information for families, professionals, advocates, and anyone working with children with disabilities and their families. Visit this new website by clicking here: navigatelifetexas.org.

CONSUMER BENEFITS ORGANIZATION HANDBOOK

The handbook provided is Consumer Benefits Policy and is used for information and training purposes. Updates are provided once a year from SSA.gov.

Procedures may vary in each office. Please get in touch with your local HOTBHN office for additional information.

Each section below is provided in PDF format.