HIGHLIGHTS

Help the IDD Community Weather the Pandemic

The pandemic exacts a heavy toll on individuals and families who live with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (ID/DD). Integral Care and other providers are working to make a difference, alleviating the stress faced by this community. There are opportunities for you to make a difference too.

Let’s first take a moment to consider the pandemic’s impact on ID/DD services and the steps Integral Care is taking to support this population.

• Our IDD division is providing in-person respite services through contracted providers who are following CDC-recommended precautions. Respite gives caregivers a short break, reducing stress levels and burnout. With families under acute stress, the need for respite care is higher than usual.
• Thanks to a grant from the Episcopal Health Foundation, we purchased 50 iPads to enable virtual visits with people residing in nursing facilities and group homes where we could not make face-to-face visits. We are currently working with the Austin State Supported Living Center, with plans to provide iPads to them as well.
• In conjunction with the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, we’ve completed targeted outreach to individuals eligible for COVID-19 vaccination and assisted them with signing up for appointments.
• We are providing telehealth services and in-person services to meet individual needs: IQ testing, crisis prevention and intervention, help securing a home in the community and more.

Caption: a client who recently received crisis and housing support

Now, here’s what you can do to support individuals with IDD:

• Volunteer virtually! Organizations like the Mary Lee Foundation need you. Email ldunson@maryleefoundation.org. In-kind donations of your services and expertise, tablets, laptops, arts and crafts supplies, etc. welcome too.
• Vaccination sign-up and transportation. Help friends, family and neighbors navigate the process and/or get them to their appointment.
• Provide information on support groups, free activities, mental health resources.
  • Support groups and other opportunities: Vela Families (English and Spanish), Texas Parent to Parent and the Autism Society.
  • The Arc of the Capital Area has a virtual day education program for individuals with ID/DD and a virtual job preparation course.
  • Check out Vela Families’ wonderful resource list, which includes suggestions like therapy ideas parents can incorporate at home.
• Reach out to family, friends and neighbors with ID/DD needs via phone or video chat. Staying connected with others is crucial for our mental health and well-being.
• Offer to run errands or provide a break for the person or family, following COVID-19 precautions.
• Send materials for activities to places where individuals are isolated, such as nursing facilities. Arts and craft supplies, simple jigsaw puzzles, photo search books and games, weighted blankets, a variety of scented lotions or essential oils for aromatherapy, adult fidget toys like squish balls.
• Educate yourself and your family.
  • Raise your awareness, discover important resources and stay informed of legislative updates by following the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities.
  • Check out these resources to teach children about their peers with disabilities. This site includes activities for children as well as for parents of children with disabilities.
  • Check out this curated set of resources to help families with young children with and without disabilities talk about the pandemic and navigate changes to their everyday routines and activities. (Some in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese.)

We’d like to recognize everyone who supports the needs of individuals with ID/DD, during the pandemic and beyond. Thank you for helping reduce stigma and promoting inclusion and accessibility in our community.

Community Forum

Join us March 31^st 12:00 – 1:00pm for a special forum focused on supporting the IDD community, among the hardest hit by the ongoing pandemic. Families are experiencing fatigue and hardship due to limited access to many crucial support services, such as respite care. With an uncertain end to the pandemic, we must focus on supporting caregivers of adults and children living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Experts from across Travis County will explore the needs this community faces, offer tips for caregivers, as well as resources and activities to help adults and children with IDD thrive. We hope caregivers will join us for this important forum intended to provide support and tangible tools to help navigate this challenging time.

Panelists include:

• Malika Pritchett, Ph.D., Behavior Analyst and CEO of Positive Enlightenment
• Barry Hamilton, LCSW, Clinical Director of Down Home Ranch
• Diane Kearns, parent, advocate and former board member of the Autism Society of Texas

Louise Lynch, Integral Care’s Provider Network and Authority Officer, will moderate the panel.

Mark Your Calendars: IDD Speaker Series

The Hub Learning Community, a transition support team at Integral Care, is hosting a speaker series on issues related to intellectual and developmental disabilities. The 90-minute webinars take place on Mondays throughout March and April. CEUs are available for LPC, LMFT, SWS, and LCDC. Meet the presenters here.

• March 22nd, 2:00-3:30pm – A Peer Support Specialist View of IDD and Mental Health Services (presenter Jordan Smelley, PRSS/ICPR, MHPS with Young Peer Mentor Endorsement) Register here.
• March 29, 2:00-3:30pm – Nutritional Considerations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (presenter Yasmine Mavrakis, RD, LD with Integral Care) Register here.
• April 12^th, 2:00-3:30pm – Adherence to Treatment: What To Do When Clients Don’t Engage (presenter Robert E Feinstein M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at Dell Medical School) Register here.
• April 26^th, 2:00-3:30pm: Behavior Therapy, Trauma, and Community Living (presenter Chad Burns, M. Ed., BCBA, LBA, behavior analyst) Register here.

Historic Winter Storm Response

In a time of unbelievable crisis, through snow, ice, loss of power and water, staff from every part of our agency came together to support the community and help with recovery efforts. Staff worked around-the-clock to care for our clients, while also dealing with the impact of this disaster on their own lives.

• Staff worked with the City of Austin and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate much-needed mental health support at the Palmer Events Center.
• Staff stayed overnight at our residential facilities and EOC when the next shift couldn’t travel due to unsafe conditions.
• Staff ensured IDD clients had food, water, medication, and a warm place to stay.
• Staff held a donation drive, collecting and distributing water to clients in need. In total, we secured over 800 gallons of water!
• Staff offered mental health, crisis and substance use disorder services onsite at Palmer, safely transported there by our friends at EMS.

Outside of the impact of our incredible team, we also witnessed amazing efforts across the city.

• An Indeed employee put out a call for Integral Care donations on their staff Slack channel, bringing funds from across the United States. Our Amazon wishlist for clients went viral when it was shared through the Associated Press. We received almost 300 boxes and over $10,000 in donations from across the country.
• Restaurants generously fed our city, and donated meals to Terrace at Oak Springs.
• Neighbors helped neighbors stay warm, access food and water, and deal with storm damage.
• The Leander H-E-B sent customers home with free groceries after the store lost power.
• Travis County Judge Andy Brown got video support from a plumber to fix a Central Texas Food Bank plumbing issue so they could operate.

We are inspired by the dedication, strength, perseverance and compassion displayed across the community. Together, we helped adults and children across Travis County maintain health and well-being during this historic winter storm.