ECI Resource Guide and Central Directory

Using this Guide

This resource guide contains information about resources of interest to families of children with developmental delays or disabilities, professionals who have an interest in families, and anyone interested in the well-being of young children and their families.

Additional resources can be found by dialing 2-1-1 to get access to resources in your community. You also can visit 2-1-1 Texas for more information.

Childcare

Choosing Quality Child Care

866-892-4453
Search Texas Child Care helps locate childcare resources and referral agencies that can provide additional information on the programs, costs, availability and accessibility of individual providers. Search online for day care providers, 24-hour residential facilities, and adoption agencies and foster care.

Head Start

866-282-7780
Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to 5 from families with low-income by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. This website provides information about Texas Head Start and has a link for families to find Head Start centers in their area.

Child Development

Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)

CSEFEL promotes the social and emotional development and school readiness of children from birth to 5.

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA Center)

ECTA Center helps families understand their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), connect with other families, and find high-quality resources related to caring for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities.

Frank Porter Graham (FPG) Child Development Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

For 50 years, FPG's research, technical assistance, outreach and service have shaped how the nation cares for and educates young children.

Technical Assistance Center of Social and Emotional Intervention (TACSEI)

TACSEI utilizes research and best practices to create no cost products and resources to improve social-emotional outcomes for young children.

Texas Infant and Toddler Early Learning Guidelines (ITELGs)

The guidelines help families of young children, caregivers and early educators understand what babies and young children should know and be able to do at different points in their development. Developmental milestones are organized by physical health and motor development, social and emotional development, language and communication, and cognitive development.

Zero to Three

800-899-4301
Zero to Three has information for parents, professionals and public policy leaders that helps promote awareness of baby and toddler development.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Education Service Center Region 11-Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services

Information about deaf education in Texas, and other related services statewide, can be found at Crossroads – a collection of resources complied through a partnership between TSD/ERCOD and Education Service Center Region 11, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS)

512-438-4880
HHS employees provide information and referral for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, their family members and service providers.

My Baby's Hearing, Boys Town National Research Hospital

402-498-6511
My Baby's Hearing, created by hearing and speech professionals, answers parents' questions about hearing loss, hearing aids, and language and speech development.

Statewide Outreach Center at Texas School for the Deaf (SOC at TSD)

512-462-5329
SOC at TSD is a department of the Texas School for the Deaf, which works collaboratively with a variety of agencies, family focused groups, and schools to provide a network of support, information and resource for professionals and families.

Texas Hands and Voices

866-422-0422
Texas Hands and Voices is a chapter of the nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families and their children who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as the professionals who serve them. The Texas chapter provides information specifically relevant to Texas families and professionals regarding state sponsored programs.

Texas School for the Deaf (TSD)

512-462-5353 (voice and TDD)
TSD educates students who are deaf and hard of hearing and is a statewide resource center on deafness for students, parents, professionals and others.

Disability-specific Organizations and Resources

Autism Society

800-328-8476
Autism Society is a national organization, which has chapters in Texas, provides information and resources about autism spectrum disorders. The website includes a newsletter, information about conferences and links to research.

Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program (BCVDDP)

800-628-5115
BCVDDP helps children who are blind or visually impaired and their families. They emphasis is on restoring vision, reducing dependency and preparing for vocational success.

March of Dimes

713-623-2020
March of Dimes promotes the health of babies by working to prevent birth defects, premature births and infant mortality through research, community services, education and advocacy.

VCFS-22Q Texas

VCFS-22Q Texas provides support and resources to individuals with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), also known as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome or DiGeorge Syndrome, and to their families, professionals and the community in Texas.

Early Intervention Services

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS): Prevention and Early Intervention Program (PEI)

PEI contracts with community-based programs and agencies to provide a variety of services that help prevent abuse, neglect, delinquency, and truancy of Texas children. Not all services are available in all Texas communities. Services are free of charge and participation is voluntary.

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS): Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (TEHDI)

800-252-8023 ext. 7726
DSHS is the oversight state agency for ensuring that newborns and young children are identified as early as possible if they are deaf or hard of hearing. For information on hearing screening or follow up testing, contact the Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program (TEHDI).

Head Start

866-282-7780
Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to 5 from families with low-income by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development. This website provides information about the Texas Head Start and has a link for families to find the Head Start centers in their area.

Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES)

Project HOPES is a program provided through DFPS Prevention and Intervention program. It provides support to families with children birth to five years of age. Project HOPES is a community-based program intended to address the prevention of child abuse and neglect by focusing on community collaboration in high-risk counties and by increasing protective factors of families served.

Texas Home Visiting Programs (THV)

THV programs are provided through the DFPS Prevention and Early Intervention program. The goal of THV programs is to enhance maternal and child outcomes and to increase school readiness for children. THV services focus on the provision of evidence-based home visiting services for at-risk pregnant women and parents/caregivers of children birth to age five.

THV Model Programs
  • Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
    Services to first-time, low-income mothers to improve pregnancy outcomes, improve child health and development, improve family economic self-sufficiency and stability, and reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect
     
  • Parents as Teachers (PAT)
    Service to families prenatally through age five to enhance parent child attachment, school readiness, knowledge of parenting, improve family economic self-sufficiency and stability, and reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect
     
  • Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY)
    Service for families with children ages three to five to enhance school readiness including cognitive and social emotional development of children.

Prekindergarten Programs

Texas Education Agency has information about Texas school districts that provide prekindergarten programs.

Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities (PPCD)

PPCD provides special education services for any eligible child with an identified need who is three to five years of age. PPCD refers to the services provided by the school district, not to the place where they are provided. Eligible children may receive PPCD services in a variety of settings such as pre-kindergarten, resource, and self-contained classrooms or in community settings such as Head Start and pre-school.

Office of Disability Prevention for Children (ODPC)

ODPC works to promote respect, foster understanding and highlight the importance of prevention and early intervention initiatives in the lives of Texas children and families. Through education and community collaboration, ODPC works to prevent disabilities in children from the time of conception to the age of 12.

Education Services

Prekindergarten Programs

Texas Education Agency has information about Texas school districts that provide prekindergarten programs.

Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

ECSE provides special education services for eligible children age 3-5 with identified needs. Services are provided in a variety of settings such as pre-kindergarten, resource, and self-contained classrooms or in community settings such as Head Start and pre-school.

TEA Parent Information Line

800-252-9668
TEA's information line has information for parents about special education services in Texas public schools.

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)

800-872-5273, 512-454-8631
TSBVI is a public school for students who have a visual impairment. It also is a statewide resource for the parents and the professionals who serve them. Students from 6 through 21 who are blind, deaf blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities, are eligible for consideration for TSVBI services.

Texas School for the Deaf

512-462-5353 (voice and TDD)
TSD educates students who are deaf and hard of hearing. It also is a statewide resource center on deafness for students, parents, professionals and others.

Health and Medical

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

800-232-4636
CDC is the nation's health protection agency, working to protect America from health and safety threats, both foreign and domestic. CDC increases the health security of our nation.

Healthy Children

Healthy Children provides information on immunizations, children's health topics, and resources for parents and professionals. It also has Parenting Corner webpages.

Texas Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (TEHDI)

800-252-8023, Ext. 7726
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is the oversight state agency for ensuring that newborns and young children are identified as early as possible if they are deaf or hard of hearing. For information on hearing screening or follow up testing contact TEHDI.

Texas Pediatric Society (TPS)

Texas Pediatric Society is the Texas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. TPS' mission is to ensure that children are safe and healthy, and that its members are informed and supported. TPS offers resources for physicians, children and families.

Text4Baby

Text4baby is a free health text messaging service from DSHS for pregnant women through the baby's first birthday. Text messages include topics such as prenatal care, baby health, and parenting and child safety tips.

Women Infants and Children (WIC)

The Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) WIC program offers healthy foods and friendly experts in nutrition, health and breastfeeding to assist families. When you get WIC benefits, the staff offers support and answers through your pregnancy up to your child's 5th birthday.

Medicaid Programs

Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women

The Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women program helps high-risk pregnant women and children up to age 20 who have a health condition/health risk access medical, social, educational and other health-related services.

Call Texas Health Steps toll-free at 877-847-8377 (877-THSTEPS) Monday to Friday or find a case manager online (PDF).

Texas Health Steps

Texas Health Steps is health care for children birth through age 20 who have Medicaid. All services are free.

With Texas Health Steps, children get:

  • Medical checkups starting at birth.
  • Dental checkups starting at 6 months of age.
  • All health care services needed to treat any problems found.

If your child has Medicaid, you can call 877-847-8377 (877-THSteps) to find out how Texas Health Steps can help your child stay healthy.

Medical Transportation Program

Children with Medicaid, and their parent or caregiver, can get free rides or money to help get to and from the doctor, dentist, hospital or drug store.

Personal Care Services

Personal Care Services (PCS) is a Medicaid benefit that helps clients with everyday tasks. These tasks are called activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).

To get PCS, you must:

  • Be birth through age 20 and have Medicaid.
  • Have a disability, physical or mental illness, or a health problem that lasts for a long time.
  • Have a Practitioner Statement of Need signed by a practitioner (physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant) who has examined you in the last 12 months.
  • Need help with ADLs and IADLs based on the Personal Care Assessment Form (PCAF).
  • Give a reason why your guardian cannot help you with ADLs and IADLs.

For more information, or for questions about the PCS benefit, call the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) PCS Client Line toll free at 888-276-0702, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Community First Choice (CFC)

To get CFC benefits, individuals must:

  • Be younger than 21 years of age
  • Be eligible for Medicaid
  • Have physical, cognitive, or behavioral limitations related to a disability, or chronic health condition that inhibits ability to accomplish ADLs and IADLs
  • Require an institutional level of care, for example:
    • A nursing facility (MN/NF)
    • An institution of mental disease (IMD)
    • An intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability or related condition (ID/RC)

For more information, call the Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) PCS Client Line toll free at 888-276-0702, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN)

800-252-8023
CSHCN provides health benefits to qualified children with special health care needs and their families, and to people of all ages with cystic fibrosis.

Women Infants and Children (WIC)

The HHS WIC program offers healthy foods and friendly experts in nutrition, health and breastfeeding to assist families. When you get WIC benefits, the staff offers support and answers through your pregnancy up to your child's 5th birthday.

Medicaid Buy-In for Children

800-440-0493
Medicaid Buy-In for Children can help families pay medical bills for children with disabilities. This program is for families that need health insurance, but that make too much money to qualify for traditional Medicaid. Families "buy in" to Medicaid by making a monthly payment (premium).

Medical and Financial Assistance

Applying for Texas Benefits

HHS allows you to apply online for services such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and others.

Children's Health Insurance Program

CHIP offers low-cost health coverage for children from birth through age 18. It is designed for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but who can't afford to buy private health coverage.

County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP)

CIHCP provides health care services to eligible residents through the counties, hospital districts and public hospitals in Texas.

Family Violence Program

The Family Violence Program provides emergency shelter and support services to adult victims of family violence, child victims of family violence and victims of teen dating violence. Program staff also educate the public, and provide training and prevention support to various agencies. Services are free for all victims and their children and are provided without any financial eligibility testing.

Healthy Texas Women

Healthy Texas Women program offers comprehensive healthcare, including birth control, pregnancy tests and counseling, and health screenings and treatment for hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol. Services are provided at little or no cost for women who qualify.

Medicaid Buy-In for Children

800-440-0493
Medicaid Buy-In for Children can help families pay medical bills for children with disabilities. This program is for families that need health insurance, but that make too much money to qualify for traditional Medicaid. Families "buy in" to Medicaid by making a monthly payment (premium).

Shriners Children's

800-237-5055 (Patient Referral Line)
Shriners Children's helps children younger than 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. Children receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge, regardless of financial need.

Women Infants and Children (WIC)

The HHS WIC program offers healthy foods and friendly experts in nutrition, health and breastfeeding to assist families. When you get WIC benefits, the staff offers support and answers through your pregnancy up to your child's 5th birthday.

Parent Education

Text4Baby

Text4baby is a free health text messaging service from DSHS for pregnant women through the baby's first birthday. Text messages include topics such as prenatal care, baby health, and parenting and child safety tips.

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA Center)

ECTA Center helps families understand their rights under IDEA, connect with other families, and find high-quality resources related to caring for infants, toddlers and young children with disabilities.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service – Family and Consumer Sciences

Texas AgriLife Extension Service offers practical information for families about raising children, housing and the environment, eating well, managing money, and staying healthy.

Women Infants and Children (WIC)

The HHS WIC program offers healthy foods and friendly experts in nutrition, health and breastfeeding to assist families. When you get WIC benefits, the staff offers support and answers through your pregnancy up to your child's 5th birthday.

Zero to Three

800-899-4301
Zero to Three has information for parents, professionals and public policy leaders that helps promote awareness of baby and toddler development.

Parent Support

Family Connect

Family Connect is for parents of children with visual impairments. You will find videos, personal stories, events, news, and an online community that can offer tips and support from other parents of children who are blind or visually impaired.

Navigate Life Texas

Navigate Life Texas is especially for families and parents of children with disabilities or special health care needs. It offers support, inspiration, resources and links to services available.

Parent Companion

866-896-6001
Parent Companion is a guide for Texas parents and caregivers of children birth to age 5 with diagnosed or suspected disabilities. The goal is to help eliminate feelings of isolation with trustworthy information that is comforting, inspiring, meaningful and relevant. Parent Companion helps families to connect with other parents who know what they are going through, as well as find the support and services needed to improve the quality of life for their child and family.

Partners Resource Network

800-866-4726
This federally funded parent training and information center provides information, training and support for parents of children with disabilities.

Specialized Training of Military Parents (STOMP)

800-572-7368 (voice/TTY)
STOMP provides support and advice to military families who have children with special education or health needs.

Statewide Outreach Center at Texas School for the Deaf (SOC at TSD)

512-462-5329
SOC at TSD is a department of the Texas School for the Deaf, which works collaboratively with a variety of agencies, family focused groups, and schools to provide a network of support, information and resource for professionals and families.

Take Time Texas

Take Time Texas offers time for families and primary caregivers to restore themselves and strengthen their ability to continue providing care for a child or adult. Respite care is as unique as the people it helps.

Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities

800-262-0334
Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities promotes the acceptance and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in everyday life in the community.

Texas Hands and Voices

866-422-0422
Texas Hands and Voices is a chapter of the nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families and their children who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as the professionals who serve them. The Texas chapter provides information specifically relevant to Texas families and professionals regarding state sponsored programs.

Texas Parent to Parent (TXP2P)

866-896-6001
Texas Parent to Parent, which was created by and is run by parents of children with disabilities, provides services and supports to families, including access to a parent-to-parent matching support system. TXP2P is an alliance member of the national Parent to Parent USA organization.

Texas Project FIRST

Texas Project First, a project of the Texas Education Agency, provides information for families of students birth through age 21 with disabilities. Project First educate and inform families about the special education process and services.

Zero to Three

800-899-4301
Zero to Three has information for parents, professionals and public policy leaders that helps promote awareness of baby and toddler development.

Research and Demonstration Projects in Texas

Vision Resources

Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program (BCVDDP)

800-628-5115
BCVDDP helps children who are blind or visually impaired and their families. They emphasis is on restoring vision, reducing dependency and preparing for vocational success.

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI)

800-872-5273, 512-454-8631
TSBVI is a public school for students who have a visual impairment. It also is a statewide resource for the parents and the professionals who serve them. Students from 6 through 21 who are blind, deaf blind or visually impaired, including those with additional disabilities, are eligible for consideration for TSVBI services.