TCDD and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service (AgriLife) have received a 2022 Innovators in Aging award, which honors organizations and people who made positive impacts in the lives of older Texans. The award, given by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), recognizes the partnership between TCDD and AgriLife that created a regional coordinator initiative to provide region-specific information, resources, and events to people with developmental disabilities (DD), including older adults and their families.
“TCDD and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are committed to informing our communities about the experiences of Texans with DD as well as the services, supports, and policies that impact the lives of older adults,” said Dr. Beth Stalvey, TCDD executive director. “Texans with DD are living longer than ever before. Everyone, including people with DD, must have access to the resources needed to age well.”
The regional coordinator initiative launched in 2019 with six coordinators based in AgriLife offices across the state. Since then, more than 5,000 people have participated in projects and activities run by our regional coordinators.
Across Texas, regional coordinators:
- host events and training sessions;
- provide information and share resources;
- make connections with people and organizations; and
- foster a broad network of disability advocates and experts.
Community-based education led by regional coordinators has included initiatives on aging with DD and caregiving. Last summer, a three-part webinar series focused on family future planning. The series covered why future planning is important for people with DD; how to make the future planning process more manageable; and how to help people with DD stay healthy as they age. To find recordings of these webinars and other resources, go to Upcoming and Past Programs.
HHSC gives Innovators in Aging awards in three categories: Be Healthy, Be Connected, and Be Informed. TCDD and AgriLife were awarded in the Be Informed category, which recognizes innovations that help older adults and their families stay informed about available services, treatments, policies, and programs.
