Links to State of Texas Web Sites

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Visit our new State of Texas Internet sites:

Texas Health and Human Services

Department of Aging and Disability Services (listed below as Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS))

Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (listed below asTexas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS))

Department of Family and Protective Services (listed below as Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS))

Department of State Health Services(listed below as Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS))

The Consolidated Texas Health and Human Services System as directed by HB 2292, 78th Legislature.

Department of Housing and Community Affairs- The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is Texas' lead agency responsible for affordable housing, community development and community assistance programs; and regulation of the state's manufactured housing industry.

Department of Licensing and Regulation - The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is a state regulatory agency that currently oversees fourteen types of businesses, industries, trades and occupations. The agency is responsible for issuing licenses, conducting inspections, investigating complaints, issuing penalties, setting rules and standards and holding hearings.

Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation - See Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS)

Department of Protective and Regulatory Services - See Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)

Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) - Texas is creating a new system for health and human services in Texas by merging 12 agencies into four new departments under the oversight of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. This new system will make it easier for Texans to find assistance and will help the state lower administrative costs and direct more funding into services.

House Bill 2292, 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, consolidated the 12 health and human services (HHS) agencies into five agencies:

The transformed health and human services enterprise encourages efficient use of public money and focuses on real results and accountability. The new enterprise will strive to improve services and manage costs by listening to our partners and the people we serve and by putting innovation and new technology into practice.

Legislative Budget Board - The Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB) is a permanent, joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops recommendations for legislative appropriations for all agencies of state government.

Office of the Attorney General OAG serves as the legal counsel to more than 300 boards and agencies of state government, issues legal opinions when requested by the Governor, heads of state agencies and other officials and agencies as provided by Texas statutes administers the various divisions, sections and committees that make up the Office of the Attorney General

Office of the Governor - web site of the Office of Governor of Texas.

Texas Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities - Information on committee members, resources, awards and statistics concerning local communities in Texas.

Parks and Wildlife Department - Texas Parks and Wildlife provides outdoor recreational opportunities by managing and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat and acquiring and managing parklands and historic areas.

Public Utility Commission - The mission of the Public Utility Commission of Texas is to assure the availability of safe, reliable, high quality services that meet the needs of all Texans at just and reasonable rates.

Sunset Advisory Commission - provides for the periodic review of the efficiency and effectiveness of state agency operations and policies.

TDHCA will provide rental assistance funds to help persons with disabilities affected by the Olmstead Decision.

Texas Administrative Code - Compilation of all state agency rules

Texas Cancer Data Center - Online Cancer Information for Texans

Texas Commission for the Blind - See Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) On Sept. 1, 2004, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) becomes operational, consolidating:

Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) The agency was created by House Bill 2292 of the 78th Texas Legislature as part of a major transformation of the state's health and human services system. DARS administers the programs previously provided by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Commission for the Blind, the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention.

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) The mission of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is to protect the unprotected. The home page provides links to:

Texas Department of Health - See Texas Department of State Health Services

Texas Department of Human Services - Texas Department of Human Services (DHS), which was created in 1939 as the Texas Department of Public Welfare, ceased operations on Sept. 1, 2004. The services formerly provided by DHS are provided through: The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs - The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is Texas' lead agency responsible for affordable housing, community development and community assistance programs; and regulation of the state's manufactured housing industry.

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) On September 1, 2004, the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) was created. This new department brings together the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Texas Department of Health, the mental health services of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and the Texas Health Care Information Council. The Department of State Health Services promotes optimal health for individuals and communities while providing effective health, mental health and substance abuse services to Texans. As DSHS, the whole is greater than the sum of our legacy agencies. We will have a great opportunity to improve the health of Texans by bringing together physical health, mental health and substance abuse services. We will enhance our services by addressing the health of the “whole” person. Our continued efforts to maximize our resources and improve our service delivery system will lead to better outcomes for the individuals and communities we serve.

Texas Education Agency - Providing Leadership to Achieve Excellence in Education for all Students

Texas Legislative Council - The Texas Legislative Council (TLC) is a state agency within the legislative branch. Functions performed by the TLC for the senate and house of representatives include drafting bills and other legislative documents, conducting legal and public policy research, producing informational publications, and supporting a wide variety of operations with information technology services.

Texas Rehabilitation Commission - Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

Disability Issues Committee for Texas State Bar - To study the concerns of Texas lawyers with disabilities, as well as clients and members of the public, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Texas concerning ways in which the role of the disabled in Texas can be enhanced by improvement in programs and initiatives sponsored by the State Bar.

Texas Workforce Commission - mission is to promote and support a workforce system that offers individuals, employers and communities the opportunity to achieve and sustain economic prosperity.

Texas Youth Commission - site contains information about the juvenile justice system in Texas, crime, correctional treatment, funding and more.