Article
The House Committee on Human Services has been given a list of issues to study during the Interim. The next legislative session begins in January 2003. The legislators depend upon the reports the various House and Senate committees publish on the results of their year-long study into priority concerns facing Texans. A summary of some of the issues the Human Services Committee is charged with researching are:
* monitor the re-authorization from the United States Congress of the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, the Food Stamp program and the Child Care Development Fund Block Grant;
* consider ways the state and local governments can help low-income households increase their income and assets and help them increase their independence from public assistance;
* review the organization and administration of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC), including eligibility determinations for social security disability benefits;
* study the extent and causes of suicide and consider whether Texas should implement a suicide prevention program;
* evaluate the adequacy of staffing levels at DHS. Examine staff workloads and responsibilities in light of new and altered responsibilities at the department, including implementation of CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), eligibility policy changes and welfare reform. Explore options that might increase efficiency of staff, including enhanced technology and public-private partnerships for application and recertification of benefits.
My staff and I want to wish you a very happy holiday season.
State Representative Ron Clark
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
(903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474
(512) 475-3767 (fax)
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