Moving to Texas – Part 1

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Moving to a new state can be challenging when you have young children. The move can be even more complicated when one of your children has a disability and you need to find new doctors and support systems.

My son had just been diagnosed with a disability when my husband’s job sent us 2,000 miles away to West Texas. With one year of special education preschool completed and family support close by, my son was thriving.

Although I was excited to move to a warmer climate — I had just spent a month shoveling snow — we left behind a large family support system and a network of disability services. I thought services would be the same in Texas, but I soon learned each state operates differently. 

Here’s what I wish I had known: 

• You can connect with local support groups using the Navigate Life Texas search tool. Other parents can be a good source of information and can refer you to doctors, schools, therapists and other professionals.
• For those moving to the Houston area, check out Family to Family Network’s website. It’s a listing of Houston organizations and support groups. Join their E-Digest, a monthly email of events and activities in the Houston area. 
• Finding new doctors and therapists can be scary. Texas Parent to Parent has a support network where families share information and ask questions
• Medicaid Waiver Program services don’t transfer between states. Find more information on the Texas Medicaid Waiver Program page.
• If your child qualifies for Medicaid, you may be able to obtain Community First Choice Services through your local intellectual and developmental disability authority.
• If your child is 18 or older and you have a guardianship for them in your state, you may need to transfer it to Texas when you move. Check with an attorney to find out what you need to do. They can also explain alternatives to guardianship, such as supported decision-making agreements.
• Check out the Texas Education Agency website to learn about supports the agency provides to help students with disabilities succeed. 

Texas has a lot to offer your child. When you’re less stressed, your children will feel more comfortable moving. And welcome to Texas!

For more about disability services in Texas, visit the Texas Health and Human Services Disability page. For information about insurance and financial help, visit Navigate Life Texas. You can also learn more on the Moving to Texas webpage.