Youth Empowerment Services (YES) | Navigate Life Texas

This waiver program is currently available in several Texas counties, including: Bexar, Harris, Tarrant, Hidalgo, and Travis. It is expanding and will eventually be statewide, so check with your Local Mental Health Authority to see if it has reached your area. Body Content

Youth Empowerment Services (YES) provides home- and community-based services to children who otherwise would need psychiatric inpatient care or whose parents would turn to state custody for care.

What's Included in the YES Program

The YES program includes:respite care, adaptive aids and supports, community living supports, family supports, minor home modifications, non-medical transportation, transitional services, paraprofessional and professional services, and others.

Requirements to Receive YES

Must be age 3 to 18.
Must live in own home or family’s home.
Must be eligible for Medicaid. The ability to get services is based on the child’s income, not family income.
Must meet Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) clinical guidelines and qualify for inpatient care under the Texas Medicaid inpatient psychiatric admission guidelines.
Must pick the YES waiver program as an alternative to care in an inpatient psychiatric care facility.

Three Top Tips for Waiver Lists

Don’t Delay, Add Your Child Right Away: Consider adding your child to as many waiver interest lists as possible when your child is born or when first diagnosed with a disability or special health-care need.
Learn More: If you are interested in YES, find out whom to contact.
Update Your Information Every Year: At least 1 time a year, call to update your contact information so they know how to reach you. Most parents remember by calling around their child’s birthday.