Policy and Advocacy

PART Advocacy encompasses all the actions, great or small, taken by the families, friends and guardians of the people who live at the Texas State Supported Living Centers.

Resources

TAKE ACTION
87TH LEGISLATURE
capitol info
TOOLKIT
OLMSTEAD
GUARDIANSHIP

PART works to enlighten legislators, the press and stake holders on the continued need for Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs).

 

  • ICFs were created to provide a high level of care for narrow group of people who have a high level of need.
    ICFs are medically oriented and were intended to be the alternative to history’s snake pit institutions. Today’s ICFs bear no resemblance to Willowbrook or any other institution of the past.
  • The ideology of community for all, no matter the consequences for the individual is dangerous.
  • One size does not fit all.
  • In order to be an effective advocate, a basic knowledge of policy issues is required. We hope the following information proves helpful in your support of the individuals who live at the Texas SSLCs.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

The Legislature Explained

The Tribune’s Evan Smith and Ross Ramsey on how the Legislature works — and what it might look like in a pandemic

School House Rock- A Bill

The State process to creating a bill is similar to the federal process except you just substitute the Governor for the President. 

How A Bill Becomes A Law

The legislature meets every odd-numbered year to write new laws and to find solutions to the problems facing its citizens. The Regular session begins on the second Tuesday in January and lasts 140 days.  The governor can order the legislature to again. This is called Special session, can last no more than 30 days and deal only issues that the governor wants addressed.

House Research Organization

There may be some who want to take a deep dive into the inner workings of the Legislature. Then a look around the the HRO website is in order. It is a nonpartisan independent department of the Texas House of Representatives. It provides impartial information on legislation and issues before the Texas Legislature. The HRO is governed by a broadly representative steering committee of 15 House members elected by the House membership to set policy for the organization, approve its budget, and ensure that its reports are objective.