The Role Of The Local Health Authority During COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, local emergency management officials have referred to the local Local Health Authority in relation of positive patients. While many know that the LHA is involved during the COVID-19 pandemic, not everyone knows or understands the LHA’s role. The Local Health Authority is appointed by the county government to provide support services in the absence of a county health department. Dr. I.L. Balkcom IV...
Grant helps provide crisis counseling services to East Texas 12 County area amid COVID -19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic is taking an emotional toll on Texans, help is on the way for the 12 county area within East Texas in the form of a grant awarded to Lakes Regional Community Center by the Health and Human Services Commission Disaster Behavioral Health Services. This grant will be used to fund a Crisis Counseling Program (CCP) called Texans Recovering Together. Texans Recovering Together will help residents living in Camp, Delta,...
Governor Abbott Outlined Plans To Reopen Texas
Governor Greg Abbott outlined plans to reopen Texas during his press conference Monday afternoon. The stay at home safe order in place will be allowed to expire at the end of the month. He outlined a plan to begin opening businesses starting May 1. Governor Gregg Abbot during a televised press conference Monday, April 27. Abbott said the stay at home safe order had done it’s place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. He announced...
Texas WIC Expands Eligible Foods, Launches Updated App
AUSTIN – Texas Health and Human Services announces Texas WIC, the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, is expanding the number of food items eligible for purchase through the program. It is also updating the MyTexasWIC app to ensure Texans who need access to nutritious food will be able to find it in their local grocery stores. “Grocers assure us they can meet this increased demand and have supply...
THHS Commission Launches Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line
AUSTIN – Texas Health and Human Services has launched a 24/7 statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This new resource offers COVID-19-related mental health support for all Texans. People can call the Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 833-986-1919. “Through this new effort, we are...
HHS: Only Essential Visitors Will Be Granted Access To Texas Hospitals
AUSTIN – To protect vulnerable hospital patients from COVID-19, Texas Health and Human Services has issued updated, expanded guidance to hospitals that now includes granting access only to essential visitors such as medical professionals and authorized caregivers acting specifically on a patient’s behalf. “At the direction of Governor Greg Abbott and effective immediately, we are requiring hospitals to prevent non-essential visitors...
Marriage and Parenting Education Wrap-Up By Johanna Hicks
Marriage & Parenting Education Wrap-up This is the 3rd in a series of program summaries in the area of Family & Consumer Sciences for 2016. (If you missed the first two, they covered Diabetes Education and Health & Wellness in Hopkins County.) One of my favorite workshops to teach is Twogether in Texas Marriage Education. This is a program recognized by the state of Texas and is deemed as being so important that the...
A Year in Review – Marriage and Childcare Education
A Year in Review – Marriage and Childcare Education Before I write another word, let me wish everyone a Merry Christmas! This is a joyous time of year when we gather to remember the true meaning of Christmas and enjoy time with family and friends. In my family, we are celebrating our daughter’s birthday and our sons’ Master’s degree graduation which recently took place on the same day! However, there are many who are struggling...
Slaton & Colleagues Ask Governor To Halt COVID Vaccines For Children Under 4 Years Of Age
Unanswered Questions About Vaccine’s Effect On Young Children Among Concerns Cited In Letter to Abbott Representatives Bryan Slaton (House District 2), Jeff Cason (HD 92) and Kyle Biedermann (HD 73), as well as House District 93 candidate Nate Schatzline, emailed a letter Friday, July 7, 2022, to Governor Greg Abbott requesting he direct the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to halt distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to...
Free Virtual Brain Injury Awareness Month Conference To Be Held March 30-31, 2022
AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is hosting a free virtual conference on March 30-31 to raise awareness about brain injuries and educate health care providers across the state on treatment options. The 2022 Texas Brain Injury Awareness Month Conference, “Resiliency and Recovery: Bouncing Forward,” highlights the achievements of people living with a brain injury and provides education about brain injuries,...
