Vision:

We envision a Texas where people with special health care needs have access to services for a healthier lifestyle.

Mission:

DSHS Specialized Health and Social Services (SHSS) program empowers people with special health care needs by helping them navigate complex systems of care and access services that enhance their health and well-being.

Purpose:

The purpose of the Specialized Health and Social Services program is to promote and advocate for the health and well-being of individuals and families. To recruit, educate, and keep, medical, and dental providers. Help case management providers with program policies and procedures.

Activities:

The SHSS program fulfills its mission by providing:

• Case management services for individuals with special health care needs and their families
• Functional needs assessments for attendant and habilitation services
• Eligibility application processing for Children with Special Health Care Needs
• Services Program (CSHCN-SP) benefits
• Training and technical assistance for current/prospective independent case managers for children and pregnant women
• Outreach and technical assistance for current/prospective Texas Health Steps medical and dental providers
• Coordination with other HHS programs
• Collaboration with local health departments and community partners
• Disaster response and recovery
   

Medicaid Case Management

• Populations: Children 0-20 and high-risk pregnant women eligible for certain Medicaid programs
• Services: Comprehensive case management and service coordination for individuals eligible for Fee-For-Service (FFS) Medicaid; Basic information and referral (I&R) for individuals enrolled in any Medicaid program; Functional assessments for attendant and habilitation services through the Personal Care Services (PCS) and Community First Choice (CFC) programs

Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program (CSHCN-SP)

• Populations: Children 0-20 and persons of any age with Cystic Fibrosis
• Services: Case management and eligibility processing

Newborn Screening (NBS)

• Populations: Infants with abnormal NBS results
• Services: Follow-up and case management

Public Health Case Management

• Populations: Persons of any age seeking services or support to improve health and well-being
• Services: Follow-up and case management

Special Projects - Birth Defects Pilot Project

• Populations: Children born with evidence of congenital Zika, Cleft Palate and/or Lip, Neural Tube Defects, Critical Congenital Heart Defects, and Down Syndrome
• Services: Follow-up and case management
   

Texas Health Steps

• Populations: Current and prospective THSteps medical and dental providers
• Services: Outreach, training, and technical assistance

Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women (CPW) Liaison

• Populations: Current and prospective independent CPW case management providers
• Services: Training, technical assistance, and quality assurance
   

• Children and Pregnant Women (CPW) Program
• Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program
• Newborn Screening Program
• Personal Care Services
• Texas Health Steps
   

Angel De La Garza Jr., LMSW
Program Manager, Specialized Health and Social Services
Phone: 956-244-6674
Email: angel.delagara@dshs.texas.gov

Rosalie Perez, LMSW
Program Supervisor
Phone: 956-245-3254
Email: rosalie.perez@dshs.texas.gov

Michael Garcia, LBSW-IPR
Program Supervisor
Phone: 956-245-0658
Email: michael.garcia@dshs.texas.gov

Alma De La Cerda, LMSW
Program Supervisor
Phone: 956-873-4082
Email: alma.delacerda@dshs.texas.gov

Albert Ramos, LBSW-IPR
Program Supervisor
Phone: 956-244-4785
Email: albert.ramos@dshs.texas.gov

Cynthia Ortiz, LBSW
Program Supervisor
Phone:361-813-8932
Email: cynthia.ortiz@dshs.texas.gov

Leticia Puente
Texas Health Steps Supervisor
Phone: 956-244-6645
Email: leticia.puente@dshs.texas.gov

Jenny Martinez, LBSW
Case Management Liaison
Phone: 956-893-0042
Email: jenny.martinez@dshs.texas.gov