Text of section effective on April 01, 2025

Sec. 523.0002. GOALS. The commission's goals are to:

(1) maximize federal funds through the efficient use of available state and local resources;

(2) provide a system that delivers prompt, comprehensive, effective services to individuals of this state by:

(A) improving access to health and human services at the local level; and

(B) eliminating architectural, communication, programmatic, and transportation barriers;

(3) promote the health of individuals of this state by:

(A) reducing the incidence of disease and disabling conditions;

(B) increasing the availability and improving the quality of health care services;

(C) addressing the high incidence of certain illnesses and conditions in minority populations;

(D) increasing the availability of trained health care professionals;

(E) improving knowledge of health care needs;

(F) reducing infant death and disease;

(G) reducing the impacts of mental disorders in adults and emotional disturbances in children;

(H) increasing nutritional education and participation in nutrition programs; and

(I) reducing substance abuse;

(4) foster the development of responsible, productive, and self-sufficient citizens by:

(A) improving workforce skills;

(B) increasing employment, earnings, and benefits;

(C) increasing housing opportunities;

(D) increasing child-care and other dependent-care services;

(E) improving education and vocational training to meet specific career goals;

(F) reducing school dropouts and teen pregnancy;

(G) improving parental effectiveness;

(H) increasing support services for individuals with disabilities and services to help those individuals maintain or increase their independence;

(I) improving access to work sites, accommodations, transportation, and other public places and activities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.); and

(J) improving services for juvenile offenders;

(5) provide needed resources and services to individuals of this state when they cannot provide or care for themselves by:

(A) increasing support services for adults and their families during periods of unemployment, financial need, or homelessness;

(B) reducing extended dependency on basic support services; and

(C) increasing the availability and diversity of long-term care provided to support individuals with chronic conditions in settings that focus on community-based services, with options ranging from their own homes to total-care facilities;

(6) protect the physical and emotional safety of all individuals of this state by:

(A) reducing abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly individuals and adults with disabilities;

(B) reducing child abuse and neglect;

(C) reducing family violence;

(D) increasing services to children who are truant or who run away, or who are at risk of truancy or running away, and their families;

(E) reducing crime and juvenile delinquency;

(F) reducing community health risks; and

(G) improving regulation of human services providers; and

(7) improve the coordination and delivery of children's services.

Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.