TCOG’s ADRC Announces New Educational Series

SHERMAN, JUNE 6, 2018 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced today the start of a new educational series provided by TCOG’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). By featuring unique resources each month, the ADRC of Texoma brings value to the community by educating older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and professionals about resources that benefit them and relieve their families.

To kick off the series, the ADRC facilitated a presentation and live demo, showcasing captioning telephones, special telephones that ensure phone conversations are clearly understood, by displaying text of conversations in near real-time on a large color touchscreens while also amplifying voice so users can see and hear what callers are saying.

“Phone conversations for people with hearing loss can be frustrating,” said Thomas. “ADRC has teamed up with ClearCaptions to improve the accessibility of captioning telephones so that people may access this resource with greater ease.”

“Connecting services and options to those who most need them is a multi-step process,” said ADRC Program Manager Janet Karam, “It involves scouting for resources, building them into our database, assisting callers, providing referrals, and educating the public.”

The ADRC fosters strong partnerships with providers of services and options benefiting older adults, caregivers, Veterans and people with disabilities. To learn more and get involved, contact the ADRC at (855) 937-2372.

The next meeting in this series is . It will be held on from – at TCOG’s offices in Sherman.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

BONHAM, TX – Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) and community collaborators held The Fannin County Resource Expo at Bonham Trade Days Armory this past Friday, April 7, 2017. The Expo was coordinated by a team of collaborators including: Bonham Independent School District, Bonham Nursing Care, Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke and Fannin Counties, Honey Grove Nursing Center, Meals on Wheels Texoma, Mullican Care Center; TCOG’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Texoma, TCOG’s Benefits Counseling, TCOG’s Public Housing Program; and Texoma Medical Center-Bonham.

Resource Expos like this are designed to connect individuals and families with local resources to help improve quality of life. “It can be challenging for consumers, and even other agencies, to know about and understand all the different resources available to Veterans, people with disabilities, caregivers, older adults and their families,” said Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of TCOG. “This Expo was about bringing agencies together in one location to help connect citizens to the resources they need.”

There were 130 people who attended and learned about various services offered in the region including: mental health, aging and disability, housing and educational resources. Health screenings were offered in addition to refreshments and door prizes. A free chicken spaghetti meal was provided by Honey Grove Nursing Center and Mullican Senior Care Centers, and was served by Meals on Wheels of Texoma.

“It’s great to see 50 agencies gathering for one purpose–to share information about local resources that benefit residents of Fannin County,” said ADRC Program Manager and Event Chair, Janet Karam. Karam also encouraged people to contact TCOG’s ADRC at 855-937-2372 to learn more about resources available for individuals and families in the Texoma region.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

SHERMAN, May 5, 2016 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today an addition to the TXHousingSearch.org web-site currently used by the Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Program. The Care Facility Locator provides instant access to information about residential care accommodations for elderly and disabled persons.

The online tool maps licensed residential care facilities located within Bowie, Cass, Cooke, Cooke, Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Lamar, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River and Titus counties and can also be accessed through a toll-free line. Online users can zoom into areas of the map for area-specific searches.

Dr. Thomas stated, “This is a slick site where detailed information about residential care facilities such as: bed availability; wheelchair accessibility; respite services; and availability of medical supports can be easily accessed.” She went on to say, “Individuals can use the site plus it will be one more tool for local agencies and caregivers to use as they assist clients in determining and locating the best services available to meet their individual needs.”

Any assisted living, skilled nursing facility provider or licensed residential group home can be included on the site by going to the website or calling the toll-free line.

To access the new care facility tool, go to TXHousingSearch.org and click, “Find or Care Facility,” or call toll-free 1-877-496-4952 (M-F, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. CT).

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

SHERMAN, February 19, 2016 – Susan B. Thomas, PhD, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) announced today the new toll-free phone number for the ADRC Program. (855) 937-2372 is the number to call for information relating to long-term personal care options for persons with disabilities, veterans, older adults and caregivers.

Administered by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), the ADRC provides information and referral service which assist individuals and their caregivers in determining the most appropriate resources available in Texoma and Ark-Tex counties.

“Establishing a toll-free telephone number dedicated to the long-term care industry is an important step toward providing individuals, caregivers and the professionals who serve them with the information and referrals they need to address their client’s needs,” said Dr. Thomas. “As we move into 2016, TCOG’s ADRC is committed to strengthening partnerships with the aging and disability network by promoting and fostering collaboration which will strengthen and grow the referral database.”

The toll-free number provides access to up-to-date information on local, state and federal long-term care resources. Callers will be provided with a range of information and referrals to various resources that support community living; including information about eligibility requirements for in-home care, home-delivered meals, medical transportation, prescription assistance, housing options and community attendant services. The number will also serve as a resource for professionals who are seeking long-term care resources as well as provide information about wellness and disease prevention and community events.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

SHERMAN, TX — If you’ve been on the hunt for an affordable place to rent, TCOG Texoma Council of Governments may have a solution for you.

They recently launched a free website aimed at helping both the elderly and disabled to find a new home.

At the age of 73, Barbara McCollum will soon be leaving behind precious memories collected through the years in her quaint Sherman home, all because she no longer can afford it.

“It’s just impossible really for elders to get decent affordable housing,” said McCollum.

Like many seniors, McCollum is retired and has to live on a fixed income, but a recent $250 hike in her rent is forcing her to move out, and the search for a new place hasn’t been easy.

“I’ve been looking for the past few months, actually since last year, that’s how hard it is, and there’s such a long waiting list too,” she said.

That waiting list is for section 8 and public housing.

“It’s about a one to two year waiting time before anyone can get in,” said Janet Karam, TCOG Program Manager.

However, a new website called TXHousingSearch.org launched by the TCOG’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, is hoping to fill that need for more affordable housing, geared towards the elderly and disabled, but also friendly for anyone to use.

“We needed a database to get people connected,” said Karam.

The free and easy to use site, which also has a toll free number for those who don’t have access to a computer, will act like a liaison between property providers and renters, providing a centralized location for both parties to either list or search with just a few clicks.

“Definitely easy to navigate,” said McCollum.

The site will have detailed listings for 12 northeast Texas counties, and you can specify your search based on your needs and budget.

“Caregivers can help search for their families, families can search if they’re looking to move, or agencies,” said Karam.

The freshly launched website currently has a little over 1000 listings, but TCOG hopes it will quickly populate, so they can better serve those in need.

For the link to the website, click here.

Toll free number for TXHousingSearch – 1.877.428.8844

Originally posted at http://www.kten.com/story/30379596/tcog-launches-affordable-housing-website-geared-for-elderly-disabled-and-more

SHERMAN, JUNE 15, 2015 – Dr. Susan Thomas, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced today that TCOG’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is one of three ADRCs in the State to receive a mini-grant from the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) for the provision of emergency respite services.

Beginning June 2015, TCOG will address the need for emergency respite services among caregivers who experience a health crisis, accident, extreme exhaustion or even death, wherein care recipients’ quality of life might otherwise be significantly compromised.

Today, Dr. Thomas stated, “TCOG now has the opportunity to address this critical gap by matching caregivers in crisis with respite services that will ensure a continuum of care for vulnerable care recipients.” Care recipients must be under the age of 60 and ineligible for respite through other programs in order to be eligible. TCOG Area Agency on Aging serves individuals 60 and over through the Caregivers Respite Assistance Program.

TCOG aims to increase access to long-term care resources through strong collaboration between the ADRC and community partners; and through the provision of accurate information, assistance and referral services via the ADRC’s statewide toll-free line (1-855-YES-ADRC).

ADRC consumers are often frail, have low income, are in great social need, and face the greatest risk for more costly institutional care or long-term community based services and supports. TCOG’s ADRC serves Cooke, Grayson, Fannin, Lamar, Delta, Hopkins, Red River, Franklin, Titus, Morris, Bowie and Cass counties.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.