Lorene Dillard Advocacy and Consulting

02/26/2026

02/26/2026

Hello to all! Many of my parents have been calling with questions on were to find their students Texas Unique Identifier (UID) as they are receiving e-mails back from their TEFA applications. Here is a link which should assist you with this.

https://tealprod.tea.state.tx.us/Tea.Widgets/Student

If you are having difficulty with the link and you have access to your child’s portal. You can also check under their State Texting tab for STAAR as should be listed in this area or you can also check their student report card. You are looking for a 10 digit number as their (UID). Feel free to message me if you need further help.

02/03/2026

Special Education Funding Update: House Bill 2 introduces a new special education funding model that aligns resources with the type and amount of services each student needs, rather than being based on instructional settings. The Texas Education Agency is seeking your input to help inform the service tiers that will guide this model. Take the survey by February 5, 2026: bit.ly/4jSbALl

01/29/2026

Education savings accounts: applications open next week

Texas' new education savings account (ESA) program will provide money for students to attend private schools instead of public schools. The program will accept applications from February 4 to March 17 for the 2026-2027 school year.

Learn more about applying, as well as how the ESA program could impact students with disabilities, in our updated resource: www.drtx.org/ESAs

01/08/2026

A frequent call I am getting lately is “How do I request a camera to be put in my child’s classroom?” - here is a fantastic link from Disability Rights Texas which explains a step by step on the process of how to achieve this for your student.

Learn how to request a camera, how to get a recording, and how to appeal decisions.

10/18/2025

This is exactly the message I have been saying…

10/17/2025

Very interesting…does anyone have children attending these campuses?

Following the release of campus ratings from the state, several San Antonio schools need better ratings or risk state intervention.

10/16/2025

I know this is something I am following very close!

A federal judge temporarily halted a U.S. Department of Education plan to gut its special education office, but advocates say that the future of services for students with disabilities remains uncertain.

10/16/2025

As the date grows closer and closer, I find it necessary to share more information regarding the "school voucher" or "education savings account" so parents who have children with IEP's can prepare accordingly. Please check out this site as it has really great information as well as provides an additional link for you to subscribe to which will provide you with updates. https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/handout/education-savings-account-update-for-2025-2026-school-year/

09/13/2025

Health Insurance Premium Program (HIPP)
One of the best and most useful programs I learned of through a PARENT! Who would have even thought there was a program out there which, if you have a group health insurance plan, which your child with Medicaid is covered under...YOU CAN GET partial or even ALL of your premium reimbursed to you each month! For us, this was a life saver, and truly helped our family as both of my son's do have services through the CLASS Medicaid Waiver program (which therefore provides them Medicaid). Here is a link to where you can read more about this amazing program, I highly recommend you check it out and consider applying for your and your family. https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/financial/health-insurance-premium-payment-hipp-program

09/12/2025

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or “Disability”
If you have an adult child who is 18 years or older and has a disability, were you aware this was an option for them? You may not be aware, since your adult child is now considered an adult, only their income will be considered. For those who may have Legal Guardianship of their adult child with a disability, this would still be the same, the application process will only take into consideration the income of the adult child. If you have a adult child with a disability and have not taken the time to look into this, please do, as this benefit has truly helped so many families with additional costs necessary in the continued care of our adults children. https://www.ssa.gov/disability

09/11/2025

Wow, just wow! Now this is something even my son would LOVE! I truly wish Texas would establish more models like this.

A nonprofit cafe is trying to connect adoptable cats with loving homes, all while empowering people with disabilities with job skills.