Lorene Dillard Advocacy and Consulting

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.

09/11/2025

What are Compensatory Services?
Now that school has begun and is nicely underway. I have received some calls and feedback from some families with some concerns regarding agreed upon IEP goals and/or services have not been implemented for their student/s. This can also happen or be an option when you have requested a Special Education evaluation for your student, however this request was either denied or delayed. In matters of compensatory services, what is important to understand, is this is not always a minute for minute service plan. This is a discussion which centers largely on progress or skills they lost when their special education services were not provided. Yes, while this can result in your child NOT receiving the full amount of services which was originally in their IEP, this can also result in your child receiving MORE than what is in your child's current IEP. Below is a link to information directly from TEA's website which will provide you with information on compensatory services and how this may be of interest to your student.

09/10/2025

Understanding IEP Development
We all want our children to make the most progress they possibly can! What is important to understand is "how to get there." No one learns to run before they learn to walk and this is the same concept for all areas of learning development. What I do like to ensure, as this concept tends to often be left out, is that parents are involved in the planning process of their child's education. What is amazing is the law agrees under: PARENT PARTICIPATION Authorities: 34 CFR Part 300; Texas Education Code; 19 TAC Chapter 89.
Here is a link to some really wonderful, detailed information, you can read and study on the IEP development process. You can use this as a guide when you may be considering future IEP development for your loved one!

09/09/2025

Are you still experiencing difficulty with your child missing school due to therapy?
Well, you are not alone, this is a common phone call I receive...still today. Here is a link directly from the TEA website giving full explanation to the rights to children under this Texas Education Code. https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/special-education/guidance-regarding-temporary-absences-of-students-with-disabilities
I have included a portion of a screenshot with some general areas underlined which are historically areas which lend the most discussion in ARD meetings.

This information provides guidance about students with disabilities who are absent for part of the school day to receive treatment from a health care professional.

09/07/2025

BONUS POST today! Since Medicaid Waivers have been such a "HOT TOPIC" as they should. Based on the comments I was receiving, I wanted to schedule an extra post for today, to provide additional information and links to information. Early this morning, I posted a chart which gave you information on comparisons of services, each Medicaid waiver program provides. The comments I received were also surrounding more of "what exactly are each program". I have found this website very helpful in providing parents with great information on this topic, as well as other topics concerning raising a child with a disability. https://www.navigatelifetexas.org/en/insurance-financial-help/texas-medicaid-waiver-programs-for-children-with-disabilities
When you access this link, you will look to the right of the screen, where you will see many options to choose from on wonderful topics which will provide you with information. You will also find specifically information on what each of the Medicaid Waiver Programs are and what they offer for your child. I hope this information helps. Please do continue the conversation and please do let me know if I can help in any other way! I know when my boys began receiving services with the CLASS program many years ago, it was simply LIFE CHANGING! I cannot stress enough the importance of checking into this for your loved ones!

09/07/2025

As a follow up to yesterday's post, you may wonder what are the differences in services and supports within each waiver/support program. Here is a chart which may better explain this for you.

09/06/2025

How many of you have your loved on currently on an interest list for Medicaid Waiver services? If you have not done so already, you truly need to. Please understand every day you wait, is another day your loved one will have to wait to have truly LIFE changing services for not only them, but for your entire family. Please refer to this list and PLEASE call and place your loved one on any of these lists you feel appropriate for them. You can have them on more than one list. Please understand, these interest lists are based off of the PARTICIPANTS income. This would mean, in most cases, THE CHILD.

09/05/2025

Discipline in the schools.

I know this has become such a difficult topic for so many families. For families with a child with a disability it becomes so confusing. There are so many acronyms and terms to understand (FBA - Functional Behavior Assessment, FBP - Functional Behavior Plan, BIP - Behavior Intervention Plan, MDR - Manifestation Determination Review etc.). Now with the Texas HB 6, it brings even more uncertainty to parents on how this will affect their student, especially if they have a documented disability. As I always want to ensure parents are given the most accurate information, I am including a link which will provide you with a summary of the changes to HB 6 and how this effects students and what you, as a parent of a student with a disability, need to ensure are communicated with your school staff. https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/handout/school-discipline-updates-for-2025-2026-school-year/
As I have been involved with parents and working with the school system for so many years, I have also seen, even with all the communication and preparation a parent can provide....there are still unfortunate acts which still take place and the part must seek legal counsel to ensure the rights of their child, as it relates to their safety and well being are not violated are carried forward. I am asked often if I can refer parents to an attorney for this. I have recently met with an attorney who specializes in Juvenile Defense. Her name is Katy Boortz and I will say, she is very dedicated and very passionate about want she does. Those who know me are aware that I do not openly refer attorney's very often, so for me to provide a reference for her, speaks to my trust in her. If you would like to get to know a little more about her, you can visit her website at https://boortzlawtexas.com
As I mentioned, she is very personable, she is very passionate and seems to really CARE!

Learn about new changes to school discipline laws in Texas, including the expansion of teacher removals and school suspensions, and a new virtual expulsion program.

09/04/2025

Hello and good evening to all! If you have not had a chance to do so, please take a minute to check out my new website! It is still a work in progress, however, I am so excited for this new year and for the new addition to working with me! I cannot wait for those families who have known and worked with me for years to meet and get a chance to get to know David Delgado! He comes to Dillard Advocacy and Consulting with such a wealth of knowledge and expertise! I am so grateful for his help and for this opportunity to work with him.

09/04/2025

Hello and good evening to all! If you have not had a chance to do so, please take a minute to check out my new website! It is still a work in progress, however, I am so excited for this new year and for the new addition to working with me! I cannot wait for those families who have known and worked with me for years to meet and get a chance to get to know David Delgado! He comes to Dillard Advocacy and Consulting with such a wealth of knowledge and expertise! I am so grateful for his help and for this opportunity to work with him.

At Dillard Advocacy and Consulting, LLC, we specialize in providing essential support for special education needs, provide information in a non-legal capacity, our understanding of certain provisions of the IDEA, the 504 process and help determine which program(s) are appropriate ensuring families n...