Services

Jacob's Place

Halloween Jacob's Place Equipment Exchange provides at NO charge used durable medical equipment and supplies that have been donated for children with special needs. Operated by a staff of volunteers, the program seeks donations of used durable medical equipment and supplies, refurbishes the items, and loans them to those in need. This expensive equipment, not always covered by insurance, is available free-of-charge.

If you are in need of a particular piece of adaptive equipment, simply have your child's doctor write a prescription for that piece of equipment and contact us. We will loan you the piece of equipment if available, free of charge.

If your child needs adaptive equipment, or has equipment he/she has outgrown that you would be interested in donating, simply contact us.

Susan Lopez: 903-829-2603
Kim Westbrook: 903-530-3485
Angie Hullum: 903-571-3620

The Andrews Center

For mental health and mental retardation services call 903-597-1351.

Home & Community Based Services (HCS)
In Home & Family Support (IHFS)
Outpatient Clinics
Group Homes
People Share (support group)

For Physical disabilities services contact:

Department of State Health Services
Medical Social Workers: 903-533-5255 or 903-533-5249
Joann Cliver, joann.cliver@dshs.state.tx.us
Melinda Mezayek, melinda.mezayek@dshs.state.tx.us

For the Transportation Program:

Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. call 1-800-374-7340, voice mail box 530

For Non-Medicaid Individuals you must call at least 3 working days in advance before your appointment.
For Medicaid Transportation you must call by 3:00 p.m. the day before your appointment.

To schedule call and leave your name, address, phone number, destination, date and time of appointment.

East Texas Center for Independent Living (ETCIL)

ETCIL is:

A non-profit agency in Tyler, Texas providing services to the one in five East Texans who have disabilities, as well as education to the community on disability related topics.
Governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities who bring a wide range of knowledge and experience to their work in assisting others with disabilities.
Funded by contributions from foundations, corporations, and individual donors as well as federal, state and local grants.
One of over 400 such Centers in the United States.

ETCIL assists people with:

mobility impairments such as amputations, spinal cord injuries, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, post polio, spina bifida, and cerebral palsy.
mental, cognitive, or developmental disabilities such as traumatic brain injuries, depression, mental retardation, and learning differences.
hearing impairments
vision impairments
Most services are offered free of charge.

For more information on ETCIL:

Local telephone: 903-581-7542
Toll free long distance: 866-567-8918
Local TTY: 903-581-4615
Toll free TTY: 866-246-6424

Trinity Mother Frances Respite Care Program

Saturday Respite:

Two four-hour respite care sessions held the third Saturday of each month
Available to families of children with special needs (ages 3 months to 18 years) who reside in the family's home

The Saturday Respite program provides specialized care to children who are medically fragile or developmentally delayed in a child care center setting. The children experience the warm, loving, fun environment provided by the specially trained Respite Program staff and volunteers. The program is held at The Child Development & Training Center at 1722 West Front Street (next to the Tyler Rose Garden) the third Saturday of each month from 12:00-4:00 pm and 4:30-8:30 pm.

In-Home Respite:

Individual care for children with special needs in the family's home
Caregivers provided through a partnership with The Andrew Center's Americorp Independence Project
Evening and weekend hours available

In-Home respite care provides specialized child care for a family's special needs child in the home. Americorp member caregivers have completed intensive screenings and training. They are encouraged to work with children on life skills and socialization during respite sessions. Please call for scheduled times and availability.

706 Turtle Creek
Tyler, Texas 75701
903-595-3942 ext. 255
halingr@tmfhs.org

Community Work Force of Texas (CWFT)

Mission Statement: To promote the expansion of opportunities for disabled/challenged individuals to participate fully in the life of their community.

Day Training Center and Pre-Vocational Services

CWFT provides a full range of day training and pre-vocational services. This helps individuals with special needs develop skills and learn functional roles within their communities. Program participants have access to a wide range of resources including:

Vocational Assessments
Application and Job Training
Resume' Development
Career Planning
Ongoing work support
Access to employment opportunities and search resources
Personal growth and increased participation in community life

Supported Employment:

CWFT provides support for employers looking for trained, reliable and productive employees. Employers may be eligible for tax incentives when hiring individuals with disabilities. Employer partner resources through CWFT include:

Pre-screening of potential employees
Reduced training costs
Tax reduction incentives
Motivated workforce
Improved employment matching through vocational assessments
Potential reduction of turnover through committed employees

Community Work Force of Texas
6096 Copeland Road
Tyler, Texas 75703
903-561-7871