Section 351.815 - Policy Council for Children and Families(a) Statutory authority. The Policy Council for Children and Families (PCCF) is established in accordance with Texas Government Code § 523.0201 and is subject to §351.801 of this division (relating to Authority and General Provisions).(b) Purpose. The PCCF works to improve the coordination, quality, efficiency, and outcomes of services provided to children with disabilities and their families through the state's health, education, and human services systems.(c) Tasks. The PCCF performs the following tasks: (1) studies and makes recommendations to improve coordination between the state's health, education, and human services systems to ensure that children with disabilities and their families have access to high quality services;(2) studies and makes recommendations to improve long-term services and supports, including community-based supports for children with special health and mental health care needs, as well as children with disabilities and their families receiving protective services from the state;(3) studies and makes recommendations regarding emerging issues affecting the quality and availability of services available to children with disabilities and their families;(4) studies and makes recommendations to better align resources with the service needs of children with disabilities and their families;(5) studies and makes recommendations to ensure that the needs of children with autism spectrum disorder and their families are addressed, and that all available resources are coordinated to meet those needs;(6) makes recommendations regarding the implementation and improvement of the STAR Kids managed care program;(7) performs other tasks consistent with its purpose as requested by the HHSC Executive Commissioner; and(8) adopts bylaws to guide the operation of the committee.(d) Reporting requirements. (1) Not later than December 31 of each year, the PCCF files a written report with the HHSC Executive Commissioner covering the meetings and activities in the immediately preceding fiscal year. The report includes:(A) a list of the meeting dates;(B) the members' attendance records;(C) a brief description of actions taken by the PCCF;(D) a description of how the PCCF accomplished its tasks;(E) a summary of the status of any PCCF recommendations to HHSC;(F) a description of activities the PCCF anticipates undertaking in the next fiscal year;(G) recommended amendments to this section; and(H) the costs related to the PCCF, including the cost of HHSC staff time spent supporting the PCCF's activities and the source of funds used to support the PCCF's activities.(2) Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the PCCF submits a written report to the HHSC Executive Commissioner and Texas Legislature that:(A) describes current gaps and barriers to the provision of services to children with disabilities and their families through the state's health and human services system; and(B) provides recommendations consistent with the PCCF's purposes.(e) Meetings. (1) Open Meetings. The PCCF complies with the requirements for open meetings under Texas Government Code Chapter 551, as if it were a governmental body.(2) Frequency. The PCCF will meet at least twice each year.(3) Quorum. Thirteen members constitutes a quorum.(f) Membership.(1) The PCCF is composed of 24 members, with 19 voting members and five ex officio members appointed by the HHSC Executive Commissioner. In selecting the voting members, the HHSC Executive Commissioner considers the applicants' qualifications, background, and interest in serving. The membership comprises: (A) eleven voting members from families with a child under the age of 26 with a disability, including:(i) at least one adolescent or young adult under the age of 26 with a disability receiving services from the health and human services system;(ii) at least one member of a family of a child with mental health care needs; and(iii) at least one member of a family of a child with autism spectrum disorder;(B) eight professional voting members, one each to represent the following types of organizations or areas of expertise: (i) a faith-based organization;(ii) an organization that is an advocate for children with disabilities;(iii) a physician providing services to children with complex needs;(iv) an individual with expertise providing mental health services to children with disabilities;(v) an organization providing services to children with disabilities and their families;(vi) an organization providing community services;(vii) an organization or professional that advocates for or provides services or resources to children and the families of children with autism spectrum disorder; and(viii) one individual with expertise or experience providing cross-system, holistic support for children and the families of children with disabilities;(C) five non-voting, ex officio members, one from each of the following state programs and agencies or their successors, as nominated by the represented agency, and appointed by the HHSC Executive Commissioner:(i) HHSC Medicaid and CHIP Services;(ii) HHSC Community Services Division;(iii) Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities;(iv) Texas Department of Family and Protective Services; and(v) Texas Department of State Health Services.(2) Members appointed under paragraphs (1)(A) and (1)(B) of this subsection serve staggered terms so that the terms of approximately one-quarter of these members' terms expire on December 31 of each year. Regardless of the term limit, a member serves until his or her replacement has been appointed. This ensures sufficient, appropriate representation.(3) If a vacancy occurs, the HHSC Executive Commissioner will appoint a person to serve the unexpired portion of that term.(4) Except as may be necessary to stagger terms, the term of each member is four years. A member may apply to serve one additional term. This paragraph does not apply to members serving under paragraph (1)(C).(g) Officers. The PCCF selects a chair and vice chair of the PCCF from among its members.(1) The chair and vice chair of the PCCF will serve a term of two years, with the chair serving until December 31 of each odd-numbered year and the vice chair serving until December 31 of each even-numbered year.(2) A member may serve up to two consecutive terms as chair or vice chair.(h) Required Training. Each member must complete all training on relevant statutes and rules, including this section and §351.801 of this division (relating to Authority and General Provisions); Texas Government Code § 523.0201; Texas Government Code Chapters 551, 552, and 2110; the HHS Ethics Policy; the Advisory Committee Member Code of Conduct; and other relevant HHS policies. HHSC will provide the training.(i) Travel Reimbursement. To the extent permitted by the current General Appropriations Act, a member of the committee who receives services from HHSC or is a family member of a client may be reimbursed for their travel to and from meetings if funds are appropriated and available and in accordance with the HHSC Travel Policy. Other committee members are not reimbursed for travel to and from committee meetings.(j) Date of abolition. The PCCF is abolished, and this section expires on December 31, 2028.1 Tex. Admin. Code § 351.815
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 25, June 17, 2016, TexReg 4433, eff. 7/1/2016; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 45, Number 49, December 4, 2020, TexReg 8769, eff. 12/8/2020; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 49, Number 44, November 1, 2024, TexReg 8702, eff. 11/6/2024