Community Agencies
Texas Workforce Solutions Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS) - formally DARS
TWS-VRS offers vocational counseling and guidance services to individuals with disabilities wanting to go to school and get a job. To apply for services, call or stop by the McAllen office: TWS-VRS Address: 2101 S. 2nd Street, McAllen, TX 78501 Office: 956-302-0800.
If you have a physical, mental, or cognitive impairment or disability that makes employment hard for you, you may be eligible for services to help you prepare for, obtain, maintain or advance in employment. Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services assists individuals with any disability in partnership with Workforce Solutions.
Information on the continuation of Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services to individuals with disabilities during the pandemic:
- Individuals needing employment assistance, including those with disabilities, can visit their nearest Workforce Solutions office where our employment specialists will coordinate referrals or services with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) staff.
- You may also reach out to VR directly for assistance, and may use the directory found here to find the office closest to them. An email address is also available for customers who would like assistance connecting to the right office: vr.office.locator@twc.state.tx.us
- VR serves individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind, deaf or hearing impaired, who need VR services to obtain or retain employment.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, VR staff are available remotely to assist customers. Here is a one-page message to customers on this. A Message to Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services Customers
NEW FOR 2021! ‘Start My VR’ Online Self-Referral available for Vocational Rehabilitation Services
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The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has introduced “Start My VR,” an online self-referral portal for prospective vocational rehabilitation customers, as a convenient way for individuals with disabilities who are seeking employment to inquire about Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services and/or be connected to a VR staff member.
In addition to receiving inquiries about VR Services, the Start My VR system also can receive inquiries for the Older Individuals who are Blind program, also known as VR-OIB. VR-OIB services are designed to assist individuals age 55 and older adjust to the disability of blindness or visual impairment based on their specific needs. These services may include counseling and evaluations about vision loss, information and referral to community resources, assistive technology, diabetes education, or independent living skills training, which may include training in orientation and mobility and daily living skills. Start My VR includes three easy steps:
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TWS-VRS Near You:
http://vr.office.locator@twc.state.tx.us
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Phone: (512) 936-6400
Workforce Solutions Lower Rio (Serving Hidalgo, Willacy, and Starr County)
Workforce Solutions has ongoing orientations on services available to help you go to school and obtain a job. Call or stop by to sign up for an orientation at the center nearest to you: https://www.wfsolutions.org/connect/locations.html
Target and Demand Occupations
In this section of the Workforce Solutions page, you will be able to find the Target and Demand Occupations for Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy County. These lists identify the region’s fastest growing regional occupations and the associated training available through Workforce Solutions.
Workforce Solutions Cameron (Serving Cameron County)
Workforce Solutions has ongoing orientations on services available to help you go to school and obtain a job. Call or stop by to sign up for an orientation at the center nearest to you: https://www.wfscameron.org/workforce-centers/
The Valley Association for Independent Living (VAIL)
VAIL is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-residential, consumer-controlled, community-based cross-disability organization providing independent living services to individuals with disabilities since 1987. To learn more, visit their website: http://vailrgv.org/?page_id=15
Community Council of the Rio Grande Valley
The Community Council of the Rio Grande Valley offers the Health And Human Services Directory Blue Book which includes information on major non-profit and governmental agencies that provide services to the Rio Grande Valley residents and surrounding areas. To order a blue book visit: https://www.ccrgv.org/Directory%20of%20Health%2019-20.pdf
McAllen Metro
Metro McAllen currently operates seven (7) intracity bus routes and a paratransit bus service for eligible patrons. The bus system hubs out of the downtown terminal facility where passengers can connect to an array of international, national, regional and intracity destinations. The bus service hours of operation are from Monday through Saturday from 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Download the free app to follow where the buses: Ride Systems
Valley Metro LRGVDC
The Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council provides public transportation in urbanized and non-urbanized areas of the lower Rio Grande Valley through its transit department, Valley Metro. INFORMATION LINE: 1-800-574-8322; Phone: (956) 969-5761; FAX: (956) 969-8176
Tropical Texas Behavioral Health
Services available to assist individuals with Intellectual and Development Disabilities and Substance Use Disorder. Other services include: Adult Mental Health; Child & Youth Mental Health; and Integrated Primary Care.
Social Security Benefits for People with Disabilities
Learn about the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs available to provide assistance to people with disabilities. To find your local office and request benefits counseling, visit: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
Easter Seals RGV
Easterseals helps people with all types of abilities get the care that is right for them. Resources include everything from where to find in-home assistance and addressing aging challenges to build a relationship with your doctor. The Easterseals RGV’s Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program provides therapy services for infants and toddlers ages birth to 3 who have delays in development.
Online Resources
Becoming a Vocational Rehabilitation Provider
Interested in becoming a vocational rehabilitation provider? Vocational rehabilitation providers focus on serving individuals with disabilities to provide the tools and information necessary not only to obtain and retain employment, but also for continued success in the workforce. For more information, view the TWS-VRS meeting for more information.
Skills to Pay the Bills
"Skills to Pay the Bills: Mastering Soft Skills for Workplace Success," is a curriculum developed by ODEP focused on teaching "soft" or workforce readiness skills to youth, including youth with disabilities. Download a copy here: https://www.dol.gov/odep/topics/youth/softskills/
Texas Parent to Parent
Texas Parent to Parent (TxP2P) is committed to improving the lives of Texas children who have disabilities, chronic illness, and/or special health care needs. TxP2P empowers families to be strong advocates through parent-to-parent support, resource referral, and education.
Navigate Life Texas
Resources for families of kids with disabilities & special healthcare needs
OlmsteadRights
Texas Disability Resources and Advocacy Organizations
State Medicaid Agency
Learn about and apply for Medicaid services in Texas.
- Your Texas Benefits
- Medicaid.gov Texas Page
- CHIP - Children's Medicaid
- A Roadmap to Understanding Texas Medicaid Waivers
Support Groups and Community Organizations
Team Mario
Team Mario provides community outreach and education through involvement in community-based events and provide families with resources to help those affected with ASD.
Capable Kids
Capable Kids Foundations hopes to enrich the lives of families living with disabilities and facing a variety of challenges by providing stimulating activities and social events throughout the community
RGV Down Syndrome Association
The RGV Down Syndrome Association is a non profit organization that was founded in 2012 by a small group of parents of children with Down syndrome. These dedicated parents wanted to provide support to other families and to promote the well being of individuals with Down syndrome within the community
CAMP University
This faith-based program offers post secondary assistance and activities for high school graduates that have received special education services. Day activities, social events, recreation, and possible job placement opportunities are available.
Bebo’s Angels
Bebo’s Angels is a non profit organization created to provide education and support to families with loved ones with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The organization strives to make a constant difference in the minds of individuals autistically inclined at some level.
Texas Partners in Policy Making
Texas Partners in Policymaking offers innovative and intensive advocate training for Families with children with developmental disabilities and Self-Advocates with developmental disabilities.
Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities
The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities helps people with developmental disabilities achieve their potential for independence, productivity and integration into their communities by working to develop a comprehensive system of service and supports in Texas.
Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
This committee works toward a state in which people with disabilities have the opportunity to enjoy full and equal access to lives of independence, productivity and self-determination.
