TASK FORCES

We encourage you to actively participate in one or more of our task forces by sending us an email indicating your preferred task force(s), and we will connect you with the respective task force chairs.

The TxABA PPG Task Forces have the primary purpose of:

Supporting TxABA PPG members and consumers regarding their respective task force area.
Listening to the needs of members and consumers and actively works to identify, collect, and provide relevant information and to promote changes in services and in society where needed.
With the help of the TxABA PPG lobbyist, members work on legislative reform, new legislation, rulemaking and revising, establishing relationships with state representatives and senators as well as educating them and their staff on the barriers their constituents face daily (including providers and those we serve).
Organizing resources, making resources available, and providing presentations as needed.

Adult/Geriatric Services NEW!!!

Chair: Gordon Bourland

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers regarding services for adults including those who are seniors.
Works with advocacy and other organizations as appropriate

Priorities for the next legislative session:

To be determined

Meeting frequency: At least once quarterly, generally virtually, with in-person meeting at the annual TxABA conference and possibly in other situations

Insurance

Chair: Ellen Rhoads

Co-Chair: Jenny Perry

Secretary: Rachel Massey

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers that work with private insurance payors.
Works with TDI and other organizations as appropriate.

Priorities for the next legislative session:

Align Autism Insurance Mandate with Mental Health Parity
Align Autism Insurance Mandate with the generally agreed upon standards of care
Expedited credentialing through commercial insurance for LBAs

Meeting frequency: On the third Wednesday of the month virtually

Medicaid

Chair: Anna Sciarillo

Co-Chair: Mariel Cremonie-Fernandez

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers regarding the Texas ABA Medicaid benefit
Monitor, assess, and offer recommendations on matters concerning Medicaid services in Texas
Works with TMHP, MCOs, and other organizations as appropriate

Priorities for the next legislative session:

Adequate, sustainable, Medicaid rates
Texas Medicaid provider education (join our upcoming webinar or our workshop at the TxABA annual conference)
Expedited credentialing for LBAs through the Medicaid MCOs

Meeting frequency: Bi-monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 2:00 pm virtually

Public Education

Chair: Rany Thommen

Co-Chair: Lupe Castaneda

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers regarding behavior analytic needs within public education
Works with TEA, ESCs, and other organizations as appropriate

Priorities for the next legislative session:

Identify priorities and establish strong relationships with TEA and the ESCs

Meeting frequency: To be determined

Telehealth

Chair: Ashley Labay

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers regarding ABA telehealth needs
Offers evidence-based recommendations and best practices, assisting in the formulation of telehealth regulations and policies
Optimize remote ABA services, enhancing accessibility, and improving the quality of care for individuals with diverse needs

Priorities for the next legislative session:

Identify barriers with access to care and remind payors of telehealth parity in Texas
Put out a survey to get more information from current providers including what interventions are being utilized via telehealth and training needs for practitioners. This will steer our activities throughout the year on offering updates and trainings on using telehealth modality for providing ABA services.

TxABA Public Policy Group

Task Forces

Adult/Geriatric Services NEW!!!

Chair: Gordon Bourland

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers regarding services for adults including those who are seniors.

Works with advocacy and other organizations as appropriate

Priorities for the next legislative session:

To be determined

Meeting frequency: At least once quarterly, generally virtually, with in-person meeting at the annual TxABA conference and possibly in other situations

Insurance

Chair: Ellen Rhoads

Co-Chair: Jenny Perry

Secretary: Rachel Massey

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers that work with private insurance payors.

Works with TDI and other organizations as appropriate.

Priorities for the next legislative session:

Align Autism Insurance Mandate with Mental Health Parity

Align Autism Insurance Mandate with the generally agreed upon standards of care

Expedited credentialing through commercial insurance for LBAs

Meeting frequency: On the third Wednesday of the month virtually

Medicaid

Chair: Anna Sciarillo

Co-Chair: Mariel Cremonie-Fernandez

​

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers regarding the Texas ABA Medicaid benefit

Monitor, assess, and offer recommendations on matters concerning Medicaid services in Texas

Works with TMHP, MCOs, and other organizations as appropriate

Priorities for the next legislative session:

Adequate, sustainable, Medicaid rates

Texas Medicaid provider education (join our upcoming webinar or our workshop at the TxABA annual conference)

Expedited credentialing for LBAs through the Medicaid MCOs

Meeting frequency: Bi-monthly on the second Thursday of the month at 2:00 pm virtually

Public Education

Chair: Rany Thommen

Co-Chair: Lupe Castaneda

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers regarding behavior analytic needs within public education

Works with TEA, ESCs, and other organizations as appropriate

Priorities for the next legislative session:

Identify priorities and establish strong relationships with TEA and the ESCs

Meeting frequency: To be determined

Telehealth

Chair: Ashley Labay

Purpose:

Support TxABA PPG members and consumers regarding ABA telehealth needs

Offers evidence-based recommendations and best practices, assisting in the formulation of telehealth regulations and policies

Optimize remote ABA services, enhancing accessibility, and improving the quality of care for individuals with diverse needs

Priorities for the next legislative session:

Identify barriers with access to care and remind payors of telehealth parity in Texas

Meeting frequency: To be determined

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