May 2021 Topics • Texas Receives $2.5B for Pandemic EBT • Emergency SNAP Benefits Extended for May • WIC Food Benefits Temporarily Expanded • HHSC Mental Health Programs and Services • Nursing Facilities Decrease Use of Antipsychotic Drugs • COVID-19 Cases Decrease at Senior Living Facilities • HHSC Connects with Older Texans • Nursing Home Hurricane Preparedness • HHSC Encourages Women’s Health Screenings • New Certification Rules for Certified Nurse Aides
Texas Receives $2.5B for Pandemic EBT
Federal pandemic food benefit enters 2nd round in Texas: What families of kids with free, reduced school meals need to know Amanda Cochran KPRC-TV Houston May 20, 2021
Gov. Abbott, HHSC announce approval of $2.5B in pandemic food benefits KIDY-TV San Angelo May 20, 2021
Texans Receive $2.5B in 2nd Round of Federal Pandemic Food Benefits: Gov. Abbott KXAS-TV - Dallas/Fort Worth May 20, 2021
1
Texas families with students receiving free or reduced-price lunches could be eligible for up to $1,200 in food aid Neelam Bohra Texas Tribune May 21, 2021
Texas families without access to school meals to get 2nd round of food assistance KTRK-TV Houston May 21, 2021
Gov. Abbott Announces Additional Food Benefits for Children Yantis Green San Angelo Live May 21, 2021
Texas families to get $2.5B in federal food benefits Corsicana Daily Sun May 24, 2021
Governor Abbott, HHSC Announce $2.5 Billion In Pandemic Food Benefits For Texas Families Irving Weekly May 25, 2021
Editorial: Helping Children: Low-income Texas parents to see something extra on their Lone Star Cards Texarkana Gazette May 25, 2021
Emergency SNAP Benefits Extended for May
SNAP benefits expanded in Texas for May as part of continued COVID-19 relief KFOX 14 El Paso May 4, 2021
2
Texas extends emergency SNAP benefits for May Corsicana Daily Sun May 4, 2021
Texas HHSC extending emergency SNAP benefits for May KSLA-TV Shreveport, LA May 4, 2021
Governor Abbott extends SNAP benefits for month of May KXXV-TV Waco May 4, 2021
Emergency SNAP benefits extended through May KLTV-TV Tyler May 4, 2021
SNAP benefits increased and extended for Texans Jeremy Landers KIII-TV Corpus Christi May 5, 2021
Governor Abbott announces HHSC’s extension of Emergency SNAP benefits for May Jennifer Flores Crossroads Today May 7, 2021
WIC Food Benefits Temporarily Expanded
Texas WIC increasing fruit, vegetable amounts KAUZ-TV Wichita Falls May 14, 2021
WIC recipients to receive more money this summer Chantale Belefanti KAUZ-TV Wichita Falls May 19, 2021
3
Gov. Abbott and HHSC announce additional food benefits for Texas WIC families Victoria Lopez KVEO-TV Rio Grande Valley June 1, 2021
WIC recipients to get 4 months of additional benefits KFOX 14 El Paso June 1, 2021
WIC summer food program opens Pennylynn Webb Palestine Herald-Press May 29, 2021
HHSC Mental Health Programs and Services
‘Texas HHSC saw a need for people who want to understand their own condition or loved one’s” Jennifer Flores Crossroads Today May 29, 2021
State launches online series to help ID mental health conditions early Alejandra Guzman-Tracy WOAI - San Antonio May 31, 2021
HHSC to host Mental Health Creative Arts Contest Virtual Reception on May 26 Jennifer Flores Crossroads Today May 22, 2021
Commentary: Maintaining mental health important Bobbie Mitchell Denton Record-Chronicle May 26, 2021
4
Nursing Facilities Decrease Use of Antipsychotic Drugs
Texas Decreases Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Facilities Dawn Burleigh The Orange Leader May 1, 2021
HHSC: Texas Decreases Use Of Antipsychotic Drugs In Nursing Facilities KSST Radio - Sulphur Springs May 1, 2021
Texas Decreases Use Of Antipsychotic Drugs In Nursing Facilities By 58.7%, From 28.8% In 2011 To 11.9% In 2020 Open Minds May 11, 2021
COVID-19 Cases Decrease at Senior Living Facilities
Covid-19 cases, deaths decrease at senior living facilities Morgan Duerden KVII-TV Amarillo May 3, 2021
HHSC Connects with Older Texans
Celebrate Older Texans in May The Gilmer Mirror May 7, 2021
5
Nursing Home Hurricane Preparedness
Are Texas nursing homes prepared for hurricane season? State officials call for updated emergency plans Avery Travis KXAN-TV - Austin 0May 28, 2021
HHSC Encourages Women’s Health Screenings
HHSC encourages women to access vital health screenings during national women's health week Freestone County Times May 12, 2021
Texas encourages women to access vital health screenings Corsicana Daily Sun May 12, 2021
New Certification Rules for Certified Nurse Aides
Certified Nurse Aide applicants now can apply pandemic work experience toward certification Jennifer Flores Crossroads Today May 22, 2021
6