Texana Center Builds Skills

Children, teens and adults with autism don’t always have the innate social, emotional or behavioral skills to function well in society. These skills can be learned and — once implemented — can be life-changing. That is the mission of Texana Center.

Established in 1999 following the merger of two healthcare organizations, Texana Center serves more than 16,000 people annually across six counties. Services include helping autistic children learn appropriate behaviors, self-care, communication, social interaction, academics and more. They help adults and children with intellectual disabilities and provide assessment, treatment and supportive assistance for those affected by serious and persistent mental illness.

The center is designated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission as the Local Intellectual and Development Disability Authority (LIDDA) and the Local Mental Health Authority. It has an annual operating budget of $55,000,000 and a staff of 855.

Texana opened its third Children’s Center for Autism location last year in Fulshear. The campus includes a new Center for Advancement program that provides training for teens and young adults in a community college-like setting, offering an array of classes where they can learn social and employment skills, explore their strengths and prepare to lead productive lives.

The organization is the largest provider of home and community-based services in Texas. As such, it is able to draw upon state general revenue funds to provide discounted services to those who cannot afford to pay the full cost. Medicaid, private insurance and managed care help. However, they are always in need of donations to continue to go above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcomes.

You can help by volunteering, making a monetary donation or participating in the Cross Creek Ranch Give Back, Build Hope campaign. Throughout the months of November and December, we will help six designated charities. For each home sold in our community, we will make a monetary donation to Family Hope, Rainbow Room, Texana Center, Abigail’s Place, Brookwood Community and Fort Bend PAWS.

Even if you aren’t planning to purchase a new home, you can provide much-needed items to any of these charities. Simply purchase an item on the organization’s wish list and drop it off at the Cross Creek Ranch Welcome Center, 6450 Cross Creek Bend Lane, during its designated month.

As an added bonus, those purchasing a new home in November or December will be entered into a drawing for $3,000.

Give the gift of a better life to the many children and adults who need the helping hand Texana Center provides.