THE ISSUE
There are currently over 7 million people in the United States living with Intellectual and Developmental Disorders (IDD), but finding adequate care in our community is difficult. Locally, nearly 5,000 school-aged children in Comal County have special needs. However, once school services end at age 22, many of our neighbors with IDD will lose a critical support system. This is especially concerning when of the 485,000 Texans with IDD, Texas can serve only 97,000 of them, according to Time To Care Texas.
According to Case for Inclusion, there are over 497,000 people with IDD on waiting lists for home and community-based services. 80.5% of those waiting for these services reside in just five states, including Texas. Additionally, funding for IDD services in Texas is approximately 50% lower than the national average, limiting the available opportunities for our neighbors with IDD and their families.
- Texas consistently ranks 50th in the nation for promoting independence for individuals with IDD
- Source: Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, 2019
The Inspiration
The McKenna Foundation recognizes the lack of support and services for individuals with IDD in the greater New Braunfels area. That is why the Foundation partnered with the Rock Haus Foundation and other entities to support initiatives that enrich the lives of people living with IDD in Comal County and to promote a fully inclusive community.
