Effective July 1, 2018, Texas SILC accepted an award from TCDD and started the HEART project. HEART, in collaboration with Centers for Independent Living VAIL and DIA, will increase advocacy for people with disabilities and increase access to integrated, affordable, and accessible housing within the community of their choice. Specifically, Project HEART will achieve this goal by sponsoring the following activities:
- Creating systems change by increasing the number of people with developmental disabilities on housing boards, commissions, advisory committees, and other planning bodies;
- Providing leadership and advocacy training that increases the skills of people with and without developmental disabilities; and
- Developing housing coalitions were created to increase the number of housing opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
Financial Support for Leadership Development & Advocacy Skills Training in Rural Areas is provided by the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities, with Federal funds made available by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. $85,000 (84%) DD funds; $16,560 (16%) non-federal resources.