When the Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) released its November 20, 2025 “TCDD Extra” update, it did not arrive with major policy changes or new compliance requirements. Instead, it offered a clear view into the evolving priorities of Texas’ developmental disability system. For providers operating home-care agencies, adult day programs, or I/DD support services, these updates act as early indicators subtle but meaningful signals that help forecast where expectations may shift in the months ahead.
Texas rarely introduces sudden changes to its DD system. Instead, the state sets direction gradually through newsletters, advisory discussions, community spotlights, and research initiatives. Understanding these signals allows providers to prepare proactively, strengthen their documentation processes, and align their service models before changes become formalized.
This analysis takes a deeper look at the November update and explores what it means for Texas providers entering 2026.
Why the November 20 TCDD Update Matters
Although the November edition of TCDD Extra reads like a community-focused newsletter, the themes it highlights reflect larger conversations happening across Texas Medicaid, HHS, family advocacy groups, and the broader DD community. For providers, these themes carry operational significance.
To clarify what the update signals, here is a consolidated view of TCDD’s messaging and its implications for Texas providers:
| TCDD November Focus | Operational Implication for Texas Providers |
| Recognition of family caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month | Increased emphasis on documenting caregiver involvement and communication |
| Research on substance-use risks among individuals with DD | Greater importance placed on behavioral-health documentation and coordination |
| New programs like Bobcat RISE supporting youth transitions | Stronger need for skill-building and independence-focused activity tracking |
| Sunset Advisory Commission’s review of TCDD | Potential future adjustments in documentation expectations and agency roles |
These indicators, taken together, show that Texas is moving toward a more coordinated, accountability-driven model of DD support.
The Growing Importance of Family Caregiver Involvement
One of the strongest messages in the November update came through TCDD’s recognition of National Family Caregivers Month. Texas is placing more attention on families as core partners in care, not auxiliary supports. This recognition aligns with what many providers have already seen: families are increasingly active in overseeing service plans, observing daily routines, and collaborating with agency teams.
For providers, this shift suggests that documentation around family participation may become more important. Care plans may need clearer records of caregiver input, communication logs may need to be more structured, and shared decision-making may need to be captured consistently. Whether this becomes a formal requirement later is uncertain, but the direction is unmistakable.
Why Behavioral-Health Awareness Is Becoming Critical
The newsletter’s mention of new research on substance-use risks among people with developmental disabilities stands out. Behavioral-health risk has historically been under-documented in the DD population. Many providers observe behavior changes, emotional patterns, or safety concerns but lack structured systems for documenting trends.
TCDD’s emphasis signals growing awareness across the Texas disability system. Providers may eventually see stronger expectations for risk observations, communication with behavioral-health partners, and more transparent documentation of incidents or referrals. Agencies that begin strengthening behavioral-health documentation today will be aligned with future expectations.
Education, Skill Development, and the Path Toward Independence
Another major theme in the newsletter is the spotlight on programs like Bobcat RISE, which help youth with DD prepare for post-secondary education and independent living. This reflects a statewide movement toward skill-building and independence, not just custodial support.
For adult day programs, this shift indicates that activity tracking may evolve from general participation notes into clearer documentation tied to individual goals, progress markers, and daily engagement. Even though Texas has not issued new rules on this, the emphasis on independence suggests where expectations may move over the next one to two years.
Understanding the Impact of the Sunset Advisory Commission Review
The November update also points readers to the ongoing Sunset Advisory Commission review of TCDD. Sunset reviews are significant because they evaluate whether state agencies are meeting their mission, managing resources effectively, and collaborating properly with service networks.
Although the review focuses on TCDD, such evaluations often spark broader discussions that influence documentation standards, service quality expectations, and coordination processes. Providers who maintain strong documentation habits, organized records, accurate EVV data, and clear communication logs will be better positioned when any system-wide refinements emerge.
How Texas Providers Can Prepare for Upcoming Trends
While no new mandates were issued in the November update, the themes highlight areas where providers can begin strengthening readiness. Texas is clearly moving toward a model that values coordination, behavioral awareness, independence, and data clarity.
To understand how these emerging themes tie into provider readiness for 2026, the table below outlines a forward-looking perspective:
| Emerging Trend for 2026 | How Providers Can Prepare |
| Greater coordination across caregivers and providers | Improve communication logs and care-plan documentation |
| Increased recognition of behavioral-health needs | Maintain consistent incident notes and referral documentation |
| Emphasis on independence and skill development | Track activities with clearer purpose and outcome notes |
| Growing statewide scrutiny of DD program effectiveness | Maintain clean EVV records and organized daily documentation |
These steps are not about compliance pressure; they are about aligning with a statewide model that increasingly values transparency, coordination, and person-centered support.
Where Technology Supports These Shifts Without Adding Burden
Texas providers already manage extensive documentation, including EVV records, caregiver notes, behavioral observations, day-program activities, and Medicaid billing data. The challenge is not lack of effort it is the fragmentation of tools and systems.
A platform like myEZcare becomes relevant because it organizes the workflows Texas is implicitly moving toward. Caregiver input can be stored alongside care plans. Behavioral observations can be logged consistently. Activity participation can be tracked according to goals. EVV data, billing records, and daily notes become part of a comprehensive, audit-ready system. This is not about selling software; it is about giving providers the structure they need to keep pace with statewide expectations.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for 2026 With Confidence
The November 20 TCDD update may not introduce new rules, but it sets the tone for where Texas is heading. The emphasis on caregivers, behavioral-health awareness, youth transitions, and agency accountability reveals a disability system evolving toward higher levels of coordination and clarity.
Providers who respond early by refining documentation processes, strengthening communication practices, improving behavioral-health tracking, and organizing day-program notes will find themselves entering 2026 with stability rather than uncertainty.
The key takeaway is simple: Texas changes gradually, but it changes deliberately. This newsletter is one of those early signals. Providers who pay attention to it now will be the ones best prepared for what comes next.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does Texas update or modify requirements for DD programs?
Texas does not change rules frequently or suddenly. Most shifts come gradually through advisory newsletters, community listening sessions, TCDD updates, waiver bulletins, or guidance from Texas Health & Human Services. The November 20 TCDD update is an example of these early signals — not a rule change, but an indication of where the system is headed. Providers who track these signals stay better prepared when updates eventually formalize.
Is there any indication that Texas will change EVV or documentation expectations for 2026?
There is no formal announcement yet, but the themes highlighted by TCDD suggest increasing emphasis on accurate documentation, clearer behavioral-health notes, and improved caregiver coordination. Providers may not see a new EVV requirement, but they should expect more attention on the quality and consistency of documentation across agencies. Having audit-ready digital systems is becoming more important.
Do Texas day programs need to worry about upcoming inspections or audits?
Audits are continuing, especially for agencies with inconsistent EVV verification, missing notes, or unclear caregiver logs. Texas has not announced a new audit program, but the Sunset Advisory Commission review of TCDD often triggers broader quality-control conversations across the DD system. The safest approach is to maintain clean EVV data, documented communication with families, and accurate day-program activity logs.
What kind of documentation is Texas focusing on the most right now?
Texas is starting to highlight three areas: caregiver involvement, behavioral-health awareness, and progress toward independence. Even though no official mandate has been issued, these are emerging expectations reflected in November’s TCDD update. Providers who build strong habits in these three areas will be aligned with statewide priorities moving into 2026.
Does the November 20 TCDD update affect Medicaid billing?
The update itself does not modify billing or EVV rules. However, it reinforces themes that impact billing indirectly — especially behavioral-health coordination and accurate daily documentation. In Texas, billing problems usually occur when documentation is unclear, missing, or inconsistent with EVV. Using integrated platforms reduces these risk points
