Renewed Focus on City Center Comes with new Leader, a Familiar Face in Brownsville
The Mitte Cultural District is a 1,180-acre area in the heart of Brownsville, Texas which is home to some of the most exciting and fascinating cultural entities in the area.
Press Release
Brownsville – The Mitte Foundation has announced its 5 millionth dollar cumulatively invested into the City of Brownsville with new and forthcoming enhancements to the Mitte Cultural District. The investments include ongoing nonprofit donations, a supporting plan for the Children's Museum of Brownsville expansion, $2 million in landscaping nearby to Dean Porter Park, an outdoor concert venue, spaces for local food trucks to serve their cuisine, more space for the farmers market and nutrition training plus auxiliary public parking.
The ongoing pandemic changed the nature of the planned spaces, but the spirit endures. “This announcement is the realization of many years of hard work and collaboration to return these spaces to the public interest for enjoyment, education and economic opportunity,” Coleith Molstad, longtime executive director, said. “The Foundation is proud to continue pursuing the vision of our co-founder Roy F. Mitte, and we hope residents and visitors to Brownsville enjoy these new cultural amenities for generations to come.”
Mitte was raised in Brownsville, Texas and vowed to give back to the community—a promise the Mitte Foundation (established in 1994) has been making good on for more than two decades. The Foundation has now granted $5 million and counting, in Brownsville alone, for the enrichment of all people starting with renovations to the area surrounding Dean Porter Park, Mitte Cultural District, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Brownsville Wellness Coalition, Children's Museum of Brownsville, Holiday Village, Costumes of the Americas and Valley Zoological Society. Recent and forthcoming improvements to the district include $2 million in landscaping at the entrance of the Mitte Cultural District, an outdoor concert venue with built-in "grass berm" seating for 120 (plus room for an additional 300 open lawn spots in front of the stage), spaces for local food trucks to serve their cuisine and parking for 54 vehicles.
The foundation has also collaborated with Brownsville Health and Wellness Coalition to add more space for the farmers market and for nutrition training. “While still in the preliminary stages of planning, the Mitte Foundation’s generosity will allow for a museum expansion, enabling us to amplify educational programs available for young people and adults in Brownsville and its surrounding areas,” Felipe Peña, executive director of the Children’s Museum of Brownsville, said. These projects have been overseen by the Foundation’s new president who has been quietly visiting Brownsville, meeting with people in the community and thinking about his grandfather’s roots in the city. “Brownsville is a place deep with heritage and family roots, so I have been cautious about being too visible as I first wanted to listen and learn,” RJ Mitte III, president of the board, a philanthropist and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actor, said. “The Foundation board wanted to do something positive and accessible to all, creating memories as well as educational and economic opportunities. But it is important to me that it’s not just our vision. I needed to hear from locals first.”
RJ Mitte III became the president of the Foundation board in 2019 following a period of renewed vigor for the Mitte family and board in the Rio Grande Valley city. Projects have been the continuation of initiatives started more than 20 years ago. They slowed at a time of family transition during which co-founders Roy and Joann Mitte became ill and passed away. The Foundation made no grants in Brownsville between 2005 and 2015. In recent years, The Mitte Foundation has been working to make the Mitte Cultural District a big part of Brownsville’s appeal for tourism and for families. The organization’s mission is to identify, engage, and support educational and community organizations that have the potential to manifest the Foundation’s vision of “helping people achieve the American ideals of prosperity and individual freedom.”
About The Mitte Cultural District The Mitte Cultural District is a 1,180-acre area in the heart of Brownsville, Texas which is home to some of the most exciting and fascinating cultural entities in the area. Located within walking distance of each other, these popular attractions are representative of the culture and diversity Brownsville has to offer. The Mitte Cultural District builds on the vision of the Roy F. & Joann Cole Mitte Foundation when they provided funding for the Dean Porter Park restoration in 1998. The mission of the Mitte Cultural District is to promote and enhance historical, cultural, and educational activities there to encourage cultural and educational attraction through cooperation and programming. www.mitteculturaldistrict.org
About The Mitte Foundation For more than 25 years, The Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation (The Mitte Foundation) has been working to identify, engage and support educational and community organizations that have the potential to manifest the Foundation’s vision of helping people achieve the American ideals of prosperity and individual freedom. The Foundation has granted nearly $5 million in Brownsville alone for the enrichment of all people starting with the renovation of Dean Porter Park, Mitte Cultural District, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Brownsville Wellness Coalition, Children's Museum of Brownsville, Holiday Village, Costumes of the Americas and Valley Zoological Society. The Foundation has awarded more than 3,000 scholarships to young people across Texas. www.mittefoundation.org
Fight Back against Motor Vehicle Crimes
Many law enforcement agencies say criminals are targeting vehicles in neighborhoods and parking lots likely to contain weapons or credit cards, which are the top priority for quick money from burglary.
Press Release
AUSTIN – In Texas, almost 77,000 vehicles were stolen last year, and nearly 200,000 vehicles are burglarized each year. The losses to Texans are staggering – almost $1.5 billion.
“Protect your investment,” says Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority (MVCPA) Chairman and Galveston County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Tommy Hansen. “Over 80% of communities that have a motor vehicle theft taskforce funded by MVCPA reported that keys left in cars and cars unlocked were the major contributors to these crimes.”
Stolen cars disappear across the border, out of the ports or end up at local illegal “chop shops” every day. Motor vehicle theft would plummet if people did not leave their cars unlocked or leave their keys in the car. Many thieves use stolen vehicles in other criminal activities, such as human trafficking, drug smuggling and robbery.
MVCPA reminds Texans: If You Like It – Lock It. Locking your car is the most effective way to prevent burglary of your car. Remember to take or hide your things. Many law enforcement agencies say criminals are targeting vehicles in neighborhoods and parking lots likely to contain weapons or credit cards, which are the top priority for quick money from burglary. Don’t go willingly down “Victim Lane.” Follow these steps for a safe and secure holiday:
Lock your vehicle and take your keys.
Take your things. If you cannot, then hide valuables from plain sight to avoid attracting thieves.
Never hide a second set of keys in or on your vehicle. Thieves can find these easily.
Park in well-lighted areas or attended lots.
Never leave your vehicle running unattended, even if you will only be away for a moment.
Don’t leave documents with important personal details in your vehicle.
Park with your wheels turned toward the curb and use your emergency brake, making your vehicle harder to tow away. Wheels should also be turned to the side in driveways and parking lots.
If you have a garage, use it. Lock your garage as well as your vehicle doors. Your vehicle may be more vulnerable when you park outside.
Consider after-market theft prevention devices compatible with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Visit www.txwatchyourcar.com for more information, or email AskMVCPA@txdmv.gov. To see a full list and contact information of Motor Vehicle Theft Taskforces in your part of the state, see www.txdmv.gov/mvcpa-grantees.
$17.5 Million Settlement with Home Depot Regarding Data Breach
The malware allowed the hackers to obtain the payment card information of customers who used self-checkout lanes at Home Depot stores throughout the U.S. between April 10, 2014 and Sept 13, 2014.
Press Release
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced that his office, along with the Attorneys General of 45 other States and the District of Columbia have obtained a $17.5 million-dollar settlement against retailer The Home Depot, resolving a multistate investigation of a 2014 data breach which exposed the payment card information of approximately 40 million Home Depot consumers nationwide. Texas led this settlement alongside Connecticut and Illinois and will collect $ 1,777,440.00.
The breach occurred when hackers gained access to The Home Depot’s network and deployed malware on the retailer’s self-checkout point-of-sale system. The malware allowed the hackers to obtain the payment card information of customers who used self-checkout lanes at Home Depot stores throughout the U.S. between April 10, 2014 and Sept 13, 2014.
“The Home Depot has agreed to implement and maintain a series of data security practices designed to strengthen information security programs and safeguard consumers’ personal information,” said Attorney General Paxton. “This settlement serves to promote fair but rigorous compliance with state laws which require businesses that collect sensitive personal information to implement procedures to protect consumers’ information from unlawful use or disclosure.”
In this settlement, Home Depot agreed to develop and maintain a comprehensive information security program, including providing resources for the program’s implementation and required training; employing a duly qualified Chief Information Security Officer to oversee the program and advise Home Depot’s Board of Directors of the company’s security risks; and undertaking a post settlement information security assessment.
Read a copy of the settlement here.
Fraudulent Investment Promoted Through Reddit
Securities Commissioner Travis J. Iles entered an Emergency Cease and Desist Order to stop a fraudulent scheme promoted through Reddit, a popular social media platform.
Press Release
Securities Commissioner Travis J. Iles entered an Emergency Cease and Desist Order to stop a fraudulent scheme promoted through Reddit, a popular social media platform. Reddit permits users to share links, text posts, and images, and to correspond through private messages. It is one of the most visited websites in the United States, according to many reports.
The order names Cryptobase, also known as Crypt-Base, and Aaron Maxwell. It alleges that Maxwell is soliciting persons participating in r/stocks, a forum of reddit generally referred to as a subreddit, dedicated to the discussion of stocks. According to the order, Maxwell is sending private messages to these users, offering them the opportunity to participate in a forex trading program through Cryptobase.
The parties claim the forex trading program generates lucrative returns paid on a weekly or monthly basis. Maxwell is telling users the investments are guaranteed, and investors will receive 300, 400 or even 500 percent on a weekly basis. These statements are fraudulent, according to the order.
“Scammers are continuing to tap the power of social media,” said Commissioner Iles. “They can use online marketing tools to quickly reach may potential victims. Investors should be wary whenever an unknown person approaches them through the internet, promising untold wealth and income.”
Cryptobase and Maxwell are not registered with the Securities Board, and the investments in the forex trading program are not registered with the Securities Commissioner.
Enforcement Director Joe Rotunda encouraged investors to thoroughly investigate investments before sending money. “People work hard to accumulate savings over the course of years, or over the course of a lifetime. We encourage the public to take the time to conduct due diligence before parting with their savings.”
Investors can begin conducting due diligence by contacting their state securities regulator. Texans can access the Texas State Securities Board through its internet website at www.ssb.texas.gov, and they can send an inquiry to its Enforcement Division by email at enforceinfo@ssb.texas.gov.
Fifth Circuit Upholds Decision to Defund Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood said it will continue to serve patients for now, since the order has not yet taken effect.
Press Release
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton gave this statement on yesterday’s ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit:
“The Fifth Circuit correctly rejected Planned Parenthood’s efforts to prevent Texas from excluding them from the state’s Medicaid program. Undercover video plainly showed Planned Parenthood admitting to morally bankrupt and unlawful conduct, including violations of federal law by manipulating the timing and methods of abortions to obtain fetal tissue for their own research. Planned Parenthood is not a ‘qualified’ provider under the Medicaid Act, and it should not receive public funding through the Medicaid program.”
Read a copy of the opinion here.
Enforcement Actions Against 15 Online Investment Scammers
Commissioner Announces Series of Sweeping Actions Against Fifteen Online Crypto, Forex and Binary Options Investment Scammers.
Press Release
Securities Commissioner Travis J. Iles announced a series of enforcement actions against fifteen fraudulent online investment scammers.
The first emergency cease and desist order names ten internet investment platforms and links one individual - James Blundell - to the scheme to broadly promote fraudulent investments. Blundell, purportedly a resident of Seabrook, Texas, is accused of using numerous social media accounts – including at least three Instagram accounts, seven Facebook websites and one Linkedin profile – to recruit victims. . . more
The second emergency action names three online platforms - Binary Trade Forex, FX Trades and IQTrade – and accuses them of falsely purporting to operate from Valentine, Texas. These three online platforms are allegedly recruiting investors by illegally promoting investments in forex, binary options and cryptocurrency pay lucrative rates of return. The order alleges they are fraudulently claiming these investments are guaranteed and using fake testimonials add credibility to their schemes. . . more
The third order names GenuisPlanFxPro, a cryptocurrency, binary option and forex investment platform falsely claiming it operates from Austin, Texas – just several miles from the agency’s offices. It alleges GenuisPlanFxPro is also falsely claiming its investment is regulated as e-gaming and licensed and regulated by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. Moreover, GenuisPlanFXPro is also attempting to add additional legitimacy to its scheme by falsely claiming to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. . . more
Paxton Joins 18-State Coalition to Protect Unborn Babies
The law also prohibits abortions once the baby’s heartbeat becomes detectable, a universal indicator of life.
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton joined 17 other states in an amicus brief urging the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse a district court decision and uphold Tennessee’s prohibition of abortions based on an unborn baby’s sex, race, or likelihood of having Down Syndrome. The law also prohibits abortions once the baby’s heartbeat becomes detectable, a universal indicator of life.
“All life should be celebrated and all people, regardless of their genetics, should be afforded the right to life. Unfortunately, a growing side-effect of advancements in fetal screening technology is the allowance of eugenics-minded abortion,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Killing a child in the womb simply because they possess different physical or mental capabilities than their parents envisioned is a barbaric act of discrimination against the helpless. We must end the baseless and demeaning stereotype that a life with disabilities is not worth living. Laws protecting the unborn from such violent discrimination must stand.”
Texas also filed an amicus brief in January regarding a similar anti-eugenics law in Ohio that specifically protected those with Down Syndrome from harm prior to their birth.
Read a copy of the filing here.
Click it or Ticket
The annual Click It or Ticket Campaign reminds Texans to buckle up day and night, and every time they get in a vehicle.
Press Release
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) are again joining forces with police and sheriffs’ departments across Texas to save lives on Texas roads by working to increase seat belt use. Law enforcement officers are stepping up their efforts to ticket anyone who isn’t wearing a seat belt. The annual campaign runs from November 16 — 29, 2020.
Texas law requires the driver and all passengers in a vehicle to be secured by a seat belt. Unbuckled drivers and passengers, even those in the back seat, face fines and court costs of up to $200.
Commissioner Brings New Action to Stop Family from Continuing Fraud
Despite the prior regulatory, civil and criminal actions, Brian and Kristi Alfaro didn’t stop. In April 2020 – while Brian Alfaro was under house arrest awaiting criminal sentencing - they allegedly began perpetrating a new securities scheme.
Press Release
On November 10, Brian Keith Alfaro, from San Antonio, was sentenced to serve 121 months in federal prison. The sentence follows a jury finding him guilty of seven counts of mail fraud in connection with defrauding investors in an oil and gas investment scheme. The evidence showed Brian Alfaro used their funds to further an extravagant lifestyle – including the purchase of a Lamborghini and season tickets for the San Antonio Spurs.
Brian Alfaro has a long history of misconduct and fraudulent investment schemes. FINRA, the Texas State Securities Board and other state regulators previously brought enforcement actions against him and his companies. After being expelled from the industry, he was sued by defrauded investors and later put his oil investment company in bankruptcy. Despite the bankruptcy filing, the victims later won a judgment of approximately $8 million against him. The Bankruptcy Court appointed a Receiver, and the Receiver successfully recovered money after suing Brian Alfaro and Kristi Alfaro, his wife, for fraudulently transferring property.
Despite the prior regulatory, civil and criminal actions, Brian and Kristi Alfaro didn’t stop. In April 2020 – while Brian Alfaro was under house arrest awaiting criminal sentencing - they allegedly began perpetrating a new securities scheme. Brian and Kristi Alfaro allegedly began contacting potential investors – including elderly persons – and encouraging them to invest in a fraudulent wildlife breeding and development program.
On November 9, 2020, Commissioner Iles entered an Emergency Cease and Desist Order to stop Brian Alfaro and Kristi Alfaro from perpetrating the scheme. The scheme is being promoted by ARCA Wildlife Development and Conservation, LLC – an entity recently organized by Kristi Alfaro. Together, ARCA Wildlife and Brian and Kristi Alfaro are marketing units issued by Texas Savanna Partners, LLC. They are allegedly telling potential clients that ARCA Wildlife will use the proceeds of the sales of units to acquire livestock, improve property and manage a wildlife breeding scheme in Zavala County, Texas. more
Child Support Division Sets New Record
Texas currently leads the nation in total child support collections - more than 27 other states and territories combined.
Press Release
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division set a new record by collecting more than $4.8 billion in child support for the state fiscal year 2020. The Child Support Division serves over 1.6 million children and surpassed the previous year’s record by ten percent. Texas currently leads the nation in total child support collections - more than 27 other states and territories combined.
“I am immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of our Child Support Division to improve the lives of Texas children and ensure that families receive the support they need and deserve,” said Attorney General Paxton. “This success is particularly remarkable in light of the challenges the division faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of physical offices. The Division’s performance improves each year and, as such, continues to benefit children across the state.”
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Child Support Division successfully transitioned to a virtual service delivery model. Since mid-March, the Division has leveraged technology to build efficient new administrative and legal processes that kept child support cases moving forward and created live chat capabilities that have become a preferred method of contact for many of the families the division serves.
Serving one in four Texas children, the Child Support Division handles over 1.5 million cases annually and collects $11.68 for children for every $1 spent to operate the program. While physical offices currently remain closed to the public except for limited services by appointment, services may also be obtained via email, phone, videoconference, and the program’s new chat function. For more information about the attorney general’s office and the child support services it offers, visit https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/child-support.
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Argument on Obamacare
While the Supreme Court previously upheld the law in 2012 as a valid exercise of Congress’s taxing power, Congress changed the law in 2017 to eliminate its tax provision—so Obamacare is no longer justifiable as a tax.
Press Release
AUSTIN – In the United States Supreme Court, Texas Solicitor General Kyle Hawkins argued that Obamacare unconstitutionally exceeds Congress’s enumerated powers and should be declared invalid. While the Supreme Court previously upheld the law in 2012 as a valid exercise of Congress’s taxing power, Congress changed the law in 2017 to eliminate its tax provision—so Obamacare is no longer justifiable as a tax. Obamacare now exceeds Congress’s powers because it simply commands Americans to purchase health insurance.
“It is plainly unlawful for the federal government to order private citizens to purchase subpar insurance that they don’t want. Under Obamacare, Texans faced higher costs, fewer choices, and a power imbalance between the people and their government,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The Framers’ constitutional design leaves it to the states to identify and implement the best healthcare system for their citizens, particularly those with preexisting conditions. Today, Texas seeks to preserve that federalism. It’s time to end Obamacare’s one-size-fits-all approach and let the states do what works for them.”
Obamacare consistently and unlawfully imposes rising costs on citizens and transfers an enormous amount of regulatory power to the federal government. When the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare in 2012, a majority of the justices agreed that Obamacare’s individual mandate was only constitutional due to its accompanying tax penalty. Furthermore, Congress and the Obama administration made it clear that the individual mandate was an essential component of the law, without which the remainder of the law would not have been enacted.
Texas AG Joins Coalition of Businesses in Lawsuit Against El Paso Judge
The El Paso judge’s unlawful orders include shutting down all non-essential services for a two-week period, including in-person dining, gyms and salons. Attorney General Paxton issued a warning letter to Judge Samaniego.
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton joined a coalition of businesses suing El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego for imposing restrictions on local public health orders that are inconsistent with Governor Greg Abbott’s disaster orders. The El Paso judge’s unlawful orders include shutting down all non-essential services for a two-week period, including in-person dining, gyms and salons. Attorney General Paxton issued a warning letter to Judge Samaniego yesterday evening.
“El Paso County Judge Samaniego has no authority to shut down businesses in El Paso County. This is a direct violation of Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Recommendations must not be confused with requirements, especially those that unlawfully burden private citizens and businesses.”
Read the letter to the El Paso County Judge here.
AG Paxton Sues Google
The complaint explains that Google’s practices have harmed competition for search services and search advertising not only on mobile devices and personal computers but also on emerging search access points, such as voice assistants, smart speakers, automobiles, and Internet of Things devices.
Press Release
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced today that Texas is suing Google for engaging in anticompetitive and exclusionary practices that eliminate competition for internet searches and search advertising. Texas is joining the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) and the States of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, and South Carolina in filing an antitrust suit challenging Google’s exclusionary business practices. Google’s illegal conduct has allowed it to dominate the search industry by requiring exclusivity from business partners and avoiding competition on the merits while shielding itself from competitors who might threaten its market share.
“Google’s anticompetitive business strategies have disrupted the competitive process, reduced consumer choice, and stifled innovation,” said Attorney General Paxton. “The violations set forth in the complaint show that Google no longer resembles the innovative startup it was 20 years ago. Our action today is intended to restore competition and allow rivals and next generation search engines to challenge Google so that the marketplace, not a monopolist, will decide how search services and search ads are offered.”
The complaint explains that Google’s practices have harmed competition for search services and search advertising not only on mobile devices and personal computers but also on emerging search access points, such as voice assistants, smart speakers, automobiles, and Internet of Things devices. Google’s practices have harmed consumers by reducing choices in areas like privacy, data protection, and use of consumer data, ultimately diminishing the quality of search services. Google’s anticompetitive conduct has also given it the ability to increase advertisers’ costs and reduce the quality of its advertising services.
Read a copy of the filing here.
Settlement Reached with Opioid Manufacturer
The trust will go toward abating the opioid crisis, including valid claims related to MNK’s role in the opioid crisis raised by non-governmental claimants.
Press Release
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced an update to a global settlement framework agreement between state attorneys general, local subdivisions, and the opioid manufacturer Mallinckrodt (MNK), its subsidiaries, and other affiliates. Under the new settlement, MNK will pay $1.6 billion into a trust. MNK is currently the largest generic opioid manufacturer in the United States
“This agreement is a significant step toward helping those victimized by one of the worst man-made epidemics in our state’s history,” said Attorney General Paxton. “My office has been aggressively working to hold opioid manufacturers accountable for their deceptive marketing of highly-addictive pain pills, which spurred an epidemic and left victims and families with unimaginable consequences. My office will continue to do everything it can to protect Texans and help our state heal from this crisis.”
The trust will go toward abating the opioid crisis, including valid claims related to MNK’s role in the opioid crisis raised by non-governmental claimants. MNK also agreed that its opioid business will be subject to stringent injunctive relief that, among other things, will prevent marketing and ensure systems are in place to prevent drug misuse. Details about how much each state will receive, how the money will be distributed, and how the trust will be administered are all still being negotiated.
Governor Abbott Issues Executive Order To Open Bars
Texas bars may offer on-premises services up to 50% of the total listed occupancy of the establishment.
Press Release
County Judges will be able to opt their county into opening bars beginning October 14th, provided they assist in enforcing health protocols. The Governor's Executive Order also increases the occupancy levels for all business establishments other than bars to 75%.
Bars or similar establishments that hold a permit from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC), and are not restaurants may offer on-premises services up to 50 percent of the total listed occupancy of the establishment if:
a. the bar or similar establishment is not in an area with high hospitalizations and the county judge of the county in which the bar or similar establishment is located files the requisite form with TABC; or
b. the bar or similar establishment is in an area with high hospitalizations but is located in a county that has filed with DSHS, and is in compliance with, the requisite attestation form promulgated by DSHS regarding minimal cases of COVID-19, and the county judge of the county in which the bar or similar establishment is located also files the requisite form with TABC.
Patrons at bars or similar establishments may eat or drink only while seated, except that in an establishment that holds a permit from TABC as a brewer, distiller/rectifier, or winery, customers may sample beverages while standing so long as they are in a group of six people or fewer and there is at least six feet of social distancing or engineering controls, such as partitions, between groups.
Where applicable, this 50 percent occupancy limit applies only indoors; the limit does not apply to outdoor areas, events, or establishments, although social distancing and other protocols must be followed.
Free Breast Cancer Screenings
In observance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is encouraging women to get screened for breast cancer.
Press Release
In observance of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is encouraging women to get screened for breast cancer.
Eligible women can receive free screenings through HHSC’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Services program. BCCS helps fund clinics across the state to provide breast cancer screening and diagnostic services such as clinical breast examinations, mammograms, and breast biopsies. In 2019, the program helped more than 24,600 women in Texas, including more than 16,000 women who received breast cancer services.
“Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in Texas women, so we want to stress the importance of getting screened on a regular basis to detect cancer in its early stages when treatment is most likely to be effective,” said Dee Budgewater, HHS deputy executive commissioner for Health, Developmental and Independence Services. “The screening and diagnostic services that BCCS provides are life-saving tools that can lower the mortality rate of breast cancer in Texas.”
In addition to breast cancer services, BCCS provides cervical cancer screenings and treatment for precancerous cervical conditions. Uninsured and underinsured Texas women who have an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible to apply for BCCS. Additional eligibility requirements can be found here.
As a grantee of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, BCCS is partly funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The federal program provides grants to states for early detection of breast and cervical cancers. Between June 2019 and June 2020, the federal program awarded BCCS more than $6 million as part of the effort.
To find services or learn more about women’s health, visit www.healthytexaswomen.org or dial 2-1-1.
About National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed in October in the United States. The month is intended to raise awareness about breast cancer and provide education about prevention, screening, and treatments. Every year in the U.S., about 250,000 women and men are diagnosed with breast cancer and about 42,000 Americans die from breast cancer. The survival rate significantly increases when cancer is found and treated early.
This month, some notable Breast Cancer Awareness dates include:
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day – Oct. 13
National Mammography Day – Oct. 18
Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day – Oct. 21
More information about the observances is posted on the CDC website.
$104 Million Federal Grant for Opioid Crisis
The Federal grant will expand access to treatment by combining FDA medications with counseling and behavioral therapies for treatment of opioid use disorders.
Press Release
AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has secured a two-year, $104 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to help people and families negatively impacted by opioids.
“We are saving lives with the support of these federal funds that allow us more training and treatment services for people affected by the opioid crisis in Texas,” said Sonja Gaines, HHS deputy executive commissioner for Intellectual and Developmental Disability and Behavioral Health Services. “We’re working closely with agencies throughout Texas to increase prevention awareness and help people all over the state who have opioid use disorder or know someone with opioid use disorder.”
The $104 million State Opioid Response 2020 grant will increase access to medication-assisted treatment and reduce opioid overdose-related deaths through prevention and recovery activities. Expanding access to evidence-based medication-assisted treatment helps people by combining Food and Drug Administration-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapies for a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of opioid use disorders.
"I am proud of the ongoing efforts of the Legislature and HHSC to end the opioid crisis in Texas," said State Sen. Charles Schwertner, M.D. "As we continue to see the detrimental effects of opioid misuse on individuals and their families, it has become increasingly important to bolster our state's treatment and prevention options. I am thrilled to see this great work continue and grow so we are able to provide Texans with the support and resources they need.”
Since May 2017, Texas has been awarded more than $280.8 million in federal funding to fight the opioid crisis under the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) program that includes State Opioid Response 2020 funding. To date, more than 600,000 people have received prevention, treatment or recovery support services through the TTOR program, including treatment, peer coaching services, disposal of prescription drugs, and overdose-related emergency response services.
Additionally, between May 2019 and June 2020, 110,816 naloxone kits have been disseminated and 1,624 people were trained to reverse an opioid overdose resulting in 1,417 lives saved through overdose reversals. People who benefit from TTOR services include people with opioid use disorder, their family members, significant others and supportive allies who are affected by opioid use.
More details, including information about individual projects and recipients, will be finalized in the coming weeks.
Texas Updates Mental Health Resource Website
This online resource is available for people seeking mental health and substance use disorder services, crisis hotline numbers, local mental health authorities, as well as information about common behavioral health conditions and social services from multiple government agencies.
Press Release
AUSTIN – To better serve Texans seeking mental or behavioral health assistance, the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council is launching its redesigned Mental Health Texas website, mentalhealthtx.org, linking people to available local resources in one website.
“By redesigning our one-stop shop for behavioral health resources we’re speeding up the process for Texans to access the services they need,” said Sonja Gaines, HHS deputy executive commissioner for Intellectual and Developmental Disability and Behavioral Health Services. “Helpful behavioral health services exist across more than 20 state-funded agencies in addition to other behavioral health resources and this website brings those critical resources together in one place.”
This online resource is available for people seeking mental health and substance use disorder services, crisis hotline numbers, local mental health authorities, as well as information about common behavioral health conditions and social services from multiple government agencies. Behavioral health resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic are also available on the website.
“When someone is in the midst of crisis, the last thing they need is to feel overwhelmed by where to go for help,” said State Sen. Jane Nelson. “The newly updated mentalhealthtx.org will help Texans quickly locate the care they need.”
Enhancements to the website include guidance to people seeking help for themselves or loved ones on selecting the right provider and access to resource documents and provider trainings. New content also features information on common topics such as suicide, bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis, trauma, substance use, depression, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, the behavioral health information and resources are organized in a user-friendly format by population groups: children, teens, veterans, and seniors. In addition to resources, the website contains a calendar of behavioral health public events.
“The most important feature of this website is its capacity for hosting the resources of so many organizations, ensuring easier access to behavioral health resources in a way that respects the rich diversity of our great state,” said Danette Castle, CEO of the Texas Council of Community Centers.
The site was launched by the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council to provide a single place to learn about behavioral health services available through the council’s member agencies.
For more information, visit mentalhealthtx.org.
Former Texas ITT Students to Receive $27 Million in Debt Relief Settlement
When the temporary credit became due, ITT pressured and coerced students into accepting high-interest loans from PEAKS, including threatening expulsion.
Press Release
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a settlement agreement with PEAKS Trust, a private loan program run by ITT Tech and affiliated with Deutsche Bank entities, granting over $27 million in debt relief to former ITT students in Texas. This is the second settlement of its kind in just two years. In June 2019, Attorney General Paxton participated in a $168 million settlement with Student CU Connect CUSO, resulting in debt relief for 18,664 former ITT students.
“I am proud to hold ITT accountable for its deceptive trade practices and provide relief for students who were burdened with unfair student loan debt while pursuing and honest education,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Students should not face the choice of enrolling in unfair loans or dropping out and losing their hard-earned credits. Today’s victory sends a clear message that attempting to deceive and financially abuse students will not be tolerated in Texas.”
After the 2008 financial crisis, ITT developed a plan with PEAKS to offer students temporary credit to cover the gap in tuition between federal student aid and the full cost of the education. However, when the temporary credit became due, ITT pressured and coerced students into accepting high-interest loans from PEAKS, including threatening expulsion.
Under the settlement, PEAKS agreed to forgo collection of the outstanding loans and cease doing business. PEAKS will send notices to borrowers about the cancelled debt and ensure that automatic payments are cancelled. PEAKS is also required to supply credit reporting agencies with information to update credit information for affected borrowers. Students may direct questions to PEAKS at customerservice@peaksloans.com or (866) 747-0273, or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at (855) 411-2372.
Read a copy of the settlement here.
Essential Family Caregivers can now Visit Family in Long Term Care Facilities
HHSC is updating these rules after closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, consulting with the Department of State Health Services, and receiving feedback from families, providers and other stakeholders.
Press Release
Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to expand visitation options for eligible nursing, assisted living, and intermediate care facilities, home and community-based service providers, and inpatient hospice, effective Thursday, Sept. 24. HHSC’s updated emergency rules will allow a designated essential caregiver to provide supportive, hands-on care to facility residents who do not have COVID-19.
“It is critical to the health of residents that we provide opportunities wherever possible for families to reunite, while continuing to take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of disease,” said HHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young. “Safely visiting with family and friends is the best medicine and most reassuring act we can provide for our most fragile Texans during these challenging times.”
Under the new rules, residents will be allowed to designate up to two essential family caregivers who will be provided necessary training to allow them to safely go inside a facility for a scheduled visit, including in the resident’s room, to help ensure their loved one’s physical, social and emotional needs are being met. Designated caregivers will not be required to maintain physical distancing, but only one caregiver can visit a resident at a time.
A long-term care facility resident (or legal representative) can designate the essential caregiver, who can be a family member, friend or other individual. Facilities are required to train essential caregivers on the proper use of personal protective equipment and other infection control measures. Proper PPE must be used at all times during these scheduled visits, and the caregiver must test negative for COVID-19 within the previous 14 days before the initial visit.
HHSC is updating these rules after closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, consulting with the Department of State Health Services, and receiving feedback from families, providers and other stakeholders.
For general visitors who are not a designated essential caregiver, these updated emergency rules will allow approved nursing facilities scheduled indoor visitation with the use of plexiglass safety barriers to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Physical contact between residents and general visitors is not permitted. Facilities also must continue to meet all additional visitation requirements outlined in the emergency rules.
Long-term care facilities, including nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities, that serve residents without COVID-19 but also have dedicated COVID-19 isolation units will be eligible for outdoor and indoor general visitation with plexiglass barriers. This visitation is only allowed for residents who are COVID-negative and must be held outdoors or in a COVID-free area of the facility. Facilities previously were required to be entirely COVID free to allow outdoor or indoor visitation.
The updated emergency rules will be posted on the HHSC COVID-19 provider web page.
For more information about how HHSC is helping Texans affected by COVID-19, visit the HHSC website.