H.R. No. 157 R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, For more than 20 years, Andrews Children's Place in 1-2 Tyler has provided a wide range of services and care options to 1-3 families of children with special needs, and the innovative 1-4 programs that have been developed there are among the best in the 1-5 nation; and 1-6 WHEREAS, Recognizing the need for quality day care for 1-7 children with disabilities, the center was created as part of the 1-8 Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation; over the 1-9 years, the scope of the center's mission has broadened to include 1-10 siblings of disabled children and nondisabled children as well, 1-11 thus creating an atmosphere where all children learn to work 1-12 together and respect one another's individual differences; and 1-13 WHEREAS, Services and programs are tailored to meet the needs 1-14 of each child, so that areas of strength for the child are enriched 1-15 while areas of weakness are improved; a comprehensive staff of 1-16 psychologists, special education teachers, nurses, and physical, 1-17 speech, and occupational therapists work together to encourage the 1-18 children's social, intellectual, creative, physical, and emotional 1-19 development; and 1-20 WHEREAS, The physical surroundings are specially designed to 1-21 provide a warm, nurturing atmosphere for the children and their 1-22 families, and this allows children to thrive in a structured, 1-23 caring environment that feels like home, not like an institution; 1-24 and 2-1 WHEREAS, In response to the variety of services needed by 2-2 children with mental, emotional, or behavioral problems and 2-3 physical disabilities, Andrews Children's Place also has been 2-4 instrumental in establishing local programs that offer early 2-5 childhood intervention services, residential care, and respite 2-6 services for caregivers; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Working toward a goal of enhancing individuality, 2-8 creativity, and self-esteem in all children, the staff of Andrews 2-9 Children's Place has created a uniquely flexible program that 2-10 answers the individual needs of each child and each family; by 2-11 rejecting the concept that one approach can work for every 2-12 situation, they have established a dynamic, visionary program that 2-13 can adapt to the needs of all young Texans; now, therefore, be it 2-14 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas 2-15 Legislature hereby honor the staff of Andrews Children's Place for 2-16 providing outstanding care to children with special needs and 2-17 extend to them warmest best wishes for many more years of continued 2-18 success; and, be it further 2-19 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-20 prepared for Andrews Children's Place as an expression of high 2-21 regard by the Texas House of Representatives.