By Kamel                                               H.R. No. 157
       74R4152 BNL-D
                                  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.