Public libraries have always played a key role in connecting their patrons to crucial, life-saving services and resources to improve their lives, and they can do this by making partnerships with local, state, and national organizations. A partnership program offered by the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) is a great opportunity to enhance library services and better address community needs.
The LDO team recently spoke with Kelli Williams, Community Engagement Director for Access and Eligibility Services, and Marisela Saldana, Program Manager of Community Partner Program (CPP). Their agency is continually looking for local partners, including libraries, to help organize benefits enrollment and educational events or serve as a site for their Community Partner Program, where community members can get help applying for or managing benefits online from trusted local organizations they regularly visit.
What is the Community Partner Program?
Established in 2012, Community Partner Program is a statewide network of community-based organizations that are helping Texans apply for or renew HHSC benefits online. Through the program, Texas Health and Human Services provides support to their network partners to help Texans apply for and manage their food, financial, and health care assistance online.
With the CPP network in place, Texans can get help applying for or managing their state benefits from familiar local organizations they know and trust. Hundreds of Community Partners make up the statewide network which grows each day.
Williams said, “We have 252 Texas counties (out of 254) currently participating with over 500 community partners.”
Community Partners can save time for members of the community. Families who visit local organizations, such as a food bank or community health clinics, can also apply for health care, food and cash assistance benefits at the same place they receive other services.
Who Can Be a Community Partner?
Community organizations that join CPP are called Community Partners. Community Partners offer resources and information that people can use to apply for and manage their benefits on YourTexasBenefits.com. HHSC trains and certifies Community Partners to provide application assistance and case management services.
Public libraries make great Community Partners, but other examples can include school districts, food banks, health providers, churches, or colleges. The partners must have non-profit organization status.
How Does it Work?
“The process is facilitated through a memorandum of understanding (MOU), a non-binding agreement that outlines the intentions and expectations of parties involved, between HHSC and the partner organization. CPP trains and certifies Community Partners and provides assistance and case management services using the YourTexasBenefits website,” Williams said.
There are three different levels for the partnerships:
- Level 1 – the Partner has information and provides a computer to the client to apply for benefits
- Level 2 – the Partner assists with submitting documents and applications
- Level 3 – the Partner provides all of the services as Level 2 but also has an understanding of HHSC benefits and will offer limited case research. For example, they can find out the status of an application, whether it is pending or denied. They can have password reset privileges.
Williams added, “Most libraries involved in the program are Level 1 Partners.”
The CPP has two branches, a state office and a regional team. All Community Partners are assigned to a specialist who answers questions and gives support. The specialist also provides one-on-one training that can be remote or in person. The state office conducts a thorough review of the YTB and related systems to identify opportunities for improvement. This ultimately ensures that clients and community partners have more straightforward and efficient access to these systems.
If you’d like to learn more about how your library or community organization can become a Community Partner, you can register for the CPP Education and Information Forum, a virtual meeting to be held on February 12, 2025, starting at 9:00 a.m.
