Texas

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SOAR is available in all 50 states and D.C. Please select your state to view information or find SOAR assistance for your state.

State Information

Texas SOAR State Team

State Team Lead(s):

Lyla Ordonez
Email: lordonez@avenue360.org
Phone: 713-302-3176

TA Center Liaison:

Sametra Polkah-Toe
Email: spolkahtoe@prainc.com
Phone: (518) 439-7415 x5107

SOARing in Texas

SOAR (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery) is a national project designed to increase access to SSI/SSDI benefits for eligible children, youth, and adults who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorder.

Please contact the State Team Lead for more information.

Expectations of Participation in SOAR

Agency and community expectations will vary depending on local resources. However, any SOAR community is expected to implement a SOAR Lead at the minimum standard and community supports such as a steering committee as a highest standard.

Outcomes Tracking

Texas utilizes the SOAR Online Application Tracking (OAT) system to track the outcomes of SOAR-assisted SSI/SSDI applications. OAT can be accessed at https://soartrack.samhsa.gov/.

Local Leads:

Sheila Beach-Cramblet
Fort Worth, TX
Email: sheila.beach-cramblet@mhmrtc.org
Phone: 682-263-6809
Rand Chaqmaqchee
Houston, TX
Email: rchaqmaqchee@homelesshouston.org
Phone: 713-739-7514
Sheila Clary
Dallas, TX
Email: sclary@ntbha.org
Phone: 469-607-7417
Tamara Duren
Bryan, TX
Email: durent@twincitymission.org
Phone: 979-412-6930
La Shandraia Dwyer
Austin, TX
Email: lashandraiadwyer@austinecho.org
Phone: 972-584-7095
Karisa Garner
Waco, TX
Email: karisa.garner@hotrmhmr.org
Phone: 254-405-5281
Jerry Guillen
San Antonio, TX
Email: jerryguillen@sarahomeless.org
Phone: 210-865-3516
Ashley Lemell
El Paso, TX
Email: alemell.epch@elp.twcbc.com
Phone: 915-843-2170
Omar Martinez
Houston, TX
Email: omartinez@homelesshouston.org
Phone: 832-531-6062
John Meier
Abilene, TX
Email: jmeier@westcentraltexas.org
Phone: 325-864-4791
Patricia Palomo
San Antonio, TX
Email: Patriciapalomo@sarahomeless.org
Phone: 210-876-0720 xx103
Justin Quick
Fort Worth, TX
Email: justin@ahomewithhope.org
Phone: 214-702-8089
Stefanie Quintela
Houston, TX
Email: squintela@homelesshouston.org
Phone: 214-632-9747
Miranda Ramos
Spring, TX
Email: maramos117@gmail.com
Phone: 281-352-6785
Nathan Smith
Austin, TX
Email: nsmith@familyeldercare.org
Phone: 512-745-6961
Robert Ward
Burleson, TX
Email: robert.ward@hhs.texas.gov
Phone: 682-777-1340

SOAR for Children Leads:

Lyla Ordonez
Houston, TX
Email: lordonez@avenue360.org
Phone: 713-302-3176

State Events

Events List

No Events currently exist for this state.

State Jobs

Job Title	Location	Description
SOAR Specialist (Full-time)	Integral Care Austin TX	The SOAR Specialist completes SOAR applications and provides specialized training, advocacy, and assistance to consumers who may be eligible and wish to apply for SSI/SSDI benefits. Services are provided to identify individuals who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness accompanied by significant behavioral health, medical, and/or substance abuse issues utilizing a recovery-based and trauma-informed perspective. (Close date: 5/31/23)

State Documents

Filename	Description