Educate '08


	*Educate ’08* is an educational advocacy program developed by the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) to inform communities, political candidates and elected officials about important long term care issues facing our great state and the nation. The program provides a unique opportunity for nursing home residents, families, and caregivers to provide candidates and elected officials with a front-line perspective of the impact of federal and state legislative decisions on long term care. As part of Educate ’08, THCA is working with its members to encourage elected officials and others to tour their facilities – thereby learning more about what types of specialized services nursing homes provide – and participate in informal briefings or “meet and greet” sessions with residents, family members and caregivers to discuss pressing issues facing long term care in Texas. These visits do not constitute political endorsements, but rather are an effort to help Texas’ office-seekers better understand the plight of their most vulnerable constituents who rely on long term care for quality of care and quality of life. Read more about Educate ’08. [Click to link to press release] THCA Facility Tour Toolkit [pdf] Below are links to materials from facility events with candidates across Texas. For more information about Educate ’08 and upcoming events, please contact Leticia Caballero at LCaballero@txhca.org. Hacienda Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Tour and Briefing with State Representative Edmund Kuempel (R-Seguin) Seguin, August 28, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release] Brenham Rest Home Tour and Briefing with State Representative Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) Brenham, August 19, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release] Vivian’s Nursing Center and Palo Duro Nursing Center Tours and Briefings with State Senator Kel Seliger (R- Amarillo) and State Representative Warren Chisum (R-Pampa) Amarillo and Claude, August 11, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release] Trisun Care Center Regency House Tour and Briefing with State Representative Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) San Angelo, July 24, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release] La Hacienda Health Center Tour and Briefing with State Representative Eddie Lucio III (D-Brownsville) Harlingen, June 10, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release] Green Oaks Nursing Facility Tour and Briefing with State Representative Diane Patrick (R-Arlington) Arlington, April 8, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release] Quality Care of Waco Forum Waco, February 19, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release] West Oaks Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Tour and Briefing with State Representative Valinda Bolton (D-Austin) Austin, February 14, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release] Trisun Care Center-River Ridge Nursing Home Tour and Briefing with State Representative Abel Herrero (D-Robstown) Corpus Christi, February 12, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release] Heritage Place Nursing Home Tour and Briefing with Mike Anderson (R-Mesquite), Candidate for Texas House of Representatives, 101st District Mesquite, February 2, 2008 Read the press release [Click to link to press release]