Governor Greg Abbott has named Fred Farias, III, O.D. as chair and Donna N. Williams vice-chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for terms set to expire at the pleasure of the Governor. The board provides leadership and coordination for the Texas higher education system.

Fred Farias, III, O.D. of McAllen is an optometrist and CEO of 20/20 Vision Care. He has served on The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board since 2015 and is currently vice-chairman of the board, chairman of the Academic and Workforce Success Committee, and a member of the Texas Higher Education Foundation. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, former president of the Texas Optometric Association and the Rio Grande Valley Optometric Society, and a former member of the American Optometric Association Board of Trustees. Farias was named the Texas Optometrist of the Year in 2015 and the National Optometrist of the Year in 2016. He is a past gubernatorial appointee to the Texas Optometry Board, where he chaired the Licensing and Administration Committee. He is a lifetime member of The University of Texas (UT) System Chancellor’s Executive Committee and the UT Austin Development Board and a member of the UT Longhorn Foundation Athletic Advisory Council. He is a charter member of the Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation. Additionally, he is active in the McAllen community, serving as chair of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Council. He has served on many local and statewide boards including the Vannie E. Cook Cancer Center, the Rio Grande Valley Arthritis Foundation, and the Museum of South Texas History. Farias received a Bachelor of Science from The University of Texas at Austin, a Doctor of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry, and a Master’s degree from Harvard Medical School.

Donna N. Williams of Arlington is vice president and program manager for Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. She has served on THECB since 2018 and is currently vice-chairman of the Academic and Workforce Success Committee. She was a member of the Texas State University System Board of Regents and served as chair for two terms. Additionally, she is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and serves of the Laura Bush Institute for Women’s Health National Advisory Board and the Parsons Federal Credit Union board of directors. Her former member affiliations include the National Association of Professional Women, Project Management Institute, and a board of directors for the Society of American Military Engineers, Corporation for National Community Service, Dallas African American Museum, and Justin F. Kimball High School Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (former chair). Williams received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University.

Source: gov.texas.gov

Governor Greg Abbott today activated numerous resources to assist South, East, and Southeast Texas communities that are expected to receive heavy rain and flooding through the beginning of next week. Severe storms are also forecasted across West Texas on Sunday afternoon and evening, including storms that could bring damaging winds and large hail.

“This year’s spring season has brought an unprecedented amount of rain and flash flooding to many of our communities, and I urge Texans throughout the eastern and southern regions of the state to remain alert to changing weather conditions and heed the guidance of their local officials,” said Governor Abbott. “These resources will help the State of Texas continue to support our communities and keep Texans safe.”

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has activated and deployed the following resources:

• Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) – Texas A&M Task Force One and Task Force Two: Boat Squads
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD): Search and Rescue Boat Teams
• Texas Military Department (TMD): Helicopters with Hoist Capability and High Profile Vehicles

TDEM has requested the following agencies to identify resources to support response operations should they be needed:

• Texas A&M Forest Service: Saw Crews, Incident Management Teams
• Texas Department of State Health Services: Texas Emergency Medical Task Force Severe Weather Packages
• Texas Department of Public Safety: Helicopters with hoist capability
• Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Public Drinking Water/Waste Water System Impacts
• Public Utility Commission of Texas:  Power outage monitoring/coordination with utility providers in the threat areas

Texans are urged to follow these flood preparedness and safety tips during severe weather events:

• Know types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information here: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
• Build an emergency supply kit. For more information on how to build a kit, visit: https://www.ready.gov/kit
• Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. Homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect so the time to buy is well before a disaster. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
• Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies.
• Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.
• Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains, or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and always observe road barricades placed for your protection. Remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.

For more flood safety tips, visit ready.gov

Source: gov.texas.gov

Durante junio, Mes de la Prevención del Suicidio y la Concientización sobre el Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático (PTSD) en los Veteranos de Texas, Salud y Servicios Humanos de Texas (HHS) está exhortando a los veteranos de las fuerzas armadas a que accedan a los recursos que tienen a su disposición para prevenir el suicidio y el PTSD.

“Cuando un veterano está luchando contra el PTSD, no solo le afecta a él, sino también a su familia, sus amigos y su comunidad. Pedir ayuda es el primer paso para conseguir el apoyo necesario y prevenir el suicidio”, explicó Sonja Gaines, comisionada ejecutiva adjunta de los Servicios para la Discapacidad Intelectual y del Desarrollo y de Salud Conductual de HHS. “Conectamos a los veteranos con la atención a la salud mental y otros servicios enormemente valiosos que pueden ayudarles”.

Según los datos más recientes del Departamento de Asuntos de los Veteranos (VA) de los EE. UU., al menos 511 veteranos en Texas murieron por suicidio en 2018. Esta tasa de suicidio es casi el doble de la tasa de suicidio de los no veteranos en el estado. El VA atribuye algunas de estas muertes al trauma relacionado con el personal de las fuerzas armadas que afecta a entre el 11 y el 30 por ciento de los veteranos.

Los veteranos en Texas que estén sufriendo una crisis pueden llamar a la Línea para veteranos en crisis al 800-273-8255 y presionar el 1, o bien enviar un mensaje de texto al 838255 o chatear en línea en VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat(link is external) (enlace en inglés).

“Es importante que sepamos reconocer los signos de un problema de salud mental en nuestros amigos, familiares y otras personas. También es importante ayudarles a crear un entorno donde ellos estén seguros. Con la educación y concientización adecuadas, podemos ayudar a los que sufren problemas de salud mental, y ayudarles a prevenir comportamientos autodestructivos, aumentando el bienestar tanto de ellos como de quienes les rodean”, dijo el Dr. Blake Harris, director del Departamento de Salud Mental para Veteranos, de la Comisión de Veteranos de Texas.

La Comisión de Salud y Servicios Humanos (HHSC) de Texas administra el Programa de Salud Mental para Veteranos, en colaboración con la Comisión de Veteranos de Texas. El programa financia el asesoramiento entre iguales para los veteranos y sus familias a través de las autoridades locales de salud mental y de salud conductual.

La HHSC también financia y administra la iniciativa TexVet(link is external), que incluye un sitio web auspiciado por el Centro de Ciencias de la Salud de Texas A&M. El sitio web ayuda a los veteranos a navegar por los recursos disponibles en sus comunidades, incluidos los proveedores de atención a la salud mental, los grupos sociales, los programas para encontrar trabajo y la asistencia legal. Los veteranos también pueden encontrar recursos adicionales visitando MentalHealthtx.org/veterans(link is external).