How Texas Medicaid Supports a Family Caring for Two Children with Special Needs

For single father Julio Aldaco, every day is a balancing act. His son, Troy, is nonverbal and lives with autism, intellectual disability, and behavioral disorders. His daughter, Trinity, also struggles with behavioral challenges and sometimes feels isolated because so much of Julio’s attention must go to Troy.

When Superior HealthPlan care coordinator Toni Rivera first visited their home in El Paso, she immediately saw how many challenges the family was facing, starting with the fact that their apartment had no heat during the cold season. Toni quickly coordinated a donated heater so the family could stay warm. 

From there, she connected Julio to personal attendant services, giving him help with light housework, cooking, and one-on-one support for the kids. That could mean taking them to the park, going to the mall, or simply providing the extra care that allowed Julio to spend focused time with each child. 

Through Texas Medicaid, both Troy and Trinity now receive speech, occupational, and physical therapy, as well as vital medications and behavioral health services through the local mental health authority. These supports have helped them make real progress not only at home, but in school. 

For Toni, the work is deeply personal. “When you do good for someone, you feel it ten times,” she said. And for Julio, the difference is life-changing. “I have everything I need for my kids. I’m a happier person, my kids are happier, and our future is a lot brighter.”

Texas Medicaid may serve millions of Texans, but it is carefully designed to match caring, dedicated professionals with each family so that the care they receive is personal, tailored, and truly life-changing. 

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Texas Medicaid Works is an education and advocacy effort highlighting the impact of Medicaid in Texas. We highlight the need for continued innovation in Medicaid and to ensure that Medicaid’s best solutions reach as many families as possible.

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