
Heart of Central Texas Independent Living Center (HOCTIL)
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Dedicated to Promoting Independence for Persons with Disabilities
Promote your right to make choices for your life; Have equal and active participation in your community; Accept responsibility for oneself.

About Us
Empowering Persons with Disabilities
WE ARE HOCTILC
Heart of Central Texas Independent Living Center (HOCTIL) is dedicated to the promotion of independence for persons with disabilities through self-determination and to advocate for persons with disabilities for equal access and actively participate in their community..
Meet Our Staff
Melissa Ingriola
Executive Director
Geri Milliron
Information & Billing Specialist
Carma Franco
Director of Employment & Training
IL Specialist
Barbi Oropello
Director of CDSA/FMSA
Marissa Cruz
I&R Support Staff
Brooke Oropello
I&R Support Staff
Tia Pruitt
Relocation Specialist
Dylan Kincaid
IL Specialist
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HOCTIL serves individuals with disabilities, physical disabilities, and chronic illnesses for all ages and income.
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HOCTIL services are designed to promote abilities, expand options, and develop self-management skills and responsibilities.
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HOCTIL offers programs including connecting to peers, self-management training, assistive technology, transition to independent living, advocacy, information, and resources.
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HOCTIL assists you in realizing your dreams, reaching your goals and increasing your choice


Services
Promote your right to make choices for your life;
Have equal and active participation in your community;
Accept responsibility for oneself.

Advocacy

Information and Referral

Independent living is centered around enabling persons with disabilities to make decisions that affect their own lives and supporting equal participation in community life. HOCTIL educates and collaborates with individuals with disabilities to increase awareness and accessibility for all in our communities.
HOCTIL’s advocacy service assists and educates persons with disabilities in supporting your rights and understanding regulations and laws affecting you. We also help you find the services you need to enjoy your rights and freedoms.
HOCTIL maintains comprehensive information on the resources available in your communities such as housing, transportation, employment, and more. We’ll navigate the systems and connect you to the services, technology, and options that are best for you.
HOCTIL connects you to an individual or group who understands your barriers and options. Several HOCTIL staff members are persons with disabilities who can provide you with peer support based on our knowledge and personal experiences.

Training
HOCTIL provides trainings which can enhance your quality of life. Training opportunities are available for:
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life management
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fiscal management
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benefits counseling
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assistive technology and computer skills
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employment
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consumer directed services
Independent Living Skills Training
HOCTIL provides and coordinates training opportunities to help one gain skills that would enable them to live more independently. Training may include functional life skills, learning to deal with insensitive and discriminatory behavior, and improving your understanding of your rights to help you reach your independence. Complex rehabilitation technology is also available for your specific needs including:
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hearing aids devices and services
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home modifications
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prosthetics
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vehicle modification consumer service
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wheelchairs and scooters
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durable medical equipment
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interpreter, translator, and communication services
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orientation and mobility services
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physical rehabilitation and therapeutic treatment
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services for deaf/blind individuals

Transition
HOCTIL assists you in transitioning to school, work, your home and life in your community.
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Employment – HOCTIL believes and advocates for you to have the right to choose meaningful employment regardless of disability or age. As a Ticket to Work Employment Service Provider, HOCTIL assists you with tips for successful employment and understanding laws that may affect your benefits.
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Relocation – HOCTIL also assists in relocation services when moving from a nursing home to an independent living setting, or for youth transitioning from school to post-secondary life.
INDEPENDENT LIVING RESOURCES
GENERAL APPLICATION
If you are interested in any of our services or other information and referral, please click below and send us a message.
OTHER RESOURCES
Additional resources to helping you live YOUR LIFE, YOUR WAY.
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Central Texas ADVRC – Aging, Disability & Veterans Resource Center
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Blue Line Transit – Rural Transportation, book a ride today!
Ticket to Work Employment Network 118397509
Services: Goal Setting, Career Planning, Referral to Certified Area Work Incentive Counselor, Resumes, Job Search, Application Assistance, Interview Practice, Earnings Tracking, Earnings Reporting to SSA, Assistance with SSA Documents, Computer Lab, Regular scheduled follow-ups.



Ticket To Work






Peer Support Groups

Get In Touch
Have questions or want to learn more about our programs? Feel free to reach out to us. We are here to support you.
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2005 Commerce Street
Belton, TX 76513
1105 Wooded Acres Drive
Suite 660
Waco, TX 76710
Phone: 254-933-7487
Fax: 254-933-7466
Phone: 254-754-7050
Fax: 254-754-7054

DONATE TO HOCTILC
HOCTIL General Donations is a local, private nonprofit that provides tools and training to help persons with disabilities live independently. Working with YOU toward YOUR independence – Your Life, Your Way. We provide a variety of programs and services funded in part by our generous donors. These include: training, information and referral, advocacy, employment services, and more for persons of all ages.
HOCTIL is your Center and we need your support in our community to continue enhancing lives.
Rusty Awards
This program provides individuals with the opportunities for independent living skills training and integrated employment along with support services to promote self-sufficiency.
Fill out your nomination form today!
Rusty Awards Nominations
Please provide as much information as possible i.e., bio, news clippings, and other documentation to explain why you feel this nominee should be honored by the Committee. A member of the Committee will be contacting you for further information if your nominee is selected. The Committee reserves the right to change the category of the nominee as deemed appropriate or to not select a winner in any specific category.
Award Criteria
JOHN C. GARTH PERSON OF THE YEAR: Must have a disability under ADA Guidelines and live in Bell County. This person must have made a significant achievement in their lives – social, economic, effort, inspirational, etc. – and contributes to the community.
JIM AND DAURICE BOWMER FAMILY MEMBER OF THE YEAR: A citizen of Bell County who has had a positive impact on a relative or relatives with one or more disabilities. An entire family can be nominated for this award.
SHIRLEY BIELS HEALTH CARE WORKER OF THE YEAR: Must have been in the health care or fitness related field in Bell County during the past 12 months and made a positive impact on a person or persons with disabilities. This can be any field in the health care profession.
LAURA “PAT” TAYLOR ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR: An government, non-profit employee or a volunteer or individual within Bell County who has made a positive impact on persons with disabilities through their work or effort. Pat Taylor was a public employee known for “going the extra mile” to help people in need.
JENNIFER PHILLIPS AWARD FOR COURAGE: Does not have to be a Bell County resident, but must be a resident of Texas. The award is for courage and spirit in the face of disability. This person is a “fighter.” Can be a disability the person is still facing, or a disability a person has overcome. A person’s effort, not just the results, will receive heavy consideration.
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR: Any business, industry or organization that employs persons with disabilities in Bell County. The number hired or business size does not matter. It is important how the employer gives persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to work in an environment that allows them to do their best on the job.
MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR: Any member of the media that has contributed, through public communications, to eliminate attitudinal, social and physical barriers regarding persons with disabilities. Also, accurately portrays people with disabilities. Any type of media available to the public in Bell County is eligible for this award. The Committee reserves the right to forward the awarded nomination for consideration of a Barbara Jordan Award.
BELL COUNTY JUDGE’S MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD: Must be a Bell County resident, or organization, that has made an impact on the life or lives, of persons with disabilities. This award is an “open” award and can be awarded to any resident, group, or organization.
ARMED FORCES PERSON OF THE YEAR: Must have served on Active Duty in the Fort Hood/Bell County area during the preceding 12 months. This award is to recognize an individual service member whose efforts, actions, or contributions have significantly enhanced the quality of life for disabled persons within the military or civilian community.
HARRY WILSON ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Must be a Bell County resident with a disability and associated with athletics. Winning or losing in the aforementioned athletic competition is not criteria.
PAT ELLIOTT INSPIRATIONAL AWARD: A Bell County resident who is an inspiration to people with disabilities. This person does not have to have a disability.
Awards Nomination Form
COMPLETE THIS FORM AND WE’LL REACH BACK OUT.
Fields marked with an * are required
*Your Full name
*Your Phone Number
*Full Name of Nominee
*Nominee's Phone Number
*Award Nomination Category
John C. Garth Person of the Year
Shirley Biels Health Care Worker of the Year
Laura “Pat” Taylor Advocate of the Year
Jennifer Phillips Award for Courage Media Person of the Year
Bell County Judge’s Meritorious Service Award
Jim & Daurice Bowmer Family Member of the Year Employer of the Year
Armed Forces Person of the Year
Harry Wilson Athlete of the Year
Pat Elliott Inspirational Award