Understanding the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA)
Families across Texas are now receiving state approval for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), a program designed to provide financial support for educational expenses. This initiative allows parents to use the funds not only for tuition but also for various forms of therapy, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy. These services are especially crucial for students with documented disabilities who come from households that fall at or below 500 percent of the federal poverty level. Additionally, siblings of qualifying family members are also eligible.
For students with disabilities, the TEFA funds can be used to cover therapies that are not typically covered by existing government benefits such as Medicaid. This provides an essential resource for families seeking additional support beyond what is available through traditional channels.
How Providers Are Selected
All providers must be registered through the state’s Odyssey portal, ensuring that every purchase is tracked and verified by the state. This system helps maintain transparency and accountability in how the funds are utilized. One of the approved platforms is Coral Care, a company that has made a significant impact in the field of pediatric therapy.
The Story Behind Coral Care
Jen Wirt founded Coral Care after experiencing challenges in securing care for her oldest daughter, who had developmental delays. She recalls the difficulties of navigating the healthcare system, which included long waitlists and a lack of timely access to necessary services.
“It took seven months to get off waitlists, to get her first evaluation only to wait another six or seven months to get her into care,” Wirt said. “The whole process of navigating it was awful and I just had it in me that there has to be a better way to fix it.”
Coral Care operates as a marketplace where parents can search for local therapists who come to the home for an initial evaluation and then provide weekly ongoing care. This approach offers convenience and personalized attention, which many parents find beneficial.
Benefits of At-Home Therapy
Wirt emphasizes the advantages of at-home therapy over relying on school-based support. “Parents are getting mixed messages. The whole idea of getting school-based support is like, ‘oh this will be handled when my child goes to school’, but that’s not always the case,” she explained. “There’s a reason it’s advised to get kids in [therapy] as early as possible. It’s much easier to guide them and get them to better outcomes if you start them earlier in care.”
Many families are unaware of what an occupational therapist does or whether their child’s concerns require professional help. Wirt acknowledges the emotional toll this can take on parents. “When something is going on with your child, you are so motivated to help them,” she said. “And unfortunately, in this space, whether it’s through state programs or trying to find someone in private, there’s just so many things in the way. And it can really make you feel like you’re failing your child because you know the help they need. You just can’t get it for them.”
Expanding Access to Therapy
Coral Care currently has 200 licensed therapists operating in Texas, with all of them set to be registered in the TEFA marketplace before July 1. The company is also bringing in about 100 new clinicians each month. Many of these professionals work in schools part-time and see children through Coral Care during afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
The cost for an evaluation and ongoing weekly care is approximately $5,500 a year for self-pay. However, Wirt notes that a child could receive a full year of care with the funds available through the TEFA program. Part of the state funds will be released on July 1, and Wirt encourages families to establish a provider now.
“The moment those funds become available I suspect it’s going to be a bit of a frenzy with families saying I can finally do this,” Wirt said. “And we’re here — our providers are available, they have capacity.”
Children who start therapy before July 1 should arrive at that date with an established therapist, documented baselines, and an active treatment plan. Transitioning payment to TEFA on July 1 does not disrupt the therapist relationship.
Coral Care accepts several insurance plans, including BCBS Texas, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, and Curative. The company is also offering a discount to families wanting to establish care before TEFA funding becomes available. You can use the promo code ‘TEXASFAMILIES’ for $100 off your first evaluation.
