TXPEC Partners

Local/Regional Partnerships
Each partnership listed below is conducting a series of meetings where local people will be developing plans to make improvements in end-of-life care in their communities. They are assessing current resources and services and identifying needs or areas for improvement, and are planning for strategic actions to bring the necessary improvements. Each partnership provides some professional and community educational events.

Anyone who lives in one of the partnership locations and who has a passionate interest in end-of-life care may contact the appropriate partner. There is definitely a way to get involved. To find additional information, click on the city in the table below Texas map, for the information in which you are interested.

Model Partnership - LifeCrossroads - Wichita Falls, TX

Partnerships launched in 2001

	Amarillo Area
	Belton, Killeen, Temple Area
	El Paso Area
	Houston & Gulf Coast
	Brownsville, Harlingen, and McAllen
	Tyler & Longview Area

Partnerships launched in 2002

	Austin Area
	Dallas Metroplex Area
	Fort Worth Area
	Midland, and Odessa
	San Antonio Area

Partnerships launched in 2003

	New Braunfels - Comal, Guadalupe, & Hays County Area
	Waco Area
	Laredo Area

Building Local/Regional Partnerships
Texas Partnership for End-of-Life Care

Purpose of the Project
The purpose of the Partnerships Project is to facilitate collaboration among all stakeholders who are working to improve end-of-life care through local and regional initiatives. These include healthcare providers, health educators, clergy, experts in legal and ethical issues, business, and civic leaders, elected officials, and others -- particularly individuals and family members who have a passion for high quality palliative care.
This broad-based community effort is intended to

1. stimulate the initiation and continuation of local efforts
   to improve end-of-life care, and

2. help focus resources on unmet needs, and

3. create enduring partnerships.

How do we do that?

1. Encourage dialog about end-of-life care among healthcare professionals, community leaders, clergy, experts on legal and ethical issues, insurers, policy makers, individuals, and families.

2. Community Education: Raise public awareness and expectations for individually directed end-of-life care.

3. Professional Education: Enhance professional knowledge and practice in end-of-life preparation and care.

4. Develop best practices in this field and disseminate the information appropriately.

5. Promote quality of life and symptom management for terminal patients, their families, and caregivers.

End Products

1. New and/or enhanced resources to improve access to effective palliative care.

2. Community assessment of resources and gaps in services.

3. Strategic plans.

4. Resource directories.

5. Best practice models.

6. Professional and Community Education

The Partnerships Project was originally funded by the Texas Cancer Council, the state agency that is dedicated to reducing the human and economic impact of cancer on Texans through the promotion and support of collaborative, innovative, and effective programs and policies for cancer prevention and control. The partnerships are continuing through private grants, proceeds from events, and individual donations.