BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
Online passport renewal available
WilCo approves funds for 3 child welfare positions Williamson County will add three additional Child Protective Services positions in an effort to improve functionality and meet the county’s needs. In a 3-2 vote Sept. 17, the majority of county com- missioners voted to add the roles, which will cost $240,200 combined and will last for the next year, with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. How we got here CPS is struggling to fill positions throughout Texas to keep up with case demands, about 200 of which are in Williamson County, Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said. She said the county previously approved $200,000 to help with legal costs and outside attorneys. Covey said she hopes the new positions cut down the number of hours billed to the county. In five to six years, the state might privatize aspects of CPS, and some staff additions would be
Adding positions Williamson County commissioners voted 3-2 to add the following CPS positions: Legal Assistant II, $78,200 annually Improve functionality by assisting case workers with paperwork Two care coordinators, $81,000 annually each Contracted through Bluebonnet Trails Community Services
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the U.S. Department of State’s roll out of an online passport renewal system in a Sept. 18 news release. The process is meant to save time and effort. It is only available for routine services estimated at six to eight weeks processing time, according to the department’s website. The conditions Online renewal is only available for adults age 25 and older living within a U.S. state or territory, according to the website. The passport must be a regular or tourist passport. It isn’t available for those who have travel scheduled within eight weeks of the application request or if any details of the passport are changing, including name, gender, or birth date or place.
SOURCE: WILLIAMSON COUNTY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
part of the privatization process, Covey said. On the other hand County Judge Bill Gravell and Precinct 1 Com- missioner Terry Cook voted against adding the positions. Gravell said he didn’t recall any ARPA positions previously added that weren’t eventually full-time positions coming out of the county’s fund, and he questioned where to pull the money from when ARPA funds run out. Covey said commissioners can discuss more permanent funding options when the time comes.
Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period is here. Where will your benefits takeyou? Wherever you want to go, we’ll take you there. Oct. 15th - Dec. 7th Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plans, & Medicare Supplement
Callnow. Let us point you in the right direction.
Adela Cochrun Principal Agent - USMC Veteran 512-627-3475 adela@thecochrungroup.com 1150 S Bell Blvd Bldg. 5, Cedar Park, Tx 78613
Not affiliated or endorsed by any governmental agency, including Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 9 organizations which offer 87 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1 ‑ 800 ‑ MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options. The Cochrun Group represents Medicare Advantage [HMO, PPO, PFFS, and PDP] organizations that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan’s contract renewal.
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LEANDER - LIBERTY HILL EDITION
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