Dr. Michael Parker is Senior Clinical Director of MHMR Tarrant Disability Services and Director of IDD Eligibility.  He chairs the DS Clinical Team and belongs to a variety of agency committees. Dr. Parker is a graduate of Northwestern University, holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Fisk University and obtained his doctorate in School Psychology at Texas Woman’s University. He has 40 years of experience in private practice, community-based settings, such as Child Study Center, and the school districts Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD. His preferred populations included individuals with emotional, intellectual and behavioral issues. Professionally he enjoys consultation, supervision, program development, and public speaking. Dr. Parker is a former adjunct with the University of North Texas. He has been interviewed by CNN, NBC and CBS news as well as quoted extensively in Time Magazine.  He contributed to writing the Texas HHS Commission’s Determination of Intellectual Disability: Best Practice Guidelines. Dr. Parker is a licensed Psychologist, a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, and a certified mediator.

TJ as he is known, is an independent life planner, who works with families with special needs. He understands the importance of developing a strategic, long-term life plan that takes into consideration their very unique circumstances. TJ helps clients understand their need to develop the appropriate wills and trusts. He helps them see the need for a "Letter of Intent" which defines their special needs person's hopes, dreams and desires through a lifetime strategy. He is knowledgeable in government programs that aid special needs families, and he coaches families in how to obtain government aid, such as SSI. More importantly he helps the family understand how to maintain those government programs throughout their loved one's lifetime. T J frequently speaks to state and local groups such as ARC, Life Path, Down Syndrome Guilds, Autism Societies, Region X and XI, various ISD's and other similar organizations.

Dr. Laura Golden, OTR, OTD, is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist in the state of Texas.  She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Areas of expertise include intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, feeding impairment, and movement disorders. She has provided clinical therapeutic intervention to individuals from birth to adulthood with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

A former teacher and current attorney, Heidi Angel practices law in the areas of Estate Planning, Probate and Guardianship (including guardianship alternatives) and serves on the board of the Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas. In her spare time she runs, hikes, bikes and generally likes to be outside.

Established in 2014, The Self-Determination Group is run by and for individuals with disabilities (14 & older) with the support of an advisor.  We get together monthly, elect our own officers, and conduct business and exchanges ideas. We are also a member of Texas Advocates.  Group activities focus on empowering individuals with disabilities to live a self-determined life – life as they define it, and advancing the disability rights movement. To learn more, visit http://www.arcgmc.org/the-self-determination-group.html.