Mom Advocate

CATXA: How can you describe your Special needs caregiver Journey? How did you feel when you received the diagnosis of your son? Did you have support from family and friends?

Tenika Combs: Bryant Griffin was diagnosed at 4 years old. When I received the diagnosis, I didn't know anything about Autism. Once I received the official diagnosis, I knew it was time to "pull up the bootstraps" and get to work. My family did not understand the diagnosis, and some would not accept it initially. We moved to Texas 1 year after the official diagnosis. I was utterly at a loss for the difference between California services and accessing services in Texas. My fantastic husband provides the foundation and patience to help raise my son. My family and church (which became an extension of my family) were very supportive. Bryant is the youngest of a blended family of 6.  

CATXA: What inspired you to use your special needs knowledge to help the community?

Tenika Combs: When I arrived in Texas, I felt like I was on an island with no guidance or direction. I made a pact to learn everything I needed for my son's journey to equip others. I want to be the me I need for other families in the community.

CATXA: What was your biggest obstacle as a special needs parent, and how did you overcome it?

Tenika Combs: My biggest obstacle was finding the right kind of help and support. Maneuvering the waitlist and eligibility of services due to income limits. We knew that the moment we got married, Bryant would lose all his services. We waited several years to get married. I worked as a contractor(self-employed), knowing my income limits would impact services. You have to think 'outside of the box' to manage care and services. The community we built helped rally around when we were searching for caregivers or needed respite.  

CATXA: How do you want to impact your community? Tell us about your organization/ business.

 Tenika Combs: I want to be the Advocate who leaves a legacy and opens doors for families to access services through collaboration and education. Through my journey, I learned all I could to support Bryant's transition to adulthood. As a special education Advocate, I founded GotAdvocacyy in 2013 while working full-time. I worked as a case manager for the Medicaid waiver programs, a transition specialist transitioning individuals out of institutional care into the community with support and services, and a disability integration advisor for the federal government. I began working my business full-time in 2024. I've developed an approach to equip families along the transition journey by empowering them to plan as the CEO of their child's life as they approach transition at any stage. I equip the individual with employment and workplace readiness support as they are on the journey to adulthood as a vocational rehabilitation provider. I've built a community of collaboration with providers that service our individuals so they can fill their toolkits. I host community networking events to help bridge the gap to connect families to providers. My office is located inside Living Holistic, an enriched community of Holistic Practitioners that allows us to provide connections to families that are in search of holistic healthcare options that community connections.

CATX: When our special needs children graduate High School, our community lacks services and opportunities. How was your transition journey? 

Tenika Combs: As a transition support specialist, I help our individuals get equipped for life after graduation by providing support with work readiness training, work experience opportunities, job placement, and job development skills. I help families devise a plan for when the school bus stops coming to your house. We do career exploration and soft skills training. Bryant graduated during the pandemic, and we decided to purchase a multigenerational home as our forever home. This gives him his independent quarters (like a 1-bedroom apartment attached to our house). We placed most of our energy into vocational training. We tried dayhabs, but they were not a good fit, or it gets costly when you are paying private money. We created our program, "Warrior Buddy." he gets to go into the community with an organized plan of activities and goals with his assigned buddy (paid for with Medicaid funds as we are still on the waitlist). You must be creative while waiting, or you will get weary.  

CATX: You are an advocate and Transition specialist. What are the top 3 things a special needs caregiver needs to do for a successful transition?

Tenika Combs: As a transition specialist, you need to develop a plan for a successful transition. Not just the plan the school provides you. I urge you to get a plan. Ensure the school is creating an effective transition plan. If you know your child will not participate in post-secondary education, allow them to gain more support in an 18+ program in the district or the community. Contact your local TWC Vocational Rehabilitation program. When they become 18, they apply for Social Security to get Medicaid. If your child's name comes up on the waitlist, they must have Medicaid. Remember, it's a Medicaid waiver program for a reason. You can request a vocational assessment as they exit high school and are in an ARD.  I urge you to connect with the Texas workforce during their transition as early as 15 to see what Pre-Employment transition services are available. 

CATX: What is your Goal for the new year?

Tenika Combs: My Goal is to equip more families to develop a Strategic master plan and Place many more individuals on a job with the support they need to be successful adults. This year, I aim to obtain additional funding to purchase a van for others in the "Warrior Buddy" program to grow.

My future Goal is that when I have finished my assignment, there will be a path for others to follow.  

CATXA: How can other special needs caregivers connect with you? (You can add your email, social media handles, etc).

Tenika Combs: Families can connect with me at www.gotadvocacy.org

I am on FB @Gotadvocay and on IG @gotadvocacy_advocates.