September in Texas. The month we wish for fall, with pumpkin spice lattes and cooler weather. In reality, we have to wait many more weeks before going outside without melting in the sun. Here’s to the first cold front coming soon.

This September, we remember the 20th anniversary of September 11. And as I listen to that day relived, I relive my own version of the day with the hope that we never experience another day of such despair and sadness. And may we never forget those who lost their lives that day, so many of whom were rushing to care for others.

Contact Center Updates

To address the recent uptick in the call hold times, I am happy to announce that TALCB has hired several new staff members to work in the contact center. Your time is valuable and we are committed to providing excellent customer service. This includes guaranteeing fast access to getting the assistance you need. Hiring new team members, training them, and getting them on the phones will significantly impact our ability to meet that commitment.

New TALCB Complaint Tool

TALCB recently launched a new online complaint management portal. Complaints can now be submitted and monitored via the TALCB website. This new portal also creates some efficiencies for board staff that should expedite the processing of complaints. This project will considerably impact the TALCB team and was fully funded by the ASC grant that TALCB received in early 2021. Congratulations to all our staff members who worked so hard to create this new system.

During these strange times, I am reminded of the importance of practicing kindness. We are all working hard to return to what was once "normal." I know all of us have been directly impacted by the pandemic in one way or another. As we forge ahead in the pandemic, growing more tired of it by the day, I urge you to work especially hard to practice professionalism, and more importantly, kindness. With each of us practicing this extra measure of kindness, we can affect our small world, and the global one.