Family Strengthening

Strong families are critical for the development of healthy successful children. Through community partnerships, the Department of Human Services works to strengthen San Antonio families by facilitating financial literacy, supporting working parents, and preparing children to succeed in school.

Children in families without adequate resources go without stable housing, good nutrition, and medical care, which affects their academic, social, and emotional well-being as well as their long-term outcomes.

The goal is to provide families the resources and supports they need to make it on their own and build a strong economic future.

Ella Austin Community Center

Ella Austin Community Center is to bring about a culturally diverse community that is physically, mentally, socially and economically a healthy place for individuals to live to their maximum potential despite income, racial, and educational barriers.

• Child Care Program/ Parenting Program Through their Child Care Program Ella Austin, has provided San Antonio excellent child care and education for young children in a warm and caring environment. Parenting classes are offered as well.
• Youth and Family Services Program provides children and young adults ages 6 - 21 with services that help them to reduce problem behavior, meet their goals and strengthen their family relationships. After school program is held Monday-Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the school year. In the summer the program is held for six to eight weeks during June and July.

Madona Neighborhood Center

The Center services have expanded from basic services in the community to expanded resources for children/youth in the community.

• CChild Care Program provides quality child care that is culturally and developmentally appropriate to children between 2 months and 13 years. An afterschool program is also offered for youth between the ages of 4-13.
• Human Development Program offers counseling, which addresses the needs of school-age children of the Westside. The Licensed Professional Counselor on staff provides individual and group counseling for children experiencing behavioral or emotional problems.
• Youth Development Program offers inside and outside year round sports as well as summer activities. The sports program operates after school under the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) league.

Mexican American Unity Council (MAUC)

MAUC provides guidance, services, and resources within Bexar County in areas of education, housing, health, community and economic development.

• Community School Model for Family Transformation targets families participating in La Escuela de las Americas’ education program, as well as families living in Stonehouse and Las Villas apartment complexes. The goal of this program is to prepare students for academic success by assisting families in becoming stable and capable units within a supportive neighborhood.

Respite Care of San Antonio, Inc.

Respite Care of San Antonio, Inc. (CSA) provides support for families of children with developmental disabilities. Their community-based and emergency shelter/residential services were designed to give short-term relief to participating parents, often contributing to family stabilization and the prevention of costly institutionalization.

• Davidson Respite House (DRH), the first and only licensed emergency shelter in the state of Texas dedicated to the care of children with developmental disabilities. The goal of DRH program is to offer safe, affordable short-term residential care to children with developmental disabilities in a warm, nurturing environment.
• Respite Developmental Daycare Center is a unique program established to provide specialized care to children with developmental disabilities and often times with complex medical needs. Siblings without disabilities are also enrolled in the center to provide an integrated learning environment.

Any Baby Can (ABC) of San Antonio

San Antonio's resource for any baby in crisis. For more than 20 years, Any Baby Can (also known as ABC) has served as a safety net and vital resource for thousands of families with critically and chronically ill children. ABC helps families with children who have serious illnesses, disabilities or special needs.

• Case Management is coordinated care provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals to help families navigate the health care system and access community resources for children.
• Prescription Drug Assistance Program is to enable families without medical insurance or have exhausted all other insurance resources to apply for free or low cost prescription drugs. Assistance is provided to families that have a child with a chronic condition that requires medication regularly and meet the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines for Prescription Assistance. All services are provided free of charge.

St. Peter-St. Joseph Children's Home

St. Peter-St. Joseph is both a home to children who have suffered as victims of sexual and emotional . abuse, neglect, poverty and broken homes and it is a community counseling and service center for families in crisis.

• Project Ayuda: Strengthens families by assisting clients in stabilizing their lives following a crisis, providing them with the resources needed to enhance self-sufficiency and preventing subsequent crisis.

Alamo Area Rape Crisis Center (RCC)

The Center’s goal is to ensure victims of sexual violence would have a responsive medical community, sensitive law enforcement officials, and active prosecution system.

• Sexual Assault Safety Net offers Crisis Intervention which includes crisis counseling through a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline and hospital accompaniment services, as well as an On-line Hotline. The RCC offers these services free to the client and will provide transportation and from counseling sessions as needed.