If you find yourself in need of support, it is extremely important to seek help for yourself and good of your family, and know that help is available. The following information provides phone numbers and information on a variety of information resources.
In case of an emergency, always dial 9-1-1.
There are four major types of child maltreatment: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.
Some children can’t or won’t cry or ask for help when they need it – even if their lives may be in danger. Thousands of children who suffer abuse and neglect are too young, terrified, or simply confused to tell anyone about it. Their suffering may go unnoticed for years, permanently damaging their health and development – or worse.
You can spot symptoms of abuse and neglect if you know what to look for. A parent’s, caregiver’s, or child’s appearance and behavior may be a sign. If you think someone is hurting or mistreating a child, you must act. Report your suspicions to the people who are responsible for investigating reports of abuse and neglect.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Child Protective Services responsibilities include:
Report Abuse
By Phone: 1 (800) 252-5400 (toll-free, 24/7 hotline)
Online: Texas Abuse Hotline
Call the Abuse Hotline toll-free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, nationwide, or report with the secure website and get a response within 24 hours.
Family Violence Prevention Services
Battered Women’s Shelter and additional family violence prevention services.
(210) 733-8810
Rape Crisis Center
Rape Crisis Center 24-Hour Hotline: (210) 349-7273
Children’s Shelter
Offering emergency shelter and residential treatment for children in crisis as well as Family Strengthening programs teach nurturing parenting skills to vulnerable families and help families overcome crises.
Children’s Hope Center: (210) 503-4500
Guadalupe Home
A transitional living program for expectant mothers and mothers with infants who are experiencing homelessness.
(210) 476-0707
St. PJ’s Children’s Home
Provides opportunities for children to live healthy, happy, and fulfilled lives through a continuum of care of services from infancy to adulthood. We will constantly strive to provide the best quality programs through on-going attentiveness to the small details that make great programs.
(210) 533-1203
Center for Health Care Services
Crisis Hotline: (210) 223-7233 (for all ages)
Roy Maas Youth Alternatives Counseling Center
Offers mental health care and substance abuse treatment and counseling. Crisis intervention is available.
(210) 340-7971
Seton Home
Offers counseling and moral guidance for teen mothers and their children.
(210) 533-3504
Wesley Community Center
Provides counseling, crisis intervention, mental health care and substance abuse treatment. Assists clients with service coordination. Medicaid/Sliding fee scale available. Services provided at more than one location.
(210) 590-0377
Many local organizations offer help to parents looking to strengthen their skills, learn more about child development, and strengthen relationships with their children.
Great Start Plus
Home-based parenting education with families involved with Child Protective Services. Their services are tailored to the individual family focusing on the improvement of parent-child interaction, the family support system and the promotion of healthy childhood growth and development. This program offers free weekly visitation, community resources, and group events.
Eligibility: Parents with children 0-8 years old with an open CPS case
Length of Program: Approximately 6 months; weekly home visits
Contacts:
Family Service Association of San Antonio, Inc.: Veronica Salgado – 210.431.7506
Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.: Natasha Bridges – 210.222.1294
iParent SA®
iParent SA® provides a comprehensive network of services which will include long-term parenting education, child school-readiness support, case management, crisis intervention, parent support groups, family fun nights, basic needs support, and transportation.
Eligibility: Parents with children 0-8 years old
Length of Program: 1-2 years (long-term); weekly home visits and at least monthly parent support groups
Contact: The Children’s Shelter, Natalie Lopez – 210.212.2597
Parent Talk
Voluntary, group-based program offered at various sites throughout the Eastside Promise Neighborhood, including community centers, schools, churches, and apartment complexes. Parent Talk facilitates parenting and life skills education sessions for parents and caregivers of children 0 to 17 years of age.
Eligibility: Parents with children 0-17 (with preference given to 0-8) living in the Eastside Promise Neighborhood
Length of Program: 10-12 sessions; weekly group classes
Contact: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.: 210.787.0723
Compadre y Compadre
Compadre y Compadre is a free, 15 week group-based program that teaches fathers to become nurturing parents while providing case management services. The first five hours of the program, Daddy Boot Camp, are designed to be an intense immersion into the world of being a father. Parent Educators connect fathers to resources to help them find employment, earn a GED or high school diploma, and overcome crises.
Eligibility: Fathers with children 0-18 years old
Length of Program: 15 weeks; weekly group classes
Contact: The Children’s Shelter, Patrick Ortiz – 210.212.2542
Autism Training Program
This program provides parent/caregiver training workshops, hands-on training courses, and introductory autism classes to empower parents of children with autism and other delays to maximize the potential of their child through child and parent interactions. These programs provide the knowledge and skills to help families work with their child and improve their lives.
Eligibility: Families with children birth to 8 who have been diagnosed with Autism
Length of Program: Hands On Training: 8 weeks; weekly meetings
Contact: Autism Community Network, Dr. Berenice de la Cruz – 210.435.1000
Parent and Child Together
Nine -month (September-May) program serving families with young children ages 0-3 living in zip codes 78207, 78228, 78237. This free program promotes strong and stable families, healthy children, and economic self-sufficiency in families through education. Through the Parent and Child Together (PACT) Time, parents and their children participate in structured age-appropriate activities in the children’s classroom to practice skills learned in the parenting class.
Eligibility: Parents of children 0 to 3 years old with a focus on recruitment in 78207, 78237, and 78228 zip codes
Length of Program: 9 months; weekly group classes
Contact: AVANCE-San Antonio, Yesenia Gonzalez – 210.223.3667
Services to Fathers
Nine month (September-May) program serving fathers with young children ages 0-3 living in zip codes 78207, 78228, 78237. This free program promotes father involvement in their child’s development through group-based parenting, early childhood education, and family support. In addition, fathers learn about anger & stress management, domestic violence prevention, expressing emotions in a positive manner, and support in achieving their goals is provided.
Eligibility: Fathers with children 0-3 years old with a focus on recruitment in 78207, 78237, and 78228 zip codes
Length of Program: 9 months; weekly group classes
Contact: AVANCE-San Antonio, Yesenia Gonzalez – 210.223.3667
YMCA Precious Minds New Connections Parenting Program
Meld
Meld brings together groups of parents who have similar parenting needs and provides them with the tools to help them become more confident leaders within their families. The program consists of peer groups guided by a team of Parent Group Facilitators, whose roles are to provide groups with a curriculum designed to address health and safety, child guidance and development, family management, and personal development. Meld Young Moms is designed for young mothers ages 13-25. Meld Growing Families is designed for mothers ages 26 and older. Meld Special Needs serves parents of children living with a wide range of illnesses and disabilities.
Find Local Classes Through Methodist Healthcare Ministries>
Nurse-Family Partnership
Nurse-Family Partnership’s maternal health program introduces vulnerable first-time parents to caring maternal and child health nurses. This program allows nurses to deliver the support first-time moms need to have a healthy pregnancy, become knowledgeable and responsible parents, and provide their babies with the best possible start in life. The relationship between mother and nurse provides the foundation for strong families, and lives are forever changed – for the better.
Eligibility: Low-income, first-time mothers less than 28 weeks pregnant
Contact: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.: 210.787.0723
Nurturing Parenting
The Nurturing Parenting Programs are a family-centered trauma-informed initiative designed to build nurturing parenting skills as an alternative to abusive and neglecting parenting and child-rearing practices. The long term goals are to prevent recidivism in families receiving social services, lower the rate of multiparent teenage pregnancies, reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency and alcohol abuse, and stop the intergenerational cycle of child abuse by teaching positive parenting behaviors.
Find Local Classes Through Methodist Healthcare Ministries>
Parents as Teachers
Parents as Teachers helps organizations and professionals work with parents during the critical early years of their children’s lives, from conception to kindergarten
Eligibility: Parents and caregivers with at least one child under 2 years old or expecting
Contact: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.: 210.787.0723
HIPPY USA
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is an evidenced-based program that works with families in the home to support parents in their critical role as their child’s first and most important teacher.
HIPPY strengthens communities and families by empowering parents to actively prepare their children for success in school. Parents are provided with a set of carefully developed curriculum, books and materials designed to strengthen their children’s cognitive skills, early literacy skills, social/emotional and physical development.
Eligibility: Families with children 3-5 years old with a concentration in Eastside Promise Neighborhood
Contact: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.: 210.787.0723
Learning how to manage behavior at home, at school and in other activities can be a challenge, but there are many resources to help parents and caregivers of children with special needs create a positive environment for learning, communicating, and having fun.
General Service Providers
These organizations offer basic support through health and clinical services, day programs, case management, education, raising awareness, and basic care.
Schools for Children with Special Needs
These local schools work specifically to support children with special needs, working to improve education, quality of life, communication, as well self-esteem and positivity.
Medical Services
Children and families with special needs often have unique healthcare requirements. These local organizations improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, providing services such as payments for medical care, family support, as well as mental health and substance abuse services.
Sports and Play
Sports and recreation foster courage, self esteem, pride, and joy as well as important social and play experiences for all kids, and children with special needs deserve the same opportunity. These local programs offer tailored activities designed for children with special needs.
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A child’s father plays a very important role in the future of that child. Research shows that underlying many of society’s most pressing challenges today is the lack of paternal involvement, and children with more involved fathers experience fewer behavioral problems and score higher on achievement tests.
Services to Fathers is a component of the Parent-Child Program that addresses the Six Protective Factors that ensure the healthy wellbeing of children and their families. The program promotes a father’s involvement in their child’s development through parenting, early childhood education and support. In addition, couples can learn about anger & stress management, domestic violence prevention, how to express their emotions in a positive manner and be given the support and opportunity to achieve their goals.
The Children’s Shelter – Compadre y Compadre
Compadre Y Compadre® exists to strengthen fathers in their role as caregiver, provider, teacher and hero. Fathers come together in a group setting to build their knowledge and skills, which help develop strong nurturing relationships with their children and family. The program enrolls fathers of all ages – including grandfathers and stepfathers. Upon completion, participants can enroll in the Mentor program and become a Compadre to incoming dads.
San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign
The San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign facilitates the delivery of a broad network of services for disconnected fathers who want to improve their capacity to provide financial and social supports for their children. Activities also assist fathers in overcoming obstacles and barriers that may prohibit them from being the most effective and nurturing parents possible.
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
With a $4 million grant from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County (UWSA), on behalf of the ReadyKidSA Coalition and others, is the lead for the San Antonio Military/Veterans Prevention Programs Coalition (SAMVPPC). The SAMVPPC will develop a Resource Directory for Military/Veteran Families that is user-friendly, frequently updated, available in print, online, and will develop a phone app with local partners.
The focus of this grant is to increase Military and Veteran families’ protective factors and reduce the risk of child abuse and/or neglect by stitching together the vast resources available across multiple sectors so that families can easily access the resources they might need. Research has shown that six protective factors are closely linked to a happy and resilient family:
(1) Family functioning/resiliency;
(2) Social support;
(3) Knowledge of parenting/child development;
(4) Concrete support;
(5) Nurturing and attachment; and
(6) Children’s social & emotional development.
Eligible Participants: Active duty military member, veteran, national guardsman, reservists and/or retirees who have children 0-17 years of age, regardless of income or discharge type.
Available Services Include:
For more information, please contact Rachel O’Hern at rohern@unitedwaysatx.org
Catholic Charities: Military Family Relief Project
Financial assistance, food and clothing assistance, and counseling services for active duty, reserve, National Guard or veteran service members, as well as their dependents and spouses, in need of social services.
Parent and Children’s Resources Child Care Resource & Referral, a Child Care Aware ® Quality Assured Consumer Education and Referral Service, is committed to supporting our nation’s military families and strengthening child care through a partnership with the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (NACCRRA) and Department of Defense (DoD).
Joint Base San Antonio: Military and Family Readiness Programs
The Military & Family Readiness Centers provide programs, referrals and services to Active Military and their Family, Reservists, Coast Guard, National Guard , Retirees, DoD civilian employees and DoD contracted employees.
This resident camp in Hunt, Texas, holds a special camp one week every summer strictly for children who have a parent or parents who have been deployed or are currently deployed in the military. It is called Operation Purple Camp. Military kids receive a free week of camp where they connect with other kids just like them. It is called Operation Purple Camp because purple happens to be the perfect mix of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force Blue, Marine Corps Red, and Navy blue! Kids participate in kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, zip lining, swimming and more. It also gives them tools to deal with the stresses that come with a parent’s deployment. Learn More >
San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families
The San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families (SACVF) is focused on helping veterans, their families and caregivers.
Tex-Vet – Alliance for Veterans and Family
San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
The following information was put together by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to help your visit or relocation to San Antonio is smooth. Please contact The Chamber’s communications office at communications@sachamber.org if you have an idea of other resources that should be listed here.
Military City USA – Support Organizations
Many organizations which support the military have been created in the City of San Antonio and the State of Texas. Others have located here because of those strong relationships. All are important to the continued well being of our installations, our troops, and our country. This list includes military base offices, commissions and various veterans’ and military organizations that offer support.
Navigating the child support process and establishing paternity can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming, but there are many services out there designed to help.
Learn how to apply for Child Support Services
The Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General helps get child support and medical support for dependent children. You may want this assistance for one of the following reasons:
Resources from the Texas Attorney General and Bexar County:
The Child Support Recovery Act of 1992 makes it a federal crime for a parent to avoid meeting his/her child support obligations. Get local help with enforcing and collecting child support from Child Support Resources.
Why should we establish paternity for our baby?
Establishing paternity is one of the most important steps unmarried parents can take because it creates a legal relationship between a father and his child.
A compilation of community services available to families to facilitate shared parenting after separation or divorce from the Texas Attorney General’s office.
Growing up, many children face difficult feelings or emotions that can get in the way of life’s activities and seem to disrupt development. As a family you may be experiencing some periods of stress or major transition, and you may worry that your child is having difficulty coping.
If you think that your child or your family could benefit from additional support, below are some resources as a guide to find help.
This helpful list of common challenges can help identify problems, steps you can take, and how to talk to your kids about mental health. Includes topics such as ADHD, anxiety, bullying, depression, grief, lying, and many more.
Talking With Your Child After a Disaster or Traumatic Event
Adult support and reassurance is the key to helping children through a traumatic time. This downloadable resource is separated by age group, and can help you understand what your child needs during these times.
If, as a parent or caregiver, you feel you may be experiencing a mental health challenge, it can help to talk about these issues with others who can help.
Tips for Building Mental Health
For more information about creating a support system, connecting with peers, or making decisions about your next steps, visit MentalHealth.gov.
Catholic Charities – Counseling and Consultation Center
Services include crisis stabilization, a sex offenders program, partial hospitalization, a chemical dependency detoxification program and a bilingual-bicultural residential program. They also offer mental health care and substance abuse treatment and counseling as well as provide acute and longer-term residential treatment.
Provides helpful information for people who are dealing with substance use issues — and their family members, friends, and co-workers, too. We know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the challenges faced by those who misuse alcohol, prescription or illegal drugs, or other substances, and we aim to break through the clutter to help people at any stage of recovery.
Click here to see a complete directory of mental health resources in Bexar County.
Still can’t find what you’re looking for? Dial 2-1-1 >
These local organizations offer a wide range of services for free or low cost to help families in need of mental health treatment, counseling, education, and more.
Provides free counseling services to eligible youth ages 0 to 17 and their families. Services provided at several locations across San Antonio. Crisis intervention and counseling services are available 24/7 by calling main number, 210-283-5183.
Center for Health Care Services
The Center for Health Care Services improves the lives of people with mental illness, substance abuse challenges and developmental disabilities. Our services for adult, children, elderly and veterans include: Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse.
The Children’s Bereavement Center provides group counseling for children and youth who have experienced a loss. They also provide outpatient mental health counseling and therapy. Sliding fee scale available.
Specialized counseling for victims of sexual abuse, play therapy and in-home counseling are available. They provide outpatient mental health counseling and therapy as well as assist clients with service coordination. Medicaid/Sliding fee scale available.
City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District: Healthy Start
Healthy Start offers the nations most vulnerable women and families high quality services and resources for healthy pregnancies and healthy births. San Antonio Healthy Start provides home visitation services to pregnant women until the baby turns two years of age. The program offers depression screening and referral for moms.
Clarity CGC’s Outpatient Services are available for the majority of children and adolescents who are able to resolve their mental health problems without hospitalization. Family therapy can help families improve communication and conflict resolution skills. Individual therapy can help a youth improve his or her ability to function in critical areas such as self-esteem, emotional stability, family relationships and academic performance. Fees: Sliding Scale and most managed care insurances accepted. Additionally accept Medicaid, CHIP and TRICARE.
Counseling, play therapy, substance abuse counseling, in-home services are available. Service coordination is provided and services provided at more than one location.
JFS provides affordable counseling to clients of all ages including psychiatric services, services for seniors and case management services. Counseling, play therapy, specialized counseling services for homeless youth are available. JFS offers outpatient mental health counseling and therapy, and assists clients with service coordination. Services are available to individuals and families of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds. Inquiries are welcome.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries – Community Counseling
Provides outpatient mental health counseling and therapy and assists clients with service coordination. Sliding fee scale available. Services are provided at more than one location, call your chosen location to set up an appointment or for more details.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries – Clinics
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. owns and operates two primary care clinics at two locations – Wesley Health & Wellness Center and Dixon Health & Wellness Center – in San Antonio, in addition to two School Based Health Center locations in Guadalupe County. Providing counseling, crisis intervention, mental health care and substance abuse treatment services as well as assisting clients with service coordination. Medicaid/Sliding fee scale available.
Roy Maas Youth Alternatives Counseling Center
Offers mental health care and substance abuse treatment and counseling. Crisis intervention is available.
If you or a loved one is suffering from alcohol or drug addition, you are not alone. Help is available. Addiction is a pattern of using drugs and alcohol that can cause problems at work, home and in relationships. Drug and alcohol addiction is a progressive brain disease that will continue to get worse until it is treated. Recovering is often difficult without getting professional help.
To find substance abuse prevention services in your area, please call, toll free, 1-877-9-NO DRUG (1-877-966-3784) or search online for a center in Bexar County.
If you are facing a medical emergency please dial 9-1-1.
Alpha Home
This nonprofit treatment center offers specialized counseling for children of mothers who are addicts and alcoholics. Provides substance abuse treatment and counseling services. Medicaid/Sliding fee scale available. Services provided at more than one location.
(210) 735-3822
Catholic Charities – Counseling and Consultation Center
Catholic Charities of San Antonio provides quality, low-cost counseling to individuals, couples, and families.
(210) 377-1133
The Center for Health Care Services
The Center for Health Care Services improves the lives of people with mental illness, substance abuse challenges and developmental disabilities. Our services for adult, children, elderly and veterans include: Mental Health, Developmental Disability, and Substance Abuse.
DrugRehab.com – Substance Abuse Guide for Parents
There are several effective ways to discourage your kid from trying addictive substances, and you can be the biggest source of support if your child needs help recovering from addiction.
Family Service
Counseling, play therapy, substance abuse counseling, in-home services are available. Service coordination is provided. Services provided at more than one location.
La Paz Community Health Center
Provides partial hospitalization, psychiatric, behavioral, emotional, and chemical dependency counseling. Offers mental health care and substance abuse treatment and counseling. Medicaid is accepted.
24/7 US Toll Free: (210) 697-5700
MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)
Provides support to drunk and drugged driving victims at no cost and protects drivers against drunk driving.
(210) 349-0200
Roy Maas Youth Alternatives Counseling Center
Roy Maas’ Youth Alternatives, Inc. is committed to caring for children in crisis. RMYA offers mental health care and substance abuse treatment and counseling. Crisis intervention is available.
(210) 340-7971
San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
The San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SACADA) is a nonprofit organization that provides education, youth prevention programs, information resources and services to prevent alcohol and drug abuse. We serve nearly 153,000 people in Bexar County and 28 surrounding counties in South Central Texas. Most services are free to the community.
Bexar County Substance Abuse Resources Directory
The Bexar County Substance Abuse Resources Directory has been provided as a free public service to the Bexar County area since 1990. This latest update and online version was made possible through support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. There are no fees for the use of this online directory. There are no fees to providers for inclusion in this directory.
San Antonio Drug Abuse Treatment Programs
San Antonio Drug Abuse Treatment Programs offer inpatient centers, outpatient programs, group therapy, private addiction counseling, and intervention detox.
1 (855) 385-4396
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Dial 2-1-1 >
