Parenting Programs

A free program that provides long-term, home-based parenting education for parents and caregivers who are expecting or have at least one child in the house under the age of 3 years, to increase parent knowledge in those critical first five years of development and to promote school-readiness.

Parents will receive a 1 hour home visit, twice a month up to the child’s fifth birthday.

Visits include parent-child activities that provide opportunities for learning through play, topics to help the parents grow in understanding of the importance of the first three years of development which includes challenges and family dynamics that impact parenting, and a check-in on the family well-being to provide support and connection to resources.

• Eligibility: Families with 2 or more needs (i.e. high stress, parent conflict, stress managing child behavior, lack of support, experiencing depression/anxiety, need child development knowledge & appropriate expectations, homelessness, non-traditional family structure) with a child 0-3 years in the home living in Bexar County.
• Contacts: 210.568.8958
  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

Catholic Charities Free, Virtual Parenting Classes

Nurturing Families Free Virtual Co-parenting Classes. Guidance and support for parents with children prenatal – 36 months of age.

• Eligibility: Parents with children prenatal to 36 months of age
• Contact: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.
  Natasha Bridges at (210) 222-1294.

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

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>

Nurturing Families

Free maternal and childhood health program providing first-time mothers valuable knowledge and support throughout pregnancy and until their baby reaches 24 months old.

Parents receive two hours of parenting education in a judgment-free, safe environments once a week for ten sessions focused on nurturing interactions between parent and child, improving social connections for families and basic needs for baby.

• English and Spanish classes are available.
• Eligibility: Parents who are expecting or have a child under 3 years (0-36months)
• Contact: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.: 210.222.1294

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Dial 2-1-1

A free maternal and childhood health program providing first-time mothers valuable knowledge and support throughout pregnancy and until their baby reaches 24 months old.

First-time mothers are paired with nurse home visitors to improve prenatal health, child health and development, and increased economic self-sufficiency.

• Eligibility: Low-income, first-time mothers less than 28 weeks pregnant
• Contact: Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.: 210. 226-3030

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>

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