What is Help Me Grow Bexar County?

• A Connection to Resources
  Help Me Grow Bexar County connects families who are pregnant or have children under the age of 6 to local resources that help ensure that Bexar County children grow up happy, healthy, and ready.
• A Free Support Line
  Help Me Grow Bexar County is a free support line that families and providers can use to connect with a specially trained Care Coordinator who can answer questions related to pregnancy, parenting or child development and provide connections to community resources that meet families’ needs.
• A Tool for Families
  Help Me Grow Bexar County provides resources for families to understand developmental milestones and learn if there are concerns. This allows families to take the lead in seeking support though confidential developmental screening, supportive education, and connection to resources at no cost.

Call Our Free Support Line Now: 1-866-GROW-210 (866-476-9210)

We also speak Spanish. 

Families who are pregnant or have children under the age of 6.

Click here for more information. 

Free 

ReadyKidSA is your one-stop resource for raising Happy Healthy Ready Kids.

ReadyKidSA is a coalition of organizations across Bexar County that builds on successful child and family programs in San Antonio. Our partners offer a wide range of support services designed to help individuals and families navigate the different challenges that arise with each phase of life.

Find the right resources to fit your needs:

• Call 2-1-1: Connecting People & Services
• Get Support by the Age of Your Child
• Get Support by Services Offered
• Get In Touch with Us

Head Start children receive specialized quality education and comprehensive social services that provide opportunities for our children to learn and succeed when they enter kindergarten.

Education and disability:

• Individualized teaching
• Low child/staff ratios
• Structured routines and schedules. 
• School readiness skills
• Culturally diverse
• Services for children with disabilities
• Screenings and ongoing assessments.
• Individualized activities
• Inclusive classrooms
• Parent advocacy and training.

Health:

• Medical and dental case management.
• Staff certified in first aid & CPR.
• Clean and safe environments.
• On-site dental exams and fluoride varnish.
• Hearing and vision screenings.
• Indoor/outdoor physical development

Nutrition:

• Healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
• Menus developed by registered dietitians.

Family support:

• Parent engagement activities and leadership opportunities.
• Supporting families to meet their needs and achieve goals.
• Community resources and services.
• School district transportation may be available.

The age requirement for our Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) Program is 6 weeks – 35 months of age.

Our Early Head Start-Childcare Partnership (EHS-CCP) Program recruits families receiving Child Care Services (CCS). Often, CCS requires a co-payment, and families are responsible for paying their own co-payment directly to each childcare center.

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program aims to help residents achieve economic independence in five years.

The self-paced, voluntary program helps Public Housing residents and Housing Choice Voucher Program participants set goals to achieve in five years and earn an escrow check following program completion.

During the program, participants will receive or have access to:

• One-on-One Case Management
• Referral Services
• Money Management Classes
• Education and Training
• Career Counseling
• Career Exploration
• Job Search
• Resume Writing
• Interviewing Skills
• Parenting Skills
• Workshops
• Communication Skills

Connect with training, educational tools, and social services through the Resident Opportunity Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Program. The program is open to all residents participating in Opportunity Home programs.

Services:

• Individual Training and Service Plans
• Job Training
• Resume Development and Job Search Assistance
• Transportation Assistance
• College Preparation Assistance
• GED and Literacy Training
• Financial Literacy
• Life Skills Workshops, Including Money Management, Credit Repair, Parenting, Personal Development

Training Topics:

• Computer Basics
• Internet Basics/Navigation
• Email Basics
• Intro to Microsoft Word/ Google Docs
• Online Safety & Cyber Security
• Social Media Basics
• Financial 101
• Online Job Searching

Must be Opportunity Home Program Resident.

Contact Info:

• East Side and North East: 210-559-3329
• South Side and Medical Center: 210-823-0637
• Westside: 210-557-0123

• Free or Affordable Computers
• Online Safety Classes
• Computer Skills Classes
• Free Wi-Fi
• Free Computer Use

Community Health Programs strengthen women and their communities by working to reduce health disparities and barriers to care. We increase access to essential healthcare services, wellness tools, skills, and support for transformative community-wide change.

Empower House Parents

Together, San Antonio Metro Health, United Way HOPES Collaborative, and all their partner organizations, we’re raising awareness around family violence and empowering parents with skills and strategies to build life-giving relationships with their kids.

Empower House Women

Through skill-building and wellness workshops, we empower women with knowledge, skills, and a supportive community to make informed choices for themselves and their families.

Community Health Workers/Promotoras

Our community health workers/promotors work with individuals to bridge access to education, healthcare, and resources. We support people in identifying and addressing their needs, empowering them to live healthy, whole, flourishing lives.

Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for parenting classes, emergency assistance, and other Community Health services.

Empower Connects 

Provides digital equity opportunities, including access to the internet, devices, and tailored digital skills workshops. Our goal is to empower our community members with the knowledge and confidence to navigate technology and make informed choices for themselves and their families.

Mental Health Program

Our Mental Health Program offers compassionate counseling services to youth aged 12 to 19 and their parents/caregivers, free of charge. Whether you prefer telehealth sessions using a device, phone, or in-person services, our experienced counselors can support you. We provide individual, group, and family counseling to address various mental health needs. Our focus extends beyond counseling sessions; we specialize in connecting community members with mental health solutions and valuable resources.

Click here for referral form

Free

• Computer Skills Classes
• Free Wi-Fi
• Free Computer Use

We launched our radio station, The Empower House 101.5, in 2018, to empower youth and adults through thoughtful on-air conversations, media, and education.

Since then, staff and students have worked to create original programming aimed at anyone ready to change their community and world. Tune in digitally via apps like Google Play and the App Store, and find hours of world music, meditations, and motivational talks. Listen to our weekly programming to learn about tools and solutions to social issues like restorative justice, family violence prevention, and more.

Click here to view the program schedule.

Click here and scroll down to download our radio app and listen from your mobile device at any time!

Free.

The San Antonio Fatherhood Campaign knows that encouraging men and fathers to become better role models and parents must come with equipping them with the essential tools to succeed in Fatherhood. The Campaign offers a variety of classes and workshops not just on parenting but on a wide range of issues relating to today’s needs to become a well-rounded parent and responsible father. If you are a community agency interested in starting a Fatherhood workshop or setting up classes, we can help. Creating a "father-friendly" environment is key to fatherhood involvement and helps the overall success of the family.

The "Each one / Reach one" Challenge is designed to encourage fathers to explore how everyone can better their relationships with their children, their spouses, and their community while maintaining a healthy balance as male role models for others to see.

Our Programs & Activities:

• Boys and Men of Color
• 7th Generation Birth Services
• Women’s Healing Circle
• Men’s Healing Circle
• Be Involved Stay Involved

Free.

Head Start children receive specialized quality education and comprehensive social services that provide opportunities for our children to learn and succeed when they enter kindergarten.

Education and disability:

• Individualized teaching
• Low child/staff ratios
• Structured routines and schedules
• School readiness skills
• Culturally diverse
• Services for children with disabilities
• Screenings and ongoing assessments
• Individualized activities
• Inclusive classrooms
• Parent advocacy and training

Health:

• Medical and dental case management
• Staff certified in first aid & CPR
• Clean and safe environments
• On site dental exams and fluoride varnish
• Hearing and vision screenings
• Indoor/outdoor physical development

Nutrition:

• Healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks
• Menus developed by registered dietitians

Family support:

• Parent engagement activities and leadership opportunities
• Supporting families to meet their need and achieve goals
• Community resources and services
• School district transportation may be available

Click here to learn more.

Click here to apply.

The age requirement for our Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) Program is 6 weeks – 35 months of age.

Our Early Head Start-Childcare Partnership (EHS-CCP) Program recruits families receiving Child Care Services (CCS). Often times, CCS requires a co-payment, and families are responsible for paying their own co-payment directly to each child care center.

Head Start children receive specialized quality education and comprehensive social services that provide opportunities for our children to learn and succeed when they enter kindergarten.

Education and disability:

• Individualized teaching
• Low child/staff ratios
• Structured routines and schedules
• School readiness skills
• Culturally diverse
• Services for children with disabilities
• Screenings and ongoing assessments
• Individualized activities
• Inclusive classrooms
• Parent advocacy and training

Health:

• Medical and dental case management
• Staff certified in first aid & CPR
• Clean and safe environments
• On site dental exams and fluoride varnish
• Hearing and vision screenings
• Indoor/outdoor physical development

Nutrition:

• Healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks
• Menus developed by registered dietitians

Family support:

• Parent engagement activities and leadership opportunities
• Supporting families to meet their need and achieve goals
• Community resources and services
• School district transportation may be available

The age requirement for our Head Start Prekindergarten Program is three years old on or before September 1.

Head Start is a federally funded program provided at no cost for qualifying families. We provide education, health and dental screenings, nutrition, family support, and training services for your family.

The Dual Generation program is focused on helping parents go to college or job training and making sure their children receive an appropriate developmental level of education. We can provide childcare for the parents to attend school/training and assist with job placement after completion (or during if needed).

Tuition assistance available for job training programs:

• GED/High School Diploma
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
• Medical Assistant
• Pharmacy Technician
• Commercial Driver License (CDL)
• Administrative Assistant
• Bookkeeping / QuickBooks
• Medical Front Office
• Phlebotomy
• Child Development Associate (CDA)
• Information Technology
• Entrepreneurship
• Electrical Trade Skills Training

Monthly support and access to:

• Financial Empowerment Sessions
• Job & Career Exploration
• Parenting Classes
• Quality Childcare
• Resume Building
• Supportive Services
• Transportation Assistance

To qualify, a family must:

• have at least 1 child aged 0-10; and
• live in one of these zip codes: 78202, 78203, 78205, 78207, 78208, 78210, 78215, 78218, 78219, 78220, 78222, 78227, 78237.

Chrysalis Ministries offers in-house life skill classes for all clients. We also partner with multiple non-profits to help further client's education.

Available classes:

• Moral Reconation Therapy – $50
• Anger Management – $55
• 12-Step Faith-Based Substance Abuse and Recovery (NA and AA) – No fee
• Healthy Relationships – No fee
• Parenting Classes – No fee
• Theft Addiction and Recovery – No fee
• Money Management – No fee
• Seeking Safety: PTSD and Substance Abuse Counseling – No fee

Certificate of Completion provided for all classes.
*Payment arrangements are available
*Spanish sessions available 

Click here for program times and dates.

Fees vary

Expectant and new moms can ask to be matched to a trained female mentor who will meet with them monthly and use the 12-month parenting and child development curriculum offered by One by One Ministries USA.org.

Participants should be pregnant or moms with babies up to 12 months of age.

Free.

Family Service Association offers numerous professional counseling services including Individual, Couples, Family, Group, Substance Abuse Counseling, and Consultations.

We also provide educational groups such as Anger Management and Domestic Violence Prevention designed to help maintain personal wellness.

Services are offered locally in the San Antonio metropolitan area and our rural locations. The services are provided through a combination of at-home and office-based visits. Our licensed counselors are available on days, evenings, Saturdays, and by special appointment.

Our counseling professionals provide services to include working with children, youth, families, and seniors. Our team has many specialized skills to address a wide range of counseling needs. Services are offered for both short and long-term depending on individual needs.

We are available to assist with the following:

• Anger Management
• Child Abuse and Neglect
• Child Sexual Abuse
• Depression
• Domestic Violence
• Grief Support
• LGBT Issues
• Life Skills
• Parenting
• Relapse Prevention
• Relationships
• Stress
• Substance Abuse
• Victimization from Crime
• And more!

Counseling services are now available in both in-person and telehealth formats at the discretion of the client, following an initial enrollment session in-person.

Funding is provided by United Way, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Client Fees, School Districts, Medicaid, Private Contracts, Private Insurance, Criminal Justice Division (CJD) Grant, and Office of Attorney General (OAG) Grant.

Early Head Start and Head Start promote school readiness by encouraging parent involvement and through the cognitive, social, emotional, language, and physical development of children.

Early Head Start Requirements:
Age: 6 weeks to 3 years
Our Early Head Start Centers have an income-based requirement. Though, we encourage everyone to apply.

Early Head Start Child Care Partnership is a new opportunity to support the partnering of Early Head Start Programs with Child Care Providers to expand the number of quality slots for infants and toddlers in San Antonio. Through partnership, Early Head Start grantees partner with center-based and family child care providers who agree to meet Early Head Start Program Performance Standards and Regulations and provide high-quality comprehensive, full-day, full-year services to infants and toddlers from low-income families.

The program provides early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services that enhance the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of participating children. In addition, services provide young children ages birth to 36 months, with an array of comprehensive services including health, nutritional, behavioral, and family services.

Promotoras are state-certified community health workers who offer in-home parenting courses focusing on parenting strengths, growth and development of children, establishing nurturing routines, and guiding children's behavior. The parent education classes use a hands-on curriculum with a concurrent children's program, educational groups, follow-up services, and networking activities. The goal is to ensure children are kindergarten-ready and children have a safe, nurturing home.

A unique pilot program created by Councilwoman Gonzales, along with Family Service, it uses a peer-to-peer mentor model, allowing trained community members known as Promotoras, as well as parents in the same targeted zip code areas, to provide valuable in-home healthcare education to families.

District 5, zip codes 78207 and 78205 primarily, but the Promotoras can serve families throughout Bexar County for families with children under the age of 10.

Early Head Start Child Care Partnership is a new opportunity to support the partnering of Early Head Start Programs with Child Care Providers to expand the number of quality slots for infants and toddlers in San Antonio. Through partnership, Early Head Start grantees partner with center-based and family child care providers who agree to meet Early Head Start Program Performance Standards and Regulations and provide high-quality comprehensive, full-day, full-year services to infants and toddlers from low-income families.

The program provides early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services that enhance the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of participating children. In addition, services provide young children ages birth to 36 months, with an array of comprehensive services including health, nutritional, behavioral, and family services.

Head Start promotes school readiness by encouraging parent involvement and through children's cognitive, social, emotional, language, and physical development.

Head Start aims for every child to be:

• Achieving developmental milestones.
• Safe, healthy, and well.
• School ready
• Forming positive relationships.

Family Service Head Start is much more than child care; it’s quality early childhood education that includes:

• Research-Based Curricula Lesson plans are built around research on children’s development and learning and promote positive progress and outcomes.
• Family Engagement Parents' and caregivers' involvement in their children’s education has a long-term impact on their child’s success. Our Centers make it easy for parents to be involved.
• Lower Ratios Our classrooms have fewer students per teacher, allowing for more individualized care and attention.
• Wraparound Services Resources and services are provided to help the child and family thrive.

The age requirement for our Head Start Prekindergarten Program is three years old on or before September 1.

Head Start children receive specialized quality education and comprehensive social services that provide opportunities for our children to learn and succeed when they enter kindergarten.

Education and disability:

• Individualized teaching
• Low child/staff ratios
• Structured routines and schedules
• School readiness skills
• Culturally diverse
• Services for children with disabilities
• Screenings and ongoing assessments
• Individualized activities
• Inclusive classrooms
• Parent advocacy and training

Health:

• Medical and dental case management
• Staff certified in first aid and CPR
• Clean and safe environments
• On-site dental exams and fluoride varnish
• Hearing and vision screenings
• Indoor/outdoor physical development

Nutrition:

• Healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks
• Menus developed by registered dietitians

Family support:

• Parent engagement activities and leadership opportunities
• Supporting families to meet their needs and achieve goals
• Community resources and services
• School district transportation may be available

The age requirement for our Head Start Prekindergarten Program is three years old on or before September 1.

Head Start is a federally funded program provided at no cost for qualifying families.

Coaching is a bit different from traditional psychotherapy or counseling in that its focus is more goal-directed.

Whereas traditional therapy may have you spend weeks exploring past events to recognize how they have contributed to current moods and behaviors, parenting coaching helps you choose a goal (get my child to do their homework without a daily tantrum) and offers tried and true techniques to help get the outcomes you desire.

Parenting coaching is for any parent who wishes to resolve behavioral struggles with their children. These struggles can include typical daily struggles such as:

• Morning routines
• Homework struggles
• Sibling bickering

But coaching can also help with more demanding behaviors that push the parent’s skillset. These include:

• Dealing with a strong-willed child
• Getting a picky eater to eat
• Engaging with an angry or defiant teenager
• Guiding a child with Attention Deficit issues

Fees

• $120 per session (Individual)
• $150 per session (Couples)

Intern Rates

• $0-$35 (sliding scale)

Pay by Cash, Check, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa

Insurance

• BlueCross and BlueShield
• Humana
• Medicaid
• Optum
• Superior HealthPlan
• UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH
• Out of Network

The CARE program helps our community's expecting and new parents with:

• Parenting classes
• lactation
• Breastfeeding support
• counseling
• other resources for healthy pregnancies and infant care

Free

Supporting Dads is a free, group-based, 12-week class for fathers who want to become more active, engaged dads.

Classes include what it means to be a man, productive communication, discipline techniques, managing emotions, case management, and basic needs assistance for the baby.

All fathers expecting or parenting a child 0-17 years of age are eligible.

This group meets at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine Church

Virtual meetings are available for those who qualify.

FREE

Head Start children receive specialized quality education and comprehensive social services that provide opportunities for our children to learn and succeed when they enter kindergarten.

Education and disability:

• Individualized teaching
• Low child/staff ratios
• Structured routines and schedules
• School readiness skills
• Culturally diverse
• Services for children with disabilities
• Screenings and ongoing assessments
• Individualized activities
• Inclusive classrooms
• Parent advocacy and training

Health:

• Medical and dental case management
• Staff certified in first aid and CPR
• Clean and safe environments
• On-site dental exams and fluoride varnish
• Hearing and vision screenings
• Indoor/outdoor physical development

Nutrition:

• Healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks
• Menus developed by registered dietitians

Family support:

• Parent engagement activities and leadership opportunities
• Supporting families to meet their needs and achieve goals
• Community resources and services
• School district transportation may be available

Upbring Head Start Preschool provides a safe, inclusive place to learn, grow, and thrive. The families receive support and services to complement the child’s education as the kindergarten transition nears.

To apply for Upbring Early Head Start Preschool:

• you must live in the county where the services are being provided;
• your child must be at least 6 weeks old by September 1 of the current school year;
• consideration for age-eligible children entering mid-year are welcomed;
• your family must meet specific income or qualify under one of the following categories:
  •  is living in foster care or kinship placement
  • is living in a family that receives an ongoing cash assistance Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) grant;
  • is living in a household with a family member who is supported by the income of parents or guardians who received Supplemental Security Income (SSI);
  • Is living in a family that receives Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
  • lacks a regular fixed adequate nighttime residence and meets the definition of homeless children or unaccompanied youth in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Head Start children receive specialized quality education and comprehensive social services that provide opportunities for our children to learn and succeed when they enter kindergarten.

Education and disability:

• Individualized teaching
• Low child/staff ratios
• Structured routines and schedules
• School readiness skills
• Culturally diverse
• Services for children with disabilities
• Screenings and ongoing assessments
• Individualized activities
• Inclusive classrooms
• Parent advocacy and training

Health:

• Medical and dental case management
• Staff certified in first aid & CPR
• Clean and safe environments
• On-site dental exams and fluoride varnish
• Hearing and vision screenings
• Indoor/outdoor physical development

Nutrition:

• Healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks
• Menus developed by registered dietitians

Family support:

• Parent engagement activities and leadership opportunities
• Supporting families to meet their needs and achieve goals
• Community resources and services
• School district transportation may be available

Our Early Head Start-Childcare Partnership (EHS-CCP) Program recruits families receiving Child Care Services (CCS). Often, CCS requires a co-payment, and families are responsible for paying their own co-payment directly to each childcare center.

Free baby-related material assistance and parenting resources for pregnant or parenting mothers of children younger than three years old.

Click here to learn more. 

Veronica's Boutique serves expecting mothers and new parents with children under 36 months.

Call for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Free.

Parent Life reaches expectant and parenting teens and their children through intentional relationships with trained adults and community partnerships, empowering the teens to make good choices and encouraging them to further their education and move toward independent living and become life-long followers of Jesus Christ.

We are able to share God’s hope and love to a group of teenagers who desperately need Him. And that need makes them no different than us. All of us desperately need Him. That is why He came.

Who Are We? A group of forgiven followers who will do whatever it takes so that kids have a chance to know the love of the Father.

Expectant and parenting teens and their children.

Group meets at City Life Center, 1301 Colima, San Antonio, 78207.

Guadalupe Community Center provides immediate help to address food insecurity, reduce poverty, and prevent homelessness.

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.

English and Spanish sessions available.

To Be Eligible:

• Low-income
• First-time mothers less than 28 weeks pregnant.

Free.