The Parent-Infant Program at Sunshine Cottage provides parent-focused, child-driven intervention for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing birth to three years. Our mission is to guide and coach parents to assume the role of the primary language facilitators in order to fire and wire their child’s brain for listening. Our program is dedicated to counseling parents about hearing loss, hearing technology, and advocacy. Parents learn to implement strategies to develop auditory skills that support spoken language. We endorse the development of fluent listening and spoken language as the foundation for literacy and future academic success.

Click here to learn more.

Infants 0-3 years and their parents

In a homelike setting, Alpha Home’s residential substance use treatment facility helps women acquire the safe coping skills needed to lead a life of recovery.

With a gender-specific focus, evidence-based curriculums to improve skills, and counseling support to address all aspects of the difficulties women face in their addiction, Alpha Home offers a treatment philosophy that incorporates its core values of compassion, integrity, respect, and spirituality.

This program offers:

• Staff available 24/7 in a homelike setting
• Comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment plans
• Case management to connect clients to needed community resources with our community partners
• Individual and group counseling
• Sober-related activities to help clients build new supports
• Guidance in creating a solid discharge plan for continued stability in recovery
• Parenting & Family Groups
• Seeking Safety Program
• Relapse Prevention
• Women’s Health & Wellness
• Dedicated Recovery Coaches

Women ages 18 and older

Click here to contact to inquire about Residential Treatment (for women) or to schedule an assessment, call OSAR at 210-261-3076. You may also call the number below.

Walk-in applicants will be seen as we are able based upon staff availability. An appointment may be set up for a future date if no one is available at the time of walk-in.

Alpha Home accepts the following health plans:

• Aetna Better Health
• Amerigroup
• Community First Health Plans
• Molina Healthcare
• Superior
• Traditional Medicaid
• ComPsych
• Value Options

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)
• Bookkeeping / QuickBooks
• Medical Front Office
• Administrative Assistant w/ Phlebotomy
• Child Development Associate (CDA)
• Information Technology
• Customer Service Financial Services
• Paraprofessional Educator Training

Monthly support and access to:

• Job & Career Exploration
• 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.

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.

Children Matter is the best option for both biological parents and family members by offering consistent visitation (pending court orders and family plans of service).

Our services include:

Individualized Parent Coaching Each biological parent receives a Visitation Coach as a part of their onboarding. This coach does one on one parent coaching using our twelve-week curriculum called “The Active Parent.” In these twelve weeks, parents will learn skills such as:

• Character development
• Good communication
• Healthy structure
• Positive reinforcement
• Attachment/bonding
• Effective discipline management
• Family life skills

Supervised Family Visitation Children Matter offers our families a safe, comfortable, homelike setting where they can come and spend quality time together in a structured environment for both court-ordered and private services.

Before each visit, the parent receives parent coaching and immediately gets the opportunity to begin putting these skills to practice with their children in the visit that follows.

We work hard to inspire moments of healing, growth, and positivity during each visit as the family goes through the permanency process together.

Case Management We take care of all the details so our clients don’t have to. Our top-notch team members facilitate all communication and visitation scheduling with all parties.

We do hands-on work with:

• CPS caseworkers
• Social services
• CASA advocates
• Therapists
• Attorneys
• Foster caregivers

We also provide a detailed report of each visit for the progression of the case and for the safety of the children. 

To get started, email a copy of your official court order to us at [email protected]. A team member will be in touch with intake and scheduling information.

Our services are offered on a sliding scale fee based on your service needs. There is a $25 initial intake fee for both the custodial and non-custodial parties.

Guardian House also facilitates a five-week Parenting Together group at off-site locations upon request. Contact us for more information and scheduling.

This class is a requirement for participants enrolled in the Domestic Relations Office’s (DRO) Shared Parenting program. Although the custodial parent and non-custodial parent take classes at separate times, they discuss the same topics throughout the group. Interested parents should contact the DRO for more information.

This class is a requirement for participants enrolled in the Domestic Relations Office’s (DRO) Shared Parenting program. Although the custodial parent and non-custodial parent take classes at separate times, they discuss the same topics throughout the group. Interested parents should contact the DRO for more information (210)335-1242.

A supervisor will be present at all times during the interaction between the parent and child(ren). The supervisor documents observed interactions and conversations during the visit; however, they do not record opinions or make recommendations. The supervisor is responsible to intervene and re-direct the non-custodial parent if policies are not being followed.

The role of the supervisor is also to help facilitate, as needed, interaction and connections between the parent and child. Additionally, the supervisor can assist with parenting questions, like how to discipline with time-outs and how to change a diaper. Parents are encouraged to take our free Parenting Education class and can put to practice what they are learning during visitation.

We understand that being supervised during visitation may feel uncomfortable at first, but parents and children typically adjust quickly to the situation.

We will need to review your court order to start the process for monitored exchanges or supervised visits.

Please email your court order to [email protected] and include your name and phone number.

A staff member from the Intake Department will contact you to schedule an intake appointment within 48 hours.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is one of the most effective evidence-based parenting programs in the world, backed up by more than 35 years of ongoing research.

Guardian House offers a combined Triple P Level 4 Group and Pathways Level 5 classes that provide intensive support for families with complex concerns—primarily aimed at parents at risk of child maltreatment.

Classes cover anger management and other behavioral strategies to improve a parent’s ability to cope with raising children.

HIP is a free, voluntary home visiting program that provides an extensive family assessment, one-on-one parenting support, and activities.

English and Spanish sessions are available.

To be eligible, parents must be:

• current/former foster youth who are expecting and/or parenting a child 0-2 years of age

or

• parents with prior history of involvement with Child Protective Services who are expecting and/or parenting a child 0-2 years of age.

Free

Parent Talk is a free, group based program for parents to gather and discuss the many different facets of parenting. Utilizing the nurturing curriculum, our educators facilitate weekly group discussions and activities in a judgment free, safe environment, in various sites throughout the Eastside Promise Neighborhood.

Parent Talk facilitates Parenting and Life Skills education for individuals and family members acting as caregivers to children 0 to 17 years of age, and is offered in both English and Spanish. Our mission is to increase families’ protective factors through encouraging positive parenting practices: family functioning and parental resiliency; social connections and support; nurturing and attachment; through information, and guidance from parent advocates and their peers.

(Meals are offered at each session and childcare is provided at most locations.)

Offered exclusively within the Eastside Promise Neighborhood (78202 and 78208).

To speak with program director, Gina Acevedo, please call (210) 267-2567.

Free

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's well-being to provide support and connection to resources.

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.

Free

Pregnancy and New Parent Support Program is for women and men who are expecting a child or who are parenting a child under 24 months. Our compassionate staff is ready to walk beside you and assist you in welcoming your little one and accomplishing your goals. Services include counseling, parenting education, and case management - including resources and referrals assistance. Our services can be delivered through individual, couple or family sessions. All services are free and confidential, and can be offered in our office or in your home.

Free

Recovering Couples is a FREE group-based class for parenting couples to share valuable relationship techniques and to decrease stressors through resources and support.

The group will share experiences, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problems and help other recovering couples restore their relationship and family unit.

Contact Don Davis for more information.

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.

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.

For more information, please contact the Family Service Behavioral Health Counseling team at 210-299-2406. 

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.

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.

The FRC provides the following services to family members of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals:

• Assistance with basic needs (food, clothing, transportation, ID cards, etc.
• Employment assistance through job readiness, and job referrals
• Regular support group meetings
• Substance recovery classes
• Chaplaincy services
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Mental health counseling
• Public utilities assistance (when funding is available)
• Parenting classes
• Anger management classes
• Art therapy for victims of domestic violence

• Identification
• Proof of incarceration

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:

• Job Readiness and Career Development with two annual job fairs (No fee required)
• Money Management
• 12-Step Faith-based Substance Abuse and Recovery (NA & AA)
• Anger Management Class ($55 fee)
• Theft Addiction and Recovery
• Healthy Relationships
• Seeking Safety: PTSD and Substance Abuse Pastoral Counseling (No fee)
• Parenting Classes (No cost)
• Moral Recognition Therapy (No charge)

Click here for program times & dates.

Fees vary

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.

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

Empower House Parents

Together with 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/promotoras 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. 

Free

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.

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.

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 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.

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