Bexar County Child Welfare Board

May is Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to recognize the children and families impacted by foster care, and the community responsibility we all share.

In Bexar County, 1,010 children are in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services care, based on their counts from January 2026*. Although Harris County is larger than Bexar County, Bexar has almost double the rate of children in care.

These are vulnerable children who have experienced abuse, neglect, separation, instability, and loss. They are children in our schools, neighborhoods, churches, and communities.

Every child deserves safety, stability, dignity, and care, especially in their most sensitive moments. The need in Bexar County continues, and so does our commitment to building a community of care around children and families.

This month at our Board meeting the Friends of the Bexar County Child Welfare Board had the privilege of accepting a donation from The Galan Law Firm from their Fiesta medal sales, and the incredible opportunity to hear from Randy McGibeny, President and CEO of ChildSafe about all of the important work they’re doing. Thank you so much for your contributions, to our board and to the entire community.

Join our network of support for children in care. Learn more and become a monthly donor through our Care Bexar program at carebexars.org.



*Sources: Texas Department of Family & Protective Services

https://www.dfps.texas.gov/About_DFPS/Monthly_Data/default.asp

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bexarcountytexas/PST045225

https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/harriscountytexas/PST045225

This month, we had the privilege of visiting the Center for Miracles at CHRISTUS Children’s, where compassionate professionals provide assessments and evaluations for children referred for suspected abuse or neglect. Their work helps families find answers, access support, and begin a path toward healing.

For children and families facing crisis, support often comes from many places: medical professionals, counselors, advocates, caregivers, caseworkers, nonprofits, and community partners. Together, they help create a network of care that surrounds families when they need it most.

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, we are grateful for the organizations across Bexar County working every day to meet children with care, compassion, and the support they need to keep moving forward 🩵

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, these trusted community partners are here to help:

Artvango Therapy Center
Breathe New Life
Cannenta Foundation, Inc
Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) Mental Health Care
Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.
The Center for Health Care Services
Center for Miracles at CHRISTUS Children's
ChildSafe
Clarity Child Guidance Center
Guardian House
Jewish Family Service of San Antonio
Respite Care of San Antonio, Inc
The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas
Harvey E. Najim Hope Center - The Children's Shelter
THRU Project
Wellspring of Life Counseling & Play Therapy Center, PLLC

Tomorrow’s a big day! We’re heading to San Antonio Living with our very own board member Jennifer Hoag Wydler and host Shelly Miles to talk about something close to our hearts. 💙

May is Foster Care Awareness Month AND Mental Health Awareness Month, and Jennifer is bringing her expertise as a licensed clinical social worker and chemical dependency counselor to the conversation. She’ll be sharing why mental health is important to our community, how our foster youth are impacted, and how our San Antonio neighbors can support.

📺 Tune in TOMORROW at 10am on SA Living to catch Jennifer’s segment and learn how you can get involved right here in Bexar County.

This April, for Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Bexar County Child Welfare Board proudly led our ASAP Bag initiative — mobilizing community to support children in crisis when they need it most.

Originally created by Day 1 Bags, this powerful program has become a cornerstone of our work — ensuring that first responders have immediate access to thoughtfully packed bags filled with essentials and comfort items for children experiencing trauma.

Because of this community’s action and generosity, this April we prepared and distributed 150 ASAP Bags to:

🎒 San Antonio Police Department
🎒 Bexar County Sheriff’s Office
🎒 Bexar County Constables (Precincts 2 & 4)

These bags — filled with hygiene items, personal necessities, and comforting touches — do more than meet basic needs. They provide stability, dignity, and a sense of care in deeply uncertain moments.

We’re proud to drive this work forward, and deeply grateful to those who made it possible:

💙 Our partners and donors who gave generously
💙 Our volunteers who showed up and stepped in — even during Fiesta!
💙 The officers and first responders who stood alongside us to pack and deliver these bags

A special thank you to Pastor Philip Sunder and CJCLife Church for hosting us at their NextGen Center and supporting this effort.

This is what it looks like when a community takes action for its children.

Together, we are making sure no child faces these moments without comfort, care, and support.

Thank you to all who participated and supported this ASAP effort:

▫️ Bexar County Child Welfare Board
▫️ Bexar County, Texas - Government Commissioners Court
▫️ Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
▫️ SJRC Texas & Belong
▫️ Day 1 Bags
▫️ CJC Life Church
▫️ Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA)
▫️ ASTRA Community Club SA
▫️ Altrusa - San Antonio
▫️ San Antonio Police Department
▫️ Bexar County Sheriff's Office
▫️ Bexar County Constable's Office Precinct 4
▫️ Bexar County Constable's Office Precinct 2
▫️ TX Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
▫️ Individual donors + Volunteers ❤

This month at Commissioner’s Court, BCCWB joined Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA), ChildSafe, and community partners to proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

This month is an opportunity to come together in support of children and families across our community and to reaffirm our shared commitment to their safety and well-being.

We know that meaningful progress happens through strong partnerships, thoughtful advocacy, and ongoing collaboration. By working together, we can continue to strengthen the systems that support children and help ensure positive outcomes for families in Bexar County.

The Bexar County Child Welfare Board remains dedicated to this mission and committed to serving our community.

Thank you to Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and Commissioners Rebeca Clay-Flores for Co Commissioner, Pct 1, Justin Rodriguez, Bexar County Commissioner Pct 2, Grant Moody-Bexar County Commissioner, and Tommy Calvert, Bexar County Commissioner, Pct. 4 for your continued partnership and support.

We’re heading LIVE tomorrow to San Antonio Living with BCCWB Board Members Judge Moe and host Shelly Miles Dickson to talk about our ASAP Bag Events taking place THIS WEEK and how you can support children in crisis 💙

These bags provide comfort, care, and reassurance to children facing traumatic situations — and our community helps make that possible.

📺 Tune in tomorrow at 10am to learn how you can get involved right here in San Antonio >>

📦 Donation Drive
Friday, April 24 | 1–3 PM

🎒 Volunteer Bag Stuffing Event
Saturday, April 25 | 9 AM

📍 CJCLife Church • NextGen Learning Center

Remember! You can donate anytime: bccwb.com/donateASAP

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and we’re inviting our community to show up for kids in Bexar County in a powerful way.

The Bexar County Child Welfare Board’s ASAP Bag Campaign helps provide comfort to children experiencing crisis — and you can help. These bags may seem small, but for a child facing traumatic situations, they can mean comfort and a reminder that someone cares.

📦Donation Drive
Drop off new donation items and help us organize what we need to fill the bags.

Friday, April 24 | 1–3 PM
CJCLife Church • Next Gen Learning Center
6401 Bandera Rd, Suite #200, San Antonio, TX 78238

🎒Volunteer Bag Stuffing Event
Roll up your sleeves and help us pack ASAP Bags to distribute to first responders.

Saturday, April 25 | 9 AM
CJC Life Church • Next Gen Learning Center
(same location)

Two days. Two ways to help. One big impact for kids in our county.

Can’t make it? Contribute at bccwb.com/donateASAP

Last Friday we came together for the Child Abuse Prevention Month Wreath Laying Ceremony, an event that reminds us how important this work is, year after year.

We stood together—as a community, as advocates, as neighbors—to honor and mourn the children in Bexar County whose lives were taken way too soon. The Child Welfare Board laid a wreath in their memory, a quiet but powerful reminder that these children are not forgotten.

The bell rang thirteen (13) times.

Thirteen lives. Thirteen children who deserved safety, love, and a future.

It’s impossible not to feel the weight of that moment—but also the responsibility that comes with it. Because alongside the grief is something else: the undeniable truth that it takes all of us to protect our children.

When we come together, we create the kind of support system every child deserves.

Every child’s life is precious. Every child is worthy of protection, care, and hope.

And together, we have the power to make that real. 🩵