The Childrens Shelter

Child welfare solutionsemergency shelter: lamb camp, our reimagined emergency shelter, is a safe haven for children ages 010 who have been displaced from their homes due to crisis or traumatic situations. expanding placement capacity in regions 8a and 8b, lamb camp helps reduce disruptive out-of-area transfers, keeping children closer to their schools, siblings, and communities. intentionally designed to feel like a vibrant summer camp rather than an institution, lamb camp reflects the calm of the outdoors with nature-inspired, trauma-informed spaces, calming corners, and flexible play areas that promote safety, healing, and exploration. every aspect is thoughtfully crafted to ensure children feel valued, secure, and encouraged. lamb camp provides 24-hour care with overnight awake staff. children receive complete medical services, counseling, therapy, education and recreational activities throughout their stay.foster care: the shelter is licensed by, and receives funding from, the texas department of family and protective services as a child placing agency. the children's shelter offers and coordinates foster family services, partnering with couples and individuals who can provide temporary care for children removed from their birth families due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. the shelter provides the required training and licensing for prospective foster parents and individuals interested in foster care. the shelter also provides the same services for kinship homes, homes providing full-time care, nurturing and protection of children by relatives or significant adults.adoption: the shelter recruits and trains adoptive parents. this program provides support to children and adoptive families during every phase of the adoption process. support includes regular shelter visits, facilitation of a support group that meets regularly, and a published newsletter with helpful information.

Family strengthening and prevention servicesnurse family partnership: the nurse-family partnership is an evidence-based voluntary prevention program providing nurse shelter visitation services to any woman who is low income and pregnant with her first child. registered nurses provide support, education, and counseling on health, behavioral, and self-sufficiency issues throughout pregnancy, infancy, and continuing until the child reaches the age of two.compadre y compadre: compadre y compadre is a 15-week parenting program that provides men in a fatherhood role the opportunity to learn valuable, life-changing skills as father, provider, teacher, and hero. while most participants are referred to the program from child protective services or the court system, some participate voluntarily seeking the chance to become a stronger and more nurturing parent. programming is tailored for any male in a caregiving role, taught by an all-male staff. after the 15-week class is completed, all graduates have the opportunity to register for an additional 10-week class to become a compadre mentor.iparent: iparent sa is a comprehensive parenting and family strengthening program with immediate and long-term outcomes that reduce child maltreatment, bolster family relationships, and economic stability. highly trained and qualified parent educators work with families to facilitate evidence-based parent education curricula to help identify strengths, develop goals, and build self-sufficiency. the program also provides case management, short term respite, group based and long-term assistance for young pregnant mothers and their children.family unit-versity: family unit-versity is an evidence-based parenting pilot program dedicated to helping young parents in bexar and surrounding counties raise happy, healthy children by providing the skills, support, and resources they need to succeed. the program encourages parents to recognize the powerful influence they have as their children's first teachers. the 10-week group course covers topics such as my child's growth & developme