Bexar County Child Welfare Board

07/31/2026

A huge thank you to board member Lisa Tunstall German and our own Shelly Miles for joining San Antonio Living this week to share the exciting details about this year's Hair-A-Thon! 🙌✂️

If you missed it, watch the full segment — and then join us! Here's how you can get involved:

📅 Register a child for a free haircut 👉 bccwb.com/hairathon

💇 Volunteer as a stylist, barber, or braider 👉 bccwb.com/stylist

🩵 Make a donation 👉 bccwb.com/donate

✂️ Shop our wish list 👉 bccwb.com/wishlist

Every little bit helps us make this a special day for kids in foster and kinship care in Bexar County. Thank you for spreading the word!

07/21/2026

✂️ Remember the feeling of a fresh haircut before the start of a new school year? The 2026 Bexar County Child Welfare Board Hair-a-Thon is happening Thursday, August 13 from 9 AM to 2 PM at LEE High School. You can help youth in care feel confident as they get ready to head back to school.

This free, annual event brings together our San Antonio community to give children in care something special: a fresh cut, wellness resources, and a moment that says — “you are seen, you are valued, and your community is here for you.”

There are several ways to get involved:

✂️ REGISTRATION is FREE!

Have a child — or a whole family — who could use a fresh cut before school starts? This event is open to all children in care and their caregivers, too! (Register here: bccwb.com/hairathon)

🩵 Donate

Give monetarily (bccwb.com/donate) OR shop our Amazon Wish List and send items directly (bccwb.com/wishlist)

💈 Volunteer as a licensed stylist, barber, or braider

We need skilled hands for all hair types! Select your shift and sign up today. (bccwb.com/stylist)

Help us spread the word — sharing this information helps a child start the school year feeling confident and celebrated. 🙌

06/24/2026

06/10/2026

Board member Frank Alejos Ramirez IV joined San Antonio Living host and Child Welfare Board member to talk about our County Rainbow Room 🌈

05/29/2026

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

05/27/2026

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

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

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.

05/01/2026

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 ❤

04/22/2026

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.