Bexar County Community Plan - Alamo Area Council of Governments
Transcription
Bexar County Community Plan - Alamo Area Council of Governments
Bexar County Community Plan 2014 - 2015 Date approved by Bexar County Commissioner’s Court: April 8, 2014 Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 1 Table of Contents (Click on any topic to go directly to that section) Mission Statement Goal Statement Geographic Areas County Demographics Community Planning Team Community Planning Chairpersons Juvenile Services Victim Services Criminal Justice Services Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services AACOG Planning Liaisons Juvenile Issues Priority 1 Victim Issues Priority 1 Priority 2 Criminal Justice Issues (law enforcement, courts, corrections) Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues Priority 1 Resources Available Interagency Cooperation Historical Information Mission Statement “To articulate the needs and wants of the community by setting Bexar County’s priorities and guiding the funding procurement process.” Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 2 Goal Statement Juvenile Issues Committee: To educate the community about the critical needs of children and the urgency for adequately funded resources that help them to become healthy, contributing members of society. Victims Services Committee: Victims in Bexar County are entitled to crisis/intervention services, as well as recovery and long-term services, in order to restore their lives and provide healing and hope for the future. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Committee: To protect the citizens of our community and ensure justice is done: programs need to be developed to address not only the demands required of fighting “ordinary” crime, but also fighting the more complex crimes which are emerging; law enforcement and correction personnel need to be highly trained and well-equipped; and the “revolving” door phenomenon of the criminal justice system needs to be minimized. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee: To support the delivery of effective prevention initiatives and treatment programming for Mental Health and Substance Abuse that improve public safety by decreasing incidence of drug and alcohol abuse, restore individuals and families through compassionate and accountable programming, and maximize the efficiencies of strategic partnerships and collaboratives. Return to Table of Contents Geographic Areas Represented Incorporated Communities: Alamo Heights Hill Country Village Balcones Heights Hollywood Park Castle Hills Kirby China Grove Leon Valley Converse Live Oak Elmendorf Lytle (partial) Fair Oaks Ranch Olmos Park Grey Forest San Antonio Helotes Schertz Unincorporated Communities: Adkins Leon Springs Atascosa Lone Oak Buena Vista Macdona Cassin Parita Kirk Independent School Districts: Alamo Heights Judson Boerne (partial) Lackland Comal (partial) Lytle (partial) East Central Medina Valley (partial) Edgewood North East Selma Shavano Park Somerset St. Hedwig Terrell Hills Universal City Von Ormy Windcrest San Geronimo Saunders Sayers Southton San Antonio Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Somerset South San Antonio Southside Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 3 Fort Sam Houston Harlandale Northside Randolph Southwest Return to Table of Contents County Demographics: Bexar County (the San Antonio Metropolitan Area) covers approximately 1,247 square miles in the interior belt of the Coastal Plain of South Central Texas crossing the Balcones Escarpment. Bexar County is bound by Comal and Kendall Counties to the North; Bandera and Medina Counties to the West; Guadalupe County to the East; and Atascosa and Wilson Counties to the South. It is strategically located to benefit from commerce across the states and between countries. Interstate Highway 10 provides Bexar County with direct access to the East and West Coasts of the United States while Interstate Highway 35 links Bexar County with direct access to Mexico and Canada. Based on the 2012 Census Estimate, the City of San Antonio was the 7th largest city in the United States. Bexar County is currently the 4th most populated County in Texas (out of 254 counties) and the 19th most populous County in the country. Return to Table of Contents Additional demographic facts and figures are as follows (see: http://quickfacts.census.gov/): Overall Population Population, 2012 estimate Population, percent change, April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012 Population, 2010 Population by Age Group Persons under 5 years old, percent 2012 Persons under 18 years old, percent 2012 Persons 65 years old and over, percent 2012 Population by Education High School graduates, percent of persons age 25 years and above, 20072011. Bexar County 1,785,704 4.1% Texas 26,059,203 3.6% 1,714,773 Bexar County 7.4% 25,145,561 Texas 7.5% 26.5% 26.8% 10.7% 10.9% Bexar County 81.7% Texas 80.4% Population by Education (cont.) Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years and above, 20072011. Population by Sex Female persons, percent 2012 Bexar County 25.6% Texas 26.1% Bexar County 50.8% Texas 50.3% Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 4 Male persons, percent 2012 49.2% 49.7% Population by Income Bexar County Texas Median household income, 2007-2011 $48,083 $50,920 Per capita money income, 2007-2011 $23,866 $25,548 Persons below poverty, percent 200717.1% 17.0% 2011 Population by Housing Bexar County Texas Housing Units, 2011 672,307 10,098,750 Homeownership Rate, 2007-2011 61.6% 64.5% Housing Units in multi-unit structures, 26.9% 24.0% percent 2007-2011 Median value of owner-occupied $121,200 $126,400 housing units 2007-2011 Households, 2007-2011 590,364 8,667,807 Persons per household, 2007-2011 2.79 2.79 Population by Race/Ethnicity/Culture Bexar County Texas White persons, percent 2012 (a) 85.6% 80.6% Black persons, percent 2012 (a) 8.1% 12.3% American Indian and Alaska Native 1.2% 1.0% persons, percent 2012 (a) Asian persons, percent 2012(a) 2.7% 4.2% Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific 0.2% 0.1% Islander, percent 2012 (a) Persons reporting two or more races, 2.1% 1.7% percent 2012 Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, 59.1% 38.2% percent 2012 (b) White persons not Hispanic, percent 29.8% 44.5% 2012 Foreign born persons, percent 200712.8% 16.2% 2011 Language other than English spoken at 42.8% 34.4% home, percent age 5 years and above, 2007-2011 (a) Includes persons reporting only one race. (b) Hispanics may be of any race, thus are also included in applicable race categories. Return to Table of Contents Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 5 Community Planning Team In developing this Community Plan, members of the team were divided into four major taskforces for the purpose of narrowing the scope of research and data that are incorporated into the Plan. Some members served in multiple capacities and categories. Community Planning Chairperson: Name Dr. Allen Castro Agency Bexar County Department Budget and Finance Address 101 W. Nueva, 9th Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 E-mail [email protected] Phone 210-335-0744 Return to Table of Contents Juvenile Services: Name Jessica Govan Co-Chair Agency Address E-mail Phone 1115 Mission Rd San Antonio, TX 78210 [email protected] 210-533-3504 ext. 233 1115 Mission Rd San Antonio, TX 78210 [email protected] 210-533-3504 ext. 211 American Indians of Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions TJJD Parole 1313 Guadalupe St. #104 San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] m 210-227-4940 1402 N. Hackberry San Antonio, TX 78208 [email protected] 210-335-8588 Dejah Behnke Communities In Schools 1616 E. Commerce St. San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-520-8440 Richard Davidson Family Services Association of San Antonio Seton Home 702 San Pedro San Antonio, TX 78212 [email protected] 210-299-2423 1115 Mission Rd San Antonio, TX 78210 [email protected] 210-533-3504 ext. 236 Tiffany Galvan Big Brothers Big Sisters 202 Baltimore San Antonio, TX 78215 [email protected] 210-315-3980 Marissa Jimenez San Antonio Sports 100 Montana San Antonio, TX 78203 [email protected] 210-820-2118 Theresa Leal San Antonio ISD 1700 Tampico San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] 210-554-2605 Gina Licata Adams Bexar County Juvenile Probation Southwest Key 301 E Mitchell San Antonio TX 78210 [email protected] 210-335-7756 11643 Vance Jackson San Antonio TX 78230 [email protected] 210-299-2400 Bexar County Juvenile Probation 301 E. Mitchell San Antonio, TX 78210 [email protected] 210-335-7661 Tiffany Walker Co-Chair Karla Aguilar Ericka Barrera Michele DziadikWillingham Emily Martinez Rebecca Martinez Seton Home Seton Home Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 6 Alma Ortiz 301 E. Mitchell San Antonio, TX 78210 [email protected] 210-335-7571 Gary Pollock Bexar County Juvenile Probation San Antonio ISD 1700 Tampico San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] 210-250-1251 Pamela Raines Catholic Charities 202 W. French Place San Antonio, TX 78212 [email protected] 210-222-1294 Kari Stewart Catholic Charities 202 W. French Place San Antonio, TX 78212 [email protected] 210-222-1294 John Strelchun San Antonio ISD 1700 Tampico San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] 210-554-2535 Ramon Vasquez American Indians of Texas [email protected] 210-473-6661 [email protected] 210-335-1976 Ellen Walter Bexar County District Attorney Office 235 E. Mitchell #245 San Antonio, TX 78006 Return to Table of Contents Victim Services: Name Agency Michael Malinas, Chairman Jewish Family Service Sara Alvarado Boysville Kitty Brietzke SAILS Jennifer Browne Not Above the Law Janie Cook Boystown Michele Cammack Suzanne Carter Address E-mail Phone 12500 N.W. Military Hwy, Ste. 250 San Antonio, TX 78231 8555 Loop 1604 North Converse, TX 781090369 1028 S. Alamo San Antonio, TX 78210 [email protected] 210-302-6949 [email protected] 210-659-1901 [email protected] 210-281-1878 28906 Chartwell Lane Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015 503 Urban Loop San Antonio, TX 78204 [email protected] 210-508-3815 [email protected] 210-271-1010 Seton Home 1115 Mission Road, S.A. TX. 78210 [email protected] rg 210-533-3504 ext. 236 Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio Family Service Association 7711 Madonna Dr. San Antonio, TX 78213 [email protected] 210-377-1133 702 San Pedro S.A. TX. 78212 [email protected] 210-299-2423 Miriam Elizondo The Rape Crisis Center 7500 US Hwy 90 West, San Antonio, TX 78227 [email protected] 210-349-7273 Cynthia Jahn Bexar County District Attorney’s Office Childsafe – San Antonio 300 Dolorosa, 5th Floor S.A. Tx, 78205 [email protected] 210-335-2733 7130 West Hwy 90 San Antonio, TX 78227 [email protected] 210-675-900 Richard Davidson Randy McGibeny Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 7 Deborah C. Parrott Pamela Raines Gay Lynn Schwenk Bexar County District Attorney’s Office Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. 101 W. Nueva, 7th Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-335-2311 202 W. French Place San Antonio, TX 78212 [email protected] 210-242-3111 7911 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209 [email protected] 210-930-3669 Return to Table of Contents Criminal Justice Services (law enforcement, courts, corrections): Name Agency Address E-mail Phone Lt. Jose Treviño, Chairman Bexar County Sheriff’s Office 200 N. Comal St. San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] 210-335-6043 Vickie Adams San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Windcrest Police Department 7500 US Hwy 90 West San Antonio, TX 78227 [email protected] 210-225-4741 8601 Midcrown Windcrest, TX 78239 [email protected] 210-315-4481 Kirk Boatright Live Oak Police Department 8022 Shin Oak Dr. Live Oak, TX 78233 [email protected] 210-945-1781 Fritz Bohne Olmos Park Police 120 W. El Prado San Antonio, TX 78212 [email protected] 210-824-3281 John Correu Schertz Police Department [email protected] 210-619-1245 Ken Evans Live Oak Police Department 1400 Schertz Parkway, #6 San Antonio, TX 78154 8022 Shin Oak Dr. Live Oak, TX 78233 [email protected] 512-845-2449 Raymond Ford Constable, Precinct 2 [email protected] 210-335-4877 Henry Hollyday Bexar County Crime Lab 7723 Guilbeau Road, Suite 105 San Antonio, TX 78250 7337 Louis Pasteur San Antonio, TX [email protected] 210-335-4103 Will Longoria Bexar County Judicial Support Services San Antonio Police Department Bexar County Sheriff’s Office 101 W. Nueva, Suite 310 San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-335-8926 315 S. Santa Rosa San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-207-3405 200 N. Comal St. San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] 210-335-6442 Balcones Heights Police Department Alamo Heights Police Department Bexar County Sheriff’s Office 3300 Hillcrest Dr. San Antonio, Tx78201 [email protected] 210-735-9212 6116 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209 [email protected] 210-822-6433 200 N. Comal St. San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] 210-335-6189 Al Ballew Tony Muro Michael Pesses Joseph Pineda Cindy D. Pruitt Thomas Roach Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 8 Juan Sanchez [email protected] 512-644-7481 Roland Schuler Bexar County Sheriff’s Office 200 N. Comal St. San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] 210-335-6185 Fred Solis Bexar County Criminal District Attorney San Antonio Police Department San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse San Antonio Police Department 101 W. Nueva, 4th Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-335-2872 315 S. Santa Rosa San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-207-7360 7500 US Hwy 90 West San Antonio, TX 78227 [email protected] 210-225-4741 315 S. Santa Rosa San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-207-7405 Anthony Treviño Charles Villafranca Roy Waldhelm Return to Table of Contents Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: Name Jocelyn Van Coney, Chairwoman Vickie Adams Andrea Arellano Ericka Barrera Kristine Brown Suzanne Carter Audrey Cavazos Melanie Cawthon Angelica Cervantes Ken Confer Janie Cook Agency Address E-mail Phone Alpha Home 300 E. Mulberry San Antonio, TX 78212 [email protected] 210-735-3822 San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Bexar County Misdemeanor Reentry Court Texas Juvenile Justice Department Voices for Children 7500 US Hwy 90 West San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] 210-225-4741 101 W. Nueva, 3rd Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-335-0472 321 N. Center St., W-200 San Antonio, TX 78202 [email protected] 210-335-8588 1 Haven for Hope Way, Bld. 3.323 San Antonio, TX 78207 7711 Madonna Dr. San Antonio, TX 78213 [email protected] 210-220-2585 [email protected] 210-377-1133 101 W. Nueva, 9th Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-335-0682 6336 Montgomery Drive San Antonio, TX 78239 [email protected] 210-656-6674 x 101 1115 Mission Road San Antonio, TX 78210 [email protected] 210-533-3504 ext. 241 10290 Southton Road San Antonio, TX 78223 503 Urban Loop San Antonio, TX 78204 [email protected] 210-633-0201 [email protected] 210-271-1010 Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio Bexar County Management and Finance Reaching Maximum Independence Seton Home Lifetime Recovery Boystown Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 9 Richard Davidson Family Service Association 702 San Pedro San Antonio, TX 78212 [email protected] 210-299-2423 Ad’m Dusenbury Voices for Children [email protected] 210-220-2584 Kathleen Fletcher Voices for Children [email protected] 210-220-2584 William Hastings Lifetime Recovery 1 Haven for Hope Way, Bld. 3.323 San Antonio, TX 78207 1 Haven for Hope Way, Bld. 3.323 San Antonio, TX 78207 10290 Southton Road San Antonio, TX 78223 [email protected] 210-273-2162 Debra A. Jordan Bexar County Judicial Services 222 S. Comal San Antonio, TX 78207 [email protected] 210-335-8744 Pat Keebaugh Bexar County Family Drug Court Chrysalis Ministries 100 Dolorosa, 3rd Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-289-7142 503 San Pedro San Antonio, TX 78212 [email protected] 210-299-4540 ext. 115 Will Longoria Bexar County Judicial Services 101 W. Nueva, Suite 310 San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-335-8926 Jane Nolasco Seton Home 1115 Mission Road San Antonio, TX 78210 [email protected] 210-533-3504 ext. 241 Pamela Raines Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio Family Treatment Court 202 W. French Place San Antonio, TX 78212 [email protected] 210-242-3111 300 Dolorosa, 3rd Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-335-2959 San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Bexar County Felony Treatment Courts 7500 US Hwy 90 West, Suite 100 San Antonio, TX 78227 [email protected] 210-225-4741 Frank M. Tejeda, Jr. Juvenile Justice Center 301 E. Mitchell St. San Antonio, TX 78210 235 E. Mitchell, Suite 245 San Antonio, TX 78210 [email protected] 210-335-7515 [email protected] 210-335-1976 101 W. Nueva, 3rd Floor San Antonio, TX 78205 [email protected] 210-335-3063 Natalie Lizarralde Barbara Schafer Charles Villafranca Dr. Jeannie Von Stultz Ellen WalterWheeler Diana Zamarron Alamo Area Council of Governments Community Planning Liaisons: Name Agency Address E-mail Marcela Medina Alamo Area Council of Governments 8700 Tesoro, Suite 700 San Antonio, TX 78217 [email protected] Jennifer Forbes Alamo Area Council of Governments 8700 Tesoro, Suite 700 San Antonio, TX 78217 [email protected] Phone 210-362-5250 Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 10 The Bexar County Community Plan is available on-line at www.aacog.com Return to Table of Contents Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 11 Identification of Community Priorities In each of the areas below, problems are identified and data is included that supports both the existence and severity of the problems as they are found in Bexar County. Below is a discussion of the prioritized problems, data and statistics that explain the manner in which the problems are being reported, and strategically how responses to these community problems could be improved. Juvenile Issues (listed in order of priority, greatest need first) Priority 1: The Juvenile Issues Committee identifies the following high risk behaviors and circumstances as critical needs of youth in the community: Truancy and Academic Failure Prevention and Intervention. Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Intervention. Physical Inactivity, Poor Nutrition, and Related Academic Failure Prevention & Intervention. Violence Prevention and Intervention. The committee analyzed Bexar County data related to above mentioned needs and proposed objectives that are best practices with a desired outcome of healthy youth that are contributing members of the community. Risk Factor #1: Truancy and Academic Failure Prevention and Intervention: The Juvenile Services Subcommittee carefully analyzed the current issues challenging Bexar County and once again concluded that the most significant problem continues to be truancy and academic failure, with over 47% of the total public school population being at risk of not graduating from high school. It is well known that dropouts face significant barriers to decent employment for the rest of their lives, as well as increased risks for delinquency, drug use, teen pregnancy and poor health. Less often acknowledged are the costs that these personal tragedies impose on the community as a whole: limited economic growth, millions of dollars in taxes and criminal justice expenditures, healthcare, welfare and work training, and increasing numbers of citizens dependent upon scarce social services. The difficulties dropouts face become, in one form or another, difficulties faced by all of us. Truancy may be the beginning of a lifetime of problems for students that routinely skip school: Because they fall behind in their schoolwork. Many dropout of school because dropping out is easier than catching up. Truancy is universally seen as a stepping stone to delinquent and criminal activity. Of the risk factors contributing to juvenile delinquency, chronic absenteeism is the most powerful predictor of delinquent behavior. Truant students are at higher risk of being drawn into behavior involving drugs, alcohol, gangs, violence, or early sexual activity resulting in teen pregnancies and/or sexually transmitted diseases. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 12 Truancy is costly: o It costs students an education, resulting in lifelong reduced earning capacity. o It costs businesses, which must pay to train uneducated workers. o It costs taxpayers, who must pay higher taxes for law enforcement and welfare costs for dropouts who end up on welfare rolls or underemployed. o Each year, high school dropouts in the state of Texas cost taxpayers about $377 million in lost tax revenue, increased incarceration costs and increased Medicaid costs (The High Cost of Failing to Reform Public Education in Texas, National Center for Policy Analysis, February 13, 2012). With an expected lifetime cost of $19 billon coming from three sources: lost revenue from tax fees, increased Medicaid cost and increased incarceration. Years of research show that greater family and parent involvement in children’s learning is crucial to achieving a high quality education. Parent involvement is important to the educational success of a young adolescent and yet generally declines when a child enters the middle grades (Epstein, 2005, Jackson & Andrews, 2004; Jackson & Davis, 2000; NMSA, 2003). Among Hispanic families, research has demonstrated a consistent decline among parental involvement in their children’s education, often starting around the 3 rd grade, (Valdez, 2002). High school students from low income families are six times more likely to drop out than those from higher income families, and Hispanics have the highest dropout rates of all ethnic groups. Parent involvement leads to improved educational performance (Epstein et al., 2002; Fan & Chen, 2001; NMSA, 2003; Sheldon & Epstein, 2002; Van Voorhis, 2003). Parent involvement improves school attendance (Epstein et al., 2002). The best dropout prevention models target the child and his/her home environment and the obstacles to success. Supporting Data: Truancy is defined by law as either three unexcused absences in a four-week period or 10 unexcused absences in a six-month period. Once this occurs, a warning letter is generated by the school and sent to the child’s parent. On any given day in Bexar County, an estimated 4,885 high school students are absent from school, many with no valid excuse (2009 Region 20 AEIS Report, Texas Education Agency; American Community Survey, 2008 Data Profile of Bexar County, U.S. Census Bureau). There are approximately 322,213 public school students in Bexar County, according to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Over 47% (318,354) of those students are considered at-risk for academic failure. At-risk factors include; poverty; low academic achievement; teen pregnancy and parenting; lack of attachment to the school and/or the family; family dysfunction; and limited English proficiency. While the distribution of the largest at-risk population by grade varies with each school district, the following latest-available figures from TEA 2012-2013 AEIS Data demonstrate the number of “at risk” students for Bexar County’s largest school districts: Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 13 Percentage of At Risk Students by School District 2012-2013 District Name Total #Economically % #At Students Disadvantaged Economically Risk Disadvantaged Alamo Heights 4,808 1,063 22.1% 930 East Central 9,603 6,380 66.4% 4,484 Edgewood 11,937 11,419 95.7% 8,136 Harlandale 15,175 13,313 87.7% 8,846 Judson 22,606 14,092 62.3% 12,594 North East 67,901 31,247 46.0% 21,937 Northside 100,159 53,317 53.2% 34,869 San Antonio 54,268 50,429 92.9% 37,120 Somerset 3,903 3,055 78.3% 2,172 South San Antonio 9,872 8,745 88.9% 7,332 Southside 5,128 4,117 80.3% 2,832 Southwest 13,024 10,804 83.0% 8,506 2012-2013 Bexar 318,354 207,981 65.3% 149,758 County 12 District Totals % At Risk 19.3% 46.7% 68.2% 58.3% 55.7% 32.3% 34.8% 68.4% 55.6% 74.5% 55.2% 65.3% 47.0% Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA). Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) Standard Reports available at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/adhocrpt/. Date 12.17.2013 Prepared by P16. Determining the full extent of the truancy and dropout problem in Bexar County continues to remain difficult due to several factors, including discrepancies in data collection among schools, lack of automation in some districts, and exclusionary definitions that emanate from state agencies. For example, the definition of “completion rate without GED” includes students who graduated in four years and students who continued in high school; it does not include students who moved out of state or students who just left school without explanation. For this reason, attrition rates are often analyzed to determine the true extent of the dropout problem. Attrition rates for Texas High School students are based on the percentage of 9 th graders who leave high school before graduation. Attrition Rate in Bexar County, according to IDRA: Attrition 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 Rate 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 African 39 40 41 38 38 35 34 37 American Hispanic 48 49 47 45 43 40 41 43 White 26 27 26 23 20 21 19 23 Total 41 42 41 39 36 35 35 38 07 08 40 08 09 42 09 10 41 10 11 34 11 12 33 12 13 28 46 23 40 45 24 39 42 22 37 40 16 35 36 16 32 33 14 29 Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), http://www.idra.org/Research /Attrition/. July 2013. Bexar County Hispanic youth are at the greatest risk for dropping out of school, with a 33% attrition. The 28% attrition rate among African-Americans is double that of white youth. These findings are echoed in a national report, “The Consequences of Dropping Out of High School-Joblessness and Jailing for High School Dropouts” and “The High Cost for Taxpayers” Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 14 (Center for Labor Market Studies, Northeastern University, October 2009), which focus on young high school dropouts, 16-24 years old: The incidence of institutionalization problems among young dropouts was more than 63 times higher than among young college graduates. Nearly 1 in 10 young dropouts were institutionalized on a given day in 2006-07 versus fewer than 1 in 33 high school graduates. Female dropouts were six times as likely to have given birth compared to their peers who were college students or four-year college graduates, and nine times as likely to have become single mothers. This group had an average jobless rate during 2008 of 54%. This was 22% below high school graduates and 33% below those who had some post-secondary education. Over a working life the average dropout will: Have a negative net fiscal contribution to society of nearly $5,200; and, Cost taxpayers over $292,000 in lower tax revenues, higher cash and in-kind transfer costs, and imposed incarceration costs. This report concludes that “Given the current and projected deficits of the federal government, the fiscal burden of supporting dropouts and their families is no longer sustainable. There is an overwhelming national economic and social justice need to prevent existing high school students from dropping out without earning a diploma and to encourage the re-enrollment and eventual graduation of those dropouts who have already left the school system.” The IDRA’s attrition study found the below results: IDRA’s annual study finds that in 2012-2013, Texas schools lost 25% of their students. In IDRA’s 1985-86 inaugural study, 33% of students were lost. Since IDRA’s first study, more than 3.3 million students have been lost from public school enrollment prior to graduation. Texas schools are failing to graduate one out of every four students. At the current pace, the state will lose an additional 2.3 million to 6 million students before reaching an attrition rate of zero in 2036. Out of 254 Texas counties, Bexar County ties for the eighteenth highest attrition rate; and, Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 15 Of Texas’ 10 largest counties, Bexar ties for the second-highest attrition rate, outpaced only by Hidalgo which is a border county with half as many residents. Students lost in Bexar County, according to IDRA: Students Lost 9900 0001 0102 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 African American 785 741 788 776 766 677 703 759 893 1055 1058 759 704 545 Hispanic 6997 7578 7629 7372 6637 6141 6292 6925 8139 8304 8045 7966 6973 6219 White 1585 1606 1535 1416 1108 1117 1030 1241 1308 1345 1246 744 744 632 Total 9439 9989 9977 9639 8566 8008 8124 8991 10363 10742 10400 9583 8616 7545 Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), http://www.idra.org/dropout/attrition.php?CountyID=15&Submit=Submit#sthash.NvE0auFy.dpuf According to IDRA’s cost benefit analysis, for every dollar invested in keeping kids in school, nine would be returned. According to P16 Plus, students that stay in attendance save the county money. Based on the Strive Cincinnati Milestones Model, the P16 Plus Milestones to Educational Success framework illustrates where critical gaps can occur. P16 focuses on key transition areas in a child’s academic progression from Pre-K and beyond. The cradle to career education vision incorporates a student’s successful path with critical academic benchmarks, family relationships and community support milestones. The education of a child is a many-faceted journey. The below model indicates1, 2, or 3 more days present than if the student dropped out of school. P16 Student Attendance Savings 2013 Bexar 15 ISD Total Bexar 15 ISD Enrollment(Services Total Provided) February Enrollment 8, 2013 Early Education Pre-Kindergarten Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade Ninth Grade Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year 1,458 14,941 24,585 25,037 24,945 24,766 24,257 23,927 23,506 23,730 23,164 26,113 22,532 20,617 18,635 1 Day at School $45 per student per day) Time Enrollment 2 Days at School ($90 per student Time Enrollment 32,805 336,173 1,106,325 1,126,665 1,122,525 1,114,470 1,091,565 1,076,715 1,057,770 1,067,850 1,042,380 1,175,085 1,013,940 927,765 838,575 65,610 672,345 2,212,650 2,253,330 2,245,050 2,228,940 2,183,130 2,153,430 2,115,540 2,135,700 2,084,760 2,350,170 2,027,880 1,855,530 1,677,150 3 Days at School ($135 per student) Time Enrollment 98,415 1,008,518 3,318,975 3,379,995 3,367,575 3,343,410 3,274,695 3,230145 3,173,310 3,203,550 3,127,140 3,525,255 3,041,820 2,783,295 2,515,725 Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 16 Total 322,213 14,130,608 28,261,215 42,391,823 *Early Education and Pre-Kindergarten only reimbursed for half-day by the state of Texas, therefore the daily estimate of $45 was divided in half. Sources: Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) (20122013 School Year). PEIMS Standard Reports, Enrollment. Available online at: http://goo.gl/38Uf6. High School Dropouts: By the end of Grade 10, Bexar County has lost over one-third of our students, and in some urban areas, the loss is over 60 percent. This tragic loss of human potential is now being called “The Silent Epidemic.” According to the 2006 report “The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives on High School Dropouts by Civic Enterprises in association with Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” there are multiple reasons why students drop out of school. The report found that the students’ reasoning for dropping out appear to be in clusters of common responses that relate to the academic environment, life events, a lack of personal motivation, as well as a lack of external sources of motivation and guidance. 69 % of dropouts reported not being motivated or inspired, and of that 69%, 75% dropped out in the 9th and 10th grades. The top 5 major factors that dropouts identified for leaving school were: a. b. c. d. e. Classes were not interesting; They missed too many days and couldn’t catch up; They spent time with people who were not interested in school; They had too much freedom and not enough rules; and, They were failing in school. The study states that despite all the challenges that dropouts recognized “indicators are strong that these barriers to graduation are not insurmountable.” According to America’s Promise Alliance (http://www.americaspromise.org/Our-Work/Dropout-Preventon.aspx): In total, approximately 1.3 million students dropout each year, averaging 7,200 every school day or one every 26 seconds. Among minority students, the problem is even more severe with nearly 50% of African American and Hispanic students not completing high school on time. According to a report by Pew Partnerships for Civic Change titled “The School Dropout Crisis: Why One-Third of All High School Students Don’t Graduate”: Children who drop out of school are 3 times more likely to live in poverty than high school graduates. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 17 According to a study conducted by the Texas Legislature: 90% of the inmates in the Texas prison system quit school without graduating and onethird are functionally illiterate. Prison officials have found that they can use the rate of illiteracy to help calculate future prison needs. According to a report titled “Re-framing school dropouts as a public health problem” by Nicholas Freudenberg of Hunter College: Dropouts have lower life expectancies and more health problems than graduates; and, Gang members and domestic violence perpetrators almost always have histories of school failure, early use of drugs, alcohol dependency, and low self-esteem. Proposed Objectives: School and Community Collaborative: The Center for Public Policy Priorities KIDS COUNT Investing in Our Future (July 2013), confirms what we all know, “too many students are leaving school without the knowledge and skills they need to meet the demands of 21st century workplaces and communities. By any measure, the problem is particularly pressing in urban school districts, and most strongly affects students of color and males.” Truancy and dropout prevention require strategies that address both school level and community level issues. Effective efforts will reflect not only risk factors, but also the factors that foster resiliency and help students stay on track despite difficulties. This brief outlines five broad strategies for addressing this issue: Adopt a long-term approach that begins with strengthening school readiness. o Improve access to health care, beginning with prenatal care. o Address families’ access to resources and services in children’s early years. o Expand access to high-quality early education programs. o Provide intensive support to students who struggle in elementary and middle school. o Strengthen middle schools. Enhance the holding power of schools, with intensive focus on ninth grade. o Sustain a focus on quality of instruction. o Support students’ resiliency. o Establish effective early warning systems. o Focus on 9th grade. o Provide credit recovery programs. o Root out policies that tacitly permit (or encourage) students to leave school. o Strengthen accountability systems and data collection. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 18 o Focus on school-level factors and address local conditions o Provide service-learning opportunities. o Strengthen students’ understanding of the connection between education and job opportunities. Focus on the forces outside of school that contribute to dropping out. o Promote awareness of the links between staying in school and the resources available to families and communities. o Address social and emotional conditions associated with poverty. o Address the correlation between residential mobility, school mobility, and dropping out. o Address minor problems before they snowball into issues that keep students out of school. Address the needs of those groups at highest risk of dropping out. o Focus intensively on strategies to help Hispanic students stay in school. o Provide intensive support to students from immigrant families. o Investigate the potential of providing incentives for students to stay in school. o Focus intensively on dropout prevention for high school students with disabilities and other special needs. Strengthen the skills and understanding of the adults who affect teens’ motivation and ability to stay in school. o Expand access to parent education and family support programs geared to the challenges of raising adolescents. o Include strategies for helping at-risk youth stay on track in teacher education, leadership preparation, mentoring programs, and professional development programs. o Promote an understanding of the relationship between health and dropping out. o Use a variety of formats to offer more and better information to the parents of teens. Applicants for funding under this priority should present projects that demonstrate relevant aspects of best practices components, and should establish and demonstrate prevention or intervention strategies that have established their foundation modes as an evidence-based practice. For the purpose of all priorities under Juvenile Issues in the 2014-2015 Bexar County Community Plan, whenever the term “evidence-based” is used, its meaning shall correspond to that of the Emerging and Evidence Informed Programs and Practices Evidence-Based Programs as defined by the Federal Children’s Bureau. The following are recognized as best practice components that should be incorporated, as practicable, into any truancy reduction effort: Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 19 Services based at school and/or coordinated with services offered by school. Truancy is a problem that must be addressed promptly and within the schools. Unfortunately most youth are referred to the Juvenile Probation Department months after they received their initial truancy warning letter from the school. So, by this time, their truant behavior has become chronic. Ideally, services should be directed to at-risk teens before they become truant. Early Intervention School Campus Based strategies need to be implemented especially during early childhood years. Meaningful parental involvement. Strong family-centered support and intervention should be included. Evidenced-Based Mentoring models that focus on the prevention of truancy and juvenile delinquency as well as the empowerment of youth to achieve academic success. Special attention to health, including early identification of mental health, substance abuse, and learning disability issues. Focus on school transition years. A continuum of prevention and intervention services, along with incentives and graduated sanctions for students and parents. Consistent attendance policy and practice, known to all students, parents, staff, and community agencies. Data-driven decision-making with emphasis on improvement in school performance. Student attendance review boards. Quasi-judicial proceedings. Business involvement. Public awareness campaigns (including efforts that promote educational value with parents). Evidenced-Based and Best practice models include programs that have been shown, through evaluation and replication, to be effective at preventing or reducing juvenile delinquency or related risk factors. The following websites provide assistance in determining, in the context of this or any other juvenile issues priority, whether your program is implementing a best practice model: Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 20 Works Cited: America’s Promise Alliance. http://www.americaspromise.org/Our-Work/DropoutPreventon.aspx. 2013. Bridgeland, John M., John J. DiIulio, Jr., Karen Burke Morison. The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives on High School Dropouts by Civic Enterprises in association. Peter D. Hart Research Associates. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. March 2006. Center for Labor Market Studies, Northeastern University . The Consequences of Dropping Out of High School-Joblessness and Jailing for High School Dropouts; The High Cost for Taxpayers. October 2009. Epstein, 2005, Jackson & Andrews, 2004; Jackson & Davis, 2000; NMSA, 2003; Valdez, 2002 Epstein et al. 2002; Fan & Chen, 2001; NMSA, 2003; Sheldon & Epstein, 2002; Van Voorhis, 2003 Freudenberg N, Ruglis J. Reframing school dropout as a public health issue. Prev Chronic Dis 2007; http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2007/ Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), http://www.idra.org/Research /Attrition/. July 2013. Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA), http://www.idra.org/dropout/attrition.php?CountyID=15&Submit=Submit#sthash.NvE0auFy.dpuf. 2013 Melville, Keith, Ph.D. The School Dropout Crisis: Why One-Third of All High School Students Don’t Graduate. Morse, Suzanne, Ph.D. 2006 National Center for Policy Analysis. The High Cost of Failing to Reform Public Education in Texas. 13 Feb. 2012 Texas Education Agency. American Community Survey. 2009 Region 20 AEIS Report. 2008 Data Profile of Bexar County, U.S. Census Bureau Texas Education Agency (TEA). Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) Standard Reports available at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/adhocrpt/. Date 12.17.2013 Prepared by P16. Texas Education Agency. Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS). P16 Student Attendance Savings. PEIMS Standard Reports, Enrollment. http://goo.gl/38Uf6. 2013 The Center for Public Policy Priorities. KIDS COUNT: Investing in Our Future. July 2013. http://www.aecf.org/MajorInitiatives/KIDSCOUNT.aspx. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 21 Risk Factor # 2: Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Intervention: Teen pregnancy remains a community priority for many reasons. Teen pregnancy impacts, increases and often causes many other critical issues including academic failure, poor health, violence, mental health problems, high risk behaviors, and poverty. Although rates have nationally decreased, rates at the county and state level continue to be disproportionally higher than the national average. Subsequent births and higher rates of pregnancy among at-risk populations such as foster care youth further perpetuate the impact of teen pregnancy on the community. Teen pregnancy impacts the adolescent parents, the child, and the community as a whole. It is important to note that teen pregnancy has many underlying factors. Teens who give birth, become pregnant for numerous reasons. Based upon intake data at Seton Home, the reasons teens who have become pregnant and/or given birth include having put misplaced trust in family members or family friends who convince them it is all right to touch them inappropriately and have sex, sexual exploitation by older men, human trafficking, and rape. Teen pregnancy in Texas overall and Bexar County significantly exceeds the national average and occurs for serious reasons that have broad impact. Therefore, the issue of teen pregnancy must be addressed by the community. Many pregnant teens and their children are voiceless victims who, without intervention and assistance, likely face a bleak future . Due to the complexity of the factors and causes associated with teen pregnancy, effective interventions must be both evidence-based as well as culturally sensitive. To diminish the prevalence of teen pregnancy among Bexar County, communitywide efforts must be implemented through targeted prevention and intervention efforts. Supporting Data: The national rate of teen pregnancy has continually decreased since 1990. Although progress has been made in reducing teen pregnancy, the United States continues to have a significantly higher teen pregnancy rate in comparison to other developed countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom. Aware of the significant impact teen pregnancy has on society, the US Department of Health and Human Services has identified reducing teen pregnancy and unwanted pregnancies as one of its top priorities in addressing public health (Wildsmith, E., Barry, M., Manlove, J., Vaughn, B. “Child Trends, Adolescent Healy Highlight: Teen Pregnancy and Childbearing”. Publication # 2013-5, December 2013). In 2012, the teen pregnancy birth rate at the national level was 29.4%. Teen pregnancy can also be measured by the number of teen pregnancies regardless if the result of the pregnancy ended in birth. The most recent national data shows that 58% of teen pregnancies resulted in birth, 17% ended in miscarriages and 25% ended in abortion; therefore, the actual number of teen pregnancies is more prevalent than what the teen pregnancy birth rate demonstrates (Wildsmith, E., Barry, M., Manlove, J., Vaughn, B. “Child Trends, Adolescent Healy Highlight: Teen Pregnancy and Childbearing”. Publication # 2013-5, December 2013). Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 22 According to The Centers for Disease and Control, Texas ranked 3 rd highest among teen birth rates in the United States in 2011. At 43.9%, the Texas rate is significantly higher than the national rate of 29.4%. The state of Texas reports having a rate of 35.2 births per 1000 female adolescents (Martin, J.A., Hamilton, B.E., Osterman, M.J.K., Curtin, S.C. & Matthews, T.J. (2013). Births: Final Data for 2012. National Vital Statistics Reports, 62 (9). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr62/nvsr62_09.pdf). The Bexar County teen pregnancy trends align with the national decrease in teen pregnancy births. The Metropolitan Health District released a report revealing a continued, steady decrease in teen pregnancy birth rates in Bexar County with the rate having dropped from 68.8% in 2000 to 42.8% in 2012 (Berlanga, J. and Mangla. A. “2012 Bear County Teen Pregnancy Report. Retrieved from http://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/health/HealthyLiving/TeenPregnancyReport.pdf). Although the county rate is slightly less than the Texas rate of 43.9%, Bexar County’s teen pregnancy birth rate continues to be significantly higher than the U.S. average. Analysis of data shows Bexar County having a rate of 38.4 births per 1,000 which is 46% higher than the national average (Martin, J.A., Hamilton, B.E., Osterman, M.J.K., Curtin, S.C. & Matthews, T.J. (2013). Births: Final Data for 2012. National Vital Statistics Reports, 62 (9). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr62/nvsr62_09.pdf). When comparing the data across racial lines, in 2008 Bexar County Hispanic teens have a much higher rate of school-age pregnancy and childbearing representing 86% of total teen births, followed by African Americans and non-Hispanic whites at 7% each (Berlanga, J. and Mangla. A. “2012 Bear County Teen Pregnancy Report. Retrieved from http://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/health/HealthyLiving/TeenPregnancyReport.pdf). As previously mentioned, measuring teen pregnancy rates based solely on birth rate data neglects to account for teen pregnancies that result in miscarriage or abortion which can represent a large portion of the overall number of teen pregnancies. Therefore, teen pregnancy rates at the county level could be higher than what is indicated by teen birth rates. 2010 Bexar County Indicators for Births for Mothers <18 Years of Age Low Birth Weight Infants <2500 grams 115 9.7% Estimated Premature <37 Weeks 125 10.5% Births to Mothers Receiving Early Prenatal Care 657 62.3% Births to Single Mothers 1,129 95.3% Birth to Mothers with <HS/GED 1,026 86.6% Private Insurance Funded Births 114 9.6% Births occurring within 24 months of previous birth 82 6.9% Births to mothers ≥ BMI 30 Before Pregnancy 156 13.2% % of women receiving 4 or fewer prenatal visits 147 13.9% Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 23 2010 Bexar County Births by Mother <18 and Race/Ethnicity <18 Years % of Total Number Total Births 1,185 Hispanic Births 10 % 1,040 87.8% Non Hispanic White Births 62 5.2% African American Births 72 6% Other Births 11 1% 2010 Bexar County Births by Mother <18 & Birth Order Birth Order 1 2 3 4 5 Total Age of Mother 12 1 - - - - 1 13 6 - - - - 6 14 38 1 - - - 39 15 126 5 - - - 131 16 323 29 - - - 352 17 570 73 12 1 - 656 1,064 108 12 1 - 1,185 Total 2010 Bexar County Births to Mothers <18 by Age of Father Age of Mother 12 13 14 15 13 - - - - 14 - - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 16 17 Total Age of Father 1 1 - 1 - 1 1 3 3 2 9 11 9 19 5 45 5 23 24 19 71 2 18 53 82 156 2 15 57 107 181 19 - 1 4 35 83 123 Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 24 20 - - - 2 19 65 86 21 - - - 2 5 33 40 22 - - 6 17 24 23 - - - 4 7 12 24 - - - 1 12 13 25 - - - 9 10 26 - - - - 2 1 3 27 - - - - 1 3 4 28 - - - - 5 5 29 - - - - 1 2 3 30 - - - 1 1 3 32 - - - - - 2 2 33 - - - - - 2 2 39 - - - - - 1 1 3 Missing Data* Total 1 1 1 - 1 - 1 4 16 52 120 198 1 6 39 131 352 656 1,185 * Did not provide the age of the father on the birth certificate All tables: Source, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District Health Profiles 2010 available on http://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/health/News/HealthProfiles-2010.pdf Subsequent Teen Births Subsequent births to teen parents is becoming a growing trend. The national average of repeat teen pregnancies is 17% which equates to almost one out of five teen births (Martin, J.A., Hamilton, B.E., Osterman, M.J.K., Curtin, S.C. & Matthews, T.J. (2013). Births: Final Data for 2012. National Vital Statistics Reports, 62 (9). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr62/nvsr62_09.pdf). For the past three years, Texas has ranked highest for repeat pregnancies in the nation. In 2008, the rate of repeat pregnancies in Texas was 23%. San Antonio’s repeat birth rate was 22% during the same period (Berlanga, J. and Mangla. A. “2012 Bexar County Teen Pregnancy Report. Retrieved from http://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/health/HealthyLiving/TeenPregnancyReport.pdf). Subsequent births to teen parents can negatively impact both the teen parents and children. Teen parents with more than one child greatly increases her education and employment barriers. Infants born from a repeat teen birth are often born too small or too soon, which can lead to more health problems for the baby. The health and social risks associated with subsequent teen births affect both the parent as well as the child’s well-being. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 25 Foster Care Youth and Teen Pregnancy: Young women in foster care and those who have “aged out” are more likely to experience teenage pregnancy than their peers in the general population. Repeat pregnancies by age 19 is common among this population. The Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago conducted a study which evaluated the functioning of adult former foster care youth in the mid-West. This rigorous study entitled the Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth, researched more than 700 young people in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. According to this longitudinal study 33% of females in foster care had been pregnant by age 17 or 18, compared with just 14% of their peers in the general population. Furthermore, repeat pregnancies are also more common among foster care youth. By age 19, 46% of those who had ever been pregnant had experienced more than one pregnancy, compared with 34% in the general population. (Teen Pregnancy Among Young Women In Foster Care: A Primer By Heather D. Boonstra Guttmacher Policy Review Spring 2011, Volume 14, Number 2). Factors Associated with Teen Pregnancy: Numerous factors contribute to the prevalence of teen pregnancy. Research indicates that common factors associated with teenage pregnancy include: inadequate sex education among teenagers, substance abuse, sexual abuse, higher rates of poverty, lower education levels, lack of parental guidance, adolescent sexual behavior, inadequate knowledge about safe sex and socioeconomic factors (The Center for Disease and Control. “Improving the Lives of Young People and Strengthening Communities by Reducing Teen Pregnancy. CDC At A Glance 2011”, Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/pdf/2011/Teen-PregnancyAAG-2011_508.pdf). Teen pregnancy is a complex issue that goes beyond the assumption that recreational sex among teens results in teen pregnancy. Various social disparities largely impact the prevalence of teen pregnancy especially among vulnerable populations. Additional high risk population characteristics are also underlying factors contributing to teen pregnancy and include: residing in geographic areas with high teen birth rates, adjudicated youth, youth in foster care, minority youth, and pregnant or parenting teens (Zief, S., Shapiro, R., Strong, D. 2013, October. “The Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP): Launching a Nationwide Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Effort”). Impact of Teen Pregnancy: Teen pregnancy impacts the entire community as well as the teen and his/her children. Teen parents are more likely to drop out of school, live in poverty, earn less income, be a single parent, and fathers are less likely to be involved in their child’s life (Berlanga, J. and Mangla. A. “2012 Bexar County Teen Pregnancy Report. Retrieved from http://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/health/HealthyLiving/TeenPregnancyReport.pdf). These outcomes further perpetuate teen pregnancy by placing the child at risk of becoming a teen parent themselves due to experiencing several of the risk factors that contribute to teen pregnancy. Approximately 80% of teen pregnancies are unintended meaning that the pregnancy was either unwanted or occurred before the teen was prepared to become a parent (Wildsmith, E., Barry, M., Manlove, J., & Vaughn, B. 2013, December. “Child Trends, Adolescent Health Highlight: Teen Pregnancy and Childbearing”. Publication # 2013-5). Unintended pregnancies further complicate the teen’s ability to parent, provide and cope with the reality of becoming a parent at a young age. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 26 Children of teen parents also face several risk factors that affect their social and physical development. Compared with babies of older mothers, those born to teenagers are more likely to have lower birth weights, increased infant mortality, be less prepared to learn then they enter kindergarten, have behavioral problems and chronic medical conditions, rely more heavily on publicly funded health care, be incarcerated at some time during adolescence, drop out of high school and repeat the cycle of teen pregnancy (The Center for Disease and Control. “Improving the Lives of Young People and Strengthening Communities by Reducing Teen Pregnancy. CDC At A Glance 2011”, Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/pdf/2011/Teen-PregnancyAAG-2011_508.pdf). While there is a glaring lack of research of the impact of teen pregnancy specifically for males, there are social patterns that contribute to increased risk factors for the young family due to absentee fathers. Children who are raised without their fathers are far more likely to be absentee fathers themselves. Traditionally there has been a lack of counseling services for young men where they can work through the emotional scars of not being raised by their fathers. There is also a marked importance for spaces that model positive fathering behaviors that encourage fathers to be more present in the lives of their children. Additionally, by creating an environment where both the male and female teen parents receive support, the family increases its wealth both materially and socially so the child has a better chance at a healthier upbringing. Nationally, teen childbearing costs taxpayers at least $10.9 billion each year while an updated analysis from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy shows that teen childbearing in Texas cost taxpayers at least $1.2 billion in 2008. Project Worth reports teen pregnancy costs $59.6 million annually in Bexar County taxpayer money to include cost of incarceration, health care, child welfare, lost income. Bexar County Health Profiles 2008 indicates that 100% of births to girls under age 18 were Medicaid funded births, compared to 80% in 2007. In 2017, 125 kindergarten classes will be filled with children of teen parents. Most of the costs of teen childbearing are associated with negative consequences for the children of teen mothers, including increased costs for health care, foster care, incarceration, and lost tax revenue. With the teen birth rate in Texas declining 20% percent between 1991 and 2008, the progress Texas has made in reducing teen childbearing saved taxpayers an estimated $408 million in 2008 alone in comparison to the costs it would have incurred had the rates not fallen (Berlanga, J. and Mangla. A. “2012 Bexar County Teen Pregnancy Report. Retrieved from http://www.sanantonio.gov/Portals/0/Files/health/HealthyLiving/TeenPregnancyReport.pdf). Proposed Objectives: The Bexar County Community Plan to prevent teen pregnancy includes five key components based on Bexar County’s goal to decrease teen pregnancy to at least the national average. The five key components include implementing programs that are evidence-based, provide education on both abstinence and contraceptive use, and educate youth on transitioning to adulthood. Efforts should also focus programming to serve high-risk populations, such as youth residing in geographic areas with high teen birth rates, adjudicated youth, youth in foster care, minority youth, and pregnant or parenting teens (Zief, S., Shapiro, R., Strong, D. (2013, October). “The Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP): Launching a Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 27 Nationwide Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Effort”). Significant data and research on effective prevention and intervention strategies are available as well as established organizations that address this priority. Based on such resources, the following components remain crucial for effective program implementation of general teen pregnancy prevention: Objective 1: Community Mobilization and Sustainability Engaging all sectors of the population in a communitywide effort to address teen pregnancy prevention. Community mobilization supports the sustainability of teen pregnancy prevention efforts by empowering community members and groups to take action to facilitate change. This component includes mobilizing necessary resources, disseminating information, generating support, and fostering cooperation across public and private sectors in the community. Objective 2: Evidence-Based Programs Providing teens with evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs, including youth development and curriculum-based programs that reduce teen pregnancy and associated risk factors. Objective 3: Increasing Youth Access to Contraceptive and Reproductive Health Care Services Ensuring clinical partners are providing teen friendly, culturally competent reproductive health care services that are easily accessible to all youth in the community, and establishing linkages between teen pregnancy prevention program partners and clinics that serve at risk youth from the target community. Objective 4: Stakeholder Education Educating civic leaders, parents, and other community members about evidence-based strategies to reduce teen pregnancy and improve adolescent reproductive health, including needs and available resources in the target community. Objective 5: Working with Diverse Communities Raising awareness of community partners about the link between teen pregnancy and social determinants of health, and ensuring culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and reproductive health care services are available to youth. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2013, February. “Teen Pregnancy Prevention 2010– 2015”. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/TeenPregnancy/PreventTeenPreg.htm). In addition to the five objectives previously mentioned, the following components need to be incorporated in prevention and intervention efforts as a means to target subsequent teen pregnancy prevention: Increase protective factors which improve the family, social, and economic circumstances. This includes education, employment, family stability, childcare, and Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 28 community connections. Develop a clear understanding of pregnancy intentions within this group to ensure the provision of appropriate services which deliver the best possible outcomes for them and their child. Connect teen parents with support services that can help prevent repeat pregnancies, such as home visiting programs. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2013, April. “Preventing Repeat Teen Births”. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/VitalSigns/TeenPregnancy/index.html). The following components are recommended to target foster youth teen pregnancy prevention in addition to the components listed previously: Dedicated teen pregnancy prevention initiatives with requirement for all foster care youth to participate and for the curriculum to be targeted to the unique population needs. Training for Caseworkers and Foster Parents on how to talk with foster youth about sex, relationships, and prevention so that the youth sexual and reproductive health needs are addressed. Access to services to include informing foster care youth of available sexual and reproductive health services. Special training for medical providers that work with foster care youth. Increasing understanding of the different and unique issues created by the absence of a dependable family or social network, homelessness, and education delays. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 29 Risk Factor # 3: Violence Prevention and Intervention The Juvenile Issues Subcommittee believes that youth violence continues to be a serious and pervasive problem in Bexar County. However, because the most recent statistics from Juvenile Probation indicated a slight decline in incidents, and given the list of other urgent priorities, the Subcommittee decided to re-prioritize it. Youth violence is a complex public health problem with many risk factors, including: individual beliefs and behaviors, such as early aggression and use of alcohol or other drugs; family characteristics, such as spousal abuse and lack of parental supervision; peer and school influences, such as associating with delinquent friends, bullying, gang membership and hate assaults; and environmental factors, such as access to firearms. This complexity presents many challenges for those who are working to prevent youth violence. The United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, through the Developing Individual Capacity for Success Issue Council and in partnership with six schools in the San Antonio Independent School District, has found that after two years of a community partnership to improve educational outcomes through increased parental involvement that student behavior improved, particularly in middle school, where the number of students sent to alternative school dropped 50%. In addition to educational and life skills programs, Bexar County youth need assistance in developing strategies and accessing services that will help them to deal with violence in their families, at school and in other relationships (e.g., dating violence), and to recover from acts of violence, abuse and neglect. Supporting Data: The San Antonio Police Department received more than 10,000 reports of family violence in 2013. These numbers belie the extent of the problem, as statistics show that only about 35% of domestic violence is ever reported to law enforcement. In 2012, 3,894 individuals found shelter from domestic violence at the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter of Bexar County, representing 2,098 children and 1,796 women. It is estimated that over 55% of children living in homes where violence occurs have witnessed or have become the primary victim of the violence. These children’s mental health is often impacted severely, and many have functioned in a continued state of low-level fear and hyper-arousal. Feeling out of control and frightened leads them to attempt to control their environment in the only ways they can; by acting out, becoming withdrawn or aggressive, and often defiant and without the ability to feel empathy for others. More than half of the school age children in domestic violence shelters show clinical levels of anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (Graham-Bermann, 1994). Without treatment, these children are at significant risk for delinquency, substance abuse, failure in school, and difficulties in their personal relationships. One long-term study found that as many as 80% of young adults who were victims of domestic violence and/or abuse met the criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder at age 21 (Teicher, 2000). According to a 2002 Casey Family Program study, 25% of foster care alumni had been diagnosed with PTSD in the previous 12 months – nearly twice the rate of U.S. war veterans. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 30 Violence in the family continues to be a major problem in Bexar County. During 2013, 305 unduplicated juveniles were referred to the Juvenile Probation Department for family assault offenses; subsequently, 13 entered a residential placement (excluding emergency shelters). In 2008, 398 juveniles entered the department for family assault (BCJPD, 2013). These statistics strongly suggest that many children and youth in San Antonio are at high risk for domestic violence, and with no intervention, such incidents of violence often contribute to school failure, maladaptive behaviors, delayed social and emotional development, substance abuse, delinquent behaviors, teen pregnancy, and to the continued cycle of violence. In most instances, the youths did not create the environment within which the violence occurred and are merely reacting in a learned manner, often in an attempt to protect themselves. Young victim/perpetrator in such situations may be but a symptom, rather than the cause of the problem within the family unit. In this manner, the young victim/perpetrator differs from the adult perpetrator of family violence. Program models for adult perpetrators all ultimately involve the requirement that the placement of blame resides squarely on the shoulders of the perpetrator; this requirement, in turn, is based, according to the Youth and Family Violence Intervention Advisory Council, upon the assumption that the adult perpetrator had the capacity to walk away from the situation and chose to stay. Children do not have this capacity, and often do not know any other way of life. They would most likely encounter even more dangerous risks if they ran away from their home environment. Exposing the young victim/perpetrator to the criminal justice system does not solve this problem in the family. If we do not adequately address the commission of such victim/perpetrator assaults at the first instance, we as a society inevitably run the risk of creating future perpetrators: an estimated 25-32% of youth in the juvenile justice system have been either physically or sexually abused (Goldstrom 2000). Data from the Bexar County Family Justice Center website shows the following statistics from Texas Council on Family Violence: 74% of all Texans have either themselves personally, a family member, or a friend experienced some form of domestic violence. 47% of all Texans report having experienced at least one form of domestic violence with physical and/or verbal abuse and forced isolation from friends and family at some point in their lifetime. 31% of all Texans report that they have been severely abused at some point in their lifetime. Women report severe abuse at a higher rate than men. 75% of all Texans report they would likely call the police if they experienced some form of domestic violence. Yet, only 20% indicated they actually did call the police when they or a family member experienced domestic violence. C Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 31 As of January 2014, there were 7,377 documented gang members residing in Bexar County, with the heaviest concentration reported in the shallow east and west sides of San Antonio. Of these documented gang members, 114 are juveniles (San Antonio Police Department, Strategic Intelligence and Analysis Office, 2014). Justice Center Many of these juvenile gang members commit crimes. Of the 2,269 juveniles processed in 2013 by the Intake Unit for holding within the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center, over 36% (835) voluntarily professed their affiliation with a gang (BCJPD 2009). Many of these juvenile gang members commit violent crimes. Of the 113 juveniles assigned to the Gang Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP) Unit of the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department last year, 81% (92) were referred for assaults and/or felonies. Overall, in 2013, violent felonies committed by juveniles accounted for 31% of the total felony referrals (BCJPD 2013). Gangs and guns go hand in hand. While overall referrals to the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department have decreased since 2007, the proportion of violent felonies has not decreased as rapidly as non-violent felonies. As a result, the proportion of felony referrals for violent offenses has increased. In 2007 and the years prior, about 25% of all felony referrals were violent, and as indicated above, in 2013, violent felonies were 31% of all felony referrals. (BCJPD Referral Trends 2013). The result of all this violence is inevitably devastating on a community. The latest available data shows that of the 254 counties in Texas, Bexar County ranked the 4th highest in the number of teen violent deaths, and 5th highest in the number of juvenile violent crime (County, City, Community-Level Information on Kids, Annie E. Casey Foundation). “Children's Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey,” most recently published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (October 2009) measured the past-year and life-time exposure to violence for children age 17 and younger. The major categories covered in the survey are: conventional crime, child maltreatment, victimization by peers and siblings, sexual victimization, witnessing and indirect victimization, school violence and threats, and Internet victimization. The survey findings conclude that: More than 60% of the children surveyed were exposed to violence within the past year, either directly or indirectly. Nearly one-half of the children and adolescents surveyed were assaulted at least once in the past year, and more than 1 in 10 were injured as a result. Nearly one-quarter of the respondents were the victim of a robbery, vandalism, or theft. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 32 One-tenth of respondents were victims of child maltreatment (including physical and emotional abuse, neglect, or a family abduction), and 1 in 16 were victimized sexually. The research suggests further avenues of study into the long-term effects of violence on youth and ways to improve policies to meet the needs of youthful victims of violence. Among the ramifications of the research are the following: It illustrates more clearly the full extent of exposure and the cumulative effects of multiple exposures to violence and how exposure to one form of violence may make a child more vulnerable to other forms of violence. The findings affirm that efforts should be made to reach across disciplines to identify children who are at risk of exposure to violence, such as witnessing domestic violence, and to coordinate the delivery of services to these children. The study also demonstrates that there is a need for screening and assessment tools to identify children who are suffering emotionally, socially, physically, and developmentally from exposure to violence and would benefit from services and treatment. The research also demonstrates that a more comprehensive, coordinated approach is needed to address the fragmented way in which federal, state, and local authorities presently respond to children who have been exposed to violence. Parental rejection, neglect and physical abuse have all been found to be related to aggressive behavior and delinquency (Wilson and Herrnstein, 1985). Heavy illicit drug use, lack of parental control, physical abuse, and friends’ drug use contribute to violent delinquency. Family factors are indirectly linked to drug use and directly linked to violent delinquency. While not as extensively researched as the parent involvement-student achievement relationship, the relationship between parent involvement and student behavior appears to be both strong and positive. All the research studies which address these areas found that parent involvement has positive effects on student attitudes and social behavior (Parent Involvement in Education, Kathleen Cotton and Karen Reed Wikelund). Parent involvement fosters better student classroom behavior (Fan & Chen, 2001; NMSA, 2003). The theoretical perspective tested in The Drug Use-Violent Delinquency Link Among Adolescent Mexican-Americans (W. David Watts and Loyd S. Wright) is that family dysfunction leads to value orientation and peer group formation conducive to drug use. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 33 Proposed Objectives: Applicants for funding under this priority should present projects that establish and demonstrate relevant aspects of best practices associated with one or more of the following strategies for combating the problem of youth violence (refer to CDC Best Practices for Youth Violence Prevention): Parent- and family-based programs; Home-based programs; School – and community- based programs; Social-cognitive skills development; Mentoring; Offender re-entry transitional services; and, Other model program approaches relating to youth violence, including mediation and enhanced prosecution of violent offenders. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 34 Risk Factor #4: Physical Inactivity, Poor Nutrition, and Related Academic Failure Prevention & Intervention: Too many of our children – in cities, towns, urban, rural or suburban – are unhealthy. Some don’t get enough to eat or enough of the healthy, nutritious foods growing minds and bodies need. Others eat too many of the wrong things. Many kids don’t get to play or be active every day. Nearly 1 in 3 American children is overweight or obese and at a huge risk for several diseases associated with obesity – diabetes, heart disease, even some types of cancer – that will be with them throughout their lives. Childhood obesity and undernourishment are national epidemics. These are not cosmetic issues. They are health, academic and economic issues. (Action for Health Kids, 2010). San Antonio Youth – Overweight and Obesity Rates. For years, San Antonio has been ranked among the fattest cities in the nation. In 2010, nearly 70% of its residents are overweight or obese – a figure that climbs to 80% in the poorest neighborhoods. There are signs of hope for San Antonio. According to the City of San Antonio Metro Health department, the obesity rate among adults has dropped to 65% in 2013. However, 30% of youth are still considered overweight or obese. What is worse, the city's weight problem has spread to its children, with 1 in 3 children considered overweight or obese (American Obesity Association, 2009). Type 2 Diabetes. Overweight and obese children are at higher risk than their healthy-weight peers for a host of serious illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, asthma and certain types of cancer. Obese children are being diagnosed with health problems previously considered to be “adult” illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. The incidence of diabetes in San Antonio is currently 13%, almost 45% above the national average. That means more than 200,000 individuals in San Antonio are living with diabetes, and of those, nearly 70,000 don't even know it. Nationally, diabetes kills more people annually than breast cancer and AIDS combined. It's the leading cause of blindness, and the risk of heart attack and stroke doubles in individuals with the disease. (American Diabetes Association, 2010). In 2013, City of San Antonio Metro Health reported that the incidence of diabetes is reduced by 50% if a person is a college graduate. Poor Nutrition. There are a variety of reasons for poor nutrition, only one of which is the chronic hunger and resulting malnourishment associated with poverty. However, children of all socioeconomic levels are at risk for poor nutrition. Many children consume enough calories, but have diets high in fat, sugar and sodium, which put them at risk for becoming overweight and for developing chronic diseases as adults. In addition, as parents are entering the workforce in increasing numbers since the 1990's, many children are on their now own for meals and snacks. As a result, some children may skip meals altogether. Others choose their own meals from only one or two food groups, which might temporarily appease their hunger but does not meet their overall nutritional needs. 1991 research shows that 1 out of every 4 children under age 12 in the U.S. is hungry or is at risk of hunger because their families are experiencing food shortage problems. Such chronic hunger can result in inadequate nutrition and poor health. Most of the hunger in the U.S., however, is "transient hunger," which is short-term, occasional hunger eliminated by eating. Although adults have learned compensatory behavior to cope with transient hunger, children Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 35 have not yet developed this ability. Transient hunger affects up to 50% of children from all socioeconomic groups on any given school day. Both chronic hunger and transient hunger have a profound effect on a child's physical and mental readiness for their school day, significantly impairing their ability to learn. Psychological Impact. Overweight children also face more psychological problems and studies show these students may be victims of bullying or be bullies themselves, which can interfere with readiness to learn and school attendance rates. According to the Surgeon General (USDHH, 2001), social discrimination is perceived to be the greatest problem facing overweight children and adolescents, and is contributing to the low self-esteem and depression experienced by this population. Perhaps the most alarming trend is that the majority of overweight adolescents will become obese adults (Bouchard, 1997; National Center for Health Statistics, 1999; USDHH, 2001; Troiano & Flegal, 1998). Obese children are four times more likely to suffer from depression. This can cause overweight children to shy away from their studies. Depression can lead to social anxiety disorders and also make it harder for students to do homework and study for tests. Overweight students often report feelings of loneliness, isolation, low self-esteem, and a lack of self-worth (Falkner et al., 2001; Mellin, Neumark-Sztainer, Story, Ireland, & Resnick, 2002; Pearce, Boergers, & Prinstein, 2002, Strauss & Pollack, 2003; Young-Hyman, Schlundt, Herman-Wenderoth, & Bozylinski, 2003). San Antonio School Districts – Unhealthy Weight. The prevalence of obesity and overweight in Bexar County children is alarming. Seven San Antonio school districts have a student population with greater than 35% unhealthy weight with some schools as high as 67% (based on 2009-2010 FITNESSGRAM® scores). These school districts are: Edgewood ISD, Harlandale ISD, San Antonio ISD, Somerset ISD, South San Antonio ISD, Southside ISD, and Southwest ISD. According to the FITNESSGRAM, a healthy weight equals BMIs ranging from 14.7 - 27.8% for boys and 16.2 - 27.3% for girls adjusted for age. The FITNESSGRAM includes Grades 3-12 with approximately 175,000 Bexar County students tested. Children who are not physically fit tend to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and other risk factors for chronic diseases. This represents a significant public health problem because low physical fitness during adolescence tends to track into adulthood, and adults who are less physically active are at a substantially increased risk for chronic disease morbidity (illness) and mortality (death), as stated in the October 2006 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Looking at the long-term consequences, overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults, which increases to 80% if one or more parents are overweight or obese (Torgan, 2002). Obesity in adulthood increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, and a general poor health status. Preventing obesity during childhood is critical because habits that last into adulthood frequently are formed during youth. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 36 The registered levels of obesity among Latino children are cause for concern in Bexar County. The following are the statistics from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Research Network to Prevent Obesity among Latino Children Fact Sheet (Salud America, the National Latino Childhood Obesity Prevention Research Network, directed by the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 2008): Mexican-American children are more likely to be obese or overweight than white or African-American children. Mexican-American children ages 6 to 11 are at a higher risk for obesity than any other group of children. Impact on Academic Achievement. Students come to school with a variety of family backgrounds and life experiences that affect their readiness to learn. Just as there are disparities in academic achievement along the lines of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, there are disparities in health as well. The Cooper Institute’s 2008 Youth Fitness Study correlated FITNESSGRAM® (annual physical fitness assessment) statewide testing results and three main areas: academic performance (TAKS scores), student attendance rates, and student disciplinary incidents. The results for Bexar County were as follows: Bexar County Academic Variables *Healthy Fitness Zone 17.9% - 24.6% TAKS Achievement Rate 68.3% - 73.9% Attendance 91.9% - 95.5% School Incidents 8.9% - 14.0% Source: The Cooper Institute’s 2008 Youth Fitness Study. http://www.texasyouthfitnessstudy.org *The results are based on the percentage of Texas public school students in grades 3-12 who achieved the FITNESSGRAM grade-specific Healthy Fitness Zone standards in 20072008 on at least 6 tests. Significant correlations were found between physical fitness and various indicators of academic achievement. Higher levels of fitness were also associated with fewer disciplinary incidents. The results also indicate a strong correlation between a student's fitness and their scholastic success. A review of the professional literature confirms that obesity can influence the academic development of a student. In a comprehensive study of 11,192 kindergartners (Datar, Sturm, & Magnabosco, 2004). Overweight children were found to have significantly lower test scores in math and reading than their non-overweight classmates. Another study of adolescent girls found that overweight girls were significantly more likely to report being held back a grade and being a poor student than average weight girls (Falkner et al., 2001). The same study reported that adolescent boys were significantly more likely to consider themselves poor students and more likely to drop out of school. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 37 Overweight children miss nearly four times as many days of school as normal-weight children, presumably for medical appointments related to their weight. This time away from the classroom may result not only in missed instruction, but also missed opportunities for group work with other students, free study periods, and other supplemental work (Satcher, David, 2005. Healthy and Ready to Learn. Educational Leadership: Vol 63, p. 26-30.). Children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional health is linked to their readiness to learn and ability to achieve academic success. Schools have to make difficult choices in an effort to meet performance goals and manage effectively under financial constraints. To do so, many are trying to fit as much classroom time as possible into the day. As a result, there is less time available for physical education, recess, health education, or an adequate lunch period. According to the 2013 Bexar County Community Health Assessment, rates of physical activity among youth have been stable for several years. However, regular participation in physical education in schools has declined from 55% in 2010 to 47% in 2013. Faced with financial strains that threaten valued academic programs and important co-curricular and after-school activities, schools sell foods and beverages and make exclusive contracts with vendors in order to generate additional revenues. These practices contribute to poor eating habits, can aggravate weight and other health problems, and undermine the nutritional contributions of school meal programs. (The Learning Connection, Action for Healthy Kids, Oct. 2004). Disciplinary Actions. After analyzing disciplinary referrals, administrators at Whitefish Central School in Montana noticed that most disruptive behavior occurred 40 to 60 minutes after lunch, and they hypothesized that this may be the result of students eating unhealthy foods that are high in fat and sugar content. The school made several changes, including replacing vending-machine sodas with bottled waters and 100 percent juices, eliminating candy from the lunch menu and vending machines, and increasing the nutritional content of its vending machine items through the sale of sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, milk, bagels, and salads. Within two years of making the change, disciplinary referrals after lunch have fallen dramatically, from an average of six to eight per day to one or two per week. (The Learning Connection, Action for Healthy Kids, Oct. 2004). Teen Pregnancy. Large studies have found that girls who play sports have lower pregnancy rates, engage in sexual intercourse less frequently, have fewer partners, and begin sexual activity later than those not involved with sports (Wade, 1998). Female athletes were less likely to have unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, or sex under the influence of alcohol/drugs (Lehman & Koerner, 2004; Miller et al., 2002). Impact on School Attendance. Overweight children are at greater risk of school absenteeism than their normal-weight peers. A study of more than 1,000 4th, 5th and 6th graders determined that body mass index, or BMI, is as significant a factor in determining absenteeism from school as age, race, socioeconomic status and gender, formerly the four main predictors. The study found that overweight children were absent on average 20% more than their normal-weight peers. Children are missing school at a greater rate than their peers, setting themselves up for the negative fallout that accompanies absenteeism. What's keeping them from school, more than heath issues is the stigma and the bullying that accompanies being overweight. (Childhood Obesity Indicates Greater Risk of School Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 38 Absenteeism, University of Pennsylvania Study Reveals, Penn State University, Aug. 2007). Economic Impact. In addition to the economic toll on our nation, poor nutrition, inactivity, and weight problems are beginning to take an economic toll on our school systems as well. One burden comes from the potential reduction in funding in states where attendance helps to determine the level of state funding for schools. A single-day absence can cost a district between $9 - $20 per student. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts reports the following: • Costs to Texas businesses due to adult obesity and obesity-related illnesses totaled more than $3.3 billion in 2005, and these costs are growing. Health care expenditures and decreased productivity at work (called “presenteeism”) accounted for most of these costs. • Projecting the costs of obesity out to 2025, and accounting for the increase in the prevalence of obesity and the increase in the working population, obesity and obesityrelated illnesses could cost Texas businesses $15.8 billion annually by 2025. Parental Support. Improving children’s health and their readiness to learn through better nutrition and physical activity in schools will require the involvement of many sectors and levels of society. Although national initiatives can play an important role, they are not sufficient by themselves. Community-based initiatives are critical for reaching Americans where they live, work, go to school, and play. Our chances for success will be greater if we use multiple strategies to address multiple factors that contribute to poor nutrition and physical inactivity if we involve multiple sectors of the community. Together, we can help our young people enjoy good health now and for a lifetime. (Pediatrics Vol. 117 No. 5 May 2006, pp. 1834-1842). Supporting Data: Poor Nutrition and Its Impact on Academic Achievement. • Among fourth grade students, those having the lowest amount of protein in their diet had the lowest achievement scores (American School Food Service Association (ASFSA). Impact of hunger and malnutrition on student achievement. School Board Food Service Research Review 1989;(1,Spring):17-21). • Iron deficiency anemia leads to shortened attention span, irritability, fatigue, and difficulty with concentration. Consequently, anemic children tend to do poorly on vocabulary, reading, and other tests (Parker, L. The relationship between nutrition and learning: a school employee's guide to information and action. Washington: National Education Association, 1989). • Children who suffer from poor nutrition during the brain's most formative years score much lower on tests of vocabulary, reading comprehension, arithmetic, and general knowledge (Brown, L., Pollitt, E. Malnutrition, poverty and intellectual development. Scientific American 1996;274(2):38-43). Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 39 • 6 to 11 year-old children from food-insufficient families had significantly lower arithmetic scores and were more likely to have repeated a grade. Families were classified as fooddeficient if they self-reported as sometimes or often not having enough food to eat (Alaimo, K., Olson, C.M., Frongillo Jr., E.A. Food insufficiency and American school-aged children's cognitive, academic, and psychosocial development. Pediatrics July 2001;108(1):44-53). • Morning fasting has a negative effect on cognitive performance, even among healthy, well-nourished children. A test of the speed and accuracy of response on problem-solving tasks given to children who did or did not eat breakfast found that skipping breakfast had an adverse influence on their performance on the tests (Pollitt, E., Leibel, R., Greenfield, D. Brief fasting, stress, and cognition in children. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1991;34(Aug):1526-1533;). Proper nutrition enhances academic performance. In a 1990 Carnegie Foundation study, more than half of the teachers surveyed report that poor nourishment among students is a problem at their school. Recent research has shown that children who skip breakfast have trouble concentrating at school and become inattentive and restless by late morning. A 1989 Tufts University study found that children who eat school breakfast perform better on standardized tests and are late or absent from school less often than children who do not eat breakfast at school. In addition, a 1996 Hebrew University study found that children who eat breakfast at school -- closer to class and test-taking time -- perform better on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast or eat at home much earlier. Other studies in children have shown that consumption of a nutritious breakfast results in: • Improved attention in late morning task performance; • Quicker and more accurate retrieval of information (i.e. working memory); • Fewer errors made in problem solving activities; and, • Better concentration and ability to perform complex tasks. Nutritionally, children who eat breakfast are much better off than those who skip it. Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast have higher 24 hour nutrient intakes when compared to those who skip breakfast. Breakfast skippers do not make up for the lost nutrients later in the day, and average less than 2/3 of the RDA for many nutrients. School breakfast programs have shown the effective role of nutrition in enhancing academic performance. Studies demonstrate participation in School Breakfast Programs: • Improves school performance and reduces absenteeism and tardiness. (Pediatrics 1998;101(1):E3. Office of Research, Education, and the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USDA. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998; 67(4):798S-803S). Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 40 • Improves academic, behavioral, and emotional functioning and leads to increased math grades, lowered absenteeism, and improved behavior (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Recommendations and Report 1996 Jun 14; 45: RR-9; [15] Barnard, A. Study links school breakfast, results. Boston Globe 2000 Nov 29). • Increases composite math and reading scores, improves student behavior, reduces morning trips to the nurse, and increases student attendance and test scores (Minnesota Department of Children Families and Learning. School breakfast programs energizing the classroom 1998). • Strengthens children’s psychosocial outcomes, lowering anxiety, hyperactivity, depression, and psychosocial dysfunction (Murphy, J.M. et al. Effects of a universally free, in-classroom school breakfast program: results from the Maryland Meals for Achievement Evaluation. Initial Report 1999 May 4). • Raises scores on basic skills tests and reduces tardiness and absenteeism among participants [NASPE, Executive Summary, Shape of the Nation 2001). Increased Physical Activity Leads to Higher Academic Achievement. Recent studies show: • The Cooper Institute's 2008 Youth Fitness Study, correlated data between the statewide FITNESSGRAM® testing results and three main areas: academic performance (TAKS scores), student attendance rates, and student disciplinary incidents. Results indicated the following: o Higher levels of fitness are associated with better academic performance. At high performing schools that have earned the state’s top rating of Exemplary, about 80 % of the students have healthy levels of cardiovascular fitness. o At schools that received the state’s lowest rating called Academically Unacceptable, slightly more than 40% of the students achieved cardiovascular fitness. o Higher levels of fitness were associated with better school attendance. o Higher levels of fitness at a school were also associated with fewer disciplinary incidents. Research looked at number of incidents involving drugs, alcohol, violence and truancy. o Counties with high levels of cardiovascular fitness tended to have high passing rates on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 41 • Academic achievement improves even when the physical education reduces the time for academics. A reduction of 240 minutes per week in class time for academics to enable increased physical activity led to consistently higher mathematics scores (National Association for Sport and Physical Education [NASPE], Executive Summary, Shape of the Nation 2001; [20] Shephard, R.J., Volle, M., Lavalee, M., LaBarre, R., Jequier, J.C., Rajic, M. Required physical activity and academic grades: a controlled longitudinal study. In: Limarinen and Valimaki, editors. Children and Sport. Berlin: Springer Verlag; 1984. 58-63; [NASPE]. New study supports physically fit kids perform better academically. 2002). • A recent study has shown a correlation between the SAT-9 test results with the FITNESSGRAM indicating that the physical well-being of students has a direct impact on their ability to achieve academically. Students with the highest fitness scores also had the highest test scores (Shephard, R.J. Curricular physical activity and academic performance. Pediatric Exercise Science 1997; 9:113-126). Intense physical activity programs have positive effects on academic achievement, including increased concentration; improved mathematics, reading, and writing test scores; and reduced disruptive behavior. (Symons,C.W., Cinelli, B., James, T.C., Groff, P. Bridging student health risks and academic achievement through comprehensive school health programs. Journal of School Health 1997; 67(6):220-227). Proposed Objectives: Just as the problems that have led to poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and weight problems among youth are multifaceted, so are the solutions. Tackling these problems is the responsibility of every individual, community, and state in the nation. Therefore, public and private stakeholders at all levels must join together. Applicants for funding under this priority should present projects that establish and demonstrate relevant aspects of best practices associated with one or more of the following strategies to combat physical inactivity and poor nutrition. Programs should establish and demonstrate intervention and prevention strategies that incorporate the following underlying principles for combating physical inactivity and poor nutrition: • Promote excellence in teaching and learning of physical health, nutrition, and wellness education. • Support efforts to make changes that will provide our students with an academic program to challenge students cognitively and physically. • Provide opportunities for students to set goals, assess risks, and demonstrate behaviors that protect and enhance their well-being. • Establish collaborative partnerships with school and community organizations in an effort to deliver a high quality physical health, nutrition, and wellness curriculum. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 42 • Integrate physical activity and nutrition into the school day. • Incorporate nutrition and physical activity into after school programs. • Providing only healthy foods and beverages to students at school. • Engage learning through enhanced student awareness and appreciation for lifestyles that are based on healthy attitudes and actions. • Offer a variety of innovative physical activities where students can learn criteria for a healthy lifestyle and wellness practices that can be incorporated into their daily lives. • Increasing the frequency, intensity and duration of physical activity at school. • Encourage meaningful and strong family-centered involvement to support a healthy lifestyle in the home. Increase access to safe places where children can play, such as recreational facilities, and parks and increase access to healthy foods (e.g., grocery stores) to reduce obesity and increase physical activity among youth, particularly among African American and Latino youth. Return to Table of Contents Victim Issues (listed in order of priority, greatest need first) Priority 1: Crisis/Intervention Services, Recovery, and Transitional Crisis / Intervention Services Victims must have crisis / intervention services that provide immediate response for safety, legal protection, and meeting basic needs. These services may incorporate elements of prevention/education. To provide shelter. – N/A To provide crisis counseling. The Rape Crisis Center worked with 1,135 survivors and their family members in the Comprehensive Counseling Program. Of those 30.5% were younger than the age of 17; 87% were women; 38.9%% were Hispanic, 16.5% were Anglo; 4.1% were African American; 4.9% were Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander or Multiracial; and 35.6% chose not to report their ethnicity. Additionally, 41 victims of human trafficking were provided services as a part of The Center’s counseling program including both clients identified as foreign victims of human trafficking and domestic minor sex trafficking victims. As a part of the collaboration with Alpha Home, counseling was provided for twenty nine female victims of sexual violence who also are dealing with substance abuse issues. ● To Provide Advocacy. The Rape Crisis Center provided medical accompaniment services to 911 victims last fiscal year. Of those 57% were younger than 17; 86.3% were female; 62.1% were Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 43 Hispanic, 18.9% were Anglo; 8.8% were African American; 7.5% were Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander or Multiracial; and 2.7% chose not to report their ethnicity. ● To Provide Hotline Access The Rape Crisis Center operates a 24/7 sexual assault telephone hotline, in addition to serving as the Lead National Supervisor for the RAINN Sexual Assault Online Hotline. Last fiscal year The Center answered 8,672 crisis calls via the telephone and “chatted” with 504 clients via the online hotline. Hotline callers are often reluctant to give demographic information as a result of the fact that they are typically in crisis when they contact the hotline and/or they are seeking anonymity. Of those we were able to collect age data for (704); the large majority; 86% were over the age of 18. The majority of the callers, 82%, were female, and of those providing ethnicity/race information (2,993) – 50% were Hispanic, 39% were Anglo, and 9% were African American. The Center also answers the phone line at the Bexar County Family Justice Center from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends and Holidays. ● To Provide Crisis Safety Net. The Rape Crisis Center provided medical accompaniment to 911 victims; 625 clients were assisted with Crime Victim Compensation applications, 652 victims of sexual assault received food and/or clothing, 97 received crisis transportation, and legal, court, and law enforcement accompaniment services were provided for twenty individuals. To provide protective legal services. The Rape Crisis Center provided legal, court, and law enforcement accompaniment services were provided for twenty individuals. To provide crisis respite care. – N/A ● To provide financial assistance. – N/A Recovery Services. Victims need recovery or intermediate services after the initial crisis that may also include prevention/education. To provide child care. – N/A To provide financial assistance. – N/A To provide transportation. The Rape Crisis Center provided crisis transportation services for 97 victims. To provide substance abuse services. The Rape Crisis Center, in a collaboration with Alpha Home, provided co-counseling for victims of sexual violence who also are dealing with substance abuse issues. As a part of the collaboration, counseling was provided for twenty nine survivors. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 44 To provide mental health services. The Rape Crisis Center worked with 1,135 survivors and their family members in the Comprehensive Counseling Program. Of those 30.5% were younger than the age of 17; 87% were women; 38.9%% were Hispanic, 16.5% were Anglo; 4.1% were African American; 4.9% were Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander or Multiracial; and 35.6% chose not to report their ethnicity. Additionally, 41 victims of human trafficking were provided services as a part of The Center’s counseling program including both clients identified as foreign victims of human trafficking and domestic minor sex trafficking victims. As a part of the collaboration with Alpha Home, counseling was provided for twenty nine females. To provide case management. The Rape Crisis Center provided case management services to 2,342 clients. To provide legal representation. – N/A To provide legal advocacy. The Rape Crisis Center provided legal, court, and law enforcement accompaniment services for twenty individuals. To provide services to build resiliency in children, families, and individuals to help eliminate re-victimization. – N/A Transitional Services Victims need transitional services to move beyond the impact and effects of the trauma so they can live functional and productive lives. This may also include prevention/education. To provide job training/placement. – N/A To provide housing – transitional and permanent. – N/A To provide training and education (parenting, independent living skills, mentoring, GED, life skills, social skills, academic advancement. – N/A To provide interview clothing, self-esteem building, case management, training on interviews, resume development, financial literacy/wealth building, and life skills training. The Rape Crisis Center provided case management services to 2,342 clients. Priority 2: Prevention/Education Prevention through education and awareness is the key to avoiding victimization and re-victimization, especially in the areas of child abuse, domestic violence, and dating violence. Professionals and others who provide this service also need training on the best practices for educating victims. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 45 To provide prevention education in the community, in the schools, in religious institutions, and to medical and other professionals. The Rape Crisis Center provided education services including primary prevention multisession groups for middle/high school and college level students; community presentations include general awareness presentations and professional trainings target victim serviing professionals to improve the community’s response to sexual violence and ensure appropriate referrals for service. The Center provided education sessions for 2,463 students, 1,611 community members, and 2,105 victim serving professionals, for a total of 6,179 participants. Alamo Area Rape Crisis Center Sexual Assault: According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey of 2010, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men reported having been raped in their lifetime. Additionally 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced sexual violence incidents other than rape. Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence have lasting harmful effects on the victims, their friends, families, and the surrounding community. IPV and SV disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities. The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey of 2010 also found that 42.2% of females report experience there first completed rape before the age of 18 and 27.8% of males reported experiencing their first completed rape before the age of 10. And according to ACE Study – Prevalence – Adverse Childhood Experiences, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will have an unwanted sexual experience prior to their 18 th birthday. (www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ace/prevalence.htm). Based on these statistics, it is estimated that approximately 20% of the children in Bexar County may experience sexual abuse. We are only scratching the surface in reaching this population. Additional resources are needed to increase the capacity of the agencies addressing this issue and working to reach this population. Every 2 minutes, someone is raped in the United States. In Texas 1 in 5 women and 1 in 20 men have been sexually assaulted (Busch, Bell, DiNitto & Neff, 2003). According to the UCR data for San Antonio, there were 549 reported rapes to law enforcement in 2012 which was an increase from 2011. Agency Description The Alamo Area Rape Crisis Center (dba The Rape Crisis Center) provides immediate crisis care, support and hope to those individuals and families affected by sexual violence. The Rape Crisis Center has been in existence for almost 38 years implementing its mission of providing comprehensive services for victims of sexual assault; and conducting prevention and education programs for youth throughout San Antonio and Bexar County. The Center is one of approximately 169 independent rape crisis centers (IRCC) in the country. IRCCs are designed to offer services specifically for those who are affected by sexual violence and due to their single issue focus, are able to provide more comprehensive services than many of their counterparts that have merged with other social service agencies or hospitals. The following describes the service-delivery mix which is centered on the healing process for the survivor and their loved ones. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 46 Crisis Intervention - The crisis intervention component of the program provides crisis counseling through a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline (via telephone and Internet) and hospital accompaniment services. The hotline is the portal to other services and where most survivors begin their healing process. The hotline is also the main source of contact for Bexar County’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), which is composed of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of San Antonio (formerly CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's Hospital), as well as volunteer advocates, Center staff and law enforcement agencies. Hospital and law enforcement accompaniment and advocacy is offered as assistance to victims who are about to encounter a difficult emotional and psychological journey during which the victim (1) must report her/his sexual violence to a local law enforcement agency; (2) be transported to a participating hospital for a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE), where clothing is removed for evidence; (3) is asked to relay the entire event to a law enforcement officer; and (4), then, is returned home, most likely, to where the assault occurred. A trained, sensitive, and caring advocate available during this process can begin to help in the healing process through providing information, referral, and emotional support. Counseling - The first objective of counseling is to assist clients in finding healthy and same ways to cope in the immediate crisis; which may be a few days after the rape or years after the abuse. Either way, the client seeking services is usually in distress when he/she calls for an appointment and requires immediate accessible services. The aftermath of rape can leave a survivor with multiple trauma symptoms including re-experiencing the event through flashbacks and nightmares, disrupting daily functioning of healthy relationships, and intrusive memories. This reaction to trauma can cause significant changes in behaviors, emotionally, and over all health. As a result, the RCC offers a variety of counseling services, including, individual, family, couples, groups, and child play therapy. All of our counseling services are free of charge, have no limit to available sessions and transportation will be provided on special occassions. Services are also offered in Spanish and interpreters are utilized for other languages. Education - The RCC reaches out to the community by providing prevention and risk reduction education sessions, which are scheduled at the request of individual schools/school districts. These sessions provide age appropriate curriculum for youth in grades K-12 and are designed to ensure students are educated on issues of risk-reduction and general steps they may take to make themselves and their learning environments safer, as well as the community resources available. This is achieved by conducting interactive educational seminars and workshops consisting of lecture, group discussion, group exercise, videos, and handouts about sexual violence. Collaboration The Center is a primary partner in the community’s SART (Sexual Assault Response Team), and has become involved in several other partnerships and collaborations to ensure services are provided to specialized populations. The San Antonio Sexual Assault Response Team, which includes Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital (provides Sexual Assault Forensic Exams to adults who report a sexual assault), Children’s Hospital of San Antonio (formerly CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's Hospital - provides Sexual Assault Forensic Exams to Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 47 children who report a sexual assault), San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sherriff’s Office and various other law enforcement, military, medical and victim serving professional agencies. A partnership also exists with Alpha Home (a substance abuse treatment facility for women) to provide on-site counseling services for clients who are also victims of sexual abuse, and with the Bexar County Juvenile Justice System and the Human Trafficking Task Force to offer comprehensive services for victims of human trafficking, both foreign and domestic. During the last three years, the number of youth who have been identified as domestic minors who have been victims of trafficking is increasing drastically, in particular within the Juvenile Justice System. The Center works with Bexar County Juvenile Justice to ensure counseling services are available for identified clients who are within the system. The Center also answers the phone line at the Bexar County Family Justice Center from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends and Holidays. Lastly, middle and high school education sessions are coordinated through a partnership with Communities In Schools San Antonio, school districts, and youth serving agencies. Recent Agency Data In Fiscal Year 2012-2013 (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013) The Center provided the following services: TRENDS AND GAPS Trends Change in UCR Definition: The Texas Penal Code Section 22.011 defines sexual assault as “any penetration – be it oral, anal, or vaginal with a sex organ or any object by one person against another without consent.” As a result of the limited definition used for UCR data, traditionally these numbers have demonstrated a partial picture of incidents of sexual violence. The definition was recently changed (January 2013) to reflect a broader description of the sexual assault, and includes both genders. According to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, “the new definition will lead to a more comprehensive reporting of rape in the FBI's annual compilation of crime statistics.” For example, as of October 2013, there were 502 reported rapes in San Antonio; as compared to the 549 reported for all of 2012 under the old definition. In “Rape in the United States: The Chronic Failure to Report and Investigate Rape Cases,” Dr. Dean Kilpatrick estimates that after more than 30 years of education and increasing awareness about sexual assault, over 80% of cases are still not reported. And while more recent numbers reported in the Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Surveys, 2008-2012, indicate an increase, still only 60% of sexual assaults are reported. Increases in Service Delivery: Trends in service delivery specific to The Center include more than 1,100 clients seeking counseling services for the fourth consecutive year. Clients continue to be accompanied by friends, family, loved ones, or partners who, often, following the assault/abuse of their loved one, also experience secondary trauma. Secondary trauma is the phenomenon that occurs when someone closely associated with the rape victim begins to Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 48 feel similar symptoms associated with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of the rape of their loved one. Therefore, it is crucial to offer services to both victims and their loved ones. The majority of The Center’s therapists are trained to provide counseling from a systemic approach. As a result, families and friends of clients are encouraged to attend sessions as secondary victims in an effort to focus on the family as a system as part of the recovery process. As a part of the counseling service delivery mix, therapists are trained to offer a variety of counseling services including EMDR, Art Therapy, support groups, and single session therapy. Addressing the symptoms survivors experience can be difficult. It takes courage to attend counseling in general and even more to attend counseling following a sexual assault. Simply calling for an appointment is a huge first step and some may not show for that first appointment, which is understandable. We ensure every person that calls are center is treated with respect and compassion and they understand that they can come for counseling whenever they are ready. Many clients who attend counseling need information, validation, and assistance with finding relief of their trauma symptoms. Clients are able to attend single sessions or a multitude of sessions depending on their need. Every client is informed that they are able to return for sessions if triggers may arise in the future or when they are ready for counseling, as some who attend for the very first time find that they are not ready to begin counseling. The Center operates with the understanding that all survivors of trauma have unique ways of healing and must do so on their own time. The hotline has noticed a slight increase in calls from outside of San Antonio and Bexar County. A couple of issues have been noted including individuals not having a crisis center in their area and not being at the point where they are ready to seek services face to face. The Center’s hotline staff is trained to utilize a variety of resource materials to identify a rape crisis center in the area where the survivor is calling from should they choose to divulge that information. When there is not a facility relatively close by for them to access services, they may continue to call our hotline for assistance and when they are in crisis. Many survivors of rape and abuse prefer the anonymity provided by both the telephone and internet based hotlines and is often where they have disclose the experience for the first time. Changing Client Demographics: In recent years, the number of male clients seeking services has increased specifically in counseling. Several years ago, 9% of counseling clients were male, however in the past three years the percentage has increased to as high as 14%. Initially, staff attributed this increase to the fact that The Center provides services for secondary survivors so many males were seeking counseling as a support system to a loved one who was the primary victim. However, within the last two years, the number of male clients seeking counseling as the primary victim and utilizing the hotline has increased. The Center feels this could be attributed to the media coverage surrounding the Penn State/Jerry Sandusky case as well as our outreach efforts to address the stigma associated with male survivors. Gaps Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 49 Several laws implemented in 2013, will impact service delivery and potentially create gaps in service. The Prison Rape Elimination Act requires jails and prisons to collaborate with local rape crisis centers and offer services for incarcerated individuals who have identified themselves and victims of sexual violence. As a result, rape crisis centers are receiving numerous requests to provide hotline, crisis intervention and counseling services. The Center and the Bexar County jail are in the process of developing a pilot project specifically for hotline services. Additionally, a new law requiring all Texas hospitals with emergency rooms to collect evidence from sexual assault adult victims was implemented in September 2013. As a result, The Center could be asked to dispatch Crisis Intervention Specialists to every emergency room in Bexar County, instead of just the two with certified Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Examiner programs. And while having access to any emergency room could make it easier for rape victims to pursue criminal cases; many still believe it would be better for victims to go to facilities with sexual assault nurse examiners, who are experts and equipped to collect forensic evidence for prosecution. However, as the sole provider of accompaniment services during these exams, The Center has to be prepared to dispatch to any hospital as requested by the survivor; thereby impacting staffing levels of this 24-hour service. In collaboration with the Sexual Assault Response Team, we discovered a gap in crisis intervention services. Any sexual assault survivor reporting a sexual assault within the first 96 hours of the incident is transported to either Methodist Specialty and Transplant (Adults) or Children’s Hospital of San Antonio (Children) for a forensic exam. Law enforcement officials or hospital staff members contact The Center via our hotline to dispatch a Crisis Intervention Specialist. However, individuals who go directly to the police department to report an assault outside of the 96-hour window typically do not receive advocacy services from The Center. The Center and SAPD are working on a way to address this gap either through training of SAPD volunteer advocates or placing The Center’s Crisis Intervention Specialists on-site at the police department. The Center began to modify its education services five years ago moving from a risk reduction to a primary prevention model. As a result, the shift included seeing fewer participants for eight to ten week sessions rather than one time presentations for large groups as the program transitioned from a focus of risk reduction to primary prevention. A Primary Prevention Plan was developed and submitted to the Office of the Attorney General (principal funder for the program) for review. The plan was approved and implementation began in September 1, 2010. Implementation included developing curricula based on the 40 Developmental Assets framework, which focuses on encouraging youth to use their power as asset builders and change agents. Education sessions and activities will guide youth to an understanding of how the different forms of oppression and social injustice they face every day are connected to sexual violence. The program also engages adults who have influence or regular contact with youth to develop sustained, strength-building relationships with them in schools, in homes, and in communities. However, with limited funding for the program, The Center is unable to respond to requests from additional school districts in San Antonio. It is estimated that there are more than 30,000 middle/high school students in the area and with current staffing levels we are only able to reach a fraction of that number. Additionally, several requests have been received to develop Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 50 additional curricula focused on older elementary school-aged youth. BEXAR COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE To provide victim advocacy through the court system: With regards to Child Abuse: In calendar year 2012, law enforcement filed 817 cases involving child abuse, both physical and sexual with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. In grant year 2012 (Sep - Aug), law enforcement filed 826 cases involving child abuse, both physical and sexual with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. With regards to Adult Sexual Assault: In calendar year 2012, law enforcement filed 117 cases involving adult sexual assault with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. In grant year 2012 (Sep - Aug), law enforcement filed 88 cases involving adult sexual assault with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. With regards to Domestic Violence: In calendar year 2012, law enforcement filed 6,196 cases involving domestic/family violence with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. In grant year 2012 (Sep - Aug), law enforcement filed 6,334 cases involving domestic/family violence with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. With regards to Human Trafficking: In calendar year 2012, law enforcement filed 38 cases involving human trafficking violence with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. In grant year 2012 (Sep - Aug), law enforcement filed 40 cases involving human trafficking with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. With regards to Elder Abuse (Physical and Financial): In calendar year 2012, law enforcement filed 191 cases involving elder abuse (both physical and financial) with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. In grant year 2012 (Sep - Aug), law enforcement filed 187 cases involving elder abuse (both physical and financial) with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. General Victim Services: One aspect of the victim advocacy provided by the District Attorney’s Office comes in the form of a Victim Impact Statement provided to victims of crime. In calendar year 2012 the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office provided 7,222 Victim Impact Statements (205 sexual assault; 1,229 property offenses; 3,258 simple assaults; 2,481 injury cases; and 49 homicides.) Also in calendar year 2012, 8,435 crime victims were provided in-person assistance by advocates, 3,327 were accompanied to court by a victim advocate; and Crime Victim Compensation information was provided to 5,993 victims. These same statistical categories are provided for grant year 2012 (September - August.) The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office provided 8,896 Victim Impact Statements (287 sexual assault; 1,425 property offenses; 2,720 simple assaults; 3,186 injury cases; and 124 homicides.) Also in grant fiscal year 2012, 8,098 crime victims were provided in-person Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 51 assistance by advocates, 3,281 were accompanied to court by an advocate; and Crime Victim Compensation information was provided to 7,471 victims. The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office also provides advocacy to victims of domestic/family violence through protective order services. In calendar 2012, 3,049 individuals seeking a protective order were seen and 58.9% of Protective Order applications filed resulted in a final order being granted. These same statistics provided for grant year 2012 (Sep – Aug) are as follows: 2,953 individuals seeking a protective order were seen and 56.7% of Protective Order applications filed resulted in a final order being granted. Problems and Gaps in Service: The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office feels there are resources needed for Human Trafficking and Elder Abuse in our community. Identify Achievements: The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office (“DA”) continues to strive to provide the best victim services available to victims of crime. Our overall desire is to turn victims into survivors. One of the first steps towards this goal is to make contact with and provide services for as many victims as possible. The DA’s Office currently maintains 40 victim advocate positions, which continues to make it the largest victim service division of any prosecutors’ office in the state of Texas. We serve over 20,000 victims annually. We also work diligently to make our community aware of the myriad of services available by sponsoring and participating in as many community based events as possible throughout the year. As in past years, we directed our focus on National Crime Victims Rights Week (“NCVRW”) held in April. Throughout the week the DA’s Office joined forces with over thirty other agencies to “spread the word” about victims’ rights and services. Some of the many events held included a press conference announcing NCVRW; a victim call-in hotline at a local television studio; a victims’ tribute with a wreath laying and candle lighting ceremony; and children’s picnics to bring awareness of the effects of child abuse. It is our hope that these events will cause our citizens will gain knowledge about the criminal justice system and the services our local governmental and social service agencies can provide. April is also the month when we draw attention to Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness. Both of these issues are important to our cause and we contribute and participate fully with other agencies spearheading related events. The DA’s Office also participates in events for National Domestic Violence Awareness month which is in October. The DA’s Office continues to participate in a variety of coalitions throughout our community. It is our desire to concentrate our efforts on providing consistent and effective services and being a part of a coalition allows us to keep abreast of the latest issues and needs of victims. In addition to those listed above, some of the other coalitions include the Family Justice Center, Victims Advocacy Council, PEACE Initiative, ChildSafe, Safe Havens coalition, and the Alamo Area Coalition Against Trafficking. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 52 Boys Town 2012 Bexar County Child Abuse & Neglect Data Center for Public Policy Priorities 6,205 confirmed cases of child abuse: This is the highest number in all 254 counties in Texas Rate per 1,000 children (age 0-17): 13.0 3,628 children in foster care: Rate per 1,000 children (age 0-17) 7.6 TDFPS FY 2012 Annual Data Book: 17,220 child abuse reports assigned for investigation 24,476 alleged victims of child abuse 7 neglect 2,164 total child removals in Bexar County due to child abuse & neglect 19 Child Abuse Related Fatalities Priority 1. To provide crisis, recovery, and transitional services to victims of crime. Priority 2. To provide prevention/education services to crime victims, crime victim service providers and the general public. To provide crisis services: Boys Town Texas provided crisis services through its national hotline to 788 San Antonio callers during 2012. Boys Town staff are on call 24 hours a day to provide crisis services to both foster children and in home family services clients: a total of 241 children. To provide Shelter: Boys Town Texas provided shelter to 81 abused and neglected children in 2012. To provide child care: Boys Town Texas provided 12,440 childcare days last year to abused and neglected children. To provide transportation: Boys Town Texas provides transportation to 81 abused and neglected children served to school, medical and mental health services and various other appointments. Boys Town Texas also provided transportation to 32 at risk families that received community support services through our program. To provide mental health services: Boys Town Texas provided outpatient behavioral health services to 274 children and their families in 2012 for a total of 1,373 individual therapy hours. To provide case management: Boys Town Texas provided ongoing case management services to 51 mothers and fathers and 160 children. To provide Prevention/ education Boys Town Texas provided Common Sense Parenting® education classes to 711 parents Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 53 with 1351 children in 2012. In addition, Boys Town Texas provided life skills training to 81 abused and neglected children and 51 parents in 2012. About Boys Town Texas: Boys Town Texas has been serving children and families in Bexar County through a wide variety of child abuse prevention and intervention programs since opening its doors in 1989. Boys Town developed its Integrated Continuum of Care® as part of an ambitious, ongoing effort to expand the life-changing care we provide to children and families across the United States. The Continuum is unique to Boys Town and enables us to deliver the right care at the right time to troubled children and families who are edging toward crisis. The Continuum in Bexar County includes the following programs: Foster Family Services® is a community-based program where professionally trained Foster Parents provide care and support to children of all ages, infancy through adolescents. Foster parents help meet the behavioral, emotional and educational needs of the children in their care. Service intensity ranges from highly intensive to less intensive, based upon the needs of the child. With a focus on reunification, Foster Family Services utilize a strength-based, team approach to work with families to achieve safety, permanency and well-being. Foster Parents receive 24/7 support from Boys Town professionals. Boys Town Texas' In-Home Family Services SM provide life-changing care to families that are struggling to stay together or are in danger of having a child removed from the home. No matter what the underlying cause — economic hardship, substance abuse, marital issues, family conflicts, health challenges or others — the goal is to keep children in the home, or to reunify them with their family if they have been removed from their home. Specially trained Family Consultants work right in the parents’ home, helping them to improve parenting skills, create a safe, nurturing environment for children and use resources in the community to solve problems on their own. In addition to making regular home visits, Family Consultants are on call 24/7 to provide support and assistance. Outpatient Behavioral Health services therapists work with children ages six months to 17 years and their families to assess and treat youth issues. With the involvement of parents, therapists develop service plans for youth with difficult problems like AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anger management, bedtime and sleep disorders, outof-control behaviors, learning challenges and depression. Psychologists and therapists work with families, physicians, teachers and others to extend care beyond the “therapy hour” to ensure long-term success. The Boys Town National Hotline® is a free resource and counseling service that assists callers 24/7, 365 days a year, nationwide. Open to everyone, but with an emphasis on helping children and parents, the Hotline has trained professional counselors who provide emergency or direct assistance, or refer callers to community resources. Since opening in 1989, the Hotline has handled more than 8 million calls and has helped prevent thousands of suicides nationwide. Common Sense Parenting® provides parents and other caregivers with proven techniques that can help them build good family relationships, prevent and correct misbehavior, use consequences to improve behavior, teach self-control and remain calm. This instruction is Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 54 generally provided in the community and schools in both formal and informal settings. Classes are available for parents of preschoolers/toddlers and school-aged children, and are also presented in Spanish. YourLifeYourVoice.org is a special website that enables and encourages teens to share their problems and concerns in positive ways and provides access to immediate help in a crisis. Parenting.orgSM is a free online resource that provides practical, easy-to-use materials and information for parents and caregivers of children of all ages. Boysville To provide a home to abused and neglected children: In 2013 Boysville provided a home to over 290 children with 30,280 days of care. To help children improve their academics: In 2013 Boysville helped six seniors graduate from high school. To provide health care: Boysville provided health care to all children in its care, including medical, dental, orthodontic, optometry and emergency services. To provide mental health services: Boysville provided 1,241 individual therapy hours and 91 group therapy hours. To provide case management: Boysville provided ongoing case management services to 292 children. To help children improve their independent living skills: Boysville provided preparation for adult living classes and skills to adolescents ages 13 to 17 that included health and safety, housing and transportation, job skills/job readiness, financial management, life decisions/responsibilities and personal/social relationships. About Boysville: Boysville is a non-profit 501©3 residential care facility that has been providing services since 1943. Our campus is designed to help children in crisis who cannot remain in their own home for a variety of reasons. Our children come from homes that are in crisis, due to emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Sometimes a parent cannot take care of the child due to a terminal illness and do not have the support of family to take care of the children. Children who come to Boysville come from various backgrounds. By providing food, shelter, clothing and medical services, we are able to provide the basic necessities needed to make the child feel safe and comfortable at Boysville. With our education services, our children realize their potential. We encourage education. We encourage them to explore college, trade or military options. We Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 55 are able to pull children out of abuse cycles or poverty cycles and teach them to become an active part of society. CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN ANTONIO Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Antonio (CCAOSA) provides a remarkable array of services to the community. As those services are being provided, we frequently discover that a client being helped is a victim of crime and we work to help with all needs associated with that including provision of counseling services. As is Catholic tradition, all people who ask for help are helped. No one has to be Catholic to receive our services. During 2013, CCAOSA encountered 904 known victims of crime that were helped with services and 344 of those victims of crime received counseling services as well as other services. With assistance, more victims of crime can be identified and provided with a range of services including counseling. Services provided by CCAOSA are described below. PARENTING and FAMILY PROGRAMS Adolescent Parenting & Pregnancy Program The Adolescent Pregnancy & Parenting Program is a parenting program for pregnant and/or parenting adolescents 19 years of age or younger. In an effort to provide support and guidance to adolescent parents during a transitional period of their lives, the Adolescent Pregnancy & Parenting Program offers site and home-based parenting sessions. How We Help: For many teens, high school graduation does not appear to be an option as they become parents earlier than they had planned and are overwhelmed with adult responsibilities at a very early age. However, when teen parents receive pre-natal and parenting information while still in school, they are empowered and encouraged to complete their education Through the Adolescent Pregnancy & Parenting Program, comprehensive supportive services are provided so that pregnant and/or parenting adolescents: Become healthy, nurturing parents who know how to provide appropriate brain stimulation for their children; learn the fundamentals of child development, proper care of infants/young children and healthy parenting techniques; gain an understanding of healthy brain development and the importance of brain stimulation for young children; demonstrate an ability to provide appropriate brain stimulation and will integrate the program into their daily lives; and demonstrate a sense of hopefulness for their future. The Adolescent Pregnancy & Parenting Program offers free group sessions hosted in schools and community centers throughout Bexar County for adolescents 19 years or younger. Home-based parenting visitations are also provided to adolescents who are pregnant or have a child 2 years old or younger. Home visits take place weekly for 12 weeks and then transition to once a month until the client’s child is 3 years of age. Who qualifies for our program: Pregnant and/or parenting adolescents 19 years or younger living in Bexar County. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 56 Building Strong Families and Great Start Plus Catholic Charities offers two home-based parenting education programs, Building Strong Families and Great Start Plus, for families that have been or are currently involved with Child Protective Services with a focus on improving parent-child interaction, increasing the families’ protective factors, and reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect. How We Help: Both programs provide weekly, home-based parenting education sessions, offering personalized curriculum and training tailored to the family’s needs within the comfort of their own home. Utilizing the Nurturing Parenting curriculum, our programs aim to increase the family’s protective factors, such as: Family functioning and parental resiliency; Social connections and support; Nurturing and attachment; Knowledge of appropriate child development; and Concrete support through information and guidance from family educators. All enrolled children under 5 years of age are screened for developmental progress, and potential delays are referred to medical or other intervention services as indicated by screening results. While increasing knowledge of child development, parents gain a better understanding of their children’s readiness to develop appropriate skills that will, in turn, decrease incidences of child abuse and neglect. As an enhancement to the parenting education sessions, both programs also offer monthly group opportunities for family engagement activities where all participating client families are invited. These events involve educational and interactive components to encourage learning and social connections. Case management is also provided to help provide resources for the family’s basic needs. Referrals are provided to other Catholic Charities’ programs to include the Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, Emergency Financial Assistance, Catholic Counseling & Consultation Center, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and many more. Referrals are also provided for additional social service agencies as needed. Who qualifies for our program: Building Strong Families provides services to families within Bexar County with closed substantiated cases through Child Protective Services. A referral from Child Protective Services is required to qualify. At least one child in the household must be between the ages of 0 and 8 years old. Service Area: Bexar County for families with open cases through Child Protective Services. This program allows for open enrollment, with no referral from Child Protective Services required. At least one child in the household must be between the ages of 0 and 8 years old. Parent Talk Parent Talk is a voluntary, group-based parenting and life skills education program for parents and caregivers of children 0 to 17. Born out of a simple conversation addressing the needs of parents on San Antonio’s east side in 2011, United Way and Catholic Charities partnered to create this interactive program for parents and caregivers of children residing in the East-side Promise Neighborhood. How We Help: Not your typical parenting class, Parent Talk utilizes discussion groups to educate parents through open dialogue. Parents and caregivers learn from one another under Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 57 the guidance of a parent group facilitator. Weekly group sessions are two hours in length for a total of 10-12 sessions and are offered in English or Spanish. Classes are located at community centers, schools, churches and apartment complexes. Utilizing the evidence-based Nurturing Parenting curriculum as a guide, the program strives to increase the family’s protective factors by: Promoting healthy parenting practices; Educating parents on appropriate developmental expectations; Exploring ways to develop empathy; Utilizing positive discipline techniques; Providing techniques for appropriate family functioning and parental resiliency; Increasing social connections; Developing nurturing skills; and Building attachments between parent and child. Facilitators will encourage parents to engage in positive interactions with their children as well as help parents understand how they influence their child’s development through every day exchanges. Role play will be used during sessions to encourage parents to try new strategies and reinforce learning. Who qualifies for our program: Parents or caregivers of children ages 0 to 17 who reside within the East-side Promise Neighborhood. Precious Minds, New Connections Precious Minds, New Connections provides comprehensive support services to young and/or first-time parents in order to reduce the likelihood for child abuse and neglect by encouraging: Parent-child interaction by increasing the amount of quality time parents spend with their child(ren); Development-centered parenting to help parents understand stages of their child’s development as well as help parents become good observers of their child’s growth and respond appropriately; and Family well-being by showing parents how their own family dynamics, culture and community influence their parenting. It is important that each parent recognize their own strengths and resources in order to build strong social networks that will help the family flourish. How We Help: Precious Minds, New Connections is part of a larger initiative, consisting of over 20 agencies that offer parenting education classes, both site-based and home-based. Site-based parenting classes are provided in groups at several locations throughout Bandera, Bexar, Comal and Kendall counties. Among the multiple agencies that participate in this initiative, only five offer home-based, one-on-one parenting education classes, of which Catholic Charities is one. Home-based parenting education classes offer parents and their child(ren) personalized curriculum and training tailored to the family’s needs within the comfort of their own home. Precious Minds, New Connections utilizes the Parents-as-Teachers program model and Foundational Curriculum. Key components of this model consist of: Personal Visits; Home visits; Development Screening; Group Connections; and Resource Network Who qualifies for our program: Home-based parenting education classes for young and/or first-time parents within Bexar County CATHOLIC COUNSELING AND CONSULTATION CENTER Catholic Charities offers specialized counseling services in San Antonio and surrounding areas, providing the support needed to assist individuals and families with ensuring their mental and emotional wellbeing. Working with clients of varied backgrounds and experience, Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 58 our Catholic Counseling & Consultation Center, located in San Antonio, provides a safe and warm environment for individuals and families to embrace what is going on in their lives and develop the necessary problem solving skills to cope with seemingly overwhelming situations. To provide for those that may not live within San Antonio, the Brazos Extendidos Counseling Program is a site-based counseling program that extends our counseling services into rural areas throughout the Archdiocese of San Antonio’s 19 counties. How We Help: Providing affordable counseling services to anyone in need, the Catholic Counseling & Consultation Center, as well as the Brazos Extendidos Counseling Program, offer both individual and group counseling sessions in a number of areas, to include, but not limited to the following: Child-Adolescent-Adult & Family Counseling; Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling; Anger Management; Domestic Violence; Grief & Loss Therapy (Bereavement); Marriage Counseling & Reconciliation; Parenting & Play Therapy for Children; Post-Traumatic Stress Therapy (for PTSD); Recovery from Sexual Abuse/Sexuality Issues; Spiritual Direction; and Women’s Empowerment & Emotional Development. Counseling services are offered to both the insured and uninsured. Most insurance providers are accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid. If you do not have insurance or counseling is not covered by your insurance provider, Catholic Charities’ counseling programs utilize an income-based sliding scale fee system, allowing you to get affordable counseling services no matter what your income level. Who qualifies for our programs: Counseling services are provided to children 4 years of age and older, adolescents, adults, and families who reside within Bexar County and designated rural areas of the San Antonio Archdiocese. CLOTHES CLOSET AND FOOD PANTRY The Clothes Closet & Food Pantry offers emergency food and clothing assistance for individuals and families suffering economic hardship. Food and clothing are distributed at no cost and based on the family’s size and need. Whether you are looking for clothing for an interview, a coat for yourself or your child, or food to get you through the next week before you receive your next paycheck, Catholic Charities is here to help provide you with material assistance when you need it most. Organized by clothing type, color and size, our Clothes Closet makes it easy to find the clothing you are looking for. In addition to clothing, the Clothes Closet also offers household items like plates, cups and cooking ware. COMMUNITY VOICE MAIL Through our partnership with Springwire, Catholic Charities offers Community Voice Mail and Resource Broadcasting to help people in crisis connect with family, case managers, doctors, social service providers, employers and opportunities. The sense of isolation that comes to those that do not have immediate access to a phone is often the greatest challenge faced by people in crisis. How can someone find a job or a home if they don’t have a way to reach – or be reached by – the people and agencies that can help? Community Voice Mail provides free personalized voice mail access. By placing this simple but critical tool in their hands, Community Voice Mail restores dignity and hope to people moving out of crisis. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 59 How We Help: Community Voice Mail provides participants with a private, local, ten-digit phone number that looks like any other number, and does not in any way signal the individual’s status or life situation. This number goes to a voice mail box where participants can record their own personal, professional greeting, and enable callers to leave messages. Individuals may retrieve messages 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from any touch-tone phone. Who qualifies for our program? Community Voice Mail services are available to anyone who needs a way to communicate, no matter what crisis life has thrown at you. No identification or other documentation is necessary to qualify. EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Our Emergency Financial Assistance program serves low-income families and individuals facing tremendous financial hardship and unforeseen crises, which jeopardize their most basic human needs. By providing emergency financial assistance and guidance toward selfsufficiency for low-income individuals and families, Emergency Financial Assistance gives hope and provides relief to those that need it, when they need it most. How it works: The Emergency Financial Assistance program offers income-eligible individuals and families an holistic approach to overcoming economic hardship. Our case management staff will provide a thorough intake and assessment of the family’s financial state in order to provide the best possible plan to help them move toward financial stability and selfsufficiency. Case management staff work directly with clients to provide financial coaching and determine budget assessment. They will help the client evaluate their current expenses and income (if any) and provide goals for obtaining economic self-sufficiency. If financial assistance is necessary, one-time emergency financial assistance will be provided to prevent utility disconnection.* Who qualifies for our program: Services are provided through this program for individuals and families who meet or are below the 125% poverty guideline. FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM The Foster Grandparent Program seeks to improve the overall quality of life for the older adult volunteer and to help provide enrichment opportunities for children with special needs. The Foster Grandparent Program began on August 28, 1965 as a national demonstration effort to show how low-income individuals aged 55 and over have the maturity and experience to establish a personal relationship with children having either exceptional or special needs. How We Help: The Foster Grandparent Program is a program for low-income individuals age 55 and over who thrive on direct interaction with children and believe they can make a difference in their lives. Income-eligible foster grandparents receive a modest stipend to help offset the costs of volunteering. Who qualifies for our program: Individuals age 55 years and over, in good health that are Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 60 income-eligible. Income eligibility based on government poverty guidelines. The Foster Grandparent Program is a part of Senior Corps, along with RSVP and Senior Companions. Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering GUADALUPE HOME Guadalupe Home is a transitional living program for homeless expectant mothers and homeless mothers with infants. During their stay at Guadalupe Home, mothers have a safe place to live and to prepare for birth, as well as have a home-like environment in which to nurture their baby. Women who come to Guadalupe Home are ready to improve their lives and the lives of their children. How We Help: Guadalupe Home provides a safe haven and support services in a home-like environment for up to 10 mothers. Each mother can have two children under the age of three years. Private rooms are available for each family. Other living areas and household chores are shared among all residents. There is no fee to the resident for services; however, they must be willing to participate in an educational/employment program or maintain employment. Residents are expected to follow house rules and abide by curfew requirements. Supportive services are provided to residents in an effort to increase their capability of having a healthy baby, improve their ability to care for themselves and their babies, and foster their desire to make a positive contribution to their community. Guadalupe Home provides opportunities for personal development to the residents, including assistance with goal-setting and achievement, establishing priorities, and decision-making. The staff at Guadalupe Home recognizes that spiritual development can play a positive role in personal development. By providing residents with an on-site meditation room, young mothers have a place where they can go for a few minutes a day and enjoy quiet reflection. In addition, churches of all denominations host baby showers, baptisms, and other special events in which mothers and their babies may participate, if they choose. Who qualifies for our program: Homeless expectant mothers or homeless mothers with up to 2 children under the age of 3 years, who are able to live harmoniously in our community and who will participate in the services offered. GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES The Guardianship Services offers legal guardianship services, including less restrictive alternatives, for those who lack mental capacity due to illness or disability, and who are at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. With the goal of protecting the most vulnerable in our society by ensuring their safety in the community, the Guardianship Services creates 1/3 of all guardianships established in Bexar County. How We Help: Since a guardianship takes away a person’s rights and cannot easily be undone, Catholic Charities believes it is crucial that less restrictive alternatives are implemented first. Direct guardianship services are only provided as a last resort when all Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 61 other options have been exhausted and there are no other means of protecting the individual. Some alternatives to Guardianship are our money management services or referrals to other agencies. Additionally, Catholic Charities offers wills & advanced planning services for anyone who is in need of legal assistance and guidance with life affairs planning, including will preparation and durable powers of attorney. If available alternatives are not suitable options, then Catholic Charities will establish legal guardianships for qualified individuals and provided case management services to those enrolled. Who qualifies for our program: Individuals interested in becoming a legal guardian of an incapacitated adult must be over the age of 18 and are required to pass a criminal background check to qualify for guardianship services. Guardianship services are offered in Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson counties. INTERPRETER AND TRANSLATION SERVICES Catholic Charities’ Interpreter & Translation Services is a social enterprise business of Catholic Charities that provides professional, fee-based interpretation and translation services. In an effort to bridge the language gap between individuals with limited or no English language proficiency and the providers they may need assistance from, our Interpreter & Translation Services provides a solution to help overcome communication barriers. How We Help: Interpreter & Translation Services offers face to face interpretation, interpretation over the phone and document translation services at competitive rates. Utilizing trained and certified contract interpreters to provide services, Catholic Charities’ Interpreter & Translation Services offers professional assistance for all your language needs. Interpretation and translation services are available for over 33 languages. Who benefits from our program: Services are available to schools, employers, medical professionals, social service providers, local officials or anyone in need of interpretation and/or translation services at competitive rates. IMMIGRATION SERVICES Through advocacy, education and direct service, the ImmigrationServices works toward the just and humane treatment of all immigrants by helping them to achieve the full benefits available to them under immigration law. Providing professional consultation and reduced-fee legal services, the Immigration Services focuses on reuniting families by guiding immigrants through the complex legal process. How We Help: All individuals and families seeking legal services must first undergo a consultation. Through our consultation process, our staff is able to fully assess the extent of a client’s situation and provide the most appropriate options available. Options may include: Family-based petitions; Adjustment of status; Consular processing; Citizenship; Waivers; Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); and Court representation for Asylum and Cancellation of Removal cases. In addition to assisting immigrants, the Immigration Services provides consultations and legal assistance to victims of crime, domestic violence and human trafficking. If you are a victim of crime, domestic violence, or human trafficking, there is no consultation fee. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 62 MILITARY AND FAMILY RELIEF PROJECT The Military Family Relief Project provides veterans and their immediate family members with emergency assistance in times of crises. Since its inception in 2008, Catholic Charities has provided hundreds of service men and women, veterans and their family members with assistance to help ease the transition from military to civilian life. Whether our service men and women need financial or material assistance, counseling, financial coaching or access to additional services, the Military Family Relief Project provides the support needed help those that have dedicated their lives to serving our country. How We Help: In an effort to improve the lives of our service members and their families, the Military Family Relief Project provides a comprehensive list of services, to include: One-time emergency financial assistance to prevent utility disconnection; Food and clothing assistance; Case management; Counseling for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); Referrals for job training programs and work recruitment programs; and Referrals to additional social service agencies. Additionally, the Military Family Relief Project will connect clients as appropriate to other programs and services available through Catholic Charities, such as community voice mail services, parenting education, guardianship and money management services, and free income tax preparation assistance. Who qualifies for our program: Services are provided to veteran, reserve, National Guard or active duty military service members as well as their spouses and children currently living within the family household. Spouses of deceased service members are also eligible for assistance. MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM The Money Management Program provides bill payer and representative payee services to low-income individuals 55 years and older who lack the ability to effectively manage their own financial affairs. Designed to prevent financial abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly, the Money Management Program promotes independent living for individuals on a fixed income who have no one else available or appropriate to assist them. The goal of the Money Management Program is to prevent financial abuse, neglect and exploitation of adults 55 years of age and older. A sister program of Catholic Charities’ Guardianship Program, the Money Management Program is a less restrictive alternative to entering into a legal guardianship. How We Help: Case management services are provided to all eligible individuals enrolled in the Money Management Program. Case managers meet with clients regularly to: Assess initial and on-going needs; Review current expenses and establish a budget; Provide information on how to effectively manage financial affairs; Inform them of any benefits, services or insurance they may be entitled to; Assist them with re-applying for benefits, if needed; Pair them with a volunteer bill payer or representative payee who will visit them monthly; and Provide referrals to other agencies for additional support services. PROJECT COOL Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 63 Project Cool is a city-wide initiative that addresses the need to provide relief from the summer heat to individuals 60 years and older and individuals with disabilities. Every year in San Antonio, hundreds are hospitalized for heat related illnesses due to record high temperatures during the summer months. Through a partnership with St. Vincent de Paul, the City of San Antonio, United Way and the San Antonio Fire Department, Project Cool provides 20” electric boxed fans to thousands of elderly and disabled individuals throughout San Antonio and surrounding areas. How We Help: With a goal of providing box fans to senior citizens and disabled individuals, Project Cool aims to reduce the risk of heat-related illness and death in addition to reducing utility costs by providing an alternative to air conditioning for those who may be living on a fixed income. With multiple Project Cool sites located throughout San Antonio, including Catholic Charities’ Guadalupe Community Center and several Catholic churches throughout the city, Project Cool is able to distribute fans through these sites to those that need them most. Who qualifies for our program: Fan recipients much be 60 years or older or have a documented disability REFUGEE SERVICES Refugee Services provides housing, employment, language and acculturation assistance to refugees escaping war and persecution who have been resettled in the United States through the U.S. Department of State Programs. As the only refugee resettlement agency in San Antonio, Catholic Charities resettles more than 500 refugees each year in San Antonio, providing professional supportive services to help them on their path toward self-sufficiency. Who are refugees: Refugees are victims of war, persecution, upheaval, and religious and ethnic discrimination. They are forced to flee to other countries and leave their homes, families, friends, jobs and possessions so that they may keep their lives. Most refugees hope to return home and pick up their lives again…and many will when conditions change. For some refugees, though, the only hope is for resettlement in our country. How We Help: Reception & Placement Services are provided to encourage refugees to achieve early economic self-sufficiency and promote cultural integration. Services include: Arrival preparation - Apartment set up, furniture, food, clothing, and airport reception; Initial Orientation - Education on life in America which covers employment, healthcare, childcare, transportation, American culture and laws, housing and safety; Case Management – Comprehensive client assessment and assistance toward removing barriers to employment, self-sufficiency and community integration; and Post-Arrival Follow-up - Employment and ESL services, health screening, school enrollment for children, and any additional cultural adjustment referrals as needed. Refugee Employment Services prepare refugees to join the workforce by working with all eligible clients at their level of employability to empower them toward employment-based economic self-sufficiency. For the past four years, approximately 200 refugee children each year have impacted the local San Antonio public school system. Many of these students have never been to school and have never learned to read and write. They have fled their home countries and come to the Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 64 U.S. looking for safety. The School Impact Program provides after school tutoring for refugee children and supportive services for families to help promote effective integration, education, and a successful transition into the American public school system. RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is America’s largest volunteer network for people age 55 and over. "One stop shopping" for all volunteers who want to find challenging, rewarding, and significant service opportunities, RSVP helps make volunteering a more meaningful experience by offering information, support and guidance. Offering a full range of volunteer options with thousands of local and national organizations, volunteers are able to choose how and where they want to serve, choose the amount of time they want to give and whether they want to draw on their skills or develop new ones. The goal of RSVP is to bring together local agencies and organizations with senior citizens age 55 and over wishing to volunteer within their community in an area that interests them. Who qualifies for our program: Senior citizens wishing to volunteer must be age 55 or over. The changes that the RSVP program has experienced throughout the years reflect the changing faces of senior volunteer-ism in America. The program continues to grow, and as it grows, RSVP will continue to provide opportunities for all seniors to answer the call to service. RSVP is a part of Senior Corps, along with Foster Grandparents and Senior Companions. Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. SAN ANTONIO BIRTH DOULAS San Antonio Birth Doulas was founded in 1999 in response to the increasing need for birth doula services among pregnant women, especially teens and low-income women in our community. San Antonio Birth Doulas provides new and expecting parents with support in the areas of pregnancy, labor, breastfeeding, newborn care and bonding in an effort to prevent infant/child abuse and neglect. What is a Doula? A doula is a non medical person who assists a woman before, during and after childbirth, as well as her partner and/or family by providing information, physical assistance, and emotional support. In the ancient Greek language, doula means “mothering the mother.” Why use a birth doula? Studies have shown that women who have doulas with them during pregnancy, labor, and birth experience: An overall reduction of 50% in cesarean deliveries; A 25% reduction in the length of labor; A 40% reduction in the use of Pitocin (a drug used to induce labor); A 30% reduction in the use of pain medications; A 60% reduction in the requests for epidural; and A 40% reduction in the use of forceps. Additionally women attended by doulas don’t have as many secondary complications — like maternal infection, maternal fever, newborn problems and postpartum depression (what people call “the baby blues”). How We Help: Doulas help expectant mothers and their families in a number of ways before, Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 65 during and after childbirth. A doula can help expectant mothers by: Referring compassionate and understanding doctors; Providing information on available childbirth and parenting classes; Working with them on their birth plan; Being present in the early stages of labor at the hospital; Providing emotional and physical support during labor and birth; Showing family and/or their partner how to comfort and support them during labor; Providing support after childbirth on how to cope with the challenges of motherhood; Teaching them how to bond with their baby and breastfeed properly; and Providing newborn and parenting information about infant and baby/toddler development stages. VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is a collaborative initiative between Catholic Charities, the City of San Antonio, United Way, local colleges and universities, and a number of financial institutions that work closely together to provide free income tax assistance and support to taxpayers, helping them claim federal earned income tax credit. With a goal of increasing the financial stability of working individuals and families in San Antonio and Bexar County, VITA volunteers operate over 25 VITA sites located throughout the city and complete more than 35,000 tax returns in a single tax season. As a result of this vital initiative, over $60,000,000 in refunds is returned to the San Antonio community alone. How We Help: VITA harnesses the time and talents of dedicated volunteers to provide free income tax assistance and support to individuals and families seeking help with their tax preparation. In order to get the most out of your income tax credit, trained volunteers work directly with you to ensure that you receive what you are entitled to. The following items are needed to prepare your tax return: Who qualifies for our program: Individuals and families earning less than $60,000 annually during the income tax season. WILLS AND ADVANCED PLANNING SERVICES Our Wills & Advanced Planning Services offer individuals and families legal assistance and guidance for life affairs planning. More often than not, we do not adequately prepare for our own passing, leaving our loved ones with many important questions unanswered. With Wills & Advanced Planning Services, Catholic Charities provides you with the peace of mind and guidance you need to determine how your assets will be distributed, who will take care of your children if an early death occurs, and who can make financial and medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to. It is never too early to start planning, and Catholic Charities is here to help you and your family through this necessary process. How We Help: Through our Wills & Advanced Planning Services, Catholic Charities offers the following legal assistance services: Preparation of one’s Last Will & Testament; Durable Financial Power of Attorney; Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care; and Directive to Physician/Living Will. Who qualifies for our program: Services are available to anyone in need of assistance living within Bexar, Medina, Atascosa, Kerr, Guadalupe, and Bandera counties. Fees for Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 66 services are available on a sliding scale depending on household income. Family Service Association of San Antonio Crisis Counseling Services Family Service provided 1,386 hours of crisis counseling services to 36 children who were sexually abused, 35 children who severely physically abused, 14 seniors who were physically abused and 121 women who victims of domestic violence. To provide supervised visitation, safe and neutral exchanges and safe haven services for families with domestic violence Family Service provided 2,252 hours of neutral exchange services for 138 families experiencing domestic violence. Family Service provided 3,029 hours of supervised visitation between 252 children and their non-custodial parent. Family Service provided parenting education, parent-child interaction therapy and case management services to 356 women who were victims of domestic violence and 223 children who were victims of domestic violence/child abuse. Identify Achievements: Family Service is a non-profit 501(c) (3) non-sectarian social service and education agency that has been providing services since to South Central Texas since 1903 Family Service Association is one of only three agencies in Bexar County accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children. In addition to the five easily accessible neighborhood locations in San Antonio and two rural locations in Zavala and Uvalde Counties, Family Service also provides services in 64 schools, in community centers and directly within client homes. Family Service has provided services to individuals who have been victims of abuse and trauma for over 35 years through individual and family counseling services, concrete social services and supportive services. Family Service utilizes a diverse array of Model Counseling Modalities including special counseling services for children and families provided by licensed professional staff members who are reflective of the communities that we serve. Total Victims Served: 664. Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. (FVPS) Family Violence The Texas Family Code defines family violence as an act by a member of a household or family against another member, intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, or assault, or a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent harm. The law excludes the reasonable discipline of a child and defines abuse as physical injury that results in substantial harm or genuine threat; sexual contact, intercourse, or conduct; or compelling or encouraging the child to engage in sexual conduct. Senate Bill 68 of the 77th Legislature amended the Family Code to include “dating violence”. The “dating relationship” means a relationship between individuals who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 67 Data 37.7% of Texas women experience family violence at some point in their lifetime (University of Texas Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, www.tcfv.org). 13,703 incidences of family violence were reported (offense reports filed) in 2012 to the San Antonio Police Department (TDPS 2012 Crime in Texas data). The San Antonio Police Department received a total of 45,008 domestic violence calls for service in 2012, up from 43,791 in 2011 (SAPD Domestic Violence Final Report 2012). 723 offense reports for violations of protective orders were filed by SAPD in 2012. 2,252 incidences of family violence were reported in 2012 to all other police departments/sheriff’s departments in Bexar County (TDPS 2012 Crime in Texas data). 6 Bexar County women were murdered in family violence incidences in 2012. There were 114 family violence related fatalities in 2012, statewide. (www.tcfv.org). According to the U.S. Department of Defense, rates of domestic violence amongst active and veteran military service members range from 13.5% to 50%, while the rate amongst demographically similar civilian families ranges from 5% to 12%. This is particularly significant for Bexar County, which is home to 3 military bases, the San Antonio Military Medical Center, and approximately 55,000 active duty service members. Services provided by FVPS From January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012 FVPS’ Battered Women and Children’s Shelter served 1,796 women and 2,098 children. FVPS provided individual and/or group counseling services to 4,487 adults and children. Advocacy services, defined as legal advocacy and assistance with completing crime victim compensation applications, were provided to 246 adults. FVPS’ 24-hour hotline received 11,788 calls. FVPS provided crisis safety net services, including crisis transportation and/or emergency assistance, including food, shelter, and/or clothing to 9,390 women and children. More than 145,000 meals were provided at the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 68 FVPS’ Legal Services Program provided civil legal representation to 384 families, and obtained more than $350,000 for victims in monthly and/or lump sum cash benefits. Financial assistance was provided to 744 families, including assistance with gasoline gift cards, college and job training program tuition assistance, and access to the FVPS Donation Center’s inventory of clothing, electronics, toys, and household furnishings/items. FVPS provided 804 bus passes to domestic violence victims, and more than $33,000 of taxi transportation. FVPS’ School-Based Substance Abuse and Dating Violence Intervention Program, serving 5 San Antonio high schools, served 700 teens. Case management services, offered at FVPS’ Battered Women and Children’s Shelter and FVPS’ Court and Military Liaison Program, were provided to 4,034 domestic violence victims. FVPS’ Middle Way Parenting Education Program served 168 adults. FVPS’ P.O.W.E.R (Providing Options With Educational Resources) Program provided adult education services, including basic literacy, financial literacy, computer literacy, and English as a Second Language instruction to 241 women at the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter. FVPS’ Transitional Housing Program assisted 48 families (48 women and 103 children), providing rent-free housing for between 6 and 18 months. FVPS provided education, outreach, and/or training in 164 locations to 4,226 individuals in 2012. Trends FVPS has realized a significant increase in the number of domestic violence victims ages 55 and over seeking help. In 2012, approximately 7% of all victims served by the organization were ages 55 and over. These women sometimes have a great deal in common with younger victims served, in terms of education level, income, and histories of maltreatment, however, there are some significant differences. Some are being abused by adult children, and in some of these instances, a history of domestic violence between the woman and her spouse/partner is not known to exist. There are also situations when abuse is reported to have begun as a result of health issues, combined with financial strain, leading the victim to be viewed as frustrating or as being a burden that no spouse/partner or other family member is willing to bear. Older victims of domestic violence typically have support systems that are even more limited than those of younger individuals, and often are much less aware of assistance that is available. Older victims also face magnified challenges in terms of being believed, particularly if they are victims of sexual assault or stalking. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 69 The organization is also continuing to see an increase each year in the number of teens seeking help because of violence in their dating relationships. Achievements In April 2011, the Texas Senate passed Bill 434, mandating the creation of a task force to examine the relationship between domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. This task force was comprised of representatives from the Department of Family and Protective Services’ Child Protective Services (CPS) division, Family Violence Prevention Services, providers of mental health and substance abuse treatment, judges, and lawyers experienced with serving domestic violence victims. The task force was charged with creating best practice policy recommendations for CPS and for domestic violence service providers, focused on increasing the safety of both adult and child victims. Region 8 (Bexar County) is the first CPS Region to designate a specialized unit of Family Based Safety Services workers to exclusively serve families whose cases involve domestic violence. CPS, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and Family Violence Prevention Services partnered in developing a curriculum to train CPS staff who are part of this newly formed unit. 2-day training was conducted in October 2013, and was attended by approximately 50 CPS staff. Training will be offered regularly to additional CPS staff in the future. Family Violence Prevention Services is the first non-profit organization in Texas to obtain a contract with CPS for the provision of Batterer Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) services. This is a vital development to ensure that individuals who batter are not solely referred to “anger management” programs, but receive intervention that targets the core issue of battering behavior; power and control. In 2012, Family Violence Prevention Services completed fundraising to entirely renovate its non-residential services location, to construct a new wing at the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter, and to build a facility for pets at the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter. Renovation of the organization’s non-residential services location was completed in July 2013, and construction at the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter will begin in January 2014. The new facility will add 12 dormitories and additional office space. Dormitories have been designed with individual restrooms and showers and small living spaces, thus better accommodating two needs: First, this configuration is better suited to individuals and families requiring longer lengths of stay. The new facility’s dormitories will act as quasi transitional housing. Second, seniors accessing emergency shelter services will be more comfortably housed in this new wing. All dormitories will be handicap-accessible, and the new wing will have its own dining, meal preparation, and common areas. Seniors who may not prefer to eat and socialize with large numbers of young children will have the option of remaining in the new wing, which will offer a greater level of privacy and a quieter environment. Construction of the new wing and the pet facility is expected to be complete in December 2015. Family Violence Prevention Services is also pleased to partner with Bexar County, the San Antonio Police Department, Family Service Association, the Bexar Area Agency on Aging, and Adult Protective Services to train at least 200 law enforcement officers and 400 victim service Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 70 providers in a 2 year period regarding the dynamics of abuse in later life. Bexar County obtained a grant from the Office on Violence Against Women, and during the past year, the training team, comprised of the above listed partners, has trained more than 200 law enforcement officers and nearly 200 victim service providers. Training will continue to be offered throughout 2014. The 1 day sessions are offered monthly and are free of charge. Gaps Funding to support transitional and permanent housing programs continues to be inadequate. Support for emergency shelter and counseling services, while not at an ideal level, is much more stable and available than is that for concrete and longer-term needs, including housing, utility assistance, and transportation assistance. Jewish Family Service Jewish Family Service (JFS) provides behavioral/mental health counseling, case management, and psychiatry to victims of a broad range of violent crimes that include domestic violence, child physical and sexual abuse, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and services to survivors of homicide. Many of these victims suffer from symptoms of post traumatic stress and almost all of them have symptoms of anxiety and/or depression that interfere with daily functioning and their ability to make and maintain important relationships. JFS, using its internal statistics, has determined the following about the crime victims it has served. 1. Crime victims who seek services are predominantly female; 76% versus 24% male. 2. Crime victims who seek services are predominantly impoverished. Sixty-five percent (65%) of them have incomes at or below the federal poverty level. 3. Crime victims who seek services don’t have good economic prospects. Sixty-six percent (66%) of them are either unemployed or disabled. Among the disabled, almost all of them suffer from PTSD or other psychiatric disorders. 4. Crime victims who seek services don’t have the interpersonal support that is often needed to overcome their victimization. Thirty-four percent (34%) of them are either divorced or separated and another 48% are single. JFS has responded to the needs of these clients by providing counseling that focuses on trauma resolution, education, emotional stabilization, healing relationships, and returning clients to their pre-victimization level of functioning. JFS also provides adjunctive services such as psychiatric evaluation and prescription of medications, case management services to help clients acquire needed resources, and advocacy when clients have dealings with the legal and judicial systems. Objectives and Output To provide mental health services: In FY 2013, JFS provided 3889 counseling sessions to 481 victims of crime. The agency’s Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 71 psychiatrist provided 238 sessions to 68 victims who needed this additional service. To provide case management: In FY 2013, JFS provided case management services to 264 crime victims, connecting them to resources related to employment, food stamps, housing, education, childcare, and transportation. To provide advocacy, information, and legal services: In FY 2013, JFS provided advocacy services to 231 crime victims during 1093 face-to-face contacts and more than 200 phone contacts. These services included information and referral, assistance in completing applications for Crime Victims Compensation, crisis counseling, procurement of temporary restraining orders, and court accompaniment. Collaborations and Trends Jewish Family Service collaborates with many other nonprofits and service organizations to assure that clients and potential clients are well served. The Mission Road Collaborative, an alliance of Blessed Sacrament Academy, BSA’s Child Development Center, the Parents’ Academy, Por Vida Academy Charter High School, and Jewish Family Service, Seton Home, and St. PJ’s, continues to collaborate in order to optimize the use of the services that are available from these organizations. This group is positioned to identify and serve crime victims, and to provide the education and support that can reduce the incidence of crime. JFS has provided advocacy services to victims of domestic violence who were receiving counseling and other services at Family Violence Prevention Services. Additionally, JFS has a partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries to expand the availability of affordable mental health services for children and youth, especially in underserved parts of San Antonio and Bexar County. JFS has provided services to homeless teens and their families at SAMMinistries’ Transitional Living Center. Treatment for children and youth is both a necessary component of response to victimization and a measure that can reduce further crime by helping to break the cycle of violence and abuse. JFS has seen a trend towards more domestic violence that is often triggered by financial distress. Not Above the Law (NATL) Data: Incidents – The City of San Antonio experienced 89 homicides during the 2012 fiscal year, (per SAPD Deputy Chief Joseph MacKay), which mirrored the 89 homicides experienced in the City during the 2011 fiscal year. Bexar County saw an increase of 46% in homicides in 2012 with a reported 19 homicides versus the 13 reported homicides which occurred during the 2011 fiscal year in the County (per Bexar County Sgt. Powell). Victims Assisted – Not Above the Law’s (NATL) full-time advocate, and volunteer advocate provided crisis intervention services for 152 survivors/family members of homicide victims during the time frame 9/1/2012 – 8/31/2013. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 72 Responses/Services Provided By Not Above the Law (NATL): NATL's Proposed Objectives – 9/1/2012 – 8/31/2013: To assist victims/survivors though the legal process: NATL provided 64 victims/survivors with assistance through the legal process. To assist victims/survivors with completion of Crime Victim Applications (CVC's): NATL assisted 28 victims/survivors with the completion of Crime victim Applications (CVC's). To provide crisis counseling to victims/survivors: NATL provided crisis counseling to 153 victims/survivors. To provide information and referral sources for victims/survivors: NATL provided information and referral services to 152 victims/survivors. To accompany victims/survivors to court: NATL accompanied 62 victims/survivors to court hearings, trials, etc. To provide victims/survivors with assistance as it pertains to court ordered restitution: NATL assisted 7 victims/survivors with information and follow-up services as it pertains to court ordered restitution. To attend multi-disciplinary team meetings: NATL's advocates attended 12 multi-disciplinary meetings. To train volunteers to provide direct assistance to victims/survivors: NATL trained 4 new volunteers to provide direct assistance to victims/survivors. Trends/Gaps in Services: Prior to the formation/existence of NATL, a 501(c)(3) Organization which was founded in 2007, there was no one designated organization which could offer/provide comprehensive services to survivors of homicide victims throughout Bexar County “under one roof.” The San Antonio Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children and Other Survivors of Homicide Victims (POMC), offers a monthly support group meeting for this population of survivors, however is extremely limited in additional services it is able to provide. NATL’s advocates are the primary referral advocates for all families who are referred to the POMC Organization, and provide the additional services that the organization is unable to offer (please see above services provided/offered by NATL) thus eliminating the need for this Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 73 population of victims to travel to numerous organizations to receive all of the services that they may need/require to move forward with their lives. Achievements: NATL’s main focus and primary purpose is in assisting victims/survivors throughout their recovery process to enable them to establish a “new normal” after the loss of a loved one to violence, and move forward with their lives. Due to the myriad of services that the organization is able to offer, NATL has been successful to date in its' ability to accomplish this task by providing victims with the comprehensive services that they require under the umbrella of one organization, thus eliminating the need for them to visit a number of organizations to have their specific needs/requirements met. San Antonio Independent Living Services (SAILS) To advocate for the rights and empowerment of the people with disABILITIES and to provide needed services to people with disABILITIES in order to increase their self-determination and independence. To provide individual and systems advocacy: SAILS provided information and assistance for people with disabilities and their families in accessing support systems and promoting changes that enhance full access to the community. SAILS provided education on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and information about disability rights. To provide information and referrals: SAILS provided 11,496 current information and community resources for FY12-13. To provide independent living skills: SAILS provided workshops to enhance persons with disabilities ability to live more independently and more self-sufficient. SAILS provided 429 independent living plans (ILPs) to consumers. To provide peer support to persons with disabilities: SAILS offered opportunities for persons with disabilities to interact, learn and share with peers who also have disabilities. About San Antonio Independent Living Services: SAILS is a 501 c 3 nonprofit serving persons and their families with disabilities. Our four core services are advocacy, information and referrals, independent living skills and peer support. SAILS staff serve persons with all types of disabilities such as physical, mental/emotional, cognitive, developmental and sensory disabilities. Since 1981 SAILS has worked to make San Antonio and the surrounding counties a better place to live, work and play. SAILS is San Antonio's only state and federal-designated independent living center Independent living is different from other social services in that people with disABILITIES decide what services are needed and the best way to receive those services. This allows Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 74 individuals more control over their own lives and leads to independence. Seton Home To provide Shelter: Seton Home provided 79 homeless teen mothers and 78 children with 23, 420 shelter nights. During that time 14 babies were born with average birth weight of 7.05lbs. To provide child care: Seton Home provided 246 childcare days last year to children of our teen mothers, which aided in improved academic attendance. To provide transportation: Seton Home provided transportation to all 157 clients served to various services and appointments. To provide substance abuse services: Seton Home provided 287 individual and group drug counseling hours. To provide mental health services: Seton Home provided 1,086 individual therapy hours and 106 group therapy hours to its clients To provide case management: Seton Home provided ongoing case management services to 79 homeless teen mothers and 78 children. To provide training and education (GED, life skills, etc.) Seton Home enrolled 100% of eligible teen mothers in school. 8 earned their high school diploma, 6 earned their GED, 16 were enrolled in college or a vocational program and 56 total college hours were earned. Seton Home also provided 518 individual parenting sessions to teen mothers. Identify Achievements: About Seton Home: Seton Home is a non-profit 501(c)3 residential facility that has been providing services since 1981. Seton Home provides housing and supportive services for homeless, abused, pregnant and/or parenting teens and their children who come to Seton Home often as the result of very traumatic situations. Seton Home help clients in progressing from crisis situations to selfsufficiency by providing residential, mental and physical health, educational services as well as ecumenical spiritual and social services. Seton Home’s mission is to foster childbirth and parenting and works to break the cycle of abuse and poverty by providing a caring home, education, and support services necessary to transform the lives of pregnant and parenting teen mothers and their children. In an average year Seton Home assists approximately 85 girls and 80 babies. At present, we have the capacity for 32 teen mothers and their children for our long term shelter. Residents may stay at Seton Home through age 22, reaping a greater benefit of our services, and increasing their future stability. Since its inception, Seton Home has provided more than 2,200 teenage mothers and their babies with shelter and Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 75 supportive services. Return to Table of Contents Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 76 Criminal Justice Issues (law enforcement, courts, corrections) Priority 1: Identify and leverage technology to improve regional operational effectiveness, increase situational awareness and enhance officer safety while reducing response times and the need for additional manpower. Areas of Focus: •Data & Communications Interoperability (CAD, RMS, MCT, Radio, etc…) The identification, acquisition, or enhancement and deployment of a law enforcement Records Management Systems (RMS), Field Based Reporting (FBR) Systems or Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) System that allow for the exchange of data exchange and interoperable communications should be the primary focus regional public safety efforts that are multi-jurisdiction and multi-agency. The proposed solution(s) should specifically be designed to support as many law enforcement agencies as possible, each with their own ORI’s and UCR/NIBRS requirements as feasible. The long-range purpose of the project is to implement one or more state-of-the-art law enforcement CAD, RMS and FBR platform that improve multi-agency support and integration. It is anticipated that multi-agency capable CAD, RMS and Field Based Reporting systems will allow Bexar County law enforcement agencies and other partners to better meet their needs as data-driven policing organizations. This will reduce cost and duplication of effort while ensuring the sharing of resources while improving services. To that end: The CAD, RMS, and Field Based Reporting Systems should be built upon relational databases with properly structured data elements to support searching and reporting. The user interfaces should be user-friendly, with such features as field validation, smart-suggest, and context-sensitive help. The CAD, RMS and Field Based Reporting Systems should be capable of interfacing with a number of external systems to minimize duplicate data entry and improve the accessibility of data from disparate sources. The intention is to employ solutions that adhere to industry standards as a means of prolonging the life of the system and improving compatibility with other systems. The goals of this project are to: Define, procure, and implement comprehensive public safety CAD, RMS, Field-Based Reporting System or other technologies that improves inter-agency data and interoperability communications. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 77 Employ an IT architecture that is consistent with contemporary technology, adheres to current and future IT technology standards, and anticipates technological progress over the next 5 years. Provide an automated environment that leverages technology to enhance and support daily operations with timely, accurate information. The objectives of this project are: Improve productivity by eliminating redundant tasks and data entry. Strengthen communication and relations with and between all agencies through integration, data sharing, and communication tools. Provide a solution that will allow all geographic area Bexar County agencies to accommodate future technology developments. Provide mechanism(s) to easily update the system as new statutes, regulations, and/or business policies and procedures are created or changed. Regional Information Sharing Hubs: Overview: The sharing of enterprise applications and the exchange of valuable criminal justice and public safety data will enable coordinated responses, improve officer safety, improve the effectiveness of public safety initiatives, further or collective mission to protect the quality of life and property within our region. Regional information sharing hubs provide a framework for public safety agencies to access a network for purposes of enhancing the exchange of criminal justice information and the provisioning of public safety shared services such as but not limited to Mobile Data, E-Citation, Integrated Justice, and TLETS (Omnixx). Any Public Safety Agency within AACOG desiring to participate in the use of the regional information sharing hub will execute cooperative service agreements. Examples of current Bexar County system and Participating Agencies: ACCD PD*, Alamo Heights PD, Balcones Heights PD, Castle Hills PD, Harlandale ISD PD, Helotes PD*, La Coste PD*, Lackland AFB*, OLLU PD, Olmos Park PD, Northside ISD PD*, St. Mary's University PD, Terrell Hills PD, NSA PD*, Trinity University PD, UIW PD, UTHSC PD, UTSA PD *Agencies who have yet to deploy any BC-RISH services Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 78 • Subject Identification, Investigation and Tracking (AFIS, Digital Fingerprinting, GPS Tracking, Forensic technology, etc…) Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is a type of biometric system that uses digital imaging to capture a fingerprint, which then can then be compared to a database of fingerprint records to help determine the identity of an individual. AFIS is a biometrics system commonly used in law enforcement where sets of prints are recorded at crime scenes, digitally captured and then compared to fingerprint records in the AFIS system. Civilian uses of AFIS include fingerprint scanners for security purposes. Priority 2: Develop, implement and train area law enforcement agencies in Critical Incident Response through the use of Mutual Aid and the Incident Command System. Tactical Medic Training: Very dangerous conditions and unconventional hazards are commonplace for tactical law enforcement (SWAT) teams and law enforcement as a whole, when responding to life threatening situations and medical personnel are not readily available. Most teams are equipped and trained to handle hostage incidents, barricades, high risk warrant service and dignitary protection. Many teams have additional duties which put them at high risk for injury, such as tactical diving and other marine activities, back country law enforcement, air operations or search and rescue. Some teams operate on a full time basis, while others are part-time, responding from patrol duties and other assignments when required. All are highly trained to operate in these adverse and austere conditions. Due to the nature of the missions and the special training of these teams, personnel continuously work at the edge of the safety envelope. The health and safety of a tactical team is a command responsibility. Manpower maintenance and appropriate medical support are essential to mission accomplishment. Priority 3: Identify and implement effective programs to address key Quality of Life issues (PI&E, Crime Prevention). Law Enforcement/Non-governmental Organization (NGO) Collaboration: Law enforcement agencies have transitioned from sole enforcement, incarceration and judicial processing offenders to researching root causes of crime trends and collaborating with non-governmental organizations in victim assistance initiatives. Victim advocacy has expanded beyond assisting the direct victims to including the indirect victims, such as coordinating forensic interviews of children who witness domestic violence. Law enforcement agencies throughout Bexar County and Texas strive to maintain a positive relationship with the citizenry by providing a professional community-based type of policing. Law enforcement department heads and officers routinely meet with independent citizens and homeowner associations in association meetings and promotional endeavors, such as “National Night Out” in order to gather community concerns, discuss proactive crime Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 79 prevention measures and implement remedial methods to current crime and environmental concerns. Law enforcement officials throughout Bexar County wholeheartedly agree that with the “Broken Windows” Theory in communities, crime generally increases and quality of life decreases. Law enforcement collaborating with Public Works, volunteer groups and the citizens with environmental abatement efforts provides a sense of community ownership, thus a reduction in crime. Current cost-efficient Public Information & Education (PI&E) practices are informing the public of safety awareness, crime prevention methods and enforcement through the news media. PI&E funding would provide law enforcement agencies with the resources to enhance and expand informative broadcasts. Law Enforcement/Non-governmental Organization (NGO) Collaboration-Supporting Data: ChildSafe Expanding Services BY MELISSA FLETCHER STOELTJE : FEBRUARY 26, 2013 ChildSafe, which assesses and treats some 1,800 victims of child sexual abuse annually in San Antonio, is expanding its scope of services to include nonsexual physical abuse and neglect, officials said Tuesday. Such maltreatment is at an “at an all-time high in San Antonio,” ChildSafe CEO Kim Abernethy said at a news conference. In 2011, Bexar County saw a record number of children — 20 — die from abuse or neglect, she noted. As it has in years past, the county led the state in the number of confirmed child abuse or neglect victims — 5,915. “We are realigning our organization to treat children traumatized by all forms of abuse,” Abernethy said. “This is such an important issue in our community. It's up to everyone to take a stand against abuse.” Abernethy also announced that ChildSafe will offer its child abuse training classes to Bexar County deputies and supervisors, as it has for the past five years to San Antonio police officers. The two-hour training, which addresses such issues as the dynamics of physical and sexual abuse and neglect and how to properly conduct forensic interviews of victims, is crucial information for her employees, new and seasoned, Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said. “Because our deputies are so often the first responders in domestic violence situations, it's imperative that they understand how child abuse fits into the equation,” she said. “Expanding our partnership with ChildSafe will strengthen their ability to assess and report child abuse.” ChildSafe, the only child advocacy center in Bexar County, has provided services to the victims of child sexual abuse and their families for 23 years. In doing so, it works with a host of agencies, including Child Protective Services, the Sheriff's Office, the police and the district attorney's office, all with the goal of helping young victims heal and bringing perpetrators to justice. Abernethy said expanding its scope of services will increase the number of children it serves by about 20 percent, or 300 more children a year. “Because our staff is trained in treating children who have been traumatized by sexual abuse, we are able to seamlessly aid young victims who have been physically abused and neglected,” she said. Abernethy also announced some members of the Companies for Kids program, in its second year, which enlists local businesses and corporations to help ChildSafe through a variety of ways, such as financial aid or in-kind Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 80 donations. James Thomas, CEO of the MPS Group, a copier/printer sales and service company, was one member who attended the news conference. When Thomas recently learned on Facebook that a ChildSafe client — a mother with young children — didn't have any beds for her kids, he promptly took out his credit card. “People are so often afraid to talk about child abuse and neglect,” he said. “But the fact is abuse happens everywhere, all across the city, from the less fortunate to the affluent. It's time for businesses to get involved.” Abernethy stressed that everyone must speak out if they suspect child abuse or neglect is occurring by calling the hotline — 800-252-5400. [email protected] Regional Operational Effectiveness-Supporting Data: A recent memorial demonstrations of inter-agency response to a critical incident: Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Manuel Herrera shot when he stopped a suspect, sought by Hollywood Park Police Department and Hill Country Village Police Department, for a felony crime. Bexar County deputy wounded; suspect killed in mobile home park by Kens5.com Staff Posted on February 22, 2013 at 2:51 PM CONVERSE, Texas -- San Antonio police shot and killed a man they say wounded a Bexar County deputy and stole his vehicle, launching a Friday afternoon manhunt through northeast neighborhoods. It all began at around 2:30 p.m. Friday when a Bexar County deputy took note of a green vehicle that matched the description of a stolen car being sought by Hollywood Park and Hill Country Village police. When the deputy attempted to pull the driver, 25-year-old Jose Elias Mata, over at Gibbs-Sprawl Road and Old Cimmaron Trail, Mata reportedly sped off. That chase came to an end when the suspect allegedly ran a red light and collided the SUV into another car at Schumann Road. That car was being driven by a woman who had just left work and was on the way to pick up her child from school. The woman said she witnessed Mata as he opened fire on Deputy Manuel Herrera and then fled in the deputy's SUV. About a mile and a half up the road, Mata reportedly ditched the Chevrolet Tahoe on Toepperwein Road. Mata was then tracked down to a home in the Summit Ridge Mobile Home Park in the 7400 block of Kitty Hawk -- near Shawnee Bluff and Schumann Road -- in northeast Bexar County around 3 p.m. Paul Berry with the Bexar County Sheriff's Office said as Mata was running he engaged in gunfire with the San Antonio Police Department, and was shot down. Authorities said they found a woman inside the deputy's stolen Tahoe. She was taken to Northeast Methodist Hospital in unknown condition. Herrera suffered gunshot wounds to the arm and leg, but his injuries are not considered lifethreatening. Four schools in the Judson Independent School District were placed on lockdown: Crestview Elementary School; Kitty Hawk Middle School; Judson High School; and Judson Early College Academy. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 81 Tactical Medic Success Story (San Antonio Police Department): During the first two classes of the SAPD Tactical Medic program, officers were trained by the Border Patrol’s BORSTAR Unit. At no cost to the SAPD, the Border Patrol sent instructors to San Antonio to train the two classes of 30 students with half SAPD and half Border Patrol. These classes lasted six weeks, were usually ten hour days and included a period of 21 to 33 days where the students did not have a day off because of having to complete EMS rides and clinical training at the hospital on weekends. This is the shortest possible period that this training could be accomplished. Items that must be considered are the cost of special assignment for six weeks plus the possible repercussions from overtime and relief days owed. To further complicate matters a number of these officers either let their certifications lapse and/or others have left the program. To try and remedy this problem, we now require officers to put themselves through training and to come to us with their certifications or be in the process of obtaining them, similar to the Helicopter Unit. The cost for this training tends to average out to $1000 to $1350. Certifications cost $45 for a 4 year Texas license (required), background check $55 (cannot be your agency, must use their company, no exceptions). Not required but good to have is the NREMT license at $70 for the testing and $15 bi-annual renewal. The paramedic level of testing and reciprocity cost more at $180. CPR training (required) at $6 per person every two years. To finish off the Tactical Medic Training, our officers attended a 10-14 day training camp at Fort Bliss N.M. This was offered out of the generosity of the Border Patrol and Federal Government (which doesn’t charge) with assistance all the way up to BP HQ in Washington D.C. There was no charge for us from the Border Patrol. Students stayed in barracks free of charge. Costs for this training to COSA included administrative leave, transportation, gas, per diem, ammo for 1000 rounds of .223 and 500 rounds of .40 caliber. We sent officers to BORSTAR training when they had available slots for students. We also had a reciprocal agreement to offer training from SAPD in exchange and free of charge. Some of the Border Patrol officers have attended SWAT and Negotiation schools. Due to sequestration and budget cuts this training is currently not being offered at this time. There is not any way to put a cost estimate to this phase of training. January 19, 2013 San Antonio Express-News excerpt: “It really is an emphasis that they are law enforcement officers and that is their expectation,” said Dr. Craig Manifold, the medical director for the San Antonio Fire Department EMS Division and overseer of the program. “Secure that scene and make that scene safe ... then transition to medic side.” Quality of Life-Supporting Data: Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 82 Domestic Violence Data: Facts and Statistics 2012 • Women Killed: 114 • Family violence incidents: 188,992 • Adults sheltered: 11,994 • Children sheltered: 14,534 • Adults receiving nonresidential services (i.e., counseling, legal advocacy, etc.): 36,831 • Children receiving nonresidential services: 15,694 • Adults denied shelter (due to lack of space): 26.2% • Hotline calls answered: 191,301 2011 • Women Killed: 102 • Family violence incidents: 177,983 • Adults sheltered: 11,833 • Children sheltered: 14,578 • Adults receiving nonresidential services (i.e., counseling, legal advocacy, etc.): 37,375 • Children receiving nonresidential services: 15,674 • Adults denied shelter (due to lack of space): 21% • Hotline calls answered: 207,510 2010 • Women Killed: 142 • Family violence incidents: 193,505 • Adults sheltered: 11,992 • Children sheltered: 14,915 • Adults receiving nonresidential services (i.e., counseling, legal advocacy, etc.) : 37,290 • Children receiving nonresidential services: 16,747 • Adults denied shelter (due to lack of space): 24.94% Hotline calls answered: 205,793 Information provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and the Texas Department of Public Safety Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 83 Population Growth Data: Census 2010 Figures Highlight Impressive Bexar County Population Growth Recently released US Census 2010 figures confirm Bexar County's national position as a leader in population. Bexar County's population of 1,714,773 million has increased 23.1% since the previous census of 2000, a greater increase than the State of Texas average of 20.6%. Bexar is one of the largest 20 counties in the United States (#19 based on Census 2000) and is the 4th largest county in Texas. The top 5 counties in Texas reported the following population gains: US CENSUS 2010 POPULATION FOR TOP 5 COUNTIES IN TEXAS RANK COUNTY POPULATION INCREASE 1 HARRIS COUNTY 4,092,459 +20.3 2 DALLAS COUNTY 2,368,139 + 6.7 3 TARRANT COUNTY 1,809,034 +25.1 4 BEXAR COUNTY 1,714,773 +23.1 5 TRAVIS COUNTY 1,024,266 +26.1 The State of Texas population now exceeds 25 million and is second only to California. Texas will gain four congressional seats from the census figures, more than any other state. Source: http://www.bexar.org/News/Census2010.html UCR - SUPPORTING DATA: Uniform Crime Report Viol. Crime Murder/ Non-Neg. manslghtr Forcible rape Burglary Larcenytheft Motor vehicle theft Arson 42 0 220 29 191 6 NA 1,712 333 4,635 2,013 4,182 453 90 6 15 684 73 565 46 0 0 0 61 12 46 3 NA 492 1785 4672 80871 15334 59644 5893 NA 0 9 4 71 626 70 524 32 NA 0 2 7 8 331 37 271 22 1 565 3110 5138 87,428 17568 65423 6455 90 Robb, Agg Assault Property Crime 1 2 39 12 61 1306 21 0 0 0 0 0 7038 89 Schertz PD 84 Windcrest PD 17 2011 Alamo Heights Bexar County SO Live Oak Olmos Park San Antonio PD 8914 101 Total http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 84 2012 Alamo Heights Bexar County SO Live Oak Olmos Park San Antonio PD Schertz PD Windcrest PD Viol. Crime Murder/ Non-Neg. manslghtr Forcible rape Burglary Larcenytheft Motor vehicle theft Arson 43 0 201 34 201 7 NA 482 308 6,398 2,081 3,865 452 80 7 21 690 80 569 41 0 0 0 0 104 18 86 0 0 89 549 1864 4441 82698 15668 60633 6397 NA 64 0 8 4 52 642 100 504 38 NA 9 1 0 3 5 398 38 337 22 1 628 1981 4861 91131 18019 66195 6957 81 Robb, Agg Assault Property crime 5 4 34 10 65 99 29 0 1 0 0 6943 7570 100 Total http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr Return to Table of Contents Mental Health and Substance Abuse (listed in order of priority, greatest need first) In guiding its deliberations for shaping this portion of the Bexar County Community Plan, the subcommittee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse gave significant and concerted consideration to the stated mission of the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division (CJD). By reminding ourselves regularly of the first part of that mission, “to create and support programs that protect people from crime [and] reduce the number of crimes committed,” our planning remained focused on the significant improvements to community safety that arises from each respective program when they are dutifully administered and delivered. By remaining mindful of the second part of the CJDs mission, we gave equal consideration to our place as tax payers with a collective interest in the most “accountable, efficient and effective” use of resources toward the achievement of the common good. In this way, the subcommittee sought to draft a plan which would encourage and support the outstanding public-private collaborations that deliver outstanding outcomes and the most efficient use of community resources. Research at every level of our government – national, state, and local – supports the value and community benefit of collaborations. In particular, mounting evidence demonstrates that treatment and prevention programs for mental health and substance abuse result in outstanding outcomes for individuals while at the same time achieving significant cost reduction for local, state, and national budgets. Additionally, significant and credible research has been conducted regarding the effectiveness of prevention programs. Such programs aimed at smoking, illegal and prescription drug abuse and underage and excessive adult drinking have repeatedly demonstrated their effectiveness in curbing such abuses. The 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an annual survey of the civilian, non-institutionalized population of the United States aged 12 years old or older found: In 2012, an estimated 22.2 million persons aged 12 or older (8.5 percent) were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year based on criteria specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV). Of these, 2.8 million were classified with dependence or abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs, 4.5 million had dependence Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 85 or abuse of illicit drugs but not alcohol, and 14.9 million had dependence or abuse of alcohol but not illicit drugs. The specific illicit drugs with the largest numbers of persons with past year dependence or abuse in 2012 were marijuana (4.3 million), pain relievers (2.1 million), and cocaine (1.1 million). The number of persons with marijuana dependence or abuse did not change between 2002 and 2012. Between 2004 and 2012, the number with pain reliever dependence or abuse increased from 1.4 million to 2.1 million, and between 2006 and 2012, the number with cocaine dependence or abuse declined from 1.7 million to 1.1 million. The number of persons with heroin dependence or abuse in 2012 (467,000) was approximately twice the number in 2002 (214,000). The subcommittee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse encourages those applications for funding which support the continuation of collaborative efforts between the court and treatment providers. Further, the subcommittee encourages funding for prevention programs demonstrated to reduce crime and avoid related long-term costs. Priority 1: To provide a collaborative continuum of prevention and intervention services that are accessible, culturally competent and which incorporates both evidence based and best practices approach. Priority areas and activities Intervention o Assessments o Beds/Facilities – Treatment o Counseling o Diversion o Judicial, Law Enforcement and Legal Training o Parenting Skills Transitional Services o Beds/Facilities – Housing (Transitional and Permanent) o Counseling o Recovery Support Specialists and Coaches o Recovery Support Services Juveniles The Subcommittee believes that youth substance abuse and mental health continue to be extremely serious and pervasive problems in Bexar County, and that youth affected by these problems cannot be treated the same as adults. However, because the Community Plan now has a separate sub-committee addressing these issues, this Subcommittee decided to reprioritize it here. Jails and juvenile justice facilities are the new asylums. Cutbacks in community mental Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 86 health programs across the nation have resulted in increasing reliance on the juvenile corrections system to handle young offenders with psychiatric disorders. According to a New York Times article, entitled “Mentally Ill Offenders Strain Juvenile System” dated August 10, 2009: About two-thirds of the nation’s juvenile inmates have at least one mental illness, and are more in need of therapy than punishment. Inadequate mental health services for young people increases recidivism. Increasing numbers of juvenile inmates are reliant on multiple and powerful psychotropic drugs. There are chronic shortages of child mental health professionals. A 2006 study estimated that there are less than nine child psychiatrists for every 100,000 youths. Children with mental health problems, including substance abuse, need access to medical care, psychiatric/psychological counseling and a secure living environment. For all populations, some form of case management and client advocacy services are needed, along with information and referral to programs that will help them to live independently. It is best to provide such services within the community. It is estimated that the total cost per child enrolled in an intensive intervention and prevention in-home family services program for offenders at risk of abusing drugs is $7,500. In sharp contrast, the cost per child placed in a residential facility is over $230,000. Currently, services for this population are provided in part by the Center for Health Care Services, the San Antonio State Hospital, Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department and contract service providers. The number of service providers and their capacity to deal with the growing numbers of youth who are demonstrating mental health problems is insufficient, and there is a need for a substantial increase in funding and staff. “Texas Drug Facts Among Youth 2012,” 13th Biannual Statewide Texas School Survey of Substance Use (Mental Health Substance Abuse Services Division, Texas Department of State Health Services) documents a study of 87,293 students in grades 7-12 from 78 school districts. Students were randomly selected from school districts throughout the state using a multi-stage probability design. This survey reported the prevalence use of various substances among youth in 2012: Alcohol Use: o 58% reported that they had used alcohol at some point in their lives. o 25% reported use of alcohol in the past month. Inhalants: o 15.7% reported that they had used inhalants at some point in their lives. o 4.8% reported use of inhalants in the past month. Marijuana: o 26% reported that they had used marijuana at some point in their lives. o 11% reported use of marijuana in the past month. Xanax: o 3.9% reported that they had used Xanax at some point in their lives. Cocaine/Crack: o 4.6% reported that they had used cocaine/crack at some point in their lives. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 87 o 4% reported use of cocaine/crack in the past month. DXM or Triple Cs (Coricidin): o 6% reported that they had used at some point in their lives. o 1.7% reported use in the past month. Vicodin, Lortab, etc.: o 7.5% reported that they had used at some point in their lives. Children’s mental illness is a major issue in our community. o One (1) in seven (7), 14% of Texas Hispanic high school students report having made a suicide plan. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in children. o 1 in 2 of all lifetime cases of mental illness begins by age 14. One (1) in five (5) children in the US has a mental illness, though many go undiagnosed. o Children suffer from... o 1 in 4 Bexar County children live in poverty, yet 40,710 children are not yet enrolled with Medicaid. o 1in 5 children with mental disorders actually receive treatment. In Bexar County, an estimated1300 children were admitted to a local ER for psychiatric reasons, often with no specialized care immediately available. o Texas ranks last of all states in relation to expenditures for children’s mental health, with only $18.85 per capita compared to $80 per capita nationwide. o Untreated children are twice as likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. o 50% of children with a serious emotional disturbance drop out of high school. o 1 in 2 juveniles incarcerated have an undiagnosed mental illness. o 9 in10 parents reported an improvement in their child after treatment at Clarity Child Guidance Center. During the 2006-2007 school year, within Bexar County, there were more than 3,100 incidents of disciplinary actions taken in local school districts related to student possession of illegal substances/drugs. A total of 192 children participated in the two Juvenile Drug Court programs during grant year 2013. Of those children who successfully completed the program, 98% were not re-referred for any subsequent substance abuse offense within six months of release as of 11/30/2013 (BCJDP, 2013). Research on mental illness in children and adolescents is challenging because of their ongoing development. “Given the process of development . . . disorders in some children improve as development unfolds, perhaps as a result of healthy influences impinging upon them. Other youth, formerly only ‘at risk,’ may develop full-blown forms of disorder, as severe and devastating in their impact on the youth and family as are the analogous conditions that affect adults. Characterizing such disorders as relatively unchangeable underestimates the potential beneficial influences that can redirect a child whose development has gone awry” (Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General, January 2000). Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 88 A recent report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), “Grading the States”, found an apparent rise in the number of minorities self-reporting depression problems – bad news for a state in which the population is projected to soon become majority minority. Texas ranks 46th nationally in mental health spending per capita. Included in NAMI’s assessment: “For a state that has one of the largest uninsured populations in the country and a large number of immigrants without access to health care, Texas hasn’t invested enough in the system to meet minimum levels of need.” For information as to the mental health needs of our overall juvenile/youth population, the Bexar County Consolidated Plan for 2005-2009 included data from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services showing that there are an estimated 47,824 children/youth in Bexar County who have been diagnosed with mental illness. The mental illness diagnosis includes schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, life time dysthymia, phobias and/or other impairments. An additional 81,058 children/youth have been identified as being at risk of having a significant impairment due to a mental disorder. Regarding institutionalized juvenile/youth, a rigorous national study concluded that 70.4% of children in the juvenile justice system meet the criteria for at least one mental health disorder. Of these children, 79% had co-occurring mental health disorders, and 27% had a mental disorder severe enough to require significant and immediate treatment (Shufelt & Cocozza, 2006). The State of Texas has registered similar levels of prevalence to those found nationally. All children referred to juvenile probation departments are administered the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument Version 2 (MAYSI-2) pursuant to a state-wide initiative established by the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission (TJPC). This screening tool is used to identify problems in seven subscales/categories as indicated in two levels of scoring, Caution and Warning. A comprehensive examination of the state data revealed that 60% of youth met the “caution” criteria in at least one subscale; 25% met the “warning” criteria on at least one subscale; and girls scored higher on each and every subscale (TJPC 2003). In fiscal year 2013, of the 6,194 MAYSI-2 administered to children referred to the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department 61% (3,781) met the caution or warning criteria in at least one subscale, and 18% (1,112) of the youth screened exhibited symptom severity that warranted a subsequent clinical assessment. The mental health system in Bexar County provides services within the juvenile justice system. The University Health System conducts mental status exams on all detained youth through on-site full-time clinicians. These clinicians routinely see approximately 40% of detained youth for follow-up on a daily basis. Mental health services also include psychiatric screening and referral, assessment and medication management for youth with mental health concerns. Currently, approximately 20% of youth in the detention facility arrive having been prescribed psychotropic medication while in the community or were prescribed it following an evaluation while in detention. In addition, approximately 70% of the residents of the secure correctional treatment facilities run by Juvenile Probation present with a severe mental health diagnosis that requires the use of prescribed psychotropic medication. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 89 Overall, the Center for Health Care Services (CHCS), as the Local Mental Health Authority, has the state-funded capacity to serve approximately 466 children (3-17 years) per month in outpatient settings and, in fact, serves an estimated 600 children per month. Of these children, approximately 125 are involved with the juvenile justice system and are served at Juvenile Probation’s main office. CHCS provides individual and family counseling, case management, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, substance abuse counseling for youth, and family partner support services. At present, Bexar County has 28 inpatient psychiatric facilities and 13 residential treatment facilities, four of which are the primary facilities that provide inpatient psychiatric services to adolescents: Clarity Child Guidance Center (52 adolescent beds); San Antonio State Hospital (40 adolescent beds); Nix Specialty Health Center (21 adolescent beds); and Laurel Ridge Treatment Center (60 adolescent/children beds available). Of these four, only the San Antonio State Hospital and Clarity Child Guidance Center offer hospitalizations to indigent youth. Private for-profit and non-profit counseling agencies work to fill gaps in mental health services. There are approximately 1,288 Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Psychologists and Licensed Masters Social Workers practicing in Bexar County, of which 79% treat adolescents and 44% accept Medicaid (Mental Health Association 2005). Nonetheless, there is generally a three-month wait list for community-based psychiatric evaluations. In addition to mental health counseling, other non-profit agencies within Bexar County work to provide additional services to juveniles such as parenting and education classes. A healthy home is a place where a warm, caring environment and nurturing, empathetic interactions promote healthy bonding between a child and mother. Seton Home has been able to provide the education and support to its residents through parenting sessions and groups so that they can create a healthy home for their child. Teens receive parenting education services within their first week at Seton Home. Teens participate in the initial 8-week class, followed by individual sessions as needed. In FY 2013, of the 24 teen mothers that completed both the pre-test AAPI (Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory) and post-test AAPI, 100% showed increased parenting knowledge and graduated from parenting class. During the months of July through October 2013, 258 individual and group parenting sessions were conducted with the residents and their children. 28 children received developmental screenings and their mothers received follow-up sessions. 13 residents completed the Precious Minds New Connections (PMNC) parenting group using the Nurturing Parenting Program and demonstrated an increase on their post-AAPI. 100% of these residents also demonstrated a decrease of risk factors for child abuse on their postAAPI. As a result of the developmental screenings (using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires or ASQs), all mothers stated that they understood the results and their child’s current level of development. Pregnant and parenting teen mothers that have been victims of abuse are at a greater risk of becoming abusers themselves due to background and lack of parenting knowledge and coping skills. Seton Home utilizes a multi-prong approach of individual and group parenting education in tandem with individual and group counseling sessions to provide the necessary Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 90 support for the young families served to break the generational cycle of abuse and neglect and improve the overall community safety in San Antonio and Bexar County. Adults In 2012 40,802 defendants were processed through Central Magistration (CMAG.) Of those only 1,860 were screened for mental health (MH) leaving 38,942 not screened. That is less than 5% screened. The current MH process at CMAG takes place only on Monday thru Friday 8 – 5. There is only 1 clinician performing these duties at that time who depends on personal observation and referrals from detention, magistrate and Pretrial staff. The new plan will require the Pretrial Services Office (PTSO) Intake staff, already working 24/7 at CMAG, to perform a quick review of every defendant processed thru CMAG for the purposes of identifying which may have mental health and/or substance abuse issues. It will also be essential that clinicians be on site 24/7 as well to assess those referred to them. PTSO staff will be trained in the proper method and manner in screening for mental health, substance abuse and family violence issues. The anticipated increase in referrals will necessitate additional clinicians working 24/7 in order to process and properly assess the defendants being referred. We need to know what services are available to address the anticipated increase in volume of referrals and diversion. Treatment providers must be available 24/7 (to include transportation for diverted defendants) so that we can “…provide a collaborative continuum...” Treatment providers must also be able to deliver follow-up services, early and often. Mobile onsite assessment services for individuals in hospitals, emergency rooms, detention areas, and jails. Specialty Courts have proven to be particularly effective means for adjudicating cases related to mental health and substance abuse in ways that: Serve the community by increasing public safety, Serve the individual by encouraging life change for the individual, and Serve the state by saving taxpayer funds. Among the voluminous citations recognizing the value of these problem solving courts, one strong evidence for the development, implementation, enhancement, and support of specialty courts is cited in TDCJ‘s own 2004 publication which states that the cost of incarcerating an individual in prison is approximately $43 per day while the cost of maintaining him or her on probation is $1.19 per day (i.e., the cost of 10 days of prison is equal to an entire year of probation). (Citation 1) By concentrating on the root causes of criminal behavior and the recovery of defendants, specialty courts better ensure public safety. The subcommittee encourages funding applications that foster the development, implementation, enhancement, and support of Specialty Courts and community resources that support treatment of mental illness and substance abuse for all our citizens. Adult Felony and Misdemeanor Drug Courts Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 91 A 2006 report from the National Association of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse Directors, every dollar spent on treatment (rather than incarceration) will yield $7 in future state savings (Citation 2). Other estimates suggest the benefit to be even greater. The office of Judge John Creuzot, Criminal District Court No. 4, Dallas reports that for every dollar spent on individuals in diversion programs, the state saves $9.34. While the value of community benefits and taxpayer savings are estimated based on numerous inputs, no such estimates are required for determining costs as allocated in the state budget. In 2009 TDCJ Operating Budget allocated 90% of criminal justice funds on prison beds and hard incarceration, with only 10% on diversion programs, community correction, and treatment alternatives to incarceration (Citation 3). When properly implemented, however, the latter is more likely to increase public safety and decrease costs. While numerous factors contribute to such benefits, improved recidivism rates among specialty court participants is most notable. According to Bexar County Felony and Misdemeanor Drug Court Judge Ernie Glenn, ―In the last few years the program has had a recidivism rate of 18%. That means 82% of our graduates have not been arrested again for anything (Citation 4). Judge Al Alonso (County Court #1) concurs with Glenn in affirming the benefit to the community, ―It costs $20,000 and $50,000 a year to keep a non-violent offender jailed compared to $3,000 in Drug Court (Citation 5). Since implementing the program in 2001, the Bexar County Drug Court has had over 565 men and women complete the rigorous requirements of participants. By partnering with private treatment providers offering non-violent offenders an alternative to costly jail time, the Court saw over 300 participants ―graduate, will continue living drug free, and become productive members of society. According to NPC Research’s September 2013 evaluation of Bexar County’s Felony Drug Court (BCFDC), program participants were significantly less likely to be re-arrested than offenders who were eligible for the program but did not participate. Only 4% of drug court graduates were re-arrested in the first year following graduation from BCFDC, with 11% in the second year and 19% in the third year. This is compared to all individuals who qualified but did not participate who had recidivism rates of 25% in the first year, 36% in year two, and 45% in year three following their interaction with the Bexar County Criminal Justice System. The September 2013 evaluation also found that there were substantial cost savings due to drug court participants’ positive outcomes. The total cost related to recidivism three years post drug court entry per participant (regardless of graduation status) was $11,128, while the cost comparison for individuals not in drug court was $20,532. This results in a total cost savings of $9,404 per BCFDC participant. This has now translated to formally utilized resources repurposed for other uses. Adult Mental Health Courts In courtrooms across the country, judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys are seeing increasing numbers of defendants who have serious untreated mental illnesses charged with committing low-level crimes. Traditional court processes do little to improve outcomes for many of these people who cycle repeatedly through jail, courtrooms, and our city streets. As an alternative to the status quo, court officials, working in partnership with leaders in the Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 92 mental health system and local and state policymakers, have designed problem-solving mental health courts. These courts depart from the traditional model used in most criminal proceedings. Instead, as a team and under the judge‘s guidance, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and mental health service providers connect eligible defendants with communitybased mental health treatment and, in lieu of incarceration, assign them to community based supervision. The Bexar County Mental Health Court will continue to expand its network of providers for mental health providers and ancillary social service. Related to this, the Mental Health Court is reaching out specifically to service providers for Veterans. This is particularly necessary given the military presence within the community. The Mental Health Court will continue to conduct outreach and education with defense attorneys and advocacy groups like the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Chrysalis Ministries staff and volunteers had provided chaplaincy services and life skills classes to nearly 40,000 incarcerated adults and juveniles in nine detention and treatment facilities in Bexar and Karnes counties during fiscal year 2013, ending June 30, 2013. At the outreach center, the Family Renewal Center, and at two local parole offices, the District Resource Center and the Guadalupe Street Parole office, reentry services and life skills classes were provided to 2,125 formerly incarcerated individuals. Social services were also provided to 1,216 family members of the incarcerated. 86% of the formerly incarcerated provided these services did not get rearrested during the fiscal year. This amazing recidivism statistic has been less than 15% for the past seven years! It was projected that 1,450 incarcerated individuals or formerly incarcerated individuals would be provided services through the “Substance Recovery Project” during the calendar year of January 1, 2013- December 31, 2013. This project consists of two parts: a “chemical addition” psycho-educational class series and a “12-step substance recovery support group.” We actually provided these services to a total of 1,625 individuals. 991 incarcerated individuals were provided these services in six detention facilities: the Bexar County Jail, the GEO-San Antonio federal facility, the GEO Correctional Center in Karnes City and at the three detention facilities managed by the Bexar County Adult Probation Department – the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility-I (SATF-I) the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility-II (SATF-II) and the Intermediate Sanction Facility (ISF). Chrysalis Ministries Outcomes Measures: 1. Percentage of participants in the “Substance Recovery Project” who reported increased awareness and knowledge of substance recovery issues as noted on pre and post-tests. Projected outcome: 90% Actual outcome: 87% 3,782 individuals took the pre test 3,269 individuals improved on the post-test 2. Percentage of formerly incarcerated individuals who participate in the Chemical Addiction classes or the 12-step substance recovery groups who are not arrested. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 93 Projected outcome: 85% Actual outcome: 95% Of the 634 formerly incarcerated individuals who participated in the substance recovery groups, only 27 were rearrested! All Ages Both mental health and substance abuse can lead to interaction with the criminal justice system for all ages. Many factors lead to mental health and substance abuse issues for instance, MedlinePlus reports that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can occur at any age. It can occur after events such as: Assault Car accidents Domestic abuse Natural disasters Prison stay Rape Terrorism War The following information shows large numbers of Texans are at risk for trauma from Assault, Car Accidents, Domestic Abuse, Natural Disasters, and Rape. Texas is home for many veterans who will also have trauma issues from war. Texas Law Enforcement Agency Uniform Crime Reports indicate that in 2012 the population was 26,059,203. In that year violent crime touched 106,476 people; 7,711 were raped, 30,382 were robbed and 67,239 suffered aggravated assault. There were 1,144 murders in 2012 leaving family members to deal with loss and grief and potential trauma issues as well as financial and other social issues. A high percent of these people will suffer symptoms of trauma and many already had trauma symptoms prior to these incidents. According to Texas Department of Transportation, there were 58,339 serious injury crashes in Texas with 80,188 people sustaining a serious injury. In 2011 there were 3,067 motor vehicle fatalities and 425 pedestrian fatalities. Statesman.com reported on August 11, 2012 that in Texas there are 154,000 prisoners in 111 state lockups placing Texas in fourth place in the United States for numbers of prisoners. Bureau of Justice Statistics reports there were about 6,937,600 offenders under the supervision of adult correctional systems at yearend 2012. Texas Council on Family Violence reports the following domestic violence facts for 2012: 114 women were killed; there were 188,992 family violence incidents; 11,994 adults were sheltered; 14,534 children were sheltered; 36,831 adults received nonresidential services (counseling, legal advocacy, etc.); 15,694 children received nonresidential services; 26.2% of adults were denied shelter due to lack of space and 191,301 hotline calls were answered. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) there were four major disaster declaration for Texas between 2011 and 2013 Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 94 for wildfires, explosion and severe storms and flooding. Natural disasters result in huge economic loss and instability within communities and can result in injuries and loss of life. A large number of Texans will need assistance recovering from trauma symptoms. When Texans approach agencies for help, the most important thing that can happen is that they be treated with respect, and a sense of safety and acceptance to avoid re-victimization or retraumatizing them. In order to ensure that happens, there is a need to provide Trauma Informed Care training for the many different organizations providing treatment and other services for Texans with PTSD Trauma informed interventions work as demonstrated by the following study: In a 12-month study of Trauma-Informed Interventions for Women with Co-occurring Disorders (Psychiatric Services 2005; doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.56.10.1213) 30 percent of women (81) in the intervention group improved substantially compared to 21 percent of women (82) in the comparison group. This was reported by Joseph P. Morrissey, Ph.D.; Elizabeth W. Jackson, Ph.D.; Alan R. Ellis, M.S.W.; Hortensia Amaro, Ph.D.; Vivian B. Brown, Ph.D.; Lisa M. Najavits, Ph.D. The use of interventions and drug and alcohol prevention can reduce or eliminate the number of interactions that an individual has with the criminal justice system if implemented. The goal of Drug and Alcohol Prevention is to intervene in the cycle of alcohol and drug abuse before potential or actual substance abusers find themselves in the criminal justice system, mental healthcare facilities, or on the roster of various social welfare agencies. Substance abuse is multidimensional in that it affects nearly every aspect of social life and presents itself across the lifespan of individuals who are most directly impacted by it. A single drug abuser can not only end up as a burden for society in terms of jail and prison costs, but can perpetuate a generational cycle of involvement in the criminal justice system by way of broken homes and unhealthy influences on entire neighborhoods. The substance abuse and mental health field generally falls into two categories – Prevention and Treatment. The prevention/treatment paradigm is not unique here. The old adage taken from Benjamin Franklin, ―An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, it is especially pertinent today when the rising costs of health care necessitate innovative approaches to creating a healthier more productive society. This principle easily translates into drug and alcohol prevention where the cost of dealing with addicted persons is enormous in scope when there are only limited resources to steer people away from substance use in the first place. Every public dollar invested in well-researched, proven drug prevention programs has the potential to save up to $10 in addiction treatment and recovery costs alone (Citation 6). The cost savings from helping just one high-risk youth graduate from high-school, avoid heavy drug use and not engage in crime would range between $1.7 and $2.3 million dollars (Citation 7). The annual lost resource and productivity cost of substance abuse in the U.S. is estimated at $511 billion, including treating medical and mental health consequences, costs related to crashes, fires, crimes, and premature death. The annual cost of work loss by victims of crime Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 95 perpetrated by substance abusers amounts to 3.0 billion dollars. Work loss related to substance abusers due to incarceration and criminal careers, amounts to 67.6 billion dollars (Citation 8). When substance abuse is framed within the context of criminal justice it is clearly easy to justify preventative measures. In terms of crime prevention, not only can it pay monetary dividends to prevent the onset of substance use and abuse, but the overall social costs that are diverted are also worth dollars spent on prevention. In the San Antonio and Bexar County area we know all of the following to be true: San Antonio is designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking area by the DEA and is a major drug distribution point for the United States (Citation 9). Drug trafficking and abuse contribute significantly to crime in San Antonio and throughout Bexar County (Citation 9). Prison gangs and street gangs are very active in San Antonio; they are often implicated by law enforcement officials in drug-related crime (Citation 9). San Antonio has a much larger drug abuser population than all other areas in the South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Region (Citation 9). Additionally: In 2007, of the 69,801 total bookings, 15,048 were booked for drug offences alone (Citation 5). In Bexar County there were over 5000 arrests for DWI in 2009 (Citation 10). Nearly half of all crash fatalities in Bexar County involve at least one intoxicated driver with a Blood Alcohol Concentration of .08 or greater (Citation 11). Domestic violence is correlated to substance abuse. In 2008, there were 10,777 reported cases of family violence in San Antonio (Citation 12). Preventing the economic and social costs of substance abuse needs to be a multifaceted approach to a complex problem. If it is to be effective, drug and alcohol prevention should include early childhood intervention, evidence based education programs, prevention across the lifespan, family intervention, workplace education, environmental strategies, or counseling for those on probation or parole. In some cases, prevention takes place by intervening in the lives of people who are current drug abusers but who have not suffered major consequences, or even relapse prevention for recovering alcoholics and addicts. The National Institute on Mental Health defines prevention as referring ―not only to interventions that occur before the initial onset of a disorder, but also to interventions that prevent co-morbidity, relapse, disability, and the consequences of severe mental illness for families. It is important to emphasize that prevention is evidence based and evaluation oriented. In the past, prevention programs were not much held to any standard of accountability. Often times prevention strategies were chosen on the basis of ―gut feeling or assumptions as to what worked best. We now know that many earlier prevention tactics did not work. Because the best prevention models are now evidence based, we have a better understanding of what has the greatest impact and what is most cost effective in the long run. List of Sources and Citations Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 96 The National Council, 2012 Mental Health America of Texas, 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, National Research Council, Preventing Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Among Young People, 2009. NAMI Mental Illness Fact Sheet, from Kessler, R., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, & Walters, E., Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Co-morbidity Survey Replication (NCSR). General Psychiatry, 62, June 2005, 593-602. Mental Health Association of Texas, 2003 report US Census 2010 U.S. Public Health Service, Report of the Surgeon General’s Conference on Children’s Mental Health: A National Action Agenda. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services, 2000. Bexar County Mental Health Assessment conducted by MAJ Samantha S. Hinchman based on studying admissions at 15 hospitals within Bexar County from July 1 to Dec 31, 2009. Published 3/1/2011 U.S. Department of Education. Twenty-third annual report to Congress on the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Act. Washington, D.C., 2006 SAMHSA’s 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health; Texans Care for Children, 2009 report Clarity Child Guidance Center. Type of mental disorders diagnosed at Clarity CGC Citations: 1) Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), Initial Meeting on Interim Charge #1, (March 2004), http://tdcj.state.tx.us/publications/cjad/Initial-Meet-Inter-Charge1.pdf. 2) National Association of State Alcohol/Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), Policy Brief: Offender Re-Entry, (February 2006), http://www.nasadad.org/resource.php?base_id=945. 3) Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2009, (August 2008). 4) Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/x-30789-San-Antonio-Headlines-Examinery2010m2d19-Bexar-County-Judge-Ernie-Glenn-inspires-nonviolent-offenders-to-becomedrug-free-in-San-Antonio. 5) Ibid. 6) Mark A. Cohen, ―The Monetary Value of Saving a High Risk Youth,‖ The Journal of Qualitative Criminology, 14, no. 1 (1998) 5-33, http://www.byep.org/cost%20of%20not%20saving%20youth.pdf. 7) National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2003; Office of Drug Control Policy, The Economic Costs of Drug Abuse in the United States. 8) Cohen, M., (1998). The Monetary Value of Saving a High Risk Youth. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 14, 5-33. 9) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Harwood, 2000.\; Harwood and Bouchery, 2001; Fellows et al., 2002. 10) South Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Market Analysis. http://www.justice.gov/ndic//pubs27/27513/border.htm. 11) Bexar County Pre-Trial Services, (2007). Bexar County Community Plan, 2009-2010. 12) Bexar County Sheriff‘s Office and San Antonio Police Department DWI Data. Raw Data. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 97 13) National Highway and Traffic Administration. Fatality Analysis Reporting System. http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/people/ncsa/fars.html. 14) San Antonio Police Department. Return to Table of Contents Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 98 Resources Available Included below are resources identified by the County Community Planning Team that are available to provide services that could potentially help in closing gaps: Alamo Area Council of Governments Address: 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 700 San Antonio, Texas 78217-6228 (210) 362-5200 Counties Served: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson Services: AACOG has active programs for regional planning in the areas of aging services, economic development, 9-1-1 systems, homeland security, criminal justice, resource recovery, air quality, transportation, weatherization, and workforce. We also administer the Bexar Mental Retardation Authority. Technical assistance is provided by the staff to local governments on matters related to a number of other program areas, including census, housing, and human services. In addition, AACOG sponsors special projects in response to local government needs or requests. Hours: Monday – Friday; 8:00am – 5:00pm. Alpha Home, Inc. Address: 300 E. Mulberry Ave. San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 735-3822 Counties Served: Services: Bexar and Surrounding Counties. Alpha Home offers a specialized residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment program for adult women. Dual diagnosis and pregnant women referrals are accepted. The Intensive Residential Program requires a minimum of 20 hours per week of treatment services for approximately 30 days. Clients live on site while being closely supervised. The Supportive Residential Program requires at least ten hours per week of treatment services for up to 60 days. Clients live on site and work, volunteer, or attend school off-premises during the day. Evenings are dedicated to treatment activities at the residence. Outpatient Programs are designed for clients who are in need of treatment but who also have the skills and support to recover without the need of inpatient care. Alpha home is licensed to accommodate 125 outpatient clients and is currently staffed for 80 outpatient clients. The Intensive Outpatient Program Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 99 requires a minimum of ten hours of treatment services per week. Clients live off site, and attend group and individual sessions on site. This program offers the flexibility of working with client schedules. At least two hours of treatment services are required per week. Clients average five hours of counseling at this level. Family First is a pregnant and post-partum intervention program that provides case management and referral services to women who are at risk for alcohol and/or drug abuse. Eligibility: Adult women with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm. Bexar County Dispute Resolution Address: 300 Dolorosa, 1st Floor Cadena Reeves Justice Center San Antonio, Texas 78205 (210) 335-2311 Counties Served: Services: Bexar County. The Bexar County Dispute Resolution Center (BCDRC) provides mediation services to assist people involved in civil disputes to resolve them without the expense, time and trouble of taking the matter to court. Medication is a structured process in which an impartial party, the mediator, facilitates communication between the parties to promote reconciliation, settlement or an understanding between them. Types of disputes appropriate for mediation include consumer disputes, neighbor complaints, property damage, money owed, child visitation, auto repair, animal nuisance, and small claims. The BCDRC also provides information and referral services for matters not appropriate for mediation, a peer mediation program (Amigos in Mediation) which teaches students to resolve disputes and conflicts without violence and helps schools establish peer mediation programs, and Speakers Bureau to raise the public’s awareness of mediation and the services of the BCDRC. Eligibility: One of the parties involved in the dispute must live or operate a business in Bexar County. Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00am – 8:00pm. Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 100 Bexar County District Attorney’s Office Address: 300 Dolorosa, 5th Floor San Antonio, Texas 78205-3030 (210) 335-2311 Counties Served: Bexar County. Services: Investigates, prepares, prosecutes and appeals all criminal cases. Prepares protective orders and mental health commitments and researches, prepares, and litigates asset and bond forfeiture cases. Researches, prepares and litigates civil suits filed against the County or its elected or appointed officials. Prepares contracts for Commissioners Court. Represents County and its officials. Provides victim advocacy to victims of crime by trained advocates. Assistance with the criminal justice system, criminal case status, court accompaniment, assistance with applications for Crime Victims Compensation, Victim Impact Statements and referrals for social services are available. Protective Orders are provided through the Bexar County Family Justice Center and Community Advocate Program. Eligibility: Victims of crime. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Bexar County Family Justice Center Address: 527 N. Leona San Antonio, Texas 78207 (210) 208-6800 Counties Served: Bexar County Services: The Bexar County Family Justice Center is a community initiative launched by Bexar County through the leadership of District Attorney Susan Reed. The family Justice Center provides all the services and resources “under one roof” necessary to assist victims of domestic violence. The Goal is to reduce domestic violence incidents, recidivism, and homicides in Bexar County. This effort makes the process of reporting domestic violence less intimidating and more efficient for everyone involved. The Family Justice Center community partners provide a wide range of services that include: law enforcement and prosecution; protective orders; employment and educational assistance; family services; counseling; civil legal assistance; health care; military services; parenting training; temporary and permanent housing; substance abuse counseling; crisis intervention; ongoing financial stabilization; food; emergency shelter and more. Eligibility: Bexar County residents. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 101 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department Address: 235 E. Mitchell Street San Antonio, Texas 78210 (210) 531-1000 Counties Served: Bexar County Services: Services are provided to children (and their families) under the supervision of the department, along with prevention services provided at schools and communities. Eligibility: Children 10 years through 17 years who are under the supervision of the department. Hours: Administration: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Facilities: 24/7. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas Address: 202 Baltimore Avenue San Antonio, Texas 78215 (210) 225-6322 Counties Served: Atascosa, Bexar, Brazos, Cameron, Comal, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Kendall, Kerr, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Webb and Wilson Services: Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas (BBBS) has come to be recognized as the premier mentoring organization in the country. Founded by a group of committed volunteers in 1978, our agency in South Texas has been providing life changing, life-saving mentoring services to the most at-risk children in our community for over 30 years. BBS supports Community, School, and Workplace-based one-to-one mentoring relationships for youth ages 5-17. Children in this program are paired with a caring volunteer mentor (“Big”) who meets with his or her mentee (“Little”) two to four times per month for an average of one to five hours per meeting. During these visits, Bigs engage Littles in activities that enhance communication and relationship skills, support positive decision-making, and nurture other developmental assets necessary to become successful, productive adults. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Evenings and Weekends by appointment. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 102 Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. Address: 202 W. French Pl. San Antonio, Texas 78212-5818 (210) 222-1294 Counties Served: Bexar County and surrounding counties. Services: Victim services include: counseling/therapy provided by licensed counselors through Catholic Counseling & Consultation Center; transitional living and supportive services for homeless, pregnant women and homeless women with infants through Guadalupe Home; and emergency and pre-certification services for victims of human trafficking through the Anti-Trafficking Program. Eligibility: Catholic Counseling & Consultation Center – adults, adolescents, and families (including victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and/or child abuse) in need of recovery and support services. Guadalupe Home – homeless, pregnant women or homeless women with infants under one year of age. Anti-Trafficking Program – non-U.S. citizens who are victims of human trafficking. Hours: Catholic Counseling & Consultation Center; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:00am – 5:00pm; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00am – 7:00pm; Saturdays by special appointment. Guadalupe Home; 8:00am – 8:00pm daily. Anti-Trafficking Program; Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm; weekends as needed. Child Advocates of San Antonio (CASA) Address: 406 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 225-7070 Counties Served: Services: Bexar County. The mission of Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) is to recruit, train, and supervise court-appointed volunteers who provide constancy for abused and neglected children while advocating for services and placement in safe and permanent homes. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 103 Eligibility: Adult volunteers who speak in court on behalf of abused and/or neglected children. Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. ChildSafe Address: 7130 W. US Hwy 90 San Antonio, Texas 78227 (210) 675-9000 Counties Served: Bexar and Surrounding Counties. Services: Forensic interviews, medical exams by specially trained pediatricians and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners who take a medical history related to the abuse; individual, group and family counseling; case management; and CARE program services; victim advocacy; emergency assistance; and kids in court in collaboration with the Bexar County D.A.’s Office. Eligibility: Child victims of sexual abuse currently under the age of 18. Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm. Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA) Address: 1616 E. Commerce St., Bldg 1 San Antonio, Texas 78205 (210) 520-8440 Counties Served: Services: Bexar County CIS-SA’s mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS-SA’s case managers work directly on school campuses – year-round, during and after school hours – providing professional, accessible services free of charge to students and families. Our stay-in-school and pre-college programs serve over 8,000 children in grades K-12 in 8 school districts (Edgewood, Harlandale, Northside, North East, San Antonio, Somerset, South San Antonio and Southwest) and the Bexar County Juvenile Justice Academy. CIS-SA targets young people who are at risk of dropping out of school. We address the underlying reasons why youth leave school without a diploma Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 104 through six comprehensive service components: counseling and supportive guidance (character development, life skills); health and social services (referrals, emergency rent or utility aid; eyeglasses); educational enhancement (tutoring, homework assistance); enrichment activities (field trips, culture clubs, community service projects); parent and family involvement (parenting skills, workshops, support groups); and career awareness (mentoring, job shadowing). Crisis intervention, emergency clothing and school supplies are provided to any student in need. Our case managers conduct needs assessments for each school and neighborhood annually in order to create a campus plan that best serves that population. CIS-SA’s holistic approach assures that each child is being assisted in those areas that are preventing a successful school experience. Outcomes tracked for each participant are: improvement in academics, behavior and attendance; school retention; and successful promotion and graduation. Eligibility: Student must attend school in which CIS program operates, and must have parent/guardian consent to participate. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, year-round. Family Service Association Address: 702 San Pedro San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 299-2400 Counties Served: Bexar County. Services: In-home and office-based counseling services are provided by mastersdegreed, state-licensed counselors. Areas of expertise include: individual and family counseling; issues with grief or loss, parenting, substance abuse, and school or work place problems; anger management; and more. Also offer various Employee Assistance services and crisis management. Eligibility: All residents of San Antonio and Bexar County including Military. Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00am – 8:00pm. Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm. Saturday, 9:30am – 2:30pm. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 105 Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. Address: 7911 Broadway San Antonio, Texas 78209 (210) 930-3669 (Main Number) (210) 733-8810 (Shelter) Counties Served: Bexar County Services: Provides temporary shelter, 24-hour hotline, and individual and group counseling for women and children. Offers primary medical care, legal advocacy, legal representation, adult educational program workshop, psychoeducational workshops, case management and on-site pre-K through 12th grade. Also offers structured children’s program. Provides outreach counseling and support for non-shelter victims of domestic violence. Eligibility: Victims of family violence. Hours: Always available. Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Address: 811 N. Coker Loop San Antonio, Texas 78216 (210) 349-2404 Counties Served: Bexar and 20 Surrounding Counties. Services: In partnership with 8,000 adult volunteers, Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas (GSSWT) serves 18,000 girls in its 21-county jurisdiction. As the premier leadership development program for girls, Girl Scouting helps girls develop the courage to experience new adventures, the confidence to defy self-doubt, and the character to impact a community. Flexible pathways allow girls and adults from diverse backgrounds to participate, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, or physical or developmental disability. Headquartered at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center in San Antonio, GSSWT has an annual budget of $5.3 million and employs 60 full and part-time staff. Eligibility: Girls age 5 – 17, and adult volunteers. Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 8:30am – 5:30pm. Thursday, 8:30am – 6:30pm. Friday, 8:30am – 1:00pm. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 106 Jewish Family Service Address: 12500 N.W. Military Hwy, Suite 250 San Antonio, Texas 78231 (210) 302-6920 Counties Served: Bexar, Guadalupe, Comal, Atascosa, Medina, Wilson, Kendall, and Bandera Counties. Services: Psychotherapy/counseling services are provided to clients with a wide range of problems including life changes, depression, anxiety, trauma resolution, parent/child conflicts, marriage/family issues, and other challenging conditions. Case management, victims advocacy, crime victims compensation applications, senior case management, and emergency financial assistance are also offered. Eligibility: Mental health clients cannot be actively psychotic. Crime victims must be willing to reveal the nature of their victimization. Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00am – 8:00pm. Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm. Mid-Coast Family Services Address: 115 E. Travis, Suite 800 San Antonio, Texas 78205 (210) 271-9452 (210) 223-2070 Counties Served: All Region 8 Counties. Services: Screenings, Assessments and Referrals for substance abusing clients needing treatment. Eligibility: Clients must be Texas residents to receive State funded services. Clients must be in Drug Court, have an open CPS case, be on probation and be a resident of Region 8 to receive services for ATR II. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. The Salvation Army – San Antonio Area Command Administration Address: Counties Served: 521 W. Elmira San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 352-2000 Bexar County and Surrounding Counties. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 107 Service Addresses: Hope Center Women’s and Family Shelter 515 W. Elmira San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 352-2042 Dave Coy Men’s Shelter 226 Nolan St. San Antonio, Texas 78202 (210) 226-2291 Goslinowski Social Services Center 910 N. Flores San Antonio, Texas 78212 (210) 352-2020 New Braunfels Service Center 186 S. Castell Ave. New Braunfels, Texas 78130 (830) 608-9129 Services: Separate female and male emergency and transitional shelters are available to victims of domestic violence, in addition to other individuals at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The women’s shelter is also available to single families with children, youth transitioning out of foster care. Shelter participants are assigned a case manager to identify and coordinate additional services such as emergency housing and utility assistance, food distribution and meals, clothing and hygiene items, parenting and life skills classes, employment search, job skills training, resume writing, transportation, childcare, and referrals to other community resources to meet the emergency and basic needs of individuals and families to increase self-sufficiency and greater independence. The Salvation Army – San Antonio also provides licensed childcare the Mission Corps Child Development Center, youth development programs at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, and the William and Catherine Booth Apartments offer affordable senior housing with supportive services. Eligibility: Program eligibility may vary by program. Please contact specific program for specific requirements. Hours: Shelter Facilities: 7 Days Per Week/24 Hours Per Day. Goslinowski Social Services Center: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. New Braunfels Service Center: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 4:00pm. San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Address: 7500 U. S. Hwy 90, AT &T Building, Suite 100 San Antonio, Texas 78227 (210) 225-4741 Counties Served: Services: Bexar County and Surrounding Counties. The San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SACADA) is a 53-year old nonprofit organization that provides education, youth prevention programs, information resources and services aimed at preventing alcohol and drug Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 108 abuse. SACADA integrates multiple prevention strategies that target children through state-of-the-art programs. SACADA’s goal is to promote communities that are free of addiction and other destructive behaviors. SACADA provides: Referrals to alcohol/drug abuse and behavioral health services in Bexar County and 28 surrounding counties. Life skills education to children 9-12 years of age to prevent drug abuse in the future. Intensive outreach and intervention program for 13-18 year olds to resist substance use. A clearinghouse and resource center that offers brochures, information, DVD’s, posters and other information relating to drug education and prevention. Education for professionals, youth, clergy, and teachers on drug and behavioral health issues. Court ordered classes for minors and adults. Training for a drug free workplace. Eligibility: Self-referred, court ordered, school/community referrals, and employer referrals. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm. Evening Classes, 5:30 – 8:30pm. San Antonio Police Department Victim Advocacy Address: 214 W. Nueva San Antonio, Texas 78207 (210) 207-2136 Counties Served: Bexar County. Services: The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) is responsible for the safety of all its citizens. The SAPD had put a priority on working with victims of domestic violence. Within the SAPD, the Victims Advocacy program provides crisis intervention services to victims of domestic violence, safety planning, child counseling services, direct law enforcement involvement in domestic violence cases, refers to and networks with other agencies, assists with Crime Victim Compensation applications, emergency assistance. Eligibility: Victims of domestic violence. Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 8:00pm at each of the six substations. Friday and Saturday Nights, 7:00pm – 2:00am at each of the six substations. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 109 East Substation West Substation South Substation Northwest Substation Northeast Substation Central Substation 3635 E. Houston 7000 Culebra 711 Mayfield 5020 Prue Road 13030 Jones-Maltsberger 515 South Frio Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm at 214 W. Nueva. San Antonio Sports Address: 100 Montana Street (Alamodome) San Antonio, Texas 78203 (210) 820-2100 (210) 820-2199 Counties Served: Bexar County and surrounding counties. Services: Sports and fitness programming for children in grades K-12, including families with children under 18 years of age. Eligibility: Child, adolescent and adult through our sports and fitness programs. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Seton Home Address: 1115 Mission Road San Antonio, Texas 78210 (210) 533-3504 Counties Served: Services: Bexar and surrounding counties. Seton Home is a residential facility for homeless pregnant and parenting girls ages 12 to 19 who have chosen to keep and raise their children and rebuild their lives. Chartered by the State and licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the facility provides: 24-hour shelter; Food; Medical care (both off-site and on-site limited clinic; On-site licensed child care; Clothing and basic needs for mom and baby; Individual and group therapy; Education and career counseling; Recreational activities; Spiritual and moral guidance (participation voluntary); Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 110 Parenting classes; and, Life skills training. Eligibility: Pregnant and/or parenting aged 12 to 17 upon admission (can stay through age 19) and must intend to keep and parent child. Hours: 24-hour facility. St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home Address: 919 Mission Road San Antonio, Texas 78210 (210) 533-1203 Counties Served: Bexar County Services: Individual, family, and group counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric referrals, peer support groups, emergency financial assistance, information/referral, advocacy, case management. Eligibility: Child, adolescent, and adult victims of crime and/or trauma to include emotional, sexual, and physical abuse and neglect, and victims of domestic violence. Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:30am – 6:00pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30am – 7:00pm. Fridays, 8:30am – 5:00pm. The Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults Address: 7500 U.S. Hwy 90, Bldg. 2, #201 San Antonio, Texas 78227 (210) 521-7278 Hotline: (210) 349-7273 Counties Served: Services: Bexar County and Surrounding Counties. Operates a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline staffed by Rape Crisis Center professional staff, backed by fully trained volunteers. Provides crisis intervention help for sexual assault survivors and others, offers general information about sexual assault and more. Provides therapeutic counseling for individuals, children and families, using a variety of modalities. Child play therapy slots are limited. Groups are available as needed. Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 111 Eligibility: Sexual assault survivors, families or significant others. Hours: Crisis Hotline, Medical and Legal Accompaniment, 24-7. Counseling Services: Monday through Thursday, 9:00am – 8:00pm. Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm. Saturday, 10:00am – 2:00pm. Volunteers of America (VOA) Address: 6487 Whitby, Bldg #4 San Antonio, Texas 78240 (210) 558-0908 Counties Served: Bexar County Services: Volunteers of America offers residential substance abuse treatment services. VOA is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Counseling services are licensed chemical dependency counselors (LCDCs). Eligibility: Adult women with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse. Hours: 24-hour facility. Return to Table of Contents Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 112 Interagency Cooperation In the space below write a description of how the various resources listed in the Resource section cooperatively work together. Nearly every year since 1995, Bexar County has pulled together to create a Criminal Justice Community Plan. This Plan is by definition contemporary and temporal. It reflects the priorities, problems, gaps, shortfalls, challenges and opportunities confronting our community at a given point in time. This year, nearly 100 individuals representing governmental entities; for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, and private citizens came together for common cause. The expertise of these individuals spanned the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, the judiciary, health care, mental health care, social services, employment, and education. Together, these individuals attended numerous meetings; conducted independent research; and engaged in passionate discussions regarding how to frame the issues of the day. As is normally the case, the needs far outweigh the resources. Competition for scarce grant dollars has brought a sense of urgency to the process. At the same time, competition has – perhaps ironically – brought about renewed efforts at collaboration and cooperation. Every priority in this document was drafted in the spirit of collaboration – not as an esoteric matter – but as a practical reality. The process was and the outcome is consensus-oriented. Specific instances of cooperation, collaboration, and working together have already been articulated within this document. Additional efforts include, but are not limited to: The Education Services Center, Region 20, has historically played a leadership role in the sharing of information and policy development for the numerous local school districts within the County. The Center for Health Care Services has a long history of collaboration and co-location with the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department such that juvenile offenders have access to behavioral health care as a part of the terms and conditions of probation. Emerging collaborations have taken root this past several years such as The Neighborhood Place – a one-stop service center for children and families within the Edgewood Independent School District. The Center for Health Care Services has begun a Children’s Diversion Initiative in which numerous organizations have come together in order to create a seamless, integrated system of care for children at risk of involvement in the juvenile probation and/or child protective services system. The Bexar County Family Justice Center works with advocates from various communitybased and non-profit agencies, law enforcement, prosecutors, probation officers, forensic medical professionals, civil attorneys and chaplains to provide a continuum of services to victims of crime, such as the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, the Legal and Social Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 113 Justice Clinic at St. Mary’s University and Urban Ministries to address the increasing incidence of domestic violence. ChildSafe utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach consisting of Child Protective Services, law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Prosecution, and ChildSafe staff to include medical and therapeutic staff, victim advocates and case managers to ensure investigations of child sexual abuse are conducted effectively and efficiently in addition to the provision of direct services to victims. ChildSafe’s CARE Program, includes over 30 service providers who provide holistic care for child sexual assault victims. This is a multiple service, “wrap around” program that includes counseling, mentoring, peer activities that not only emphasize exercise but offers creative activities to nurture the spirit, early childhood education, and support for the nonoffending caregiver. This holistic approach encourages the client to see the abuse as something that has happened to them, not as who they are. The CARE program has seen a decrease in the re-victimization rate due to this program. The Bexar County Children’s Trauma Network is a collaboration promoting evidenced based best practices in the provision of services to children who have been sexually and physically abused. Members include Family Service Association, St. Peter and St. Joseph’s Children’s Home, the Children’s Shelter, Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, Center for Miracles, ChildSafe, Family Violence Prevention Services, The Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults, and Jewish Family Services. The Bexar County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), which includes the Rape Crisis Center for Children and Adults, Sexual Assault Nursing Examiners (SANE) from Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, law enforcement agencies, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, and other agencies providing services to victims and their families. Dress for Success® San Antonio advances the socioeconomic status of disadvantaged women and their families by preparing women for the workforce. Through their programs and services, Dress for Success provides professional attire, and workforce development and life-skills training so that low-income women residing in the San Antonio area may establish a solid work history and permanently leave public assistance. Clients are referred from over fifty (50) different not-for-profit partner referral agencies in San Antonio and surrounding areas, including battered women’s shelters, homeless shelters, job training centers, drug/alcohol rehabilitation and mental health facilities, and ex-offender programs. The Death Analysis Review Team (DART) is modeled after the Child Fatality Review Team and is mandated by the State in cases where a death was due to domestic violence. This is a multi-disciplinary team which focuses on service improvement versus blame assignment. The Mission Road Collaborative consisting of Jewish Family Service; Por Vida Academy, Blessed Sacrament Academy Child Development Center, and the Parents’ Academy. The clients of the three academies move from one agency to another. All three Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 114 academies turn to Jewish Family Service counseling facility for crime victim’s related counseling, case management, advocacy, and financial assistance. P.E.A.C.E., Putting an End to Abuse through Community Efforts Initiative is a coalition of 48 agencies, organizations and individuals working collaboratively to end violence in families. The mission of the P.E.A.C.E. Initiative is “to educate the public about the extent, and often-deadly consequences of domestic violence and respond effectively through collaborative efforts.” The Family Assistance Crisis Team (F.A.C.T.), established in December 1991, is a collaborative, community project responding to victims of family violence. The District Attorney’s Office has extended interagency collaborative efforts to provide protective order assistance to victims within the Battered Women’s Shelter, San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Substations, home-bound individuals and hospitalized victims. Baptist Child & Family Services (BCFS) provides the majority of its services through collaborative partnerships with agencies and organizations throughout the County, including BCFS, ChildSafe and DFPS. BCFS hosts a non-profit business park which is unique in the community and co-locates numerous agencies with similar target populations. Family Violence Prevention Services (FVPS) has ongoing collaborations with the agencies of the Continuum of Care, with the City of San Antonio, the Bexar County Juvenile Center and with Palo Alto College. The Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task mission is to reduce drug availability by creating intelligence-driven drug task forces aimed at eliminating or reducing domestic drug trafficking and its harmful consequences through enhancing and helping to coordinate drug trafficking and its harmful consequences through enhancing and helping to coordinate drug trafficking control efforts. The Taskforce coordinates drug investigations and execution of search warrants and consists of all law enforcement agencies on the Federal and State level, including but not limited to FBI, DEA, ATF, Marshals, and all State, County and City Police and Sheriff’s Departments. The South Texas Regional Task Force on Identity Theft and Financial Fraud, which is a coalition consisting of the United States Secret Service, Immigrations and Custom Enforcement, Postal Inspector, United States Attorney’s Office, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. This coalition’s mission is to investigate and prosecute identity theft and financial fraud at both the state and federal level. The Weekly Regional Gang Intelligence Meeting (chaired by the San Antonio School District Police Department) in which numerous Federal, state, and local law enforcement and incarceration/rehabilitation agencies share information on gang activities and provide leads for current investigations. The meetings are attended by representatives from all local police departments, including independent school districts and Park Police, Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 115 Department of Correction Parole Officers, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, and the Bexar County Probation Department. The Bexar Area Chiefs of Police Meetings is the venue in which all area police chiefs meet monthly. Related to this is the Project Safe Neighborhoods efforts (dual designated Federal/State prosecutors taking State gun cases). Community communication is worked actively by the San Antonio Police Department Safe and Fear Free Environment (SAFFE) Officers out of area substations and by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department Community Policing deputies. These officers provide citizen feedback to law enforcement and serve as facilitators with the Department. Additionally, they are tasked with the responsibility to get to know the neighborhood. The SAFFE Unit consists of officers who focus on identifying, evaluating the resolving community crime problems with the cooperation and participation of community residents. San Antonio Fighting Back chairs Weed and Seed meetings in 3 areas of San Antonio, in which local law enforcement agencies actively participate, reacting to community concerns, providing face time with officials and agency representatives and educating the citizens. Community-ratified responses such as gang injunctions result from such meetings. Weed and Seed has the comprehensive objective of “weeding out” crime from designated neighborhoods, moving in with a wide range of crime and drug and prevention programs, and then “seeding” these neighborhoods with a comprehensive range of human service programs that stimulate revitalization. The group consists of local law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s Office, independent school district police departments, local school administrators, faith-based community representatives, human service organizations, city government representatives, and local citizens. The South Texas Coalition Against Human Trafficking is a Catholic Charities sponsored initiative which includes other faith-based stakeholders, State and Federal lawenforcement and prosecution, immigration, and other non-profit organization focused on victims of human trafficking. South Texas Regional Advisory Trauma Council focuses on medically-oriented disaster preparedness issues. It is an organization designed to facilitate development, implementation, and operation of a comprehensive trauma care system based on accepted standards of care to decrease morbidity and mortality. Graffiti Task Force is a group of law enforcement officers and prosecutors. The task force promotes involvement with the community to address graffiti and to encourage aggressive investigation and prosecution. The goals and objectives of this task force are imperative when addressing the problem of gangs. The Bexar County DWI Task Force is a non-funded multi-agency DWI Task Force which consists of approximately 35 law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The mission of the Bexar County DWI Task Force is to reduce alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle accidents, injuries and deaths in Bexar County. They seek out and arrest those who disobey impaired driving laws through law enforcement special operations, training and community involvement. By enforcing impaired driving laws and educating Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 116 the public about impaired driving, they provide a safer community for the citizens of Bexar County. The Haven for Hope – located downtown – is an all encompassing service center and residential facility which focuses not just on homelessness itself, but on all the issues correlated with homelessness such as mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, and crime. Numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) exist between emergency service districts and fire departments regarding first responses to homeland security events. Return to Table of Contents Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 117 Historical Information In the space below write a description of the County. Bexar County was created on December 20, 1836 and encompassed almost the entire portion of the Republic of Texas, including the disputed areas of western New Mexico, parts of Colorado and northward to Wyoming. After statehood, 128 counties were carved out of its area yielding a total of 254 Texas counties. The county gets its name from San Antonio de Béxar, one of the twenty-three municipalities (administrative divisions) of Texas at the time of its independence. San Antonio de Béxar – originally Villa of San Fernando de Bexar – was the first civil government established in the Spanish province of Texas. Specifically, the municipality was created in 1731 when fifty-five Canary Islanders settled near the system of missions that had been established around the source of the San Antonio River. The new settlement was named after the Presidio San Antonio de Béxar, the Spanish military outpost that protected the missions. The presidio, located at the San Antonio Pedro Springs was founded in 1718 and named for Viceroy Balthasar Manuel de Zuñiga y Guzmán Sotomayor y Sarmiento, second son of the Duke of Béxar (a city in Spain). The administrative government of Bexar County – besides being the oldest in Texas – is distinguished by having served under nine different governments. The community served under Spanish rule from May, 1718, until January, 1811, when it was taken over by the revolutionary “Casas regime.” Only five weeks later, the “counter revolutionary junta of Bexar” overthrew the Casas government and eventually restored Spanish rule. In April, 1812, however, the “Republican Army of the North” deposed the provincial Spanish government and declared independence from Spain. Five months later, the Spanish regained control holding Texas until 1821. The fifth regime “first imperial government of Mexico” was created when Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. The Emperor relinquished control to army leaders within two years, however, and the “Republic of Mexico” was established. Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836, thereby establishing Bexar’s seventh government, the “Republic of Texas.” In 1845, Texas became the 28th state of the United States and remained in the union until 1861, when the Southern states seceded to form the Confederacy. Following the Civil War, U.S. rule returned to Bexar County in 1865 and has remained so ever since. Today, Bexar County government is housed in the Bexar County Courthouse. It is the largest and oldest continuously operating courthouse in the State. It has received numerous city, state and National designations including the National Register of Historic Places and National Trust for Historic Preservation. Return to Table of Contents Bexar County Community Plan 2014-2015…….………………………………………………………Page 118