CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to help ensure that every child in foster care is moved to a safe, stable, permanent home as quickly as possible. CASA volunteers research case records and interview each person involved in a child’s life, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and social workers. They monitor the progress of the child and family and advocate for the child’s current and future needs in court, in school, and in agency meetings. CASA’s independent evaluations allow the court to make better informed decisions.

The Requirements:

• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Provide 5 references with email addresses.
• Provide your driver’s license number for the mandatory background check.
• Complete the application here
• Complete initial 6-week training course

The Commitment:

• Be able to keep information confidential and work within established program guidelines.
• Be able to serve at least 12 months of your time (average 10-15 hours per month).
• Visit with the child on at least a monthly basis.
• Interview all parties associated with the case.
• Attend court hearings to testify as to the best interest of the child.

• 24-hour emergency shelter for all victims
• Residents can receive all services offered
• Residents work toward self-sufficiency away from violence or homelessness

Men and Women of all ages.

24/7 crisis line with trained advocates.

Advocates offer support, information, and referrals during crises.

Accompany clients to medical, legal, or criminal service providers.

The Central Texas Dispute Resolution Center is a 501(C) (3) non-profit organization providing mediation services and training. 

The Central Texas DRC mediates cases in a few primary areas:

• Community Disputes
• Civil Cases
• Family, Divorce, and Child Custody

The Central Texas DRC serves Hays, Comal, Guadalupe, and Caldwell Counties citizens.

Fees vary depending on the type of case. It is our goal and objective to serve the under-served and the unserved, where the parties are economically burdened. The Central Texas DRC uses a flat fee.

Click here for current mediation rates.

For a quicker response, requests for public information can be made using the online portal below.

Please remember that requests should contain as much detail as possible about the information you are requesting.

Please remember that requests should be for documents or other information that already exists. Government organizations (like NBPD) are not required to answer questions, perform legal research, or comply with continuing requests to supply information periodically since that information has not yet been prepared. We recommend that you keep a copy of your request and proof of receipt for your records.

Written requests can be sent in by U.S. Mail, submitted online, submitted in person at the New Braunfels Police Department Headquarters: 3030 West San Antonio St. New Braunfels TX, 78130, or by fax at 830-608-2188.

Legal Advocacy:

Services include assistance with applying for an Emergency or Permanent Protective Order; Crime Victims Compensation, which can help with crime-related costs such as relocation and housing, daycare, medical expenses, crime-related travel, and other expenses if eligible; assistance with divorce and child custody matters; accompaniment to court; and immigration issues – assistance with the process of obtaining legal status. Your batterer or law enforcement cannot have you deported under the protection of the Violence Against Women Act.

Victim Advocacy:

Advocates will listen to your unique needs and inform you of your options and available resources. With your permission, advocates will speak to others on your behalf, such as law enforcement, healthcare professionals, prosecutors, and housing.

Advocacy is available 24/7 through our Crisis Hotline and Accompaniment services. Advocacy is also available on a walk-in basis during regular business hours. Please call us for hours and location information.

FREE

TruLight127 provides specialized training and guidance to help you provide a nurturing and stable home for children who have been abused or neglected.

We are always in need of parents and families who can provide:

• Homes for sibling groups of two or more
• Homes for children of all racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds
• Homes for children with behavioral, emotional, or physical special needs
• Homes for teenagers

Why Choose TruLight127?

• A professional case management team to help you through the process and support for you throughout your time with TruLight127
• Experienced trainers who are knowledgeable in the child welfare system and the needs of the children served
• Access to the Shining Light Donation Center at the TruLight127 Office filled with clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, etc.
• Online support and training resources, including a website dedicated to the Foster Care and Adoption program
• On-going annual in-house training
• Opportunities for cultural events such as Kid's Day Out programs, Fall Festival's, Christmas Events, Spring Flings, etc.
  24/7 Parent Support for emergency situations
• Beautiful training and meeting facilities on the Jonathan's Place campus

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) welcomes all Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivor beneficiaries, including diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. “LGBTQ+” refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer identities. The “+” sign captures identities beyond LGBTQ, including but not limited to questioning, pansexual, asexual, agender, gender diverse, nonbinary, gender-neutral, and other identities. LGBTQ+ Veterans have faced stigma and discrimination, which can affect health. As a healthcare institution, we need to make sure that LGBTQ+ Veterans know that they are welcome at Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

There is an LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator  (LGBTQ+ VCC) at every facility to help you get the care you need. VHA policies require that your health care is delivered in an affirming and inclusive environment and that VHA employees respect your identity. Contact the LGBTQ+ VCC at your nearest facility. 

VA Health Care includes, among other services:

• Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy
• Substance use/alcohol treatment
• Tobacco use treatment
• Treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) for Veterans at risk for HIV.
• Intimate partner violence reduction and treatment of after effects
• Military Sexual Trauma screening and treatment of after effects
• Suicide prevention services. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then Press 1, text 838255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.
• Whole Health
• Cancer screening, prevention and treatment 
• Virtual Mental Health Care: Veterans can connect with a VA mental health provider through a computer or mobile device from the comfort of their homes or at their nearest VA health facility.
• Infertility: VA is committed to helping Veterans navigate challenges that may arise from issues with fertility and the conception of a child.

To view the services provided for LGBTQ+ Veterans, click here.

Occupational Therapy is to help increase independence and build the necessary skills for purposeful and meaningful daily activities.

Skills include learning to interact with the world around you, balance and coordination, self-care, and fine motor skills like writing and tying your shoes.

We accept Superior, Community First, TMHP Traditional Medicaid, Tricare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Private Pay.

ATC owns single-family and duplex group homes. Residents are matched with staff and fellow residents who meet their needs, interests, and abilities.

Staff members serve as personal care assistants, teachers, and friends offering a warm and accepting environment.

Activities in the home include learning how to be a contributing household member, meeting personal grooming needs, enjoying leisure activities, and participating in community events. Outings to grocery stores, malls, parks, restaurants, movies, and exercise (walking, biking, swimming) increase social skills and well-being.

Call for more information.

101 Advocacy helps families navigate through the special education or 504 processes by educating families on special education/504 laws and their rights, collaborating with parents to get effective educational programs and services from school districts, reviewing the IEP to ensure it is written to meet individual student needs, and assisting at ARD/504 meetings.

101 Advocacy offers bilingual advocacy.

Our physical address is in San Antonio. However, phone or video conferencing is available throughout the state when 101 Advocacy's physical presence is not possible.

The hourly charge for preparation and meeting time is $80.00 an hour. Outside a 20 mile radius from the office, there is an additional charge of $.50 a mile for travel expenses. Outside a 60 mile radius, there is an additional charge of $45 an hour for travel time.

101 Advocacy believes that families should not be without advocacy support simply for not having the financial means to secure an advocate. A payment plan can be arranged.

The Area Agencies on Aging are dedicated to building a community that supports older residents and allows them to age in place with dignity, security, and enhanced quality of life. Services include congregate meals, home-delivered meals, benefits counseling, care coordination, legal assistance, nutrition, counseling and training, caregiver support, and transportation services.

These Call Center Specialists will provide assistance information and referrals to services for individuals who are 60 years of age or older, as well as individuals of any age who are eligible for Medicare.

Elder law is a relatively new specialty area resulting from the growing number of elderly and their specialized needs. With longer life expectancy comes complex legal issues that impact financial needs, long-term care, public benefits, guardianship, and other matters of aging.

We are a team of professionals who work with an extensive network of social workers, financial planners, and health care professionals to address physical, social, psychological, and financial needs. Our goal is to assist you in finding positive solutions to complex challenges so you can maintain dignity, control and, most of all, peace of mind. Carol Bertsch has over 27 years of Elder Law experience in:

• Estate Planning
• Probate
• Long-Term Care Planning
• Advanced Directive
• Wills & Trusts
• Supplemental Needs Trust
• Asset Protection for Medicaid Eligibility

To view more detailed information on services provided, click here.

Varies with services needed.

Asylum: We represent people from around the world in their search for protection in the United States.

For those we don’t have the capacity to represent, we also provide support in the following areas:

• Preparing for asylum interviews.
• Filling out applications for protection and writing declarations.
• Searching for human rights reports on conditions in their home country.
• Preparing to present testimony in court.
• Understanding denials and writing appeals.

Unjustified Detention: We help people get released from immigrant detention centers through bond and parole requests, habeas corpus petitions and other federal litigation.

Access to Counsel: We advocate for access to legal representation regardless of ability to pay. Specifically, we help with:

• Language access for non-English speakers.
• Reunification of families separated by the U.S. government.

We only accept detained cases.

Free or low-cost.

Awaaz advocates work with multiple local agencies in San Antonio to better serve the unique needs of South Asian families affected by family violence. By providing culture-specific education, we aid in advocating for more comprehensive care for South Asians.

We serve as a public benefit organization. Our vision is to improve the quality of life in our community by educating the public and making them aware of the steps to take in order to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child abuse.

GOC is a Biker Organization also dedicated to protecting the victims of child abuse. Our alliances as Bikers allow us the ability to call upon resources that might not generally be available to the public at large.

We partner with Children Advocacy Agencies, Victim Assistance Groups and others to raise awareness of the prevalence of child abuse. GOC assist these agencies by being one of many resources available to them and introduce the child into our organization where it has been determined it would be beneficial in order to lend support to their family and at the same time protect that child.

Our members share a common goal in that we enjoy the open road on our iron horses and are here to convey an important message; ‘We stand as one prepared to protect this priceless resource’.

"Valor, Truth & Integrity is the Guardian Way"

Please email us if you know a child who could benefit from our services.

Provides various services suited to meet each child's developmental and emotional needs at our residential and non-residential facilities.

Play therapy techniques are used in individual and group counseling that is offered to help children process and heal from domestic violence.

Ongoing family case management services with a focus on the spectrum of needs of every child client are provided while maintaining an emphasis on meeting the academic needs of children identified as victims/survivors of family violence. Services are provided to every child.

For more information, call administration at 210-930-3669.

Legal representation through FVPS is generally focused on the areas of family law such as

• Protective Orders
• Divorce
• Child Custody
• Modifications, and Enforcements
• Or a combination of those services.

How to Apply

Applications for legal services with FVPS must be filled out. It is also important to include any relevant documents with your application, such as police reports, photos of injuries, court orders and documents, and any documents from Child Protective Services.

Apply online using fillable form(s) OR print, fill out, and mail downloadable form(s) to:

FVPS Legal Services Department
ATTN: Natalie Pruitt,
7911 Broadway,
San Antonio, Texas 78209

Fax: to 210-314-1016
Email to [email protected]
Phone: (210) 821-3823 or 210 930-3669 ext 2223

Once your application has been received and reviewed by the Department, you will be notified whether your application has been accepted.

Free for eligible participants.

Meets the specialized needs of active and Veteran military service members and their dependents through partnerships with San Antonio's military installations.

For more information, call 210-930-3669.

Housing is a human need and right. Through Project Home, we advocate for harm reduction and no-barrier houseless shelters, the overturning of harmful local housing policies, and work to create realistic, accessible, rapid housing solutions for those experiencing houselessness.

Easy Expunctions makes it easy and affordable to clear your arrest record fast.

In Texas, an expunction means the Court destroys all records of the arrest and any court proceedings, so they can’t ever be found on any government-maintained database by anyone. Any record of the expunction also gets destroyed. It’s like the arrest (and the expunction) never happened.

To receive an expunction, a Petition must be filed with a court that has jurisdiction requesting that all records about a specific offense(s) be destroyed. If a court finds a petitioner entitled to an expunction, it will grant an order.

In Texas, you can expunge an arrest as long as you didn't get convicted or receive some community supervision. You can also expunge a Class C Misdemeanor if you've completed a deferred adjudication (probation, treatment, or community service).

San Antonio Independent Living Services (SAILS) provides people with disabilities and their families:

• information, assistance, and support systems to promote changes that enhance their full integration to the community
• education on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• information about disability rights

At SAILS, you can:

• Learn skills to become independent
• Meet other people with disABILITIES
• Receive information and referrals
• Learn how to advocate
• Learn how to volunteer at SAILS
• Be a part of our community

Adults with disabilities

SAILS provides information and assistance to people of all ages with disabilities and their families to access support systems and promote changes that result in full access to the community. SAILS can also provide information and education on the Americans with Disabilities Act and information on disability rights.

You do not have to have an actual doctor's diagnosis to be assisted.

San Antonio Independent Living Services (SAILS) provides the following trainings and workshops to the community at large:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Education and Awareness
• Disabilities Awareness Workshops
• Sensitivity Trainings

Child Advocates is a volunteer position with Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA). CASA Advocates serve as an emotional support and a familiar face to children who face many traumatic changes in their life. By visiting the children monthly and gathering information from all the people involved in the case, CASA Advocates act as a fact-finder and report to the judge about the needs of the child during the life of the case.

Click here for volunteer application.

The Requirements:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Have a valid Texas drivers license
• Have access to a vehicle and proof of insurance
• Complete criminal and CPS background checks
• No previous experience or education required. All training and support provided.

The Commitment:

• Minimum 12 month commitment
• Complete new volunteer training
• Visit child(ren) once per month
• Maintain confidentiality

The plan includes a section on community resilience, ensuring households and businesses affected by COVID-19 have the resources and tools to become financially resilient and better prepared to withstand future economic challenges.

Financial Benefits Navigation
Through Financial Benefits Navigation, we work with federal, state, and local benefits providers and community partners to provide referral services for unemployment, TANF, CHIP, housing authority waitlist registration, utility assistance, rent/mortgage assistance, etc.

Financial Counseling
Through the Financial and Housing Recovery Center, Financial Counselors assist residents with budgeting, debt management, credit report education, and linking to positive products through Bank On San Antonio, etc.

We provide advocacy and training for parents of children with special education needs.

Contact for fee schedule.

Click here for Inquiry form

Guardian House can help facilitate the exchange of legal documents.

How to Get Started

• Both parties must contact Guardian House and schedule an intake interview to enroll in our services. Staff will NOT contact the other party to schedule an intake interview.
• All paperwork, required documentation, and fees from both parties must be submitted before the enrollment process is considered complete.
• After the enrollment process is complete, and before visitation begins, a Child Orientation will be conducted with each child participating in supervised visitation services.
• After the Child Orientation is completed, both parties will be contacted by phone to notify that the noncustodial party may begin requesting visits.
• If services do not begin, the intake paperwork will only remain on file for six months. After that, the intake interview and fee must be completed again to have an active intake or start services.

Records

Guardian House uses a third-party service to provide copies of client records upon receipt of the subpoena. Subpoenas must be hand delivered; faxed or emailed subpoenas will not be accepted. The attorney is responsible for paying fees and coordinating the delivery of copies with the third-party service. Guardian House is not part of this process.

Upon subpoena, the Custodian of Records will testify or make depositions regarding observations made during visits. For court hearings, we request that the Custodian of Records be placed on-call, and receive notification 30 to 40 minutes before taking the stand.

Fees for Custodian of Records:

Retainer – $750
Preparation & Coordination – $75
On call – $200/day
Court appearance – $100/hour (includes travel time)

A charge of 35% will be added to the total amount if payment is made less than three business days before the appearance of the Custodian of Records.

Click here for the Required Order for the Sliding Fee Scale

COPS/Metro's strength is in its members: the religious institutions, labor locals, and other nonprofit and civic institutions that share a concern for community and are rooted in traditions of democracy. COPS/Metro is broad-based and works in the interest of our community's families, as an interfaith organization that embraces a membership of both religious and secular institutions.

As COPS/Metro members, institutions commit to building "organizing teams" or “action teams” of leaders and potential leaders to work on local issues identified by the team. By joining with other institutions that have similar goals and concerns, COPS/Metro members increase their collective power and work to achieve victories on local and city-wide issues.

Contact COPS/Metro Alliance to learn more about the initiatives launched by member institutions around immigration, healthcare, education and living wages.

CBF Advocacy is rooted in the same spirit and call that motivates our mission endeavors: to demonstrate the love of Christ by loving our most neglected and marginalized neighbors. As Christians dedicated to service, we often encounter situations and issues in need of a strong voice. Such encounters create passionate advocates in our churches and among those serving across the globe.

CBF Advocacy is about encouraging, equipping and promoting the voice of advocates in our midst as they encounter need. In doing so, we strive to exercise responsible Christian citizenship by modeling a more effective, positive and inclusive public witness for the church.

The goal of CBF Advocacy is to discover advocates already at work in CBF life and to:

• increase their effectiveness by offering strategic advice and counsel
• connect them to one another in order to share experiences and best practices
• connect them to experts — both individuals and trusted organizations
• promote opportunities for effective and impactful advocacy among our churches and pastors

Click here for a complete list of advocacy resources and program information.

Free