SAN MARCOS – When a child is hastily removed from a home by Child Protective Services (CPS), the experience is often traumatic. Although it is difficult to adjust this initial experience, the Hays County Child Protective Board has attempted to make the process easier for 46 years.
In 2020, Karen Housewright was newly retired and ready for something new when she moved to San Marcos with her husband. After learning about the board from a friend, she applied to the board and became its secretary in 2021.
“I think it’s one of Hays County’s best kept secrets,” said Housewright.
According to Housewright, the Hays County Child Protective Board began in 1978 and operates under a contract with the state of Texas and with the Hays County Commissioners Court. Its mission is to aid children and families in a crisis by providing support and services not funded by the state.
Each month, CPS workers bring the needs of children they work with to the board to be considered for funding. Of these are hygiene products, mattresses, bedding, medical expenses and more.
“Often, children are removed from their homes in the middle of the night, due to suspected neglect or abuse, and often, they leave their homes with nothing but the clothes on their back,” explained Housewright.
Although many of the requests are for basic needs, the board also approves items that add to the quality of life for the child, such as summer camps: “Some of the more fun things we’ve been able to do include buying a graduation ring for a young man, who had been in foster care for many years. What he wanted more than anything was a graduation ring and some assistant with getting his cap and gown. We saw that as an opportunity to celebrate some very, very happy news and that’s just kind of the thing we do,” the secretary said.
Other options of aid could be rent assistance for parents that are getting back on their feet, security systems if a parent feels as though they are at risk for harm from an ex-spouse or funding transportation to aid in parental visitations.
Because the board is one of several resources for children working with CPS, there is often collaboration with other services, such as Court Appointed Special Advocates. Part of the position of the board is to also inform its recipients of other opportunities and services within the area that could aid families.
The Hays County Child Protective Board has received a $60,000 budget from the commissioners court for at least the past four years, said Housewright, which, along with donations from cities within the county, the McCoy Foundation and the Remme Foundation, helped fund a Rainbow Room.
Abby Mendez-Villegas, an employee at the Rainbow Room, explained that this is a 24/7 large storage area where CPS caseworkers can visit to collect new and unused items for children. This location, which opened in 2021, is offsite — a luxury, as most are situated within the Department of Family Protective Services. Prior to its opening, Housewright stated that the items were “in someone’s closet” at the department, but, now that it’s been expanded, it can provide so much more for children and families.
“Everything is unused because we feel it’s really important for kids who are placed in an environment that is not their home, that they get things that are for them and them only,” said Mendez-Villegas. “So, anything that they need — socks, underwear, we have toys, developmental toys for babies — we have … A lot of thought has gone into that and into getting items for children that they just need and that their needs are truly met when a worker comes through here.”
“It’s a beautifully stocked, beautifully maintained facility that we’re very proud of and the people of Hays County should be proud, as well,” emphasized Housewright.
The facility also has two restrooms available for children to shower and a playroom to feel comfortable in while awaiting placement.
Despite the annual budget, donations are always needed. Items, such as diapers and hygiene items, are fastmovers, said Mendez-
http://www.hccpbtx.org/donate
Villegas. To donate, visit www.hccpbtx.org/donate. At the link, community members can donate monetary funds or visit an Amazon Wishlist. For in-person donations, email [email protected] to ensure that a child is not in the facility and that someone is there to pick up the items.
Community members that host diaper drives also play a big part in aiding the board, said Housewright. She also mentioned that jury members can donate their stipend by listing the board as the charity they wish to donate to on the payment form.
On Oct. 16, the board will be celebrating 46 years of service from 5-7 p.m. at Anita Reyes Park on Broadway Street, San Marcos. In the future, the board hopes to do more community events to get the word out about the work done for children within Hays County. Until then, Housewright stated that the best way to learn more about what they do, is to visit and tour the facility.
For more information, visit www.hccpbtx.org.
