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Help Me Grow Texas

Connecting Families to Community Services

In 2019, Texas began implementing the Help Me Grow (HMG) System Model. The model helps states and communities leverage existing resources. The model is made up of four core components that work together to promote optimal child development.A father holding a baby.

With the model, communities can:

  • Identify vulnerable children;
  • Link families to community-based services; and
  • Empower families to support their child’s optimal development.

DSHS Maternal and Child Health Unit leads HMG Texas. We provide administrative oversight, technical assistance, and guidance for HMG Texas as it evolves. Our mission is to help build statewide early childhood systems so communities can support the optimal health, development, and well-being of Texas children.

We want all Texas children to have access to care that is:

  • Child-focused;
  • Family-driven;
  • Community-based;
  • Culturally grounded; and
  • Sustainable.

To learn more about the program, download the Help Me Grow handout


Child Health Providers in Help Me Grow (HMG) Texas Communities

Child health providers are uniquely positioned to identify children at risk for developmental delay or behavioral problems. They play an important role in working with families to track children's development. Thus, HMG staff members conduct targeted outreach with providers through office-based education, trainings, and workshops. From there, they can educate and motivate providers in establishing developmental surveillance and screening and using HMG in their work.  

HMG Texas affiliates are looking for Physician Champions to serve as a key role in developing a HMG system. The Physician Champion takes on the following duties:

  • Attend outreach trainings at doctors’ offices as available;  
  • Market HMG to physician community to bridge sector gap; and  
  • Promote developmental screening and referrals.  

If you are interested in learning more about how to get involved as a child health provider with a HMG Texas affiliate near you, please complete the interest form.

 

Parents, Families, and Caregivers in Help Me Grow (HMG) Texas Communities

All children benefit from an organized community resources system to help them thrive. A community resources system can include health care, quality early learning experiences, healthy nutrition, and parent support. However, a disorganized system can be difficult for families to access resources for their children. It can also be challenging for service providers to connect families to needed support.

Therefore, families benefit as HMG listens to them, links them to services, and provides ongoing support. HMG is available to all children ages 0-8, including those whose families may have concerns or want to learn more about their child’s development.

If interested in being a family voice for HMG, please complete the interest form. We will connect you with the nearest HMG Texas affiliate to talk more about how you can get involved in your community.


Help Me Grow Texas At-A-Glance Help Me Grow Texas Logo

(September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2023):

  • HMG Texas served 19,012 families through activities conducted by HMG Centralized Access Points intended to support development promotion, early identification, referral and linkage, inclusive of basic needs and family supports; and
  • HMG Texas communities conducted 9,520 developmental screeners through HMG-led events, activities, or Centralized Access Points.

HMG Texas Affiliates:

Lead Organization

Contact information

Counties Served


HMG Bastrop County Lead Organization

Bastrop County Cares
Andy Esquivel
Family, Empowerment, and Resource Center Coordinator
andy@bastropcares.org
(512) 581-4055

Bastrop


HMG East Texas Lead Organization

Champions for Children
Andria Horton
Executive Director
Andria@championsforchildren.org
903-592-1454

Anderson
Cherokee
Gregg
Henderson
Rusk, Smith 


HMG El Paso Lead Organization

Paso del Norte Children's Development Center
Gilda Gil
Chief Operating Officer
gilda.gil@pdnchildrens.org
915-544-8484 ext. 163

El Paso


HMG Central Texas Lead Organization

United Way for Greater Austin
Adam White
Help Me Grow Regional Director
adam.white@uwatx.org
512-225-0385

Travis
Williamson
Hays
Caldwell


HMG Gulf Coast Lead Organization

First3Years
Alexandra Mylius
Director of Awareness
amylius@first3yearstx.org
512-737-8949

Harris
Galveston
Brazoria
Chambers
Fort Bend
Liberty
Waller


HMG North Texas Lead Organization

My Health My Resource of Tarrant County
Stephanie Norton
Regional Director
stephanie.norton@mhmrtc.org
1-844-NTX-KIDS

Collin
Cooke
Dallas
Denton
Ellis
Erath
Fannin
Grayson
Hood
Johnson
Kaufman
Navarro
Palo Pinto
Parker
Rockwall
Somervell
Tarrant
Wise


HMG Bexar County Lead Organization

United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County
Audrey Rost
Director, Grants and Ready Children Impact Council
arost@unitedwaysatx.org
210-352-7093

Bexar


HMG Rio Grande Valley Lead Organization

Easterseals Rio Grande Valley
Pattie Rosenlund
Executive Director
prosenlund@easterseals-rgv.org
956-631-9171

Cameron
Hidalgo
Starr
Willacy


HMG Wichita County Lead Organization

North Texas Area United Way
Rebecca Ruddy
Help Me Grow Coordinator,
rruddy@ntauw.org
(940) 217-8268

Archer
Clay
Wichita


HMG Piney Woods Region Lead Organization

Motivation, Education & Training, Inc.
Donnette Sears
Director of Special Programs
sears@metinc.org
832-432-7172

Montgomery


HMG Coastal Bend Lead Organization

United Way of the Coastal Bend 
Sherry Peterson
Success by 6 Director
sherry.peterson@uwcb.org
(361) 882-2529 ext. 121

Nueces
San Patricio


HMG Fayette-Colorado County Lead Organization

The Stanzel Family Foundation
Josue Rivas
Development Director
josue@sw-pat.org
979-743-6584

Fayette
Colorado

Help Me Grow Texas Map

Help Me Grow Texas Map FY24

Download FY24-HMG-Texas-Map

 

Contact Us

Please contact us at HMGTexas@dshs.texas.gov if you have questions. 

 

More Information

Find more information about Help Me Grow at helpmegrownational.org.

 

The Texas Department of State Health Services does not endorse external links to other websites or documents created by other agencies. These links and documents are informational and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities.