Contact Help Me Grow Texas

HMGTexas@dshs.texas.gov

TitleV@dshs.texas.gov

Phone

Mailing Address

Texas Department of State Health Services
Child Health
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
United States

Help Me Grow Texas

Help Me Grow

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.

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.

Dad with baby

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.