C O M M U N I T Y
R E S O U R C E G U I D E
A ra n s a s & S a n Pa t r i c i o C o u n t i e s
F R E E
Sponsored by the Universal Child Abuse Prevention efforts of the Texas Dept. of Family and
Protective Services and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Compliments of:

Take a long walk
Listen to music
Call a friend
Watch TV
Sing out loud
Read a book
Lift weights
Bake a cake
Water the plants
Start dancing
Go for a drive
Wash the car
Mow the lawn
Count to 20
Work in the garden
Meditate
Do Yoga
Pray
Laugh out loud
Get a massage
Listen to some jokes
Ride a bike
Color in a coloring book
Make cookies
Walk the dog
Take deep breaths
Do a puzzle
Take a nap
UCAP Funded by DFPS
Crisis Hotline: 800-532-8192
TX Child Abuse Hotline: 800-252-5400

Stress Relievers for Parents - Article............................................Inside Cover
South Texas Children's Home Ministries ....................................................... 3
Cass Real Estate .......................................................................................... 4
MADD .... Power of Parents - Article ............................................................. 4
Bullying is Serious - Article ...................................................................... 5 & 6
Keeping Your Kids Safe and Connected - Article ................................... 7 & 8
Shweiki Media .............................................................................................. 8
Put Yourself in Your Children's Shoes - Article ............................................. 9
Dealing with Anger - Article ......................................................................... 10
Coastal Bend AIDS Foundation ...................................................................11
Teen Cutting - Article ................................................................................... 12
Helping to Strengthen Texas Families .........................................................13
Connecting With Your Teen - Article .............................................................14
Building Collaborations & Informing Communities - Article ......................... 15
Child Care Checklist - Article ....................................................................... 16
Teen Pressure Stress and Suicide - Article ................................................. 17
Five Ways to Foster Communication with Your Kids.............................................18
SafePlace ................................................................................................... 18
Maximus ......................................................................................................19
Habitat for Humanity ................................................................................... 20
Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services ...Prevent Injuries - Article .. 21
Healthy Discipline Tips for Parents - Article ................................................ 22
Does The Battle Have To Be So Fierce? - Article ........................................ 23
Dealing With Temper Tantrums - Article ...................................................... 24
Texas Department of State Health Services ................................................ 25
Family Fun .................................................................................................. 26
Helpful Resources ...............................................................................27 & 28
County / City Resources ..................................................................... 29 & 30
Connections Individual and Family Services ................................. Back Cover
Enjoy the Simple Pleasures of Life...

3

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M 972-333-3727 shawn_cass@hotmail.com
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M 361-443-8997 maria_back61@hotmail.com
361-643-2662
401 US Hwy 181, Portland, TX 78374
Mothers Against Drunk Driving® has launched a community-based parent program, "Power of Parents, It's Your
Influence®", in partnership with Dr.
Robert Turrisi from Pennsylvania State
University, and sponsored by Nationwide
Insurance. This program is researchbased, and provides parents with a parent handbook that has been shown to significantly reduce underage drinking and associated risks when parents use it to talk with their teens about alcohol.
MADD South Texas’ offices are working together with community partners to mobilize and equip parents with the parent handbook, through 30-minute parent workshops. If you are interested in becoming involved, contact
MADD South Texas, and together reach parents in order to influence teens, especially around strategic events, such as prom, holidays, graduation, homecoming, and spring break. You can give families in your community a potentially life-saving gift: the tools to start the crucial conversations together about alcohol.
To schedule a parent workshop in your area, contact
MADD South Texas at 888-686-6233 or South.TX@madd.org.
4

* 1 out of 4 kids is Bullied. The American Justice Department says that this month
1 out of every 4 kids will be abused by another youth.
* Surveys Show That 77% of students are Bullied mentally, verbally, & physically
* In a recent study, 77% of the students said they had been Bullied.
* 1 out of 5 kids admits to being a Bully, or doing some "Bullying."
* 8% of students miss 1 day of class per month for fear of Bullies.
* 43% fear harassment in the bathroom at school.
* 100,000 students carry a gun to school.
* 282,000 students are physically attacked in secondary schools each month
Information found at bullyhelp.org
5
• Verbal bullying (name calling)
• Bullying through social exclusion or
isolation
• Physical bullying (hitting, kicking, shoving)
• Bullying through lies and false rumors
• Having money or other things taken by
students who bully
• Being threatened or being forced to do things
by students who bully
• Racial bullying
• Sexual bullying
• Cyber bullying (via cell phone or internet)
• Not wanting to go/skipping school
• Acting out at school or home
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts
• Poor grades
• Low self-esteem
• Health problems and having physical
marks like bruises or scratches
• Losing possessions (money, books,
toys)
• Losing interest in activities
previously enjoyed by the child
• Not wanting to play with or be
around classmates

• Make sure your child knows being
bullied is not his/her fault.
• Focus on your child and listen
carefully to what he/she tells you
about bullying.
• Let your child know that he/she
does not have to face bullying alone.
• Do not tell your child to fight back.
• Expect bullying to stop.
• Make it clear to your child that you
take bullying seriously and it’s not
okay.
• Develop clear rules within your family
for your child’s behavior. Praise your
child for following the rules and use
non-physical and logical consequences
when rules are broken.
• Spend lots of time with your child and
carefully supervise and monitor his/
her activities.
• Build on your child’s talents by trying
to get him/her involved in positive
activities.
• Work together with your child’s
teacher to send a clear message to your
child that his/her bullying must stop.
• Statistics show that 23 percent of
students in grades 4-6 had been bullied
“several times” or more; 20 percent
had bullied others.
• Statistics show that 17 percent of
students in grades 6-10 reported
having been bullied “sometimes” or
more, with 8 percent said they had
been a bully to others “sometimes” or
more.
• Nearly one in five students in an
average classroom experience bullying
in some way.
• Encourage your children to make
friends and provide opportunities for
them to do so.
• Provide opportunities for your child
to be assertive and build self-esteem.
• Tell your child to ignore bullies
because they feed on attention.
• Help your child practice responses
that would discourage teasing.
• Contact the school and speak with
your child’s teachers.
• Explain to your children they have the
right to be safe at school.
• Encourage your children to tell an
adult if someone hurts them.
• If you think your child is a bully, stop
the behavior and try to understand
why he/she is acting out.
• Make your child aware of the kind of
body language that encourages
bullying.
6

By Stephanie Hataway, M. A., LPC
Technology marches on; and we, as parents and educators, are often running to catch up with the latest trends in this area. The use of technology offers many ways for students to enrich and extend upon their school studies and interests. There are also endless opportunities for social networking with friends and acquaintances. It’s important to recognize and prepare for the potential pitfalls of technology.
First, there’s good news. A recent study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found that although families are busier than ever, the flurry of cell phone calls, e-mails, text messages and even Facebook postings can keep families connected and aware of what is going on with each other; and these families generally viewed technology as a positive for their family. The flip side, revealed by the Pew study, is that families with multiple communication devices were less likely to eat dinner together daily and to feel satisfied that they had enough family time. Another study by Case Western Reserve
School of Medicine in Cleveland, showed that when teens “text” excessively (defined as sending more than 120 messages per school day), they may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as experimentation with alcohol, drugs, tobacco, and sex.
According to cybersafefamily.com, these are the top ten mistakes that kids make online:
5.
6.
7.
8.
1.
2.
3.
4.
9.
10.
Sharing private information
Cyber-bullying
Accepting friend requests from strangers
Not using privacy settings on social networks
Allowing location access on a cell phone
Sharing personal videos/pictures
Pretending to be someone else
Sharing accounts or passwords
Not following age restrictions
Believing that they are anonymous
7
Many experts recommend that families use a technology contract that outlines do’s and don’ts for on-line behavior and specifies consequences for violating the contract.
Parents can find sample contracts at cybersafefamily.com and safekids.com. According to the parentsedge.com, the number one rule of Internet safety for families is to “get the computer out of the bedroom and into a centralized area like the living room or kitchen."
A central location for the computer helps parents more easily supervise what is going on online.

Continued
Above all, it is important for families to find balance between technology and their other activities. Kids who are online excessively may be neglecting homework, exercise and other activities. Here are a few technology-free ideas for families:
5.
6.
7.
8.
1.
2.
3.
4.
9.
10.
Take a walk together
Family reading time
Game night with “old-fashioned” board games
Play in the park
Do volunteer work as a family
Learn something together like a new language
Try a new recipe together
Go to a museum
Learn a sport that the family can play together
Plant a garden
8

9
Do you ever wonder what your child is thinking about you?
“My Mom turned into a monster because
I spilled soda on the sofa.”
“Mom and Dad are drinking again—that means we are going to get it tonight.”
“I can’t let any of my friends come to my house because I am ashamed of how poor we are.”
“All my Mom ever does is yell at me.”
“Why didn’t Mom believe me when I told her that her boyfriend is coming into my bedroom and touching me.”
“Oh, boy! Mom and Dad are gone tonight—we can watch anything we want on TV.”
“Football is fun, but I wish Dad wouldn’t always treat me so bad when we lose.”
“My boyfriend is pressuring me to have sex. I’m confused, and I don’t know who to talk to.”
“Running away seems like my only escape!”
“All I hear is what I do wrong.”
“I think I am pregnant. I am really scared, but cannot tell anyone.”
A Resource Kit for Communities

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
10

Client Services:
Funding is provided by DSHS through an Administrative
Agency – Bexar County Housing and Human Services
(BCHHS) for Ryan White-Title II, State Health
Social Services, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with
AIDS (HOPWA) and through the University of Texas, Health
Science Center – San Antonio for Ryan White Title IV services.
Our case management team is a group of caring and knowledgeable professionals who are trained to offer a comprehensive referral program which includes financial assistance with:
• Medications
• Physicians specializing in HIV/AIDS
• Outpatient ambulatory care services
• Insurance co-payments & premiums
• Emergency & long-term rental assistance
• Emergency utility assistance
• Mental health and counseling options
• Substance abuse treatment
• Transportation
• Dental Care
• Emergency food distribution
• Substance Abuse Treatment
Outreach & Prevention Services:
Funding is provided by DSHS and SAMHSA. Outreach/prevention services are designed to integrate HIV and substance abuse services to immediate risk due to substance abuse and unprotected sex. Our outreach/prevention team is trained phlebotomists and offer upto-date testing & counseling in the following services:
• Street Outreach Services
• Pre and Post Test Counseling
• Confidential and Anonymous Testing for
HIV and Syphilis
• Risk Reduction Planning Services
• Referral to other services needed
• Individual, Confidential Counseling
• Risk Behavior Analysis
• Client –Centered Risk Reduction
Planning Services
• Educational Presentations for HIV/AIDS
• FREE Condoms
*Open Monday thru Friday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Testing and/or results are not available on
Fridays.
Education Services:
Funding is provided by DSHS. The mission of Project Turnaround (PT) is to provide prevention services to adolescents who are at risk for substance abuse and participate in other risky behaviors. The program promotes active participation to enhance factors that protect and bolster the resilience of vulnerable youth. The program staff is trained in all areas required by the Texas Department of State Health Service and as Certified
Prevention Specialists.
• The Too Good For Drugs and Violence curriculum are implemented in one hour
sessions over 10 weeks or twice a week for 5 weeks.
• The Strengthening Families curriculum is implemented in two and half hour sessions
once a week for 14 weeks or twice a week for 7 weeks.
• Alternative activities that promote a sense of belonging to peers, family and community.
• Referral services for faculty, students, and parents.
• Distribution of valuable drug prevention information at schools and community events.
• Single topic presentations and public speakers.
11
For more information, please visit www.cbaf.org or call 1-800-982-9629. CBAF is located at 400 Mann St., Suite 800, Corpus Christi, TX 78401

By: Brenda Martinez M.A. LPC Intern - Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc.
Self harm is an act where a teen intentionally harms his/her body, typically with no intention of committing suicide.
A teen's mode of harm varies, cutting through the skin with sharp substances, scratching through beyond the first layer of skin, burning using an eraser or branding with a hot instrument, ripping of skin, or self bruising. The act of self harm is not situated to a specific area of the body; however, injuries are typically found on the hands, wrists, stomach or thighs. It begins in early childhood with banging of the head and picking of skin. Self injury is a maladaptive coping skill; these teens are incapable of expressing intense feelings of frustration, anxiety, or numbness in a healthy way and use this technique to release these undesired feelings. If not treated, self-harming behaviors can continue into adulthood.
There are several different ideas of what contributes to teens using self harm as a coping skill. Teens across the country play cutting games. The earliest written book published about self harm was by Karl Menninger in 1938; however, researching self harm did not become popular until the 1980s. Research has shown teens who exhibit self injurious behaviors have come from abusive families or have been sexually abused. Self injury is also linked to other mental disorders, such as, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, post- traumatic disorder, depression or personality disorders. Some possible signs that you may want to look out for are inappropriate use of long sleeved clothing, unexplainable injuries such as cuts or burns, finding razors, lighters, or sharp objects on the teen.
Assessment and early intervention are important factors in getting teens the help they need. Teaching teens appropriate coping skills is critical in getting teens to stop the cycle of self abuse; they can learn to recognize emotional triggers, regulate and verbalize emotions, and learn different coping strategies. If you are concerned about a loved one, please contact a school counselor or a health professional.
12

Child Abuse and Neglect: Protection and Prevention
Child abuse and neglect affect the lives of nearly 50,000 Texas children each year. Childhood should be a time of happiness and security, but for too many children, it is a time of tragedy and suffering. Unfortunately, home is not always the safe place it should be. The Texas Department of
Family and Protective Services encourages you to advocate for children and help us make communities safe for all children.
If You Suspect Child Abuse or Neglect:
DO believe the child—Don’t walk away.
DON’T try to investigate.
DO report reasonable suspicions by calling the 24-hour Abuse Hotline,
1-800-252-5400, or your local law enforcement agency—Don’t walk away.
What is Child Abuse?
There are four major types of child maltreatment:
Neglect, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, and Emotional Abuse.
Neglect is failure to provide for a child’s basic needs.
Suspect Neglect When You See:
• Obvious malnutrition
• Lack of personal cleanliness
• Torn or dirty clothing
• Stealing or begging for food
• Need for glasses, dental care, or other
medical attention
• Frequent tardiness or absence from school
Physical Abuse is physical injury (ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating, shaking, kicking, biting, throwing, stabbing, hitting, burning, choking, or otherwise harming a child. Such injury is considered abuse regardless of whether the caregiver intended to hurt the child.
Suspect Physical Abuse When You See:
 Frequent injuries such as bruises, cuts, black
eyes, or burns without adequate explanations
 Frequent complaints of pain without obvious
injury
 Burns or bruises in unusual patterns that may
indicate the use of an instrument or human
bite; cigarette burns on any part of the body
 Lack of reaction to pain
 Aggressive, disruptive, and destructive
behavior
 Passive, withdrawn, and emotionless behavior
 Fear of going home or seeing parents; injuries
that appear after a child has not been seen for
several days
 Unreasonable clothing that may hide injuries
to arms or legs
Sexual Abuse includes activities by a parent or caregiver such as fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and commercial exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.
Suspect Sexual Abuse When You See:
 Physical signs of sexually transmitted disease
 Evidence of injury to the genital area
 Pregnancy in a young girl
 Difficulty in sitting or walking
 Frequent expressions of sexual activity
between adult and child
 Extreme fear of being alone with adults of a
certain sex
 Sexually suggestive, inappropriate, or
promiscuous behavior
 Knowledge of sexual relations beyond what is
expected for a child’s age
 Sexual victimization of other children
Emotional Abuse is mental or emotional injury that results in an observable and material impairment in a child’s growth, development, or psychological functioning. It includes extreme forms of punishment such as confining a child in a dark closet, habitual scapegoating, belittling, and rejecting treatment for a child.
Suspect Emotional Abuse When You See:
 Over compliance
 Low self-esteem
 Severe depression, anxiety, or aggression
 Difficulty making friends or doing things with other children
 Lagging in physical, emotional, and intellectual development
 Caregiver who belittles child, withholds love, and seems unconcerned about child’s problems
13

Many teens spend less time with their families than they did as younger children. As they become more independent and learn to think for themselves, relationships with friends become very important. Sometimes it may feel like your teen doesn’t need you anymore. But teens still need their parents’ love, support, and guidance.
Simple, everyday activities can reinforce the connection between you and your teen. Make room in your schedule for special times when you can, but also take advantage of routine activities to show that you care.
What You Might Be Seeing
Normal teens …
* Crave independence
* Question rules and authority
* Test limits
* Can be impulsive
* Make mature decisions at
times, and childish ones at
others
Have family meals.• If it's impossible to do every night, schedule a regular weekly family dinner night that accommodates your child's schedule.
Share “ordinary” time.• Look for everyday opportunities to bond with your teen. Even times spent driving or walking the dog together offer chances for your teen to talk about what's on his or her mind.
Get involved, be involved, and stay involved.• Go to games and practices when you can. Ask about homework and school projects. Look for chances to learn about your teen’s latest hobby.
Be interested. • Make it clear that you care about your teen's ideas, feelings, and experiences. If you listen to what he or she is saying, you'll get a better sense of the guidance and support needed. Get to know your teen’s friends and their parents, too, when possible.
Set clear limits. • Teens still need your guidance, but you can involve your teen in setting rules and consequences. Make sure consequences are related to the behavior, and be consistent in following through. Choose your battles. Try to provide choices in the matters that are less important.
Your words and actions help your teen feel secure. Don’t forget to say and show how much you love your teen!
Strengthening Families and Communities www.childwelfare.gov/preventing
14

15
The Prevention Resource Center of Region 11 is a program of the
Rio Grande Valley Council, Inc. Region 11 PRC provides support to communities by increasing effectiveness and visibility in the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and/or misuse.
Through the dissemination of information and identification of training resources, Region 11 PRC works to build collaborations and inform communities.
To achieve our goals we coordinate with the Texas Department of State Health
Services prevention staff, local media, and providers of substance abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment services within our region.
The Texas Department of State Health Services has established eleven Prevention
Resource Centers in the State of Texas. Region 11 is coordinating its efforts with
TDSHS and other entities focused on providing services related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Region 11 serves 19 counties which are Webb, Zapata, Hidalgo, Cameron,
Willacy, Kennedy, Brooks, Jim Hogg, Duval, McMullen, Live Oak, Kleberg,
Nueces, San Patricio, Aransas, Refugio, Bee, Starr, and Jim Wells.
The Prevention Resource Center provides support and information to:
• Professionals, community leaders, and volunteers working in prevention
• School personnel
• Parents
• Youth
• Others interested in receiving information
Region 11 PRC provides support to communities throughout the region by connecting parents, families, professionals, and other community members with resources.
Through the Prevention Resource Center individuals and groups are offered assistance with presentations, workshops, as well as, community and regional projects related to substance abuse prevention.
Prevention materials are also provided free of charge to individuals and groups within Region 11. Request for materials can be made via e-mail, telephone, fax or in person. The main office is located in Pharr with satellite offices in
Brownsville and Corpus Christi.

When searching for a compatible caregiver for your child, leave no stone unturned. Refer to this checklist when visiting child care centers and interviewing other child care providers to help you ask all the right questions about all the critical issues.
Approach
• Treats child with respect
• Gets on the child’s level physically when speaking to her
• Speaks and listens with respect
• Accepts child’s feelings and differences
• Encourages exploration while setting appropriate limits
• Every child with own place for sleeping and storing belongings
• Incorporates families through regular communication
Safety
• Has experience caring for young children
• Keeps all equipment in good condition
• Has supervision as well as education and training
• Removes potential hazards from reach: cleaning supplies, sharp objects, medications, etc.
• Understands and respects different parenting styles, Provides a clean and comfortable environment
• Encourages and models good hygiene — hand washing, etc
Appropriateness
• Provides age-appropriate equipment and activities
• Provides age-appropriate and culturally appropriate toys
• Sets appropriate limits
• Helps children learn how to interact with each other
• Helps children learn how to take care of themselves
Background
• Has training in child development, first aid and CPR
• Has had criminal background check
• Has valid and current child care license
Born LearningSM is a public engagement campaign helping parents, caregivers and communities create early learning opportunities for young children. Designed to support you in your critical role as a child’s first teacher, Born Learning educational materials are made available through the efforts of United Way, United Way Success By 6 and Civitas. For more information, visit us online at www.bornlearning.org.
Dial 2-1-1 for Child Care Information and Referral
Call specialists available in many languages, including Spanish.
Civitas thanks Parents as Teachers, an international early childhood parent education and family support program, for their ongoing support. This Civitas tool was adapted for the Born Learning campaign. © 2006 Civitas PT/E/0506
16

17
Teens are under enormous pressure and stress. They are competing in school for good grades, top of their sport, with college applications, job hunting and peer pressure.
Teen suicide is an unfortunate result of all the pressures and stresses. Knowing how to help with teen suicide prevention can save lives because it focuses on helping teens realize that life is too special to commit suicide. Many adults are in denial that teen suicide is a real problem. It is important to acknowledge that teens are at risk for depression, anxiety and other emotional disorders. Adults cannot take the attitude that part of being a teen is feeling pressures and stresses. Some teens will have a difficult time handling the feelings that are bottled up inside of them. Accepting that each teen is different and copes differently to situations will make helping teens easier for everyone.
Many times, there are warning signs that someone is seriously depressed and may be thinking about or planning a suicide attempt. Here are some of them:
• pulling away from friends or family and losing desire to go out
• trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
• changes in eating or sleeping habits
• major changes in appearance (for example, if a normally neat person looks
very sloppy - as if they're not taking the usual care of themselves )
• talk about feeling hopeless or feeling guilty
• talk about suicide
• talk about death
• talk about "going away"
• self-destructive behavior (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or driving too fast)
• no desire to take part in favorite things or activities
• the giving away of favorite possessions (like offering to give away a favorite
piece of jewelry)
• suddenly very happy and cheerful moods after being depressed or sad for a
long time (this may mean that a person has decided to attempt suicide and
feels relieved to have found a "solution")
Don't Blow Off the Warning Signs of Suicide
Paying attention to and responding to these clues can sometimes save a life and prevent a tragedy. Most of the time, teens who are considering suicide are willing to discuss it if someone asks them out of concern and care. Some people (teens and adults) are reluctant to ask teens if they have been thinking about suicide or hurting themselves for fear that, by asking, they may plant the idea of suicide. This is a myth.
It is always a good thing to ask and to initiate the conversation with someone you think may be considering suicide.
Resource: http://www.surfnetparents.com
http://www.lifescript.com http://www.healthyplace.com

SafePlace connects youth to immediate help and safety while offering supportive services to both youth and families.
For more information or to become a SafePlace site, please contact Susan DeLano at 830-629-6571 ext. 215 or sdelano@connectionsnonprofit.org
18

Texas Health Steps is a preventive health program for Medicaid recipients under age 21. Texas Health Steps outreach staff educate the parents about the preventive health benefits their children have through Medicaid which include periodic medical and dental check-ups, appointment scheduling assistance, transportation assistance, and Case Management services for Children and
Pregnant Women. 1-877-847-8377
The STAR Program is the Texas Medicaid managed care program. Medicaid recipients who live in Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces,
Refugio, San Patricio and Victoria Counties must get their health care through the STAR Program . Medicaid recipients get to choose their own health plan
(Amerigroup Health Plan, Superior Health Plan and Driscoll Children’s Health
Plan) and primary care doctor or clinic within the plan. The primary doctor/clinic will provide them with all their health care needs. 1-800-964-2777
The STAR+PLUS Program provides all regular Medicaid health care services and long-term services and supports for people who receive supplemental security income (SSI). For people who also have Medicare health coverage, STAR+PLUS provides only long-term support services and supports. STAR+PLUS services are provided or coordinated by health maintenance organizations called health plans
(Ever Care of Texas and Superior Health Plan). 1-800-964-2777
It is the job of our Outreach staff to educate recipients and community agencies about Texas Health Steps and enroll Medicaid clients in the STAR / STAR+PLUS
Program. If you serve Medicaid recipients, please remember to include us in your community events, health fairs, meetings or presentations.
Martha G. Garcia, MPA
Regional Manager
5402 S. Staples #207
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
361-980-9733
361-980-9742 (fax)
19

20

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
To Report Abuse please contact our Hotline
1-800-252-5400 or txabusehotline.org
21
COMMISSIONER
Anne Heiligenstein
Child abuse is a community issue. Every person can help make sure the children of
Texas have a brighter future. And preventing child abuse is up to all of us. Child abuse prevention means stopping child abuse and neglect before it happens. The best strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect are to:
• Support families and provide parents with the skills and resources they need.
• Support providers who are serving families by providing tools and resources.
• Create communities that have supportive services in place and a shared goal of safety and stability for families.
Choking
• Keep drapery, blind, electrical, and telephone cords out of reach with wallhooks.
• For children younger than 1 year, avoid foods like hotdogs, hard candies, grapes, raisins, and raw vegetables that can lodge in the child's throat.
• Keep small objects that can be swallowed off floors, tables, and other areas.
• Store cleaning supplies in original containers and use cabinet and drawer latches and locks.
• Secure all prescription and nonprescription medicines and use child resistant bottles.
• Store cosmetics away.
• Check the garage and storage for hazards. Keep all household chemicals in original containers and in a secure area.
• Keep toxic plants out of reach.
• Secure purses carrying cosmetics, medications, and small objects.
Suffocation
• Place infants on their backs to sleep.
• In cribs, avoid soft bedding, pillows, and stuffed animals.
• Keep plastic bags away from children.
• Keep children from playing around parked cars and all appliances.
Most people regard their homes as safe. However, most injuries involving children occur in the child's home. Using common safeguards can reduce the risk of injuries. When checking your home, begin by looking in each room at your child's eye level and reach.
Burns/Fires
• Set hot water heater thermostats to
120º or less.
• Baby's bath water should be nor warmer than 100º.
Additional resources: www.itsuptoyou.org * The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) * The National Safe Kids Campaign (www.safekids.org)

By: Brenda Martinez M.A. LPC Intern - Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc.
Setting firm limits and boundaries at home can be challenging at times, but can actually help your family function more smoothly.
We all have different ideas of appropriate discipline. When you apply consistent effort based on respect and fairness, you will find that disciplining is much easier. The yelling, the tantrums and the disobedience can stop. It just takes some simple steps to help children succeed at being cooperative.
Begin using the vocabulary of respect- instead of yelling, ask your child to stop and listen. A child can’t listen when they are crying, yelling, whining, or covering their ears. If they don’t stop right away, give them a minute or ask that they go to their room or a neutral area to calm down. From my experience, a child only hears the first 2 sentences of a yelling parent.
You can excuse yourself- if you are angry and don’t know exactly what to do, excuse yourself and let you child know that you have to calm down and think about the consequence. This helps you calm down and helps you NOT say anything you may regret later. This also allows your child to calm down and gives them the idea that it is OK to take a time out when they’re angry, as modeled by mom/ dad.
Make it consistent- whatever consequence you choose, make sure you stick to your plan and that all the children in the household are held to the same standard. Of course, keep in mind age development, but the idea behind the consequence is fairness and respect. Consequences are more effective when they are closely related to the negative behavior and when they hold meaning for the child. Also, it is important that the time limit of the consequence is long enough for the child to reflect and change their actions but not so long that the child forgets the meaning of the consequence or loses the time or hope to practice and demonstrate the desired behavior.
Children are not growing up the way we did. They are growing up in a time when they know they have rights, that feelings are OK to express, and they have a voice. When you don’t recognize these few realities, you will find an uncooperative child.
S M
Recognize that your child has a voice and has their own ideas of how things should be. Recognizing doesn’t mean you have to do what they say or always give in, but merely that they have an opinion and you can respect that. You will teach them a much more valuable lesson by respecting them, providing them a moment to appropriately and politely voice their thoughts and teaching them to listen to feedback, and accept the opinions and decisions of yourself and others, than any consequence you can give.
22

23
Does The Battle Have To Be So Fierce?
By: Betty Provost, LCSW - Counseling Services Administrator - Connections Individual & Family Services, Inc.
During the years of raising children, it sometimes seems like they will be in charge of our lives forever. The physical dependency of infancy and early childhood – that time when we think we might never get a whole night’s sleep again – gradually alters into a different kind of care taking, School aged children require less and less of our physical care and more emotional and behavioral work. Finally we arrive at those teen years, when they seem to alternate between hanging around the house doing absolutely nothing, and wanting to be out with their friends every possible minute.
Somewhere around 12 or 13 years of age, our ‘little kids’ start to have minds of their own; and to complicate matters, they develop ideas of their own and then –
Attitude! How often have you heard a parent lament, “It’s like overnight someone replaced my sweet child with a rebel!” They have opinions! They know things! And in their eyes, we seem to know less and less!
We blame many of the trials and tribulations of the teen years on a variety of factors
- Peer Pressure, Society, and the Media. Of course, all these things do play a role, but a lot of what is really happening is programmed in, purely developmental, The
Grand Plan. If children don’t become more independent, then the result will be
– you guessed it, they will remain dependent. So their last phase of childhood is set up as a time for learning and practicing, while still in the hopefully safe care of their parents. Their brains are developing the wiring necessary to make decisions.
Unfortunately, their capacity for judgment often lags behind their newly developed ability to form opinions and make choices. Sometimes they make poor decisions, not because they don’t think, but because they still tend to act first. All this is, of course, practice for the not so far off future when they will be on their own. Our job as parents involves guiding them through this stormy time of uncertainty, in spite of their constant cries that they know what to do. We have to maintain the balance of expanding the boundaries so they can test their new found skills, not as fast as they want to, but often faster than we are ready for.
Many find this the most challenging phase of parenting. Sometimes we’re tempted to let them grow up too fast, succumbing to the justification that “everyone is doing this.” Other times, we don’t trust them to go out without the training wheels. But if we can look around the challenges, we might be able to see that this is our time to prepare our children for adulthood. They need to be learning to take care of themselves, and practice often involves learning from mistakes. We can’t shelter them, nor should we berate them (too much) for making poor choices. This doesn’t mean no consequences, but it means appropriate, logical ones. Take the opportunity to grasp the “teachable moment” whenever it arises. This can be as simple as involving them in planning and preparing meals, doing their own laundry, watching you pay bills. In a larger sense, it means using their experiences to explore good or poor decision making. It also means letting them fail. Successful adults are those who can make good decisions based on examining options and anticipating realistic results, and who take responsibility for their actions and learn to do better next time. And isn’t that our goal as parents – raising our children to become successful adults? One other consideration – maybe the point of all this rebellion is so that they, and we, will separate, because if home is too comfortable, they might never leave!

Two and three-year-olds have many skills, but controlling their tempers is not one of them. Tantrums are common at this age because toddlers are becoming independent and developing their own wants, needs and ideas. However they are not yet able to express their wants and feelings with words. Take comfort in the fact that most children outgrow tantrums by age 4.
Normal toddlers:
• Love to say “no!” “mine!” and “do it myself”
• Test rules over and over to see how parents will react
• Are not yet ready to share
• Need lots of fun activities, play time, and opportunities to explore the world
• Respond well to a routine for sleeping and eating (a regular schedule)
• Like to imitate grownups and to “help” mom and dad
It is often easier to prevent tantrums than to deal with them once they get going. Try these tips:
• Direct your child’s attention to something else. (“WOW, look at that fire engine!”)
• Give your child a choice in small matters. (“Do you want to eat peas or carrots?”)
• Stick to a daily routine that balances fun activities with enough rest and healthy food.
• Anticipate when your child will be disappointed. (“We are going to buy groceries for
dinner. We won’t be buying cookies, but you can help me pick out some fruit for later.”)
• Praise your child when he or she shows self-control and expresses feelings with words.
If you cannot prevent the tantrum, here are some tips for dealing with it:
• Say what you expect from your child and have confidence that your child will behave.
• Remain calm. You are a role model for your child.
• Holding your child during a tantrum may help a younger child feel more secure and calm
down more quickly.
• Take your child to a quiet place where he or she can calm down safely. Speak softly or play
soft music.
• Some children throw tantrums to seek attention. Try ignoring the tantrum, but pay
attention to your child after he or she calms down.
When your child is having a floor-thumping tantrum, the most important thing you can do is remain calm and wait it out. Do not let your child’s behavior cause you to lose control too.
Resist overreacting to tantrums, and try to keep your sense of humor.
Strengthening Families and Communities www.childwelfare.gov/preventing
24

25
Community Based Program
Preventive Health Education and Outreach
Cadena de madres Prenatal Wellness Project
Information Referrals
Environmental Health
Animal Control
Code Enforcement
Septic Inspections
Food Handlers' Classes
Foster Home inspections
Restaurant Inspections and Consultations
WIC
Nutritional Education for Women, Infants and
Children
Breast-feeding Education and Support
Healthy Food Benefits
Referrals for Health Care Services
Immunization Outreach
Texas Vaccines for Children & Adults
Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Vaccines
IMMTRAC Registry
Family Planning Clinics
Annual Exams
Birth Control
Referral for Free Mammogram & More
Public Health Preparedness
Emergency Preparedness (hurricanes, bioterrorism, other disasters)
Pandemic and Disease Outbreak
Preparedness
Surveillance and Investigation of Infectious
Diseases
Indigent Health Care Program
Inpatient and Outpatient Care
Office Visits
Prescription Assistance
Lab and X-ray
Referrals
For More Info: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us
Alice
408 Flournoy Rd.. Suite C
Alice, TX 78332
361-668-1954
Beeville
1701 N. West Frontage Rd.
Beeville, TX 78102
361-358-2241
Corpus Christi
1233 Agnes St.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
361-888-7837
George West
301 Houston St.
George West, TX 78022
361-449-2733
Kingsville
1414 S. 14th St.
Kingsville, TX 78363
361-516-0943
McAllen
4501 W. Business Hwy 83
McAllen, TX 78501
956-971-1373
Rockport
2718 Hwy 35 N.
Rockport, TX 78382
361-790-0312
Sinton
313 N. Rachal St.
Sinton, TX 78387
361-364-6208
Other Numbers
Ingleside
361- 776-3591
Mathis
361-547-3328

Art Center of Corpus Christi
100 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: 361-884-6406 www.artcentercc.org
Art Museum of South Texas
1902 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: 361-825-3500 www.artmuseumofsouthtexas.org
Texas Surf Museum
Water Street Market
309 North Water Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: 361-888-7873 www.texassurfmuseum.com
USS Lexington Museum on the Bay
2914 N. Shoreline
Corpus Christi, TX 78402
Phone: 361-888-4873 www.usslexington.com
Capt. Clark’s Flagship
People’s Street T-Head
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: 361-884-8306 www.captclarksflagship.com
J.E. Conner Museum
905 W. Santa Gerrudis
Kingsville, TX 78363
Phone: 361-593-2810
Corpus Christi Museum of Science
And History and Ships of
Christopher Columbus
1900 N. Chaparral
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: 361-826-4467 www.ccmuseum.com
The Depot Train Museum
102 Kleburg Ave.
Kingsville, TX 78363
Phone: 361-592-8516 www.kingsvilletexas.com
South Texas Botanical Gardens
And Nature Center
8545 South Staples
Corpus Christi, TX 78413
Phone: 361-852-2100 www.stxbot.org
King Ranch Museum
405 N. Sixth Street
Kingsville, TX 78363
Phone: 361-595-1881 www.king-ranch.com
Portland Aquatics Center
2002 Billy G. Webb Dr.
Portland, TX 78374
Phone: 361-777-0792 www.portlandtx.com
Horses on the Beach
16562 S. Padre Island Drive
Corpus Christi, TX 78418
Park Rd. 22 South of
Bob Hall Pier
Phone: 361-949-4944 www.horsesonthebeach.com
Portland Skate Park
2004 Billy G. Webb Drive
Portland, TX 78374
Phone: 361-777-3301 www.portlandtx.com
Texas State Aquarium
2710 N. Shoreline Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78402
Phone: 361-881-1200 www.texasstateaquarium.org
Woody's Sport Center
136 W. Cotter Avenue
Port Aransas, TX 78373
361-749-5252 www.woodysonline.com
Natural Bridge Caverns
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns
San Antonio, TX 78266
210-651-6101 www.naturalbridgecaverns.com
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
26515 Natural Bridge Caverns
San Antonio, TX 78266
830-438-7400 www.wildliferanchtexas.com
Texas Maritime Museum –
Rockport
1202 Navigation Circle
Rockport, TX 78382
1-866-729-2469 http://www.texasmaritimemuseum.org/
Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
317 Fulton Beach Road
Rockport, TX 78382
Phone: 361-729-0386 fulton-mansion@thc.state.tx.us
Goose Island State Park
202 S. Palmetto Street
Rockport, TX 78382-7922
361-729-2858
Aquatic and Skate Park
Contact Information
Lindy Madill, Aquatics Manager aqua1@cityofrockport.com
Pool Location:
2001 Stadium Drive
Rockport, TX 78382
361-727-9989
City of Aransas Pass
Aquatics Center
400 E. Johnson
Aransas Pass, Texas 78336
361-758-7770
For more information and other fun family ideas contact the local community Chamber of Commerce offices.
26

DRUG & ALCOHOL RESOURCES
Alcoholics Anonymous
11425 Leopard Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78410
361-242-2685
Coastal Bend Alcohol and Drug
Rehabilitation Center
(Charlie’s Place)
5501 IH 37 (@ McBride Lane)
Corpus Christi, TX 78469
361-882-9302
877-267-8110 Toll-free:
361-883-8109 24 HR Help Line
27
1702 Highway 181 North, Ste A-11
Portland, TX 78374
361-761-2273
American Red Cross
1721 South Brownlee Boulevard
Corpus Christi, TX 78463
361-887-9991
COUNSELING SERVICES
Connections Individual and
Family Services, Inc.
209 Cedar Dr., Ste. B
Portland, TX 78374
361-643-7631
830-629-6571
1-800-532-8192 24-HR
CRISISHOTLINE
Family Services, Inc.
810 Henderson, Ste. 6-C
Rockport, TX 78382
361-729-4774
1-800-532-8192 24-HR
CRISISHOTLINE
Family Services, Inc.
705 E. San Patricio
Mathis, TX 78368
361-547-9888
1-800-532-8192 24-HR
CRISISHOTLINE
Coastal Bend Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Substance Abuse Services
1801 S. Alameda Street, Suite 150
Corpus Christi, TX 78404
361- 854-9199
800-364-3976 Hotline
Palmer Drug Abuse Program
3104 South Alameda Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78404-2506
361-887-8900
Recovery Services
907 Antelope Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
361-882-9979
EMPLOYMENT TRAINING
ECI Project Ninos - Ben Lane
301 S. San Patricio Street
Sinton, TX 78387
361-364-9131
801 E. Main Street
Rockport, TX 78382
(361) 729-0883
Head Start
602 E. Market Street
Rockport, TX 78382
361-727-0712
1133 E. Sinton Street
Sinton, TX 78387
361-364-0505
361-993-1154 Vocie.TTY
www.deaf-hh.org
Counseling
3833 South Staples
Corpus Christi, Texas 78411
361-852-9665
CRISIS & EMERGENCY
313 North Rachal Avenue, Suite 201
Sinton, TX 78387
361-364-2310
Goodwill Industries
1012 US Highway 181
Portland, TX 78374-1734
361- 643-8446
Grandchildren
2910 Leopard Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78408
361-883-3935
800-817-5743 www.aaacoastalbend.org
3141 Farm to Market Road 3512
Aransas Pass, TX 78336
361-758-6303
The Salvation Army – Portland
205 Seventh Street
Portland, TX 78374
361-777-3355
5510 N. Cage Blvd., Suite C
Pharr, TX 78577
956-787-7111
414 North Alamo Street, Suite B
Refugio, TX 78377
361-526-9211
FAMILY SERVICES
Batterer Intervention &
Prevention Program
361-884-9874 www.thewomensshelter.org
1701 N.W. Frontage Road
Beeville, TX 78104
361-358-5530
800- 358-5534 of the Coastal Bend
615 N. Upper Broadway Street,
Suite 626
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
361-888-8500
Communities In Schools
Rockport-Fulton High School
1801 Omohundro Street
Rockport, TX 78382
361-790-2220
1701 Colorado Avenue
Rockport, TX 78382
361-790-2230
Sinton High School
400 North Pirate Boulevard
Sinton, TX 78387-2799
361-364-6679
123 S. Doughty Street
Rockport, TX 78382
(361) 727-9969
Health Corporation
2874 Hwy. 35 N.
Rockport, TX 78382
361-729-7512
3001 S. San Patricio Street, Suite C
Sinton, TX 78387
361-364-3306
1400 W. Corpus Chirsiti Street,
Suite 4
Beeville, TX 78102
361-358-2974
515 Pat Shutter Street, Suite 121
Robstown, TX 78380
361-387-6996
FOOD RESOURCES
Beeville Vineyard
210 North Monroe Street
Beeville, TX 78102-4430
361-358-7500
826 Krill Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78408-2515
361-887-6291 www.foodbankcc.org
Dept. of Health
313 North Rachal Street
Sinton, TX 78387
361-364-6208
VETERAN'S SERVICES
901 Leopard Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
361-888-0820
V620 East Concho Street
Rockport, TX 78382

HOTLINE NUMBERS:
Alcohol/Drug Abuse Hotline
800-832-9623
TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES
Child Care Information Hotline
800-862-5252
Child Find Hotline
800-426-5678
Assault Prevention Center of
South Texas,
Foster Care and Adoption
800-233-3405
Grief Recovery Help line
1-818-907-9600 www.grief-recovery.com
www.grief.net
4401 Dillon Ln., Ste. #28
Corpus Christi, TX
361-857-0878 (last name A – L)
361-855-2451 (last name M - Z)
361-758-7631 (Aransas Pass)
361-358-9790 (Beeville)
361-325-5621 (Falfurrias)
361-449-1823 (George West)
361-592-9351 (Kingsville)
361-547-3216 (Mathis)
361-387-8051 (Robstown)
361-729-5784 (Rockport)
361-279-3301 (San Diego)
Child Protective Services
1115 East Sinton Street
Sinton, TX 78387
361-364-5089
Children Hotline
800-547-4435
Hotline
800-799-7233
Runaway Hotline
888-580-4357
San Patricio County Mental
800-543-5750
Suicide Prevention – Emergency
361-814-8633
Texas Abuse/Neglect Hotline
800-252-5400
4401 Dillon Ln., Ste. #28
Corpus Christi, TX
361-857-0878 (last name A – L)
361-855-2451 (last name M - Z)
361-758-7631 (Aransas Pass)
361-358-9790 (Beeville)
361-325-5621 (Falfurrias)
361-449-1823 (George West)
361-592-9351 (Kingsville)
361-547-3216 (Mathis)
361-387-8051 (Robstown)
361-729-5784 (Rockport)
361-279-3301 (San Diego)
Medicare & Medicaid
Customer Service Center
800-633-4227 www.medicare.gov
208 San Saba Drive
Portland, TX 78374
361-643-8073
877-847-8377
Coastal Plains MHMR
620 E. Concho Street
Rockport, TX 78382
361-727-0988
200 Marriott Drive
Portland, TX 78374
361-777-3991
201 Roots Avenue
Taft, TX 78390
361-528-4516
SHELTERS
Family Services, Inc.
209 Lang Road
Portland, TX 78374
361-643-4130
1-800-532-8192 24-HR
CRISIS HOTLINE
513 Sam Rankin Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
361-883-7372
Women’s Shelter of South Texas
813 Buford Street
Corpus Christi, TX 78404
361-881-8888
800-580-4878 www.thewomensshelter.org
Social Security Administration
3801 S. Port Avenue
Corpus Christi, TX 78415
866-613-2859
YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMS
Summer Camp for Youth
361-758-2750
800-633-3028
Humble Youth Center
2850 Main Street
Ingleside, TX 78362
361-776-0780
Texas Healthy Kids Corporation
800-943-5437
The Women’s Shelter (Corpus
800-580-4878
Texas Department of State Health
361- 729-0312 (Rockport ) and Protective Services
524 S. Commercial Street
Aransas Pass, TX 78336.
361-758-7631
800-252-5400
1115 E. Sinton Street
Sinton, TX 78387-0166
361-364-1240
1800 S. Washington, Suite 2
Beeville, TX 78102
361-358-9790
524 S. Commercial Street
Aransas Pass, TX 78336
361-758-7631
Taft Housing Authority
223 Avenue C
Taft, TX 78390
361-528-3000
2000 Billy G. Webb Drive
Portland, TX 78374
361-777-3301
Sinton for Youth Corporation
111 N. Odem Street, Suite 2
Sinton, TX 78387
361-364-5567
24-Hour Crisis
Intervention
1-800-758-3344
Texas Runaway Helpline
1-888-580-4357
28

Utilities ……………………………………………………..................…(361) 777-4500
Electricity www.powertochoose.org …………………................(866) PWR-4-TEX
Natural Gas—Center Point Energy ……………………................…(800) 427-7142
Cable Communications—Charter Communications ….............…(877) 728-3814
Telephone—Verizon ………………………………………...................(800) 483-4000
Automobile Registration …………………………………..................(361) 643-4011
Driver’s Licensing …………………………………………..................(361) 758-8680
Portland Chamber of Commerce ………………………....................(361) 643-2475
Portland Aquatic Center …………………………………...................(361) 777-0792
Portland Community Center ………………………………................(361) 777-3301
Portland Police (non-emergency) …………………………...............(361) 777-4444
Portland Public Library …………………………………….................(361) 777-0921
Public Works …………………………………………………................(361) 777-2943
U.S. Post Office ………………………………………………...............(361) 777-0845
Portland City Hall ……………………………………………................(361) 777-4500
Emergency—Ambulance, Fire, Police……………………...,,,,,,,,,,,,,911
Ambulance—non emergency ………………………………..............(361) 777-4444
Fire—non emergency ………………………………………................(361) 643-0155
Police—non emergency ……………………………………................(361) 777-4444
Animal Control ……………………………………………….................(361) 643-2546
Northshore Cinema 8 ……………………………………….................(361) 643-3456
Portland Newspaper ………………………………………...................(361) 643-1566
Portland Senior Citizen Center ……………………………................(361) 643-9461
City of Rockport Parks and Recreation ..........................................(361) 729-2213
Wind Info ……………………………………………………...................(361) 992-9463
American Cancer Society ……………………………….....................(361) 857-0136
CASA of the Coastal Bend …………………………….......................(361) 884-2272
Chatwork Civic Club …………………………………..........................(361) 643-6240
Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc. ….....................(361) 643-7631
Kiwanis Club of Portland ……………………………..........................(361) 364-6225
Portland Garden Club …………………………………........................(361) 777-3221
Portland Lions Club …………………………………….......................(361) 643-6312
Portland Masonic Lodge #1411 ……………………….......................(361) 643-1770
Portland North Bay Lions Club ……………………….......................(361) 215-2908
Portland Rotary Club ………………………………….........................(361) 643-1494
USO of South Texas …………………………………….......................(361) 776-4779
United Way of the Coastal Bend ……………………….....................(361) 882-2582
Volunteer Center of the Coastal Bend …………………...................(361) 887-8282
29
Muhammad Ali

Utilities - Aransas Natural Gas Co. ....................……..................…(361) 729-5465
Electricity www.powertochoose.org ………………….................(866) PWR-4-TEX
Natural Gas—City of Rockport .......……………………...........(361) 729-2213 x137
Aransas County Transfer Station ...................................................(361) 790-0162
Directv ...........................................................................….............…(361) 727-0004
Mission Satellite ......………………………………………...................(361) 461-1920
Team Satellite ...................................................................................(361) 790-8151
Automobile Registration …………………………………..................(361) 758-3020
Driver’s Licensing …………………………………………..................(361) 758-8680
Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce ……………………........(361) 729-6445
Aquatic Center …................………………………………...................(361) 727-9989
Rockport Community Recycle Center …………..…………….........(361) 729-4455
Rockport-Fulton Police (non-emergency) ………………................(361) 792-1100
Aransas County Public Library …………………..……….................(361) 790-0153
Public Works …………………………………………………................(361) 729-2213
U.S. Post Office ………………………………………………...............(361) 729-2642
Rockport City Hall ………………………………......………................(361) 729-2213
Emergency—Ambulance, Fire, Police……………………...,,,,,,,,,,,,,911
Rockport EMS ...................................................................................(361) 729-2112
Ambulance—non emergency ………………………………...............(361) 729-8007
Fire—volunteer non emergency ………………………………….......(361) 729-5392
Rockport-Fulton Police—non emergency ..………………................(361) 729-1111
Aransas County Sheriff ...................................................................(361) 729-2222
Aransas County Courthouse ...........................................................(361) 790-0100
Animal Control ……………………………………………….................(361) 790-0151
Crime Stoppers Hotline……………………………………..................(361) 729-8477
Coastal Bend Herald Newspaper.....................................................(361) 729-1828
Rockport Pilot Newspaper ………………………………...................(361) 729-9900
Portland Senior Services Center …………………...........................(361) 729-8007
Wind Info ……………………………………………………...................(361) 992-9463
Aransas Citizens Against Drugs Coalition .... aransascitizensagainstdrugs.org
American Cancer Society ……………………………….....................(361) 857-0136
CASA of the Coastal Bend …………………………….......................(361) 884-2272
Women's Club ……..........……………………………..........................(361) 727-0927
Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc. (Rockport)......(361) 729-4774
Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc. (Portland).......(361) 643-7631
AIM Hospice .....................……………………………..........................(361) 729-0507
ACCESS ......................…………………………………........................(361) 729-0633
Corpus Christi Lions Club ………………………..............................(361) 881-6120
Good Samaritans, Inc. .....................................................................(361) 790-9828
USO of South Texas …………………………………….......................(361) 776-4779
United Way of the Coastal Bend ……………………….....................(361) 882-2582
Volunteer Center of the Coastal Bend …………………...................(361) 887-8282
Compliments of: Connections Individual and Family Services, Inc.
209 Cedar Dr., Ste. B, TX 78374 * 361-643-7631 * April 2011
30

Emergency Youth Shelter • Family Counseling • Individual Counseling
Life Skills Training • Crisis Intervention • Referral Services
14209 Cedar Dr., Ste. B
Portland, TX 78374
361-643-7631 www.connectionsnonprofittorg
810 Henderson, Ste. 6-C
Rockport, TX 78382
361-729-4774 www.connectionsnonprofit.org