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Children Community

Building Brighter Futures: Harris County’s Early Childhood Resiliency Fund and the Impact of Community Collaboration

Building Brighter Futures: Harris County’s Early Childhood Resiliency Fund and the Impact of Community Collaboration

By: Katisha Chaney, LMSW, LCDC-I
Project Manager

In Harris County, something powerful is happening. A community of partners has come together with one shared mission: to build safe, nurturing, and resilient futures for children and families impacted by domestic and intimate partner violence. At the heart of this movement is the Harris County Early Childhood Resiliency Fund—a $5.3 million initiative that’s not only funding services but changing lives.
This incredible work is being led by the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC), in partnership with the Harris County Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity’s Early Childhood Initiatives (ECI) division. Since launching with support from the American Rescue Plan Act in 2022, ECI has focused on five foundational priorities: increasing access to affordable childcare, developing the early childhood workforce, ensuring equity for vulnerable families, supporting parent education, and using data to guide smart, impactful decisions. These priorities help make sure every child in Harris County has the support they need to grow, learn, and thrive.

Healing in Action
Over the past several months, 14 dedicated community agencies have used the Resiliency Fund to deliver trauma-informed, healing-centered care for children and their families. The services being offered are thoughtful, diverse, and tailored to each family’s unique needs. Children have participated in evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, and Art and Play Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy—each one designed to help them understand their experiences, express emotions safely, and build the resilience they need to move forward.

What makes this initiative so special is that healing happens on every level. In addition to individual therapy, children have joined trauma-informed group sessions that help them connect with peers who understand what they’re going through. Families have participated in therapy together, rebuilding communication, trust, and emotional connection in a safe, supported environment. These sessions remind us that when healing happens in the family unit, everyone grows stronger.

There’s also been room for joy. Through recreational sports and group play activities, children have had the chance to just be kids again—to run, play, and laugh. These simple moments of fun are incredibly meaningful for children who have lived through trauma. They offer more than distraction, they offer a sense of normalcy, belonging, and self-confidence.

Empowering Parents as Partners in Healing
Equally important is the support offered to parents and caregivers. Healing extends beyond the child, and parents have stepped up with courage and commitment. Through parenting workshops and training sessions, caregivers have learned trauma-informed approaches to discipline, communication, and emotional regulation. They’ve gained tools to support their children’s well-being while also navigating their own healing. Families leave these sessions feeling more confident, more informed, and more connected to one another.

A Model of Community Collaboration
The heart of this initiative is its collaboration. The 14 agencies leading this work have done more than deliver services—they’ve built bridges. They’ve expanded access to culturally competent care, met families where they are, and created spaces of dignity and trust. Their efforts have been grounded in deep compassion and practical excellence.

To these agencies: thank you. Your work is not only vital—it’s inspiring. You’ve shown what’s possible when organizations unite around a common goal and put people at the center of the work. You are truly shaping what healing looks like in Harris County.

Looking Ahead
As we reflect on what’s been achieved thus far, it’s clear this is just the beginning. The families involved in this initiative have already shown incredible growth and resilience—but the need for support continues. This work deserves to be sustained and scaled beyond the current funding period, because the impact is lasting, and the potential is enormous.

What’s happening through the Early Childhood Resiliency Fund is more than a program—it’s a movement. It’s a living example of what happens when government, nonprofits, and community members come together with a shared belief: that every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and seen.

A Note of Thanks
Children exposed to domestic violence are some of the most vulnerable in our communities. But with the right care, they are also some of the most resilient. Thanks to the leadership of Harris County and the strength of our partner agencies, families are healing—and futures are being rewritten.

To every family who has participated, to every staff person involved in service delivery, and to every agency that continues to lead with heart: thank you. Your dedication is not just transforming lives. It’s building a better, brighter Harris County for us all.

Click here to learn more about the Early Childhood Resiliency Grant
Categories
IPV and LGBTQIA Mental Health Awareness Month Sexual Assault

Domestic Violence in the LGBTQIA Community: A Hidden Crisis

 

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA community. However, it is also an important moment to acknowledge and address the significant challenges faced by this community, including domestic violence. Understanding the unique dynamics and statistics surrounding intimate partner violence (IPV) in the LGBTQIA community is crucial for effective prevention and support.

Statistics and Trends
Domestic violence in the LGBTQIA community is a pervasive issue that often goes underreported and underacknowledged. Nationally, research shows that 43.8% of lesbian women and 61.1% of bisexual women have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. For gay and bisexual men, the rates are 26% and 37.3%, respectively. These rates are significantly higher than those reported by heterosexual individuals, indicating a troubling disparity.

In Houston and Harris County, Texas, the situation reflects broader national trends. Domestic violence homicides have increased sharply in recent years, with intimate partner violence homicides in the area doubling from 32 in 2019 to 64 in 2022. The increase in calls to shelters and domestic violence hotlines also highlights the growing need for resources and support for victims in the region.

Why It Happens
Several factors contribute to the high rates of domestic violence in the LGBTQIA community:

  • Stigma and Discrimination: LGBTQIA individuals often face societal stigma and discrimination, which can isolate them and make it harder to seek help.
  • Lack of Support Services: Many domestic violence services are not equipped to handle the unique needs of LGBTQIA individuals, leading to a lack of accessible and appropriate resources.
  • Internalized Homophobia/Biphobia/Transphobia: Internalized negative beliefs about one’s own LGBTQIA identity can contribute to staying in an abusive relationship.
  • Outing as a Threat: Abusers may threaten to “out” their partners to family, friends, or employers as a form of control.

Who Is More Frequently Affected
Certain groups within the LGBTQIA community are more vulnerable to domestic violence:

  1. Transgender Individuals: Transgender people, particularly transgender women of color, experience disproportionately high rates of violence and homicide.
  2. Bisexual Individuals: Bisexual individuals often face abuse from both same-sex and different-sex partners.
  3. Youth: LGBTQIA youth are at higher risk of experiencing dating violence, often compounded by lack of family support.

Tips for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

  • Reach Out for Help: Contact local LGBTQIA-friendly domestic violence organizations and hotlines. In Houston, the Montrose Center provides specialized services for LGBTQIA individuals facing domestic violence.
  • Create a Safety Plan: Develop a plan that includes safe places to go, people you can call, and important items to take if you need to leave an abusive situation quickly.
  • Document the Abuse: Keep a record of incidents, including dates, times, and descriptions of the abuse. This can be useful for legal action or obtaining protective orders.
  • Seek Legal Protection: Obtain a protective order if necessary. Legal services are available to help navigate this process.
  • Therapy and Support Groups: Engage in therapy or support groups that cater to LGBTQIA individuals to receive emotional support and validation.

Addressing domestic violence in the LGBTQIA community requires a multifaceted approach that includes increasing awareness, improving access to resources, and fostering an environment where victims feel safe and supported to seek help. During Pride Month, and beyond, it is essential to continue advocating for the rights and safety of all individuals within the LGBTQIA community.

For more information on resources and support in the Houston area, you can visit the Montrose Center’s website.

Categories
Mental Health Awareness Month

The Invisible Wounds: How Domestic Violence Leaves Lasting Scars on Mental Health

Domestic violence doesn’t end when someone escapes. Even after the bruises fade and the locks are changed, the impact lingers—especially on mental health. For survivors, the trauma of abuse can be a quiet, constant companion that affects how they think, feel, connect, and function every day. During Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to recognize that for many survivors, healing is not just physical—it’s emotional and psychological too.

Abuse Isn’t Just Physical—It’s Psychological

Domestic violence often includes more than physical harm. It can be emotional, verbal, financial, and psychological. Survivors are frequently told they’re worthless, isolated from support systems, stalked, threatened, or financially controlled. Over time, this can completely erode a person’s sense of self and safety.

According to the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health, survivors of domestic violence experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts than the general population. These mental health struggles are not signs of weakness—they’re normal responses to prolonged trauma.

“One of the most harmful impacts of abuse is the way it changes how survivors see themselves and the world around them,” says the center.

The Long Road to Recovery

Many survivors live with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), even years after leaving an abusive partner. Flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors can make everyday life exhausting. Others experience depression, feeling numb, hopeless, or disconnected. Anxiety—about safety, relationships, money, or parenting—is also common.

Some survivors also turn to coping mechanisms like substance use or self-isolation, which can further complicate their recovery.

And yet, mental health support is not always easy to access. For many, the stigma of both domestic violence and mental health struggles keeps them silent. Others face barriers like cost, lack of culturally relevant services, or fear of not being believed.

What Survivors Need Most

Mental health care for survivors needs to be trauma-informed and survivor-centered. That means providers must understand the dynamics of abuse and avoid re-traumatizing the person. Therapy should help survivors regain control over their lives, not shame them for their symptoms.

Support from friends, family, and community also plays a huge role. Just listening without judgment, validating a survivor’s experience, or helping them access resources can make a difference.

As we mark Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to remember – healing doesn’t happen on a timeline. Survivors need space, patience, and support.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit www.thehotline.org.  Or you can visit one of these for Mental Health assistance:

This is a 24/7 confidential resource for individuals in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org. 

A 24-hour, confidential service for veterans and those who support them, even if they are not enrolled in VA healthcare. You can connect by calling 988, then pressing “1”, or by texting 838255. 

A statewide network connecting individuals with local resources and information, including mental health support. You can call 2-1-1, or dial 2-1-1 option 8 for behavioral health support. 

Provides information on state-funded crisis services and mental health authorities in your county. You can search for local mental health authorities by entering “mental health crisis” along with your ZIP code. 

A confidential and anonymous resource for mental and substance use disorders. 

A website that provides information about treatment facilities and resources for mental and substance use disorders. 

A grassroots organization dedicated to building better lives for individuals affected by mental illness, offering support, education, and advocacy. 

Sources:

Categories
Children Community

Five Benefits of The Early Childhood Resiliency Initiative

About five years ago, I was gathering my personal belongings after facilitating a session on domestic violence.  I was approached by a woman and she introduced herself and shared that she was in her sixties and was attending college for the first time.

She then launched into how much she had taken away from the information that I shared, however, she related “it was really good, but you didn’t talk about the children”.

She then went to describe she and her older brother’s childhood.  They had witnessed their mother’s verbal, emotional and physical abuse at the hands of their father.  She and her brother were often also abused by their father and in the end; her father had killed their mother as she and her brother helplessly watched.

With tears in her eyes, she looked at me and said, “our lives were never the same.”  Her brother had recently died by suicide and had been in and out of jail and addicted to drugs.  She also had experienced drug/alcohol addiction.

Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council recently awarded funding to fourteen agencies who are providing services to children who have witnessed domestic violence.  This is an innovative strategy to address prevention of domestic and sexual violence.

Here are five benefits of supporting children and youth who witness domestic violence:

  1. Break The Cycle – violence in the home becomes a norm, exposing children and youth to healthy environment provides for the possibility something new and safer.
  2. Develop healthy coping strategies – when faced with trauma it is human nature to soothe oneself and some of those strategies might be unhealthy such as using food, drug/alcohol, promiscuity and other risky behaviors.
  3. Recognize healthy relationships – how do you identify “healthy relationships” when you have not been exposed to one? Working with children and youth to provide education about healthy relationships and to model things such as healthy conflict is empowering.
  4. Develop self-awareness – we often identify and see ourselves based on what we are exposed to. Over the years I have had conversations with young adults who are unable to see themselves as valuable because they believe that their parent’s reality is their reality.
  5. Validation – for the first time a child or youth is being recognized, and their voice is being heard. For the first time they are being given the space to acknowledge their own fears, anger and grief.

And in the end working with children and youth who have witnessed domestic violence is an opportunity to save a life.

Categories
Community

Man, We Just Need Spaces Like This – A Conversation That Changed My Perspective

Men sitting in a circle like a support group-listening and sharing about experiences

“Man, We Just Need Spaces Like This” – A Conversation That Changed My Perspective

By Kenneth Scott, Male Engagement Specialist

 

The other day, I was sitting with a group of young boys at a detention center, just having a real conversation. No judgment. No pretense. Just listening. As we talked, I asked a simple but powerful question:

“What would it take for you to change from the old you to the new you who you want to become?”

One of the boys sat back, thinking for a moment. Then, he looked at me and said something that hit me like a light bulb moment:

“Man, we just need spaces like this—to be able to communicate, open up, and hear from others that I’m not alone. Because I don’t know any better. I only know what I saw or see, but I’m able to see something else from their perspectives in the room.”

That answer stuck with me. Because he’s right.

So often, young boys—especially those in tough environments—don’t get spaces where they can just be real. Where they don’t have to act tough, hold everything in, or pretend they’re not struggling. They need spaces to talk, process, and hear that they’re not the only ones dealing with challenges. Spaces where they can actually breathe without judgment.

And when they do? That’s when change starts to happen.

Because when young boys don’t have these spaces, their unspoken pain can turn into unhealthy behaviors—anger, violence, and cycles of harm that carry into adulthood. Many of the same boys in these detention centers grow up without ever learning how to express themselves, handle conflict, or process emotions in a healthy way—and that can lead to abusive relationships, broken homes, and patterns of domestic violence repeating across generations.

But what if we could break that cycle before it even starts? What if we gave boys the tools to communicate, to manage their emotions, and to understand that real strength isn’t about control—it’s about connection?

Creating spaces for young boys to be heard today means shaping stronger men, better fathers, and healthier families tomorrow. It’s not just about their future—it’s about the future of the people they will one day love, lead, and protect.

Because sometimes, all it takes is knowing you’re not alone and seeing new perspectives to start believing a different path is possible. And that path can change everything.

Categories
Legacies Womens History Month

Survivor Pioneers and Women Who Transformed the Domestic Violence Movement

Honoring Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and resilience of women who have shaped history. In the fight against domestic violence, many brave women have used their voices, experiences, and leadership to advocate for survivors, push for legal reforms, and build support systems. These pioneers have laid the foundation for today’s domestic violence movement, ensuring that survivors receive the help and justice they deserve.

Survivor Leaders Who Made a Difference

Ruth A. White – The Early Voice for Battered Women

One of the earliest survivor advocates, Ruth A. White helped establish the first shelters for battered women in the 1970s. Recognizing the need for safe spaces for survivors fleeing abuse, she worked tirelessly to create resources and public awareness about domestic violence. Her work laid the groundwork for modern domestic violence shelters nationwide.

Mildred Muhammad – From Survivor to Advocate

Mildred Muhammad, the ex-wife of the D.C. Sniper John Allen Muhammad, turned her personal experience of abuse into a powerful advocacy platform. She speaks about the intersection of domestic violence and coercive control, highlighting the dangers survivors face even after leaving abusive relationships. Through her work, she has helped shift the conversation to include emotional and psychological abuse as critical components of domestic violence.

Leslie Morgan Steiner – Giving a Voice to Survivors

Author and advocate Leslie Morgan Steiner uses her story of surviving an abusive relationship to educate others about the warning signs of domestic violence. Her TED Talk, Why Domestic Violence Victims Don’t Leave, has reached millions worldwide, encouraging people to better understand the complexities of abusive relationships.

Women Who Pioneered the Domestic Violence Movement

Dr. Toby Myers -“Godmother” of the Domestic Violence Movement in Texas

Dr. Toby Myers used her experience as a survivor to become a lifelong advocate for women.  She is a founding member of the Houston Area Women’s Center, often waking her 3 children in the middle of the night to go unlock the house used as the first HAWC shelter for a woman and her children.  She is a founding member of the Texas Council on Family Violence, realizing bringing people together to advocate is the best way to be heard.  She helped create AVDA and started The Pivot Project which has turned into one of the most successful and respected battering intervention programs in Texas.  She has served, mentored, and guided the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council from day one.  She is the longest tenured Board member of HCDVCC and continues to be active in several HCDVCC committees.   Her passion and dedication to women is a bright light in this often-dreary world.  She is the guiding star to so many. 

Ellen Pence – Transforming the Justice System

Ellen Pence was a leader in changing how the justice system responds to domestic violence. As a co-founder of the Duluth Model, she helped develop the widely used Power and Control Wheel, which illustrates the tactics abusers use to maintain control. Her work has influenced domestic violence intervention programs across the world.

Tiloma Jayasinghe – A Global Advocate for Women’s Rights

Tiloma Jayasinghe has dedicated her career to advocating for survivors on a global scale. As a former leader of Sakhi for South Asian Women, she has worked to provide culturally specific domestic violence services, ensuring that women from immigrant and marginalized communities receive the support they need.

Estér King – A Champion for Policy Reform

Estér King helped shape legislative policies that protect survivors from housing discrimination. Thanks to her advocacy, laws have been enacted to ensure that survivors of domestic violence cannot be evicted simply for experiencing abuse in their homes. Her work has provided stability and security to countless survivors seeking to rebuild their lives.

The Legacy of These Trailblazers

The women highlighted above, along with countless others, have changed the landscape of domestic violence advocacy. From legal reforms to public awareness campaigns, they have fought to make the world safer for survivors. Their contributions continue to inspire new generations of advocates, ensuring that the fight for safety, justice, and empowerment carries on.

As we honor Women’s History Month, let us recognize the courage of survivors and the relentless work of those who have dedicated their lives to ending domestic violence. Their legacy is a reminder that change is possible, and every voice matters in the fight against abuse.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for support.

Categories
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

teen female looking at phone, stressed with the title of the article on the side (Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: What to Look For & How to Help).
teen female looking at phone, stressed with the title of the article on the side (Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: What to Look For & How to Help).

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: What to Look For & How to Help

Teen relationships should be fun, safe, and built on mutual respect. But for too many teens, dating turns into something dangerous—something that hurts instead of uplifts. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on an issue that affects 1 in 3 teens in the U.S. If you’re in an unhealthy relationship, know someone who is, or just want to be prepared to support a friend, keep reading.

Spotting the Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

Teen dating violence isn’t just physical. It can be emotional, psychological, digital, sexual, or financial abuse. The person being abused may not even realize what’s happening at first. Here’s what to look for:

  • Extreme jealousy or possessiveness – A partner who constantly checks your phone, gets mad if you talk to others, or accuses you of cheating without reason.
  • Controlling behavior – They tell you who you can and can’t hang out with, what to wear, or how to act.
  • Love bombing, then withdrawal – At first, they’re over-the-top sweet, texting nonstop, giving gifts, making big promises. Then they pull away, punish you with silence, or make you feel like you’re “too much.”
  • Embarrassing or humiliating you – Making fun of you in front of others, calling you names, or spreading rumors.
  • Threats or intimidation – Saying they’ll hurt themselves if you leave, threatening to ruin your reputation, or using fear to control you.
  • Physical harm – Pushing, hitting, throwing things, or any kind of physical violence—even just once.
  • Digital abuse – Hacking into your accounts, demanding passwords, sending unwanted explicit photos, or tracking your location.

Red Flags That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

🚩 They rush the relationship and say things like, “I’ve never felt this way before” within days or weeks.
🚩 You feel like you have to walk on eggshells around them.
🚩 They pressure you into things you’re uncomfortable with—whether it’s sex, drugs, or skipping school.
🚩 They make you doubt yourself—gaslighting you into thinking you’re overreacting or imagining things.
🚩 They isolate you from your family and friends, making you dependent on them.
🚩 You feel afraid to leave because you don’t know what they’ll do.

How to Help a Friend in an Abusive Relationship

If you notice a friend pulling away, acting different, or making excuses for their partner’s toxic behavior, they may be in an abusive relationship. It’s not always easy to get through to them, but here’s what you can do:

  • Believe them. If they open up, listen without judgment. Don’t minimize their experience by saying, “It’s probably not that bad.”
  • Avoid blaming them. They may not leave right away, and that’s okay. Instead of, “Why don’t you just break up?” try, “I’m here whenever you need me.”
  • Help them see the signs. Gently point out concerning behaviors. “I’ve noticed your partner always checks your phone. Does that make you uncomfortable?”
  • Stay connected. Abusers isolate their victims. Keep inviting your friend to hang out and check in often.
  • Offer a way out. Help them make a safety plan (more on that below) or offer to go with them to talk to a trusted adult.

Getting Out of an Abusive Relationship

Leaving isn’t easy, especially when emotions are involved. But safety comes first. Here’s how to make an exit plan:

✅ Talk to someone you trust – A parent, school counselor, teacher, coach, or friend. You don’t have to do this alone.
✅ Plan your breakup in a safe place – If you’re afraid of their reaction, break up in a public place or over text. Do not meet alone.
✅ Block them on social media and your phone – This prevents them from harassing or manipulating you after the breakup.
✅ Gather evidence – If they’ve been threatening or abusive over text, save screenshots. You may need them later.
✅ Know your escape route – If they show up at your school or house, have a plan on where you’ll go and who you’ll call.
✅ Get professional help – Love Is Respect (866-331-9474) and The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233) have 24/7 support.

You’re Not Alone – Support Is Out There

No one deserves to feel unsafe in a relationship. If you or someone you know is experiencing dating violence, help is available:

💜 Love Is Respect – Call 866-331-9474 or text “LOVEIS” to 22522 for confidential support.
💜 National Domestic Violence Hotline – 800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.
💜 Talk to a trusted adult – A teacher, coach, school counselor, or family member can help you navigate your next steps.

Dating should feel exciting, safe, and uplifting—never scary or suffocating. If something doesn’t feel right, trust yourself. Help is always available, and you deserve better.

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Texas Council on Family Violence 89th Legislative Agenda


May 6


@

12:17 pm

Free

Thecia Jenkins

United Way of Greater Houston

50 Waugh Street

Houston,

TX

United States

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