Regional Support

Welcome to my newsletter! My role is to collaborate with families, Austin ISD staff, and community partners to support family engagement, resource access, and learning opportunities. I connect, engage, educate, and support families throughout Austin ISD.

For more information, please email sonia.hernandez@austinisd.org or call 512-414-1700 ext. 49955

At Austin ISD, our goal is to provide learning environments where every student can thrive. As we look ahead, we are exploring potential virtual learning options to better serve our community's diverse needs.

To help us understand if this is an option our community would utilize, we would love to hear from you. Whether you are interested in virtual learning or simply have questions and thoughts to share, your feedback will help guide our planning.

How you can help: Please take 3–5 minutes to fill out our short survey to tell us if virtual learning would benefit your family:

Click Here to Take the Virtual Learning Interest Survey

Thank you for sharing your perspective and for being an essential part of the Austin ISD community.

https://austinisd.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8GSnD421bxwu1D0

https://warncentraltexas.org/

• Austin’s Emergency Information Hub https://www.austintexas.gov/alerts
• This page contains up-to-date information about winter weather, cold weather shelter activation, locations of daytime warming centers, and support for families with children. If conditions change, such as power outages, the City’s Emergency Management team will provide guidance through this webpage.

• Text message notifications from Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations – sign up at https://bit.ly/alertsatx
• Austin HSO’s text message notification system is a public information service for unhoused residents, social service providers, advocates, and caring neighbors. Cold Weather Shelter (CWS) activation announcements and other important seasonal information are sent to subscribers on an as-needed basis. Expect a flurry of messages over the next several days. Sign up at the link above.

• Open Now is a resource map for unhoused Austinites https://austintexas.gov/opennow
• Open Now helps homeless residents to find daytime warming centers, hygiene resources, navigation services, potable water, healthcare access points and more. Please note that extended daytime warming center (not to be confused with overnight cold weather shelter) hours and locations are up to date, but other services may not adhere to normal schedules during a major freeze event. I encourage folks to call ahead before transiting to a destination that could be impacted by the storm.

• Austin 311 operates a 24/7/365 hotline that also serves as an information and coordination resource during significant events like winter storms. If you or someone you know is trying to access Cold Weather Shelter after normal registration hours, please dial 311 for assistance.

• 9-1-1 should be called for medical emergencies including suspected hypothermia, frostbite, overdose, or acute withdrawal. Please do not hesitate to call for help if you know or believe someone is in immediate danger due to cold exposure or for other reasons.

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Travis County is dedicated to supporting the well-being of our community through a wide range of essential services. Discover what help may be available to you. https://www.traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services/apply-for-assistance

https://crime-stoppers.org/

Updates and to the Notice of Procedural Safeguards, Parents Guide to the ARD process and overview of Special Education for Parents.

Notice of Procedural Safeguards- : https://fw.escapps.net/Display_Portal/publications

If you know someone who may be looking for affordable housing and a welcoming community with supportive resources, we’d love to connect. Please visit www.rbjresidences.com or call 737-238-3525 for more information. Our pre-leasing application is also attached here with additional information.

Welcome to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Safe Riders Child Passenger Safety Program, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Safe Riders is a statewide child passenger safety program. We work to prevent child deaths and reduce child injuries due to motor vehicle crashes.

Child passenger safety program at Dell Children’s

Your child’s safety is your priority and ours. That’s why we created Kids in Cars at Dell Children’s Medical Center, part of Ascension Seton – a program that focuses on child passenger safety. Our goal is to help parents and caregivers protect their children by providing car seat installation services, car seat inspections and general passenger safety education. Kids in Cars supports families across Central Texas in Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties.

https://healthcare.ascension.org/locations/texas/txaus/dcmc/departments-and-services/departments/pediatric-trauma-care/kids-in-cars

• Austin Public Health (APH): Offers free seats and professional installation at the Montopolis Neighborhood Center (1200 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741). Call (512) 972-6705 to make an appointment. You must bring your car and the child. [1, 2]
• Safe Riders Child Passenger Safety Program: Located at the Texas Department of State Health Services (1100 W 49th St, Austin, TX 78756). Call (512) 834-4530 to schedule a 1-hour distribution class. [1]
• Medicaid: If you have Texas Medicaid, call your health plan's member services number. Many plans provide car seats at no cost or offer a voucher to purchase one.
• Safe Kids Austin: Check with Dell Children's Medical Center (1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd, Austin, TX 78723). They periodically host car seat check and distribution events for local families in need.

• Central Texas Food Bank - providing nutritious food during the break.

• United Way for Greater Austin - ConnectATX - information on food, housing, transportation, child care and more.

• Texas Health and Human Services - Call 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 to speak to a live operator.

• Sustainable Food Center - Food Access Programs

• The Christi Center - free information and support groups for youth and adults regarding grief and loss. Phone: 512-467-2600

• Integral Care – 24 hours support for mental health crises or by appointment. Phone: 512-472-4357

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988. If you’re struggling, it’s okay to share your feelings.

https://shpbeds.org/chapter/tx-austin/

https://www.austintexas.gov/department/shelters

COOLING CENTER & BATHROOMS

BATHROOMS ONLY

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

REC CENTERS

https://bit.ly/amasummerguide

Housing Authority Programs

Georgetown Housing Authority has open waitlists https://georgetownha.org/application.htm

501 E. Janis Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628

Phone: 512.869.6918 (call to verify)

Fax: 512.869.7348

Kyle Housing Authority has an open waitlist- application attached.

The address to return the application is listed as:

417 W Second Street, Kyle TX 78640

Phone: 512-268-7801 (call to verify)

Completed applications can be returned in-person on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.

Travis County Housing Authority https://hatctx.com/

502 East Highland Mall Boulevard, Suite 106-B, Austin TX 78752

Phone: 512-854-8245

Has open waitlists: Carson Creek, Manor Town and Manor Town II. Apply online.

HOUSING ACCESS POINTS

Access point to assistance for housing: https://entrywaytalent.org/apply/

Affordable Housing search tool: https://www.atxaffordablehousing.net/

• Austin Public Health Neighborhood Services: This program provides financial aid for past-due rent and utilities if your household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Walk-ins are not accepted; you must call the dedicated Rent & Austin Energy Assistance Line at 512-972-5780. Lines open every Monday at 8:00 AM until slots fill up for the week.







• Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC): HATC manages affordable housing vouchers, waitlists, and emergency resident relief options within Travis County limits. You can monitor open waitlists on the Housing Authority of Travis County Website or call their central office at 512-854-8245.







• Travis County Family Support / Community Centers: Travis County operates localized human services designed to prevent displacement. You can request information on emergency rental or utility deposit support by calling 512-854-9130.

Faith-Based & Regional Non-Profit Support

• St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church: Located very close to the southern end of Jollyville Road at 8134 Mesa Dr, this church operates a localized financial aid program. You can apply by calling their office at 512-345-8314.







• Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SSVdP): SSVdP provides emergency rent, utility help, and basic necessities based on localized parish boundaries. They conduct home visits to assess financial needs. You can call their main intake line at 512-251-6995 or try their alternative voucher and aid line at 512-255-2330 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 AM – 4 PM).







• Catholic Charities of Central Texas: Offers emergency rent and mortgage assistance as part of their Financial Stability Program. You must gather income and hardship documentation to complete an application. Learn more at the Catholic Charities Central Texas Financial Stability Page or call 512-651-6100.

Immediate Legal & Eviction Prevention

If your landlord has already issued a non-payment or eviction notice, contact these free legal resources immediately:

• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA): Provides free eviction counseling and legal defense for low-income tenants. Call 512-374-2700 or visit TRLA.
• Volunteer Legal Services (VLS): Connects eligible tenants facing housing instability with pro-bono attorneys. Check resources at Volunteer Legal Services.

Most programs will require you to provide specific evidence before approving aid. It is highly recommended to gather these ahead of time:

• A copy of your current signed lease agreement.
• A past-due notice or rent ledger from your landlord showing the exact balance.
• Proof of household income for the last 30 days (paystubs, child support statements, or an SSI/SSD letter).
• Photo IDs for all adults in the household.

https://www.streetyouthministry.org/help

Treatment Programs

To schedule a level of care assessment at Austin Oaks Hospital, please complete the online scheduling form.

Once your assessment is set, you will receive confirmation via email. You will also get a reminder email within 24 hours before your appointment.

In case of a mental health crisis, CALL 988 or seek the nearest emergency room.

For physical health emergencies, CALL 911 or seek the nearest emergency room.

If you need to reach us immediately, call us at 512-610-1492.

Licensed mental health professionals are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you or your loved one.

For additional questions, please call us at 512-610-1492.

Available 24/7

• Free and confidential
• Connects callers to a trained crisis counselor
• You can call, text, or chat online
• For TTY, you can use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988
• For veterans, press 1

For immediate mental health crisis support, call us 24/7 at 512-472-4357. Press 1 for English, then Option 1.

Call to 512-472-4357

We support adults and children living with mental illness, substance use disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities in Travis County. Our services include a 24-hour helpline for anyone who needs immediate support, ongoing counseling to improve mental health, drug and alcohol treatment to help with recovery, and housing to regain health and independence. Integral Care helps provide a strong foundation for well-being.

If you or someone you know is considering self-harm (suicide) or harm to others, please get help immediately at any of the following 24/7 crisis hotlines:

• 911 locally; Anywhere in the US: 988
• Text START to 741-741
• Chat Crisis 988lifeline.org/chat/
• Austin/Travis County: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• Williamson, Bastrop, Caldwell Counties: 1-800-841-1255
• Hays, Blanco, South Counties: 1-877-466-0660

Home - Christi Center

https://www.austinisd.org/enroll

If you need any help you can contact the familysupport@austinisd.org for a school near you.

Become a volunteer or mentor in any schools of your choice by registering in the link below. Come and be part of our students success.

Join your school PTA and make a change.

https://www.austincouncilpta.org/

We would like to thank all the community for their support. If you would like to make a donation to the Community Love HUB please reach out to sonia.hernandez@austinisd.org