Community Spotlight Series

At the Center for Child Protection, we are deeply committed to ending the cycle of child abuse through advocacy, education, and community support. This year, our Community Spotlight Series, open to the Child Protective Team (CPT) and our staff members, have united organizations that share our vision, enhancing our efforts to Protect Austin Kids™. These partnerships provide valuable resources, enrich our services, and amplify our impact on the children and families that we serve.

The Importance of Community Spotlight Series

Community Spotlight Series highlight and connect us with local organizations that complement our mission. These series update our staff on the latest resources, enable comprehensive support for families, and strengthen advocacy through collaboration. Julia Cabin, our Community Outreach Manager, plays a crucial role in fostering these partnerships.

With her background at Child Protective Services, Julia encountered long lists of organizations offering resources that often lacked depth and explanation. At the Center, she found it challenging to convey the full extent of these services to our staff. To address this, Julia now meets with each organization to determine if they are a good fit for our vulnerable population. They are then invited to one of our monthly Spotlight presentations or the Family Resource Festival we hold annually each fall.

The goal of the Community Spotlight series is for organizations to share their resources with a captive audience, ensuring that the information is effectively communicated and utilized. These series allow our clinical staff, who have intimate knowledge of our clients’ needs, to ask specific questions and obtain detailed information that a generic resource list cannot provide. This direct interaction helps us tailor our support to meet the unique needs of each family we serve.

Partner Organizations in 2024

• January: Jeremiah Program disrupts the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children through education and economic mobility, helping their clients pursue higher education and secure affordable childcare.
• February: Dell Children’s Health Plan provides essential healthcare coverage for pregnant mothers, newborns, and children, assisting with Medicaid and other applications to ensure their clients receive necessary healthcare.
• March: Asian Family Support Services of Austin (AFSSA) offers free, confidential services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking in 39 languages, with specialized services for immigrant communities.
• April: Catholic Charities Central Texas (CCCTX) supports young parents, immigrants, refugees, and veterans with a wide range of services, providing a critical resource network for their clients.
• May: CapMetro enhances regional connectivity to improve access to our services, making it easier for families to receive support.
• June: Austin Public Library introduces an enhanced library card with a photo and offering engaging summer programs, providing educational opportunities and support for children.

Feedback from our clinical staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Our Family Advocates, who are a cornerstone of support for families seeking our help, have found the Community Spotlights invaluable for connecting our clients to the right resources.

Moving Forward Together

At the Center for Child Protection, community support is crucial to our goal of protecting and empowering not only the children we serve but their entire families. Our Community Spotlight Series demonstrate the power of collaboration and the impact we can achieve together. As we continue these series, we remain dedicated to creating a safer, healthier future for all children in our community.

If you’re a local Austin organization and believe your services could make a positive impact on the Center’s children, families, and Child Protection Team, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to Julia Cabin at jcabin@centerforchildprotection.org.