Help Me Grow Texas
Help Me Grow Texas: Connecting Families to Community Services
In 2019, Texas began implementing the Help Me Grow (HMG) System Model. The model helps states and communities leverage existing resources. The model is made up of four core components that work together to promote optimal child development.
With the model, communities can:
- Identify vulnerable children;
- Link families to community-based services; and
- Empower families to support their child’s optimal development.
The Maternal and Child Health Unit at DSHS leads HMG Texas. We provide administrative oversight, technical assistance, and guidance for HMG Texas as it evolves. Our mission is to help build statewide early childhood systems so communities can support the optimal health, development, and well-being of Texas children.
We want all Texas children to have access to care that is:
- Child-focused;
- Family-driven;
- Community-based;
- Culturally grounded; and
- Sustainable.
To learn more about the program, download the Help Me Grow handout (PDF).
Child Health Providers in Help Me Grow (HMG) Texas Communities
Child health providers are uniquely positioned to identify children at risk for developmental delay or behavioral problems. They play an important role in working with families to track children's development. Thus, HMG staff members conduct targeted outreach with providers through office-based education, trainings, and workshops. From there, they can educate and motivate providers in establishing developmental surveillance and screening and using HMG in their work.
HMG Texas affiliates are looking for Physician Champions to serve as a key role in developing a HMG system. The Physician Champion takes on the following duties:
- Attend outreach trainings at doctors’ offices as available;
- Market HMG to physician community to bridge sector gap; and
- Promote developmental screening and referrals.
If you are interested in learning more about how to get involved as a child health provider with a HMG Texas affiliate near you, please complete the interest form here.
Parents, Families, and Caregivers in Help Me Grow (HMG) Texas Communities
All children benefit from an organized community resources system to help them thrive. A community resources system can include health care, quality early learning experiences, healthy nutrition, and parent support. However, a disorganized system can be difficult for families to access resources for their children. It can also be challenging for service providers to connect families to needed support.
Therefore, families benefit as HMG listens to them, links them to services, and provides ongoing support. HMG is available to all children ages 0-8, including those whose families may have concerns or want to learn more about their child’s development.
If interested in being a family voice for HMG, please complete the interest form by clicking here. We will connect you with the nearest HMG Texas affiliate to talk more about how you can get involved in your community.
Help Me Grow Texas At-A-Glance
(September 1, 2020 – August 31, 2022):
- HMG Texas served 11,641 families through activities conducted by HMG Centralized Access Points intended to support development promotion, early identification, referral and linkage, inclusive of basic needs and family supports; and
- HMG Texas communities conducted 6,039 developmental screeners through HMG-led events, activities, or Centralized Access Points.
HMG Texas Affiliates:
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HMG Bastrop County Lead Organization: Contact information: Counties served: |
Bastrop County Cares Christopher Lott, Director, Early Childhood Programs, chris@bastropcares.org, 512-985-4403 Bastrop |
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HMG East Texas Lead Organization: Contact information: Counties served: |
Champions for Children Andria Horton, Executive Director, Andria@championsforchildren.org, 903-592-1454 Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rusk, Smith |
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HMG El Paso Lead Organization: Contact information: Counties served: |
Paso del Norte Children's Development Center Gilda Gil, Chief Operating Officer, gilda.gil@pdnchildrens.org, 915-544-8484 ext. 163 El Paso |
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HMG Greater Austin Lead Organization: Contact information: Counties served: |
United Way for Greater Austin
Catherine Ciano, Healthy Beginnings Director, catherine.ciano@uwatx.org, 737-225-3439 Travis, Williamson |
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HMG Greater Houston Lead Organization: Contact information: Counties served: |
First3Years Alexandra Mylius, Director of Community Systems, amylius@first3yearstx.org, 214- 404-9448 Harris |
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HMG North Texas Lead Organization: Contact information: Counties served: |
My Health My Resource of Tarrant County Stephanie Norton, Regional Director, stephanie.norton@mhmrtc.org, 817-992-8962 Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Fannin, Grayson, Hood, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, Wise |
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HMG Bexar County Lead Organization: Contact information: Counties served: |
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County Audrey Rost, Director, Grants and Ready Children Impact Council, arost@unitedwaysatx.org, 210-352-7093 Bexar |
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HMG Rio Grande Valley Lead Organization: Contact information: Counties served: |
Easterseals Rio Grande Valley Pattie Rosenlund, Executive Director, prosenlund@easterseals-rgv.org, 956-631-9171 Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy |
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HMG Wichita County Lead Organization: Contact information: Counties served: |
North Texas Area United Way Carol Marlar, Chief Executive Officer, cmarlar@ntauw.org, 940-322-8638 Archer, Clay, Wichita |
Help Me Grow Texas Map:
Download FY23-HMG-Texas-Map
Contact Us
Please contact us at HMGTexas@dshs.texas.gov if you have questions.
More Information
Find more information about Help Me Grow at helpmegrownational.org.
External links are informational. DSHS does not endorse these sites. External links may not be accessible to persons with disabilities.