Follow Family to get its updates in your weekly digest.
Right now81°F Clear89%
Families in Houston
Parents, educators, youth workers, and neighbors — the people raising Houston's next generation are building networks of support across every part of our city.
Learn something newGuides, stories, and explainersFind resourcesServices and programsGet involvedWays to take part
Resources
8
Events
3
Organizations
400
New to Family? Start here.
AdoptionAdoption, foster-to-adopt, and support for grandparents raising grandchildren. Building families in every form.After School ProgramsWhat kids do between 3pm and 6pm matters. The afterschool programs keeping them safe, learning, and connected.Arts EducationDrawing, music, theater, dance — the programs that build creativity, confidence, and community in young people.
Explore Family
Areas to explore
Focus areas organize the resources, events, organizations, guides, and decisions in this pathway. Start with a major area, or search for something specific.
Military FamiliesService members, veterans, and their families. The programs that address the unique challenges of military life.
High SchoolArts EducationDrawing, music, theater, dance — the programs that build creativity, confidence, and community in young people.Special Needs ChildrenIEPs, therapy, adaptive programs, and the services available to children with special needs and their families.After School ProgramsWhat kids do between 3pm and 6pm matters. The afterschool programs keeping them safe, learning, and connected.Higher EducationUniversities, community colleges, trade schools, and the pathways to degrees and credentials in the Houston region.K-12 EducationFrom kindergarten through high school — the schools, programs, and policies shaping 900,000 kids across Harris County. Test scores tell one story. Families tell another.Scholarships & Financial AidScholarships, grants, FAFSA help, and the financial aid that makes education possible for families who can't write a tuition check.Show up this week
30Sep
Federal Grants: Department of Education — $119.8M to Harris County (FY2025)Department of Education
49%
3rd graders reading at grade level (Texas STAAR)
Source: Texas Education Agency, Spring 2025 STAAR grades 3-8 results (statewide)
$11,349
Infant child care cost, center-based (Texas)
Source: Child Care Aware of America, Child Care in America: 2024 Price & Supply Report — Texas fact sheet
28%
Children in single-parent households
Source: American Community Survey 5-Year (2020-2024) via Houston State of Health, Harris County
16%
Children without health insurance
Source: U.S. Census Bureau / American Community Survey (ACS)
The bigger picture
Family doesn't exist in a vacuum. Everything is connected.
In their own words
Gentrification is not a theory here. It is my neighbor getting an eviction notice.
Community reportsHouston
New lofts going up on Navigation. $2,200 a month. Median income here is $24K.
Community reportsHouston
My landlord sold to a developer. I have 60 days.
Community reportsHouston
We are the last original family on our block. Everyone else got priced out.
Community reportsHouston
They call Second Ward up-and-coming. Coming for who?
Community reportsHouston
My rent went from $1,100 to $1,650 in one year. Same unit, same leaky faucet.
Community reportsHouston
Decide & do
Policies being decided
What city hall, the county, and the state are weighing on this — and how to weigh in.
01Request for approval to renew an interlocal agreement with Sheldon Independent School District for one Youth Service Specialist for the period of September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027 and for Sheldon Independent School District to reimburse the County an annual standard fee of $45,469.policyHarris County Commissioners Court02Request for approval for Barbarians Rugby Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to hold the Youth Rugby Summer 7’s Tournament at George Bush Park, including on-site vendors.policyHarris County Commissioners Court03Request for approval of an interlocal renewal option with Harris County Resources for Children and Adults for youth services specialist for the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program for the period of October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2027, at a cost of $44,654, Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Interlocal/Cooperative Agreement.policyHarris County Commissioners Court04Request for approval to renew an interlocal agreement with Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) for five Youth Service Specialists for the period of July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 and for SBISD to reimburse the County an annual standard fee of $45,469 per position.policyHarris County Commissioners Court05Request for approval to renew an Interlocal Agreement with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District for eight Youth Service Specialists for the period of July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 and the District will reimburse the County an annual standard fee of $45,469 per Youth Service Specialist which represents one-half of the total personnel and mileage cost for each position.policyHarris County Commissioners Court06Request for approval to renew an Interlocal Agreement with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District for two Youth Service Specialists for the period of July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 and the District will reimburse the County an annual standard fee of $45,469 per Youth Service Specialist which represents one-half of the total personnel and mileage cost for each position.policyHarris County Commissioners Court07Request for approval to purchase gift cards in an amount up to $6,000 using donated funds from Harris Resources Foundation for youth related basic needs support and youth engagement activities for Youth Services Division programs.policyHarris County Commissioners Court08Request that the County Judge execute a settlement agreement between Harris County and YMCA of Greater Houston as a result of previously rendered services for the YMCA of Greater Houston's Youth Summer Program, at a cost to the County not to exceed $49,874.50.policyHarris County Commissioners Court09Request for approval of an interlocal renewal option with Harris County Resources for Children and Adults for Youth Services Specialist (YSS) positions by HC-JPD for assignment to the Juvenile Opportunity Center for the period of September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2027, at a cost of $45,469, Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: Exempt - Interlocal/Cooperative Agreement.policyHarris County Commissioners Court10Request for approval of eight (8) amendments to agreements funded by Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funds to update the Scope of Services, budget, and Federal Award Identification Table with 1) Family Endeavors, Inc. for Endeavors Emergency Service Grant; 2) SEARCH Homeless Services for SEARCH Rapid Re-Housing; 3) Beacon of Downtown Houston for Shelter Operations; 4) Covenant House Texas for Street Outreach Program for Homeless Youth/Young Adults; 5) HTX H.O.P.E. Haven for Street Outreach; 6) The Salvation Army for Jones Family Residence - Emergency Shelter; 7) The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. for Emergency Housing Project; and 8) Houston Area Women’s Center for Emergency Shelter for Survivors.policyHarris County Commissioners Court
Explore more
Services, programs, and benefits offered for this pathway.
service
Peer Support Groups – the Montrose Center
Free LGBTQIA+ peer support groups for youth ages 7–24, led by Hatch staff and trained volunteers at the Montrose Center.
Montrosecenter
service
Youth Diversion & Development
Harris County program providing community supervision, counseling, mentoring, and rehabilitative services for justice-involved youth and their families.
Hcjpd
program
Hatch Youth – the Montrose Center
Free peer support groups for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults ages 7–24 in Houston, offering mentorship, education, and community.
Montrosecenter
program
Before and After School Care
Houston YMCA offers before and after school care in local schools, with homework help, STEM, enrichment, and physical play.
Houston YMCA
program
AVANCE Houston: Early Learning and Parent Education Programs
AVANCE Houston helps parents become their children's first teachers through early learning programs and family education classes.
AVANCE Houston
program
Mentor2.0 - Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star
Match with a Houston-area high school student to help them build confidence and plan for their future through weekly contact.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star