Every year, Travis County receives more than 10,000 reports of abuse and neglect. This daunting reality is what drives Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers to the front line, fighting the war on child abuse and taking every measure necessary to ensure a child’s safety. Often times, this means removing children from their homes with nothing but the shirts on their backs. Because there is no state funding for basic necessities for children in transition, caseworkers are forced to locate supplies for the children rather than spending beneficial time with the families.

Bridging the gap between limited government resources and the critical needs of Austin area children, Partnerships for Children enables the caseworker to provide a few things for the child, such as pajamas, a toothbrush, clothing and a comforting teddy bear. These things can help to make each child feel loved, cared for and safe, making a scary situation a little easier.

Under the leadership of new Executive Director, Deborah Risovi, Partnerships for Children is working towards strong healthy communities that have the will and the resources to embrace and support families and their children—and keep them safe.

“I am in a unique position where I am directly involved on the county end as chair of the Travis County Child Protective Services Board, as well as the individual caseworkers as Executive Director of Partnerships for Children,” says Deborah, “so I’m able to hear caseworkers’ stories and needs first hand.”

Partnerships for Children is privately funded, depending on the support of grants from foundations and trusts, local churches and the generosity of individuals who want to help enhance the many programs that serve both caseworkers and children on an ongoing basis. There are countless ways to get involved, each with a personal and lasting impact on a local child in need. Here are just a few!

Rainbow Room
The Rainbow Room is a resource center located within the CPS offices, where Coordinator, Brenda Jones, distributes new essential items such as clothing, formula, diapers and hygiene supplies – things we often take for granted -- to victims of abuse and neglect. The Rainbow Room also provides necessary items to extended family members when they suddenly find themselves parenting, such as space heaters, car seats and beds. CPS caseworkers have access to the Rainbow Room 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Holiday Wishes
Many Travis County children have never known the thrill and anticipation of the Christmas holiday and the excitement that Christmas morning brings. The Holiday Wishes project is able to create Christmas memories for more than 3,500 children served by CPS through the generosity and support of our community.

Adopt-A-Caseworker
Adopt-A-Caseworker is a volunteer project, which helps to connect CPS caseworkers with community groups. The adopting group provides emotional support to the caseworkers, along with establishing a fund for the families and children on their caseload to provide those families with items that may not be available to them through the Rainbow Room on a regular basis. Providing help with some of these needs help our caseworkers establish a better relationship with parents, which encourages them to work on their parenting skills, child safety, and self-sufficiency.

Change for Change This philanthropic event encourages children to get involved in their community by saving their change to support Partnerships for Children. Elementary Schools across the city participate in this month long change drive, which culminates in an event at the Austin Children’s Museum where children will receive the total they raised and will be able to see what they were able to buy for the children we serve. This helps them to understand the significance of the change they raised and how it will impact abused and neglected children in our community.

PAL Support Program Partnerships for Children believes very strongly in preparing children that are about to age out of state care for life “without a net.” The Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) programs help ensure that these children have the best chance of success in their lives and the least chance of perpetuating the cycle of abuse. Partnerships for Children: Giving a hand to children and those who protect them

Making a difference is easy! Take a moment to find a few items from the Partnerships for Children wish list of items that are especially needed.

Wish list:

• Boys & girls infant clothing

• Developmental toys for children

• Bilingual books & games

• Dolls of all ethnic origin

• Teenage boys & girls clothing

• Boys & girls summer clothes

• Coloring or activity books & crayons

• Teen jewelry (silver), purses

• Boy's watches and cologne

• Twin Sheet Sets

• Hairbrushes

• Canned goods and dry foods

• Summer Camp Scolarships

• Little League Uniforms