Madrina-Padrino Public Safety Project
Local Partners: San Antonio, Texas
Introduction
HAPCOA national staff conducted research followed by a site visit to San Antonio, Texas (April 13-14, 2004) to consider law enforcement organizations (LEOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) with whom to partner in order to implement the Madrina-Padrino Public Safety Project (MPPSP). After careful consideration, the Project selected the following partners: Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Avance Family Support and Education Programs, San Antonio Chapter; Edgewood Independent School District (EISD); and Healthy Families San Antonio (HFSA).
Geographic Region
Although the Hispanic/Latino community spans the entire city of San Antonio, the Project will focus on the westside, specifically the area bounded by the Edgewood Independent School District, which serves an almost entirely Hispanic population. This geographic area allows the selected CBOs and a select group of recently arrived immigrants to carry the Project's messages within and well beyond the school district's borders to targeted audiences and stakeholders and, indirectly, to the wider Hispanic/Latino community.
Individual Work of the LEO and CBOs
- Bexar County Sheriff's Office
Bexar County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) has served the citizens of Bexar County since 1731. Its goal is to "provide the community with unparalleled service and dedication to duty." To achieve that goal, BCSO operates seven divisions under the leadership of Sheriff Ralph Lopez. Each division, from court security and patrol to criminal investigation and judicial services, is headed by a deputy chief who reports directly to the Sheriff. BCSO also offers information on anti-terrorism resources, emergency preparedness and crime prevention. Its user-friendly website provides citizens easy access to crime statistics, central records (to obtain costs associated with incident, accident or other reports), most wanted offenders, and missing persons.
- Edgewood Independent School District
The Edgewood Independent School District (EISD) serves a student population that is approximately 98% Hispanic and 95% of which is economically disadvantaged. EISD has 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools and 2 additional secondary schools. It offers a wide range of interrelated programs for students and parents: Parental Involvement Network; Bilingual/ESL Department; and the Family, School, Community Partnership. Its extensive capacity and resources, and those of established, viable organizations with whom it is associated, make EISD an ideal location to implement the Project's goals and objectives.
- Healthy Families San Antonio
For more than three decades, and through various organizational configurations, Healthy Families San Antonio continues to fulfill its mission to "stop child abuse before it begins through community education and services that help strengthen families." This is accomplished through community education (e.g., parenting education and child safety seat training), professional education through the Child Abuse Training Network, and outreach via their Speakers' Bureau and health and agency fairs. Also provided are intensive family support services that include home visitation, group activities and case management. HFSA serves primarily Hispanic females (88%) with children between the ages of 0 to 5. Their average age of the females served is 19, their average education level is 10th grade, and they live 125% below the poverty level. HFSA's focus on young Hispanic mothers provides an excellent opportunity to educate them and their children on public safety issues.
- Avance Family Support and Education Programs, San Antonio Chapter
Avance Family Support and Education Programs, San Antonio Chapter, begins with the premise that individuals can dramatically change their own lives if provided the necessary education and encouragement. Through its multifaceted programs, Avance-San Antonio provides such educational support to low-income families with children from 0-3 years old. Their programs enhance parenting skills, foster the personal and economic success of parents, help children reach their potential as learners, and provide literacy training for parents. Programming includes Parent-Child Education Program Services, and GED, ESL, computer and college classes. Comprehensive support services include free childcare while attending the program; access to medical services, community resources and housing; and transportation to and from centers.
Benefits of Community Partnership
Although not a formal coalition, the three selected organizations have extensive experience in working jointly on various projects that strengthen the families of San Antonio. Each organization brings a specific community focus and clientele to the Project, in addition to a vast pool of human and material resources. As a result of the established relationships among the organizations selected for the MPPSP, the community will benefit from enhanced levels of cooperation, partnering and outcomes. In addition, long-term trust, credibility and immediate name recognition within the community will extend well beyond EISD's borders into the greater Bexar County area.
For more information regarding the Madrina-Padrino Public Safety Project,
contact Catalina Bartlett, Project Manager, at Bartlett@hapcoa.org.