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Each month, PEI shares a variety of information for professionals, families, parents and children to support strong and thriving families.
For more information about PEI and its programs visit us online.
 The Department of Family and Protective Services recently published its Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR). In this request DFPS is leaning into its commitment to improving the safety and wellbeing of Texas Families by putting forward an exceptional item to expand the supports and services offered through the Prevention and Community Well-Being Division. This exceptional item is the largest put forward by the Department, with a biennium investment totaling over $90,000,000.
Within this exceptional item, the Department is requesting that lawmakers:
- Expand existing prevention programming (Community Youth Development, Family and Youth Success, Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support, Texas Home Visiting, and Nurse Family Partnership programming)
- Invest in primary prevention strategies with a biennium investment totaling over $87,000,000, and
- To expand Faith-Based Community Engagement supports by over $2,000,000.
We know our lawmakers always have hard decisions of what to appropriate during each legislative session, but as a division we are excited that supporting Texas children, youth, and families before there is a crisis continues to be a priority for our agency.
 Family and Youth Success Request for Applications (RFA)
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Prevention and Early Intervention Division seeks applications from qualified entities within the state of Texas to provide Family and Youth Success Program services (FAYS).
FAYS promotes strong families and youth resilience. This RFA will fund local programs to increase protective factors in families and communities. View application information and apply by October 6, 2022.
 Baby Safety Month
September is Baby Safety Month, and Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week is from September 18th to 24th.
While baby safety is important year-round, for the month of September, we encourage you to promote baby safety practices and education with your networks. We've put together this toolkit with social media posts, resources, and graphics to help raise awareness about the importance of baby safety.
Included in this toolkit:
- Messages to use in promoting baby safety;
- Baby safety resources; and
- Sample baby safety imagery to share and post.
The messages and links in the toolkit can be used as is or they can be customized in any way that works best for the month or year round in your community by directing to your prevention program’s information.
Thank you for continuing to support the children and families that live, work, and play in your communities!
Suicide Prevention Month
 September is National Suicide Prevention Month. While mental health and suicide awareness is important year-round, for the month of September, we encourage you to promote suicide prevention and education with your networks. With the help of Texas Health and Human Services, we've put together this toolkit with social media posts, resources, and graphics to help raise awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.
Included in this toolkit:
- Messages to use in promoting mental health and suicide awareness;
- Mental health and suicide resources; and
- Sample mental health and suicide awareness imagery to share and post.
The messages and links in the toolkit can be used as is or they can be customized in any way that works best for the month or year round in your community by directing to your prevention program’s information.
Thank you for continuing to support the children and families that live, work, and play in your communities!
 
Early Childhood Data Survey - Your Input is Valuable!
Grantees are invited to complete a 10-minute survey regarding your thoughts on a potential Early Childhood Integrated Data System (ECIDS) in Texas.
The need: Early childhood services currently span multiple state agencies and programs, and many states are pursuing ECIDS to merge data across agencies. An ECIDS can help states to integrate, layer, or combine data across programs that serve young children to support cross-program collaboration and data-driven decision-making.
Your responses will help inform the Texas Early Childhood Integrated Data System Roadmap that will be published in 2023. The roadmap will include background information, an overview of the current early childhood landscape and existing data systems, and recommended policy questions and use cases to guide the development of an ECIDS if the state decides to pursue one.
Please complete the survey by September 16th.
Questions? Contact Chelsea Moore.
 Learning to Listen: Conversations for Change
Join Geoffrey Canada, Founder of the Harlem Children's Zone and leading advocate for children and an innovator in the field of education as he shares what he is learning with children, parents, and teachers about the many ways in which the pandemic continues to disrupt children's learning, development, and wellbeing, and his call to action - for all of us.
Registration is free and includes live Spanish language translation. Certificates of attendance are available.
Resources for Practitioners, Teens, and Parents
Working with Parents with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities? Check out these two QuickLearn Videos!
“Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner’s Guide” is designed to help health care professionals quickly identify youth at risk for alcohol-related problems. NIAAA developed the Guide and Pocket Guide in collaboration with a team of underage drinking researchers and clinical specialists and practicing health care professionals.
Need materials and handouts for parents and teens about...everything? Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) resource store to download flyers and fact sheets about diseases, drug and alcohol misuse, and more. Visit the SAMHSA Store.
 When it's more than just being sad.
If you're concerned your child may be struggling with a mental health condition, you're not alone. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 6 children age 6–17 experiences a mental health disorder each year. Here's some resources to talk to and work with your child about depression and thoughts of self-harm.
Texas Parenting Helpline
If you need answers to parenting questions or even something more, our team is standing by 24/7 to help you with any parenting challenge, big or small. We provide free information and referrals to counseling and thousands of other local services in communities across Texas to help you deal with the many challenges of parenting. Or, maybe, you just need someone to talk to!
833-680-0611
- We promise to listen and not judge.
- We can help brainstorm solutions and, if needed, connect you with resources that can help you take the next step.
- Most referrals are to low or no cost services in your local Texas community.
Texas Youth Helpline
It's hard for parents and children to ask for help and support. The Texas Youth Helpline is available 24/7 for parents and children to talk about what they need in times of stress, depression and crisis.
You don't need a parent to make the call.
Parents can make the call with their child.
If the situation is life-threatening, don't wait: Call 9-1-1.
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