Community Service
Henderson County Child Advocacy Agencies
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
1104 E. Tyler St.
P.O. Box 2259
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 675-7070
Casa helps protect abandoned, abused, and neglected children. CASA consists of trained volunteers who donate their time to help the court system determine what is best for children who have come under the court's care.
East Texas Crisis Center
218 S. Palestine
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 675-2137
ETCC offers free services including: 24-hour hotline, support groups, individual counseling, shelter, assistance with family protective orders, and assistance with crime victims compensation.
Child Protective Services
115 S. Murchison
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 675-5631
http://www.dfs.state.tx.us/child_protection
CPS investigates reports of abuse and neglect of children. It also provides services to children and families in their own homes, contracts with other agencies to provide clients with specialized services, places children in foster care, provides services to help youth in foster care make the transition to adulthood, and places children in adoptive homes.
Henderson County Outreach Center
105 S. Palestine
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 675-2137
The Henderson County Outreach Center offers services for battered women and children, assistance with family protective orders, and crime victim compenstaion.
Andrews Center
Henderson County Office
6901 Hwy. 19 S.
Athens, TX 75751
Local: (903) 597-1351
Toll Free: (800) 374-6058
The Andrews Center provides services designed to maintain children with severe emotional and behavioral problems in their community and reduce the risk of out-of-home placement for these children. Services include Wrap-Around Case Management, Skills Training and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Most services are provided in the family's home or in the community. Other services include Early Childhood Intervention (for infants and toddlers under the age of three), Child Development & Treatment Center (for children with mental, emotional, or behavioral problems and physical disabilities).
The Help Center
309 Royall St.
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 675-4357
The Help Center offers parenting classes (Family Forward) and support groups (Parents Anonymous) with concurrent babysitting and/or children's groups. They also offer low-cost/free counseling services, clothing, food, and other necessities for needy families, and help for pregnant teens.
Networks/S.T.A.R.
6901 S. Hwy. 19
P.O. Box 72
Athens, TX 75751
(903) 675-8541
This agency provides help for youth and families through in-home family counseling. They also provide crisis intervention, skills training in a group setting for parents and youth, and they make referrals to other community resources, as well as providing youth with emergency residential shelter. This agency is funded by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Students must be referred to Networks/S.T.A.R. by LaPoynor School personnel before these services can begin.
Hotline: East Texas Behavioral Health 24-Hour Crisis Hotline - (903) 566-0088