Kerr Child Services Board Honored by SJRC Texas

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The Kerr County Child Services Board has been honored by SJRC Texas for its devotion to and positive impact on the lives of children. The board falls under the direction of the Kerr County Commissioners’ Court and funding is from several sources, including the county, donations of jury fees and grants from nonprofits and churches.

          The award was presented during the SJRC Texas Gratitude Gala held May 11 at the McCombs Center Rosenberg Skyroom at The University of Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Also honored was another Kerrville institution -- Hill Country CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which advocates for children in Kerr, Kendall, Gillespie and Bandera Counties. Two other honorees were Valero Energy and the GVTC Foundation.

          “The Kerr County Child Services Board does a great job supporting children and families involved in the child welfare system,” said SJRC Texas’ chief executive officer, Tara Roussett. “Their dedication to ensuring children remain safely in their homes when possible is demonstrated by their willingness to provide bedding, clothing and other items to support caregivers and children.”

          “In addition, their collaboration with SJRC Texas|Belong and Hill Country CASA has allowed Kerr County to develop a trauma-informed space for children to have visits with their parents in an effort to maintain family connections and be able to place children safely back in their home of origin or with kinship caregivers, whenever possible,” Roussett said.

“The mission of the Kerr County Child Services Board is to meet the critical needs of abused and neglected children through local education, collaboration and provision of emergency resources” said Kellie Early, president of the Kerr County Child Services Board, who accepted the award on behalf of the nonprofit. “By building partnerships with community volunteers, local government and other agencies, KCCSB increases community awareness of child abuse and helps children grow up to be healthy and productive adults.”

          In addition to Early as president, Kerr County Child Services Board’s secretary, Jody Grinstead, and member, Brenda Hug, attended the gala. The KCCSB also is comprised of John Carlson, treasurer, and members Laurie Lowe, Verlene Wallace, Katy Bass and Tammy Paces.

KENS 5’s Vinnie Vinzetta kicked off the gala as master of ceremony. As CEO, Roussett offered a welcome, followed by comments made by the Hon. Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai. The evening featured live entertainment, a meal, silent auction and a live auction to raise funds for St. Jude’s Ranch for Children.

          The Belong program is a 501(c)(3) division of SJRC Texas that serves as the lead provider for community-based care in Region 8B, to which Kerr County belongs. “We want Belong to succeed and it will take our community support for that to happen,” Early said.       

          “Collaboration is a big word in today’s society. It means we have to work together for a common cause,” Early said. “We want SJRC Belong to succeed and it will take our community support for that to happen. We will continue working with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, CASA and Belong to meet the immediate needs of children in our community, and we hope you will join us,” she added.

          Donations may be mailed to: John Carlson, treasurer, 717 Sidney Baker Street, Kerrville, TX 78028. Funds go directly toward the benefit of abused or neglected children in Kerr County. Donations help meet their needs, such as emergency placement expenses, school supplies, emergency medical expenses, graduation expenses, birthday gift cards and Christmas gifts.

          The Kerr County Child Services Board meets monthly at the Collaborative Space shared by CASA, KCCSB and Belong on Earl Garrett Street in Kerrville.