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Family Service Year 2 Evaluation Report
Through SAMHSA’s IECMH grant, Family Service of San Antonio provides trauma-informed mental health services, parenting education, and workforce training for system-involved children and families in Bexar County. In Year 2, Family Service contracted with the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing to evaluate the IECMH-funded activities within their Early Childhood Well-being program. TXICFW used a mixed-methods design consisting of standardized assessment measures, surveys, and semi-structured interviews. Analyses combined descriptive and inferential statistics with thematic analyses of qualitative data to capture both outcomes and experiences of children, parents, caregivers, and staff.
Findings show notable improvements in children’s relationships, behavior, and trauma symptoms, along with stronger parent–child bonds and increased caregiver confidence. Staff and child welfare professionals reported greater understanding and use of trauma-informed practices, supported by ongoing training and reflective supervision. Trust, consistency, and relational engagement emerged as central drivers of change.
Key Recommendations
- Strengthen outreach to better reach foster, kinship, and other high-need families.
- Continue investing in workforce training, reflective supervision, and protect professional development time.
- Consistently collect data and integrate family feedback.
- Update program objectives and training strategies to align with current practice and the full range of families served.