Bexar County is inching toward a major first for Texas: a 24-hour crisis nursery designed as a short-term, voluntary safe haven where caregivers can leave children during medical emergencies, domestic violence situations or other family crises.
County officials say the idea is simple but ambitious. The nursery would protect children while giving parents or guardians a brief window to stabilize, ideally without immediately pulling Child Protective Services into the mix. If commissioners ultimately sign off, it would be the first program of its kind in the state.
According to Bexar County, commissioners on Tuesday formally asked staff to explore creating a crisis nursery program and to map out procurement options and potential vendors. The agenda credits County Judge Peter Sakai and Barbara Schafer with bringing the item forward and directs staff to return at a later meeting with a recommended procurement approach and a list of possible operators.
What the proposal would do
County staff describe the concept as a 24-hour emergency safe haven that would mainly serve children from birth through age 10, with particular focus on infants and toddlers who face the highest risks.
“We are looking at creating a safe haven,” Schafer told reporters, outlining a model built on voluntary, short-term stays that also connect families to supportive services, not just a bed and a crib.
The push follows a series of painful local cases. As reported by KSAT, 13 children in Bexar County died last year because of abuse or neglect.
State pilot already under consideration
At the Capitol, a parallel effort is already on the table. House Bill 5452 would order the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to launch a crisis nursery facility pilot program in Bexar County.
The measure would set licensing rules, offer grants to eligible cities or nonprofits, cap any child’s stay at 72 consecutive hours and require a formal evaluation of the pilot by October 1, 2028, according to the Texas Legislature. If it moves forward, the program would automatically sunset on September 1, 2029.
Local momentum behind the idea
San Antonio leaders and nonprofit groups have been circling the crisis nursery concept for years. In 2023, city council members filed a formal Council Consideration Request to study whether the city itself should pursue a model, according to the City of San Antonio.
Local editorial boards have also weighed in, urging investment in crisis nurseries as a relatively low-cost way to stabilize families and prevent serious harm, per the San Antonio Express-News. Advocates say existing organizations such as YMCA, YWCA and ChildSafe could be among the partners that operate neighborhood drop-off or respite sites if the plan advances.
Next steps
If Commissioners Court votes to direct staff to move ahead, county departments will start detailing procurement strategies, narrowing a list of potential operators and sketching out funding needs before bringing recommendations back to the court.
County documents specify that staff must identify an appropriate procurement method and a list of qualified vendors, then report back at the next convened meeting of Commissioners Court. Any eventual launch would still hinge on money, state licensing, suitable facilities and enough trained staff to keep the doors open around the clock.
Where families can get help now
For now, families dealing with domestic violence or other emergencies can turn to existing services, including the Bexar County Family Justice Center, shelters and crisis hotlines.
More information is available at the Bexar County Family Justice Center, or by calling its intake line at (210) 631-0100 for on-site advocacy and referrals.
