According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, there were more than 53,000 confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect in Texas in 2024, with over 40,000 in cities Buckner serves. 
 
It’s important to note a child may be counted more than once if involved in multiple investigations during the year. In other words, this number contains duplicated children. But no matter what the number is – even one is too much. 
 
Child abuse and neglect is defined as, "any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation"; or "an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm." 
 
Buckner serves families and children by implementing programs that help prevent child abuse because we believe that child abuse ends with strong families. We do this through:

Foster care and adoption

We are dedicated to finding families for children, rather than finding children for families. We always put the child’s needs first and aim to protect and empower them to achieve their goals and flourish in life. 


We work with foster families to provide temporary homes that meet a child’s basic developmental needs, including a loving family, nutrition, clothing, a feeling of belonging, safety, socialization, interpersonal skills, care for personal health and hygiene, extra supervision and education. 

There are more than 6,700 children available for adoption in Texas. Buckner is dedicated to recruiting and approving loving, qualified adoptive homes to help children achieve permanency through our various adoption ministries.
 
To learn more about foster care or adoption, sign up for our free virtual information meeting.

Support for single parents in Texas

Buckner Family Pathways® is designed to help single parents who are pursuing their education and need to care for their children while determining the next steps for their family’s future. Families are provided support through access to affordable housing, financial assistance, counseling, spiritual growth and case management services.

Family strengthening programs for children and parents

The Buckner Family Hope Center® focuses on the whole family. Families and children can experience hope, support and empowerment in their community to achieve their God-given potential. By providing families with critical services, aid and coaching to keep them strong, it decreases the likelihood of abuse, neglect and removal of children.



Serving young children and families in Lubbock and Beaumont

Texas Home Visiting is a free program where early childhood professionals regularly visit the homes of pregnant women and families with children under 6 years of age. The goal of the program is to support positive child health and development outcomes, increase family self-sufficiency and create communities where children and families can thrive.  

Resources and support for parents of young children

Buckner HOPES supports expecting parents and parents of children ages 0 - 6 by promoting healthy families through encouragement and education. Through regular personal visits and monthly group meetings, we provide parents with the knowledge, skills and resources they need to raise happy, healthy children.



Services to youth and their families

Family and Youth Success (FAYS) serves the Rio Grande Valley and Beaumont areas. FAYS offers services to youth and their families to address issues such as family conflict and behavioral problems. The program aims to prevent delinquency, abuse, and neglect through counseling and support services.

Equipping families with tools to protect and strengthen their family

One of the courses offered at some of our Family Hope Centers is the Nurturing Parent class. This class is a “family-centered trauma-informed” initiative, designed to build Nurturing Parenting® skills as an alternative to abusive and neglectful parenting and child-rearing practices. These classes help parents learn the tools needed to be a better parent, but they also teach tools that help parents combat their own tendencies for abuse. 
 
Science tells us that when we experience trauma, our brains often bypass the prefrontal cortex and we enter into fight or flight mode. This can create an environment for an abusive response to triggers in our life, and these responses can be expressed toward those closest to us, like our children. To break this cycle, parents must do the challenging work of healing their own hearts from past trauma and learning tools to parent on purpose. 
 
Kylie Pepper, Buckner family coach and instructor for the Nurturing Parent class commented, “I have personally seen families become more patient with their children and more understanding with their emotions.” 
 
“I have had families come back to class and tell me that they tried the exercises taught and are now able to better handle their child's needs. For some parents, this class made them realize that they may not have been parented in the way that is the most beneficial for children and are now trying to change that script to parent their children differently, for the good of the child.”
 
In the Nurturing Parent class, as well as the curriculum for THV and HOPES, parents are taught the tools necessary to care for their children. 
 
In the Texas Home Visiting (THV) program, mothers with young babies go through the Mothers and Babies Course, which is based on principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and attachment theory. These principles are an attempt to change a person’s thoughts and behaviors to improve her mood and to help moms build a positive relationship with their child during infancy. This is a great course to help new moms navigate postpartum depression. 
 
Our HOPES program uses the Parents as Teachers curriculum to teach positive parenting practices. Positive parenting is helping your child learn appropriate behaviors by setting firm limits and sticking to them, while remaining calm and looking for natural or logical consequences. 
 
On the opposing end, negative discipline is what can often lead to child abuse. Negative discipline – spanking, hitting, sarcasm, verbal shaming or degrading remarks – threatens a child’s self-esteem and emotional health.
 
The Parents as Teachers curriculum gives great tangible examples of how to model positive parenting techniques with your children: 

• Show your love through words, facial expressions, hugs and kisses. Make sure your child knows you care about him, even in times of misbehavior.
• Be available for your child on a consistent basis.
• Keep his routines predictable. Let him know about changes ahead of time.
• Be consistent in your expectations. Use a calm but firm voice to let him know when he has gone over the limit.
• Offer your child reassurance during stressful or frustrating times.
• Watch your child as he plays and explores. Give him all your attention as you interact with him.
• Encourage and reinforce your child’s efforts – especially when an activity is challenging for him.
• Listen to your child attentively and answer his questions or concerns. 

How can you help end child abuse?



Supporting strong families can help prevent and end the cycle of child abuse, but it also involves raising awareness about the resources available. 

That’s why days like Blue Sunday were created. Blue Sunday is an annual event where churches pray for the victims of child abuse and those who care for them. Originally starting with 20 churches, Blue Sunday has grown into an international effort with more than 2 million participants. 



On April 27, 2025, churches across America will participate in Blue Sunday by doing the following;
 

1. Praying for victims and organizations.
2. Donating to organizations that work to build strong families.
3. Raising awareness by sharing resources with others in person and online.
4. Learning to recognize the signs of potential child abuse and how to report online.
5. Becoming a foster family to help care for children who have been removed from their homes while their families learn to heal.

Whether or not you participate in Blue Sunday with your church, you have an opportunity to stop the cycle of abuse for vulnerable children. 

Learn more and get your free resources to help end child abuse.