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(Sharing 4/27/2026) Biweekly CHW Message: Family Violence in Shreveport

  • Aug 7
  • 5 min read

Steps to Stop Family Violence

Last week's mass shooting in Shreveport, La., underscored that domestic violence is deadliest in the immediate weeks and months after a victim leaves an abuser. The abuser and his wife (who survived but remains hospitalized) were separating and had been due in court the next day.

Here in Bexar County, an average of 29 people die each year from family violence, based on data over the last decade (Collaborative Commission on Domestic Violence). Compared to other crimes, domestic violence poses the greatest risk of injury or death for responding law enforcement officers.

Red Flags that domestic violence will turn deadly:

  • Strangling or choking. Abusers who choke their victims are more than 7x as likely to kill them, compared to abusers in general.

  • Access to a gun. Firearms accounted for 70% of Texas domestic violence homicides in 2024.

  • Also worrisome: threats to kill, threats of suicide, stalking, alcohol and other substance use, unemployment

Things We Can Say and Do 

  • Be supportive: "You don't deserve this," "I'm concerned about your safety, and the safety of your children."

  • The victim knows their situation best. Do not try to make decisions for them.

  • Encourage a conversation with the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233 or 88788 by text)

  • Everyone living with abuse can use a safety plan, even if they're not preparing to leave. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has tips for different scenarios:

  • When living with an abusive partner

  • When taking care of children and pets

  • During pregnancy

  • Printable safety plan that includes digital safety, from Metro Health (English)

Spotlight: Housing Is Health

  • April is National Fair Housing Month, and a good time to highlight that:

  • U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) is proposing a series of rule changes that will harm tenants.

  • To help local community organizations sync up with affordable-housing efforts of the City, Close to Home and the Alliance to House Everyone, the Health Equity Network released a Housing Is Health Toolkit: English | Spanish

  • Did you know? The City's rental deposit assistance program still has funding. Rules apply, read more.

  • Property taxes too high? Homeowners have until May 15 to file a protest. Help is available through:

o        City workshops all over town, plus a virtual session May 12. Spanish and ASL interpreters available. If you can't make it: Property Tax Protest & Homestead Exemption (NHSD)

o        My City Is My Home and American GI Forum (flyer attached)

o        Bexar County Appraisal District's knowledge base

Update: Preventable Infections

  • It's time again to remind folks to protect from mosquito bites. CDC flyers: English | Spanish

  • More parents have questions about the Hepatitis B birth dose. The American Academy of Pediatrics shares answers here. Also see the attached brochures, from Migrant Clinicians Network. 

  • South Carolina's measles outbreak is officially over. Since my last update, the U.S. added 78 measles cases for a total of 1,792 in 2026, with 0 deaths. Mexico has had 10,002 cases and 9 deaths. Vaccination remains the most effective protection. Vaccine programs for uninsured adults and uninsured/underinsured children are explained here. 

  • Texas respiratory virus levels are Very Low.  Data dashboards: CDC | Metro Health | DSHS | TexWEB wastewater | Walgreens Respiratory Illness Index | National wastewater 

Navigation Resources of the Week

·                     Local domestic violence resources (Metro Health)

·                     Talking to Your Boss about Your Bump explains required accommodations at work or school for pregnancy, pregnancy loss or breastfeeding (A Better Balance) 

·                     Attached: English/Spanish flyers on the new Texas ID requirements for vehicle registration (Texas Civil Rights Project)

·                     Learn to use an upcoming national platform for patient charitable assistance programs, May 12, noon-1 PM. Register

 

Some folks didn't get the prior email (April 13) — re-running it at the end of this email

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

  • Starting April 29, 8:30 AM-10:30 AM: Free Triple P for Baby positive parenting classes for new parents. Nine-week series with participation incentive, flyer attached.

  • Apr. 28, 8 AM-1 PM, produce bags, Choice Pantry sign-up, clothing, diapers, women's health class (9 AM-10 AM) and more at West Avenue Compassion, 10715 West Avenue (78213)

  • Apr. 28, noon-1 PM, the Rev. Dr. Ken Kemp speaks on the intersection between healthcare & spirituality, UT Health Holly Auditorium, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive (78229). Register

  • Apr. 28, 2 PM-3 PM, Translating Emergency Preparedness into Patient-Friendly Messages, webinar from MHP Salud. Register

  • Apr. 29, 9 AM-2 PM, Latched Community Resource Day for people who are pregnant or have children under 3 years old, Grace Presbyterian Church, 950 Donaldson Ave (78228). Register

  • Apr. 29, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at the YWCA, 503 Castroville Rd. (78237), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

  • Apr. 29, 9 AM-1 PM, South Texas Family Planning & Health women's health bus at the YWCA, 2318 Castroville Rd. (78237), contact Teresa at vds@ywcasa.org or 210-956-6943.

  • Apr. 29, 2 PM-3 PM, online training on resilience, and how it's different (and harder) than self-care, from Right to Be. Register

  • Apr. 30, 10 AM-11 AM, Recognizing and reporting child abuse, virtual training from ChildSafe. Register

  • May 1, noon-1 PM, Communicating with Confianza health literacy ECHO. This week's topic: Nursing partnerships. Learn more and register

  • May 2, 9 AM-1 PM, low vision expo, Marriott San Antonio Airport, 77 NE Loop 410 (78216). Info

  • May 2, 10 AM-4 PM, San Antonio Fire Museum health fair, with fire safety and CPR demos, health screenings and resources, 801 E. Houston (78205). Info

  • May 6, 10 AM-11:30 AM, webinar on the Intersection of Social Determinants of Health and Adverse Childhood Experiences, from the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care. Register

  • May 6, 6:30 PM-7:30 PM, El Duelo No Siempre Se Ve Como Tristeza, una plática de NAMI. En linea. Registrese

  • May 7, 9 AM-11 AM, Community First health fair with produce bags for the first 100 attendees, Progreso Hall, 1306 Guadalupe (78207). Info

  • May 7, 9 AM-1 PM, South Texas Family Planning & Health women's health bus at the YWCA, 2318 Castroville Rd. (78237), contact Teresa at vds@ywcasa.org or 210-956-6943.

  • May 9, 10 AM-2 PM, free eye screenings by the Lions Sight Research Foundation, H-E-B, 2118 Fredericksburg Rd. (78201)

  • May 9, 2 PM-5 PM, SA YOUth Mental Health Summit at the Ecumenical Center, 8310 Ewing Halsell Drive (78229). Flyer attached. Registration

  • May 11, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 4114 SW Loop 410 (78227), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

  • May 12, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at SA Hope Center, 321 N Gen McMullen (78237), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

  • May 12, 10 AM-11 AM, webinar on Applying Community Health Insights to Real-World Challenges, from the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care. Register

  • May 12, 1 PM-2 PM, online fentanyl awareness training from SACADA. Register.

  • May 13, 9 AM-3 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Impacto Comunitario, 211 N. Park Blvd. (78204), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

  • May 13, 1 PM-2 PM, City rental assistance application portal opens (second Wednesday of each month)

  • May 14, 8 AM-2 PM, CommuniCare women's health mobile unit at Coker United Methodist Church, 14630 Wurzbach Pkwy (78216), appointments preferred, call 210-233-7199

  • May 14, 10 AM-11:30 AM, webinar on Adverse Childhood Experiences with Communities in Schools, from the Institute for Trauma-Informed Care. Register

  • May 14, 2 PM-3 PM, Creating Healthy Connections with Dinámicas, webinar from MHP Salud about their workbook of icebreakers/exercises. Register

  • May 14, 6 PM-7 PM, Stop the Bleed training by UH at ChildSafe, 3730 E I-10 (78220). Register

  • May 15, 9 AM-4 PM, Building Confianza: Voices, Lessons and Actions health literacy summit, Texas A&M Vista Room, 1 University Way (78224). Info and registration

  • May 16, 9 AM-noon, return of the San Fernando Health Fair, with a wealth of free screenings and services, 115 Main Plaza (78205). Vaccine flyer and registration link

  • Each week, Westcare puts out a packed, magazine-format roundup of upcoming community events—read it by clicking here. 

  • San Antonio Compassion posts flyers for resources and upcoming events here.

 

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