The Kinder Emergency Shelter is a coed 24-hour Harris County program licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to provide emergency child-care services to youth from the ages of 12-17. Services include shelter and supervision, healthy nutrition, clothing, socialization and interpersonal skills, guided personal health and hygiene, education, crisis intervention and service planning.
The HAY (Houston Alumni & Youth) Center helps older foster youth transition to independence. It is designed to be a one-stop shop for all current and former foster care youth between ages 16 and 25. The private/public partnership focuses on employment and education, as one of two nonprofits operating under the umbrella of HCPS. Services offered through the HAY Center include housing assistance, employment opportunities, parenting classes, life skills classes, transitional coaching (a mentor program), and mental health coaching. All services through The Hay Center are done by referrals from DFPS.