LifeWorks is one of the few free and affordable counseling providers in Travis County. More than 1,100 families receive counseling through LifeWorks every year for issues such as depression, anxiety, abuse survivorship and family conflict.

Youth and Adult Counseling assists individuals, youth and families who are facing challenges develop the skills and resilience they need to be successful. Counseling is strengths-based and solution-focused. Counselors work with clients to identify individual/family strengths as the building blocks for success in achieving concrete, individualized goals.

Services include:

• • Office-based individual, family, and couples counseling
• • Information and referral
• • School-based services for middle school youth at select schools
• • Skills-based youth groups in community locations

Services are offered on a sliding scale and range from $18 - $100/session. Services for families eligible for Services to At-Risk Youth (STAR, funded through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services) may be served free of charge.

Counseling is provided in North, South and East Austin locations. Service hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 am – 8:00 pm, Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, and Saturday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

For more information, call 512-735-2400.

Call 512.735.2460 for after-hours if you are a youth in crisis or a parent of a youth under the age of 18 trying to access (STAR) services

LifeWorks helps more than 1,000 individuals accused of abuse recognize and take responsibility for violent behaviors and learn alternative strategies to deal with conflict and anger. The program is dedicated to working in partnership with the community to end domestic violence by advocating for relationships built on equality and respect.

The program offers 21-30 week groups for participants to learn how to take responsibility for their actions and examine how they can learn to build trust, equality and support into their relationships. The program gives participants a clear path for resolving conflict in non-violent ways and creating a healthy future for themselves and those close to them. Areas of focus include:

• • Client accountability
• • Improving communication skills for dealing with conflict
• • Exploring root causes of violence
• • Building empathy for victims and children
• • Identifying and helping practice non- abusive behaviors
• • Identifying power and control beliefs and attitudes

Eligibility:

• • Age 18 or older
• • Any person who has been identified as using violence against an intimate partner (common referral sources include: Probation, Pre-Trial Services, Protective Order, CPS)
• • Self referral who recognizes his/her use of abuse in an intimate relationship
• • Young fathers (17-26 years old) who are experiencing high conflict in a relationship and/or want to strengthen their parenting or relationship skills.

Program Fees

• • Orientation / Assessment - $30
• • 21- and 30-week group fees based on a sliding scale (starting at $25)

Services are offered in South, East and North Austin. For more information, call 512-735-2100.

The Shared Psychiatric Services Program offers access to mental health services, comprehensive clinical case managers, as well as resources to reduce barriers to care, such as transportation assistance and access to medications.

Shared Psychiatric Services is a collaboration of LifeWorks, Communities in Schools and SafePlace. Funded by the St. David’s Foundation, the program offers psychiatric services to children who are enrolled in services of the collaborating agencies. Goals include:

• • Providing client-focused, strengths-based psychiatric services to clients
• • Reducing barriers to accessing psychiatric services for clients
• • Empowering clients to take an active role in their care

Though most children and youth with behavioral health concerns are treated in primary care settings, some require specialized care from a child and adolescent psychiatrist. However, there are only about 190 child psychiatrists in Texas. Specialized psychiatric treatment is indicated for many families, but even in an urban area like Austin, it can be hard to find. The SPS project offers access to mental health services to clients, comprehensive clinical case managers as well as resources to reduce barriers to care such as transportation and access to medications.

Services are offered at LifeWorks South, East and North locations and at SafePlace. For more information, call 512-735-2100.

LifeWorks Street Outreach serves runaway, homeless, street dependent, and at-risk of homelessness youth and young adults (ages of 10-23). Our mission is to serve and provide Austin street youth with an array of services and to empower them to lead healthy productive lives of their choice.

There is a severe shortage of shelter for youth in Austin. Homelessness among youth is one of the most pressing issues in Travis County and throughout the nation. The National Runaway Switchboard estimates that between 1.6 million and 2.8 million youth run away every year. Of the 117,602 crisis calls received by the Switchboard in 2009, 55% were youth from the street, and nearly three quarters were female. In Texas, more than 100,000 youth ages 7 to 17 run away annually (Texas Runaway Hotline); an estimated 3,000 youth in Travis County run away each year.

Youth and young adults may access: education, medical care (through an on-site clinic in partnership with People’s Community Clinic), hygiene supplies, washer and dryer services, educational groups, alternative activities, dental care, food, clothing, drug and alcohol assessments, transportation services, immunizations, HIV counseling and testing, pregnancy testing, hot nourishment twice a week, mental health counseling, drug and alcohol counseling, and case management services.

For more information, call 512-735-2400.

LifeWorks Emergency Shelter provides housing, case management and educational support for teenagers (ages 14-17) and older foster youth in emergency need of a safe place to stay. Strength-based services are provided on-site 24/7.

The Emergency Shelter has the capacity to serve 20 youth and is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Youth stay weeks or months, depending on need, and are provided comprehensive case management services, with an emphasis on moving them towards stability.

Youth who are victims of abuse, abandonment, violence or homelessness turn to us for emergency care and support. Many of our youth have grown up in the foster care system (5-40 placements) and need a place to become stable, finish school and prepare for adulthood.

LifeWorks Emergency Shelter offers more independence to older teenagers than many programs, including freedom to work, choice of school, and ability to participate in the community. The Emergency Shelter works closely with other programs within LifeWorks and the community to provide youth the tools they need to reach self-sufficiency.

Call 512-735-2400 for an intake screening.

LifeWorks Transitional Living Program (TLP) serves homeless teenagers and young adults in need of transitional housing. Ages served are generally 17-22, including youth aging out of foster care.

The facility is a 16-bed group home staffed 24/7. Youth may stay up to a year and a half, depending on needs, and are provided comprehensive case management services, with an emphasis on moving them towards stability.

LifeWorks TLP offers more independence to older teenagers than many programs, including freedom to work, choice of school, and ability to participate in the community. TLP works closely with other programs within LifeWorks and the community to provide youth the tools they need to reach self-sufficiency.

Call 512-735-2400 for an intake screening.

The Young Moms and Babies Program serves pregnant or parenting mothers between the ages of 18 to 21 who are facing homelessness. These young moms may have aged out of foster care, been kicked out of their home for being pregnant, or their family may be experiencing poverty. Homelessness not only affects the mom but potentially the growth and development of their children.

The Young Moms and Babies Program provides a safe stable place for young moms to learn the independent living skills and parenting skills they need to be able to support themselves and their children.

Each family has their own room, and the program is staffed 24/7. Mothers meet with case managers at least weekly to review progress on goals, and also attend one hour of parenting and one hour of independent living skills classes each week.

Call 512-735-2400 for an intake screening.

There is a profound shortage of affordable housing in Central Texas. The shortage, exacerbated by the lack of living-wage employment opportunities for young adults, often leaves few options for youth who are aging out of foster care or transitioning from homelessness.

LifeWorks Supportive Housing provides transitional apartment-based living for homeless youth/young adults, including young parents. The goal is to build self-sufficiency, with a focus on achieving stable, affordable housing, education and workforce goals. It is the final “getting on your feet” stage of LifeWorks Housing Division. Case management is provided on-site to assist clients in achieving their goals and making the transition to independence.

Call 512-735-2400 for additional information.

Child care is a crucial part of a parent’s effort to become economically stable, but the cost is often not affordable for low-income families. Bridge is a child care voucher program that provides subsidies to pay for child care services for children of low income families. By covering the cost of child care, Bridge allows parents to devote their time to finding a job or increasing their current income by attending school. Additionally, Bridge supports families who have applied and are on the wait-list for long-term child care funding.

Participation in case management with an enrolled referral agency is required. Parents have the freedom to choose any licensed child care provider in Austin. After being enrolled in the program for 3 months, parents are responsible for a small co-pay, based on their income. Parent fees are paid directly to their child care provider.

LifeWorks accepts referrals from over 15 agencies in Austin, and serves many types of families. Parents’ employment status is not a factor in determining eligibility.

Call 512-735-2400 for additional information.

Young adults transitioning from foster care are at higher risk for homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, and pregnancy and parenting at a young age, and are less likely to complete high school and to pursue higher education. The LifeSkills Training program helps to improve the outcomes for these youth by furnishing them with valuable knowledge and skills that can make their transition to adulthood more successful.

LifeSkills is a 38-hour course designed to prepare youth aging out of foster care to live independently as adults by providing group experiential learning activities, discussions, field trips and guest speakers on topics addressing health and safety, housing and transportation, job readiness, financial literacy, life decisions/responsibilities and personal/social relationships. Youth receive an assessment prior to beginning the classes to determine their skill level related to independent living.

The LifeSkills Training Program serves youth ages 16-19 who are in foster care in the following counties: Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Bosque, Brazos, Burnet, Burleson, Caldwell, Coryell, Falls, Fayette, Freestone, Grimes, Hamilton, Hays, Hill, Lampasas, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Madison, McLennan, Milam, Mills, Robertson, San Saba, Travis, Washington, and Williamson.

For more information, call 512-735-2100.

Youth aging out of foster care face substantial challenges:

• • 20,000 youth “age out” of foster care each year, many lacking the skills to live independently
• • 3% graduate from college
• • 50% experience mental health challenges
• • 27% are homeless within 6 months

LifeWorks Foster Care Transitional Services is a case management program designed to assist youth transitioning out of foster care to achieve self-sufficiency.

Youth must have remained in care through their 18th birthday to be eligible for financial assistance and case management services. A commitment to case management services and ability to achieve self-suffciency is also required.

The program provides critically needed support to young adults transitioning from foster care who often have few, if any, other caring adults in their lives. These young people are at higher risk for homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, pregnancy and parenting at a young age, and are less likely to complete high school and to pursue higher education. The program helps improve outcomes for these young adults, paving a path for successful adult lives.

LifeWorks is the only Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) contracted provider of aftercare case management services for youth transitioning from foster care in Region 7.

Eligible youth should call the Intake Line at 512-735-2100 or 1-800-414-5457 for additional information.

The goal of LifeWorks Workforce Development Program is to help youth who have aged out of the foster care system transition to the workforce. With funding from the Texas Workforce Commission and in partnership with area partners, LifeWorks provides training, education and assistance in employment to transitional youth.

For more information, call 512-735-2100.

When fathers are involved in the lives of their children, especially their education, their children learn more, perform better in school, and exhibit healthier behavior. Even when fathers do not share a home with their children, their active involvement can have a lasting and positive impact. (National Fatherhood Clearinghouse).

LifeWorks Young Fathers Program is designed to support low income young fathers (17-26 years old), living at or below 200% Federal Income Poverty Level, in becoming supportive, involved parents. The goals are to promote healthy relationships, develop parenting skills, and increase workforce potential. Services are offered in the following areas:

1. 1. Counseling
   
2. 2. Parenting education
   
3. 3. Case management
   
4. 4. Workforce training support

Call 512-735-2400 for more information.

The GED & Literacy Program provides youth ages 16-26 who have dropped out of school with self-paced instruction and educational resources to obtain their General Education Development diploma and/or literacy skills to gain employment. Applicants who are 16 must be meet one of the following requirements: be within 4 months of 17th birthday, be in CPS custody, or be on formal probation.

Orientations are held the second Friday of each month from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. As space is limited, only the first 28 clients are accepted. An intake appointment is scheduled after orientation.

January 13^th
February 10^th
March 9^th
April 13^th
May 11^th
June 8^th
July 13^th
August 10^th
September 14^th
October 12^th
November 9^th
December 14^th

All applicants must score a minimum of 4.0 on the reading portion of the Texas Assessment of Basic Education test to qualify. Clients (17 and older) who score lower than 4.0 may apply for LifeWorks Literacy services.

Call 512-735-2400 for additional information.

LifeWorks provides volunteer-based Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language, and Enrichment Classes such as Conversational English classes and Citizenship classes. These programs serve students ages 17 and older who are reading below a 6th grade level.

The program also offers a Transitional GED class and an Advanced ESL class through collaboration with Austin Community College (ACC). The LifeWorks relationship and onsite collaboration enables students to receive instruction from ACC staff. This relationship with ACC makes students more aware of community college and facilitates their enrollment.

Students and volunteer tutors are assigned to classes based on their availability, location and academic levels.

Volunteer tutors are required to attend a program orientation and complete a thirteen-hour training course. The training sessions are led by experienced staff with expertise in specific topics. The volunteers are provided instruction on: adult learning theory, how to assess what the student needs to learn, and whole language and multi-sensory teaching methods. Special training and instruction are also provided to supply effective teaching tools for students with mild learning disabilities. New tutors are given sample lesson plans and observe classes taught by more experienced volunteers.

Professional development opportunities for tutors are held at least once per quarter and include discussions led by the program staff and key volunteers. Guest speakers give presentations on a variety of subjects to assist the tutors on common issues regarding adult learners. Teaching resources are available from our lending library and tutor resource room.

If you are interested in becoming a student or a tutor, call 512-735-2100.

The REAL Talk program is a collaboration between LifeWorks, Planned Parenthood of the Capital Region and the Austin Independent School District. Services are offered to youth in grades 7-10 in AISD schools.

The REAL Talk Program supports youth in avoiding risky behaviors, promoting teen health and well-being, and reducing the risk of unplanned pregnancies or STDs. A parent or guardian must consent for youth to participate.

While the teen pregnancy rate has been falling in many states throughout the nation, this is not true of Texas. Teen pregnancy rates in Austin ISD have continued to increase each year since 2005 with 368 pregnancies to AISD high school students during the 2008-2009 school year (Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department).

Call 512-735-2100 for additional information.

Next Step is a substance abuse and violence prevention program that provides instruction and activities to strengthen the social and emotional skills of youth and families. The Next Step program serves Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade youth in select Austin ISD schools and community sites.

The program focuses on developing social, communication, and problem-solving skills as well as self-esteem for elementary and middle school-aged youth.

Next Step also offers structured enrichment activities that promote safe and healthy choices, interactive tobacco education activities, presentations on prevention topics and positive youth development, community outreach activities, school and community site staff workshops, and family information sessions about the curricula.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is a critical but often overlooked building block for positive youth development. Developing effective emotion management, communication, problem-solving, and peer refusal skills are essential to successfully navigate life’s challenges. Research indicates that youth who receive high quality SEL instruction demonstrated higher academic performance, better classroom behavior, improved attendance and graduation rates as well as less anxiety, stress, and social withdrawal.

Call 512-735-2100 for additional information.

LifeWorks YouthPower program offers afterschool and summer structured activities, service learning projects, field trips, and Family Fun Nights for middle school youth, 11-15 years of age.

Youth must be a resident of a Housing Authority City of Austin site (Booker T. Washington, Meadowbrook & Bouldin Oaks). Parents must sign a consent form for youth to participate. There is no fee – funding is provided by the Housing Authority City of Austin.

Middle school-aged youth living in public housing sites need safe, supportive out-of-school time environments to develop their peer refusal, friendship, communication, and critical thinking skills. Research indicates that youth participating in out-of-school time programs have improved school attendance, do their homework more often, show better achievement in math and reading, learn to respect people who are different from themselves, and develop better conflict resolution and social skills.

Call 512-735-2100 for additional information.

Texas has the fourth highest rate of teen pregnancies in the nation, and the second highest rate of teen births. Each year, more than 1400 Travis County teens give birth. Without support, 23% of these young mothers will give birth again within a year, and 33% will drop out of school.

Parenting at a young age can be difficult, confusing and stressful. Even with a family support system teenagers often need more help than family and friends can provide. LifeWorks helps teenage parents navigate through community resources to make sure they are getting the tools and support they need to succeed educationally and as parents.

LifeWorks Teen Parent Services offers case management, parenting groups and support for pregnant and parenting teenagers (up to age 20). Teens work with case managers to develop and implement a plan to reach educational and parenting goals. Each plan is based on the strengths, talents and goals of the individual – there is no one-size-fits all.

Parenting support groups are also offered at area school and community locations to develop parenting knowledge and a supportive network for young parents.

Call 512-735-2100 for additional information.