General Info

The HCCWB is a non-profit organization registered with the office of the Secretary of State and the Internal Revenue Service.

Date Formed: 1974 

Number of Voting Board Members: 7 to 15

Board Members Term of Service:  Three years (January through December) 

In 1974 the Commissioners’ Court of Hidalgo County made the

appointment of the Hidalgo County Child Welfare Board (HCCWB)   

By law, there are 15 voting members on the Board, each of whom is recruited from the community at large.  HCCWB members are asked to commit to a three-year term running from January through December. Multiple terms are allowed. 

            Board members meet monthly to:

•  conduct on-going business;

•  hear about the new Child Protective Services’ (CPS) cases;

•  discuss and approve funds to meet the needs of the county’s
   foster children, and

•  plan and organize upcoming events.

In addition to monthly meetings, each Board member typically is involved with at least one ongoing special activity or project.

     The HCCWB helps:

•  Hidalgo County Children

•  who are victims of abuse or neglect

•  who are faced with needs above and beyond the basic care needs paid for by the state of Texas

We also help foster families who are faced with unexpected expenses for their foster children which they are unable to pay

Currently, the HCCWB receive financial support from:

• Jury fees donated by individual choice

• donations (corporate and individual)

• fundraisers

     The HCCWB exists to fund allocations for

• Birthday & Christmas gifts

• Extra Activities such as summer school, driver’s education, proms, sports,  cheerleading, scouting, church outings, camps, etc.  

Foster parents and treatment centers are reimbursed by the State of Texas for the care of children in foster care, but those funds only cover food, shelter, clothing,  and basic needs.  Occasionally, foster parents and centers can provide funds for  some of these extras.  Typically, however, children in foster care in Hidalgo County  depend entirely on the HCCWB for anything they need that is above and beyond basic needs. 

The HCCWB is charged with the duty of educating the community regarding child abuse and neglect.  In the past, the Board has:
 

• Distributed Magnetic Blue Ribbons & Blue Bracelets during April, "Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness Month" (click here for the story of the blue ribbon)

Each year, Board members work on a variety of regular activities. 
     These typically include:
 

• providing Christmas gifts for the children in foster care, who are ineligible for any other community angel or giving trees;

• Co-sponsoring Foster Family Christmas Festival

• hosting a Caseworker Appreciation Christmas Dinner

• Sponsoring a Foster Family Christmas Party

• Sponsoring a Foster Family Easter Egg hunt

• Co-Sponsoring "Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness Month" Candlelight Vigil

• Holding an annual fundraiser and/or public awareness event;

• and finding ways to educate the community about child abuse and
  neglect.

Our Board, 2006

•  PRESIDENT: Maria Alicia De Leon

•  VICE-PRESIDENT: Jose Angel Borrego, Jr.

•  TREASURER: Carmen M. Pedraza-Silva

•  SECRETARY:Alma Delia Villalpando

•  Johnny Rodriguez

•  Cecilia Hinojosa

•  Doroteo L. Cordero, Jr.

•  Norma A. Guerrero

•  David Cantu

•  Mary Gonzales

•  Sylvia Alanis

•  Esmeralda Mora

•  Janie Morales

How You Can Help

We are a non-profit organization and a donation of any amount is always welcome.  Or, if interested, you may volunteer your time and serve on the Board, or assist with one of the committee activities.   

If you have questions, please click on the Feedback link above