February 25, 2026 – Hosted by CHILDREN AT RISK and Family Service Association of San Antonio, this third annual convening centered on the newly released Children’s Health Initiative of Bexar County report and recent research from United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, highlighting key factors impacting child development and family well-being across the Bexar County region.

The event brought together nonprofit leaders, researchers, health professionals, and policymakers to examine the social determinants of health shaping children’s futures and to identify collaborative solutions that can drive meaningful change.

The data reveals both the promise and the challenges facing families in the region. Bexar County is home to more than half a million children, yet many face barriers that impact long-term success. Currently, 18.5% of children live below the poverty line, 21.1% experience food insecurity, and only 49.6% of children enter kindergarten ready to learn. Access to child care also remains limited, with just 24.4 subsidized seats available for every 100 children from low-income working families.

Speakers emphasized that these indicators are closely tied to broader social determinants of health, including economic stability, education access, and community infrastructure.

During the event, Nadia Salibi and Christine Thomas of CHILDREN AT RISK, alongside Keamber McCracken and Jacquelyn Hernandez of United Way, presented key findings from the report and explored what the data reveals about the needs of children and families in Bexar County.

A panel of experts from across the country then joined the conversation to discuss opportunities to improve child well-being, including Carmen Valdez (UTSA), Enrique Mata (Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute), Monica Ordoñez (Bachman Lake Together), Julia Rosenberg (Yale University), and Alfonso Mercado (UT RGV).

Panelists highlighted the importance of strengthening cross-sector partnerships, expanding access to services in underserved communities, and aligning resources around shared priorities.

As San Antonio continues to grow, leaders emphasized that ensuring children have access to health care, nutrition, early education, and supportive services will be essential to building a strong and thriving future for the region.