Entries by naylea

Banana Ball Fun

June 30, 2026 in /by

Banana

Ball

Fun

June 25th, 2026

A Day of Memories for an Incredible Foster Family at Families Especial, we believe our foster families deserve to be celebrated—and recently, the Villanueva family enjoyed a day they won't soon forget at Banana Ball Fun. Alongside SJRC Texas | Belong, the Villanueva family attended an unforgettable Banana Ball Fun experience at Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium. The event brought the excitement of baseball entertainment, lively yard games, and a delicious H-E-B True Texas BBQ dinner together in one joyful celebration. From start to finish, Banana Ball Fun created an atmosphere filled with laughter, connection, and lasting memories.

To make the day even more special, the family was surprised with a $500 H-E-B gift card, along with baseball gloves generously donated by a community family, a heartfelt contribution that added even more meaning to the Banana Ball Fun celebration. The Villanuevas have been a cornerstone of our foster care community for more than 16 years, opening their hearts and home to 86 children. One child remained in their care for six and a half years, reflecting the stability, love, and unwavering commitment they provide to every child who enters their home.

Although they briefly stepped away from fostering, they returned within a year because of their passion for serving children and families. Mr. Villanueva's background in psychology helps him understand the unique experiences of children in foster care, while he and Mrs. Villanueva are known for their patience, compassion, and nurturing spirit. From sharing home-cooked meals and teaching children how to bake homemade bread to creating a welcoming home filled with their beloved birds, they provide children with a place where they feel safe, valued, and loved.Families Especial is incredibly grateful to our community partners who made this special Banana Ball Fun experience possible. A heartfelt thank you to SJRC Texas | Belong, H-E-B, The Texas Tailgaters, and Coach Bart for their generosity and support. Your contributions, including the donated gloves and the thoughtful $500 H-E-B gift card, helped make this Banana Ball Fun day truly unforgettable.

The Villanueva family exemplifies what it means to be foster parents. Their dedication, resilience, and compassion continue to change the lives of children every day, and we are honored to have them as part of the Families Especial family.

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Proclamation Day

June 25, 2026 in /by

Proclamation Day

May 7th, 2026

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Today, City of Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor D. Treviño officially proclaimed May 2026 as Foster Care Month in the City of Laredo, recognizing the compassionate individuals and organizations who work every day to provide children with safe, loving, and supportive homes.District 3 Council Member Melissa Cigarroa also joined the proclamation ceremony in support of foster families, children, and advocates across the community.The proclamation highlighted the unwavering dedication of Families Especial Foster Care and Adoption Agency, foster parents, case managers, and advocates who continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families throughout our community.Today’s recognition also honored the resilience and strength of children in foster care, reminding us all of the importance of building a community where every child feels safe, valued, and hopeful for the future.

Summer Safety Tips

June 25, 2026 in /by

Summer

Safety

Tips

Summer is a time for fun, adventure, and making memories, but it's also important to keep safety a priority.
Whether you're spending time outdoors, traveling, or enjoying the pool, taking a few simple precautions can help children stay safe and healthy all season long. Explore our summer safety tips to help your foster family enjoy a safe and memorable summer.

Water Safety

Water safety starts with preventing children from accessing pools, lakes, or other bodies of water without adult supervision. The best protection against drowning includes multiple layers of safety.

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Designate a "Water Watcher"

Assign one responsible adult as the dedicated “water watcher,” whose sole job is to continuously monitor children in and around the water. Rotate this responsibility as needed so there is always someone actively focused on supervision.

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Adult Supervision

Active adult supervision is essential whenever children are near water. Stay alert and keep children within sight and reach at all times, ensuring they are never left unattended.

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Lifeguard on Duty

Whenever possible, choose swimming areas that have a lifeguard present. A supervised, designated swimming location adds an important layer of safety and can help reduce risk.

Heat Safety

Children are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness, which can develop quickly in hot weather. Staying hydrated, taking breaks in cool or shaded areas, and close supervision are key to keeping them safe during high temperatures.

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Higher Risk

Young children and infants are more vulnerable to heat-related illness because their bodies heat up faster than adults and they depend on caregivers to regulate their environment and hydration.

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Fast Onset

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop quickly in children, especially when they are active outdoors or not drinking enough fluids, making prevention and close monitoring essential.

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Prevention

Prevention focuses on keeping children cool, hydrated, and in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Dress children in lightweight, light-colored clothing and schedule outdoor activities during cooler morning or evening hours.

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Check your car

A parked car can reach over 120°F within minutes, even on a mild day. Always check the back seat before locking and never leave a child unattended in a vehicle.

Signs of heat exhaustion to watch out for:

Heavy sweating and cool, pale, clammy skin!

Fast, weak pulse or nausea!

Muscle cramps or dizziness!

Fatigue or weakness, move to a cool place immediately and hydrate!

Fireworks

Fireworks can be exciting, but they pose serious safety risks, especially for children. Burns and injuries from fireworks send thousands of people to emergency rooms every year.

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Adult Supervision

Children should never handle, light, or be near fireworks without close adult supervision. Designate one responsible adult to manage all fireworks and keep children at a safe distance at all times.

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Skipping Fireworks

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional public display. If your area has a burn ban or dry conditions, skip personal fireworks altogether, even sparklers can cause serious burns.

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Keep Water Nearby

Keep a bucket of water, garden hose, or fire extinguisher nearby. Soak used fireworks in water before disposing to prevent fires.

Additional Resources

Learn more about fireworks safety from these trusted resources:


Dan Doofus Fools Around with Fireworks and Learns It’s No Holiday


Firework Safety Tips Flyer


USCPSC Fireworks Safety 2018 Video

Topics

Foster Care

Firework Safety

Summer Tips

Heat Safety

Resources

Resources

SOURCES


American Red Cross. "Summer Safety Tips."


CDC - Infants and Children, and Heat