About Hill Country Crisis Council

Hill Country Crisis Council, is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization incorporated in April of 1984 to serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Hill Country Crisis Council originally operated as a volunteer organization with a 24-hour hotline staff, ran by willing community members who also transported clients to the nearest shelter which was in Marble Falls, Texas. By the end of 1984, a director was hired to develop the program. It was during this initial stage that several accomplishments were realized, including enlistment of a Board of Directors, securing government contracts for operating funds, and purchasing facilities, which serve as the current shelter and the counseling offices. Over the next several years it became necessary to expand the Hill Country Crisis Council staff to include a volunteer coordinator, outreach counselor, and a counselor specifically for children. Services were expanded to add programs for incest survivors, a school-based anti-victimization program, as well as a program for batterers. Eventually the service area was expanded from Kerr County to include the counties of Gillespie, Kendall, and Bandera. 

In 1990, the existing facilities were partially renovated, and in 1994 an additional building was purchased which still serves as the administrative office. That same year a complete analysis of all the programs resulted in streamlining costs. By restructuring staff, a more cost-effective delivery of services was obtained without a reduction in quality or quantity of those services. A school and family advocate were also added to the staff. The public education effort was increased with emphasis on presentations in the local schools. Expanded services then began to be delivered to the outlying counties, rather than having clients travel to Kerrville to receive services.

In 2009 Hill Country Crisis Council began discussions with the Kids’ Advocacy Place regarding the merger of the two organizations. Kids’ Advocacy Place (KAP) had been in existence for 12 years, providing forensic interviews and serving abused children and their non-offending caregivers in a five-county area now including Kimble County in our service area. This merger strengthened both organizations in terms of services provided for clients as well as strengthening financial stability. They continue to work hand in hand taking a multi-disciplinary approach including area law enforcement agencies, the 198th, 216th, 451st and 452nd District Courts and the Department of Family and Protective Services. 

We look toward the future with high expectations of expanding our services and building new facilities and maintain our status as one of the top agencies in Texas that provide safety and healing and positively affect long-tern health for generations to come.