Dallas–Fort Worth & Houston
Restoring Standards. Restoring Hope. Empowering Futures.
We walk alongside children and youth in Texas whose parents are incarcerated or struggling with substance abuse, with mentors, meals, counseling and advocacy.
Need help for a child? Refer a family
Partners & recognition
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- 501(c)(3)
Why we exist
A child should never serve their parent's sentence.
In Texas, tens of thousands of children go to bed tonight with a parent in a cell or in active addiction. They lose income, stability, and often their sense of safety.
These kids aren't broken — they're carrying something too heavy alone. STANDARDS makes sure they don't.
Our mission
“We restore stability, dignity, and opportunity for children affected by parental incarceration and substance abuse.”
Impact by the numbers
- Families supported
- 480+Families supported
- Mentorship hours
- 12,600Mentorship hours
- Communities served
- 9Communities served
- Students promoted a grade
- 94%Students promoted a grade
Our programs
Four ways we show up for families
Each program answers a real, immediate need in a child's life.
Mentoring
A consistent, caring adult in a child's life every single week.
Learn more about MentoringBasic Needs
Food, clothing, school supplies and emergency support for families in crisis.
Learn more about Basic NeedsMental Health & Tutoring
Counseling referrals and academic support that meet kids where they are.
Learn more about Mental Health & TutoringParent Rehabilitation Advocacy
Walking with parents through reentry, recovery, and reunification.
Learn more about Parent Rehabilitation Advocacy
How it works
Helping takes three simple steps
- 1
Learn about a family in need
Read the real situations facing children in our programs across DFW and Houston.
- 2
Choose how to help
Give a one-time or monthly gift, volunteer as a mentor, or refer a family to us.
- 3
See your impact
We report back with stories and numbers so you know exactly what your support did.
Stories of impact
In their words
“My son had a mentor within two weeks. For the first time since his dad went away, he wanted to go to school.”
Danielle R.
Parent, Fort Worth
“They didn't treat us like a case file. They brought groceries and then they stayed for dinner.”
Marcus T.
Grandparent caregiver, Houston
“STANDARDS helped me finish treatment and get my kids back home. That's the whole story.”
Alicia W.
Program parent, Dallas
Your gift changes a child's story.
Every dollar and every hour goes straight to a child who needs someone in their corner.
Latest news
From the STANDARDS blog
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Programs · June 12, 2026
Our summer mentoring cohort welcomed 24 new students
Twenty-four students from Dallas and Houston were matched with a mentor this summer. Here's how the first month went.
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Get Involved · May 28, 2026
Back-to-school drive: how to donate supplies this August
Backpacks, uniforms and calculators go furthest. A short guide to what families actually need this year.
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News · April 30, 2026
A new reentry partnership in Tarrant County
We're partnering with local reentry services so parents leaving incarceration have a plan on day one.
Get in touch
Questions, referrals, or partnerships
We answer every message within two business days.
- info@standards-aag.org
- (469) 555-0142
- Serving Dallas–Fort Worth & Houston, TX