Our Community Our Future

Our Community Our Future We envision a future where very child, youth and young adult is healthy, connected and thriving. Learn more about OCOF at www.ocof-hot.org!

Our Community Our Future (OCOF) envisions a future where every child, youth and young adult is healthy, connected and thriving. We are collaborating to advance a cohesive, responsive and accessible system of care serving children, youth, young adults and their families across the Heart of Texas. OUR REGION:
The Heart of Texas region includes Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan

counties—six communities united by a shared commitment to strengthening the health, connectedness, and well-being of children, youth, young adults and their families.

Mentor Group Night
04/23/2026

Mentor Group Night

Mentor Group Night will be a chance for families and friends to spend quality time together, play games, eat snacks, learn new skills, and grow as individuals all while meeting emotional needs. Feel free to engage or sit back and listen. Anyone in the community is welcome!

Little People, Big Conversations
04/23/2026

Little People, Big Conversations

“I’ll tell you when you’re older,” may have been a frequently heard phrase for many of us growing up. It may even be the way that we answer our young children’s hard questions about the world as parents and caregivers now. It can be difficult to navigate conversations about grown-up topics...

04/22/2026

🌟 Don't Forget! 🌟

Join us for our virtual Breastfeeding Support Group every 4th Monday of the month at 10 AM! 🤱✨ Whether you're in your 3rd trimester or a pumping mom, this is a safe space to connect and find support on your breastfeeding journey.

Plus, all participants will receive a free welcome bag! 🎁

📍 Open to families in Navarro, Limestone, Freestone, and Hill counties.
Follow the link below to sign up and secure your spot! We can't wait to see you there! 💖
➡️https://luma.com/7gweszbh

MENU Study
04/15/2026

MENU Study

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University, and the University of Maryland are conducting a study to better support caregivers of young children who are waiting for an autism diagnosis or services. This program is designed to provide helpful tools and support during this oft

04/14/2026

This week, we celebrate the youngest members of our community and you can make it extra special.

To start off the Week of the Young Child, we’re kicking off a community-wide Children’s Book Drive. From April 11–25, you can:
📖 Drop off new or gently used children’s books forat the locations around Waco
🔗 Or give through our Amazon Wish List: https://a.co/00ehDNP6

All donations go directly to children through local nonprofits, giving them access to stories that inspire.

📚 Final Donation Day: 10am–7pm on April 24 at the Bledsoe Miller STEAM Center
📖 Storytime readings: 11am–1pm

Your donation is more than a book; it’s a chance to be part of a child’s story. Will you join us?

OCOF Community Partners !In celebration of Autism Acceptance Month, Morgan Pettijohn (OCOF Early Childhood subcommittee...
04/14/2026

OCOF Community Partners !

In celebration of Autism Acceptance Month, Morgan Pettijohn (OCOF Early Childhood subcommittee co-facilitator) and members of the Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network Klaras Children's Center ECI team attended the Heart of Texas Autism Network (HOTAN) 5K and Family Fun Walk event on Saturday, April 11th.

It was a fun day of community building, connecting families with resources, and developing relationships with other community partners!

College, Career & Trade Enrollment Night
04/10/2026

College, Career & Trade Enrollment Night

Join Heart of Texas Goodwill Industries for their exciting event happening next week on April 16th ! We will also have staff onsite to assist with applications for GED or adult high school diploma programs. Everyone is welcome regardless of their educational level. This is also a great opportunity

04/10/2026

Play ball! 🥎

April is Autism Acceptance Month, and we are partnering with Baylor Athletics to host a special game recognizing and celebrating individuals with autism and their families.

This is an opportunity to come together as a community, raise awareness, and affirm the gifts and contributions of autistic people.

Shoutout to Baylor Softball for offering discounted tickets ($6)! Purchase your tickets here: https://baylorbears.evenue.net/promotions/event/SB26/SB20/YOUTHUTSB1

Let’s show what it looks like to build communities of belonging on and off the field!

04/10/2026

🤝 5TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY EVENT

🗓️Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
⏰Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
🗺️Location: Dewey Park & Community Center (925 N. 9th St, Waco, TX 76707)

Mark your calendars! The 5th Annual Community Opportunity Event (COE) is back at Dewey Park & Community Center.

Created by the Waco Police Department, the COE connects youth, teens, and young adults with valuable resources and opportunities.

Attendees can access:
💼 Job opportunities & mentoring programs
🩹 Mental & physical health resources
🏫 GED and education pathways
📝 Scholarships and grant opportunities

Policing our community is not just about enforcing laws; it’s about building relationships. The COE is a chance for us to come together as partners and help bridge gaps in our community.
Bring your family and join us. We hope to see you there!

MORE INFO > https://www.unifywaco.org/coe

Join us for a fun-filled evening at Cameron Park Zoo as Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network's Klaras Center for Fam...
04/10/2026

Join us for a fun-filled evening at Cameron Park Zoo as Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network's Klaras Center for Families hosts Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, presented by Bird Kultgen Ford!

🗓 Saturday, May 16th
🕔 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

This family event promises entertainment, resources, and support for the whole family. Enjoy zoo activities and interactive exhibits while learning about children's mental health. We'll have something for kids of all ages, so bring the whole crew! Come connect with us and let's prioritize our community's mental well-being together.

Join us for a fun-filled evening at Cameron Park Zoo as Klaras Center for Families hosts Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, presented by Bird Kultgen Ford! This free family event promises entertainment, resources, and support for the whole family. Enjoy zoo activities and interactive exhibits w

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About: Our Community Our Future

Our Community Our Future (OCOF) was started in the Fall of 2015 when Klaras Center for Families, Heart of Texas Region MHMR, helped to organize a committee of community stakeholders to look at the needs of children and adolescents in our community. Our initial goal was to identify gaps in services and pool resources between various community partners to meet these needs.

Mission Statement

Our committee name and mission is “Our Community Our Future.” A great deal of intentionality was put into this because we all want to promote collective responsibility for the children, adolescents, and youth of our community. In an effort to meet some needs identified by the OCOF committee, we applied for grant funding. We were awarded the grant and received $3.4 Million for an initiative called “Closing the Gaps.”

There are three main targets for the funding of this 4-year grant: