Potter County
"Neighbors Serving Neighbors: The Amarillo Way"
Welcome to the Potter County page of the Vibrant Moms initiative. Reflecting the ethos of its county seat, Amarillo, with the slogan "Neighbors Serving Neighbors: The Amarillo Way," Potter County exemplifies community solidarity and support. Our asset mapping and assessments have identified key resources and environments that contribute to maternal health. This page offers insights into the services, programs, and community initiatives that uphold the well-being of mothers and families in Potter County.
Community Windshield Assessment Video
This video offers a visual tour of Potter County as part of the Vibrant Moms project, a maternal health initiative focused on understanding and improving conditions for mothers and families across the Texas Panhandle.
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Through this windshield assessment, we explore the physical environment, community infrastructure, and available assets that shape everyday life for residents. These observations help inform our understanding of maternal health needs, access to care, and opportunities for support in Potter County.
Available Resources in Potter County
Healthy Amarillo Women is a comprehensive health resource developed by the City of Amarillo Public Health to support women through all stages of life—from preconception to postpartum and beyond.
The website offers accessible, multilingual information on topics such as well-woman exams, birth control, mental health, pregnancy care, postpartum wellness, and child safety. It also provides guidance on navigating programs like Emergency Medicaid, Texas Healthy Women, and Prenatal CHIP, helping users find clinics that accept these services. ​
In addition to health information, the site features downloadable checklists, breastfeeding resources, and details on local support services like doulas and postpartum groups. It also includes tools to locate nearby clinics and providers. Designed to be user-friendly and culturally inclusive, Healthy Amarillo Women serves as a vital hub for women seeking affordable, reliable health care and support in the Amarillo area.​
The Amarillo Public Health Department (APHD) plays a critical role in safeguarding the health and well-being of the Amarillo community by offering a wide range of services focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and equitable access to care. With offices located at 1000 Martin Rd and a clinical facility at 850 Martin Rd, the department is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. APHD provides immunizations for children and uninsured adults, including vaccines for COVID-19, MMR, Hepatitis A and B, Tdap, and meningitis. No child is turned away due to an inability to pay, and walk-ins are welcome.
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The department also offers comprehensive STD/HIV testing and treatment services, including free prevention supplies and risk reduction counseling. Through its Communicable Disease Surveillance program, APHD tracks illnesses such as influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and measles, and provides public education to help control outbreaks. Community outreach efforts focus on topics like hand hygiene, emergency preparedness, and maternal and infant health, with mobile services available for community events.
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APHD is also home to a Health Equity Program that serves refugee and parolee populations with multilingual education, healthcare navigation, and resource linkage to reduce health disparities. The Refugee Health Services program assists newcomers with required health screenings and vaccinations to ease their transition into the U.S. healthcare system. To guide public health strategy, APHD publishes community health assessments, surveillance data, and even conducts wastewater monitoring to track health trends.
Education Service Center (ESC) Region 16, headquartered in Amarillo, Texas, serves as a vital support system for 64 school districts and charter schools across the expansive 26,000-square-mile Texas Panhandle. With a mission to enhance student success, ESC Region 16 provides services to over 80,000 students and more than 11,400 educators, guided by core values of excellence, growth, integrity, and commitment. The center offers a wide range of programs and resources tailored to meet diverse educational needs.
Key services include academic support such as curriculum development, instructional leadership, and professional development for teachers. The center’s Special Education division ensures students with disabilities receive the support they need in compliance with state and federal regulations. Through Early Childhood Intervention (ECI), infants and toddlers with developmental delays receive therapies and family-centered support. ESC Region 16 also oversees Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare students for real-world careers, and provides counseling and mental health services that include crisis response, suicide prevention, and substance use education.
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Additional offerings include Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which focus on early learning and family engagement for low-income families with children ages 0–5, and Migrant Education Services, which support children from migratory agricultural families in maintaining academic progress. The region is also pioneering technological advancement with the launch of Texas’ first Duos Edge Data Center—aimed at improving digital connectivity and educational infrastructure for schools in the region.
​Amarillo's Better Birth Initiative (ABBI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing prenatal and postpartum care to low-income women who do not qualify for Medicaid. Recognizing the high cost of prenatal care without insurance—often requiring full payment upfront—ABBI addresses a critical gap in maternal healthcare access. In 2021, it was reported that 30% of women delivering at Northwest Texas Hospital had not received any prenatal care, highlighting the urgent need for such services.​
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Founded in 2022 by Certified Nurse Midwife Silvia Garbalena-Esparza, ABBI employs the Midwifery Model of Care to offer personalized support throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. This model emphasizes informed birth choices, aiming to improve neonatal and maternal outcomes. Silvia brings extensive experience to the initiative, having started a home birth practice in 2017 and opening Birth Haven, Amarillo's first licensed birth center, in 2018. She is supported by a dedicated board comprising professionals such as doulas, nurses, and community advocates, all committed to enhancing maternal health in the region.​
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ABBI welcomes community involvement through donations and volunteer opportunities.
MAAC Kids (Martial Arts Athletic Center) in Amarillo, Texas, provides a unique combination of child care and martial arts training, designed to support the holistic development of children from infancy through school age.
With a strong emphasis on physical fitness, discipline, and character building, MAAC Kids offers dynamic programs that foster confidence, respect, and life skills in a safe and engaging environment. Their Taekwondo classes promote focus and self-discipline, while the after-school care program blends homework help with fitness and enrichment activities.
During the summer months, MAAC’s camps keep children active and learning through sports, field trips, and structured fun.
MAAC Kids operates across three locations in Amarillo: MAAC Kids at 3820 Line Ave, MAAC Kids 2 at 2009 N Marrs St, and Mini MAAC at 4220 Wolflin Ave.
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a nationally recognized, evidence-based community health program that connects first-time, low-income mothers with registered nurses who provide personalized support throughout pregnancy and the early years of parenting.
Services begin early in pregnancy and continue until the child’s second birthday, focusing on three main goals: improving prenatal health, promoting healthy child development, and enhancing the long-term self-sufficiency of families. Through consistent, trust-based home visits, nurses provide expert guidance on topics such as prenatal care, breastfeeding, child safety, developmental milestones, and strategies for building a stable home environment. In addition to supporting physical and emotional well-being, nurses also assist clients with goal setting, education planning, employment guidance, and navigating community resources.
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In the Amarillo region, the NFP program is administered by the Coalition of Health Services, Inc., serving families in Potter and Randall counties. The local office is located at 301 South Polk Street, Suite 740, Amarillo, TX 79101.
By empowering mothers to create healthier futures for themselves and their children, NFP has been shown to reduce infant mortality, improve school readiness, and break cycles of poverty across generations.
Anchored Life Academy, located in Amarillo, Texas, is a faith-based coaching and support organization dedicated to helping individuals—particularly women—navigate life’s challenges through healing, resilience, and personal growth. Founded by certified life coach Natalie Demerson-Watkins, the academy offers a range of services designed to provide emotional support and practical tools for those dealing with grief, trauma, or major life transitions.​
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One of the cornerstone programs is “Voice of the Womb,” a grief support and resiliency initiative specifically for women who have experienced miscarriage or infant loss. This program offers both one-on-one and group coaching, helping participants rediscover hope and purpose after profound loss. Other services include personalized life coaching sessions, group empowerment circles, and skill-building workshops focused on self-awareness, goal-setting, and emotional well-being. The academy’s approach integrates faith, mindfulness, and community support to help clients build a life anchored in strength and purpose.
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Anchored Life Academy is located at 5211 SW 9th Avenue, Suite 100, Amarillo, TX 79106.
The Amarillo Wesley Community Center is a nonprofit neighborhood hub dedicated to fostering individual growth and community empowerment. Located at 1615 S. Roberts in Amarillo, Texas, the center offers a diverse range of programs designed to support residents of all ages and backgrounds.​
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For families, the center provides affordable childcare services for infants as young as six weeks up to five years old, as well as a licensed afterschool program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. During the summer months, a licensed camp offers youth enrichment activities that promote learning and engagement.​
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Youth development is further supported through specialized programs such as a wrestling initiative for ages 4–15, which teaches both athletic skills and core values, and the “Behind the Scenes: Modeling & Mentoring” program, which focuses on communication, problem-solving, and fostering a sense of purpose.​
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The center also emphasizes mental health by providing counseling services for children, adolescents, and adults. Additionally, its Senior Center offers social, recreational, and educational activities aimed at enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
Joseph’s Project is a comprehensive pregnancy and parenting support program operated by Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle. Designed to serve expectant mothers and families with children under the age of three, the program offers personalized education, resources, and emotional support during some of the most critical stages of early family life.
Through one-on-one mentorship, parenting classes, and material assistance, Joseph’s Project aims to equip parents with the tools they need to build stable, nurturing environments for their children. In addition to practical guidance, the program fosters long-term well-being by encouraging positive parenting practices and strengthening family bonds.
By addressing both immediate needs and future goals, Joseph’s Project plays a vital role in supporting maternal and child health across the Texas Panhandle.
Family Support Services (FSS) of Amarillo is a longstanding nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals and families through advocacy, education, and intervention. Serving Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle since 1908, FSS envisions a community where all individuals and families are healthy, stable, and free from violence. The organization offers a wide range of services including advocacy for victims of sexual assault, family violence, and human trafficking—providing support such as safety planning and legal navigation. Their Emergency Safe House offers a secure, supportive environment with essentials like food and toiletries for survivors and their children.
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FSS also provides professional counseling services both in-person and through telehealth for individuals, couples, and families facing challenges such as trauma, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The Veterans Resource Center serves as a drop-in hub staffed by veterans, offering peer support, housing and employment assistance, and access to benefits. In addition, FSS runs educational and prevention programs that cover important issues such as dating violence, bullying, child abuse, teen suicide, parenting skills, substance abuse, and teen pregnancy prevention.
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Located at 2209 SW 7th Ave. in Amarillo, FSS maintains a 24-hour crisis helpline at 806-374-5433.
The Charles E. Warford Activity Center, located at 1330 NW 18th Avenue in Amarillo, Texas, is a cornerstone of community engagement and wellness in the North Heights neighborhood.
Operated by the City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department, the center is named in honor of Charles E. Warford, the first African American elected to the Amarillo City Commission, and serves as a symbol of equity, inclusion, and revitalization within the community.
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Originally opened in the 1950s and renovated extensively in 2018, the Warford Activity Center offers a variety of services and amenities aimed at supporting youth, families, and seniors. The facility includes a full-sized gymnasium, weight and cardio rooms, a computer lab, classrooms, and multi-purpose spaces for fitness classes, arts and crafts, and educational workshops. In addition to recreational programming, the center often partners with local nonprofits and city agencies to offer mentorship programs, after-school activities, summer camps, and workforce readiness initiatives.
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A key focus of the Warford Center is to promote health and wellness across all age groups while providing a safe, accessible gathering place for residents of Amarillo’s historically underserved communities. Through its programming, the center not only encourages physical fitness but also social connection, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning.
The information provided on this site is intended as a resource hub to help mothers access and review important maternal health information. This is not intended to provide medical advice. Before making any health decisions, always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it is appropriate for your individual needs.