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DFPS

Youth Services Insider
Foster Care Failed to Protect Two Texas Teens from Sexual Assault

10/21/2020

Texas Confirms Pilot Plan for Qualified Residential Treatment Program

Texas has not developed a full plan for the $50,265,902 it received from the federal government to help prepare for the Family First Prevention Services Act, but about 16% will go to a pilot project around congregate care. 

12/18/2019

Texas Projects a Severe Shortage of Foster Homes for High-Needs Kids

Buried within a wonky “needs assessment” report recently released by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is a finding that should raise alarm bells around the state. And perhaps around the country.

Youth Services Insider

11/5/2019

Texas Held in Contempt on Child Welfare Reforms by Federal Judge

A U.S. District Court judge has found the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in contempt of an order for certain system reforms, and starting Friday will begin to fine the agency every day until the issue is resolved.

10/17/2018

Texas Ruling Won’t Force Appeal in Arizona, States Push to Suspend Indian Child Welfare Act

Arizona attorneys attempted to leverage a recent Texas ruling on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to persuade a federal court to re-examine its decision not to hear a related case, but that court declined to do so this week.

6/20/2018

Texas to Expand Privatized Foster Care to More Counties

Texas’ Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is moving forward with its privatization of foster care in 30 new counties across the state. The “community-based care” model allows the state to contract with private companies to recruit foster parents, locate suitable homes for children in foster care, and provide reunification services to families.

5/24/2018

Bigger in Texas: Number of Adoptions, and Parents Who Lose Their Rights

In 1998, the federal government started an incentive program aimed at pushing states to finalize more adoptions of youth in foster care. But in the decades since its inception, few states have seen any consistent benefit from the half-billion dollars spent on incentives.

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    6/22/2017

    Texas Faith-Based Bill Will Be Headache for State to Enforce

    This week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) handed a legislative victory to faith-based entities that want to get child welfare contracts but not do anything they find objectionable on religious grounds.

    Youth Services Insider

    8/30/2016

    Cockerell, Former Texas Youth Services Leader, to Lead Kentucky Juvenile Justice

    Kentucky has declared an intention to reform its juvenile justice system, and it lured an out-of-state veteran out of retirement to get it done. Carey Cockerell, the former head of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), will become commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in mid-September.

    12/18/2015

    Texas Loses Child Welfare Lawsuit to Children’s Rights

    U.S. District Court Judge Janis Jack has ruled against the State of Texas in a class action lawsuit about the way the state’s child welfare agency handles certain foster youth. The court will now appoint a special master to preside over a mandatory reform of the Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC) program of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).