New report points to a path forward for Texas foster care

In December, a federal judge’s scathing ruling laid out the legal and moral case that Texas leaders must vastly improve the state’s foster care system to ensure children’s lives get better — not worse — when Child Protective Services removes them from unsafe homes.

The ruling, which the state has appealed, comes as state leaders increasingly agree that foster care needs attention. Legislators have passed meaningful bills in recent sessions, and both Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus have called on legislative committees to recommend steps to improve foster care prior.