State must lower CPS caseloads
Early in his tenure as governor of Texas, Greg Abbott suggested a clear and noble goal for the state’s beleaguered foster care system — a system in which far too many kids have died, including 10 in 2013.
Kurt Senske: How can you help Texas’ foster kids?
The narrative around foster care in Texas usually centers on overloaded caseworkers, traumatized children and a flawed, underfunded state system. However, few of us look in the mirror and wonder what we ourselves can do to improve the lives of children in the Texas foster care system.
Foster care deaths prompt legislative changes
AUSTIN — An alarming number of deaths of children in foster care last year sparked legislative change this session, but watchdogs argue that those measures didn’t go far enough.
There are 17,000 children in foster care in the state.
Texas Senate approves bill boosting foster care training
The Senate has approved mandating 35 hours of training for potential foster care parents, more than double what some are now required to have.
Remaking Foster Care: Learning How To Survive Outside The System
On Thursday, we heard from a single mom about her transition out of the foster care system. In the final part of KERA’s Remaking Foster Care, we’ll hear from another person who aged out of the system: a 24-year-old from East Dallas.
Remaking Foster Care: Navigating The System As A Parent
At a Fort Worth church, Greg Bunch addresses a group of mothers and fathers.
Remaking Foster Care: After A Number Of Crises, Redesign Takes Root In Fort Worth
Forty-five thousand young Texans can’t safely live with their parents. A third of them are in state custody. They’re trying to navigate a foster care
Lundy: Texas’ foster care system is hurting
Many foster children need highly specialized and individualized care. A study by the Children’s Trust Fund and Michigan State University found that 30 percent of abused children have some type of language or cognitive impairment, and 14 percent exhibit self-harm.
Video: Seeing An Unintended Consequence In CPS Law
Lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit the Department of Family and Protective Services from making a finding of “abuse” or “neglect” against a parent who surrenders parental rights to get a child mental health care.
6-month-old baby dies while in CPS custody
“Today is the last day I will ever see my daughter again,” said Anastasia Hernandez through tears.