TexProtects Update from the Frontlines

On Jan. 30, TexProtects joined advocates from around the state at the Department of Family and Protective Services’ (DFPS) public hearing on the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). In the 86th legislative session, TexProtects championed S.B. 355 which directed DFPS to develop a strategic plan for the implementation of FFPSA. DFPS published their Texas Child Welfare Changing Landscape Action Plan several months ago, and this hearing offered the public an opportunity to provide feedback toward their planning process and the opportunities presented by FFPSA.

How To Get Involved During the Interim

During the interim, legislators and their staff spend more time in both their district and capitol offices, which means they have more bandwidth and availability to develop relationships and learn more about topics of interest. The voice that matters most to legislators, is the voice of their constituents. So while the work of session can often seem complicated, overwhelming, and better left to the professionals (which it’s not!), the interim is the period in which local providers, stakeholders, parents, teachers, and YOU can use their voice to speak up for Texas kids.

The Work Toward Next Session Starts Now

Although the legislative session gets the majority of the attention, it’s important to understand the significance and opportunities of the interim. During this time, advocates strengthen relationships with legislators and their staff and educate them on issues that will inform their work and the bills they support the following session.

Texas Fined $50,000 A Day For Ignoring Court Orders On Overnight Supervision of Foster Kids in Group Settings

On November 5, 2019 – Eight years after a class action lawsuit was filed against the Texas foster care system and four years since U.S. District Judge Janis Jack of Corpus Christi first ruled treatment of children in the Texas foster care system unconstitutional – the state of Texas continues its battle in court. On […]

OP-ED: Healthy Childhoods One of Many Ways to Prevent Violence

This op-ed was published in the Houston Chronicle, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Longview News-Journal and Alice Echo News-Journal. By Sophie Phillips, TexProtects CEO Yet again, more mass shootings have our nation desperately searching for answers to difficult questions. How could they have been prevented? Some question whether prevention is within our reach. This question sparks […]

How Did Behavioral Health & Trauma Fare in the 86th Texas Legislature?

DID YOU KNOW? Behavioral health is a term used to refer to the connection between physical and mental health and a person’s behavior At least 25% of Texas children have experienced multiple adversities that are likely affecting their ability to succeed at school. Half of all mental health conditions have presented before age 14. 68% […]

Op-Ed: Mistreatment of migrant children by our government is intolerable

This op-ed was distributed to and published by newspapers statewide in Texas, including the Dallas Morning News, Longview News-Journal and Stephenville Empire-Tribune. Permission to reprint is freely granted under these conditions: The text may not be edited in any way. Authorship must be properly credited. Online reprints must link back to this blog post; paper […]

How Did Child Protection Systems Fare in the 86th Texas Legislature?

DID YOU KNOW? In 2018, there were 280,874 reports of suspected child abuse/neglect to Statewide Intake. 66,370 or 24% of those reports were confirmed. Child maltreatment will cost Texas an estimated $1.75 billion in CPS expenditures in FY 2019 and over $55 billion in total costs across the victims’ lifetimes. 43% of children who complete […]

How Did Prevention and Early Intervention Fare in the 86th Texas Legislature?

DID YOU KNOW? Four children die from abuse/neglect each week, and 80 percent of victims are 3 years of age and younger. 181 children are confirmed as abused/neglected every day, and the highest rates occur in children under age 5. Evidence-based home visiting programs can reduce child maltreatment by up to 48 percent and have […]

‘Be There’ – A Father’s Day Conversation With Rep. James Frank

Happy Father’s Day! Today is that day when all over the nation, we salute the men who guided and nurtured us – and perhaps are still doing so. We salute all the dads. Maybe he’s the one who has been with you since birth; maybe he’s a stepdad, uncle or grandfather who has stepped into […]