Accomplishments
Kinship Caregiver Payments
CPS began giving monthly payments to eligible kinship caregivers in FY 2018. The Texas Legislature made this possible by passing House Bill 4 in 2017. Kinship caregivers are family members or family friends who care for children in state legal custody as an alternative to foster care. Kinship care keeps children connected with their families and communities, but is not without challenges. It is vital to start support services as soon possible because kinship care is so valuable to the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in state care.
Family Based Safety Services
CPS contracted with Pathways Youth and Family Services in Region 10, which covers El Paso, Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, and Presidio counties. Pathways is responsible for providing a full array of needed services for children and families in the FBSS stage. The model uses a performance-based contract and includes a comprehensive assessment of the services. Learn more about FBSS services in the Services section of this report.
3 in 30 Initiative
CPS started the 3 in 30 Initiative in 2018 to make sure every child that comes into state care is thoroughly checked for physical, emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs. Beginning in FY 2018, every child entering foster care must get a medical checkup in the first three days to make sure they get care for any immediate medical needs. Within 30 days, each child also gets a Child and Adolescent Needs and Strength (CANS) assessment and a Texas Health Steps checkup.
Distinguished Leadership Award
The Texas Network of Youth Services awarded its annual Distinguished Leadership Award to DFPS in June 2018 to recognize CPS and other DFPS staff for protecting children and families affected by Hurricane Harvey. The hurricane affected thousands of children and youth in the state’s care. Within days of the storm, DFPS and its partners evacuated more than 900 youth living in 21 residential facilities in the Houston area. DFPS tracked all youth in the state’s care and helped coordinate evacuations and provide other help as needed. Once the storm had passed and rebuilding efforts began, DFPS monitored and supported the many foster care providers and families to meet their housing needs.