I wanted to make sure you saw the latest from DFPS.


To view this email online, paste this link into your browser:
[link removed]





1016 La Posada Drive, Suite 240   |   Austin, TX 78752   |   512.473.2274

([link removed])

We drive policy change to improve the lives of Texas children today for a stronger Texas tomorrow.

([link removed])

([link removed])

([link removed])

([link removed])

Donate ([link removed])

Hello!

As you may know, DFPS is seeking public comments on its draft five-year strategic plan by Wednesday, May 27th at 5:00 pm. This is an important opportunity for Texans to weigh in regarding the future of Child Protective Services, foster care, child abuse prevention, and other DFPS functions.

The agency’s draft plan, and more information on the opportunity to comment, is available here ([link removed]).

DFPS is also seeking input on its Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR), which will outline the agency’s funding needs for fiscal years 2022-23. Recommendations should be sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) by May 31.

These are great opportunities to urge DFPS and state leaders to leverage the Family First Prevention Services Act that reformed federal funding for child welfare last year.

By taking key steps, state leaders can leverage the Family First Act to:

help get Texas through the current pandemic and recession;

invest in prevention efforts to keep kids safe, with their families, and out of foster care; and

improve residential treatment centers and other foster care facilities.

Coronavirus has made it particularly important for Texas leaders to seize the opportunity presented by the Family First Act. The pandemic is:  

putting greater stress and strain on parents;

increasing the risk of child abuse and neglect going unreported;

forcing substance use providers for parents to scale back or close down their services;

worsening the shortage of high-quality foster care homes; and

forcing state budget writers to work harder to keep programs for kids and families fully funded.

In fact, yesterday Texas leaders directed state agencies to propose five percent cuts to their current budgets. As we mentioned in the Austin American-Statesman ([link removed]), we were glad to see that state leaders exempted CPS and many other services for kids and families, a recognition that these services will be particularly important to Texans during the pandemic and recession. However, the exemptions do not protect child abuse prevention services, underscoring the need for state leaders to aggressively pursue Family First Act funds. 

If you would like to further discuss these opportunities to comment on the DFPS strategic plan, provide input on the DFPS LAR, and leverage the Family First Act, please contact me anytime at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

Sincerely,

Kate MurphySenior Child Protection Policy Associate
@K8MurphysLaw ([link removed])

Support Our Work ([link removed])





1016 La Posada Drive, Suite 240 | Austin, TX 78752 US

This email was sent to [email protected].
To ensure that you continue receiving our emails,
please add us to your address book or safe list.

manage your preferences ([link removed])
opt out ([link removed]) using TrueRemove(r).

Got this as a forward? Sign up ([link removed]) to receive our future emails.
email powered by Emma(R)
[link removed]