By Topic
Materials published on the Children’s Commission website are helpful reports and resources for judges and attorneys handling child protective services cases and are intended for reference use only. This information not legal advice and does not represent the official opinion of the Supreme Court Children’s Commission. The inclusion of external links is not an endorsement by the Children’s Commission of the content associated with the resource. The Children’s Commission reserves the right to decline requests for the addition of external resources.
Bench Cards
Bench Cards are abbreviated reference cards on specific hearing types and subject matter for quick reference. Extended versions with Family Code citations are also available.
Bench Card Checklists without Citations:
- At a Glance
- Adversary Hearing
- Status Hearing
- Permanency Hearing Before Final Order
- Final Hearing
- Permanency Hearing After Final Order
- Foster Care and Education
- Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
- Medical and Mental Health Care for Foster Youth
- Human Trafficking
- Disproportionality:
Bench Card Checklists with Citations:
- Adversary Hearing
- Status Hearing
- Permanency Hearing Before Final Order
- Final Hearing
- Termination Grounds
- Permanency Hearing After Final Order
- De Novo Hearing
- Foster Care and Education
- Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
- Medical and Mental Health Care for Foster Youth
- Human Trafficking
- American Bar Association Judicial Bench Cards for Engaging Youth in the Courtroom:
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- Bench Cards for Engaging Young Children (ages 0-12 Months)
- Toddlers (1-3 years) and Preschoolers (3-5 years)
- School-Age Children (5-11 years)
- Adolescents (12-15 years)
- Older Adolescents (16+ years)
Bench Book Special Topic Chapters:
- 2019 Case Law Update; presented by Judge Thomas Stuckey and Eric Tai
- 2018 Case Law Update, presented by Judge Thomas Stuckey and Eric Tai
- 2017 Case Law Update
- 2016 Case Law Update, presented by Justice Michael Massengale
For more information about our work in disproportionality, please visit the Systems Improvement page, section Disproportionality.
- Children's Commission Judicial Workgroup Addressing Disproportionality Bench Card
- Bench Card to Reduce or Eliminate Disproportionality, NCJFCJ Courts Catalyzing Change (CCC)
- NCJFCJ Recorded Webcasts:
- DFPS Website on Disproportionality in Child Protective Services
- DFPS Video Webcast Series:
- Resource Letter for Judges and Attorneys Handling Child Protective Services Cases: Resources Related to Cultural Competency and Reducing Disproportionality and Disparities
- Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book Chapter: Disproportionality
For more information about our work in Dual Status, please visit the Dual Status Task Force page.
For more information about our work in Foster Care & Education, please visit the Systems Improvement page, section Foster Care & Education.
Recent Publications:
- Are You Eligible for the Education & Training Voucher? *Please note that this tool is best viewed by desktop.* Tool designed to help foster youth or young adults in post-secondary, vocational or technical programs determine if they are eligible to receive the Education & Training Voucher.
- Are You Eligible for the Tuition Waiver? *Please note that this tool is best viewed by desktop.* Tool designed to help foster youth determine if they are eligible to receive a tuition and fee waiver which exempts or waives payment of tuition and fees for courses that are formula-funded at Texas state-supported (public) colleges or universities for youth or young adults in the conservatorship of DFPS and for those adopted from DFPS.
- Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book Chapter: Education
- Resource Letter for Judges and Attorneys Handling Child Protective Services Cases: Back to School for the 2020-2021 School Year
The Texas Blueprint:
- The Texas Blueprint: Transforming Education Outcomes For Children & Youth In Foster Care
- Texas Blueprint Implementation Task Force Final Report
- ABA Child Law Practice: The Texas Blueprint - A Model for Improving School Experiences for Children in Foster Care
Texas Foster Care & Education Collaborative Reports:
- Foster Care and Student Success Resource Guide
- Foster Care College Tuition & Fee Waiver Process
- Infographic: Texas commits to transform education outcomes of students in foster care: Findings from the Texas Blueprint Implementation Data Workgroup
- Information Sharing Between Child Welfare and Schools: Maintaining Privacy and Promoting Educational Success, April 2017
- Regional CPS Education Consortia: The Building Blocks to Engaging Community Stakeholders
- Statewide Survey on Local Collaboration Summary and One-pagers (School, Caregiver, CPS, and Legal)
- Texas CASA: Educational Advocacy Toolkit
- Texas Higher Education Information and Resource Guide for Foster Care Liaisons, September 2018
- The Road to College: Texas Foster Youth & Post-Secondary Education
- Transition Planning Guide for Students in Foster Care Receiving Special Education Services, July 2018
Additional Foster Care & Education Resources
Contacts:
- Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS):
- Regional Education Specialist Contact Information
- Regional Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Coordinators
- DFPS Regional Offices
- Education Service Center: Foster Care Champions
- Higher Education Foster Care Liaisons
- School District Foster Care Liaisons
Links:
- American Bar Association (ABA) Legal Center on Foster Children & Education
- Casey Family Programs
- Education Reach for Texans
- National Working Group on Foster Care & Education: Education Outcomes for Children in Foster Care National Fact Sheet
- Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)
- Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)
- Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
- Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education (TCASE)
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
- Texas Education Agency Foster Care and Student Success Page (TEA)
- U.S. Department of Education: Students in Foster Care
Homelessness creates serious adverse conditions for children and youth, including medical and mental health, lack of school stability, physical safety, food insecurity, risk of exploitation and trafficking, and substance abuse.
Texas Appleseed, in partnership with Weatherford International and Baker & McKenzie LLP, created the Homeless Youth Handbook. This handbook provides homeless youth with Texas-specific information about their rights, responsibilities, and available resources related to every major aspect of their lives, including education, employment, health, housing, parenting, and other major topics.
For more information about our work on issues in human trafficking, please visit the Systems Improvement page, section Human Trafficking.
Resources:
- "Be the One" digital training tool
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
- Human Trafficking and Child Welfare: A Guide for Child Welfare Agencies
- Human Trafficking By the Numbers: The Initial Benchmark of Prevalence and Economic Impact for Texas Final Report, December 2016
- National Judicial Institute on Domestic Child Sex Trafficking - Online Resources
- Polaris Project
- Resource Letter for Judges and Attorneys Handling Child Protective Services Cases:
- January 2020: Resources Related to Preventing and Addressing Domestic Child Sex Trafficking
- May 2019 Special Issue: Resources Related to Preventing and Addressing Domestic Child Sex Trafficking
- January 2018: The Texas Response to Human Trafficking
- Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book Chapter: Human Trafficking
Contacts:
- Administration for Children & Families Office on Trafficking of Persons
- Office of Texas Attorney General
- Office of the Texas Governor: Child Sex Trafficking Team
- Office of Victims of Crime: Human Trafficking
- National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
- National Human Trafficking Resource Center
- Texas DFPS Human Trafficking page
For more information about our work in ICWA, please visit the Systems Improvement page, section Tribal/State.
- Guidelines for Implementing the Indian Child Welfare Act
- ICWA Guide for Tribal Governments and Leaders
- ICWA Quick Reference Tools for State Courts, Jurist in Residence Letter
- NCJFCJ Indian Child Welfare Act Judicial Bench Book
- Resource Letter for Judges and Attorneys Handling Child Protective Services Cases:
- August 2019: Update on the Status of ICWA in Texas
- December 2018: Update on the Status of ICWA in Texas
- November 2018: Update on the Status of ICWA in Texas
- March 2017: ICWA Quick Reference Tools for State Courts
- Quick Reference Sheet on Active Efforts
- Quick Reference Sheet for State Courts
- Quick Reference Sheet for Voluntary Proceedings
- Sample Notice Form
- Sample Parental Consent Form
- Sample Withdrawal of Consent Form
- Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book Chapter: ICWA
The Children’s Commission conducted an observation and data collection study, called the Hearing Quality Observation Project, involving 164 child welfare hearings held across Texas. The primary purpose of the project was to establish a baseline about the quality of court hearings occurring in child welfare cases in Texas, including hearing factors such as timeliness and length, depth of issues discussed, party and judicial compliance with the Texas Family Code, parental due process, party engagement, children’s appearance in court, attorney preparedness, and attorney and parent satisfaction with legal representation.
The 2015 National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Judicial Workload Study includes findings from the study, a glossary that defines each hearing and case event, as well as a category type for each hearing type and case event.
- Weighted Caseload Study: Judicial Workload Study in Texas Child Protective Services Cases
- Measuring Current Judicial Workload in Texas, 2007, The National Center for State Courts
For more information, please visit the Legal Practice & Process page, section Legal Representation.
Recent publications:
- Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children in Child Protection Cases
- What Does a Parent's Attorney Do? Trifold Brochure
- What Does an Attorney for a Child in a CPS Case Do? Trifold Brochure
Publications:
- 2018 Study of Legal Representation in Child Protective Services Cases
- Children's Commission 2011 Legal Representation Study, Complete Report
- Children's Commission 2011 Legal Representation Study, Summary
Judicial Guide and Resource:
Practice Manuals:
- Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services in Child Protection Cases
- Attorney Practice Guide for Child Protective Services Attorneys, DFPS
- State Bar of Texas Texas Young Lawyers Association Guardianship Guide
Standards of Practice:
- American Bar Association Standards of Practice for Attorneys Who Represent Children in Abuse and Neglect Cases
- National Association of Counsel for
Children - Revised Version of ABA Standards of Practice for Lawyers Who Represent Children in Abuse and Neglect Cases - American Bar Association Standards of Practice for Attorneys Representing Parents in Abuse and Neglect Cases
- American Bar Association Standards of Practice for Lawyers Representing Child Welfare Agencies
Additional Resources:
- Resource Paper Regarding State Appropriation for Legal Representation for Children in Child Protective Services Cases
86th Legislative Session:
- 2019 Child Protection Update: 86th Legislative Session
- PowerPoint Presentation PDF
- Follow-up to Viewer Questions Submitted During the “86th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters” Live Webcast
- Legislative Update Presentation at May 31. 2019 Children's Commission Meeting
85th Legislative Session:
- 85th Session Legislative Summary provided to the Texas Senate
- 85th Session Legislative Update
- TexasBarCLE Online Classroom: Child Protection Legislative Update - 85th Legislative Session (Recorded July 2017)
- 85th Legislative Session July 2017 Webcast PowerPoint Notes
84th Legislative Session:
Appeals
House Bill 7 Task Force:
- Report to the Supreme Court of Texas of the House Bill 7 Task Force for Procedural Rules in Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship Filed by a Governmental Entity
- Report to the 85th Legislature on Jury Submissions in Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship Filed By the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
For more information, please visit the Legal Practice & Process web page, section on Mediation.
- Cost Analysis of Mediation in Travis County Family Court, November 2015
- Child Protection Mediation in Texas: Past, Present, and Future. University of Texas School of Law, Mediation Clinic, March 2010
- Report Summary: Child Protection Mediation in Texas: Past, Present, and Future. University of Texas School of Law, Mediation Clinic, April 2010
- Using Mediation Effectively in Child Protection Cases, June 2014 Presentation at CWJC by Cynthia Bryant and Cynthia Osborne, University of Texas
For more information about current projects, please visit the Legal Practice & Process, section Parent Resources Workgroup.
The Parent Resource Workgroup supports efforts to assist parents in understanding the Texas Child Welfare system, their role and responsibilities when involved in a Child Protective Services case, and the roles and responsibilities of others. As a result, the Parent Resource Guide and Family Helpline was created.
The Parent Resource Guide
The Parent Resource Guide is a handbook designed to help parents understand the Texas child welfare system, their role and responsibilities when involved in a Child Protective Services case, and the roles and responsibilities of others.
The Parent Resource Guide is accessible in print and online in English and Spanish. Additionally, the guide is available for mobile users via the LawBox app.
For print (PDF):
Online (Desktop):
A searchable and mobile-friendly version is also available on LawBox and can be accessed below:
The Family Helpline
On January 31, 2017, the Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) launched The Family Helpline to assist parents with CPS legal issues. The Family Helpline is staffed by experienced attorneys who refer to pertinent portions of the Children’s Commission’s Parent Resource Guide while offering callers live support in a one-on-one exchange. TLSC employs attorneys with CPS case experience who can offer callers legal information and education, but not offer legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship with the caller.
The CPS process is explained to callers in concrete, easy to understand, and compassionate language. Parents will be given referrals to local resources that benefit children, families, and the community at large.
The Family Helpline is available Monday – Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can be reached at (844) 888-6565.
For more information on the Family Helpline, visit TexasLawHelp.org
Beyond the Bench: Law, Justice, and Communities
Texas' two highest courts, the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, spearheaded the Beyond the Bench: Law, Justice, and Communities Summit on December 14, 2016, in Dallas, Texas. The Summit brought together Texas judges, law-enforcement officers, and national, state, and community leaders with the objective of strengthening trust and confidence in our justice system.
The Beyond the Bench Toolkit was created to offer assistance in planning similar convenings and to inspire continued conversation about this important issue.
Child Welfare Judges Conference:
2019
- Pre-Conference Presentation - Opening Remarks and Placement to Permanency: One and Done
- Pre-Conference - Well-Being Issues for Children in Care
- State Keynote: Judicial Awareness of Mental Health Issues in Our Courts
- 86th Legislative Session Update
- Case Law Update; Case Law Update - Paper
- Tools for a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System
- STAR Health Panel on Resources for Children in CPS Cases
- The Changing Landscape of Child Welfare: Two Transformational Initiatives are Occurring in the Child Welfare System Today
- DFPS Statewide Update
- Movie Night: FOSTER Stakeholder Screening Toolkit
- The Effects of ICWA and Human Trafficking in Tribal Communities
2018
- Addressing Human Trafficking in DFPS Conservatorship, presented by Judge Angela Ellis
- 2018 Case Law Update, presented by Judge Thomas Stuckey and Eric Tai
- Cultural Competency, presented by Judge Carlos Villalon, Jr. and Judge Aurora Martinez-Jones; Cultural Competency (handout); Cultural Competency Rider 14 (handout)
- DFPS Statewide Update, presented by Jim Sylvester
- Interviewing Children in Chambers, presented by Judge Katrina Griffith
- Judicial Secondary Trauma and Judicial Self Care, presented by Brian L. Meyer
- Judicial Commission on Mental Health, presented by Judge and Kristi Taylor
- Judicial Leadership on Domestic Violence, presented by Gloria A. Terry and Shellie Ryan, TX Council on Family Violence
- Legal Representation Study Results, presented by Judge Carlos Villalon and Dylan Moench
- Normalcy for Youth in Care, presented by Judge Peter Sakai
- Procedural Justice: Power of Perception and Positive Impact of Humanizing Justice, presented by Dylan Moench; Procedural Justice and the Courts (handout); My Name is Not Mother (handout)
- Report on Education in Residential Settings, presented by Judge Rob Hofmann
- Resources for Children with Developmental Disabilities, presented by Elizabeth Tucker, EveryChild, Inc.
- Statewide Collaborative on Trauma-Informed Care Update, presented by Judge Darlene Byrne and Jocelyn Fowler
- Substance Abuse Issues, Testing, and Resources, presented by Karen Palombo, HHS; Marco Quesada, DFPS; and Michele Surratt, DFPS; Substance Abuse Issues Level of Care (handout); Substance Abuse Issues, Testing, and Resources OSAR (handout)
- Teen Parenting and Pregnancy in Foster Care, presented by Judge Darlene Byrne
2017
- Case Law Update
- Interventions: Understanding Basic Avenues for Standing in CPS Cases, Hon. Melissa DeGerolami
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
- Trauma-Informed Advocacy: A Lawyer's Ethical Duty Involving a Child's Constitutional Rights, Barbara Elias-Perciful
- Update from the Governor's Office Child Sex Trafficking Team by Andrea Sparks
2016
- Case Law Update, Justice Michael Massengale
- Addressing Court Barriers to Permanency, Hon. Michael Schneider
- Courts Today: Child Safety and Domestic Violence, Hon. Scott McCown
- Improving Permanency Outcomes: AFCARS & The Courts, Christopher Church
- Lessons Learned from Developing a Trauma Consultation Protocol for Juvenile and Family Courts, Shawn Marsh
- Mediation Judicial Survey ResultsCynthia Osborne, University of Texas
- Texas CPS Weighted Caseload Study Assessment, Amanda Stites
2018 Foster Care & Education Summit
In July 2018, Texas hosted its’ second Foster Care and Education Summit. The 2018 Summit provided an opportunity to look at past accomplishments, assess current challenges, and build momentum going forward. Teams attended from every region in Texas and included advocates, attorneys, child welfare and education professionals, foster care alumni, and judges. Key themes included using data to drive decisions, engaging youth in decisions that impact their lives, approaching students with a trauma-informed lens, and creating a college-going culture for children and youth in foster care.
Materials:
- 2018 Foster Care & Education Summit Agenda
- Foster Care and Education: 2008-2018; presented by Kathleen McNaught and Tiffany Roper
- Postsecondary Opportunities; presented by Jackie Davis, Dr. Monica Faulkner, Hon. Katrina Griffith, and Lorena Knight
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA); presented by Kelly Kravitz, Felicia Penn, Don Schmidt, and Jasmine Wightman
- Special Education; presented by Denise Brady and Heather Reisman
- Behavior, School Discipline, and Trauma; presented by Clynita Grafenreed, Shelley Williams, and Mary Young
Round Table discussions are designed to address key, urgent issues affecting the Texas child welfare system through a half-day program that is facilitated by a subject-matter legal expert. The topics vary year to year and the number of Round Tables hosted each year also varies according to the interest of stakeholders and issues demanding attention. The Children’s Commission’s role usually consists of forming a small workgroup to discuss the overall purpose, creating an invitation and distribution list, securing a venue, handling all invitations, RSVPs, and travel reimbursements, and producing a written report or paper within about 4 to 6 months following the event.
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- Child Safety: A Guide for Judges and Attorneys Published by the American Bar Association and ACTION for Child Protection, Inc. – Developed by the National Resource Center for Child Protective Services and the National Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues
- Protect Our Kids Commission Report
For more information about our work in child protection courts, please visit the Systems Improvement page, section Specialty Courts.
- Judicial Directory Child Protection Courts
- Notice & Engagement Hearing Notification Tool:
For more information about our work in Trauma-Informed Care, please visit the Statewide Collaborative on Trauma-Informed Care page.
- Building a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System: A Blueprint
- February 8th Commission Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
Additional Resources:
- Child Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS) and Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA):
- Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book Chapter:
- Trauma-Informed Care Final Report, The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas
- Trauma-Informed Advocacy for Children and Youth in Foster Care: The Children’s Commission, in partnership with Texas CASA and the Shield Ayers Foundation, created a one-hour training to help introduce trauma-informed care to Attorneys ad Litem, Guardians ad Litem
and CASA volunteers. The presentation includes strategies for advocating for children in courtrooms, schools, and placements to meet each child’s unique needs. Other topics include how trauma influences a child’s ability to communicate about the case and how to appropriately respond to a child’s trauma-related behaviors.
The Texas Office of Court Administration (OCA) oversees and manages a collaborative video conferencing project between the courts presiding over child abuse and neglect cases, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)/Child Protection Services (CPS), and residential placement facilities contracted by DFPS providing services to the children involved in these cases.
For more information on how to participate, please visit the Video Conferencing webpage provided by OCA.
Children's Commission YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNKMSsTBhDYi7dmdEc0UshQ/playlists?view_as=subscriber
Topics
- About the Children's Commission: This 12-minute video describes the mission and goals of the Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families.
- Texas Legislative Sessions:
- 86th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
- 85th Legislative Session: Changes to the Legal System
- Foster Care & Education:
- Changes to Educational Services for Texas Foster Youth
- THECB Tuition and Fee Waiver: The tuition and fee waiver in the Texas Education Code offers eligible young adults the opportunity to attend any Texas public institution of higher education without the payment of tuition and fees. The video clarifies the eligibility criteria for the state tuition and fee waiver and explains how the waiver can be utilized in Texas.
- Trauma-Informed Advocacy for Children and Youth in Foster Care: The Children’s Commission, in partnership with Texas CASA and the Shield Ayers Foundation, created a one-hour training to help introduce trauma-informed care to Attorneys ad Litem, Guardians ad Litem
and CASA volunteers. The presentation includes strategies for advocating for children in courtrooms, schools, and placements to meet each child’s unique needs. Other topics include how trauma influences a child’s ability to communicate about the case and how to appropriately respond to a child’s trauma-related behaviors. - Beyond the Bench: Law, Justice, and Communities Summit: Texas' two highest courts, the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, spearheaded the Beyond the Bench: Law, Justice, and Communities Summit on December 14, 2016, in Dallas, Texas. The Summit brought together Texas judges, law-enforcement officers, and national, state, and community leaders with the objective of strengthening trust and confidence in our justice system. The Beyond the Bench Toolkit was created to offer assistance in planning similar convenings and to inspire continued conversation about this important issue.
- Speak UP! Foster Youth in Court
For more information, please visit the Systems Improvement page, section Youth Voice & Normalcy.
- Recommendations for Improving Permanency and Well-Being, Administration for Children and Families
- Normalcy for Children and Youth in Foster Care Roundtable Report
- Normalcy Roundtable Presentation
For the October 2019 edition, the Children’s Commission co-authored a Texas Bar Journal article with the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Foster Youth Justice Project entitled “Representing Youth and Young Adults,” which focused on the transition to adulthood for youth who are under the care and conservatorship of the state of Texas, which can involve significant challenges to experiencing normalcy, attaining independence, and developing skills for a successful adulthood. The article acknowledged that lawyers play a critical role in representing teenagers in foster care by ensuring the complex framework of laws that cover health care, education, runaway issues, and transition planning are addressed in addition to advocating for safety, permanency, and well-being. Additionally, the article discussed how lawyers can help teenage clients navigate the critical decision about whether to remain in foster care beyond their 18th birthday to access additional resources and support, including a Supervised Independent Living program. The article also underscored the importance of youth participation in the decisions that impact their lives.
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Foster Care Ombudsman:
For children and youth in foster care, complaints can be submitted to the Foster Care Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is available to assist children and youth who report maltreatment in foster care and has the authority to conduct an investigation into individual complaints. Foster youth may contact the Ombudsman at any of the following:
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- By phone: 1-844-286-0769
- Online form: Foster Care Ombudsman Online Submission Form
- By mail:
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Foster Care Ombudsman, MC H-700
P O Box 13247
Austin, Texas 78711-3247 - Website: http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/ombudsman
Guides and Handbooks:
- Aging Out: A Guide For Those "Aging Out" of Foster Care In Texas, Seventh Ed.; 2019
- Foster Care Handbook for Youth:
- Rights of Children in Foster Care
- Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book Chapter: Extending Foster Care for Transitioning Youth
- Texas Young Lawyers Association Strength in Unity
Websites for Youth in Foster Care:
- DFPS I am a Youth in Foster care web page
- Foster Care Alumni of America
- Texas Foster Youth Justice Project
- Texas Network of Youth Services
- Texas Youth Connection, Department of Family Protective Services Website
- Texas Youth Hotline
CIP Reports & Orders
Additional Resources
Materials published on the Children’s Commission website are helpful reports and resources for judges and attorneys handling child protective services cases and are intended for reference use only. They are not legal advice, and may not represent the official opinion of the Supreme Court Children’s Commission. The inclusion of external links are not endorsements by the Children’s Commission of the content of the websites, or of their policies, services or opinions of the organization or individual. The Children’s Commission reserves the right to decline requests for the addition of external resources.
- A World for Children
- American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
- SAFE (Stop Abuse For Everyone, a merger of Austin Children's Shelter and SafePlace)
- Center for Public Policy Priorities
- Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas
- DePelchin Children's Center
- Disability Rights Texas (formerly Advocacy, Inc.)
- First3Years (Formerly Texas Association of Infant Mental Health)
- Foster Care Ombudsman
- Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
- LifeWorks
- Lone Star Legal Aid
- Meadows Foundation
- Office of the Attorney General
- Office of Court Administration:
- Office of the Governor
- Parent Guidance Center
- Seedling Mentor Program
- Star Health Contacts
- State Bar of Texas
- Supreme Court of Texas
- Texans Care for Children
- Texas Indigent Defense Commission
- Texas Alliance of Children and Family Services (
TACFS ) - Texas Appleseed, Inc.
- Texas Association of School Boards
- Texas Association of Workforce Boards
- Texas CASA, Inc.
- Texas Center for the Judiciary
- Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards
- Texas Council on Family Violence
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- Texas Education Agency
- Texas Foster Family Association
- Texas Foster Youth Justice Project
- Texas Health & Human Services Commission
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Texas House of Representatives
- Texas Juvenile Justice Department
- Texas Lawyers for Children
- Texas Legal Sevices Center
- Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS)
- Texas Office for the Prevention of Developmental Disabilities
- Texas Senate
- Texas State of Mind - The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas
- Texas Workforce Commission
- TexProtects, The Texas Association for the Protection of Children
National Resources
- American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law
- Casey Family Programs
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
- Legal Center for Foster Care & Education
- National Association of Counsel for Children
- National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues
- National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
- National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges
Media
2019
Supreme Court Children’s Commission to Release Report on Building a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System: A Blueprint
Texas Bar Journal: October Edition, Children / Juveniles
- Two Doors to the Courthouse: A judicial perspective on dual status youth
- Legal Representation in Child Protective Services Cases: How do we ensure parents and children receive high-quality court-appointed attorneys?
- Representing Youth Clients: How to support successful transitions from foster care to adulthood