The Supreme Court of Texas established the Children's Commission in 2007 with the overall goal of improving the child welfare system by increasing public awareness of challenges facing children and families involved in the child welfare system and bringing attention to this important issue through judicial leadership, reforming judicial practice, and informing policy affecting child welfare.
We are hiring!
The Children’s Commission is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for an Attorney IV position. Candidates must have a minimum of five years of experience in child welfare law as a licensed attorney. For a complete list of qualifications and responsibilities, please refer to the job posting linked here.
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New Video Series for Child Welfare Attorney Outreach
To raise awareness of child welfare law as a career path, the Texas Indigent Defense Commission in collaboration with the Children’s Commission and the Office of Court Administration, created a video series to highlight the legal area of child welfare law.
2024 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing DFPS in Child Welfare Cases Now Available!
The 2024 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing the Department of Family and Protective Services in Child Welfare Cases is now available!
The tool kit covers legal essentials including pleadings, motions, evidentiary issues, hearing checklists, and related federal law. The tool kit also contains topical chapters on concurrent issues such as reasonable efforts, paternity, placement, child support and kinship support, visitation, and older youth in care. New checklists that have been added to the 2024 tool kit include:
- Required Participation Hearing
- Reasonable Efforts
- Foster Care & Education
- Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
- Termination Grounds
2024 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children
2023 Texas Child Welfare Bench Book
The Children's Commission's 2023 Texas Child Welfare Law Bench Book is available here.
Poster
Video Series: Understanding the Roles in a CPS Case Videos & Handouts
Texas CASA partnered with the Children’s Commission to develop new resources to explain the role of the professionals involved in a child welfare case. Five handouts and accompanying videos are available in both English and Spanish about the role of:
- The Judge
- The Guardian ad Litem or CASA Volunteer
- The Attorney ad Litem
- The Parent’s Attorney
- The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Attorney
Handouts and videos are available on the TexasCASA website.
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Understanding the Roles of the People Involved in a CPS Case
Comprender los Roles de las Personas Involucradas en Caso de CPS
Tool Kits for Attorneys
For Parents & Children's Attorneys
2024 Tool Kit for Attorneys
Representing Parents and Children
in Child Welfare Cases
Legal Representation Resources
