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Our Work

All Commission activities are funded by the federal Court Improvement Program (CIP), a grant that is awarded to the highest court in each state for the improvement of courts' handling of child abuse and neglect cases. CIP grants are administered by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF).

The Commission's work is conducted primarily through its four standing committees – Systems Improvement, Legal Practice & Process, Training, and Data – as well as through ad hoc committees such as the Strategic Planning committee. Each committee is chaired by a Commissioner and members are drawn from the Commission, Collaborative Council, and other stakeholders in the child welfare system.

Committees oversee and monitor Commission projects, including the work of subcommittees and workgroups. Please link below for more information about each committee.

 

Systems Improvement

The Systems Improvement (SI) Committee executes innovative projects aimed at ensuring equity, fairness, and justice for children, youth, and families; promoting judicial leadership in courts and communities; and expanding court and child welfare system capacity to support continuous, systemic improvement.

Additional information about a specific Systems Improvement Committee workgroup or project is available for the following:

  • Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
  • Disproportionality
  • Dual Status Task Force
  • Foster Care & Education
  • Prevention
  • Statewide Collaborative on Trauma-Informed Care (SCTIC)
  • Tribal/State Collaborative
  • Youth Voice & Normalcy

 

Legal Practice & Process Committee

The Legal Practice & Process (LPP) Committee assists trial and appellate courts, judges, and legal advocates to ensure that children, youth, and families involved with child welfare experience a legal system in which they have access to justice and their rights are protected.

Additional information about a specific Legal Practice & Process Committee workgroup or project is available for the following:

  • Legal Representation Committee
  • DFPS Representation Subcommittee
  • Legislative Matters
  • Mediation
  • Notice & Engagement
  • Parent Resources Workgroup
  • Specialty Courts
  • Standards of Representation
  • Texas Board of Legal Specialization
  • Texas Child Welfare Law Bench Book

 

Training Committee

The Training Committee continues to oversee and develop training efforts at all levels of practice that promote judicial leadership, identify and promote best practices to improve outcomes, and establish and maintain a well-informed judiciary and bar that prevents removal to foster care and ensures the well-being of children, youth, and families while in care.

Additional information about a specific Training Committee workgroup or project is available for the following:

  • Judicial Education
  • Child Protection Courts
  • Trial Skills Training
  • On-Demand MCLE
  • Attorney Education
  • Judge and Attorney Resource Letters
  • Scholarships

 

Data Committee

The Data Committee operationalizes data-driven decision-making through continuous quality improvement and an analysis of publicly available child welfare and court data to identify legal processes and practices that produce desired outcomes, as well as which practices need improvement.

Additional information about a specific Data Committee workgroup or project is available for the following:

  • Child Protection Case Management System (CPCMS) and IMPACT Workgroup
  • Child Protection Courts & Case Management System
  • Data Analysis
  • Permanent Managing Conservatorship Court Workgroup