Blue Ribbon Task Force

04/02/2022

04/01/2022

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month which recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. Thriving families depend on strong support systems. Support to help children thrive can come from family, friends, neighbors, and others in the community.

Learn more here: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/

🚨 If you suspect child abuse or neglect, act fast and report it by calling 1-800-252-5400 or visiting www.txabusehotline.org.

03/25/2022

“State Sen. José Menéndez, offered excellent solution-based ideas during the hearing, such as an electronic system to immediately notify DFPS leadership of a ‘high risk’ at a facility, a new centralized data system and higher pay for kinship care.”

Instead of providing a safe space for the 11 children ages 11 to 17 in its care, the...

03/18/2022

“Despite these allegations, the head of Texas Department of Public Safety told the Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday that the Texas Rangers — after six days — had yet to find any evidence of s*x abuse or s*x trafficking.

‘I think that it's too soon, too early to declare whether or not s*x trafficking was occurring or the setup for s*x trafficking was occurring,’ said Sen. Jose Menendez from San Antonio who sits on the new Special Committee on Child Protective Services.

Menendez said he thought the letter to Abbott from DPS Director Steven McCraw was premature in announcing initial findings of no evidence, especially given the allegations it confirmed about n**e photos of kids and staff putting “escaped” kids up in hotels.

Thursday’s hearing provided the most comprehensive detail on the alleged crimes to date with both DPS and DFPS leadership testifying about the allegations and failures of some state agencies.”

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3NcIPIu

Texas Public Radio

Was there or wasn’t there s*x trafficking at The Refuge, the Bastrop-based residential treatment center?

03/18/2022

“State Sen. José Menéndez suggested an electronic system to automatically notify DFPS leadership if workers decide there is a “high risk” at a facility.

“Then, we take the human element out of it,” he said.

The department is notorious for its digital issues, most notably lacking a centralized system to track foster children and their records. In this case, DFPS officials were working out of multiple data systems to track the state’s response to complaints at The Refuge, including reports, risk assessments, interviews and other activities.”

10/26/2021

🚨 Happening tomorrow!

Join us for a discussion about child protection in Texas, including smart solutions to prevent child abuse and neglect, manage the foster care capacity crisis, and truly transform the system.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctfu2gqzwoGdd3RI0S2UVt0RlVTrBjGGK1

Get details and invite friends here:
https://fb.me/e/2Bm4dXFjI

TexProtects and the Blue Ribbon Task Force are co-hosting a debrief on the 87th Legislative Session, as well as a conversation about how we collectively move forward and prioritize children. We look forward to learning about your community’s specific strengths and challenges and co-design a plan t...

10/10/2021

It seems that everyone — the kids, caseworkers, advocates and judges — are forever...

09/19/2021

If you are interested in becoming a Child Advocates San Antonio (CASA) volunteer, visit https://www.casa-satx.org.

09/09/2021

🚨 Funding Opportunity for Young Adults recently aged out of care! Do you know a young adult 18-26 years old who experienced financial hardship due to COVID? They might be eligible for Young Adult Pandemic Aid!

Congress authorized $400 million in Pandemic Relief Funds for states to distribute in response to concerns raised by young people. Apply for the FREE money at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PANAID and follow Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services for more info.

🚨 DEADLINE TO APPLY IS SEPTEMBER 15 🚨

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

08/22/2021

“Behavioral health (also referred to as mental health) problems are persistent and widespread in Bexar County’s communities of color and among individuals in poverty; even prior to the pandemic, both child and adult behavioral health services were operating at 120 percent of their capacity at the Center for Health Care Services, or CHCS, the local mental health authority and a certified community behavioral health clinic.”

“COVID relief funding already has helped us shore up some of our gaps, and federal funding has given us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make strides toward improvement, but it still will not be enough to address the behavioral health crisis in our community. San Antonio and Bexar County must develop sustainable funding sources to avoid the inevitable funding cliff when the federal monies dry up.”

The onslaught of COVID-19-related anxieties added additional stress to our behavioral...

08/21/2021

Interested in becoming trauma-informed? Sign up for classes through University Health’s Institute for Trauma-Informed Care. Individuals and organizations can start their path to certification by registering for a free training session at: https://www.universityhealthsystem.com/events/ace-interface

Trauma-informed care is taught in most health care environments like University Health, but the general public is encouraged to learn more about it, too.