Blogs by Deborah K. Frontiera
Fighting CPS
9/17/2012 5:13:15 AM
The purpose of this blog is to provide updates on some of the cases I reported in my book (Fighting CPS: Guilty Until Proven Innocent of Child Protective Services Charges ISBN 9-780-9800061-6-2) that had not been resolved when the book went to press, and to report other cases where CPS is not working up to par. I’d also like to hear about cases in which Child Protective Services did the right thing so those cases can serve as examples of what should be done. Occasionally, I will report helpful tips and web sites with advice on fighting CPS.
To comment on this blog, or to tell your story, email Deborah Frontiera at frontiera.fightingcps.deborah.gmail.com
The next post on this site will not be until Oct. 15, 2012 due to other obligations and travel.
An Immediate, Out of Sequence Update, on the One Year Anniversary of this Blog
The State of Texas announced the following in “short time line,” during the week, with no phone feed so few people can speak against them. Many people feel this is a “railroading of agenda deceptively packaged as public.” This blog should have gone out as quickly as I received it, but other deadlines pressed upon me and the email notice slipped far down my “in box.”
While being “Late” with this announcement does not seem like the best way to mark the one-year anniversary of this blog, it still seems like the best way to “celebrate”.
Subject: Key Hearings on Child Protection Coming Up
Dear TexProtects Advocates,
There are two important upcoming hearings that will set the stage for the 83rd Legislative Session.
1. On September 13, 2012, the Legislative Budget Board will hold a hearing where the Department of Family and Protective Services will present their budget for 2014-15.
What: LBB hearing on DFPS
When: Thursday, 9/13/12 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Where: Room 140, John H Reagan Building, 105 W. 15th St., Austin, TX.
There will not be a live feed of this hearing but if you can't attend and want to see DFPS present their budget for the upcoming legislative session, tune into the Human Services hearing on the 17th.
2. On September 17, 2012, the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Human Services will hold a public hearing on foster care redesign . This will be a very interesting hearing in light of the recent announcement that contract negotiations for foster care redesign in DFPS Region 11 (Corpus Christi, the Valley) were halted.
What: Public Hearing On Foster Care Redesign
When: Monday, 9/17/12 at 10am
Where: Room E2. 026 of the Capitol Extension
The committee will meet to hear invited and public testimony on the implementation of foster care redesign. Additionally, the Committee is going to have the agencies give an overview of legislative appropriations requests for fiscal years 2014/2015.
You can attend the hearing in person at the Texas Capitol at 10:00 a.m. on Sept. 17th in E2. 026 of the Capitol Extension or you can view it on Texas House of Representatives website.
Capitol Complex Map | Capitol Extension, Second Floor (Room numbers beginning with E2)
Click here to view it on the website. You will see the feed for the Human Services hearing listed once it has begun.
For further information on the hearings, please feel free to contact me at diana.texprotects.org.
Perhaps interested readers might contact Diana at the email above and receive their own updates on these important issues. Other important dates and notices that are a bit farther down on the calendar are listed below. Hopefully, some of my readers will take action on these items.
Next Meeting:
Monday, September 24th
1-3pm
Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, 3001 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin (map)
* We have scheduled a presentation by Chris Card with Providence Service Corporation to talk about their efforts to implement Foster Care Redesign.
More:
• Partners website
• Child Protection news digest
• Event calendar
• Reports and resources archive
Partners in Child Protection Reform,
The fall season is in full swing and we are happy to announce the new Texans Care for Children website--check it out! In July, we held our first webinar on the Supervised Independent Living (SIL) program; the presentation slides can be found here. Below, please find information on future Partners in Child Protection Reform events and our latest resource digest highlighting recent child welfare reports and resources.
Save the Dates: Partners in Child Protection Reform
Implementation of Foster Care Redesign by Providence Service Corporation
September 24, 2012, 1-3pm
Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, 3001 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin (map)
We have scheduled a presentation by Chris Card with Providence Service Corporation to talk about their efforts to implement Foster Care Redesign.
**Please note DFPS and Providence are continuing contract negotations for Foster Care Redesign and this event is subject to change.**
Webinar: Child Welfare and the 83rd Legislative Session: Legislative Priorities for Texans Care for Children
November 7, 2012, 10am
**More information and registration details to follow.**
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Partners in Child Protection Reform
OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES DIGEST – September 2012
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OPPORTUNITIES to ACT
Legislative Budget Board Hearings scheduled- The Legislative Budget Board (LBB) has scheduled hearings on the Legislative Appropriations Requests (LAR) of several state agencies. The Dept. of Family and Protective Services hearing is scheduled for Sept. 14, 2:00-5:00 in room 140 of the John H Reagan Building located at 105 W. 15th in Austin. You can view the DFPS LAR and the other posted LBB budget hearing dates.
To learn more about the budget process and ways to make your voice heard, please visit Texans Care's webpage on the Texas Legislative Process in our online Advocacy Center.
The Council on Children and Families is holding a work session September 12th, 9:00-12noon to develop its 2012 Legislative Report. The agenda does not include an opportunity for public comment, but the meeting is open to the public. Brown-Heatly Building, Public Hearing Room 1420, 4900 North Lamar Blvd. Click here to view the agenda.
DFPS Council Meeting.**New Location** Dallas, Texas The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Council will hold a work session and council meeting on October 19th, 10:30-2pm in the Dallas City Council Chambers, 1500 Marilla; Dallas, TX. For more information, visit, http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/about/council/
REPORTS and RESOURCES
Financial Needs of Instant Adults: What Banks and Credit Unions Can Do to Help Youth to Transition Out of Foster- Published by the AEI Foster Care Working Group facilitated by One Voice Texas, this guide provides financial institutions information on the needs of youth in foster care and ways banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions can better support the financial and banking needs of transition-age youth.
Are Subsidized Guardianships Making a Positive Difference for Kids? Recently released by the Center for Public Policy Priorities, this paper highlights the implementation of the Permanency Care Assistance (PCA) program which provides financial assistance to relatives who take permanent custody of children. Early findings suggest the PCA program has increased overall permanency and relative guardianship for youth in foster care but has decreased relative adoptions.
Psychotropic Medication Guide for Youth- This youth-friendly guide provides youth in foster care information on how to handle choices related to psychotropic medication usage and tools for empowering youth to navigate challenging feelings, behaviors, and decisions related to behavioral healthcare. The guide includes helpful information, questions to ask, worksheets and other tips on making healthy decisions and maintaining treatment after leaving foster care.
OPPORTUNITIES to LEARN
Webinar: Court-based child welfare reforms- September 5, 2012, 3:00-4:00pm EST. Following the release of the brief Court-Based Child Welfare Reforms: Improved Child/Family Outcomes and Potential Cost Savings, this webinar will highlight ways in which court-based child welfare reforms can impact child welfare outcomes and costs. To register, click here.
Texas Foster Family Association Annual Training Conference -September 14-16, 2012, San Antonio, Texas. Registration is still available—space is limited. The conference will provide 20+ training hours and networking opportunities available for foster parents, agency staff, and other individuals who provide foster care services and support to children. For more details, visit the TFFA website.
Texas CASA Conference 2012- October 25-27, Frisco Texas. This year’s conference, Improving Outcomes for Children, will provide CASA volunteers and other child welfare professionals the opportunity to gain valuable expertise and information on ways to better advocate for children and youth served in the foster care system. Register here. For event details, please visit the conference website.
DSHS Fall Grand Rounds Series to Begin -The Fall 2012 semester of Grand Rounds starts September 19 and runs through November 7. All presentations are on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in K-100 Lecture Hall at 1100 W. 49th Street in Austin or via webinar. CEUs available. Upcoming presentations which may be of interest to child welfare stakeholders include:
• Motivational Interviewing - Sept. 19
• Trauma Informed Care - Oct. 3
• What Is Causing the Increasing Rate of Mood Disorder in Youth? - Oct. 17
• Redesigning Public Health Systems in Texas - Oct. 2
To find out more about these presentations and other Ground Rounds presentations, click here.
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More Blogs by Deborah K. Frontiera
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, May 12, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, April 21, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, April 07, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, March 24, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, March 10, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, February 24, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, February 10, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, January 27, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Monday, January 14, 2013
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, December 23, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, December 09, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, November 25, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, November 11, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, October 28, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, September 17, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, September 09, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, August 26, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, August 12, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, August 12, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, July 23, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, July 08, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, June 24, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, June 11, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, May 21, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Sunday, May 06, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, April 23, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, April 09, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, March 26, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, March 12, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, February 27, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, February 13, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Wednesday, February 01, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, January 23, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, January 16, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, January 09, 2012
• Fighting CPS - Monday, December 19, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, December 12, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, December 05, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 28, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 21, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 14, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, November 07, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 31, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 24, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 17, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 10, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, October 03, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, September 26, 2011
• Fighting CPS - Monday, September 19, 2011
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