Blogs by Deborah K. Frontiera
Fighting CPS
6/3/2015 7:32:19 AM
June 3, 2015
The purpose of this blog has been 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 Houston Chronicle (A-1 and A-15, on Wednesday, April 15, 2015) reported some details on a case that happened earlier in the year when a 4 year old child was shot in a home in Katy, TX either by himself or by a 6 year old also in the home. This tragedy was SO preventable!
Basic facts: The gun in the home was not secured. The family had been investigated more than one by CPS—15 investigations in the previous 5 years for abuse or neglect. The agency failed to follow up, failed to contact the family within the required time frame, did not discuss fire arm safety with the family. No charges have been brought in the death, but the case is under review by Harris Co. authorities.
Gov. Gregg Abbot has called for a review of CPS policies in the wake of this and three other recent cases where children died as a result of gunfire. Yet, nothing has changed as of this writing.
CPS still claims it doesn’t have enough caseworkers, funding, etc.—and that is probably true—yet they seem to have time and resources to harass and persecute another family (details on this in another post) because a 9 year old boy who is ADHD took off on his new bicycle and joyfully rode around the neighborhood looking for some friends. That perfectly happy and safe boy was removed from his loving home immediately for neglect.
I can’t figure out this craziness. Can you?
Here’s a quick summary of what the Legislature in Texas accomplished this session:
There was a lot more in this post that I am passing on, so check out the link at the end.
Priority Bills
SB 206 – Department of Family and Protective Services Sunset Bill
During the Sunset review process, the Sunset Commission directed DFPS to propose statutory changes needed to implement the goals of CPS Transformation, an ongoing effort to improve Child Protective Services. SB 206 contains provisions to reduce unnecessary administrative tasks and paperwork while allowing DFPS flexibility to make its processes more efficient. TexProtects played a critical role in preserving statutes, such as 72-hour response times on CPS investigations, trauma-informed care training for caseworkers and foster parents and documentation time frames for caseworkers.
This bill passed both houses and was sent to Governor Abbott Monday.
TexProtects long-term recommendations adopted by Sunset:
• Elevate the importance of Prevention and Early Intervention division
• Develop a robust mentorship program for new caseworkers
• Institute a robust merit-based pay based on quality casework/performance
• Increase field-based training for trainees, less in the classroom
• Improve data collection in relation to fatalities, abuse recurrence and outcomes
• Hold upper-level management accountable by including turnover as a performance metric
DFPS proposed repeals TexProtects preserved in statute:
• Bachelor’s degree requirement for caseworkers (vs. proposed Associates Degree)
• 72-hour max response time for investigation reports
• Real-time documentation on critical contacts on investigations within 24 hours
• Continuing trauma-informed care training for field staff
• Reinstating the $5,000 stipend for investigative caseworkers
• Maintaining psychotropic medication regulations for foster children
• Continuing notifications to educators regarding foster children
If you have any questions on these bills or other initiatives of TexProtects, please contact TexProtects Director of Public Policy, Pamela McPeters at Pamela.texprotects.org.
Thank you for your concern of our most vulnerable citizens.
Sincerely,
Madeline McClure, LCSW
Executive Director
TexProtects | The Texas Association for the Protection of Children
2904 Floyd St., Suite E
Dallas, TX 75204
214.442.1672 x674
214.770.7624 (cell)
Madeline.texprotects.org
www.texprotects.org
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