Our Executive Director, Brandon Logan, joins the newly formed Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Partners for Children and Families Committee (PCFC). The committee brings together stakeholders from across Texas to advise the DFPS commissioner on issues impacting child welfare. With 15 members representing all 11 DFPS regions, the committee aims to provide diverse perspectives to leadership in Austin.
With most committee members hailing from larger, more urban communities, One Accord Executive Director, Brandon Logan is the sole representative from West Texas. With that, he is grateful to represent to this committee the unique challenges of West Texas Child Welfare, advocating for “issues that are maybe not uniquely rural, but impact us differently.” For example, it is well known that the lack of mental health and medical providers impacts communities across the state but those effects are much more acute in rural communities, like ours, where all resources are far and few between.
With those unique challenges, Brandon is hoping that West Texas can be the example and springboard for solving problems that will ultimately impact and improve foster care across the state. He feels that “if we can do it in West Texas, then it can be done anywhere.”
By bringing diverse voices to the table, the committee aims to tackle challenges with a more well-rounded perspective. We are hopeful the advisory role will be effective and the initial meeting showed much promise addressing both common and region-specific issues across child welfare. With commitment to open dialogue and action on recommendations, the Partners for Children and Families Committee could help strengthen services for children in West Texas and across the state.