West Texas Together: 2023 Accomplishments Summary West Texas Together (WTT) made substantial progress in 2023 through strategic partnerships, data-driven insights, systems change initiatives, and community engagement efforts - all focused on better supporting...
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Week in Review – March 25th, 2024
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – March 25, 2024 Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: In 'Broken,' former caseworker examines problems in child protective services In...
Week in Review – March 4, 2024
Blog, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – March 4, 2024 Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas foster care system to be run by private company starting Friday Beginning Friday,...
Week in Review – February 26, 2024
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – February 26, 2024 Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Corinth woman fighting to get her son back from CPS after being removed...
Week in Review – February 19th, 2024
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – February 19, 2024 Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Private San Angelo school hit with lawsuit over child abuse The lawsuit...
Week in Review – February 5th, 2024
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – February 5, 2024 Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: One Accord to host adoption, foster event One Accord For Kids, a West Texas...
What is Permanency?
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Featured, Foster/Adopt, Permian Basin
For the 428 West Texas children and youth reported in foster care for December of 2024, their life is marked by a season of turmoil and confusion. No matter the reason for removal, separation from parents and family violates their ingrained desire for...
Week in Review – January 29, 2024
Blog, Community, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – January 29, 2024 Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Foster children placed in unlicensed care are dragging down Texas CPS, kids’...
They Need YOU – Uniting Communities for Foster Care Change in West Texas
Blog, Community, Foster/Adopt, Permian Basin
Behind the success of any great movement is an even greater community. Community is more than just a group of people living close to one another. It represents a shared identity, common goals, and a support network that transcends individual capabilities....
Week in Review – January 22, 2024
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – January 22, 2024 Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas has spent $180 million fighting against, losing and complying with foster care...
Week In Review – November 27th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – November 27, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Time may be up for Texas to fix its dysfunctional foster care system This Dallas...
Week In Review – November 13th, 2023
Blog, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Uncategorized, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – November 13, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: ‘Orphans’ no more In the U.S., there has been a significant shift away from...
Week In Review – October 30th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – October 30, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Let’s stop overlooking the role of extended foster care Turning 18 marks adulthood,...
Revolutionizing Child Welfare: Community-Centered Family Support and Child Protection
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, Permian Basin
By Brandon J. Logan, JD, PhD Executive Director, One Accord for Kids Overview: A community-centered family support and child protection approach represents a transformative shift in child welfare, with a primary focus on the holistic well-being of...
Week In Review – October 23rd, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – October 23, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Foster children's lawyers ask judge for federal takeover of Texas system Lawyers...
Week In Review – October 16th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – October 16, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Neglected and abandoned: Texas' hidden child crisis exposed The Texas foster care...
Week In Review – October 9th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – October 9, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: The case for child welfare abolition The article discusses the growing movement...
Week In Review – October 2nd, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – October 2, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: One-third of Texas foster care caseworkers left their jobs last year as the agency continued...
Week In Review – September 25th, 2023
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – September 25, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas’ foster system is plagued by problems. Critics say new overhaul isn’t...
Week In Review – September 18th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – September 18, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Young Central Texas couple shares experience fostering several children over the...
Week In Review – September 11th, 2023
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week In Review – September 11, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas foster kids trafficked for sex as rings target those lacking placement, judges say...
Week In Review – September 4th, 2023
Blog, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – September 4, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Foster children’s sexual abuse histories not always disclosed to caregivers, lawyers say...
Week In Review – August 28th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – August 28, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Midland police identify individual known as Cordarius, mother arrested Cordarius...
Week In Review – August 21st, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – August 21, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas names new head of child abuse investigations after high turnover and heavy...
Week In Review – August 14, 2023
Blog, Concho Valley, Crisis, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week In Review – August 14, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: More licensed foster homes needed in Odessa and Midland There's a shortage of...
Week In Review – August 7, 2023
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Crisis, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – August 7, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas child welfare agency fails vulnerable teens when they turn 18, whistleblower...
7 Tips for Foster Youth Going Back to School
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Featured, Permian Basin
Starting a new school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for any child, but for kids in our foster system, it can be an especially sensitive and challenging experience. As a foster parent or educator, understanding the unique needs and circumstances of a...
Week In Review – July 31st, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – July 31, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas is quietly leading the way on limiting child protective services overreach Texas...
Week In Review – July 24th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week In Review – July 24, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: New Texas Law Favors Parents in Abuse Investigations An article by Public News Service...
Week In Review – July 17th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Uncategorized, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – July 17, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Why two teenage brothers say they would like to be adopted together Cayden and Dalton,...
Week In Review – July 10th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – July 10, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Sibling Connections: States Take Different Approaches to Preserving Family Bonds in...
Week In Review – July 3rd, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – June 26, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: New Texas laws favor parents in child abuse investigations as legislators try to limit...
Week In Review – June 26th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Reps take on false child abuse reports Representatives in Texas are addressing the issue of false child abuse reports through new legislation. House...
Week In Review – June 19th, 2023
Blog, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – June 19, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: High-dollar lawyers aim to prove Texas in ‘substantial compliance’ to serve foster kids...
Week In Review – June 12, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – June 12, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Hundreds of kids in Texas foster care were still sleeping in hotels or other unlicensed...
Week In Review – June 5th, 2023
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Crisis, News, Permian Basin
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – June 5, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Foster care in West Texas prepares for community-based care transition The foster care...
Week In Review – May 29th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – May 29, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: 1. Texas tries to rein in false accusations of child abuse In an effort to address...
Week In Review – May 22nd, 2023
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – May 22, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas DPS recovers 30 children in joint human trafficking operations Last week, a...
Week In Review – May 15th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Featured, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – May 15, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: First Lady Abbott hosts Heart Gallery event At Governor’s Mansion First Lady Cecilia...
Week In Review – May 8th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – May 8, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Judge defends keeping eye on Texas’ overuse of mental health drugs on foster children...
Week In Review – May 1st, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – May 1, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas is facing a child care crisis. More than 30 groups are asking lawmakers to do more...
Week In Review – April 24th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Uncategorized, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: DeSoto newborn returned to parents after 3 weeks in foster system Newborn Mila Jackson, removed by...
What We Are Reading – Upstream by Dan Heath
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, Permian Basin, What We Are Reading
Welcome back to our series “What We Are Reading”! This month we are taking a deep dive into Dan Heath’s book Upstream and today we are taking a glimpse at part one. To introduce the topic, Heath uses a parable that is ubiquitous in child welfare where friends...
Week in Review – April 17th, 2023
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin, Week In Review
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – April 17, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Meet the Houston lawyer whose charity work sparked the epic battle over Texas foster...
What We Are Reading – Upstream by Dan Heath
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Foster/Adopt, Permian Basin, What We Are Reading
Every now and then you run across a book that you just have to share with your friends. We ran across one that we feel speaks perfectly to the hardships and frustrations of child welfare. Upstream by Dan Heath is just that. Initially drawn in by the title as...
Week In Review – April 10, 2023
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – April 10, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Legal document used to take Dallas newborn had the wrong family’s name Dallas couple...
Week In Review – April 3, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – April 3, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Asking the right questions about adoption On March 26, 2018, white adoptive parents...
Week In Review – March 27th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin
Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Caseworkers hampered by ’90s-era foster care software that the state hasn’t replaced Texas has poured more than $100 million into the state’s aging...
Week In Review March 20th, 2023
Blog, Community, Concho Valley, Crisis, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – March 20, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Texas removed six Black children from their homes. Their adoptive parents drove them...
Week In Review March 13th, 2023
Blog, Community, Community-Based Care, Concho Valley, Featured, Foster/Adopt, News, Permian Basin
Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – March 13, 2023 Here are some news items from last week related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye: Former Texas CPS employees say nearly 70 'children without placement' are being housed...