Foster Care and Child Welfare Week in Review – April 15, 2024
Here are some news items from last few weeks related to foster care, adoption, and child welfare that caught our eye:
- Governor Greg Abbott shares personal adoption story, urges texans to ‘go for it’ at Plano conference
Texas Governor Greg Abbott spoke passionately about adoption at the CHOSEN Conference in Plano, drawing from his own family’s experience. He encouraged Texans to embrace adoption, emphasizing the joy it brings. Abbott highlighted support services by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, including projects like Heart Galleries of Texas. He shared the stage with Prestonwood Baptist Church Senior Pastor Jack Graham, underscoring the importance of faith in adoption. Abbott acknowledged the challenges but urged commitment, emphasizing the personal and policy-related significance of adoption. The event combined personal anecdotes with a call-to-action to support adoption initiatives.
Texas DFPS investigates child abuse reports, but many turn out to be false or unconfirmed. Attorney Brett H. Pritchard claims 85% of reports are false. False reports strain resources. Filing a false report in Texas is a felony with fines and potential jail time. Anonymity is protected for good faith claims; false claim filers risk exposure. Parents must pursue criminal charges for false reports. TxDFPS doesn’t refer false reports to law enforcement; parents must provide evidence. Removing names from the CPS database is an option, but may hinder investigations. Experienced attorneys can help navigate false CPS reports.
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