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 at the forefront of limiting Child Protective Services (CPS) overreach with policy changes aimed at reducing the number of children entering foster care. Republicans in Texas have passed laws tightening statutes related to removals, informing parents of their rights, and banning anonymous reports of abuse to the state hotline. This unexpected alliance between conservative legislators and progressive activists seeks to protect parents’ rights while focusing on keeping more children in their homes. These reforms are seen as a step towards reducing the damaging approach of the foster care system and promoting the safety and well-being of families.
Mia Morales, a 16-year-old in the custody of Child Protective Services (CPS) in Texas, tragically died in a car accident after running away from the hotel where CPS placed her and other kids without proper placement. Despite having dreams of attending Harvard and becoming a doctor, her aspirations were cut short. Mia had been given up for adoption at a young age and was later returned to the state’s foster system. The incident sheds light on the issue of unsafe facilities for hundreds of children in CPS custody and raises concerns about the system’s effectiveness.
Deric Cahill, a father from Flower Mound, Texas, says that after leaving a negative Google review for a pediatric urgent care clinic, he was visited by a Child Protective Services caseworker. Cahill had taken his feverish toddler to the clinic, but he left dissatisfied with the care and left a one-star review. About an hour and a half later, a CPS report was filed about a severely dehydrated child, and a caseworker came to investigate. Cahill believes there is a connection between his review and the CPS report, and the case is still ongoing.
Sign up for our e-mail updates and social media feeds below to stay informed on challenges and opportunities in our local child welfare system.