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 Cecilia Abbott, alongside attorney and child advocate Kim Phelan and the Governor’s Commission for Women, hosted a special Heart Gallery event on May 11th at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin. The event was attended by members of the Texas Legislative Ladies and Texas Senate Ladies clubs. Among the Heart Galleries represented was the Heart Gallery of West Texas, affiliated with One Accord for Kids. Staff and volunteers from One Accord had the opportunity to connect with the spouses of legislators from across Texas, discussing both the successes and challenges encountered through the Heart Gallery program. In addition, the guests came together to assemble gift bags filled with summer supplies for Rainbow Rooms located throughout the state. These gift bags were later distributed to support children in need in the Concho Valley and Permian Basin regions.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has enlisted the services of seasoned and influential private attorneys to handle the state’s defense in a federal class-action lawsuit concerning foster care. Among the hired lawyers is Allyson N. Ho, who happens to be the spouse of a federal appellate judge potentially involved in hearing further appeals. Additionally, two other lawyers from the renowned multinational law firm Gibson Dunn, who, like Ho, have prior experience clerking for sitting judges on that court, are part of the legal team. This move, along with recent challenges by Paxton’s aides to the actions of judge-appointed monitors, suggests a potential shift towards a more assertive and vigorous defense strategy from the state of Texas.
A recent editorial by the Houston Chronicle Editorial Board emphasizes the urgent need for increased funding in the Texas foster care system to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children. Despite the state’s significant budget surplus, the foster care system continues to face chronic issues. The editorial highlights the high caseloads and turnover rates among state employees, along with the dedication of both public and private sector workers and volunteers who strive to provide a safe environment for these children. U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack, overseeing a long-running class-action lawsuit, has been instrumental in pushing for reforms and addressing the system’s deficiencies. However, the editorial criticizes the lack of progress and the state’s failure to allocate sufficient funds to address the complex challenges faced by foster children. The editorial also calls for lawmakers to prioritize the needs of these children over trivial matters, emphasizing that additional funding can significantly improve the system and protect vulnerable children from harm.
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