Bill filed to address major reforms to state foster care system

Bill filed to address major reforms to state foster care system - Story | KTBC:

AUSTIN, TX -- Today, Senator Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) filed Senate Bill 11, a legislative package outlining substantial reforms to the way the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) cares for the state's foster children.  In announcing the legislation, Schwertner also called on Governor Greg Abbott to add issues of child protection and foster care to a list of emergency priorities that can be considered within the first 60 days of the 85th Legislative Session, which begins on January 10.

Teen says foster parents locked him in basement for months, poured salt on his open wounds

Teen says foster parents locked him in basement for months, poured salt on his open wounds - The Washington Post:

Last month, a 14-year-old boy was found close to death after being locked in an Alabama basement for months. The boy's brother Eddie Carter spoke out about similar abuse from their foster parents, who are now both in jail. 

Foster parent arrested after toddler drowns in front of him

Foster parent arrested after toddler drowns in front of him | KXAN.com:

GREENVILLE Co., S.C. (WSPA) — The foster father of 2-year-old Za’Marion Wilcox has been arrested after deputies say the toddler drowned over Labor Day weekend at a community pool.

Social workers fleeing troubled foster care system

Social workers fleeing troubled foster care system:

Lousy pay, a toxic workplace and excessive workloads are driving away the people who serve vulnerable kids and their families.

Change Could Be on the Horizon for Child Protective Services

Change Could Be on the Horizon for Child Protective Services:

AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas' Child Protective Services has been deemed a broken system, but with the 2017 legislative session on the horizon, change appears to finally be coming to the agency. 

Seven Abused, Special Needs Adopted Kids Ordered to Foster Care

Seven Abused, Special Needs Adopted Kids Ordered to Foster Care | Houston Press:

Seven special needs children who were found malnourished, abused and confined to a small room will remain in foster care, a Fort Bend County judge ordered Tuesday, until a permanent new home can be found for them.

How Family Courts Are Enabling Child Abuse

How Family Courts Are Enabling Child Abuse | Care2 Causes:

Family court judges presiding over custody battles are tasked with looking out for the welfare of children, so wouldn’t it be fair to say that they’re doing a bad job if they’re regularly granting custody to abusive parents?