The Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS), also known as Child Protective Services (CPS), which is generally known for its watch over children who are either abused or neglected is recently undergoing a rigorous shift in our city. This is largely due to the work of the 83rd Texas Legislature which granted DFPS the ability to develop an Alternative Response System in Texas.
One of those changes directly impacts our university. DFPS has been working with Texas A&M International University to start a CPS internship program with seven interns. Among other benefits to the consumers serviced in this area are also the creation of more jobs.
Region 11, which is comprised of 19 counties in South Texas from Cameron, Duval and Hidalgo to Webb and Zapata, has made it a point to bring together vital components for the success of the Laredo area for two foster parent forums such as: Foster parents, Child Placing Agencies as well as Region 11 DFPS managers. The forums were held in December and more recently on February 11th.
The goal of the forum is to increase positive communication between DFPS staff and the foster parents. This communication should determine whether a child thrives or not while they are being serviced or when and if the child should be returned to their family setting. Often DFPS is scrutinized for its lack of competency and this derogatory connotation is not entirely off base. There have been instances where department workers don’t do their due diligence and children have died as a result. The deaths of these children shakes communities everywhere, especially during the watch of a department who seeks to protect them.
Laredo has seen its share of fatalities of abused children, both at the hands of biological parents and foster parents creating a real need for alternatives within the department. Needless to say, these processes require the teamwork of communities, foster parents, placing agencies and DFPS.
The forum helped identify weaknesses within the department, bringing about ample dialogue and suggestions for positive change. Some of these changes are being immediately implemented, such as creating new positions for skilled professionals that will have to work with these children in need.
An example, is how CPS has created a new Conservatorship unit in Webb County. The Supervisor for that unit has been hired and some of the caseworkers are attending Basic Skills Development; a Foster Home Development worker position in Webb County and a Foster Home Development supervisor job that was previously housed in the Valley has been moved to Laredo.
The job is currently posted and interviews should be conducted within the next few weeks.
A Faith Based Recruiter position that was previously housed in the Valley has been moved to Laredo and is also in the process of being posted. A Risk manager was hired and housed in Laredo providing another manager on site to assist and develop staff. CPS management staff and the Supervising Regional Attorney will set up a meeting with the local County Attorney’s office to discuss changes in CPS practices and increase communication between the two agencies.In relation to our university, CPS has been working with TAMIU to start a CPS internship program with seven interns.
Among the positive upgrades the department has been experiencing is extensive training. Social workers get to attend trainings on conservatorship and adoption presented by Casey Family Programs entitled “Strength-Based Supervision: Supporting Family-Centered Practice through Supervisory Processes.” This training is followed by five follow up meetings (attended through video conference) where the supervisor can discuss real-world issues with their peers and the trainer.
DFPS management staff has had conversations with Dr. Susana Rivera, Ph.D. who works for S.C.A.N. The goal is for Dr. Rivera to provide “Trauma Informed” trainings to Foster Parents and CPS staff.
Forums are expected to continue in order to strengthen the relationships aforementioned. Forums have had an incredible response by government offices, as well as other organizations in the field. Among the attendees at the forum were representatives from Texas, such as State Senator Judith Zaffirini, State Representative Richard Peña Raymond, Voz De Niño’s, the local CASA program, all of which participated in the discussion as well. The forum’s hope has already allowed for many positive outcomes. Our community, as well as the children serviced by this department must be protected and this alliance hopes to ensure it. For more information visit www.dfps.state.tx.us.