Texas House Bill HB3091

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to evaluating and improving the provision of prevention and early intervention services by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Impact

The bill endeavors to establish a stronger framework for evaluating the efficacy of prevention and intervention programs offered by DFPS. By requiring agreements with institutions of higher education to conduct thorough efficacy reviews, including cost-benefit analyses, the legislation aims to ensure that resources devoted to these services yield measurable benefits. This could result in a more accountable allocation of state resources and a more strategic approach to addressing child abuse and neglect.

Summary

House Bill 3091 is primarily aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of prevention and early intervention services administered by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in Texas. It mandates that the DFPS focus its efforts geographically to target families with the greatest need for these services. Through the use of risk assessments and terrain modeling, the bill seeks to identify areas that require more robust prevention and intervention support, particularly those lacking adequate services or where existing services have not been evaluated for effectiveness.

Contention

Debates surrounding HB 3091 highlight the tension between improving state-funded services and ensuring that they effectively meet community needs. Advocates for the bill argue that enhancing data-driven approaches can lead to more effective interventions and ultimately reduce the rates of child abuse and neglect. However, some stakeholders express concern that without adequate funding and resources, the goals of the bill may not be achievable. Additionally, the focus on geographic prioritization might overlook the nuanced social factors at play in different communities.

Notable_points

A critical component of HB 3091 is its requirement for rigorous evaluations of programs that had not previously undergone assessment. This commitment to research-based evaluations is seen as a progressive step towards ensuring that state-funded services are both effective and aligned with best practices in child welfare. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of implementing these evaluations will depend on the commitment of the DFPS and partner institutions to cooperate within the prescribed frameworks.