Texas House Bill HB914

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the administration of services provided by the Department of Family and Protective Services, including foster care, child protective, and prevention and early intervention services.

Impact

This bill amends the Family Code to enforce collaboration between DFPS and managed care organizations, aiming to implement an assessment tool for evaluating children's needs shortly after placement. Moreover, the initiative to develop foster care capacity needs plans is designed to better align services with community requirements, enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the foster care system. By promoting data-driven solutions to child welfare, HB914 seeks to improve the quality of care and support provided to children in vulnerable situations.

Summary

House Bill 914 focuses on the administration of services provided by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in Texas, specifically enhancing systems related to foster care, child protective services, and prevention and early intervention services. The bill introduces measures for better tracking of repeated reports of child abuse and neglect, ensuring that data is consistently monitored to identify patterns and improve response strategies. A significant aspect is the requirement to promptly assess children's medical and behavioral health needs once they are removed from their homes, facilitating timely access to critical support services.

Contention

Some areas of contention surrounding HB914 relate to concerns over the feasibility of data tracking and the adequacy of resources available for meeting the proposed healthcare needs assessments. Critics may argue that the bill places additional burdens on DFPS, which is already under pressure to manage increasing caseloads and operational challenges. Balancing the breadth of service delivery with the need for accountability and monitoring effectiveness will require careful implementation and ongoing evaluation to ensure desired outcomes are achieved without overwhelming the existing child welfare infrastructure.