Texas House Bill HB1638

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to trauma-informed care for children in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services and trauma-informed care training for certain department employees.

Impact

One of the critical impacts of HB 1638 is the establishment of a more substantial framework for how the DFPS engages with children in their care through trauma-informed practices. The bill obligates the department to ensure that all employees recognize trauma triggers, promote healing strategies, and apply non-pharmacological interventions. It also emphasizes the need for ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of the training provided, thus creating a feedback loop to improve the implementation of trauma-informed care across state operations.

Summary

House Bill 1638 aims to implement comprehensive trauma-informed care for children under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in Texas. The bill mandates that each department employee who interacts with these children undergo trauma-informed care training, consisting of at least 24 hours of education on recognizing trauma, its impact on behavior, and employing appropriate strategies to support healing. This initiative seeks to change the perception and treatment of children in state custody by understanding that many have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB 1638 centers on the resources available for executing the extensive training and systemic changes required by the bill. Some stakeholders express concerns regarding the sufficiency of funding and staffing within DFPS to effectively adopt and maintain these trauma-informed practices. Advocates underscore that without adequate support, the bill's goals may not be fully realized, potentially risking the well-being of vulnerable children. Nonetheless, the emphasis on becoming a trauma-informed system aims to mitigate long-term repercussions for children exiting the conservatorship by fostering a more supportive and understanding environment.