Texas HB 3379 and HB 4138

Texas HB 3379 can be found here.

HB 4138 can be found here.

“In 2017, lawmakers overhauled the state’s foster care system and Child Protective Services, which had been troubled by child abuse and neglect deaths and high employee turnover.

Sweeping bills addressed, among other things, pay increases for family members who serve as foster parents, pay increases for caseworkers and handing over foster care services from the state to nonprofits and local governmental entities.

Problems persist, however, including insufficient foster care placements and 18-year-olds unprepared to leave foster care.

“Because this was such a big issue last session, many of the legislators figured the problem was solved and that it did not need focus nor attention,” said Will Francis with the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. “I think the Legislature pretty much just punted.”

HB 3379 would have helped prepare foster teenagers to live more independently, from ensuring they find stable housing to helping them better understand any medication they’re taking. HB 4138 would have ensured youths aging out of foster care didn’t lose Medicaid coverage if they still qualified. Neither bill received hearings.

The Legislature approved $1.5 million over the next two years to hire more state employees to help youth transitioning out of foster care. Lawmakers also approved a measure to train such youth on civic engagement and financial literacy.

The Legislature also approved $12 million to increase payment rates to foster care providers so they can better attract and retain foster families and specialized homes for high-needs children, like residential treatment centers. Advocates had requested $45 million.

Some areas are reporting a severe space shortage in residential treatment centers, emergency shelters and foster homes, according to the latest review by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

“You have to grow capacity across the whole continuum,” said Katie Olse, chief executive officer of Texas Alliance of Child and Family Services, which represents child welfare service providers.

The state also will contract with an independent entity to update how foster care rates are calculated.

“It is so much more than having a bed for a kid. A lot of it is based on making sure the right services are available for the right child at the right time,” Olse said.”

Lawmakers overlook high rates of uninsured, foster care fixes
[Stateman 6/7/19 by Julie Chang]

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