Texas Registry for Kids Who Abuse Kids

This article describes how Texas registers foster children on the ” state registry of people who abuse children” if they have evidence that the foster child engaged in abuse while in foster care. “The confidential database contains the names of anyone 10 years or older who child welfare investigators have found “reason to believe” abused a child — a threshold that means there is overwhelming evidence to support the allegation, but that it may not have been substantiated in court.”

One result is that the foster home cannot have additional child placements. While it is important to not place new children into possible situations where further harm can become them, this article shows that Child Protective Services does not always disclose the fact that the potential foster child is on the Central Registry to the foster parent.

Additionally, for the already-abused foster children who go on to abuse, this is one more permanent mark on them and can detract from their potential to heal and become safe, productive adults.
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-state-agencies/child-protective-services/texas-keeps-registry-of-kids-who-abuse-kids/
[Texas Tribune 2/4/11 by Emily Ramshaw]

REFORM Puzzle Piece