Enhanced Family-Centered Safety Decision Making

This initiative is part of an ongoing effort by Child Protective Services, in partnership with the National Resource Center on Child Protective Services, to provide clarity for staff between safety and risk, on the importance of gathering sufficient information about the family, and on how to engage the family in safety and service planning. In both 2010 and 2011, with assistance from CJA, CPS staff were trained on the identification of safety threats, strategies to control them, and the clinical supervision of family centered practice. In the upcoming year, CPS will continue its commitment to improving safety decision making through a family centered practice by developing the tools necessary to assess the information gathered about families in order to determine the need for ongoing intervention. CPS will develop and evaluate, using an evidence-based implementation model, a family assessment tool to be used across the stages of service. Additionally, CPS will train staff on how to effectively use the new assessment tool.

Training and Technical Assistance for Texas Child Advocacy Centers

This initiative will assist local CACs throughout Texas by providing high-quality training, technical assistance, and support designed to strengthen the functioning and leadership of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) across the state – law enforcement, CPS, prosecution, mental health providers, medical professionals, forensic interviewers, and family advocates. Support services provided will include the management of a common outcome measurement system, a case tracking system, statewide data collection, statewide peer review for forensic interviewers, and coordinated public awareness and education efforts about the issue of child abuse. The initiative will target an estimated 500+ child protection professionals working within the children’s advocacy model in 64 CACs throughout the state.

Bridge to Permanency

The Bridge to Permanency Project was implemented in order to expedite resolution of backlogged adoption cases in Gregg County. The successful initial year of the program identified 49 children for intensive case management. Of those, 36 have been adopted and are out of the system. During the second year, 27 new children were added to the caseload, and of those, 7 have been adopted, 3 are in their adoptive placement awaiting finalization, and 6 more have adoptive families identified. In the upcoming year, East Texas Child Advocates will continue efforts to replicate the project in Upshur County while continuing to serve children in Gregg County.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Training and Volunteer Recruitment

Mandatory Reporter Training and Video Guide

Cultural Competency Training

Child Protection Court Enhancement Project

Creating Trauma-Informed Responses and Interventions

Family Advocate Manual and Evaluation

Kids in Court

Child Abuse and Neglect Training for Law Enforcement

This initiative will develop and provide a comprehensive and free training program on how to effectively respond to and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. The program is designed to be delivered in rural communities to officers who may not have resources or travel budgets to attend trainings delivered in other areas of the state.  The curriculum includes instruction on the benefits of working within the multidisciplinary team model. The trainings aim to reach at least 500 officers in the upcoming year.