How Did Child Protection Fare in the 86th Texas Legislature?

The 86th Texas Legislative Session is now history – lawmakers gaveled out to finish the session on May 27.

While this session did not see child protection take center stage the way it did two years ago (when Governor Greg Abbott named it an emergency priority), there was nonetheless important work to be done. At the beginning of the session, TexProtects laid out our top priorities, and we’re happy to report that we were successful on most of them … and made great strides forward even on issues that didn’t result in bill passage.

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Senator Royce West, Representatives Tan Parker and John Zerwas and TexProtects CEO Sophie Phillips at our beginning-of-session press conference

As with every legislative session, it was a long and challenging 140 days, and we could not have done it without your help.

For our part, we provided 16 written and oral testimonies before legislative committees, registered support for 117 bills, and made 461 visits to the lawmakers’ offices.

That was bolstered by you: In response to the 12 advocacy alerts we sent out, you sent a total of 13,189 emails to lawmakers. Nothing gets a lawmaker to take action quicker than an email, call or office visit from the Texans they represent! Thank you!

Here’s our round-up of what happened with our top-priority bills:

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Public Policy Director Jennifer Lucy testifying for additional state investments in home visiting

Priority: Strengthen investments in community-based, primary child abuse prevention programs for children in their most critical neurodevelopmental years

Result: $4.3 million more in funding for Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) and HOPES (Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support)

Attaining and maintaining legislative support for evidence-based home visiting and other family support programs is at the core of TexProtects’ mission, and yet again, we were able to reach lawmakers and convince them of how crucial it is to increase state investments.

However, this was a mixed success. While investments did increase, they were not at a level that we believe will result in meaningful change statewide. The Department of Family and Protective Services requested an additional $15.5 million and TexProtects was even bolder, asking that investments be bumped up by $30.5 million between NFP and HOPES.

In the end, HOPES only received an additional $1.5 million and NFP got an extra $2.9 million. (Please note: TexProtects does not receive any of this funding. We are an independently funded nonprofit.)

This is actually better than it could have been. The Senate’s original budget proposal added only $2 million for NFP and $0 for HOPES. However, thanks to action you took in response to our advocacy alerts, the conference committee tasked with reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget settled on the higher amounts.

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Vice President of Public Affairs Pamela McPeters testifying in support of SB 355, with bill author Sen. Royce West

Priority: Create a Texas strategy (via Senate Bill 355) to leverage funds from the federal Family First Prevention Services Act, thus improving coordination and effectiveness of services for children at risk of entering foster care

Result: Passage – sent to the Governor on May 26 UPDATE: will become law without Governor’s signature

When Congress passed (and the president signed into law) the Family First Prevention Services Act in 2018, it signaled a landmark shift in funding priorities for child protection. For the first time, states can take funds previously reserved only for foster care (in other words, after a family has fallen into a bad situation) and now invest them in prevention services (before a family reaches a crisis).

Although the DFPS could have begun leveraging Family First as early as September, the Department decided to hold off until September 2021. Family First places limits on what kinds of programs are eligible for funding and requires a written plan for implementation.

SB 355 authorizes the development of that strategy, and the delay will allow DFPS to build up the eligible programs.

Priority: Integrate trauma- and grief-informed practices into the school environment (via House Bill 18)

Result: Passage – sent to the Governor May 17 UPDATE: Signed by Governor Abbott, effective on December 1

HB 18 will institute training to educate school staff on the impact of trauma and empower them with practical tools to ensure that children who have a trauma history feel safe and connected at school and are able to engage productively in the classroom. Implementing trauma informed strategies can increase academic and behavioral outcomes for all students and minimize the likelihood that they will be dependent on state programs later in life. Thanks to lead author Rep. Four Price and Senate sponsor Kirk Watson for this proactive legislation.

Priority: Make available proper information to pregnant and parenting foster youth on providing safe environments for their children (via HB 475)

Result: Passage – sent to the Governor May 29 UPDATE: Signed by the Governor, effective on September 1

Foster youth who become or are about to become parents may have limited access to parenting education resources. Such a lack of information can perpetuate the cycle of child abuse and neglect. This bill directs DFPS to ensure that such youth receive information about safe sleeping arrangements, childproofing the home, methods to cope with challenging behaviors and similar parenting skills. Thanks to author Rep. Donna Howard and Senate sponsor Kirk Watson.

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HB 4183 author Rep. Tan Parker

Priority: Develop and implement a statewide strategic plan to address causes and symptoms of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), via House Bill 4183

Result: House passage, left pending in Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Increasing awareness of Adverse Childhood Experiences and the lifelong damage they can cause to both mental and physical health – as well as strategies to mitigate or prevent such damage, building resiliency in children and families – was a major priority for TexProtects this session.

We did accomplish that through a well-received press conference at the beginning of this session and in one-on-one interactions with legislators and their staff, but ultimately, we were unsuccessful in final passage of HB 4183, Rep. Tan Parker’s bill that would have implemented a cross-systems strategy for tackling ACEs.

Thanks especially to emails that you sent, HB 4183 enjoyed solid support in the House, passing on a 131-14 vote. However, once in the Senate, the bill became stuck in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. While frustrating, it’s important to acknowledge a great truth about the Texas legislative system – it is designed to kill bills, not pass them, and there are numerous hurdles along the way.

It is not unusual for bold ideas, no matter how good they may be, to take multiple sessions before finally becoming law. We are grateful for the staggering amount of work that Rep. Parker put into crafting and shepherding this legislation through the House, and to Sen. Charles Perry for sponsoring it in the other chamber. This effort only strengthens our resolve to educate the public and lawmakers on the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Thanks again for your support this session, and we look forward to hearing from you as we develop an agenda for the 87th Texas Legislature.

TexProtects applauds passage of SB 355 (re Family First Prevention Services Act)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2019
Contact: Lee Nichols
512-796-9877
Lee@texprotects.org

Austin, Texas — Earlier today, the Texas House passed Senate Bill 355 by Sen. Royce West (sponsored in the House by Rep. Stephanie Klick). This bill directs the Department of Family and Protective Services to develop a strategic plan for the coordinated implementation of community-based care and foster care prevention services that meet the requirements of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act.

TexProtects (the Texas chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America) applauds the passage of this bill by both chambers, resulting in SB 355 being sent to Governor Greg Abbott to be signed into law. Statement from TexProtects Vice President of Public Affairs Pamela McPeters:

We applaud the House for swiftly passing this key piece of legislation and sending it to the governor. The Family First Prevention Services Act marked a major shift in federal spending priorities, allowing money that previously was reserved solely for foster care to now be invested in crucial prevention programs that keep children from ever being removed from their families in the first place – safely protected in their homes. Senate Bill 355 will allow the state to develop a Texas strategy to leverage and maximize these funds for services that empower families to be resilient and self-reliant. FFPSA is a landmark recognition that we must support families before tragedy can occur, not just after it happens.

The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift: Home Visiting

By Sophie Phillips, CEO, TexProtects

Six Mother’s Days have passed since I’ve been with TexProtects, the Texas chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. All were meaningful, because mothers are central to our mission, but this one deepened my perspective – it’s my first as a mother.

In our efforts to prevent trauma from abuse and neglect, TexProtects promotes and builds effective policies and programs helping new mothers and families deal with the life-changing stresses that come with newborns and young children.

Now, through seemingly never-ending late-night feedings, cries you just can’t soothe and frantic internet searches looking for answers to unanticipated questions, I understand how crucial this is. This precious little gift is a great responsibility that would be difficult to handle alone.

I am fortunate and grateful to have my husband at my side every step of the way, family nearby, a supportive church, steady income and paid leave, and good health during my life’s most meaningful and joyful, yet challenging experience. I spent years meticulously planning for this moment, including a wealth of knowledge gleaned from my career.

I thought I was prepared.

These first weeks of my baby’s life have shown me how fortunate I am. The resources and supports shown to me during this transition are not something I take for granted, because I know there are many new mothers across Texas in very different circumstances.

Some are very young. Many are alone – maybe kicked out of their homes or fleeing from an abusive situation. Some are struggling with postpartum depression or mental illness or fighting their way out of addiction. They may lack confidence, parenting knowledge, or reliable relationships to help, especially if their own parents abused or neglected them.

Abuse and neglect are cyclical. These mothers’ situations do not predetermine that their children will be abused or neglected – but they dramatically raise the odds. Helping these mothers is key to breaking that cycle.

One of the best ways to do this is through evidence-based home visiting programs. These are nonprofit programs in the community, in which a family with newborns or young children can invite a nurse, social worker or other trained professional into the home to provide support and make referrals when needed.

Home visiting has proven benefits: fewer pregnancy complications; reduced incidences of domestic violence, child maltreatment, and interaction with the judicial system; better educational and health outcomes (both for the parent and child); and a greater likelihood that the parent(s) will become or remain employed. In other words – stronger, more resilient, self-sufficient families.

The programs have another beneficiary – taxpayers. Helping these families avoid tragic situations and stay out of the Child Protective Services and foster care systems relieves pressure on the emergency services, judicial, health, and education systems.

In the current Texas Legislative session, which ends May 27, the competing House and Senate versions of the proposed Fiscal Years 2020-21 budget both have very modest increases in state investments in home visiting – but not nearly enough to substantially increase the number of families served.

Of 423,000 Texas families we estimate could benefit from home visiting, having young children with multiple risk factors, Texas currently can serve only about 15,000.

The actual need is much greater. On paper I may not look like I need home visiting, but following my son’s birth, I most certainly did. All new mothers could use some help.

With the $30.5 million legislative investment increase requested by TexProtects, we could help another 3,600 families. Home visiting programs have demonstrated returns ranging from $1.26 to $8.08 per dollar invested – failure to reach those families means lives lost and tax savings missed.

Please urge lawmakers negotiating the final budget bill to substantially increase home visiting investments. Mother’s Day shouldn’t be a reminder of traumatic childhoods or maternal inadequacies. Help us cement Mother’s Day as a celebration of strong families and abundant love for our children.

Sophie Phillips is CEO of TexProtects – Champions for Safe Children. www.texprotects.org.

This op-ed was published May 10 in the San Antonio Express-News.

Learn more:

Information about Home Visiting

TexProtects’ Agenda for the 86th Texas Legislature