SB 1575/HB 4476 will improve foster care placements for kids with high needs. The primary goal of this bill is to strengthen advocacy for children in foster care with behavioral challenges. The bill requires caseworkers, other child advocates, and the courts to thoroughly evaluate children’s treatment needs and monitor whether the treatment a child is receiving is effectively meeting their needs. This goal is consistent with new requirements passed as part of the 2018 Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA).
Our full policy brief on the legislation, developed in collaboration with Texas CASA, is below. Today we delivered this brief to the Texas Senate Health and Human Services Committee as part of our testimony in favor of SB 1575 by Chair Lois Kolkhorst.