Texas Foster Family Association

Public hearing February 6 – come to Austin and speak up for children!

It has often been said: “A budget is a moral document.”

It’s true. If the agencies and proven community programs dedicated to the health and well-being of children who have been maltreated – and those that prevent maltreatment – are to function effectively, they must be adequately funded.

On February 6, you have an opportunity to speak up for children who have experienced the trauma of abuse and neglect and ensure that their needs are reflected in the state budget.

The Senate Finance Committee will meet on February 6 to hear testimony on the Fiscal Years 2020-21 budget for the Department of Family and Protective Services. The decisions of the committee will protect children from the trauma of abuse for years to come and empower families to thrive across the state. The hearing will begin at 9am, and the committee will hear testimony from the public – that means you. You may testify either verbally, in writing or both.

TexProtects is supporting these top budget priorities that will benefit children:

• $14.9 million to expand prevention services such as home visiting through Project HOPES and Nurse-Family Partnership
• Promote evidence-based programs to prevent children from entering foster care through leveraging funding opportunities through the federal Family First Prevention Services Act
• $131.6 million to maintain CPS client services such as substance abuse treatment for parents and day care for children in the CPS system to prevent them from being removed from their home or allow them to be reunited with their family
• $17.8 million to support CPS initiatives such as preparation for adult living for foster youth, advancement in permanency solutions for children in foster care, improvements to post-adoption services and case management for certain youth in extended foster care, and more.

Read more about these budget priorities

If you are interested in speaking up for Texas children and in support of these crucial investments – especially if you have experience working with children and families impacted in your community, work for or have benefited from a family support home visiting program – please take the time to join us in Austin.

For more information on the hearing including rules of public testimony, please review the committee notice.

For more information on how you can get involved or testify at this critically important budget hearing, contact Pamela McPeters at [email protected] or at 512-913-4408.