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SupremeCourtofTexasPermanentJudicialCommissionfor
Children,YouthandFamilies
May16,2014MEETINGNOTEBOOK
TheStateBarofTexas–TexasLawCenter1414ColoradoSt. Austin,Texas78701
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Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families
May 16, 2014
Meeting Notebook
Table of Contents
Minutes from March 28, 2014 Commission Meeting ........................... 1 Commission, Committee and Collaborative Council Member List ...... 2 May 16, 2014 Report to Commission .................................................. 3
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Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families
State Bar of Texas – Texas Law Center Austin, Texas
May 16, 2014 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Meeting Agenda
9:30 Commencement / Opening Remarks – The Honorable Eva Guzman 9:45 First order of business – The Honorable Eva Guzman
1. Adopt Minutes from March 28, 2014, Tab 1 9:50 Commissioner Updates
11:00 Executive Director Report – Tina Amberboy/Commission Staff, Tab 3 11:20 Data/Technology Committee Report – Vicki Spriggs, Tab 3 11:30 Basic Committee Report – Judge Bonnie Hellums, Tab 3 11:40 Training Committee Report – Judge Michael Massengale, Tab 3 11:50 Lunch – Served on-site
12:45 Disability Rights Foster Youth Representation Project Wrap Up – Ian Spechler, Disability Rights Texas
1:05 State/Tribal Round Table on the Indian Child Welfare Act – Judge Darlene Byrne, Senior
Peacemaker Joanne Battise 1:20 Texas Blueprint Implementation Task Force – Judge Rob Hofmann 1:30 Hearing Observation Project – Judge Robin Sage 1:40 Trial Skills Training – Judge Michael Massengale 1:50 Brief Update on TBRI and Travis County Collaborative – Judge Darlene Byrne, Mike Foster 2:00 DFPS Update – Judge John Specia 2:15 Office of Court Administration – Mena Ramon 2:30 New Business/Comments from Collaborative Council 2014 Meeting Schedule 2:45 Adjourn
INSERT‐TAB1
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PERMANENTJUDICIALCOMMISSIONFORCHILDREN,YOUTHANDFAMILIESMINUTESOFMEETING
March28,20149:30a.m.–3:30p.m.
SupremeCourtofTexasCourtroomAustin,Texas
ATTENDANCEMembersinattendance:Chair,Hon.EvaGuzman,Justice,theSupremeCourtofTexas,AustinVice‐Chair,Hon.DarleneByrne,Judge,126thDistrictCourt,AustinHon.JoAnnBattise,SeniorPeacemaker,Alabama‐CoushattaTribeofTexas,LivingstonHon.JeanBoyd,Judge,323rdDistrictCourt,FortWorthHon.BonnieHellums,Judge,247thDistrictCourt,HoustonHon.RobHofmann,Judge,452ndDistrictCourt,MasonHon.MichaelMassengale,Justice,1stCourtofAppeals,HoustonHon.MaryMurphy,PresidingJudge,TheFirstAdministrativeJudicialRegion,DallasHon.PeterSakai,Judge,225thDistrictCourt,SanAntonioHon.CherylLeeShannon,Judge,305thDistrictCourt,DallasVickiSpriggs,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,TexasCASA,Inc.,Austin(proxyCathyCockerham)TerryTottenham,OfCounsel,FulbrightandJaworski,L.L.P.,AustinHon.CarlosVillalon,AssociateJudge,ChildProtectionCourtoftheRioGrande, Edinburg
Membersnotinattendance:BruceEsterline,VicePresidentforGrants,TheMeadowsFoundation,DallasGabrielaFuentes,OfficeoftheGovernor,AustinStewartGagnon,Partner,FulbrightandJaworski,LLP,HoustonHonHelenGiddings,TexasRepresentative,District109,DallasDr.OctavioMartinez,ExecutiveDirector,TheHoggFoundationforMentalHealth,UTAustin,AustinHon.DeanRucker,PresidingJudge,7thRegion,318thDistrictCourt,MidlandLuanne Southern, Senior Director of Texas Strategic Consulting, Casey Family Programs, AustinSharayahStiggers,ParentLiaison,TexasDept.ofFamily&ProtectiveServices,Region8,SanAntonioG.AllanVanFleet,Partner,McDermottWill&EmeryL.L.P.,HoustonHon.JudyWarne,Judge,257thFamilyCourt,HoustonStaffinattendance:TinaAmberboy,ExecutiveDirector,Children’sCommissionJessicaArguijo,AdministrativeAssistant,Children’sCommissionTaraGriggGarlinghouse,Intern,Children’sCommissionTimKennedy,TexDECKProjectManager,OfficeofCourtAdministrationMenaRamón,GeneralCounsel,OfficeofCourtAdministrationMilbreyRaney,StaffAttorney,Children’sCommission
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Hon.RobinSage,SeniorDistrictJudgeandJuristinResidenceDavidSlayton,AdministrativeDirector,OfficeofCourtAdministrationTiffanyRoper,AssistantDirector,Children’sCommissionKristiTaylor,ProjectManager,Children’sCommissionRashondaThomas,GrantAccountSpecialist,Children’sCommissionCollaborativeCouncilMembersinattendance:IreneClements,President,TexasFosterFamilyConsultant,ButterflyMarketing,LLC,PflugervilleWilliamB.Connolly,Attorney,Connolly&Shireman,LLP,HoustonDeShaunEaloms,ParentProgramSpecialist,Dept.ofFamilyandProtectiveServices,AustinBarbaraElias‐Perciful,President,TexasLovesChildren,DallasDebraEmerson,CPSDirectorofPermanency,Dept.ofFamily&ProtectiveServices,Austin(ProxyJennyHinson)LauraFigueroa,TheArbitrageGroup,Inc.,MikeFoster,ProgramSpecialist,AWorldforChildren,AustinMaraFriesen,DeputyDirectorforChildSupport,AttorneyGeneral’sOfficeChristinaGreen,DirectorofPublicAffairs,Children’sAdvocacyCentersofTexasSandraHachem,Sr.AssistantCountyAttorney,HoustonAshleyHarris,ChildWelfarePolicyAssociate,TexansCareforChildren,AustinRobertHartman,ExecutiveDirector,ProvidenceServiceCorporation,Abilene BruceKendrick,DirectorofOutreach,EmbraceTexas,McKinneyKellyKravitz,FosterCareEducationandPolicyCoordinator,TEA,AustinRichardLavallo,LegalDirector,DisabilityRightsTexas,AustinTracyLevins,Manager,Prevention/EarlyIntervention,TexasJuvenileJusticeDept.,AustinRebeccaLightsey,ExecutiveDirector,TexasAppleseed,AustinDianaMartinez,DirectorofPublicPolicyandEducationforTexProtects,AustinJudyPowell,CommunicationsDirector,ParentGuidanceCenter,AustinLisaRamirez,Women’sSubstanceAbuseServicesCoordinator,Dept.ofStateHealthServices,AustinJohanaScot,ExecutiveDirector,ParentGuidanceCenter,AustinJanetSharkis,ExecutiveDirector,TexasOfficeforPreventionofDevelopmentalDisabilities,AustinJeanneStamp,Sr.ProgramCoordinator,TexasHomelessEducationOffice,TheCharlesA.DanaCenter,AustinArminSteege,VicePresidentofPrograms,AustinChildren’sShelter,AustinCollaborativeCouncilMembersnotinattendance:EmyLouBaldridge,Co‐Founder,GreaterTexasCommunityPartners,DallasRoyBlock,ExecutiveDirector,TexasFosterFamilyAssociation,SanAntonioLaurenDonder,DirectorofPublicAffairs,Children’sAdvocacyCentersofTexas,AustinSadieFunk,ExecutiveDirector,TexasAllianceforInfantMentalHealth,AustinNatalieFurdek,Women'sSubstanceAbuseServicesCoordinator,TexasDept.ofStateHealthServices,AustinPaulE.Furrh,Jr.,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,LoneStarLegalAid,HoustonHelenGaebler,Sr.ResearchAttorney,WilliamWayneJusticeCenterforPublicInterestLaw,Austin
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EileenGarcia,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,TexansCareforChildren,AustinMikeGriffiths,ExecutiveDirector,TexasJuvenileJusticeDepartment,AustinDavidHalpern,Director,PromiseMentorProgram,SeedlingFoundation,AustinLeslieHill,ManagingAttorney,TravisCountyOfficeofChildRepresentation,AustinChrisHubner,GeneralCounsel,TravisCountyJuvenileProbation,AustinShannonIreland,ExecutiveDirector,TexasCouncilofChildWelfareBoards,NewBraunfelsLoriKennedy,ManagingAttorney,TravisCountyOfficeofParentalRepresentation,AustinStephanieLedesma,AssistantProfessor,TSUThurgoodMarshallSchoolofLaw,HoustonMadelineMcClure,ExecutiveDirector,TheTexasAssociationfortheProtectionofChildren,DallasHon.F.ScottMcCown,ClinicalProfessorandDirectoroftheChildren’sRightsClinic,TheUniversityofTexasSchoolofLaw,AustinDr. Sandeep Narang, Director, Child Abuse Fellowship, Division of Child Protection Department ofPediatrics,C.A.R.E.Center,UTHSC‐HoustonDr.AnuPartap,AssistantProfessorinPediatrics,SouthwestMedicalCenter,DallasChadwickSapenter,CEOandFounder,LittleBookofWords,formerfosteryouth,AustinLeslieStrauch,ClinicalProfessor,UniversityofTexasSchoolofLaw,AustinGloriaTerry,CoalitionPresident,TexasCouncilonFamilyViolence,AustinKennethThompson,FatherhoodProgramSpecialist,Dept.ofFamily&ProtectiveServices,AustinArabiaVargas,Chair,BexarCountyChildWelfareBoard,SanAntonioLarryWilliams,Alabama‐CoushattaTribeofTexas,LivingstonCALLTOORDERANDOPENINGREMARKS,JusticeEvaGuzmanJusticeGuzmancalledthemeetingtoorderat9:40a.m.RecognitionofGuestsJusticeGuzmanwelcomedattendeesandguests to the firstmeetingof 2014and introduced formerjudgeDianneGuariglia,LisaBlackwhoisthenewAssistantCommissionerforCPS,TomAlbrightwiththeOfficeof theTexasAttorneyGeneral,BobHartmanwithProvidenceCorporation,andTaraGriggGarlinghouse,whowasthesummerinternandassistanttoJudgeRobinSageontheHearingObservationProject.CommissionerMembershipChangesJusticeGuzmanwelcomedthenewlyassignedCommissionersandintroducedJudgePeterSakai,DistrictJudgeofthe225thDistrictCourtinBexarCounty.JusticeGuzmaninvitedJudgeSakaitoaddressthegroup.JudgeSakaithankedJusticeGuzmanforthechancetoserveontheCommissionandstatedthathehadbeen amember of the Basic Committee since its inception. Judge Sakai succeeded Judge Specia asDistrictJudgeofthe225thDistrictCourtafterspending11yearsasAssociateJudge.JudgeSakaibeginshisthirdtermnextyearashewillrununopposedinthefall.JudgeSakaiislookingforwardtoworkingwiththeCommission.
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Next, Justice Guzman introduced Judge JeanBoyd, long serving judge in the State of Texas. JusticeGuzmanaddedthatJudgeBoydhasservedthestateextremelywellandwillbeatremendousassettotheCommission.JusticeGuzmaninvitedJudgeBoydtoaddressthegroup.JudgeBoydwashonoredtobecomeamemberoftheCommission.JudgeBoydhasbeeninvolvedwiththeCommissionforsometimeandisamemberoftheLegalRepresentationWorkgroup.JudgeBoydisJudge of the 323rd FamilyDistrict Court in Tarrant County and has been involved in handling childprotectivecasessince1982.TarrantCountyiscurrentlyinthethroesoffostercarere‐designandisalsoworkingontraumainformedpractices.JudgeBoydisexcitedaboutallthenewprogramsinhercounty.Next, JusticeGuzman introduced JudgeCarlosVillalon. JudgeVillalon isanAssociate Judgewith theChild ProtectionCourt of theRioGrandeValleyWest andhas been involvedwith education issues.JusticeGuzmaninvitedJudgeVillalontoaddressthegroup.JudgeVillalonwasamazedtoreceiveanoffertojointheCommissionashehadonlybeenajudgeforayearandahalf.JudgeVillalonhasbeenpracticingsince1997,halfofthattimewasworkingwiththestateasanAssistantAttorneyorDistrictAttorney,withtheremainderspentinprivatepractice.JudgeVillalonreturnedtothestateafewyearsagoandwasgiventheopportunitytobecomeanAssociateJudge;hiscourtcurrentlyhas385cases.JudgeVillalonpresidesoverthecourtsinHidalgoandStarrCountiesandsaidthatithasbeenaverysteeplearningcurve.JudgeVillalonthankedJudgeHofmannandJudgeSagefortheirsupport.JusticeGuzmanannouncedthatJudgeJudyWarnehasacceptedanothertermwiththeCommissionbutisunabletobeinattendancetoday.JusticeGuzmanalsowelcomedJudgeHellumsbacktoserveanotherterm.JusticeMurphyjoinedthemeeting.JusticeGuzmanwelcomedJusticeMaryMurphy,whoisthePresidingJudgeofthe1stAdministrativeJudicialRegion.JusticeGuzmaninvitedJudgeMurphytoaddressthegroup.JudgeMurphycommentedthatsheisexcitedandhonoredtobeapartofthisgroup.ShethankedtheCommissionforthechancetoserve.CollaborativeCouncilMembershipChangesJusticeGuzmanannouncedthatseveralmembershavetransitionedofftheCollaborativeCouncil:,RoyBlock, Executive Director, Texas Foster Family Association; Elizabeth Cox of San Antonio, Texas;KevinCoxofSanAntonio,Texas;SusanCraven,ExecutiveDirector,TexasAssociationforInfantMentalHealth;LaurenDonder,DirectorofPublicAffairs,Children’sAdvocacyCentersofTexas;JulieHarris‐Lawrence, Deputy Associate Commissioner of Educator Performance and Student Affairs, Educate
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Texas;ShannonIreland,withTexasCouncilofChildWelfareBoards;andChadwickSapenter,CEOandFounder,TheLittleBookofWords.JusticeGuzmanwelcomedthenewmembersthathadjoinedthecouncil,ChristinaGreen,DirectorofPublicAffairs,Children’sAdvocacyCentersofTexas,andMaraFriesen,AttorneyGeneral’sOffice.JusticeGuzmanremindedtheCollaborativeCouncilthatmembersshouldcompletespeakercardsiftheywishedtobeaddedtotheagenda.CIPCommitteeMemberChangesJusticeGuzman announced that JusticeMichaelMassengale has assumed leadership of the TrainingCommitteesincethelastcommissionmeeting;heisworkingwithMs.RoperandMs.Raneyonjudicialandattorneytrainingmatters.JusticeGuzmanaddedthatShanekaOdomtransitionedofftheTrainingCommitteealongwithJudgeCamileDuBose.StaffMemberChangesJusticeGuzmanannouncedtherewerenostaffmemberchanges.ADOPTIONOFSEPTEMBER27,2014MEETINGMINUTESJusticeGuzmandirectedmembers toTab2,noted thatmembershad theopportunity to review theminutes, and asked if therewere any corrections or discussion. Therewere no corrections or anydiscussionpointsraised.ACTION:JusticeGuzmanaskedforamotiontoadoptthemeetingminutesoftheSeptember27,2013meetingoftheSupremeCourtofTexasChildren’sCommission.JudgeByrnemadeamotionandJudgeHellumsseconded.Theattendingmembersadoptedthemeetingminutesunanimously.COMMISSIONMEMBERUPDATESHon.DarleneByrne,Judge,126thDistrictCourt,Austin,providedupdatesonfourprojectsinTravisCounty. Thefirst isavisitthatJudgeByrnemadetoD.C. inthefall. Thesubjectofthevisitwassextraffickingofminoryouthsandthefactthat75%ofconfirmedvictimshavebeeninfostercare.JudgeByrnerealizedthatthefostercarecourtneededtobeincludedinthemeetingsandthatthelocallawenforcementtaskforcedidnothavejuvenilejustice,childwelfareteams,orthecourtsatthetable.JudgeByrnebeganaroundtableinJanuarytodevelopacourtprotocoltoensurethatstakeholdersknowwhenachildappearing incourt isat riskofbeing trafficked. JudgeByrne invited theNationalCenter forMissingandExploitedChildrentojointheroundtableandhopestohaveacourtprotocolapprovedforimplementation this summer. The second project concerns the death of a child whilst under thesupervisionofthecourt.JudgeByrnechecksthecourtfilesinthesecasestotrytoseewhatthecourtmighthavedonebetter.Regrettably,therewasarecentcasewhereachilddied.JudgeByrnerealizedthatthiscasehadbeenatransferfromBexarCountyandthathercourthasnopolicyinplacetoidentifyacasethattransfersfromothercountiesinTexas.JudgeByrnewasalsoconcernedaboutwhathappens
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whenachildistransferredfromTravisCountyasthereisnothinginthestatutethatrequiresthedistrictclerktorapidlyassembleandtransportthefiletothenextjurisdiction.JudgeByrneputtogetherataskforceinTravisCountytobreakdowntheprocessanddeterminewhatcouldtobedonetoensurethat:(1)thereisahearing;(2)allpartieshaveappointedcounsel;and(3)CASAisinvolved.JudgeByrnewillalsoworkwiththeCommissionregardingnewlegislationrequiredtoenforcethisthroughoutTexas.ThethirdprojectinvolvesworkingwithSeniorPeacemakerBattiseandtheCommissioninAprilattheAlabama‐CoushattaSymposiumtospeakabouttheIndianChildWelfareAct(ICWA).JudgeByrnewillalsospeakinJuneattheChildWelfareJudgesConferenceaboutICWAMadeEasyandhowthecourtscanimplementICWA.Finally,theNationalCouncilofJuvenileandFamilyCourtJudges(NCJFCJ)andJudgeByrnearecollaboratingontheissueoftimecertaincalendaringofCPScasesandwhetherthiswouldthisbemeaningfultothefamilies.Hon.MichaelMassengale,Justice,1stCourtofAppeals,deferredhisreportonTrialSkillsandtheTrainingCommitteeuntil lateron theagenda. JusticeMassengaleprovidedanupdateoncreatingafoundationtosupporttheworkoftheChildren’sCommission. JusticeMassengaleexplainedthatthecreationofafoundationwouldmeantheCommissionwouldnotbetotallyreliantonanyonesourceoffunding, such as federal funding. If a foundation is established, the Commission would have theopportunityforindependentfundraising,whichwouldalsoestablishacushionsothattheworkoftheCommissionremainsunaffectedwhenthereareissueswiththefederalbudgetthattheCommissionhasnocontrolover.JusticeMassengalereportedthattherehasbeengreatprogressandanumberof“heavyhitters”haveofferedhelponaprobonobasis,includingthelawfirmofBakerBotts.JusticeMassengalealsoannouncedthattherehasbeensuccessinsecuringadditionalfundingfortheCPSdocketinHarrisCounty.JusticeMassengaleacknowledgedtheworkofSenatorJoanHuffmanfromHoustoningettingfundingforoneadditionalAssociateJudgeinHarrisCountytohearChildProtectiveServices(CPS)cases.JusticeMassengaleaddedthatfundingfromthelegislativesessionhasashortshelflifeandcontinuedfundingwilldependtosomeextentonthesuccessofthiscourt.AstudyiscurrentlybeingconductedontheHarrisCountycourtsystem,whichwillbehelpfulinsecuringmorefunding.Senior Peacemaker Jo Ann Battise, Alabama‐Coushatta Tribe of Texas, Livingston, SeniorPeacemakerBattisenotedthathercourtisbecomingverybusyandthatallcasesareinthebestinterestsofthechildren.SeniorPeacemakerBattiserecentlyhadonecase,whichwasverypositivethroughout.Notonlydoesthecourtworkwithchildrenwhentheyareplacedwithextendedfamilies,thecourtalsoworkswith parents, and the parents in this case have been allowed visitation. Senior PeacemakerBattiseannouncedtheroundtable,whichwillbeheldonthereservationanApril23.Thefollowingday,therewillbeafulldaysymposiumwithhighprofilespeakerswhowilldiscussICWA,whatitis,andhowitimpactscourtsacrossthenation.ChrissiNimmo,whorepresentedtheCherokeeNationintheBabyVeronicacase,willbeoneofthespeakers.SeniorPeacemakerBattiseinvitedallcommissionmemberstoattendthesymposiumandenjoytheAlabama‐Coushattahospitality.Ms.LisaBlackjoinedthemeeting.
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JusticeGuzmanattestedtothehospitalityoftheAlabama‐Coushattaandrecommendedthatmembersattendtheroundtableandsymposium,ifpossible.JusticeGuzmanwelcomedMs.Blackandstatedthat,astheDepartment’sAssistantCommissionerofCPS,shewillbeappointedtotheChildren’sCommission.JusticeGuzmaninvitedMs.Blacktoaddressthegroup.Ms.LisaBlack,AssistantCommissionerforCPS,Dept.ofFamily&ProtectiveServices,AustinMs.Blackthankedthegroupforinvitingher.Ms.BlackstatedtherearealotofchangesgoingonwithCPSincludingthreereviews:1)SunsetReview;2)anoperationalreviewwiththeStephensGroup;and3)oneadditionalreview.Ms.BlackaddedthatthenextfederalChildandFamilyServicesReview(CFSR)in2015.Hon.RobinSage,SeniorDistrictJudgeandJuristinResidence,announcedthatasJuristinResidence(JIR),shehasbeenworkingonseveralprojects.JudgeSagejoinedJudgeByrne’sgrouponcasetransfersbetweenjurisdictionsandfeelsthattheCommissioncouldhelpwithinregardtolegislativechangesorprotocolsamongstjudges.JudgeSagesuggeststhatifajudgetransfersacase,itwouldbehelpfultocallthenewjudgetoadvisethemthatacaseisbeingtransferred.JudgeSagewillcontinuetoworkwithJudgeByrne’sgroup.JudgeSagehasalsobeentoseveralnationalmeetingsandwishedtoechoSeniorPeacemakerBattiseinthatthenationalleadersareveryexcitedabouttheconferenceinLivingstonandconsideritanhistoricevent.JudgeSagedeferredherbriefonthetimecertaincalendaringtolaterintheagenda. JudgeSageisamemberoftheLegalRepresentationWorkgroupassistingJudgeRucker.JudgeSageannouncedthatsheisservingasaJudicialConsultantfortheJudicialEngagementTeam,apartnershipmadeupoftheAmericanBarAssociation(ABA),NationalResourceCenters,theNationalCenterforStateCourts(NCSC),theNCJFCJ,andCaseyFamilyPrograms.TheJudicialEngagementTeamhashiredfivejudgesfromacrossthenationtomentorjudgesandbringresourcesandtrainingtojudgesinotherstates.Ms.VickiSpriggs,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,TexasCASA, Inc.(proxyCathyCockerham)providedthreeupdates.TexasCASAisworkingwithjudgesaroundthestatetotrytofindCASAvolunteersforallchildren incare. Ms.Cockerhamadded thatCASA is alsoworkingwithDr.KarynPurvis toprovideTraumaInformedCaretraining inordertobringCASAtoamoretraumainformedperspective. Ms.CockerhamannouncedthatCASAhasnewresourcesonitswebsite(www.texascasa.org),includinga3‐hourtrainingvideowhichtakesyouthroughthechildwelfaresystemanda6‐houre‐learningcourse,whichisopentothepublic.Ms.CockerhamconcludedthattheannualCASAconferencewillbeheldinOctoberwiththefocusonpermanency.Hon.CherylLeeShannon,Judge,305thDistrictCourt,Dallas,JudgeShannonreportedthatinDallastheyhavelaunchedtheireducationadvocateprograminconnectionwithTexasLawyersforChildren(TLC); it has beenwarmly received and is serving 60 children at present. Judge Shannon is alsoconcernedabouttimecertaincalendaringandabetterwaytomanagethedocket.JudgeShannon’scourtcurrentlyhas4prosecutorsassigned;eachprosecutor’scaseloadhasrisenfrom40to90cases,whichhasbeendifficulttomanage.JudgeShannon’scourtisalsomovingtoe‐filing,whichaddstotheworkload
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ofeachprosecutor.JudgeShannonconcludedbyadvisingthatthetaskforceworkingonsextraffickingissuesshouldfocusonrelationshipsbetweenthevictimsandthecaseworkers.Hon.BonnieHellums,Judge,247thDistrictCourt,Houston,announcedthatthereisanewCPScourtinHouston.JudgeKatrinaGriffithhasbeenappointedtothecourtandsheistakingcasesfrom6ofthe9familydistrictcourtsinHarrisCounty.JudgeGriffithisanoutstandingadditiontothebench;sheisboardcertifiedinchildwelfarelawandhasdonealotofworkwithdrugcourts.Mostcasesthatarebeing transferred to Judge Griffith are the PMC cases, but if the foster youth has a longstandingrelationshipwithanother judge, JudgeGriffithreturns thecase to thesendingcourt. JudgeHellumsworkingwiththeFetalAlcoholSpectrumDisorders(FASD)program,workingtowardsTexasbeingaStateofExcellence.JudgeHellumsreportedthatherfamilyinterventionprogramisgoingreallywelland the trauma informed training is having amazing results in drug court. Finally, JudgeHellums’husbandisworkingwithAmericanLeadershipForum(ALF),whichhasaclassprojecttotalktoCPSaboutwhatcanbedonebettertoassistchildrenthatageout.TherewillbearoundtablediscussioninHoustononMay15,whichwillbeattendedbyJudgeSpecia.AnyonewishingtoattendshouldnotifyJudgeHellums.Hon.RobHofmann,Judge,452ndDistrictCourt,Mason,notedthatashehadbeenallocatedtimeontheagendatohighlighttheworkoftheTexasBlueprintImplementationTaskForce. JudgeHofmannattended theMcCulloch County Chamber of Commerce Banquet, where SusanNeal, one of the CPSworkersinhisjurisdiction,wasgiventheDistinguishedPublicServiceawardforher40yearsofserviceinfrontlineinvestigations.ThelocalCASAprograminhisjurisdictionisexpandingfromfourtofivecounties.JudgeSpeciahasrequested,throughMs.Amberboy,thatJudgeHofmannjointhePublicPrivatePartnershipgroup.Laterthissummer,JudgeHofmannwillworkwiththeNCSCinIdahotohelpingitwithimplementationofitsprograms.JudgeHofmannconcludedwithananecdoteaboutayoungmannamedAaronwhowasdiagnosedwithAsperger’sSyndrome.AaronwasachildonJudgeHofmann’scaseloadwhenhewasappointedtohisChildProtectionCourtandAaronwasstillincare12yearslater.Atonepoint,Aaron’sStarHealthprescribingphysicianhadprescribedthatAarononlyattendtwohoursofschoolduetobehavioralproblems.JudgeHofmannconductedareview,whichledtothereversalofthatprescription,andAaronwentbacktoschoolfulltime.TheStarHealthproviderwassuspended.JudgeHofmannwaspleasedtoannouncethatAaronhasjustbeenadopted.Hon.PeterSakai,Judge,225thDistrictCourt,SanAntonio,askedfortimetodiscussanissue that was brought to his attention by appellate judges in his jurisdiction. Chief Justice Cathy Stone, ,4th Court of Appeals, contacted Judge Sakai regarding the high number of appeals of CPS cases being filed in the 4th Court of Appeals. If this issue is being studied, Judge Sakai asked that it be looked at from a state-wide perspective. An attorney appointed to handle the appeal must do a review of the case and determine whether an Anders brief should be filed due to frivolousness. A response may then be filed by a parent and this might create an increase in the number of appeals. There is a tremendous cost that goes with transcripts, court reporters have to get records up in very minimal times, courts have to get judgments, and it is creating a stress on trial courts.
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Justice Guzman thanked Judge Sakai for raising the issue and invited Justice Massengale to comment. Justice Massengale explained that there is a relatively new administrative rule that requires the appellate courts to resolve appeals in CPS cases within 180 days. If everything works the way it should, that’s generally an ample amount of time. But it very quickly becomes an inadequate amount of time if you hit any kind of significant procedural bump, and those happen frequently. It could be a problem with getting a record to the court of appeals or it could be a problem with the lawyers, who may not be familiar with the new 180 day deadline, thinking they can rely on getting indefinite extensions and not starting their work on the appeals until they ask for their first extensions. Justice Massengale has had a case where he did not even get a notice of appeal forwarded to his court for two months because there are so few appeals coming out of the county where the case originated. He’d share one big picture comment with everyone in the room -- keep your eyes and ears open, because you cannot just depend on the court of appeals, the clerk of the court of appeals, or the clerk of your trial court, to necessarily be aware that something has fallen in a ditch. If there is a problem with a record, or a lawyer who may be new to the practice who may not understand that it is an expedited proceeding, providing a helpful hint and letting people know that this is something that needs to be worked through can really help. If you find yourself six or eight weeks out from that 180-day deadline and you are still trying to get a record in the court of appeals you’ve got a real problem.
Justice Guzman thanked Justice Massengale for his comments.
Judge Byrne added that she would raise the issue of interventions. The issue of interventions and the plethora of people that are intervening in the trial court is creating issues. Judge Byrne has one case that has two or three interveners, four fathers with lawyers, a mom with a lawyer, a child with a lawyer, and CASA. Judge Byrne advised that this makes a chaotic trial that typically creates an appeal.
Justice Guzman invited Mr. Connolly to speak.
Mr. Connolly advised that it would help with court administration to allow the court reporters to prepare the record after the motion for rehearing has been filed. To make the court reporter create a record before the judges even consider some of the issues that may present reversible error doesn’t make a lot of sense, at least to the people that are on the ground doing it. Mr. Connolly requested that appeals be specifically looked at on that issue.
Judge Sakai added that the courts keep cutting the budget for auxiliary court reporters and that is a big issue on a county level.
Justice Guzman thanked everybody for their comments and added that there is more work to be done on this process and said she’d invite Judge Rucker to assist as he spearheaded the last effort.
BREAK:JusticeGuzmanrecessedthemeetingat10:50a.m.Themeetingreconvenedat10:58a.m.whenJusticeGuzmanopenedthefloortoMs.Amberboy.REPORTTOTHECOMMISSION,Ms.TinaAmberboy,ExecutiveDirector,advisedthatotherswilldeliver reports on Education, Trial Skills, Attorney Training, Judicial Training, JIR activity, Legal
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Representation,ParentResources,Visitation,TraumaInformedCare,PsychotropicMedicationissues,Tribalwork,andDisproportionalityandDisparities.Ms.AmberboyexplainedthatwhentheCommissionmet inSeptember,theywereunsurewhentheywouldreceivethe2014CIPfunding.ApartialawardwasreceivedinDecember2013,withthebalancereceivedinMarch2014.Inthepast,Texashasreceivedapproximately$1.8million;thisyeartheawardwas$1.6millionduetosequestrationanditisexpectedthattheCommissionmayhavethesameissueswiththe2015budget.ReceiptoftheCourtImprovementProgram(CIP)budgetwillallowtheChildren’sCommissiontoaccomplishmorethanwasinitiallyreportedinSeptember.Ms.AmberboyadvisedthatshewouldbrieftheChildren’sCommissionwithsomeofthechangesandthatJusticeMassengalewouldupdateitontheothers.Ms.AmberboystatedthatforthepastseveralyearstheChildren’sCommissionhasbeenhelpingTexasRioGrandeLegalAid (TRLA)byprinting theGuide for FosterYouthAgingout of FosterCare. TheChildren’sCommissionreceivedarequest for2,000copies(basedonprioryears’distribution). TheCommissionhasprinted400,butneedstoprintanadditional1,600.Thetotalcostfor2,000isjustunder$5,000.00.Ms.ReedexplainedthattheguidesaredistributedwheneverTRLAconductoutreachevents,and also provide books to individuals that request them. Ms. Amberboy asked for approval for$5,000.00.ACTION:JusticeGuzmanaskedforamotion.JudgeSakaimadeamotionandJudgeByrneseconded.Theattendingmembersapprovedthebudgetincreaseunanimously.Themotionwascarried.Ms. Amberboy stated that in September, the Commission approved $1,500.00 for the LegalRepresentation(LRS)Workgroup.TheLRSWorkgroupmetinFebruaryandanticipatesmeetingatleastoncemore,ifnottwice,beforethe84thLegislativeSession.TheFebruarymeetingusedallallocatedfundsandsotheCommissionisseekinga$2,000.00increaseforameetingandtravelbudgettotaling$3,500.00.ACTION:JusticeGuzmanaskedforamotion.JudgeByrnemadeamotionandJudgeHellumsseconded.Theattendingmembersapprovedthebudgetincreaseunanimously.Themotionwascarried.Ms. Amberboy explained that for the fourth year, the Commission will be providing funds to theAlabama‐CoushattafortheirJudicialSymposium,butthisyearthereisanadditionalRoundTable.TheTribal Round Table with the Alabama‐Coushatta will be held the day before the Symposium. TheCommission has granted up to $3,000.00 for the past three years, but this year the grantees arerequestingapprovalforanadditional$5,000.00.Theadditionalmoneywillhelpcoverthecostofthespeaker travel and facility charge for the Round Table, in addition to the Judicial Symposium thefollowingday.Itwillalsocoverprintingexpensesassociatedwiththeproject.ACTION: Justice Guzman asked for a motion. Judge Hofmann made a motion and Judge Hellumsseconded.Theattendingmembersapprovedthebudgetincreaseunanimously.Themotionwascarried.
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Ms.AmberboyreferredthememberstothereportsatTabs5and6.UnderTab5istheAnnualReporttotheAdministrationofChildrenandFamilies,whichwassubmittedonDecember31,2013.Thefocusof the report was on collaboration (with whom and on what), the evaluation tools used to assessprojects,projectsonwhichchildwelfaredatalikethatkeptbyDFPSaspartofitsIMPACTsystemwasused,andchallenges.Thesecondreport,locatedunderTab6,isHowWellOurStateDoesinHoldingTimelyHearings.ThisreportfocusedprimarilyonPermanencyHearingsandChildren’sCommissionstaffreliedondatacollectedfromtheDFPSIMPACTsystemtodeterminewhetherhearingswereheldinatimelymanner.Texasdoesverywellbecauseofthestatutesprescribingwhenhearingswillbeheld.Withregardstothetypesofoutcomesthatchildrenarehavingwhentheyexitthesystem,everystatehaschallengesandTexas isnoexception. Texaswould liketodobetterwhenitcomestoachievingreunificationandexitingchildrentopositivepermanencysooner.Thisisprobablytheweakestpartofthereport.TheChildren’sCommissionisinterestedinthetransferissuesthatJudgeByrnementionedandwillworkwithJudgeSageonthosechallenges. TheMeadowsFoundationrecentlyestablishedaMentalHealthPolicyInstituteandtheChildren’sCommissionhasbecomemoreengagedwithBruceEsterlineandthiswork.Ms.Amberboythinksthatthecommissionerswillbehearingalotmoreaboutmentalhealthissuesforchildreninfostercare,howtheyarereceivingservicestoaddressthem,andhowworkisbeingdonetoaddresstheseissues.OnApril16,theMeadowsFoundationformallywilllaunchtheInstitute.TheChildren’sCommissionwillsendoutmoreinformationregardingtheofficiallaunch.ACTION:JusticeGuzmanaddedthattheChildren’sCommissionwouldalsopostinformationregardingtheeventonitswebsite.Ms.AmberboywillattendtheCIPAnnualMeetinginAprilalongwithMs.Roper,Ms.Black,JudgeSage,andJennyHinson.ThefocusofthemeetingwillbeContinuousQualityImprovement(CQI).TheCIPmeetingplannersacceptedaproposal submittedbyTexas forapresentationon thehearingqualityproject;JudgeSageandMs.Garlinghousewillmakethepresentationattheannualmeeting.JusticeGuzmanexpressedherappreciationtoMs.Amberboy.JusticeGuzmanalsomentionedhowhardMs.Amberboy,Ms.Roper,Ms.Taylor,andMs.Raneyworkedinputtingtogethertheself‐assessmentreportfortheCourtImprovementProgramandrecommendedthatthecommissionersreadit.
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COMMITTEEREPORTSANDVOTINGMATTERSTrainingCommitteeReport,HonorableMichaelMassengaleJustice Massengale announced that this was his first commissionmeeting as Chair of the TrainingCommittee and thankedMs. Roper andMs. Raney for their assistance in bringing himup to speed.TheChildren’sCommissionwillhosttheChildWelfareJudgesConferenceinpartnershipwiththeTexasCenterfortheJudiciary(TCJ),June9‐11,2014atHyattLostPinesinBastrop.Registrationiscurrentlyopenwithmanyofthe75slotsalreadyfilled.TheTrainingCommitteehasapprovedamendingTCJ’sawardstatementintheamountof$20,375tocoveradditionalcostsassociatedwiththeChildWelfareJudges Conference, including funding a meeting of the Child Protection Court judges and courtcoordinators,whichwilltakeplaceimmediatelypriortotheconference.JusticeMassengaleaskedthattheChildren’sCommissionapprovetheincrease.ACTION:JusticeGuzmanaskedforamotion.JudgeByrnemadeamotionandJudgeHellumsseconded.Theattendingmembersapprovedthebudgetincreaseunanimously.Themotionwascarried.Thisyear’sNCJFCJConferencewillbeheldJuly13‐16,2014inChicago.TheChildren’sCommissionwillprovidealimitednumberofscholarships,withtheapplicationprocesstobegininApril.TheTrainingCommitteeapprovedamendingTCJ’sawardstatementintheamountof$38,850tofundapproximately20scholarshipstotheNCJFCJconference;itwillalsobepossibleforcommissionerswhowishtoattendtoseekreimbursementfromtheChildren’sCommission.JusticeMassengaleaskedthattheChildren’sCommissionapprovetheincrease.ACTION: Justice Guzman asked for a motion. Judge Hellums made a motion and Judge Shannonseconded.JudgeByrneandJudgeSakaiabstainedfromthevote.Theremainingmembersapprovedthebudgetincrease.Themotionwascarried.JusticeMassengalerecommendedpostponingthePermanencySummituntil2015toensureadequatefundingforotherprojects.AParentResourceGuidebeingdraftedbyTheUniversityofTexasSchoolofLawfacultyandstudentswithaworkgroupchairedbyJudgesMorrisandBondurant.Theyanticipatecompletionofthisprojectbytheendofthecalendaryear.JusticeMassengaleagaindeferredhisfullreportonTrialSkillsTraininguntillaterintheagenda.TheTrainingCommitteehasapprovedallocating$25,000foranadditionalTrialSkillsTraininginOctoberof2014.JusticeMassengaleexplainedthatChildren’sCommissionhadreceived75applicationsfor19seatsattheAprilTrialSkillsTraining.JusticeMassengaleaskedthattheChildren’sCommissionapprovetheincrease.ACTION:JusticeGuzmanaskedforamotion.JudgeByrnemadeamotionandJudgeHellumsseconded.Theattendingmembersapprovedthebudgetincreaseunanimously.Themotionwascarried.
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Awebinarwasproducedat theStateBarofTexas inconjunctionwith theOctober2013TrialSkillsTrainingwhichhasnowbeenarchived.TheStateBarre‐accreditedtheCLEforalloflastyear’sCPSwebinarsandalsoagreedtoextendtheirfeewaiverfortheirCPSwebinarstodepartmentattorneysandprosecutors.TheCommissionstaffisevaluatingfeasibilityofhandlingonlineregistrationforCPScaserelated CLE, the creation of an attorney database may assist with other staff projects such asscholarshipsandsurveys.In the most recent exam cycle there were six Texan attorneys who qualified. Justice MassengalerecognizedJudgeAngelaEllis fromHarrisCounty,DermotJonesfromDenton,JohnWilliamsfromElPaso,DeniseHalefromDallas,KimberlyAustinfromDallas,andRosaGonzalezfromSanAntonio.ThesenewlymintedSpecialistswillbegivenpriorityforscholarshipstotheannualNACCconference.Scholarshiprecipientstothe2013ABA,NACC,andtheAdvancedFamilyLawChildAbuseandNeglectconferenceswereallsurveyed.TheCommissionusedtheresultstoidentifytopicsforfuturetrainings,includingtheneedformoreICWAtrainingandtrainingonwell‐beingissues.2014scholarshipswillincludethe1‐dayChildAbuse&NeglectWorkshopattheAdvancedFamilyLawConference inSanAntonio,August6,2014andtheNACCAnnualConference,August18‐20,2014inDenver,CO.TheTrainingCommitteeapprovedfunding$10,000totheStateBarofTexasChildAbuseandNeglectCommittee for its annual Child Welfare Law Conference to be held June 19 in Houston. JusticeMassengaleaskedthattheChildren’sCommissionapprovefunding.ACTION:JusticeGuzmanaskedforamotion.JudgeByrnemadeamotionandJudgeHellumsseconded.Theattendingmembersapprovedthefundingunanimously.Themotionwascarried.JusticeGuzmanaskediftherewereanydiscussionofcomment.JudgeByrnesuggestedthattheICWAtrainingshouldbeofferedasaBarAssociationwebtraining.Data/TechnologyCommitteeReport,Ms.VikkiSpriggsMs.VikkiSpriggswasunabletopresenttheupdateattoday’smeetingduetoaschedulingconflict.Ms.TinaAmberboyprovidedtheprojectupdatestotheCommissioners.Thehearingnoticeprojectinvolvesusingnon‐confidentialcasedatatobuildasystemwherebynoticeofstatutoryhearingsandothercourt‐relatedeventsrequiringnoticetopartiesandinterestedpersonscanbedistributedviaemail.OCAhasfinishedbuildingthesearchscreensandnotificationemailsthatwill be provided to users who sign up for the service. Users will navigate tohttps://cpshearings.txcourts.govandcreateanidrequiringminimalinformation.Userscanthensearchforcaseinformationbythemother’slastnameatleastonenameofonechild(firstandlast)involvedinthecase,andthecountywherethesuitisfiled.Thesystemwillreturnalistofpotentialcasesandtheuserwillconfirmhisorherinterestinsubscribingtoreceivenoticesofhearingsforthatparticularcase.Theuserwillhavetheoptiontoreceivenotices1,3,7,14,and/or30daysinadvanceofthehearing.The
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projectwillbepiloted inDFPSRegion8and theChildren’sCommissionwillworkwith JudgeCathyMorris,ChildPlacingAgencyrepresentativesandResidentialTreatmentCenters(RTC)inRegion8torecruit users. The Children’s Commission will at some point develop a survey tool to assess theusefulness,effectivenessandaccuracyofthesystem.OCAwillworkwiththeChildren’sCommissionontrackingor logging thenumberofusersandnoticesprovided. Ms.Amberboysuggested that JudgeVillalonwouldliketotrythisinhiscourt.Thevideoconferencingprojectenableschildreninvolvedinchildabuseandneglectcasestoparticipateinpermanencyandplacementreviewhearingswithoutthembeingphysicallypresentinthecourtroom.OCAhostsandsupportsthehardwareandsoftwarerequiredtofacilitatevideoconferencingbetweencourtsandresidentialplacements.OCAhasdrafteda“howto”forusebycourtsandotherstakeholderswhowishtousevideoconferencingforaparticularhearing.OCAalsomaintainsalistofRTCsandcourtswithvideoconferencingcapability.ForFY2014,OCAwillmaintainalogofallhearingsconductedbyvideo conferencing, including the date, time, participating court, type of hearing, participatingplacement,lengthofhearing,anyproblemswiththetransmissionqualityortechnicaldifficulties.OCAand the Children’s Commission will issue a Jurist in Residence Letter to judges regarding videoconferencingavailability,howtouseit,andwhotocontacttosetitupassoonasthe“howto”documentis complete. OCAwillworkwith DFPS and the Children’s Commission on expanding capability andfeasibilityforusebeyondcourthearingslaterinFY2014.JusticeGuzmanwelcomedSupremeCourtofTexasChiefJusticeNathanHechttothemeetingandinvitedhimtoaddressthemembers.ChiefJusticeHechtthankedthemembersfortheireffortsandnotedthateveryoneacrossthestateisveryimpressedwiththeworkoftheChildren’sCommission;itdrawsagreatdealofattention.ThecourtisveryinvestedwiththeeffortsoftheChildren’sCommission.ChiefJusticeHechtconcludedbystatingthatthecourtisveryimpressedwithMs.AmberboyandthesupportthatJusticeGuzmanprovides.Ms.AmberboycontinuedthattheChildren’sCommissioncontinuestoworkonCPCMS,whichisacasemanagement system that is unique to Child Protection Courts. It has been in use since 2009. OCAprovides project management, programming and testing services for CPCMS. OCA staffs a CPCMSAdvisory Council of CPC judges, OCA staff and Children’s Commission staff to evaluate bug fixes orenhancements.TheCPCMSAdvisoryGrouphasbeenmeetingmonthlysincethesummerof2013.OCAwilllikelyreducethefrequencyofthemeetingstoeveryothermonthastheissueslistgrowssmaller.Mr.SlaytonaddedthisisanongoingprojectandthefundingfromtheChildren’sCommissionallowsOCAtocontinuetomakeupdatestothesystem.Mr.TimKennedyaddedthatJudgeHofmannstillusestheCPCMSwebsitenowthatheisaDistrictCourtJudgeandtheHarrisCountyCPSProjectCourtjustwentlive.Everytimeacourtisbroughtonlinethereisatrainingneed.Mr.SlaytoncontinuedthatOCAisworkingtoensurethecourtsthatgotoe‐filingwillhaveaccesstotheCPCMSrecords.TheChildren’sCommissionmaintainstwowebsites–onefortheChildren’sCommissionandtheotherfor education‐relatedwork.Thewebsiteswill informandapprise stakeholders about theChildren’s
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Commission and itswork and theTexasCourt ImprovementProgram.Children’sCommission staffrecentlyupdatedtheChildren’sCommissionwebsitetoensurenecessaryreports,information,andlinkshavebeenaddedandareworking.BasicCommitteeReport,HonorableBonnieHellumsJudgeBonnieHellums provided an update on the activities of theBasic Committee. JudgeHellumsreportedthattheBenchBookhasbeenupdatedwiththe2013legislativechangesandisavailableontheCommissionwebsite.The Children’s Commission and the Appleseed/PermanencyWorkgroup has created a foster youthvideotohelpyouthfeelmorecomfortableattendingtheircourthearings.TexasAppleseedwillcontinuetoworkwithjurisdictionsrequestingassistancewithincreasingstabilityinpermanencyandwellbeingoffosteryouthinlongtermcare.TheVisitationOversight Committeemet in February to review thedrafts of the temporary and fullvisitationplantemplates,visitationobservationforms,andtrainingofstaffandotherstakeholders,andrecommendationsforassessingforsafetyconcerns,establishingalevelofmonitoringandfrequency,andbestpracticesapplicabletoallareas.Theplansandassociatedinformationaldocumentswillhelpexplaintoparentstheirrightsregardingvisitation,whenorwhyvisitsmightbeterminated,sharingofinformationgatheredduringvisits,aswellaspossibleparentcoachingduringvisits. TheChildren’sCommissionwillincludeinformationaboutvisitsinthenewParentResourceGuide,andwillproduceabrochure about visitation in partnership/consultation with the Parent Resource Group and theVisitationOversightGroup.
TheLegalRepresentationWorkgroupmetonFebruary28,2014forthefirsttimeinabouttwoyears.Thegroupdiscussedlegislativechangesfromthe83rdSession,butalsodiscussedwheretheprojectwould go in 2014 and 2015. Issues on the 2014‐2015 agenda include: 1) Voluntary Standards ofRepresentation;2)LegalSpecializationthroughtheTexasBoardofLegalSpecialization;3)WrittenandOnline Guidance/Assistance for Parents; 4) Training Needs andMethods; 5) Compensation; and 6)Commissioners’Courts andCountyRelationships.
TheJudicialDisproportionalityWorkgroup(JDW)metbyconferencecallinMarchandbeganplanninganeducationalsessionregardingimplicitbiasattheannualChildWelfareJudgesConference.TheJDWwillalsomeetinpersonontheseconddayoftheChildWelfareJudgesConferenceinJune.TheCenterfor the Elimination ofDisproportionality andDisparities (CEDD)has named Sheila Craig as its newDirector.SheilahasbeenservingastheInterimDirectorandworkingwithherteamtopilottheirnewly‐developedcurriculum.TheCEDDalsojusthostedadelegationfromtheAfricanCanadianLegalClinic.The specificprogram focus for thismeetingwas theYouth JusticeEducationProgram.A team fromToronto traveled toAustinonMarch19th and20th to learnmore aboutCEDD, theTexasModel:AFrameworkforEquity,andtheCEDDcurriculum,andtohearfromcommunitypartnersandsystemsleaders about the work in Texas on addressing disproportionality and disparities.ParentRepresentationwasrenamedParentRepresentationInitiatives.
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The Children’s Commission established a Parent Resourceworkgroup in August, chaired by JudgesBondurantandMorris;itincludesparents’attorneys,parents,TexasCASA,andrepresentativesoftheTexas Legal ServicesCenter and theUniversity ofTexas School of Law. The initial project involvesproducinganon‐lineandprintedversionofaguideandanonlineresourcecentersimilartotheFosterYouth JusticeHotline. UT iswriting the resourceguide. Theonline resource centerprojectwill beinitiatedoncethewrittenresourceguideisfinished.Thegoaloftheguideistohelpparentsbeeducatedaboutprocessandtheirroleandresponsibilities,andthoseresponsibilitiesanddutiesowedtothembyothers.Itwillbedesignedtoorientparentstothegravityoftheirsituation,validateemotionstheymaybe feeling, and provide tools that may be helpful in organizing and keep track of progress. Theworkgroupmaydiscussmakingavideolater.Theguidedoesnotprovidelegaladviceorexplainlegalrights,butwillattempttoexplaininnon‐legalandsimpleterms.
Judge Hellums advised that Ms. Taylor will provide updates on Tribal/State Collaboration andPsychotropicMedicationslaterintheprogram.
Judge Hellums explained that the Children’s Commissionwill continue to support DFPS’s shift to atrauma‐informedcaresystembydevelopingandpromotingjudicialandattorneytrainingontrauma‐informedcare.TheCommissionwillalsopartnerwithCASAandprovideCIPfundingsupporttoengagewiththeTCUInstituteofChildDevelopmentandDr.PurvistodevelopaTraintheTrainerProgramtohelpestablishTrust‐BasedRelationalInterventions(TBRI)asaneffectiveandwidelyusedinterventionplanforchildreninfostercare.Thegoalistotrain100trainersovertwoyears.CASAwillestablishaworkgroupthatincludesrepresentativesfromDFPS,theChildren’sCommission,andotherchildwelfareadvocatestoassistwithplanningtheTraintheTrainerprogram.CIPfundingwillsupportDr.PurvisandtheTCUInstitutetrainingprogramandtravelforTBRIfacilitatorsandmaterialstosupporttraining.
RECESSFORLUNCHBeforebreakingthemeetingforlunch,JusticeGuzmanintroducedSherriEvans,currentchairoftheStateBarofTexasFamilyLawSection.JusticeGuzmanadjournedthemeetingat11:45a.m.JudgeByrnedepartedthemeeting.Themeetingreconvenedat12:55p.m.PSYCHOACTIVEMEDICATIONS–HouseBill(HB)915IMPLEMENTATIONWORKGROUPUPDATE,Ms.Taylor. Ms. Taylor reported on the progress of the HB 915 ImplementationWorkgroup andprovidedbackgroundontheproject.In2011,theChildren’sCommissionformedaworkgrouptofocusonbettercollaborationbetweenmedicalproviders,STARHealth,DFPS,andthejudiciaryregardingthetopicofpsychotropicmedications. Thatgroup issued legislative andpractice recommendations. In2013,HB915wasbornandchangedhowpeopleviewedanddealtwithinformedconsentforchildrenin fostercare. TheHB915Workgroupmet four timesbetweenJune2013andMarch2014andwasfacilitatedbyJudgeF.ScottMcCown.Ms.Taylorlistedthehighlightsfromtheworkgroup:
Catherine Guest said that for the last year, Harris County, which has 550 children and 9caseworkers,hasbeenusingtheHumanServiceTechnician,thishadfreedupcaseworkerstomakemonthlyvisits.
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MedicalConsenterTrainingwasconductedbyPamBaker,incollaborationwithexternalstakeholdersonMedicalConsentandPsychotropicMedicationcontent.ThetrainingisavailableontheDFPSwebsite.
Notificationtoparentsishappening,andisbeingrecordedintheIMPACTsystem. Transitionplanningandmakingsuretheyouthunderstandthattheycanconsenttoall,orpart
of,theirmedicalcare. Assessmentsrequiremorework,DFPSareworkingwithHHSCtousetheTraumaInformed
AssessmentfromDFPS,toseehowthoseblendinwithotherassessmentsthathavebeendonewithintheHHSCsystem.
Thefutureofthegrouphasgonefromnon‐pharmacologicalalternativetofocusonHB915andthatitsworkwouldbeending.Thenextgenerationmightbeabroaderworkgrouponmentalhealthandthatcouldincludethenon‐pharmacologicalalternative.SomethingsthatarealreadyhappeningarethatSympaticoistryingtoincreasetheclinicalcapacitysothatchildrencanseetherapistswhoaretraumainformedcarespecialists.
Dr.Purvishasothertrainingsthatarefocusedonthecaregivertoensurethatthecaregiverisreadytogivethebestcareandrespondappropriatelybasedonthechild’sexperience.
PartnershipwithMeadowsMentalHealthInstitute,theChildren’sCommissionhasbeentryingtogetapictureofallthecontinuumofmentalhealthservices,Meadowswillcontributeexpertiseandresourcestocaptureasnapshotofwhatisavailabletochildrenwhentheycomeintocareandlookathowthechildrenflowthroughthesystem.
PsychotropicMedicationJudicialWorkgroupisgoingtoend.JudgeGuarigliachairedthisgroupandMs.Taylorinvitedhertospeak.
JudgeGuarigliathankedthegroupfortheirhardwork,andsharedastoryaboutan11‐yearoldchildthatenduredalifeofsexualabusefromherstep‐fatherandisdoingmuchbetterontwopsychotropicmedicationsanddespitetheseissuesisgoingtobeadoptedbyhisgrandmother.Ms.Taylor concluded that shehadpassedout theagenda to theAlabama‐CoushattaAnnual JudicialSymposium,andspokebrieflyaboutthespeakersthatwouldattend,inparticularChrissiNimmowhorepresentedtheCherokeeNationintheBabyVeronicacase.TRIALSKILLSTRAINING,HonorableMichaelMassengaleJusticeMassengaleprovidedabriefbackgroundoftheTrialSkillsTrainingProjectfollowedbyanupdateon the status. Justice Massengale expressed his thanks to the faculty and staff at the Children’sCommissionfortheireffortsinmakingtheprogramasuccess.AlltwelveTrialSkillsTrainingfacultymemberstapedalivewebinarattheStateBar,coveringall16lecturesfromtheTrialSkillsTrainingcurriculum. Thewebcast had 617 live viewers,whichwas outstanding. 599 of thesewatched thewebinarfreeofchargethankstothegenerosityoftheStateBarwho,inpartnershipwiththeChildren’sCommission,hasmadeCPSrelatedwebinarsfreetoalllawyerswhoworkonCPScasesintheironlinelibrary.TheTrialSkillsTrainingPilotwasheldinAustinacross2½days,October23‐25th,2013.Theprogramwasamixtureoflectureandlivedemonstrationformatwithalivepracticesessions,followedby group and one‐on‐one critiques. Trial Skills Training faculty prepared presentations and group
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exercisesonallareasoftrialpreparation.TrevorWoodruffofDFPSarrangedforfourcaseworkerstoparticipateinexercises,andDr.Narangalsoarrangedforthreepediatricfellows,allofwhomservedasmockwitnesses.Theparticipantswere19neworlessexperiencedlawyersinCPScasesandtherewasan equal number of Department, state, parent, and child attorneyswho attended from 14 differentcounties.Thepilotreceivedexcellentreviewsandconstructivecriticismbyparticipants,faculty,andstaff,allofwhichwillimprovetheprogramgoingforward.ThenextTrialSkillsTrainingisscheduledforApril2‐4,2014.Oneofthemajorchangesbasedonthefeedbackreceived,thecurriculumhasbeenexpandedtothreedaysandanewvenuehasbeensecured,withmoreroomforacourtroom‐likesetting. TheCommissionreceived74applicationsfor21slotsdemonstratingadefiniteneedfortheprogram.Threenew faculty will be on board next week. Current volunteer faculty members include: Judge KarinBonicoro, JudgeGaryColey.RobGalvin,DavidHalpern,DougLowe,ElizabethWatkins,LaRuWoody,JackieMartin, Dr. SandeepNarang, Judge Robin Sage, Leslie Strauch, and TrevorWoodruff. JusticeMassengaleconcludedbythankingMs.Raneyforheroutstandingwork.Justice Guzman expressed her appreciation to Justice Massengale for the presentation content andcommentedonthedepthofthetraining.JusticeGuzmanhadbeeninattendanceforpartoftheprogramandwasveryimpressedwiththestandardoftraining.JusticeGuzmanwelcomedTerryTottenhamtothemeeting.Terry Tottenham, Of Counsel, Fulbright and Jaworski, L.L.P., Austin The veterans programcontinuestobeveryrobust;theyhavehelpedover10,000veteransandtheirfamiliesinTexas,andtheyhaveinvolvedalmost7,000lawyersinthiseffort,manyofwhomhadneverdoneprobonoworkbefore.Mr.Tottenhamstatedthatalotofcasesinclinicsinvolvefamilylawissuesandchildcustodyissues.Mr.TottenhamaskedwhetheritwoulditbeappropriatetoconferwithMs.AmberboyandherstaffabouthowtoreachouttobetterinvolveveteransandmilitaryfamilieswithregardstowhattheChildren’sCommissiondoes.Mr.TottenhamfeltthatitwouldbepossibletoworkwiththeJAGofficesatFortBlissandFortHood.BothJusticeGuzmanandMs.AmberboyagreedthattheChildren’sCommissioncouldworkwithMr.Tottenhaminregardstothis.Ms.AmberboyalsosuggestedtheMeadowsMentalHealthFoundationasanotherpossiblesourceofinformation.JudgeHellumssuggestedthatMr.TottenhamcontactJudgeFarrinHouston.JudgeFarrisacolonelintheU.S.militaryandhascontactsthatmaybeuseful to Mr. Tottenham’s program. Justice Guzman suggested setting up a conference call withcommissionersthatmaybeinterested.TEXASBLUEPRINTIMPLEMENTATIONTASKFORCE,HonorableRobHofmannJudgeHofmannprovidedanupdateontheworkofBlueprint ImplementationTaskForce. TheTaskForcehasthreeworkgroupsthathavecontinuedtomeetregularly.Allaremeetingwithaneyetowardmaking recommendations regarding future implementation and collaborationwhen the Task Forcewrapsupattheendof2014.JudgeHofmannprovidedhighlightssincethelastcommissionmeeting:
TheendofyearannualreportwassenttoAdvisoryCouncil.
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AJuristinResidenceletterwasissuedonthenewForm2085‐E,whichDFPSusestodesignateeducationdecision‐maker.
ATexasteammadeupofDPFS,TEA,andtheChildren’sCommissionacceptedintoandattendedthe Information Sharing Certificate Program at Georgetown University, which was a 4‐dayprogramandwillhelphowTEAandDFPSareusingthedatatheyexchange.
ATexas teamwasoneof fivenational teams thatparticipated in theCaseySharedLearningCollaborative(SLC)regardingdatasharingbetweeneducationandchildwelfareagencies.TheTexasteamdevelopedanactionplanattheSLC,whichincludesTEAandDFPSpartneringtodevelopajointreportabouteducationoutcomes. Theteamfeltthattheyhadalloftherightpeopleintheroomtodiscussthebestwaytosharethisinformation.
The Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), DFPS, TEA and the Children’s Commissionpartnered to host a focus group of school administrators at the TexasAssociation of SchoolAdministrators (TASA) Mid‐Winter Conference. The conference was attended by 14 schooldistrict representatives to discuss enrollment, child specific information sharing, and bestpractices.SincetheEducationSummitinFebruary2013,over700schooldistrictliaisonshavejoinedtheTEAlistserve;thisisadramaticincrease.
TheTexasTRIOgrantendedlast July,howeverHoustonISDandDFPSstaff inHarrisCountycontinuetomeetquarterlyandreporttheyhaveagreatworkingrelationship.
TEA,DFPS,andtheChildren’sCommissionalsocontinuetomeetquarterlytotroubleshootanddiscusstheirongoingcollaboration.
TASB released a policy alert to school districts about Texas law and policy affecting schooltransitionsforstudentsinfostercareaswellasachartaboutwhotocontactwhenthingsariseintheschoolsetting.
Several education service centers around Texas are developing curriculum specifically forschooldistrictfostercareliaisons.
JudgeHofmannaddedthatonthehorizonfor2014,theTaskForceisdevelopingfactsheetsforCASAs,DFPSisrollingoutitsneweducationpolicy,theCapstoneProjectfortheGeorgetownprogramwillbecompletedbytheendof2014,theTaskForcecontinuestheworkondataexchangeonbothglobalandindividuallevels,includingworkingwithschoolsandDFPSaboutwhenandhowtoshareinformationabout specific children, and therewill be furtherwork on implementing legislation passed in 2013relatedtoeducationoffosterstudents. Ms.Roperaddedthatanotherbigprojectbeingworkedistodetermineamethodtomeasureschoolmobility.Thiswilllookatwhetherchildrenstayintheirschoolwhentheyenterfostercareandwhethertheychangeschoolswhileinfostercare.Texasisapioneerinthiseffort.JudgeHofmannconcludedbythankingthecommissionstaffforallthattheydo.HEARINGOBSERVATIONPROJECT,HonorableRobinSageandMs.GarlinghouseMs.AmberboybeganbyreferringthemembertothehardcopyoftheHearingObservationReport.Ms.AmberboythenexplainedthataCIPgranthadbeenawardedtoensurethatpartiesinCPScaseshavequality hearings, and quality legal representation. Last summer, Judge Sage and Ms. Garlinghouseworkedonaprojecttousea100‐elementtooltodeterminethequalityofthehearings.Ms.Amberboyinvited Judge Sage and Ms. Garlinghouse to address the Children’s Commission. Ms. Garlinghouse
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explainedthatthetoolthatwasdevelopedtomeasuretheresultsislocatedatthebackofthereport.Ms.GarlinghouseandJudgeSagelookedatsomeofthenationalbestpracticesandspokewiththefederalChildren’s Bureau about how tomeasure the content and depth of judicial consideration of certainfactors. The Children’s Commission developed project goals, an observation tool and surveys inpartnershipwiththeChildren’sBureauandABANationalResourceCenterforLegalandJudicialIssues.Over the course of the summer, they observed 17 judges conducting 164 hearings in 12 locations;sometimestherewouldbemorethanonejudgeinaparticularjurisdiction.JudgeSagecarriedoutthecourtroomobservationandMs.Garlinghouseinterviewedattorneysandparentsinvolvedinthecases.Inall,Ms.Garlinghouseinterviewed68attorneysand42parents,butin‐depthanalysisofthesesurveyswasnotconductedforthisreport.JudgeSageexplainedthatjudgeswerenotifiedthattheywouldbeobserved, but in order to ensure that they did not perform differently under observation, Ms.Garlinghouseaskedlawyersandparentsifthehearingwasconsistentwithhearingsthathadtakenplaceinthepast.Ms.Garlinghousecontinuedthatthestudycoveredthemanytypesofchildwelfarecourts, includingDistrictincludingDistrictCourts,specializedChildProtectionCourts(CPC),CountyCourtsatLaw,non‐CPCCourts,andruralandurbancourts.Wherepossible,theytriedtolookathalf‐daydocketswithatleast10hearingspercourt,tohaveagoodsample,andthenfollowedthiswithfilereviews.Theprojectalso lookedathearingquality indicators, includingbothdueprocessandwell‐being indicators. Dueprocessindicatorswerethingsthathappenwhenafamilycomestocourt,suchasallpartiespresent,statutoryfindings,andsettingthenexthearingdate.Thewell‐beingindicatorsarethingsthatonewouldhopehappensincourtbasedonnationalbestpracticesthatmightleadtoabetteroutcomeforchildren.Thereviewidentifiedwhichissuescameupincourtandnotedwhetherissueswerediscussedinthecourtroom,were addressed in thenotes,weremissing, orwerenot applicable. JudgeSageandMs.GarlinghouseusedasanexampleICWAandsiblingsasissuesthatmighthavebeenaddressedinthefileornotapplicable. Forexample,ifICWAhadbeenaddressedpreviouslyinthelifeofthecase,thenitneednotcomeupincourt;similarly,ifallsiblingsareplacedinonefosterhome,ortherearenosiblings,siblingvisitationwouldbeamootissue.Otherissueswerehearingtype,courttype,geography,partiespresent,engagement,advocacy,hearinglength,docketcaseload,andhowinvolvedthepartieswereinthecase.Thedatawasanalyzedbasedonthesefactors.Inover60%ofhearingswheretheseitemsarerelevant,partieswereidentifiedatthebeginningofthecourthearing,thenexthearingwasset,therewereclearordersandnextsteps,partiesdiscussedcurrentplacement,visitationwasaddressed,overhalfofthecourtsdiscussedtheeducationalneeds,and,ofthecasesthatcouldrequestanextension,lessthan 20%were granted. Ms. Garlinghouse concluded thatmost parents have attorneys, especiallymothers;inmostjurisdictions,attorneysareappointedearlyinthecase.JudgeSagebriefedtherecommendations:
ChildProtectionCourtscoveredmoreindicatorsthananyothercourto Thosecourtshavesmallerdockets(longerhearings)o MorespecializedtraininginChildWelfareo CPCMSmanagementsystem
TrainingprovidedbytheChildren’sCommissionproducesbetterresultsamongjudges
21
o PermanencySummit 34%ofthosethatdidnotattendreviewedpermanencyplans,asopposedto46%
thatattendedo EducationSummit
39%ofthosethatdidnotattendenquiredintowell‐beingissues,asopposedto67%thatattended
o RecommendChildren’sCommissioncontinuetoprovidetraining Fewercasesonthedocketabletocovermorerelevantpoints
o Recommendnomorethan15casesforhalfdaydocket Increaselengthofhearing
o Hearingslastfrom1to81minuteso Casesthatlastedunder10minuteswereinadequateo Optimumtimeisbetween10and25minuteso Makehearingsaslongaspossibleo Recommendjudgesreviewcourtreportsaheadoftimeo Recommendjudgesusebenchcardstoprepareforhearing
FederalGovernmentrequiresJudgestoascertainwhetherDFPShasmadereasonableeffortstoavoidremovalofthechildren,ortoreunifythechildren,ortoachievepermanency
o Howoftendojudgesaskthesequestions?o Judgestendnottomention“reasonableefforts”aftertheadversaryhearingo Incourtorderisboilerplatelanguagethatthefederalgovernmentrequiresinorderto
fundourchildwelfaresystemo Recommendjudgesaskmore“reasonableefforts”questions
IndianChildWelfareAct(ICWA)o Judgesrelyoncaseworkerstomakeinquiriesregardingtribalmembershipo 1inevery10‐15casesiseligiblefortribemembershipo Notesinfilethatidentifychildas“African‐American”sochildcannotbeIndiano RecommendICWAquestionbeaskedineverycase
DueProcesso Howoftenareparentsserved?o Judgesbetterataskingquestionsatbeginningofcaseo Recommendjudgescontinuetoaskwhetherpartieshavebeenserved
PermanencyPlanso Onlytwothirdsofjudgesreviewpermanencyplanso Concurrentplansrarelydiscussedo Recommend courts consider alternative placement before current placement breaks
down ChildWell‐being
o Shortesthearings,average12minuteso Recommend judges ask more questions: are they attending schools; are there
disciplinaryactions;etc. PsychotropicMedications
22
o Judgesaskwhatmedicationchildistakingo Do not askwhether they are takingmedication correctly orwhether prescription is
currento Recommendjudgesaskmorein‐depthquestions
SiblingVisitationo Rarelydiscussedevenifsiblingsareplacedaparto Recommendjudgesaddressthisissue
Childrentoattendcourto Whenchildrenarepresentjudgesdoamuchbetterjobofhavingathoroughhearingo Recommendchildrenattendcourtinpersonorviavideoconferenceorphone
EngageParentsandCaregiverso InthehearingattorneysandCASAsspokeupwhenevertheyhadapointtomakeo Parents,fosterparents,caregivers,etc.didnotspeakunlessaskedo Recommendjudgesaskquestionstoinvolvetheminhearing
JudgeSageexplainedthatthefindingsandrecommendationsareinthereportwhichisavailableontheChildren’sCommissionwebsite. Thenextstepwillbetocommunicatethefindingswiththerelevantstakeholdersandtopromotetrainingandeducationforthoseinvolvedinthesecases.Intwotothreeyears,thestudyshouldberepeatedtoseewhetherTexashasimproved.JudgeSageconcludedthattheaveragewaittimesforacasetobecalledwas56minutesandthelongestwaittimewas4hoursand25minutes.Judgesneedtodoabetterjobofschedulingtoreducewaittimeforparties.JusticeGuzmanthankedJudgeSageandMs.Garlinghouseforthein‐depthreportandrecommendations.Mr.Connollyaskedwhethermomswereservedsooner thandadsandwhetherdadsweregiventhesameconsiderationsregardingcourtappointedattorneys. JudgeSageansweredthatshedidnotseethatparticularissueinthecasessheobserved.JudgeBoydaskedwhetherJudgeSagewouldsendthereporttothejudges,JudgeSagerespondedthatthoseresultswouldbeforwardedconfidentiallytoeachjudge.JusticeGuzmanaskedthattheconfidentialityissuebecheckedwithGeneralCounseltoensurethatitisincompliancewithopenrecords.JusticeGuzmandidnotwanttoleavetheimpressionthattherewouldbeconfidentialinformationthatthepublicwouldnothaveaccessto.UPDATEONFOSTERCAREREDESIGN,BobHartmanMr. Hartman introduced himself to the group and provided background on Providence ServiceCorporationandFosterCareRedesign.ProvidenceServiceCorporationwasstarted18yearsagotohelpchildrenstayintheirhomeswithcommunitybasedalternativestoavoidinstitutionalcare.Primarilydealingwithmentalhealthissues,ithasbranchedouttocover40statesplusCanada,andworkswithjuvenile justiceactivitiesaround the countrysuchaswellasMedicaid,Medicare,andChildWelfare.Providencecurrentlyhas10,000employees.TheconceptofFosterCareRedesignwastoreplicateanorganizationthathasacontinuumofcaretoprovidechildwelfareservices,mentalhealthservices,homebasedwork,andintegrationwiththefamily,etc.
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TheplanforFosterCareRedesignisacollaborativeefforttointegratecare.CorevaluesinProvidencematchwithFosterCareRedesign,thecorevaluesthatyouwanttoseeinanyorganizationthatprovidecaretofamilies.TheprinciplesofservicedeliverywereputintotheproposaltoDFPS,childsafetybeingnumber one, this is a critical issue highlighted todaywith the increase in the child safety concernsaround the state. The structure for Foster Care Redesign encourages an urgency of action. It alsoencouragesandrequiresaqualityofactionsothatservicesarenotshortenedinappropriately.FosterCareRedesigniscurrentlyinRegion2/9andanticipatedtorolltootherregions,itisnotatimelimitedstudytodetermine,anditisastatecommitmenttocontinuerevisingandrefiningthisnewmodelofcaretostrengthenthechildwelfaresystem.Region2/9lookssmallonthemap,butitishuge.Itis20%ofthestate,25%ofthecounties,thesizeisoneofthebiggestbarrierstoProvidence.Onechildhadan800mileroundtriptoattendcourt,hadMr.Kennedy’svideoconferencingbeeninplacethiswouldhavebeenmucheasiertoaccomplish.Mr.Kennedyhasbeenverysupportivewiththevideoconferencing,JudgeChavezhasvideoconferencinginMidland,andJudgeBondurantwillbenext.Otherjudgeshaverequestedthiscapabilityintheircourtrooms.ThereareeightmajoroutcomestoFosterCareRedesignshouldachieve:
Safetyinthechild’splacement Placed closer to home (50miles from a child’s removal neighborhood). This is not always
possibleinwesternTexas,whenFosterCareRedesignbegan28%ofchildrenweresentoutsideofRegion2/9,andover70%ofkidswereawayfromtheirhomecounty.FosterCareRedesignwilltrackhowmanychildren,andwhatpercentwillbewithin50milesofhome,andhowmanytotalaveragemiles.
Minimalmoves Connectionstothefamily Placedwithsiblings Respectchild’sculture Fullypreparedforsuccessfuladulthood Providedopportunitiestoparticipateindecisionsthatimpacttheirlives.Thereareanumberof
pointsunderthis,butoneofthoseistobepresentincourt,sothisuseoftechnologyiscriticalforProvidence.
FosterCareRedesignsignedacontractwithJudgeSpeciaayearago,thefirst7monthswerededicatedtodevelopingthesystemofcarebeforegoingliveattheendofaugust.Therewasabuiltindemandforplacements, almost 80 childrenwerewaiting to be placed and Foster CareRedesign received themovernight,forthefirst6weekstheyweredelugedwithreferrals.Legacytransitionswerethenadded,LegacyChildrenbeingthosethathavebeenincareallalong.Importantlessonswerelearned,theresultbeingthatwhenthenextregionalrolloutinTarrantCountybeginsinJulytheywillstartwithLegacytransitions.Mr.Hartmanaddedthattherearecurrently1,100childreninthesupportsystem.InthestartupphaseFosterCareRedesigncollaboratedregularlywithDFPS.Therearecurrently19childplacingagenciesinregion2/9,andFosterCareRedesignisworkingwith30organizationsoutsidetheregiontoaccommodatechildren.AprovidercounciloforganizationswasformedtoworkwithFosterCareRedesignandhelpmakedecisions,oneofwhichisaratescommittee
24
whichwilllookatratestructure,a300pageoperationsmanualisavailableonlinetoprovidedetailedinformation. The Foster Care Redesign also established a Community Advisory Council, membersincludeJudgeHacker,CASADirectors,Foundationrepresentatives,andMentalHealthrepresentatives.FosterCareRedesignregularlymeetswithcollaborativemembers tomanage theprogram;decidingwho needs to present in court, and when, is an important facet in these discussions. Foster CareRedesignalsocoordinateswithSTARHealthandCenpaticoforevaluationsandwithanumberoffaithbasedinitiativestoprovidefosterhomesupport,development,andrespitecare.Currently80%ofallremovalscomefrom8ofthe60counties,FosterCareRedesignwanttostrategicallyrecruithomestogetthosechildrenplacednearertotheirhomes.MidlandandOdessapresentachallengetofindfosterhomes,FosterCareRedesignwilljoinwithfaithbasedgroupstoconductajointrecruitmentcampaignthatwilljoinprivatechildplacingagencieswiththeirownrecruitmenttodriveinterestforpeopletobecomefosterparents.FosterCareRedesignhasinheritedthechildplacingunitfromDFPStomanagetheemergencyplacements,andrespondswithin4hourstopickupachild.TheCommunityBasedResourceandInformationSystem(CoBRIS)hasageopositioningunitthatcanseefosterhomeswithina50mileradiusofthechild’sremovalhome,thisprovidesatooltotrytomatchachildwithahome.TheChildandAdolescentFunctionalAssessmentScale(CAFAS)isanassessmentthatdoesnotreplacepsychologicalevaluations,butenhancestheinformation;CAFASisaccessibleon‐linewith120trainedraterswhohavecompletedover150childassessments.FosterCareRedesignalsohasaqualityassuranceunitassessingtheresidentialchildcarelicensingandaccreditationstandards,andautilizationmanagementteamassessingatcaremanagementandpermanencyplanning.AlargepartoftheFosterCareRedesignproposalconcernedwraparoundandbehavioralservices,howtobringmorecommunitybasedservicestochildren inchildwelfaretoresult in lessdisruption inachild’slife.Mr.Hartmanstatedthathehadbeenamemberofanationalchildtraumaticstressnetworkandhadchairedthechildwelfarecommitteetohelpdevelopacaregivermanualwhichisavailableon‐lineathttp://www.nctsnet.org/alongwithotherfreematerialsonTraumaInformedCare.ProvidenceServiceCorporationhasthousandsofwebinarswhichwillbeavailabletotheprovidernetworkshortly.Mr.Harmanmentioned that itwas disappointing to him to see statements from fosterparents thatchildrenwerenotbondingwithin the fosterhomeonly threeweeks into theplacement,he felt thatmoving children from place to place should be stopped and added that this is one of the biggestchallengesfacingFosterCareRedesign.Todateover71%ofsiblingshavebeenplacedtogether,primarilyinshelters,with90%ofchildrenbeingplacedwithatleastoneothersibling.Thisishigherthanthestateaverageof60%,howevertheaimistoplacethesesiblingsintofosterhomesratherthanshelters.ChildWelfareisasystemofsystemsthatdonotalwaysspeaktoeachother,thisisconfusingtothechildrenandfostercareprofessionalsneedtoworktoensurethatthecorrectagenciesarearoundthetable.InitialevaluationshavebeenconductedbytheUniversityofTexasandtheUniversityofChicago,Mr.Hartmanconcludedthataculturechangeinthesystemdoesnothappenovernight,heishopefulthatinayearfromnowhewillbeabletoreportonwhatisgoingwellwiththenewsystem.
25
OFFICEOFCOURTADMINISTRATION(OCA)UPDATE,DavidSlayton,AdministrativeDirectorMr.DavidSlaytonprovidedtheprojectupdatestotheChildren’sCommissioners.Mr.SlaytonmentionedthattheHearingObservationProjecthadidentifiedthatonlyhalfofthecaseswherelanguageassistancewasneededwereformallyinterpreted.OCAiscurrentlyworkingonaprojectfundedbythelegislatureto provide interpretation services to any court in the state. Since the last Commissionmeeting inaddition to theHarris County Child Protection Court (CPC) opening, there is also a CPC opening inAtascosa,Wilson,Karnes,Frio,andLaSallecounties;JudgeMelissaDeGerolamihasbeenassignedtothiscourt.OCAisworkingwithlegislatureregardingdiscussionfromthejudicialcouncilonjuvenilejustice,thereisaninterimchargetoraisetheageofmajorityforcriminalprosecutionfrom17to18. Thejudicialcouncilcontinuestoworkonschoolticketingissuesandtruancyissues,earlyindicationsarethatthecasesgoingtocourtinSeptemberthroughNovemberweredown80%in2013comparedtothesameperiodin2012.Another project that OCA is involved with is E‐filing, the Judicial Council and OCA are workingguardianshipissues,andthisisanissueforelderlyandalsochildrenwithdisabilities.OCAarelookingatwaystomakesurethatguardianshipawardsarebeingprotected,andwillproviderecommendationslater this year. Mr. Slayton provided a handout to themembers on e‐filing, and explained that theSupremeCourthasbeenstudyingtheissueofe‐filingfor10years,andhaveheardfromclerks,lawyers,andjudgesabouttheneedtomandatee‐filing,acoupleofyearsagoe‐filingwasmandatedonarollingschedule.ThescheduleshowsthatinallAppellateCourts,andCountieswithpopulationover500,000,attorneyswererequiredtobegine‐filinginallcivilcases,familycases,probatecases,onJanuary2014.Everysixmonthsthatmandaterollsdowntosmallerandsmallercountiesuntilby2016allcountieswillbe covered. In addition to the mandated counties there are an additional 43 counties that havepermissivee‐filing,thesecountiescover85%ofthepopulation.E‐filinghasincreasedthenumberofdocumentsthatOCAreceivesfrom2,100to15,500perday.OnMarch1sttherewere57,000usersofthissystem,todaythereare60,000.Mr.SlaytonaddedthatJan1stwasabigday,10countieswentliveonJan1,onJuly1st2016136countieswithapopulationunder20,000willgolive.ThesescountieshavelittletonotechnologyandwillpresentachallengetotheOCA.Mr.SlaytonexplainedthatOCAprovidesacentralportalthatalle‐filingcomesthrough,itconnectstotwoouterthings.ThefirstisPFSPwhichisacourierservicefromthefilertothecentralportal,andthereareanumberofportalbeingusedforthis.Thesecondisonthebacksideandisaconnectiontoeachcountycasemanagementsystem,thereare30‐40separatesystems.Therearemoreissuesraisedregardingthebacksidecasemanagementwithclerk’soffices,pullingupdocuments,accessingdocuments,etc. OCAisstillworkingwithcourtsandclerkstoironouttheseproblems.LastFridaytheSupremeCourtissuedupdatedtechnicalstandardswhichstandardizedthestatewidefilingtypes,codes,andcategoriesthatclerkscanuse.PriortothisifyoufiledinHarrisCountytherewere550filingtypesforfilerstochoosefromversus25‐30inTravisCounty.Nowthefilingtypesareunifiedstatewide,thisisahugeaccomplishment.Justice Guzman thanked Mr. Slayton and added that his office is available to assist anyone havingproblemswithe‐filing.
26
Mr.Slaytonconcludedthatwhilee‐filingisfree,countiesareabletochargea$2.00localoptionfeetorecoverthecostofintegrating.Thelawgoverningthisisgovernmentcode72.031“thecourtshallwaivethisfeeforindigentindividuals”,courtappointedattorneysshouldnotbepayingthisfee.COLLABORATIVECOUNCILREPORTJusticeGuzmanexpressedappreciationtothemembersoftheCollaborativeCouncilfortheirefforts.Ms.MaryChristineReed,TexasFosterYouthJusticeProject,Austin.Ms.Reedintroducedherselfandthenspokeabouthealthinsuranceforagedoutfosteryouth.NoweveryyouththatagedoutoffostercarehasfreeMedicaiduntilage26.Mostofthefosteryouthoverage21are unaware that they have this right. There is information regarding this available onhttp://texasfosteryouth.organdMs.Reedaddedthatthereisnoincomelimittoreceivethisbenefit.Ms.ReedrequestedthatmemberspassthisinformationtoFosterYouth.ACTION:JusticeGuzmanthanksMs.ReedandaddedthattheChildren’sCommissionwouldsendoutaJIRregardingthis,andalsoplacealinkontheChildren’sCommissionwebsite.Mr.MikeFoster,AWorldForChildren,Austin.Mr.FostersharedthatAWordforChildrenhaskickedofftheTravisCountyChildren’sCollaborationpilot program in partnership with Dr. Purvis and the TCU Institute of Child Development. TCU isproviding270scholarshipstotheirTBRImodelandthere isacrosssectionofpeoplebeingtrained.JudgeByrneandJudgeHathaway’sstaffarebeingtrained,theadlitemattorneys,CASA,schoolteachers,fosterparents,clinicians,childplacingagencies,children’sshelter,settlementhome,andHelpingHandareallbeingtrainedinthetraumainformedmodel.Mr.Fosterenvisionsin3‐5yearsifachildenterstheTravisCountysystem,whoevertouchesthatchildwillbetrainedinTBRI. ThefirsttraininghasbeenaccomplishedandwithapprovalfromJusticeGuzmanMr.Fosterwouldliketogiveamoredetailedreportatthenextmeeting.ACTION:JusticeGuzmanaskedMs.AmberboytoaddthistotheagendaforthenextmeetingMs.IreneClements,TexasFosterFamilyAssociation,Austin.Ms.ClementswasinvitedbytheHouseCommitteeonHumanResourcestoprovideexperttestimonyonnormalcyforchildreninfostercare,andwhatthatmeansforthefosterparentandcaregivers.Floridastartedtheballrolling,theGovernorforWashingtonStatesignedtheirnormalcybillyesterdayandUtahis in the process of passing theirs. Foster Family Association, Provider Groups, and Youth arecollaboratingtointroduceabillregardingnormalcyforkidsintothenextsession.Oneofthethingsthatwillbeinthebillisadefinitionofprudentparent.ThereiscurrentlynothinginTexasstatutethatdefinesaprudentparentorprudentparentstandard.Utahhasaclauseregardinglimitedliabilitytothefosterparent or caregiver in regards to prudent parent standard. The Foster Family Association will beworkingonthisuntilJanuary.
27
Ms.ClementsremindedthemembersthatMayisnationalfostercaremonth.Ms.JohannaScot,ParentGuidanceCenter,Austin.Ms. Scot introduced herself and explained that her organization exclusively advocate for parentsinvolvedwithchildprotectiveservices.Ms.ScotapplaudedthatCommissionfortheirworkandthenaddedthatthedatabookfor2013hasbeenissued.In201332.4%ofchildrenwenthome,thatmeansthat67.6%neverwenthometo their family. Ms.Scotexplainedthatwecandoall thiswork,but ifchildrenarenotgoinghomewearenotdoingenoughandopinedthatifthethemajorityofchildrenareremovedduetoneglectandnotabuse,thenwemustdoabetterjobonservicesandvisitation.Weneedtothinkaboutwhatitmeanstochildrenif67.6%areneverreturnedhome.Ms.BarbaraElias‐Perciful,TexasLawyersforChildren,Austin.Ms. Elias‐Perciful stated that Texas Lawyers for Children hasmade a focused effort in the last fewmonthstoincludealotmoreresourcesforjudgesandattorneysontraumainformedjudicialpracticeandtraumainformedadvocacy.TheNationalChildTraumaticStressNetwork,andalltheirbenchcardsandmaterialsareintheon‐linecenterforaccessandsoaretheNCJFCJmaterials.Alsothesamehasbeendone foreducationadvocacy,so therearea lotofmaterials focusingoneducation issues. TheChildren’s Commission helped to create the capability for on‐line training, the first wave of videosavailableisoneducationadvocacy.JusticeGuzmanannouncedthedatesforthenextCommissionmeetingsasMay16andSeptember19.Ms.AmberboyaddedthatthereisaneventinAustininMay,andsohotelroomsfortheMay16meetingmaybe scarce. JusticeGuzman thankedmembers for attendingand said that thishadbeena greatmeeting.ADJOURNMENTJusticeGuzmanadjournedthemeetingat2:30p.m.
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14
INSERT ‐ TAB 3
SupremeCourtofTexas
PermanentJudicialCommissionfor
Children,YouthandFamilies
REPORTTOTHECOMMISSION
May16,2014
201W.14thStreet
Austin,Texas78701
2
SupremeCourtofTexas
PermanentJudicialCommissionforChildren,YouthandFamilies
ReportforFebruary7,2014
MINUTES–March28,2014(adoptionpending),TAB1
COMMISSIONMEMBERSHIPCHANGES,TAB2
COLLABORATIVECOUNCILMEMBERSHIPCHANGES,TAB2
COMMITTEEMEMBERSHIPCHANGES,TAB2
STAFFCHANGES,TAB2
ONGOINGPROJECTS
1. ParentRepresentationInitiatives
TheworkgroupexiststohelpimprovethequalityoflegalrepresentationforparentsinCPScases.
In the last quarter of 2013, CC staff organized a workgroup, which beganmeeting to discuss a
Parent Resource Guide and other resources that might be useful to parents navigating the CPS
system. The UT School of Law is taking the lead on drafting the guide, with input from the
workgroup. CC is also working with the Texas Legal Services Corporation to see whether it’s
feasibletolaunchanonlineresourcecenterforparents.
TheParentRepresentationworkgroupischairedbyJudgeAlyceBondurantandJudgeCathyMorris,
that includes parents’ attorneys, parents, Texas CASA, and representatives of the Texas Legal
ServicesCenterandtheUniversityofTexasSchoolofLaw.Theinitialprojectinvolvesproducingan
on‐line andprintedversionof a guideand anonline resource center similar to theFosterYouth
Justice Hotline. UT is writing the resource guide. The online resource center project will be
initiated once thewritten resource guide is finished. The goal of the guide is to help parents be
educatedaboutprocessandtheirroleandresponsibilities–andthoseresponsibilitiesandduties
owed to them by others. It will be designed to orient parents to the gravity of their situation,
validateemotionstheymaybefeeling,andprovidetoolsthatmaybehelpfulinorganizingandkeep
trackof progress.Theworkgroupmaydiscussmaking a video later. The guidedoesnotprovide
3
legal advice or explain legal rights, butwill attempt to convey information non‐legal and simple
terms.
Thegroupiscurrentlyreviewingfinaleditsforthevarioussectionsandisscheduledtomeetagain
inJune2014.Thegroupanticipatescompletingtheguidebytheendofthecalendaryear.
2. ChildProtectionBenchBook
In October, the BB was connected to LawBox Citation Service. Link here:
http://benchbook.texaschildrenscommission.gov/. Themost recent version of the Bench
Book includes legislative changes from the 83rd legislative session, a new chapter on education,
andupdatestopsychotropicmedicationsandmedicalconsentersections.TheBenchBookwillnot
beupdatedagainuntilafterthe84thLegislativeSession,althoughnewtopicsmaybeaddedin2014
and/or2015.CommissionstaffiscurrentlymodifyingallBenchBookchecklistsandwilllauncha
BenchBookChecklistPilotattheJuneChildWelfareJudgesConferencetoassesstheusefulnessof
checklists. There aremultiple checklists available to judges on amyriad of issues. The pilot is
intended to assesswhether judges would use checklists if theywere shorter versusmulti‐page,
statutory versus topical, or targeted to less experienced judges versusmore experienced judges.
ThiswillhelptheCCdeterminewhetherandwhattypeofcheckliststoincludeinthebenchbook
goingforward. BenchBookChecklistPilot:TheCCwillsolicitahandfulofjudicialparticipantsto
testtheone‐pagechecklistsovera6monthperiod.CCstaffwillcheckinwiththepilotgroupafter
30days,after120daysandagainat180days,andwriteasummaryreport.
3. FamilyVisitationOversightCommittee
Thepurposeofthecommitteeistodevelopandexecuteaplantomovefromatraditionalone‐size‐
fits‐allapproachonvisitationtoonethatservesthechildandfamilyinamoreindividualmanner.
DFPSmanages3workgroups:Assessments,VisitationPlans,andBestPractices. TheCommission
providedaJIRletteronfamilyvisitationinDecember2013,andwillcontinuetoprovidetraining
andinformationandjudgesonthenewvisitationlaw,advocateduties,andbestpractices.Linkto
JIRhere:JIRonFamilyVisitation
TheVisitationOversightCommitteemetinFebruarytoreviewthedraftsofthetemporaryandfull
visitation plan templates, visitation observation forms, training of staff and other stakeholders,
assessingforsafetyconcerns,establishingalevelofmonitoringandfrequency,andbestpractices
4
applicable to all areas. The plans and associated informational documents will help explain to
parents their rights regarding visitation, when or why visits might be terminated, sharing of
informationgatheredduringvisits,aswellaspossibleparentcoachingduringvisits.TheChildren’s
Commission will include information about visits in the new Parent Resource Guide, and will
produceabrochureaboutvisitation(inpartnership/consultationwiththeParentResourceGroup
andtheVisitationOversightGroup).
DFPSisalsoexaminingwhetherandhowtocapturedataandinformationaboutvisitationsessions
betweenchildrenandfamilymembers.
4. RoundTableSeries
TheCommissionhostedaTribal/StateCollaborationRoundTableonApril23,2014.
5. LegalRepresentationReform
TheLegalRepresentationReformworkgroupmetFebruary28,2014anddiscussednewbusiness
relatedtoVoluntaryStandardsofRepresentation,IssuesofIndigenceandCommissionerCourtand
CountyRelationshipsandSpecializationbytheTexasBoardofLegalSpecialization.
Standards of Representation: From the LRS meeting, Judge Rucker explained that in
previous LRSmeetings it had been discussed whether it would be wise for the State of
Texastoadoptminimumstandardsofrepresentationforattorneysinthiswork. Wehave
accesstostandardsthathavebeenadoptedelsewhere,whethertherearebroadandgeneral
as we see through NACC and, ABA or more detailed as we see in other states. While
Standards will not specifically solve a problem; it will provide a higher quality of
representation. This will be helpful because the standards, even voluntary, provide the
attorneyswithinformationregardingthecourtexpectations.JudgeRuckerconcludedthat
thepointistohavestandardsthatcanbeusedincourt.
TexasBoardofLegalSpecialization:An application for legal specialization through the
Texas Board of Legal Specialization will be submitted to the TBLS with approval of the
SupremeCourtofTexas.TheSpecializationwillbedefinedasfollows:ChildWelfareLawis
thepracticeoflawdealingwithjudicialandadministrativeproceedingsinvolvingchildren
whoareintheconservatorshiporlegalcustodyoftheStateofTexas,primarilypursuantto
Texas Family Code, Subtitle E (Protection of the Child). It includes, but is not limited to,
5
proceedings involvingagovernmentalentity,namelytheTexasDepartmentofFamilyand
Protective Services (DFPS), and the conservatorship of a child and/or the termination of
parental rights, placing children in temporary or permanent foster care, and adoption
proceedings involving DFPS in which a court or agency is required to make decisions
affectingtheparent‐childrelationship.
Presumed Indigence / Attorney Appointment / Representation and
Commissioner Court / County Relations: As was discussed at the recent LRS
meeting,AppleseedhasbeenworkingwithCASAandCPS toprovidePermanencyValues
Trainingin5jurisdictions,andoneissuethatcameupattheendofeachtrainingeventwas
theissueofattorneysseeingtheirchildren.ItwasnotedatthemeetingthatCASA,CPS,and
otherpartiesalsofeeltheimpactthatthemissingrelationshipbetweenthechildandtheir
attorneybringstothecase.Somejurisdictionspayonlyanappearancefee,whichresultsin
attorneys not spending time out of court with their client because they are not
compensated. Clientsarealsoplaced300‐400milesawayandthe judgeshavenowayto
pay for these visits. Technology is one option; there are tools that can be used but the
model where the child and attorney/parent and attorney meet face to face is the best
solution.Also,many jurisdictionshavenomechanisminplace tomeasurewhether this is
beingdone.ThereisresearchoutsideofTexasthatshowputtingresourcessuchasagood
attorney,asocialworker,andaninvestigatoronthecaseshortensthetimethatthecaseis
incourt.TheLRSworkgroupdeterminedthatitwouldbeusefultohaveaonepagebullet
listofwhyitisimportanttohaveabudgetthatpaysareasonablefeetolawyerstotakeCPS
courtappointments.Muchofthemoneygoingintothefostersystemisfederalmoney,but
thereisalsoashiftofmorestatedollarsgoingintothesystemasTitleIV‐Edollarsbecome
lessavailable.
In May, Judge Rucker established two subcommittees: Standards of Representation and Parent
Indigence/CommissionerCourt&CountyRelationships.
6. JuristinResidence
TheJuristinResidence(JIR)positionwascreatedtofosterjudicialleadershipandpromotegreater
expertiseamongchildprotection judges. Additionally, informational “blasts”concerning itemsof
interestssuchasattorneyscholarshipsareissuedroutinely.In2014,theCommissionpublishedJIR
newslettersornewsblastsonthefollowingtopics:1)releaseoftheupdatedBenchBook;2)New
6
Medical Consenter Training; 3) Trial Skills Training Opportunity for Attorneys; 4) Education
Decision‐maker Form 2085‐E; and 5) Attorney Training Opportunities. JIRs that will be issued
within thenextmonth include: 1)more information about the IndianChildWelfareAct; 2)New
ChildProtectionCourts;and3)andPermanencyRoundTables.
LinktoJIRlettershere:http://texaschildrenscommission.gov/jir.aspx
7. HearingObservationProject
In thesummerof2013, theChildren’sCommissionconductedanobservationanddatacollection
study, called the Hearing Quality Observation Project, involving 164 childwelfare hearings held
acrossTexas.Theprimarypurposeof theprojectwastoestablishabaselineabout thequalityof
court hearings occurring in child welfare cases in Texas, including hearing factors such as
timeliness and length, depth of issues discussed, party and judicial compliance with the Texas
Family Code, parental due process, party engagement, children’s appearance in court, attorney
preparedness,andattorneyandparentsatisfactionwithlegalrepresentation.
CourtsObserved: The courts observed were in urban and rural areas, district courts, county
courtsatlaw,andChildProtectionCourts(CPC),presidedoverbydistrictjudges,associatejudges,
andCPCassociatejudges.
ObservationTool: The court observations involved the use of an observation tool designed to
capturewhetherrelevantissueswereaddressedathearingsbyusingasetofDueProcessandWell‐
BeingIndicatorstotrackthefrequencywithwhichissueswerediscussedinthehearingorcasefile.
Theobservationtoolalsocaptureddataonthetypeofhearing,hearinglength,whichpartieswere
presentandtheparties’levelofengagement,andhowthelawyersinthecaseadvocatedonbehalf
of their clients. Case file reviewswerealsoconducted foreachof thecasesobserved incourt to
gather background information on the history of the case. There were 36 quality indicators
affecting due process and child well‐being as well as federally mandated findings related to
reasonableeffortsandtheIndianChildWelfareAct(ICWA).Thetoolalsomeasuredstepstakento
informpartiesof thecasestatus,upcomingscheduledhearings,andnextsteps. Althoughnotall
indicatorswere relevantor applicable in everyhearingdue to theunique characteristicsof each
case and the type of hearing observed, making note of those addressed or not addressed
highlightedareasneedingfurthertrainingand/orstatutoryorpolicychanges.
7
ProjectResults: The project revealed that the majority of Texas child welfare courts address
statutorily required issues at some point in the case andmany courts are sufficiently assessing
aspects of the child’swell‐beingwhile in foster care.There are a few indicators, both statutorily
required and national best practices, which might result in better outcomes for children and
families,ifaddressedmoreoftenincourt.Whilesomeinformationdoesappearinthecasefile,the
presenceoftheinformationinthecasefiledoesnotnecessarilymeanthatthejudge,theparties,or
theattorneysarefully informedabouttheissueorthattheinformationiscorrectanduptodate.
Therefore,itisadvisablethatjudgesandattorneysdiscussasmuchoftheinformationrelevantto
the case in the court hearings as possible. The following recommendations highlight areas of
inquiry that should be discussed more often in the courtroom and efforts courts can take to
enhancethedepthandbreadthoftheinformationpresented.
ThisHearingQualityObservationReportdidnotconcludethathearingswhichdonotaddressevery
relevantdueprocessandwell‐beingindicatoraredefactoinadequateorinsufficient.But,basedon
the experience of the Children’s Commission and research from experts in this field, there is a
strongviewthatensuringproceduralfairnessanddelvingintochildandfamilywell‐beingleadsto
betterchildandfamilyoutcomes.Whileitmaybesufficienttocoveratleasttheindicatorsthatare
statutorilyrequired,anidealcourthearingwouldcoveralloftheindicatorsrelevanttoacase.That
said,despitetheuniformityofstatutorytimelinesandevidentiarystandardsacrossthestate,courts
mustalsoacknowledgethatjudicialprocesses,communitycultureandresources,andexpectations
vary widely and that because children and families are unique, courts must respond to those
familiesinanindividualizedmanner.
Recommendationsfromthefullreport:
o Considerusingspecializedjudgesand/orengageinmorespecializedtraining.
o Judgesshouldconsidertheuseofthebenchbook,benchcardsandchecklists.
o SetFewerCasesontheDocketstoAllowforMoreThoroughHearings.
o IncreaseLengthofTimeofHearings
o StatutoryHearingsShouldBeSetatSpecificTimes
o JudgesShouldReadCourtReportsPriortoHearing
o MakeReasonableEffortsFindingsfromtheBench
o GreaterEmphasisonDeterminingtheApplicabilityofICWA
o FrontloadProceduralIssuesbyAddressingThemDuringEarlyHearings
o ContinuetoAddressServiceatEveryHearing
8
o AdmonishParentsofRighttoanAttorneyAtEveryStatutorilyRequiredHearing
o ReviewPermanencyPlansandConcurrentPlansMoreOften
o GiveMoreEmphasistoChildWell‐BeinginPlacementReviewHearings
o AddressSiblingVisitationwhenSiblingsarenotPlacedTogether
o ConsiderAlternativePlacementsMoreOften
o RequireChildrentoAttendCourtWheneverPossible
o EngageChildrenandParentsDuringHearings
o Encourage Caregivers, Particularly Non‐Kinship Foster Parents, to Attend Court and
EngageTheminProcess
o CommunicatetheStudyFindingswithRelevantStakeholders
o PromoteTrainingandEducationof Indicators,HearingQualityObservationProject,and
RecommendedChanges
o RepeattheStudyevery2‐3YearstoMeasureImprovement
8. JudicialDisproportionalityWorkgroup(JDW)
TheJDWwillholdanin‐personmeetingduringtheannualChildWelfareJudges’Conference.Plans
are also underway for an educational session during the Conference by Kimberly Papillon on
Neuroscience and Decision‐Making. Ms. Papillonis a nationally recognized expert on the
implications of neuroscience, psychology and implicit association in the analysis of decision‐
making.
The Center for the Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities is hosting the 2014 Cross
SystemsSummit,aone‐and‐a‐halfdayevent inAustin. Thesummitwill focusonacrosssystems
collaborative approach to addressing inequities inmultiple systemsandhowoutcomes inhealth
andhumanservices,socialservices,education,juvenilejustice,housing,andothersystemsimpact
health andwellbeing. The summitwill feature breakout sessions on both days on topics around
socialdeterminantsofhealth, social justice, communityengagement, crosssystemscollaboration,
andadvancementsinaddressingdisproportionalityanddisparitiesinTexas.
TheJDWwillcontinuetosupporttheworkoftheCenterfortheEliminationofDisproportionalities
andDisparitiesastheInteragencyAdvisoryCounciltransitionstoastatewidecommitteemadeup
ofsystemsandcommunityleaders.Theworkofthestatewidecommitteewillbefocusedondata‐
driven evidence, leadership, cross‐systems collaboration, community engagement, and training
basedonanti‐racistprinciples
9
9. Tribal/StateCollaboration
OnApril 23rd, Commissioner and Senior Peacemaker JoAnnBattisewelcomednational experts,
state court judges, tribal judges, and child welfare leaders to the Alabama‐Coushatta Indian
ReservationforahalfdayjudicialroundtablediscussionabouttheIndianChildWelfareAct(ICWA)
andhowcourtscanusetheICWAtomeettheneedsofchildrenandtribes. JudgeDarleneByrne
facilitated the round table, gathering ideas and best practices in state and tribal collaboration.
Children’sCommissionstaff iscurrentlyputtingtogetherareporttocapturethemanyinnovative
solutionsthatwerediscussed.
The next day, the 4th Annual Tribal/State Symposium included nationally‐recognized leaders in
tribal/state collaboration, including Tricia Tingle of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Chrissi
Nimmo,whorepresentedtheCherokeeNationintheBabyVeronicacase.Ms.Nimmogaveamoving
accountofVeronica’s journey through thecourts. TheSymposiumwasanexcellent resource for
judges,leadingtonewconnections,partnershipsandjudicialleaders.
10. PsychoactiveMedications/HB915ImplementationWorkgroup
In2011aChildren’sCommissionWorkgroupcametogethertocreateadialogueandunderstanding
between the judiciary, DFPS, and the medical providers regarding psychotropic medication use
amongchildreninfostercare.TheWorkgroupresolvedmanyissuessurroundingthePsychotropic
MedicationUtilizationParameters(Parameters).TheParametershavebeenconsideredsuccessful,
leadingtoasignificantreductionintheoveralluseofpsychotropicmedicationsanddecreaseinthe
use ofmultiplemedications for the same purpose, to which thisWorkgroup sought to promote
more widespread use of the Parameters. In July 2012, the Commission hosted a Round Table
discussion later issuing aReportonPsychotropicMedication andFosterCare. TheRoundTable
Report led to thework ofmany stakeholders during the 83rd legislative session and ultimately
resulted inHouseBill915whichaddressedconsent forpsychotropicmedication,allowschildren
the right toprovideanopinionon theirmedical care; allows foster youth16 andolder to act as
theirownmedicalconsenter;requiresattorneysandguardianstoevaluatemedicalcare;elicittheir
client’sviewonmedicalcarebeingprovided,andmandatesthattheyouthtransitionplanprovided
to each child 16 and older include provisions and instructions regarding medical care and
psychotropicmedications.
Following the close of the 83rd Session, the Children’s Commission facilitated the HB915
Implementation Workgroup, which was charged with soliciting input and collaboration from
10
approximately60stakeholders. Thegroupwaschargedwith identifyingpracticesandpolicies in
placetosupportHB915,makingrecommendationsregardingnewpoliciesrequiredtosupportthe
implementation and ongoing execution of DFPS’s duties under the new bill, identifying training
needs required to supportnewpractices, expanded collaborationand communication to support
the objectives and mandates of HB915, and with meeting regularly to ensure stakeholder
involvement and communication on implementation progress. The HB915 Implementation
Workgroupmetthreetimesoverthesummer;workbookitemscanbefoundhere:June11,2013,
July23,2013,andAugust27,2013.
On September 9, 2013, the Commission hosted a session to enable stakeholders to evaluate and
commentonDFPS’supdatedmedicalconsenterandpsychotropicmedicationtraining.Thetraining
lasted over 7 hours with meticulous review by several stakeholders. The new training is now
availableat:DFPSMedicalConsenterTrainingPPT.
OnMarch 7th theHB915 ImplementationWorkgroup reconvened to review the progress of the
manystakeholdersandDFPSwithimplementationofthenewlaw.
RegardingInformedConsent:
CPSrevisedpolicytoadd11newHumanServicesTechnicianstaff.(InHarrisCounty,4HST
staff have been in place for a year. This unit has 550 children and 9 caseworkers. The
additionalHSTstaffhasallowedthecaseworkerstomakemonthlyvisits.)
Created a Brochure, "Making Decisions About Psychotropic Medications." (available on
DFPSwebsite).
Coordinated with CPS Residential Child Care Contract staff on changes to the DFPS
ResidentialContract.
Coordinated with HHSC and STAR Health on the role of Prescribing Providers in the
informedconsentprocess.
DevelopedMedicalConsentMailboxtorespondtomedicalconsenters’questions.
RegardingMedicalConsenterTraining
Revised Medical Consenter Training, policy, internal and external communications to
includetrainingrelatedto:
informedconsent;
11
psychosocial therapies, behavior strategies, and other non‐pharmacological interventions
thatshouldbeconsideredbeforeorconcurrentlywith theadministrationofpsychotropic
medications;and
processandinformationrelatedtoyoungpeoplewhoaretheirownmedicalconsenters..
DevelopedspecializedtrainingforHumanServicesTechnicians.
DevelopednewPsychotropicMedicationTrainingforcaregiversandmedicalconsenters.
CollaboratedwithexternalstakeholdersonMedicalConsentandPsychotropicMedication
content.
Form,AcknowledgementandCertificateofCompletionofMedicalConsentTraining
DFPShasdevelopedaformformedicalconsenterstoacknowledgeinwritingthatthey:
havereceivedthetraining,asdescribedabove;
understandtheprinciplesofinformedconsentforpsychotropicmedication;and
understand that non‐pharmacological interventions should be considered and discussed
withtheprescribingpractitionerbeforeconsentingtotheuseofapsychotropicmedication.
TransitionPlanning
IncludedinTransitionPlanthatthecourtmayallow16+youthstoconsenttosomeorallof
theirmedicalcare.
RevisedResidentialContracts
Coordinated with HHSC and STAR Health to inform them of these transition planning
requirementchanges:
ServiceCoordinationandServiceManagementprovidedbySTARHealth foryoungpeople
overtheageof18;
STARHealthcommunicationsandpublicationstothisagegroup;
Courtreportprompts;
CPSpolicy;and
Trainingforstaffandcaregivers/medicalconsenters.
MonitoringUseofPsychotropicMedicationsatLeastEvery90Days/NotifyParentsofPsychotropic
Medication
RevisedCPSpolicyandtraining,strengthenedpractice
12
ForSept‐Nov.,88%ofkidshadafollow‐upvisitwithin90days,andmanyoftheremaining
12%wereseenwithin91or92days
MonitoringNewPopulationsofChildren
HHSCandDFPSidentifiedchildreninICPCplacementsandthosewhoaredually‐eligiblefor
MedicaidandMedicare.
DevelopedareviewprocesswithHHSCtomonitormedicationsandnotifythehomestate
whenoutsidetheParameters.
ParentalNotification
Verbalnoticeoremailnotification
NoticeisrequiredtobedocumentedinIMPACT
Assessments
Collaboration with HHSC underway to coordinate trauma‐informed assessments with all
assessmentsusedwithintheEnterpriseAgencies
Non‐pharmacologicalAlternatives
STAR Health/Cenpatico is working to increase clinical capacity for trauma‐informed
therapyandalsoevidenced‐basedtrauma‐informedtrainingforcaregivers
Residentialcontractsrequiretrauma‐informedcaretraining
ServicePlansarenowincorporatingnon‐pharminterventions
Meadows Mental Health Institute will research the continuum of mental health services
availabletoyouthinfostercare.
11. TraumaInformedCareProject
On May 7th, Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross at the TCU Institute of Child Development
partneredwith theTravisCountyCollaborative forChildren foraone‐day Introduction toTrust‐
Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI). This high‐level introduction to the research‐based
interventionmodelwasdesignedforprofessionalswhoworkwithchildrenandfamilies,suchas:
judges,attorneys,childwelfareleaders,andeducators.TBRIisanemerginginterventionmodelfor
awiderangeofchildhoodbehavioralproblems.Itisafamily‐basedinterventionthatisdesignedfor
13
children who have experienced relationship‐based trauma events such as institutionalization,
multiplefosterplacements,maltreatment,and/orneglect.TheChildren’sCommissionwillprovide
CIPfundingtoTexasCASAtohelpestablishTBRIasaneffectiveandwidelyusedinterventionplan
forchildreninfostercare.CASAhasmorefullydevelopeditsTraintheTrainerProgramwhichwill
beginlatesummerof2014.Thegoalistotraintenteamsofthree,withaCASAstaffpersonleading
alocalteamwithtwoadditionalcommunitypartners.Inexchangeforthesetrainingopportunities,
the trainers will agree to share TBRI with their organizations. CIP funding also will support
extensive follow‐up for the new trainers. Further, the Children’s Commission will continue to
supportDFPS’sshifttoatrauma‐informedcaresystemonthemanylevelsoftheorganization,with
its partners and its staff, therapists, foster/kinship parents, residential contractors, judges,
attorneys,CASAvolunteers,youthandfosteralumni,andSTARHealth(themanagedcareHMOthat
providesphysicalandbehavioralhealthtoallfosteryouthinthestate’sconservatorship).
12. MediationProject
InApril2013,theNCJFCJendorsedthenationalChildProtectionMediationGuidelines,whichwere
developedbyanationalgroupofexperts.Thenextstepforthisnationalgroupisputtingtogether
training standards for child protectionmediation.Over the course of FY 2014, commission staff
willworkwithCynthiaBryantoftheUniversityofTexasSchoolofLawMediationClinicandothers
as theyexaminedata related toCPS casesmediated inTravisCounty. Thisworkgroupwill help
determinethescopeofanymediationprojectdevelopedtosupportstatewidemediationpractices,
including review of mediation data or creation of standards of training for those involved with
TexasCPScases that result inmediation. Initialdiscussionwill include theparametersof sucha
mediationprojectandwhatfundingmightbeneeded.
13. TexasBlueprint:ImplementationTaskForce,formerlyEducationCommittee
The Texas Blueprint Implementation Task Force and its three workgroups continued to meet
during early 2014 and work on steps identified in their action plans. The Task Force and
workgroups will meet until the end of 2014, at which time the Task Force will provide
recommendations and a final report to the Children’s Commission, outlining next steps in the
initiativetoimproveeducationaloutcomesforchildrenandyouthinfostercare.
Somethingsofnotewhichhaveoccurredsincethelastcommissionmeeting:
14
TheTexasteamkickedofftheGeorgetownCapstoneProjecttodeterminehowtomeasure
schoolmobility;
TheSchoolStabilityWorkgrouphaslookedcloselyatincreasingfostercarecapacityinthe
schools;
The Data Workgroup is supporting work within TEA and DFPS to establish a common
understandingofthedataelementsexchangedandhowtomoreeffectivelyanalyzethedata
exchanged;
TheTrainingWorkgroupislookingathowkeystakeholdersaretrainedonfostercareand
education issues and whether existing resources may be used to further train these
individuals;and
Collaborativeworkbetweenthecourts,educationandchildwelfarecontinuestoexpandon
thestateandlocallevels.
Betweennowandthenextcommissionmeeting,commissionstaffwillcontinuetosupportthetask
forceand itsworkgroupsaswellasworkonsomeof thebenchmark items, includingdeveloping
resourcesregardingeducationoffosterstudentsformultiplestakeholdersandcollaboratingwith
TexasCASAinthecreationofaneducationtoolkitforlocalCASAprogramsanddevelopresources
regardingeducationoffosterstudents.
TrainingProjects
TheTrainingCommitteemetbyconferencecallon.March19,2014.ForMinutesregardingthefull
discussionatthemeeting,pleaseseeTab4.
1. AttorneyEducation
AttorneyPractitionerManual: Children’s Commission Staff is developing a plan to update the
Attorney Practitioner Manual, which needs substantive and legislative updates. As part of the
National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) Texas trainings, themanualwaswritten in
2009 and is available online and in print. In February, the Children’s Commission Legal
RepresentationWorkgroup,whichischairedbyJudgeDeanRucker,discussedupdatingthemanual
and proposed that themanual be converted to awiki‐type tool thatwould allow attorneys and
others to add andmodify content, checklists, practice tips, etc. Further researchwill need to be
conductedtodeterminethefeasibilityofthisidea.
15
AttorneyAdLitemAppointmentEligibilityandOnlineTrainingWebinarsonCPSissues
In partnership with the Children’s Commission, the State Bar offers online courses to court‐
appointedattorneysandstateandDFPSattorneys,usuallyatnochargeorforareducedfeeonthe
followingtopics:
AdvocatingforYouthAgingOutofFosterCare
ResourcesandProcessesforRepresentingCrossoverYouthwithDisabilities
SpecialEducationAdvocacyforKidsintheFosterCareSystem
RepresentingTeenParentsinCPSCases
PracticeTipsonRepresentingChildren
RepresentingParentsinCPSCases
PreservingErrorandAppealsIssuesinCPScases
RepresentingChildreninCPSCases,UpdatedJuly2013
TrialSkillsintheCPSCase
Thewebinars entitledRepresentingParents in CPS Cases andRepresenting Children inCPS Cases
meetthestatutorilyrequiredminimum3hoursofCLEforattorneysseekingtobequalifiedtotake
CPSappointments.
The State Bar of Texas has inquired whether the Children’s Commission can assist with the
registration and access process in place at SBOT for lawyers seeking online education related to
CPS cases. Children’s Commission staff is researching how to approach the verification and
registrationofCPSrelatedwebinarsforfreeoratareducedcosttoattorneyviewers.
AttorneyScholarships
Children’sCommissionstaffhasdraftedcontractswiththeStateBarandtheNationalAssociationof
Counsel forChildrenandhascirculatedannouncementsontheavailabilityofscholarships to this
year’ssummerconferences.TheChildren’sCommissionisofferinguptoninety,$100registration
scholarshipstoattorneysattendingthe1‐DayChildAbuseandNeglectWorkshopattheStateBar’s
annualAdvancedFamilyLawCLE,onAugust6,2014,inSanAntonio.Additionally,theCommission
isofferinguptoten,$1102scholarshipsfornewlymintedTexasChildWelfareLawSpecialiststo
attend the NACC’s annual conference by paying for the conference registration, as well as
reimbursementat thestaterateof theperdiemcostsof threenightsat theconferencehoteland
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meals. This conference will take place in Denver during August 18‐20, 2014. These 10 CWLS
scholarship recipientswill alsobeactingas “training scouts” for theCommissionandwill report
back informationaboutemerging topicsorhighqualityandrelevantpresentations thatmightbe
usefultoTexasattorneys.
Surveyresults fromlastsummer’sscholarshiprecipientshavebeenhelpful totheStateBarChild
AbuseandNeglect(CAN)Committeeas itplannedtheagendaforthe1‐DayWorkshopinAugust.
Additionally, Children’s Commission staff is working on how best to receive feedback from the
attorneys sent to conferences on Children’s Commission scholarships and from those who
participateintheCommission’sTrialSkillsTraining,especiallyregardinghowtheseattorneyshave
improvedtheircourtroomperformanceandbestpracticesinandoutofthecourtroom.
NACCFeeWaiversforChildWelfareSpecialistExam
TheNACCGrant is forreimbursementof the$350certificationexam fee forTexasattorneysand
judges who have qualified to sit for the NACC’s Child Welfare Specialist Exam. Of those who
qualifiedtotaketheexamsincelate2013,sixfromTexaspassedtheexamsuccessfully.TheNACCis
duetoreceivemoreapplicationsinthecomingsmonthsasthe2014CWLStestinghasreopened.
TrialSkillsTraining
ThefirstTrialSkillsTrainingfollowinglastOctober’sPilotwasheldApril2‐4inAustin,TX.Based
onfeedbackreceivedbythepilotgroup,theApriltrainingtookplaceoverthreedaysratherthan
twoandahalf, inanewvenue.The12‐membervolunteerTrialSkillsTrainingFacultypresented
lectures,demonstrations,powerpoints,and/orledgroupexercisesonallareasoftrialpreparation
including Case Theory, Voir Dire, Opening Statement, Direct Examination, Cross Examination,
Foundations,Objections,Impeachment,Experts,andClosingArgument.TheChildren’sCommission
received74applicationsfor21spotsallottedforthetrainingandofthese,selected20participants
who represented an equal number of state, parent and child attorneys. To serve as expert
witnesses,Mr.TrevorWoodruffofDFPSprovidedthreeCPScaseworkersandDr.SandeepNarang
provided three pediatric fellows who are pursuing board certification as Child Abuse Pediatric
Experts.Additionally,threeprospectivenewfacultyattended,includingMr.ClintHarbourwiththe
Office of the Texas Attorney General, Ms. Michele Surratt with DFPS in Lubbock, and Ms. Quita
Russell,AssistantDistrictAttorneyofGreggCounty.
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Commission staff is still in the process of assembling the post‐event debrief information on the
AprilTrialSkillsTraining,butaninitialoverviewoftheformalandinformalevaluationresponses
by faculty, participants, and staff indicate that the program has made improvements to the
Training’sformatandcontentoverthePilotandthatitwasverywellreceived.
ThenextTrialSkillsTrainingwilltakeplaceonOctober3‐5,2014,inAustin,andpreparationsfor
thisTrainingarealreadyunderway.TheTrainingCommitteeandCommissionapproved$25,000in
March2014forthisupcomingTrialSkillsTraining.
StateBarOfTexasChildAbuseandNeglectCommittee
The CAN Committee has selected training topics both for the 1‐Day Child Abuse and Neglect
Workshop mentioned above, and for an upcoming webinar to train DFPS attorneys. The CAN
Committee received approval for $10,000 of training funds from the Children’s Commission to
support their ChildWelfare Law Conference in June, which will be held in connection with the
annualKeepingInfantsandToddlersSafe(KITS)conference.
2.JudicialEducation
ChildWelfareJudicialConference–Thisyear’sChildWelfareJudgesConferencewillbeheldJune
9‐11inBastrop. Thiswillbethe8thannualTexasChildWelfareJudgesConferenceheld.CCstaff
beganengaginginweeklyplanningmeetingswithTCJafterthebeginningoftheyearandworked
withagroupofjudgestoidentifytopicsforthisyear’sagenda,whichhasbeenfinalized.TheChild
ProtectionCourt judgeswill hold their annualmeeting in conjunctionwith the conference. (The
OCAJudicialEducationwasmergedwiththeChildWelfareJudgesConferenceinFY2013andwill
againbeheldinconjunctionwiththe2014conferenceinJuneof2014). Ofnote,registrationfor
thisyear’sconferencemovedquicklyandthereisnowawaitinglisttoattendtheconference.
This year’s conference, which has an overall theme of well‐being of not only the children and
familiesinvolvedinCPScasesbutalsoofthejudgeswhohearthecases,willincludethefollowing
topicsandspeakers:
VicariousTrauma LauraVanDernootLipsky
TexasHearingObservationProject JudgeRobinSage,TaraGarlinghouse
CPSMediationFocusGroup CynthiaBryant
DFPSPanel JudgeJohnSpecia,LisaBlack,andCynthiaO’Keefe
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FosterCareRedesign MichaelRedden,DavidWhiteside,BobHartman
VisitationandMedication JennyHinsonandKathyTeutsch
ICWAMadeEasy JudgeDarleneByrne
CaselawUpdate TrevorWoodruff
MinorSexTrafficking GeoffBarr
LawsandPoliciesAffectingLimitedEnglishProficientPeopleinTexasCourtsMarcoHanson
CASAFocusGroup VickiSpriggs
JudicialChecklistFocusGroup JudgeDeanRucker
EducationDecisionMaking IanSpechler
NeuroscienceofDecisionMaking KimberlyPapillon
MentalHealth–Whyit’sImportantandWhereTexasisHeading Andrew Keller, Peter
Selby,CherylFisher,andSaraiLeeb
Most of the sessions will have judicial moderators and at least one CC workgroup, the Judicial
DisproportionalityWorkgroup,willmeetduringtheconference.
Judicial Scholarships to Attend the NCJFCJ Annual Conference in July 2014 – At the last
commission meeting, the CC approved the Training Committee’s recommendation to fund
scholarships for theNCJFCJAnnualConference. Full scholarshipswere initiallyoffered to judges
whoserveononeofthecommission’scommittees,workgroups,orotherinitiatives.Elevenjudges
acceptedthefullscholarship.Anadditionaleightscholarships,whichwouldcover80%ofexpenses
related to attending the conference, were offered to judges who hear CPS cases. Additional
requirements included attendance at the Texas Child Welfare Judges Conference, hearing a
significantnumberofCPScases,andmembershipintheNCJFCJ.
FY2015JudicialEducation–Inthenextcoupleofmonths,CCstaffwillmeetwiththeTexasCenter
for the Judiciary (TCJ) to discuss TCJ’s FY 2015 training grant application, which may include
proposalsfortheseorotherjudicialorattorneyeducationtrainingeventstobeheldin2015.This
proposalwillbepresentedtotheTrainingCommitteeatitsnextscheduledmeeting.
TechnologyProjects
Notice&EngagementWebApplication‐Theprojectinvolvesusingnon‐confidentialcasedatato
providenotice topartiesand interestedpersonsaboutupcominghearings, and isdistributedvia
email.TheuserguidecanbeaccessedviathislinkontheChildren’sCommissionwebsite.
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Personsmust create an accountwithin CPCMS to begin receiving notification for cases. Once a
profilehasbeencreated,theusercansearchforrelevantcases. Thecasesearchpagerequiresat
leastpartoftheparent,adoptiveparentorguardian’slastname,andtheexactspellingofthechild’s
firstandlastnameaswellasthecountywherethesuitisfiled.Thesearchwilllookforopencases
onlyanddisplayaSummaryofUpcomingHearingsDates.TheresultswillalsodisplayaSummary
of All Cases regardless of whether a hearing has been scheduled or not. The summary can be
printedoutorcanbesenttotheuserviaemail. Ausercanremoveacasefromtheirnotification
profilebysimplyclickingthe“remove”linknexttothecaseinformation.Theuserhastheoptionto
receivenotices1,3,7,14,and/or30daysinadvanceofanyhearingscheduled.
Thewebsiteishttps://cpshearings.txcourts.gov.
TheprojectisbeingpilotedwithJudgeCarlosVillalonandpossiblyJudgeCathyMorrisandJudge
GinnySchnarr. Thetool isavailable toanyone involvedwithacase, includinganadvocate. Also,
OCA will provide additional guidance about how to create a log‐in and respond to the email
prompts that are prerequisite to establishing a log‐in. The Children’s Commission will begin
development of an evaluation tool to assess the usefulness, effectiveness and accuracy of the
system. OCA will monitor the use and users through the CPCMS system. A request for this
informationtobeincludedintheOCAWeeklyUpdatewillbesubmittedtoDavidSlayton.
VideoConferencing‐Thevideoconferencingprojectenableschildreninvolvedinchildabuseand
neglect cases to participate in permanency and placement review hearings without them being
physicallypresentinthecourtroom.OCAhostsandsupportsthehardwareandsoftwarerequired
tofacilitatevideoconferencingbetweencourtsandresidentialplacements.OCAhasdrafteda“how
to” forusebyCourtsandotherstakeholderswhowishtousevideoconferencing foraparticular
hearing. OCA also maintains a list of Residential Treatment Centers with video conferencing
capabilityaswellasalistofcourts.
OCA alsomaintains a log of all hearings conducted, including the date, time, participating court,
type of hearing, participating placement, length of hearing, any problemswith the transmission
qualityortechnicaldifficulties.
ExpansionoftheprojectincludesfacilitatingusebyProvidenceServicesCorporation,whichisthe
prime contractor to DFPS for the foster care redesign project that includes six counties within
regions2&9thathave70%oftheRTCplacementsintheRedesignarea.Region9‐EctorCounty–
Odessa,TX–ChildProtectionCourtofWestTexas–JudgeTraceyScown;Region9‐HowardCounty
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–BigSpring,TX–ChildProtectionCourtof thePermianBasin– JudgeSylviaChavez;Region9 ‐
MidlandCounty–Midland,TX–ChildProtectionCourtofthePermianBasin–JudgeSylviaChavez;
Region2‐TaylorCounty–Abilene,TX–326thDistrictCourt–JudgeAletaHacker;Region9‐Tom
GreenCounty–SanAngelo,TX–340thDistrictCourt– Judge JayWeatherby;Region2 ‐Wichita
County–WichitaFalls,TX–NorthTexasChildProtectionCourt–JudgeAlyceBondurant.
Judge Villalon is also interested in making VTC available to parents whose children are in RTC
placements where the parents cannot travel. OCA and Judge Villalon are working with CPS to
establishasecondend‐pointfromwhichparentscanaccessthesystem.Ifthesystemisusedforor
tofacilitatefamilytherapy,theremaybetelemedicinerulesthatapplyaswell.TheDepartmenthas
agreedtohelpferretoutthedetailsonhowtogetVTCinplaceforthispurpose.
ChildProtectionCaseManagementSystem(CPCMS)
CPCMSisacasemanagementsystemthatisuniquetoChildProtectionCourts. Ithasbeeninuse
since2009.OCAprovidesprojectmanagement,programmingandtestingservicesforCPCMS.OCA
staffs a CPCMS Advisory Council of CPC judges, OCA staff and Children’s Commission staff to
evaluatebugfixesorenhancements.TheCPCMSAdvisoryGrouphasbeenmeetingmonthlysince
the summer of 2013 and will meet in person on June 9, 2014 at the June at the ChildWelfare
JudicialConferenceatLostPines.OCAisworkingonanewhearingspagethatwillgoliveinabout2
months.Inaddition,severalbugsandenhancementshavebeenprocessedrecently.
Children’sCommissionWebsiteSupportandMaintenance
Children’s Commission maintains two websites for the Commission and for Education. The
websites inform and apprise stakeholders about the Commission and the offerings and services
availablefromtheChildren’sCommissionandTexasCourtImprovementProgram.CCstaffupdates
the Children’s Commissionwebsite to ensure necessary reports, information, and links to other
relevantresources.
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