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.

23 

 

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.

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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.