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Texas Increases Opportunities For Kinship Foster Families

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~ In a move to prioritize the well-being of children in foster care, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) have announced the elimination of 195 burdensome and unnecessary rules. This decision, which removes 75% of all administrative requirements, aims to streamline regulations and make it easier for relatives to become foster parents.

Governor Abbott emphasized the importance of providing a loving home for children in need, stating that "serving as a foster parent is an invaluable way to provide a loving home for a child." He also highlighted the significance of keeping children with their families through kinship foster care, stating that it puts them on the best path forward.

First Lady Cecilia Abbott also expressed her support for this decision, stating that by eliminating hardships for Texas families who wish to foster a child, more families can stay together and provide care for their own. She thanked all Texans and state agencies for working together to remove burdens and ensure every child in Texas has the opportunity to grow and flourish.

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HHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young echoed these sentiments, stating that by removing unnecessary barriers, they are helping Texans open their homes to relatives in need. She believes that these changes will give more children in foster care the opportunity to grow up in a familiar and loving environment.

Kinship foster care is an important aspect of this decision as it supports family bonds and reduces trauma by placing children with relatives or close family friends when parents are unable to provide care. The 88th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 593, which directed HHSC and DFPS to audit and streamline the state's child care regulations for kinship foster homes.

Through a thorough review involving a stakeholder group of agencies, providers, foster and kinship parents, and advocates, HHSC eliminated 75% of all administrative requirements while maintaining 55 essential kinship foster home rules. These rules are crucial in safeguarding children in care.

Some of the changes in regulations include streamlining housing inspections to focus on health and environmental safety, eliminating unnecessary training requirements for kinship foster parents, and requiring less documentation for over-the-counter medications.

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The State of Texas, through the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, will continue to work with HHSC, DFPS, and all other state agencies to reduce regulatory burdens, eliminate unnecessary rules, and increase transparency for Texas families.

HHSC is responsible for licensing and regulating child-placing agencies that verify and ensure kinship foster homes meet required standards. They also conduct criminal background checks on individuals within a kinship foster home, monitor the homes to ensure they are safe environments, and inspect a random sample of foster homes annually.

For more information on child care regulation and education, visit the HHS website. Information on kinship care can be found on the DFPS website. Residents can also dial 2-1-1 to learn about programs and services available to them.

With these changes in place, it is hoped that more children in foster care will have the opportunity to grow up in a loving environment with their families. By prioritizing children's well-being and removing bureaucratic red tape, Texas is taking a step towards creating a better future for its most vulnerable citizens.

Filed Under: Government, State
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