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Provider Safety Forum _________________________ Judge John J. Specia, DFPS Commissioner. Keeping Children Safe. Recent incidents in foster homes have increased awareness of the importance of safety.
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Provider Safety Forum _________________________ Judge John J. Specia, DFPS Commissioner
Keeping Children Safe • Recent incidents in foster homes have increased awareness of the importance of safety. • Need to assess ability to provide care and safe environments to abused and neglected children. • Goal: To utilize these forums for sharing ideas and ways to enhance safety for children in our care.
DFPS Child Safety Plan • CPS Master Conservatorship Investigators • FBSS Policy Enhancements • Investigate and Assist Illegal Child Care • Prevention and Early Intervention Plan • Provider Safety Forums
How do we enhance safety? 1. What can providers and DFPS do to better ensure child safety within the residential foster care system? a. In your experience, what are the best practices for home screenings and monitoring that enhances safety in residential foster care settings beyond current minimum standards? b. What improvements could be made with technical assistance that can enhance safety in the residential foster care system?
How do we enhance safety? 2. Should there be additional risk assessment measures involving background checks, including criminal or central registry?
How do we enhance safety? 3. Children with Primary Medical Needs (PMN) are some of the most vulnerable children in foster care due to their medical needs. What measures should be in place, beyond or instead of current measures, to ensure safety of children with PMN?
How do we enhance safety? 4. When there is a serious incident in a foster home/placement and abuse or neglect cannot immediately be ruled out, how should the provider respond? How should DFPS respond?
How do we enhance safety? 5. What can providers and DFPS do to improve and/or increase communications with foster parents?
How do we enhance safety? 6. What type of aggregated data or outcome measures would be helpful for providers to receive from DFPS to help improve quality and safety?
Thank you! Thank you for your collaboration with the Department of Family and Protective Services in our mission to keep children protected and connected.
Contact information Judge John J. Specia John.Specia@dfps.state.tx.us (512) 438-4119 * Contact * The Office of Consumer Affairs by: Phone 1-800-720-7777 Or email OCA@dfps.state.tx.us