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CPS
Child protective Services Overview

Paid Expenditures and Total Average Filled
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff

Total Staff 8,632.6
Direct Delivery Total 8,199.6
Caseworkers (Investigation) 1,725.7
Caseworkers (Family-Based Safety Services) 730.5
Caseworkers (Conservatorship) 1,527.0
Caseworkers (Other Workers) 530.1
Supervisors 884.4
Program Directors/Administrators 147.5
Clerical 981.2
Case Aides 784.8
Other Direct Delivery Staff 888.4
CPS Staff Costs $490,511,804.05

Worker demographic

Turnover Rate   23.6%
Tenure Less than 1 Year 20.9%
1-3 Years 50.2%
Greater than 3 Years 28.9%
Entry Salary (INV)   $35,805.92
Entry Salary (Non INV)   $32,273.16
Average Age   35.0
Race/Ethnicity African-American 30.5%
Anglo 42.8%
Hispanic 24.7%
Other 2.0%

Supervisor Demographics

Turnover Rate   5.9%
Tenure Less than 1 Year 0.3%
1-3 Years 8.1%
Greater than 3 Years 91.6%
Entry Salary   $39,117.96
Average Age   40.6
Race/Ethnicity African-American 27.0%
Anglo 47.9%
Hispanic 23.5%
Other 1.6%

Description of the Report Investigation Process

Step 1: Report Assigned for Investigation
Step 2: Investigation/Risk Assessment
  • No Risk: Case Closed
  • Risk Indicated: Continue to Nest Step
Step 3: Child Safe at Home?
  • Yes: Family Provided Services/Referrals
  • No: Continue to Next Step
Step 4: Seek Safe Emergency Placement
  • Relative Available: Child Placed with Relative
  • Relative Not Available: Continue to Next Step
Step 5: DFPS Petitions Court for Custody of Child
  • Denied: Family Provided Services/Referrals
  • Granted: Continue to Next Step
Step 6: Child Placed in Substitute Care (Out of home care)
  • Services Provided to Family
Step 7: Court Approves Permanency for Child
  • Court Approved: Permanent Custody to DFPS
  • Court Denied: Continue to Next Step
Step 8: Child Reunified with Parents, Permanent Custody to Relative, or Adoption

Note: The process is for reference only and does not necessarily represent the flow of a case.

Statistics FY 2009

  • Texas State Child Population 6,510,210
  • Children, Alleged Victims 283,922
  • Children in Confirmed Investigations 100,762
  • Children Removed 12,107

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Child Protective Services Vision, Mission, and Values

CPS Vision: “Children First: Protected and Connected”

The Values are:

  • Respect for culture
  • Inclusiveness of families, youth and community
  • Integrity in decision making
  • Compassion for all
  • Commitment to reducing disproportionality

Most Common...

  • Person reporting abuse/neglect
    • School Professional (18.9%)
  • Allegation confirmed
    • Neglectful Supervision (62.0%)
  • Confirmed perpetrator of abuse/neglect
    • Relationship: Parent (78.1%)
    • Gender: Female (56.8%)
    • Age: Age 26-35 (37.7%)
    • Marital Status: Married (29.4%)
  • Characteristic of confirmed victim
    • Age: Age 1 to 3 (25.1%)
    • Gender: Female (51.7%)

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Legal Responsibility for Child Protective Services

Statutory References

  • Social Security Act
  • Texas Family Code
  • Human Resources Code
  • Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
  • Indian Child Welfare Act
  • Adam Walsh Act

Major Provisions

  • Definitions of abuse and neglect of children;
  • Mandatory reporting of suspected abuse or neglect
    of children;
  • Prepare and disseminate statistics by county relating
    to CPS in an annual report made available to the
    legislature and general public;
  • Responsibility for receiving reports of suspected
    abuse or neglect of children;
  • Responsibility for thorough investigation of a
    report of child abuse or neglect allegedly committed
    by a person responsible for a child’s care, custody
    or welfare;
  • Responsibility to assign priorities and prescribe
    investigative procedures for investigations based on
    the severity and immediacy of the alleged harm
    to the child;
  • Take action to protect abused and neglected children
    from further harm;
  • Establish review teams to evaluate department
    casework and decision-making related to
    investigations of child abuse or neglect;
  • Employ Child Safety Specialists to conduct staff
    reviews and evaluations of cases determined to
    involve high risk, monitor cases with multiple
    referrals, and approve decisions and assessments
    related to investigations that involve a high risk to the
    health or safety of a child;
  • Work with children and their families, providing
    services to prevent further abuse, help alleviate the
    effects of the abuse suffered, prevent removal of
    the child from the home, and provide reunification
    services when appropriate for the return of the child
    to the home;
  • When necessary, secure appropriate court orders and
    take possession of a child if there is an immediate
    danger to the physical health or safety of the child or
    the child has been a victim of neglect or sexual abuse
    and that continuation in the home would be contrary
    to the child’s welfare;
  • Make reasonable efforts to secure the return of
    the child;
  • Develop a service plan in conference with the child’s
    parents to determine return of the child to the child’s
    parents, termination of parental rights and placement
    of the child for adoption, or because of the child’s
    special needs or exceptional circumstances continue
    the child’s care out of the child’s home;
  • Provide substitute care for children until the problems
    have been sufficiently resolved;
  • Provide permanent placement for children who
    cannot safely return to their home;
  • Establish a database of all verified foster homes
    willing to accept foster care placement of a child
    in care;
  • Recruit potential adoptive parents for children whose
    parents have had their parental rights terminated;
  • Requirements for frequency and location of contact
    with children in substitute care;
  • Requirements for conducting criminal background
    and central registry checks of foster and adoptive
    parents.

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Concepts Guiding Risk Determination

Child Vulnerability

  • Child fragility
  • Child behavior

Home Environment

  • Stressors
  • Dangerous exposure

Caregiver Capability

  • Knowledge
  • Skills
  • Capacity

Quality of Care

  • Quality of connection
  • Emotional care
  • Physical care

Social Environment

  • Social climate
  • Social violence

Response to CPS

  • Attitude
  • Deception

Maltreatment Pattern

  • Chronicity
  • Current severity
  • Trends

Federal Outcomes Used to Assess Child Welfare Services

Safety Outcomes

  • Safety Outcome 1: Children are, first and foremost, protected from abuse and neglect.
  • Safety Outcome 2: Children are safely maintained in their homes whenever possible and

Permanency Outcomes

  • Permanency Outcome 1: Children have permanency and stability in their living situations.
  • Permanency Outcome 2: The continuity of family relationships and connections is preserved for children.

Well-Being Outcomes

  • Well-Being Outcome 1: Families have enhanced capacity to provide for their children’s needs.
  • Well-Being Outcome 2: Children receive appropriate services to meet their educational needs.
  • Well-Being Outcome 3: Children receive adequate services to meet their physical and mental health needs.

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Fiscal Year 2004 and 2009 Pre- and Post-Reform Statistics by Region (CPS)

Region 1 - Lubbock

Region 1 - Lubbock 2004 2009
Caseworkers 168.1 240.2
Turnover 22.0% 20.8%
Average Base Salary $32,459 $33,975
Completed Investigations 6,406 7,457
Removals 733 598
Adoptions Consummated 143 323

Region 2 - Abilene

Region 2 - Abilene 2004 2009
Caseworkers 86.4 150.7
Turnover 13.9% 16.8%
Average Base Salary $33,678 $34,141
Completed Investigations 4,325 5,256
Removals 351 314
Adoptions Consummated 80 139

Region 3 - Arlington

Region 3 - Arlington 2004 2009
Caseworkers 687.8 1,036.3
Turnover 26.3% 19.0%
Average Base Salary $32,943 $34,268
Completed Investigations 33,509 39,444
Removals 3,270 2,362
Adoptions Consummated 516 1,019

Region 4 - Tyler

Region 4 - Tyler 2004 2009
Caseworkers 160.8 225.6
Turnover 29.3% 25.1%
Average Base Salary $32,436 $33,836
Completed Investigations 8,561 8,759
Removals 728 903
Adoptions Consummated 124 166

Region 5 - Beaumont

Region 5 - Beaumont 2004 2009
Caseworkers 89.8 140.5
Turnover 11.2% 17.9%
Average Base Salary $34,251 $35,177
Completed Investigations 5,717 5,967
Removals 392 336
Adoptions Consummated 55 114

Region 6 - Houston

Region 6 - Houston 2004 2009
Caseworkers 653.1 900.7
Turnover 25.8% 23.1%
Average Base Salary $32,737 $33,984
Completed Investigations 27,543 30,405
Removals 2,773 2,711
Adoptions Consummated 651 933

Region 7 - Austin

Region 7 - Austin 2004 2009
Caseworkers 366.3 504.2
Turnover 20.9% 27.5%
Average Base Salary $32,398 $34,263
Completed Investigations 18,147 19,692
Removals 1,645 1,546
Adoptions Consummated 351 784

Region 8 - San Antonio

Region 8 - San Antonio 2004 2009
Caseworkers 355.3 603.0
Turnover 20.7% 23.5%
Average Base Salary $33,124 $33,913
Completed Investigations 13,382 19,641
Removals 1,993 1,675
Adoptions Consummated 390 1,013

Region 9 - Midland

Region 9 - Midland 2004 2009
Caseworkers 65.0 136.8
Turnover 15.5% 28.3%
Average Base Salary $33,375 $33,693
Completed Investigations 3,666 5,131
Removals 255 358
Adoptions Consummated 32 148

Region 10 - El Paso

Region 10 - El Paso 2004 2009
Caseworkers 75.7 111.6
Turnover 13.6% 17.6%
Average Base Salary $34,227 $34,074
Completed Investigations 3,397 4,466
Removals 183 180
Adoptions Consummated 66 59

Region 11 - Edinburg

Region 11 - Edinburg 2004 2009
Caseworkers 238.8 461.8
Turnover 22.1% 35.2%
Average Base Salary $32,828 $33,252
Completed Investigations 13,871 19,194
Removals 1,108 1,124
Adoptions Consummated 104 161

Statewide Totals

Statewide Totals 2004 2009
Caseworkers 2,947.2 4,511.1
Turnover 23.0% 23.6%
Average Base Salary $32,892 $34,024
Completed Investigations 138,587 165,444
Removals 13,431 12,107
Adoptions Consummated 2,512 4,859

Note: The State Total for Completed Investigations includes those where the Region was Unknown and/or Out of State.

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CPS Daily Caseload, Fiscal Year 2009

Stage of Service
by Region
Investigation Family-based Safety Services Substitute Care Services Foster/Adoptive Home Development Kinship
1 Lubbock 23.2 24.3 34.1 26.6 59.6
2 Abilene 18.8 17.2 23.6 18.0 56.5
3 Arlington 20.2 17.8 23.4 20.9 28.0
4 Tyler 17.7 15.4 31.7 25.2 45.1
5 Beaumont 18.4 15.8 25.9 37.8 53.0
6 Houston 19.6 20.2 32.3 32.4 55.6
7 Austin 23.8 18.2 28.8 26.6 44.9
8 San Antonio 16.8 17.5 30.2 21.4 13.1
9 Midland 28.6 19.0 29.8 23.9 66.2
10 El Paso 21.0 20.3 24.6 19.5 33.6
11 Edinburg 25.1 21.6 24.7 17.5 48.9
State 20.7 19.0 28.2 25.2 41.5

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CPS Daily Caseload, Fiscal Year 2008

Stage of Service
by Region
Investigation Family-based Safety Services Substitute Care Services Foster/Adoptive Home Development Kinship
1 Lubbock 20.1 23.2 44.2 28.3 49.5
2 Abilene 19.1 20.1 32.1 24.8 54.0
3 Arlington 22.1 17.9 31.3 24.4 24.7
4 Tyler 19.7 16.8 34.4 27.7 32.7
5 Beaumont 20.2 19.8 28.9 33.5 28.9
6 Houston 22.3 19.5 43.7 24.1 40.8
7 Austin 21.0 21.7 39.0 21.9 31.0
8 San Antonio 19.0 19.2 41.4 23.3 19.8
9 Midland 30.6 23.3 38.4 39.5 53.2
10 El Paso 17.3 19.2 34.3 30.0 27.9
11 Edinburg 29.1 25.7 33.5 28.2 27.5
State 21.9 20.3 37.3 25.5 32.3

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Texas Child Population Ages Birth through 17 Years,
Fiscal Year 2009

State Total: 6,510,210

Region Child Pop Ages Birth - 17 Years
Region 1 214,012
Region 2 133,139
Region 3 1,795,971
Region 4 262,916
Region 5 186,404
Region 6 1,556,994
Region 7 670,603
Region 8 647,583
Region 9 145,371
Region 10 231,347
Region 11 665,870
Total 6,510,210

Texas Child Population Ages Birth through 17 Years, Fiscal Year 2009 by County

Population Data Source: Texas State Data Center, University of Texas (San Antonio)

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Child Protective Services Completed Investigations,
Fiscal Year 2009

State Total: 165,444

Region Completed Investigations
Region 1 7,457
Region 2 5,256
Region 3 39,444
Region 4 8,759
Region 5 5,967
Region 6 30,405
Region 7 19,692
Region 8 19,641
Region 9 5,131
Region 10 4,466
Region 11 19,194
Total 165,444

CPS Completed Investigations, Fiscal Year 2009 by County

Population Data Source: Texas State Data Center, University of Texas (San Antonio)

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CPS Total Initial Intakes and Screened Out Cases,
Fiscal Year 2009

Total Initial Intakes

Total Initial Intakes Number Percentage
PN 13,530 5.4%
P1 80,078 31.7%
P2 158,986 62.9%
Total 252,594 100.0%

Initially Assigned P2s eligible for screening

Initially Assigned P2s eligible for screening Number Percentage
Not Assigned to Screeners 94,794 59.6%
Assigned to Screeners 64,192 40.4%
Total 158,986 100.0%

Assigned to Screeners

Assigned to Screeners Number Percentage
Not Screened Out 50,2002 78.2%
Screened Out (P2 to PN) 13,990 21.8%
Total 64,192 100.0%

Note: When a case is a P2, all alleged victims are age 6 or older, and there is not currently an open case, a formal screening occurs. The purpose of the formal screening is to determine if CPS intervention is warranted. There may be eligible P2s not assigned to screeners.

Risk Assessment Finding of Completed Child Abuse/Neglect Investigation,
Fiscal Year 2009

Disposition of Investigation Confirmed Unconfirmed State Total
No Significant Risk Identified 65 14,719 14,784
No Significant Risk Identified (Percent) 0.4% 99.6% 100.0%
Risk Controlled 17,887 98,257 116,144
Risk Controlled (Percent) 15.4% 84.6% 100.0%
Risk Indicated 21,985 7,869 29,854
Risk Indicated (Percent) 73.6% 26.4% 100.0%
Risk Not Applicable Blank/ Invalid 189 4,473 4,662
Rick Not Applicable Blank/Invalid (Percent) 4.1% 95.9% 100.0%
Total 40,126 125,318 165,444
Percent 24.3% 75.7% 100.0%

Case Action for Risk Indicated Completed Investigations,
Fiscal Year 2009

Case Action for Risk Indicated Completed Investigations Count Percentage
Open to Services 28,837 96.6%
Not Open to Services 1,017 3.4%
Total 29,854 100.0%

Note: Only investigations with a risk finding of "Risk Indicated" can be opened for further services. Opened for services is defined as services provided after the investigation was completed.

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Child Abuse/Neglect Allegation Dispositions

The categories used to record the findings of initial assessment/investigation of child abuse neglect are defined as:

Confirmed Investigations
  • Reason to believe – Based on preponderance of evidence, staff concluded that abuse or neglect occurred.
Unconfirmed Investigations
  • Ruled out - Staff determined, based upon on available information, that it is reasonable to conclude that abuse or
    neglect has not occurred.
  • Unable to complete – Before staff could reach a conclusion, the persons involved in the report moved, could not be located or refused to cooperate.
  • Unable to determine – Staff concluded that none of the other dispositions were appropriate.

Investigations of Child Abuse/Neglect by Source of Report for Completed Investigations

Validated APS Victims FY 2007 Number FY2007 Percent FY2008 Number FY2008 Percent FY2009 Number FY2009 Percent
Anonymous 9,802 5.1% 8,912 4.6% 9,212 4.8%
Child Care Facility 1,994 1.0% 1,992 1.0% 1,794 0.9%
Law Enforcement 28,177 14.5% 28,907 15.0% 30,351 15.7%
Parent 15,881 8.2% 15,799 8.2% 16,004 8.3%
Relative 24,259 12.5% 23,714 12.3% 23,392 12.1%
School 38,265 19.7% 37,711 19.5% 36,494 18.9%
Victim 620 0.3% 548 0.3% 633 0.3%
Medical Personnel 32,615 16.8% 32,626 16.9% 31,811 16.5%
Friend/Neighbor 13,203 6.8% 13,130 6.8% 13,386 6.9%
DFPS Staff 4,878 2.5% 5,305 2.7% 5,686 2.9%
Other 24,139 12.4% 24,411 12.6% 24,290 12.6%
Blank 261 0.1% 199 0.1% 90 0.0%
State Total 194,094 100.0% 193,254 100.0% 193,143 100.0%

Note: A report of abuse/neglect may come from multiple sources.

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Number of Child Abuse/Neglect Completed Investigations,
Fiscal Year 2009

Region Total Confirmed % Confirmed Investigations Unconfirmed Investigations
1 Lubbock 7,457 2,259 30.3% 5,198
2 Abilene 5,256 1,472 28.0% 3,784
3 Arlington 39,444 10,120 25.7% 29,324
4 Tyler 8,759 2,137 24.4% 6,622
5 Beaumont 5,967 1,239 20.8% 4,728
6 Houston 30,405 6,404 21.1% 24,001
7 Austin 19,692 4,037 20.5% 15,655
8 San Antonio 19,641 4,567 23.3% 15,074
9 Midland 5,131 1,441 28.1% 3,690
10 El Paso 4,466 1,270 28.4% 3,196
11 Edinburg 19,194 5,165 26.9% 14,029
Unknown 32 15 46.9% 17
State 165,444 40,126 24.3% 125,318

Family Cases Opened for Services as a Result of a Completed Investigation, Fiscal Year 2009

Region In-Home Direct Delivery In-Home Purchased Family Substitute Care Total
1 Lubbock 1,094 0 305 1,399
2 Abilene 1,048 1 183 1,232
3 Arlington 4,799 394 1,133 6,326
4 Tyler 957 5 370 1,332
5 Beaumont 441 1 156 598
6 Houston 4,226 3 1,221 5,450
7 Austin 1,424 2 720 2,146
8 San Antonio 3,255 125 682 4,062
9 Midland 866 1 213 1,080
10 El Paso 812 1 58 871
11 Edinburg 3,887 2 449 4,338
Unknown 2 0 1 3
State 22,811 535 5,491 28,837

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Confirmed Allegations of Child Abuse/Neglect by Type of Abuse,
Fiscal Year 2009

Table Includes Abuse/Neglect Types:
Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Abandonment, Medical Neglect, and Physical Neglect

Region Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse Abandonment Medical Neglect Physical Neglect
1 Lubbock 761 341 60 5 109 427
2 Abilene 418 188 31 8 94 381
3 Arlington 4,334 1,460 98 43 444 1,330
4 Tyler 688 347 29 11 130 467
5 Beaumont 416 230 15 6 69 161
6 Houston 2,358 1,158 73 54 353 1,200
7 Austin 1,187 654 59 20 169 517
8 San Antonio 1,258 617 59 20 254 516
9 Midland 419 230 33 6 75 252
10 El Paso 434 184 43 9 60 276
11 Edinburg 1,594 906 148 23 352 1,043
Unknown 8 1 0 0 0 0
State Total 13,875 6,316 648 205 2,109 6,570

Table Includes Abuse/Neglect Types:
Neglectful Supervision, Refusal to Accept Parental Responsibility, Total Confirmed Allegations of Child Abuse/Neglect, Percent of Child Abuse/Neglect, and *Unduplicated Confirmed Victims

Region Neglectful Supervision Refusal to Accept Parental Responsibility Total Confirmed Allegations of Child Abuse/Neglect Percent of Child Abuse/Neglect *Unduplicated Confirmed Victims
1 Lubbock 3,261 37 5,001 6.3% 4,218
2 Abilene 1,909 13 3,042 3.8% 2,499
3 Arlington 12,248 137 20,094 25.1% 16,935
4 Tyler 2,609 30 4,311 5.4% 3,637
5 Beaumont 1,276 17 2,190 2.7% 1,907
6 Houston 6,617 124 11,937 14.9% 10,185
7 Austin 4,675 102 7,383 9.2% 6,485
8 San Antonio 6,102 50 8,876 11.1% 7,961
9 Midland 1,939 24 2,978 3.7% 2,525
10 El Paso 1,610 17 2,633 3.3% 2,246
11 Edinburg 7,329 73 11,468 14.3% 9,708
Unknown 13 1 23 0.0% 20
State Total 49,588 625 79,936 100.0% 68,326

* Victims have been unduplicated by investigation stage.

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Children in Cases Opened for Services as a Result of a Completed Investigation, Fiscal Year 2009

Region In-home Direct Delivery In-home Purchased % Opened In-home Family Substitute Care* Total
1 Lubbock 3,143 0 80.1% 782 3,925
2 Abilene 2,555 2 85.4% 436 2,993
3 Arlington 12,305 1,076 82.8% 2,774 16,155
4 Tyler 2,406 11 72.8% 902 3,319
5 Beaumont 1,056 1 74.1% 370 1,427
6 Houston 11,611 9 78.9% 3,108 14,728
7 Austin 3,873 2 67.0% 1,908 5,783
8 San Antonio 9,236 356 83.3% 1,923 11,515
9 Midland 2,282 4 78.9% 611 2,897
10 El Paso 2,355 3 93.9% 154 2,512
11 Edinburg 11,866 6 90.7% 1,223 13,095
Other 10 0 90.9% 1 11
Total 62,698 1,470 81.9% 14,192 78,360

*Includes all children in the case regardless of victimization.

Point Prevalence* Rate of Child Abuse/Neglect per 1,000 Children in Texas Population per Region, Fiscal Year 2009

Region Confirmed Rate Alleged Rate
1 Lubbock 19.7 62.5
2 Abilene 18.8 68.5
3 Arlington 9.4 37.1
4 Tyler 13.8 56.5
5 Beaumont 10.2 53.6
6 Houston 6.5 32.3
7 Austin 9.7 49.2
8 San Antonio 12.3 53.7
9 Midland 17.4 61.1
10 El Paso 9.7 34.0
11 Edinburg 14.6 52.6
State 10.5 43.6

* Point prevalence is the number of children who are alleged/confirmed victims per 1,000 children in the region.

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Race/Ethnicity of Selected CPS Statistics Compared to Texas Child Population, Fiscal Year 2009

Race/Ethnicity of Selected CPS Statistics Compared to Texas Child Population Total African American Anglo Hispanic Native American Other
Texas Child Population 6,510,210 769,134 2,432,267 3,066,711 12,749 229,349
Percent 100.0% 11.8% 37.4% 47.1% 0.2% 3.5%
CPS Confirmed Victims 68,326 14,092 21,217 30,363 132 2,522
Percent 100.0% 20.6% 31.1% 44.4% 0.2% 3.7%
Number of Removals 12,107 3,377 3,795 4,554 39 342
Percent 100.0% 27.9% 31.3% 37.6% 0.3% 2.8%
Children Opened for Service* 78,360 16,314 21,339 37,744 112 2,851
Percent 100.0% 20.8% 27.2% 48.2% 0.1% 3.6%

Ethnicity of Children Awaiting Adoption on August 31, 2009 and Median Time Waiting by Ethnicity

Ethnicity of Children Awaiting Adoption and Median Time Waiting by Ethnicity Total African American Anglo Hispanic Native American Other
Texas Children Awaiting Adoption 6,386 2,221 1,589 2,444 12 120
Percent 100.0% 34.8% 24.9% 38.3% 0.2% 1.9%
State median Time Waiting for Adoption 12.3 13.0 10.8 12.8 9.0 8.9

* Includes all children in the case regardless of victimization
Note: Other includes anyone not categorized as Anglo, African-American, Hispanic or Native American

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Confirmed Victims of Child Abuse/Neglect,
Fiscal Year 2009

State Total: 68,326

Region Confirmed Victims of Child Abuse/Neglect
1 Lubbock 4,218
2 Abilene 2,499
3 Arlington 16,935
4 Tyler 3,637
5 Beaumont 1,907
6 Houston 10,185
7 Austin 6,485
8 San Antonio 7,961
9 Midland 2,525
10 El Paso 2,246
11 Edinburg 9,708
Blank/Unknown 20
State Total 68,326

Texas Child Population Ages Birth through 17 Years, Fiscal Year 2009 by County

Population Data Source: Texas State Data Center, University of Texas (San Antonio)

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Profile of Confirmed Child Abuse/Neglect Victims,
Fiscal Year 2009

Age: Under 1

Gender Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Female 1,293 1,151 1,779 14 17 227 4,481
Male 1,395 1,196 1,912 6 20 257 4,786
Unknown 6 5 12 0 0 3 26
Total 2,694 2,352 3,703 20 37 487 9,293

Age: 1-3 Years

Gender Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Female 2,503 1,705 3,682 12 28 302 8,232
Male 2,722 1,842 3,904 22 45 303 8,838
Unknown 8 7 24 0 0 9 48
Total 5,233 3,554 7,610 34 73 614 17,118

Age: 4-6 Years

Gender Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Female 2,169 1,341 3,032 10 33 198 6,783
Male 2,095 1,492 3,225 7 52 202 7,073
Unknown 4 6 11 0 0 8 29
Total 4,268 2,839 6,268 17 85 408 13,885

Age: 7-9 Years

Gender Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Female 1,766 1,076 2,599 10 26 146 5,623
Male 1,625 1,094 2,291 14 30 119 5,173
Unknown 2 3 6 0 0 3 14
Total 3,393 2,173 4,896 24 56 268 10,810

Age: 10-12 Years

Gender Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Female 1,278 773 2,039 12 21 92 4,215
Male 1,274 674 1,604 10 17 75 3,654
Unknown 3 2 4 0 0 3 12
Total 2,555 1,449 3,647 22 38 170 7,881

Age: 13-17 Years

Gender Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Female 1,893 1,074 2,744 7 35 128 5,881
Male 1,129 601 1,393 8 19 84 3,234
Unknown 2 1 2 0 0 1 6
Total 3,024 1,676 4,139 15 54 213 9,121

Other

Gender Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Female 22 20 44 0 0 4 90
Male 28 28 52 0 0 9 117
Unknown 0 1 4 0 0 6 11
Total 50 49 100 0 0 19 218

Total Victims

Gender Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Female 10,924 7,140 15,919 65 160 1,097 35,305
Male 10,268 6,927 14,381 67 183 1,049 32,875
Unknown 25 25 63 0 0 33 146
Grand Total 21,217 14,092 30,363 132 343 2,179 68,326

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Alleged and Confirmed Victims of Child Abuse/Neglect,
Fiscal Year 2009

Region Alleged Victims Confirmed Victims Unconfirmed Victims Percent Confirmed
1 Lubbock 13,384 4,218 9,166 31.5%
2 Abilene 9,119 2,499 6,620 27.4%
3 Arlington 66,648 16,935 49,713 25.4%
4 Tyler 14,862 3,637 11,225 24.5%
5 Beaumont 9,988 1,907 8,081 19.1%
6 Houston 50,365 10,185 40,180 20.2%
7 Austin 32,979 6,485 26,494 19.7%
8 San Antonio 34,775 7,961 26,814 22.9%
9 Midland 8,885 2,525 6,360 28.4%
10 El Paso 7,860 2,246 5,614 28.6%
11 Edinburg 35,014 9,708 25,306 27.7%
Out of State 43 20 23 46.5%
State 283,922 68,326 215,596 24.1%

CPS Confirmed Victims Where the Confirmed Perpetrator was a Parent, Fiscal Year 2009

Region Confirmed Victims
1 Lubbock 4,140    
2 Abilene 2,452    
3 Arlington 16,466    
4 Tyler 3,553    
5 Beaumont 1,853    
6 Houston 9,888    
7 Austin 6,293    
8 San Antonio 7,782    
9 Midland 2,480    
10 El Paso 2,205    
11 Edinburg 9,480    
State 66,592 

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Page 45

Characteristics Of Perpetrators In Confirmed Investigations of Child Abuse/Neglect, Fiscal Year 2009

Perpetrator Characteristic: Age

Age Female Percent of Total Male Percent of Total Unknown Percent of Total Race/
Ethnicity
Percent of Total
Under 18 876 1.6% 1,577 2.9% 1 0.0% 2,454 4.5%
18-25 10,703 19.7% 5,648 10.4% 12 0.0% 16,363 30.2%
26-35 12,126 22.4% 8,309 15.3% 15 0.0% 20,450 37.7%
36-45 5,032 9.3% 5,012 9.2% 9 0.0% 10,053 18.5%
Over 45 2,069 3.8% 2,782 5.1% 4 0.0% 4,855 9.0%
Invalid 4 0.0% 28 0.1% 31 0.1% 63 0.1%

Perpetrator Characteristic: Marital Status

Marital Status Female Percent of Total Male Percent of Total Unknown Percent of Total Race/
Ethnicity
Percent of Total
Married 7,931 14.6% 7,997 14.7% 2 0.0% 15,930 29.4%
Widowed 312 0.6% 118 0.2% 0 0.0% 430 0.8%
Separated 1,856 3.4% 1,221 2.3% 0 0.0% 3,077 5.7%
Divorced 2,275 4.2% 1,297 2.4% 1 0.0% 3,573 6.6%
Single 8,267 15.2% 4,351 8.0% 3 0.0% 12,621 23.3%
Unknown 9,432 17.4% 6,813 12.6% 66 0.1% 16,311 30.1%
Not Applicable (Under 18) 737 1.4% 1,559 2.9% 0 0.0% 2,296 4.2%

Perpetrator Characteristic: Race/Ethnicity

Race/Ethnicity Female Percent of Total Male Percent of Total Unknown Percent of Total Race/
Ethnicity
Percent of Total
Anglo 12,329 22.7% 8,351 15.4% 7 0.0% 20,687 38.1%
African American 5,739 10.6% 3,998 7.4% 4 0.0% 9,741 18.0%
Hispanic 11,749 21.7% 9,664 17.8% 2 0.0% 21,415 39.5%
Native American 56 0.1% 42 0.1% 0 0.0% 98 0.2%
Asian 161 0.3% 143 0.3% 0 0.0% 304 0.6%
Other 776 1.4% 1,158 2.1% 59 0.1% 1,993 3.7%

Perpetrator Characteristic: Relation to Oldest Victim

Relation to Oldest Victim Female Percent of Total Male Percent of Total Unknown Percent of Total Race/
Ethnicity
Percent of Total
Parent 27,296 50.3% 15,079 27.8% 7 0.0% 42,382 78.1%
Grandparent 1,505 2.8% 842 1.6% 0 0.0% 2,347 4.3%
Sibling/Other Relative 412 0.8% 1,890 3.5% 1 0.0% 2,303 4.2%
Aunt/Uncle 660 1.2% 1,087 2.0% 0 0.0% 1,747 3.2%
Parent's Paramour 290 0.5% 3,211 5.9% 0 0.0% 3,501 6.5%
Other  647 1.2% 1,247 2.3% 64 0.1% 1,958 3.6%

Total Perpetrators

Total FY09 Female Percent of Total Male Percent of Total Unknown Percent of Total Race/
Ethnicity
Percent of Total
Total Perpetrators 30,810 56.8% 23,356 43.1% 72 0.1% 54,238 100.0%

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Page 46

Average Number of Families Receiving Preservation Services per Month, Fiscal Year 2009

Region Regular Intensive Moderate Strengthen-ing Families Initiative Contracted Regular Contracted Intensive Contracted Moderate Total
1 Lubbock 571 2 216 36 0 0 0 825
2 Abilene 107 3 321 19 0 0 0 450
3 Arlington 1,379 14 1,079 95 321 0 23 2,911
4 Tyler 540 1 25 18 31 0 1 616
5 Beaumont 230 0 15 15 0 0 0 260
6 Houston 2,226 5 345 106 0 0 0 2,682
7 Austin 644 2 309 43 0 0 0 998
8 San Antonio 1,852 23 80 131 74 0 1 2,161
9 Midland 281 1 138 16 0 0 0 436
10 El Paso 495 1 21 10 0 0 0 527
11 Edinburg 2,113 5 172 39 10 0 0 2,339
Out of State 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 10,438 57 2,721 529 436 0 25 14,206

Annual Number of Families Receiving Preservation Services, Fiscal Year 2009

Region Regular Intensive Moderate Strengthen-ing Families Initiative Contracted Regular Contracted Intensive Contracted Moderate Total
1 Lubbock 1,318 19 471 78 0 0 0 1,886
2 Abilene 411 17 1,028 44 0 0 1 1,501
3 Arlington 3,809 79 2,814 225 958 0 61 7,946
4 Tyler 1,343 4 87 39 92 0 2 1,567
5 Beaumont 599 3 53 36 0 0 0 691
6 Houston 5,372 37 988 227 0 0 0 6,624
7 Austin 1,452 20 761 98 1 0 0 2,332
8 San Antonio 4,289 128 226 276 211 0 2 5,132
9 Midland 879 6 621 38 0 0 0 1,544
10 El Paso 1,107 5 75 20 0 0 0 1,207
11 Edinburg 5,168 42 530 106 75 0 0 5,921
Out of State 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Total 25,748 360 7,654 1,187 1,337 0 66 36,352

Family Preservation Services is under the umbrella of Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS).
Family Preservation Services are services provided to the child and the family without removing the child from the home.
Note: Families may receive more than one type of service.

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Page 47

Average Number of Families Receiving Reunification Services per Month, Fiscal Year 2009

Region Regular Intensive Moderate Strengthening Families Initiative Contracted Regular Contracted Moderate Total
1 Lubbock 117 1 1 5 0 0 124
2 Abilene 59 1 3 1 0 0 64
3 Arlington 249 0 6 13 2 0 270
4 Tyler 98 0 0 0 0 0 98
5 Beaumont 30 0 0 1 0 0 31
6 Houston 202 0 26 10 0 0 238
7 Austin 237 1 3 0 0 0 241
8 San Antonio 147 0 0 14 0 0 161
9 Midland 118 0 0 1 0 0 119
10 El Paso 22 0 0 0 0 0 22
11 Edinburg 143 1 11 6 0 0 161
Out of State 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1,422 4 50 50 2 0 1,528

Annual Number of Families Receiving Reunification Services , Fiscal Year 2009

Region Regular Intensive Moderate Strengthening Families Initiative Contracted Regular Contracted Moderate Total
1 Lubbock 255 2 2 8 0 0 267
2 Abilene 149 1 10 2 0 0 162
3 Arlington 725 1 13 25 5 0 769
4 Tyler 267 0 1 1 0 0 269
5 Beaumont 97 0 0 2 0 0 99
6 Houston 649 2 81 20 0 0 752
7 Austin 625 1 6 0 0 0 632
8 San Antonio 409 3 3 38 0 0 453
9 Midland 257 0 0 2 0 0 259
10 El Paso 58 0 1 1 0 0 60
11 Edinburg 417 5 40 16 0 0 478
Out of State 1 0 0 0 0 0 1
Total 3,909 15 157 115 5 0 4,201

Family Reunification Services are under the umbrella of Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS).
Family Reunification Services are provided to the family as a child is returning home from court-ordered substitute care.
Note: Families may receive more than one type of service.

Page 48

Children in Foster Care by County During,
Fiscal Year 2009

State Total: 27,422

Region Children in Foster Care
Region 1 1,887
Region 2 833
Region 3 5,442
Region 4 1,594
Region 5 827
Region 6 5,471
Region 7 3,202
Region 8 4,267
Region 9 831
Region 10 532
Region 11 2,536
Total 27,422

Children in Foster Care by County During, Fiscal Year 2009 by County

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Page 49

Number of Children Removed from Home as a Result of CPS Abuse/Neglect Investigation

Fiscal Year As a Result of an Investigation From Family-Based Safety Services* From Family Substitute Care Services Total
2005 13,740 3,317 371 17,428
2006 13,446 3,770 320 17,536
2007 12,340 3,257 323 15,920
2008 11,313 2,771 211 14,295
2009 8,923 3,008 176 12,107

*Removals from Family-Based Safety Services includes Family Preservation and Family Reunification
Note: The data presented in this chart have been modified to more accurately report where a removal occurred and therefore will not match prior data books.

Point of Prevalence* for Children Entering Substitute Care,
Fiscal Year 2009

Region Point Prevalence*
Lubbock (1) 2.8
Abilene (2) 2.4
Arlington (3) 1.3
Tyler (4) 3.4
Beaumont (5) 1.8
Houston (6) 1.7
Austin (7) 2.3
San Antonio (8) 2.6
Midland (9) 2.5
El Paso (10) 0.8
Edinburg (11) 1.7
State 1.9

*Point of prevalence is the number of children entering substitute care per 1,000 children in the region.

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Page 50

Where are Children in DFPS Care?

… of the 25,185 children in DFPS substitute care on August 31, 2009:

15,932 children were in Foster Care.

9,253 children were in other types of Substitute Care

… of the 15,932 children were in Foster Care

  • 11,022 children placed in Child Placing Agency (CPA) Foster Homes. Foster homes are families who accept foster children into their homes. These foster homes are recruited, trained, verified and managed by private CPAs. DFPS has contracts with over 100 CPAs. The majority of CPA foster homes are verified to provide therapeutic foster care services.

  • 1,886 children placed in DFPS Foster Homes. These are families who accept foster children into their homes and are recruited, trained, verified and managed by DFPS. The majority provide basic foster care services.

  • 664 children were placed in Basic Child Care. These are typically cottage and campus type settings meeting basic child needs.

  • 1,421 children were placed in Residential Treatment Centers. An RTC is a very structured setting for children with serious emotional disturbance or mental health issues.

  • 496 children were placed in Emergency Shelters. These are intended for stays of less than 30 days.

  • 443 children were placed in Other types of foster care such as camps, maternity homes hospitals, juvenile detention, ICF-MR, HCS homes, state schools & hospitals.

... of the 9,253 children in other types of Substitute Care

  • 7,673 children were placed in Kinship Care. DFPS supports relative caregivers by assisting with initial costs of accepting a child and through ongoing case management.

  • 536 children were in pending adoptions in CPA Adoptive Homes.

  • 421 children were in pending adoptions in DFPS Adoptive Homes.

  • 623 children were placed in Other Substitute Care which includes independent living programs, unauthorized absences and court ordered placements.

Notes

A. The 15,932 children includes 530 youth over the age of 18 in foster care, but who have "aged-out" of the legal conservatorship of DFPS.

B. There are a total of 26,463 children in DFPS legal responsibility. 1,809 are in legal conservatorship of DFPS but not in substitute care; the majority of these children are in a reunification stage and are living with their families of origin.

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Page 51

Demographics of Children in Foster Care at the End of the Year,
By Fiscal Year 2009

Characteristic: Age

Age Aug 2006 Number Aug 2006 Percent Aug 2007 Number Aug 2007 Percent Aug 2008 Number Aug 2008 Percent Aug 2009 Number Aug 2009 Percent
Birth - 2 4,404 22.1% 3,934 21.3% 3,623 21.1% 3,319 20.8%
3-5 3,025 15.2% 2,873 15.6% 2,497 14.5% 2,249 14.1%
6-9 3,534 17.7% 3,264 17.7% 3,068 17.9% 2,679 16.8%
10-13 3,519 17.6% 3,304 17.9% 3,090 18.0% 2,930 18.4%
14-17 5,040 25.3% 4,668 25.3% 4,395 25.6% 4,225 26.5%
18-21 420 2.1% 419 2.3% 513 3.0% 530 3.3%

Characteristic: Gender

Gender Aug 2006 Number Aug 2006 Percent Aug 2007 Number Aug 2007 Percent Aug 2008 Number Aug 2008 Percent Aug 2009 Number Aug 2009 Percent
Male 10,532 52.8% 9,804 53.1% 9,245 53.8% 8,689 54.5%
Female 9,408 47.2% 8,654 46.9% 7,940 46.2% 7,243 45.5%
Unknown 2 0.0% 4 0.0% 1 0.0% 0 0.0%

Characteristic: Race/Ethnicity

Race/Ethnicity Aug 2006 Number Aug 2006 Percent Aug 2007 Number Aug 2007 Percent Aug 2008 Number Aug 2008 Percent Aug 2009 Number Aug 2009 Percent
Anglo 6,439 32.3% 5,762 31.2% 5,094 29.6% 4,522 28.4%
African American 5,581 28.0% 5,342 28.9% 5,104 29.7% 4,903 30.8%
Hispanic 7,509 37.6% 6,938 37.6% 6,587 38.3% 6,169 38.7%
Native American 50 0.3% 46 0.2% 41 0.2% 49 0.3%
Asian 68 0.3% 59 0.3% 61 0.4% 52 0.3%
Other 295 1.5% 315 1.7% 299 1.7% 237 1.5%

Totals

Totals of Characteristics Aug 2006 Number Aug 2006 Percent Aug 2007 Number Aug 2007 Percent Aug 2008 Number Aug 2008 Percent Aug 2009 Number Aug 2009 Percent
Total 19,942 100.0% 18,462 100.0% 17,186 100.0% 15,932 100.0%

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Page 52

Point of Prevalence* for Children in Substitute Care at The End of Fiscal Year 2009

Region Point Prevalence*
Lubbock (1) 7.6
Abilene (2) 5.0
Arlington (3) 2.4
Tyler (4) 5.6
Beaumont (5) 3.6
Houston (6) 4.0
Austin (7) 4.2
San Antonio (8) 6.3
Midland (9) 5.7
El Paso (10) 2.0
Edinburg (11) 3.1
State 3.9

*Point of prevalence is the number of children entering substitute care per 1,000 children in the region.

Children in DFPS Legal Responsibility, in Substitute Care or in Foster Care Placements at the End of Fiscal Year 2009

Region DFPS Legal Responsibility Substitute Care Foster Care
Lubbock (1) 1,727   1,618   1,201  
Abilene (2) 701   664   471  
Arlington (3) 4,578   4,379   2,926  
Tyler (4) 1,595   1,478   911  
Beaumont (5) 727   678   474  
Houston (6) 6,455   6,191   3,346  
Austin (7) 2,975   2,802   1,761  
San Antonio (8) 4,177   4,052   2,586  
Midland (9) 875   824   523  
El Paso (10) 466   461   303  
Edinburg (11) 2,187   2,038   1,430  
State 26,463 25,185 15,932

Note: Includes youth who have aged out of DFPS legal responsibility but remain in foster care.

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Page 53

Legal Status of Children in DFPS Legal Responsibility

Legal Status Aug 2007 Number Aug 2007 Percent Aug 2008 Number Aug 2008 Percent Aug 2009 Number Aug 2009 Percent
Care, Custody & Control* 327 1.1% 174 0.6% 62 0.2%
Temporary Managing Conservatorship** 15,595 50.7% 14,019 48.7% 12,843 48.5%
Permanent Managing Conservatorship *** Parental Rights Not Terminated 4,201 13.7% 3,811 13.2% 3,367 12.7%
Permanent Managing Conservatorship *** Parental Rights Terminated (ALL) 9,961 32.4% 10,120 35.2% 9,624 36.4%
Permanent Managing Conservatorship *** Parental Rights Terminated (One Parent) 623 2.0% 611 2.1% 526 2.0%
Possessory Conservatorship**** 36 0.1% 41 0.1% 41 0.2%
Total 30,743 100.0% 28,776 100.0% 26,463 100.0%

* Care, Custody and Control - In some counties in Texas, this type of custody is given at an Ex Parte Hearing rather than appointing a temporary managing conservator. This provides legal authority for DFPS to ensure a child's safety and meet a child's basic needs for shelter, food, education.

** Temporary Managing Conservatorship - TMC is awarded to DFPS as a result of a court hearing and written order and continues until a judge issues another order changing the legal status. It authorizes DFPS to act in the child's best interest and has exclusive rights including but not limited to the following: designating the primary residence of a child, make decisions concerning the child's education, consent to marriage or enlistment in the armed forces.

*** Permanent Managing Conservatorship - PMC is awarded to DFPS as a result of a court hearing and written order. PMC authorizes DFPS to act in the child's best interest and have the rights of a Managing Conservator on a permanent basis.

**** Possessory Conservatorship - A judge appoints a parent as Possessory Conservator who is not appointed as a sole or joint managing conservator, unless this appointment is not in the best interest of the child. Possessory Conservators are provided with visitation orders,unless access would endanger the child physically or emotionally.

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Page 54

Children in DFPS Legal Responsibility by Living Arrangement at the End of Each Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year Non-Foster Care Foster Care Total % Change
2006 11,876 19,522 31,398 8.0%
2007 12,700 18,043 30,743 -2.1%
2008 12,103 16,673 28,776 -6.8%
2009 11,061 15,402 26,463 -8.7%

Note: Foster care totals exclude youth over 18 who remain in foster care but have aged out of DFPS legal responsibility. Non-foster care placements include adoption, relative, own home and other.

Children in DFPS Legal Responsibility in Non-Foster Care Placements

Fiscal Year Total Non-Foster Care Other* Adoption Relative Own Home
2006 11,876 638 892 8,138 2,208
2007 12,700 821 855 8,801 2,223
2008 12,103 768 807 8,490 2,038
2009 11,061 630 957 7,673 1,801

* Other includes independent living, hospitals, nursing homes, correctional facilities and unauthorized absences.

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Page 55

Children* in Substitute Care Placements by Living Arrangement Categories As of August 31, 2009

Region CPA Foster - Group Homes & Independent Homes DFPS Foster & Foster Group Homes DFPS Adoptive Homes Private Adoptive Homes Kinship
Lubbock (1) 617        200        26        33        308       
Abilene (2) 287        97        9        5        171       
Arlington (3) 2,149        272        52        133        1,178       
Tyler (4) 514        164        21        29        476       
Beaumont (5) 244        127        12        9        170       
Houston (6) 2,397        378        182        123        2,357       
Austin (7) 1,197        152        54        49        900       
San Antonio (8) 1,638        216        32        67        1,262       
Midland (9) 338        67        5        18        257       
El Paso (10) 220        49        4        17        122       
Edinburg (11) 1,069        134        24        53        472       
Out of State 0        0        0        0        0       
Total 10,670        1,856        421        536        7,673       
Region General Residential Operation Emergency Shelters Residential Treatment Other Total
Lubbock (1) 142        62        130        72        1,590       
Abilene (2) 5        9        49        14        646       
Arlington (3) 33        36        258        153        4,264       
Tyler (4) 38        22        117        67        1,448       
Beaumont (5) 15        21        47        22        667       
Houston (6) 56        52        265        282        6,092       
Austin (7) 22        71        200        81        2,726       
San Antonio (8) 238        143        207        162        3,965       
Midland (9) 13        36        48        33        815       
El Paso (10) 0        1        9        24        446       
Edinburg (11) 59        34        70        80        1,995       
Out of State 0        0        0        0        0       
Total 621        487        1,400        990        24,654       

*Excludes 531 young adults over the 18 who have aged out of DFPS conservatorship but remain in DFPS care.

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Page 56

Permanency Goal of Children in Substitute Care for Whom DFPS had Legal Responsibility Fiscal Year End 2009

Total Children: 20,875

Goal Count Percent
Adoption 10,489 50.2%
Reunification 5,791 27.7%
Alternative Long Term Living 2,025 9.7%
Adult Living 1,272 6.1%
Permanent Placement with Relatives and Other Caregivers 1,298 6.2%
Total Children 20,875 100.0%

Number of DFPS Foster, Foster/Adoptive and Adoptive Homes As of August 31, 2009

Region Foster Homes Foster/Adoptive Homes* Adoptive Homes**
Lubbock (1) 11         152         30        
Abilene (2) 6         97         12        
Arlington (3) 44         342         149        
Tyler (4) 19         103         47        
Beaumont (5) 18         92         42        
Houston (6) 67         280         317        
Austin (7) 23         140         150        
San Antonio (8) 25         171         105        
Midland (9) 3         44         4        
El Paso (10) 10         34         20        
Edinburg (11) 25         55         40        
Out of State 3         17         22        
Total 254         1,527         938        

* Includes 37 legal risk homes and 105 kinship homes.

** This number does not include homes open only for receipt of adoption subsidy.

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Page 57

Children Placed in Adoptive Homes by Region Fiscal Year 2009

Region Number of Placements
Lubbock (1) 363
Abilene (2) 146
Arlington (3) 1,034
Tyler (4) 179
Beaumont (5) 118
Houston (6) 1,020
Austin (7) 775
San Antonio (8) 1,030
Midland (9) 143
El Paso (10) 78
Edinburg (11) 211
State Total 5,097
Total Unique Children 5,074

Demographics of 5,074 Children in Adoptive Homes,
Fiscal Year 2009

Age

Age Count Percent
Under 1 year 109 2.1%
1 - 5 years 2,811 55.4%
6 - 12 years 1,742 34.3%
13 years and over 412 8.1%
Total 5,074 100.0%

Race/Ethnicity

Race/Ethnicity Count Percent
Anglo 1,501 29.6%
African American 1,482 29.2%
Hispanic 1,942 38.3%
Native American 10 0.2%
Asian 9 0.2%
Other 130 2.6%
Total 5,074 100.0%

Child Characteristics

Child Characteristics Count Percent
Disabling Condition 1,869 36.8%
No Special Characteristics 3,205 63.2%
Total 5,074 100.0%

Sex

Sex Count Percent
Female 2,542 50.1%
Male 2,532 49.9%
Total 5,074 100.0%

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Page 58

Children with Disabling Conditions Placed in Adoptive Homes Fiscal Year 2009

Total number of children placed in adoptive homes: 5,074

Number of unique children with disabling conditions placed in adoptive homes: 1,870

Disabling Condition Percentage of all Children Placed in Adoptive Homes Number of children with Disabling condition
Drug/Alcohol* 17.2% 874
Learning Disabilities 13.0% 658
Emotionally Disturbed 10.5% 533
Medically Involved 5.2% 263
Physical 0.7% 35
Other** 0.6% 29

* Drug/Alcohol disabling condition can either be due to self abuse or exposure to an individual with the condition.

** Other includes teen parent or pregnant.

Note: Children may be duplicated across categories because some may have more than one disabling condition.

Children in Consummated Adoptions by Type of Agency by Fiscal Year

Legal Status 2006 Number 2006 Percent 2007 Number 2007 Percent 2008 Number 2008 Percent 2009 Number 2009 Percent
DFPS 2,149 63.7% 2,267 56.4% 2,426 53.7% 2,804 57.7%
Non DFPS* 1,227 36.3% 1,756 43.6% 2,091 46.3% 2,055 42.3%
Total Consummations 3,376 100.0% 4,023 100.0% 4,517 100.0% 4,859 100.0%

* Non DFPS includes private agency adoptions, relative adoptions and out of state adoptions.

Children in Consummated Adoptions by Region Fiscal Year 2009

Region Adoptions Consummated
Lubbock (1) 323
Abilene (2) 139
Arlington (3) 1,019
Tyler (4) 166
Beaumont (5) 114
Houston (6) 933
Austin (7) 784
San Antonio (8) 1,013
Midland (9) 148
El Paso (10) 59
Edinburg (11) 161
Total Unique Children 4,859

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Page 59

Demographics of 4,859 Children in Consummated Adoptions,
Fiscal Year 2009

Age

Age Count Percent
Under 1 year 89 1.8%
1 - 5 years 2,752 56.6%
6 - 12 years 1,653 34.0%
13 years and over 365 7.5%
Total 4,859 100.0%

Gender

Gender Count Percent
Male 2,430 50.0%
Female 2,429 50.0%
Total 4,859 100.0%

Race/Ethnicity

Race/Ethnicity Count Percent
Anglo 1,460 30.0%
African American 1,415 29.1%
Hispanic 1,842 37.9%
Native American 11 0.2%
Asian 9 0.2%
Other 52 1.1%
Unknown 70 1.4%
Total 4,859 100.0%

Race/Ethnicity of Children and Adoptive Parents by Fiscal Year

Legal Status 2006 Number 2006 Percent 2007 Number 2007 Percent 2008 Number 2008 Percent 2009 Number 2009 Percent
Race/Ethnicity of parent(s) is same as child 2,086 61.8% 2,535 63.0% 2,789 61.7% 3,109 64.0%
Race/Ethnicity of one or
both parents differs from child's (Transracial)*
1,290 38.2% 1,488 37.0% 1,728 38.3% 1,750 36.0%
Total Adoptions 3,376 100% 4,023 100% 4,517 100% 4,859 100%

* Includes when Race/Ethnicity was not determined.
Note: Change in methodology in FY08 applied to all FYs to include all adoptions.

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Page 60

CPS Outcomes Based on Data from Fiscal Year 2009

Child Safety Outcomes

Percent of children who remained safe in substitute care
(children in care during FY09 who did not experience a confirmed incident of maltreatment) 99.8%

Incidence of Repeat Maltreatment
(child victims with a confirmed allegation within the prior 6 months; applies to children in any stage of care) 3.6%

Permanency Services

Percentage of children with 2 or fewer placements that have been in care 12 months or less 79.8%

Family Preservation Outcomes
(measured from start of services to end of services)
Average length of Service 7.2 months

Family Reunification Outcomes
(measured from removal to placement in own home and termination of DFPS conservatorship)
Percent of children returned to own home 30.5%
Average number of placements per child 2.2 placements
Average length of service 14.6 months
Median length of service 12.7 months
Children reunified with family, with DFPS conservatorship terminated, within 12 months of removal 59.5%

Adoption Services Outcomes
(measured from removal to adoption consummation)
Percent of children who left DFPS legal responsibility with an adoption consummation 33.5%
Average number of placements per child 3.4 placements
Average length of service 29.8 months

  • From removal to final order 13.3 months
  • From final order to adoptive placement 14.7 months
  • From placement to adoption consummated 1.8 months

Median length of service 26.1 months
Children adopted within 24 months of removal 40.5%

Permanent Relative Care Outcomes
(measured from removal to date DFPS legal responsibility ended)
Percent of children who left DFPS legal responsibility to a relative placement 22.2%
Average number of placements 2.3 placements
Average length of service 14.2 months
Median length of service 11.7 months

Children re-entering foster care within 12 months of discharge from a previous episode of foster care 2.9%

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CPS Outcomes Based on Data from Fiscal Year 2009

Long-term Substitute Care Outcomes

Emancipation (includes children who left DFPS legal responsibility by emancipation or turning 18)

(measured from removal to date DFPS legal responsibility ended or date child turns 18 years of age)
Percent of children who left DFPS legal responsibility 10.0%
Average number of placements 9.1 placements
Average length of service 63.3 months
Median length of service 51.5 months

Other Long-term Substitute Care

(measured from removal to date DFPS legal responsibility ended)
Percent of children who left DFPS legal responsibility 3.8%
Average number of placements 3.6 placements
Average length of service 14.3 months
Median length of service 6.4 months

Fiscal Year 2009 Recidivism Outcomes

For All Stages:

(measured as a new confirmed reason to believe allegation within 12 months of the end of services or a return to
substitute care or new Family Preservation services provided) 8.8%

For Family Preservation:

(measured as a new confirmed reason to believe allegation within 12 months of the end of Family Preservation
services or new Family Preservation services provided) 8.6%

For Family Reunification:

(measured as a new confirmed reason to believe allegation or a return to substitute care within 12 months of the
end of Family Reunification services or new Family Preservation services provided) 17.5%

Substitute Care Outcomes for Cases Open at the End of Fiscal Year 2009

  • Average length of service for children in temporary managing conservatorship: 6.7 months
  • Median length of service for children in temporary managing conservatorship: 5.4 months
  • Average length of service for children in permanent managing conservatorship: 42.1 months
  • Median length of service for children in permanent managing conservatorship: 32.6 months

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Status of Children No Longer in DFPS Legal Responsibility
Fiscal Year 2009

Total Children: 14,497

Outcome Count Percent
Family Reunification 4,423 30.5%
Custody Given To Relatives 3,213 22.2%
Adoption Consummated 4,859 33.5%
Children Emancipated 1,453 10.0%
Other 549 3.8%
State 14,497 100%

* Of the 1,453 youth emancipated in FY09, 1,044 were
emancipated from paid foster care.
** Other includes children absent without permission, children in
court ordered or independent living placements; children for whom
conservatorship was never obtained and children with a missing
discharge reason.

Average Length of Time in Months for Children
Leaving DFPS Responsibility by Type of Exit and Region
Fiscal Year 2009

Region Family Reunification Relative Care Adoption Long Term Care-Emancipation Long Term Care-Other
Lubbock (1) 19.8 18.5 33.5 71.1 20.0
Abilene (2) 13.3 16.2 28.8 77.6 13.3
Arlington (3) 13.4 13.0 29.5 64.6 8.8
Tyler (4) 12.1 11.2 31.8 57.8 12.9
Beaumont (5) 16.6 15.1 33.0 54.4 21.9
Houston (6) 16.1 15.0 31.2 68.3 13.7
Austin (7) 13.9 13.8 26.4 56.7 17.5
San Antonio (8) 14.6 14.9 27.1 66.3 16.9
Midland (9) 15.3 13.7 31.1 67.1 13.2
El Paso (10) 14.1 17.7 33.4 46.7 23.9
Edinburg (11) 13.7 15.3 35.8 48.8 11.4
State 14.6 14.2 29.8 63.3 14.3

Average Length of Time in Months for Children
Leaving DFPS Responsibility by Type of Exit and Race/Ethnicity
Fiscal Year 2009

Race/Ethnicity Family Reunification Relative Care Adoption Long Term Care-Emancipation Long Term Care-Other
Anglo 14.2 14.1 29.3 61.4 15.4
African American 15.5 14.2 31.2 69.1 12.5
Hispanic 14.8 14.5 29.2 61.2 14.9
Native American 15.4 9.1 39.6 38.2 8.3
Asian 10.4 21.8 33.7 48.1 9.9
Other 11.2 12.8 25.6 24.5 7.5
State 14.6 14.2 29.8 63.3 14.3

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Average Number of Out-of-Home Placements for Children Who Attained Permanency Fiscal Year 2009

Region Family Reunification Relative Care Adoption Long Term Care-Emancipation Long Term Care-Other
Lubbock (1) 2.6 2.8 3.5 8.6 2.9
Abilene (2) 2.1 3.1 3.5 9.6 4.2
Arlington (3) 2.2 2.3 3.4 10.5 2.4
Tyler (4) 2.0 2.0 3.2 6.8 4.7
Beaumont (5) 2.5 2.2 3.2 6.1 4.7
Houston (6) 2.2 2.0 3.1 10.1 3.5
Austin (7) 2.2 2.3 3.4 8.4 4.4
San Antonio (8) 2.5 2.1 3.5 9.2 4.6
Midland (9) 2.2 2.0 3.7 9.7 2.6
El Paso (10) 1.9 2.6 3.3 8.1 3.6
Edinburg (11) 2.3 2.7 3.9 6.8 3.2
State Total 2.2 2.3 3.4 9.1 3.6

Note: The average number of placements per child in substitute care for all children who attained permanency is 3.4 placements.

Length of Time in Care for Children Who Achieved Permanency Status*

Year: 2009

Length of Time in Care % of Total Children
0-12 months 50.0%
13 to 24 months 28.7%
More than 24 months 21.4%

Year: 2008

Length of Time in Care % of Total Children
0-12 months 55.2%
13 to 24 months 27.5%
More than 24 months 17.3%

Year: 2007

Length of Time in Care % of Total Children
0-12 months 62.7%
13 to 24 months 24.0%
More than 24 months 13.3%

Year: 2006

Length of Time in Care % of Total Children
0-12 months 66.3%
13 to 24 months 21.7%
More than 24 months 12.1%

Year: 2005

Length of Time in Care % of Total Children
0-12 months 61.9%
13 to 24 months 23.2%
More than 24 months 14.7%

* Children who left substitute care via an own home, permanent relative placement or adoption consummation and DFPS legal responsibility was ended.

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Page 64

Average Monthly Number of Children and Young Adults, FTEs*
in Paid Foster Care by Service Levels
Fiscal Year 2009

Service Level Number of Children & Young Adults Number of FTEs
Basic 10,087 9,046
Child Specific** 35 32
Emergency Shelter 814 485
Intense 292 261
Moderate 3,593 3,297
Psychiatric Transition 22 16
Specialized 2,689 2,448
Total 17,532*** 15,585

Unduplicated Count: 17,052

Note: Calculations exclude children where cost of care was not covered by Title IV-E or state paid foster care.

* An FTE is calculated by dividing the number of paid foster care days in the month by the number of days in a month.
** Child Specific contracts do not have an actual level of care.
*** Duplicated count due to changes in service levels during the month.
Note: 24-Hour Residential Child Care Facilities Rates

Foster Care Expenditures by Source Fiscal Year 2009

Total Expenditures: $343,704,262

Service Level Expenditures Percent
Title IV-E $236,632,407 69%
State Paid $107,071,855 31%
Total $343,704,262 100%

Title IV-E Federal Foster Care Program Description

The Federal Foster Care Program helps States provide safe and stable out-of-home care for children until the children are safely returned home, placed permanently with adoptive families or placed in other planned arrangements for permanency. Funds are available for: monthly maintenance payments to eligible foster care providers; administrative costs to manage the program; training staff and foster parents; foster parent recruitment; and other related expenses.

State Paid Foster Care may be funded with Federal Block Grant (TANF)

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Page 65

Children and Young Adults* in Paid Foster Care Monthly Average by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year State Paid Children in Foster Care** State Paid Young Adults* in Foster Care** Title IV-E Children in Foster Care Title IV-E Young Adults* Foster Care Total Children & Young Adults in Foster Care*** % Change from Previous Fiscal Year
2005 4,952 625 13,316 460 19,353 12.3%
2006 4,965 639 14,394 517 20,515 6.0%
2007 5,002 618 14,335 533 20,488 -0.1%
2008 4,673 651 12,828 546 18,698 -8.7%
2009 4,344 700 11,485 545 17,074 -8.7%

Children and Young Adults* in Paid Foster Care Monthly Average by Region FY 2009

Region State Paid Children in Foster Care** State Paid Young Adults* in Foster Care** Title IV-E Children in Foster Care Title IV-E Young Adults* Foster Care Total Children & Young Adults in Foster Care***
Lubbock (1) 283 44 914 41 1,282
Abilene (2) 108 19 386 22 535
Arlington (3) 914 158 2,081 105 3,258
Tyler (4) 364 46 527 22 959
Beaumont (5) 147 22 327 14 510
Houston (6) 864 136 2,357 94 3,451
Austin (7) 622 111 1,081 65 1,879
San Antonio (8) 583 89 2,027 94 2,793
Midland (9) 104 12 409 18 543
El Paso (10) 49 15 269 17 350
Edinburg (11) 309 49 1,109 54 1,521
Unknown 0 2 1 0 3
Total*** 4,347 703 11,488 546 17,084

Unduplicated Count: 17,052

* A young adult is any person in foster care who was 18 to 21 years of age at anytime during the fiscal year.
** State Paid Foster Care may be funded with Federal Block Grant (TANF).
*** Some children are served in more than one region and/or eligibility type in a month.

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Page 66

Families and Children Receiving Kinship Caregiver Monetary Assistance, Fiscal Year 2009

Region Family Served Children Served
Lubbock (1) 291 487
Abilene (2) 157 259
Arlington (3) 1,034 1,757
Tyler (4) 341 578
Beaumont (5) 4 5
Houston (6) 1,327 2,326
Austin (7) 495 866
San Antonio (8) 535 1,004
Midland (9) 170 277
El Paso (10) 57 112
Edinburg (11) 421 809
Unknown 1 1
Total 4,833 8,481

Families and Children Kinship Caregiver Monetary Assistance Payments, Fiscal Year 2009

Region Total Integration Payments Total Flexible Support Payments Total Relative Caregiver Support
Lubbock (1) $154,000.00 $88,500.00 $242,500.00
Abilene (2) $93,333.00 $109,000.00 $202,333.00
Arlington (3) $772,000.00 $1,004,930.00 $1,776,930.00
Tyler (4) $204,000.00 $276,090.00 $480,090.00
Beaumont (5) $2,000.00 $3,000.00 $5,000.00
Houston (6) $619,000.00 $1,109,655.00 $1,728,655.00
Austin (7) $310,000.00 $441,771.98 $751,771.98
San Antonio (8) $407,500.00 $493,647.44 $901,147.44
Midland (9) $97,000.00 $168,000.00 $265,000.00
El Paso (10) $30,000.00 $16,500.00 $46,500.00
Edinburg (11) $237,000.00 $398,590.04 $635,590.04
Unknown $0.00 $500.00 $500.00
Total $2,925,833.00 $4,110,184.46 $7,036,017.46

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Page 67

Average Number of Children Provided Adoption Subsidy* by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year State Paid Adoption Subsidies Title IV-E Adoption Subsidies Total Children Provided Adoption Subsidy % Change from Previous Fiscal Year
2005 4,811 13,518 18,329 10.3%
2006 5,207 15,082 20,289 10.7%
2007 5,487 16,900 22,387 10.3%
2008 5,789 19,140 24,929 11.4%
2009 6,149 21,609 27,758 11.3%

Average Number of Children Provided Adoption Subsidy* per Month by Region, Fiscal Year 2009

Region Clients
Lubbock (1) 1,278
Abilene (2) 747
Arlington (3) 5,988
Tyler (4) 1,122
Beaumont (5) 991
Houston (6) 6,144
Austin (7) 3,572
San Antonio (8) 5,586
Midland (9) 460
El Paso (10) 706
Edinburg (11) 1,162
Unknown 3

*Subsidy includes financial payments only, not medical and non-recurring subsidies.
Note: Counts are duplicated as a child will be counted in each region of payment.

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Page 68

Average Number of Children and Families Receiving Purchased Services per Month, Fiscal Year 2009

Region Living at Home Living Out of Home Post Adoption Total Children Total Adults Total Clients
Lubbock (1) 402 310 57 769 990 1,759
Abilene (2) 75 209 134 418 615 1,033
Arlington (3) 846 1,031 120 1,997 2,020 4,017
Tyler (4) 454 312 41 807 1,178 1,985
Beaumont (5) 105 170 102 377 342 719
Houston (6) 823 906 173 1,902 2,416 4,318
Austin (7) 402 511 79 992 1,581 2,573
San Antonio (8) 837 648 73 1,558 2,594 4,152
Midland (9) 51 167 55 273 735 1,008
El Paso (10) 87 99 90 276 273 549
Edinburg (11) 732 435 1 1,168 2,254 3,422
Total 4,814 4,798 925 10,537 14,998 25,535

Note: Averages are rounded to the nearest whole number.

Average Monthly Percent of Children Receiving CPS Purchased Services by Region

Region Number of
In-Home Children
Receiving
Purchased Services
Total Number
of In-Home
Children
% of In-Home
Children Receiving
Purchased Services
Number of Children
in Substitute Care
Receiving
Purchased Services
Total Number of
Children in
Substitute Care
% of Children in
Substitute Care
Receiving
Purchased Services
Lubbock (1) 402 2,620 15.3% 310 1,778 17.5%
Abilene (2) 75 1,227 6.1% 209 736 28.4%
Arlington (3) 846 8,097 10.4% 1,031 4,848 21.3%
Tyler (4) 454 1,865 24.3% 312 1,512 20.6%
Beaumont (5) 105 720 14.6% 170 733 23.2%
Houston (6) 823 7,949 10.4% 906 6,489 14.0%
Austin (7) 402 3,374 11.9% 511 3,106 16.4%
San Antonio (8) 837 6,422 13.0% 648 4,330 15.0%
Midland (9) 51 1,498 3.4% 167 848 19.7%
El Paso (10) 87 1,586 5.5% 99 476 20.8%
Edinburg (11) 732 7,519 9.7% 435 2,092 20.8%
Total 4,814 42,877 11.2% 4,798 26,949 17.8%

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Page 69

Family Group Decision Making (FGDM)

FGDM is a part of the CPS process to be family-centered. The goal is to enhance safety, permanency, and well-being for children by providing direct services and support services to their caregivers, whether biological or through affinity. FGDM describes a variety of practices to work with and engage families in problem solving, including Family Team Meetings (FTM), Family Group Conferences (FGC), and Circles of Support (COS):

  • Family Team Meeting (FTM) is designed as a rapid response to child safety and placement concerns and is used to achieve positive outcomes for children in the earliest stages of interaction between CPS and families.
  • Family Group Conference (FGC) is a process where families join with relatives, friends, and others in the community to develop a plan to ensure children are cared for and protected from future harm. This broader constellation of “family” convenes with information providers/community supports and CPS caseworkers in a unique partnership that empowers the “family group” with a high degree of decision-making authority and responsibility.
  • Circles of Support (COS) is a youth-focused, youth-driven meeting with the primary purpose of developing a plan for older youth to transition from foster care to adulthood. It may be used for other purposes as well. It includes broader participation of the youth’s support network.

Family Team Meetings Conducted By Race/Ethnicity
Fiscal Year 2009

Region Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Lubbock (1) 273 128 300 0 4 29 734
Abilene (2) 428 102 178 1 2 21 732
Arlington (3) 924 564 397 3 8 68 1,964
Tyler (4) 566 218 82 1 1 28 896
Beaumont (5) 221 139 25 0 0 5 390
Houston (6) 640 611 460 2 11 58 1,782
Austin (7) 578 392 425 2 6 57 1,460
San Antonio (8) 447 210 1,148 6 7 55 1,873
Midland (9) 127 27 125 1 0 18 298
El Paso (10) 15 11 92 2 1 3 124
Edinburg (11) 54 13 714 0 1 15 797
Total 4,273 2,415 3,946 18 41 357 11,050

Family Group Conferences Conducted By Race/Ethnicity Fiscal Year 2009

Region Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Lubbock (1) 64 41 68 1 2 14 190
Abilene (2) 142 40 67 2 0 12 263
Arlington (3) 253 223 147 1 0 50 674
Tyler (4) 111 64 26 0 0 10 211
Beaumont (5) 71 41 6 0 0 3 121
Houston (6) 195 297 103 1 1 16 613
Austin (7) 253 173 166 0 5 32 629
San Antonio (8) 64 70 249 1 1 10 395
Midland (9) 51 27 45 0 0 10 133
El Paso (10) 3 8 64 0 1 7 83
Edinburg (11) 17 11 289 1 0 12 330
Total 1,224 995 1,230 7 10 176 3,642

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Circles of Support Conducted by Race/Ethnicity
Fiscal Year 2009

Region Anglo African American Hispanic Native American Asian Other Total
Lubbock (1) 58 33 41 0 0 5 137
Abilene (2) 52 11 15 0 0 1 79
Arlington (3) 169 262 79 1 7 15 533
Tyler (4) 61 27 11 0 0 1 100
Beaumont (5) 48 14 3 0 2 2 69
Houston (6) 167 334 150 0 5 3 659
Austin (7) 70 74 33 1 1 9 188
San Antonio (8) 56 44 127 0 1 7 235
Midland (9) 34 7 19 0 1 1 62
El Paso (10) 7 8 41 0 0 3 59
Edinburg (11) 10 7 102 0 0 5 124
Total 732 821 621 2 17 52 2,245

Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Services
Youth Ages 16 through 20

The Transitional Services Program includes Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program services to help youth aging out of foster care prepare for adult life, and assist with the initial transition to adult living. PAL services ensure that DFPS foster youth and those aging out of care receive the tools, resources, supports, and personal and community connections they need to become self-sufficient adult. Supportive services and benefits are provided to eligible youth ages 16 to 21, and in some cases up to age 23 for certain educational/vocational needs, to assist when they leave foster care.

Fiscal Year Eligible and Served Eligible and Not Served Total
2005 6,474 788 7,262
2006 7,279 605 7,884
2007 7,639 717 8,356
2008 7,622 988 8,610
2009 7,735 889 8,624

Note: 679 youth who were not served in FY 2009 received services prior to FY 2009.

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