What We Do
PEI takes a public health approach to preventing child abuse, neglect, and child deaths. This includes supporting better outcomes for children and families by addressing challenges related to poverty, family instability, poor health, drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, and more.
We support the healthy social, emotional, and mental development of children in safe and stable families and nurturing communities. We do this through public education and contracts with community organizations that provide services to children, youth, and families, and by promoting decisions and actions that improve the environments where children and families live.
We also help communities develop and improve prevention programs to strengthen families so they can live better lives. This can mean families don't get involved with CPS and their kids stay in school, avoid risky behavior, and don't get in trouble with the law. We make prevention services available at no charge. Some of these services are available statewide. Others are only available in some areas of the state. You can search for programs available in your county under Prevention Services on the DFPS Website.
Our Office of Child Safety focuses on programs that work to reduce fatal and serious child abuse. This office does critical case reviews, examines data and trends, and works with other agencies to provide a safety network across Texas. The Office of Child Safety develops recommendations and brings together non-profit, private sector, and government programs that reduce child abuse and neglect fatalities.