I was honored to produced my first Q&A for the Standard's host David Brown. One of my favorite journalists and people, Emily DePrang stepped into the studio to talk about her recent story on Texas' medicaid cuts after the 84th Legislature.
Read MoreTexas Standard: Texas Foster Kids Could Benefit From Trauma-Informed Care
I was interviewed on the Texas Standard about my FIJ/Texas Observer article on the intersection of the Texas mental health and foster care systems.
Read MoreTexas Observer: Closing the Gap – Seeking Better Care for Foster Kids in Texas
Reyna Mondragon grips her hands together as she speaks into the microphone. The dimple on her left cheek shows up as she punctuates her words. It is a Wednesday morning in mid-March and she’s sitting at one of the Texas Capitol’s oak tables on the floor of the Senate chamber, where the Committee on Health and Human Services meets when the Senate isn’t in session. Lobbyists, reporters, legislative staffers and those here to testify stand against the brass railing or sit at senators’ desks.
Read MoreTexas Observer: Lawmakers Try to Bring Order to Disastrously Lax Foster Care Training System
This session, lawmakers are trying to fix one of the biggest gaps in the troubled foster care system: The training requirements for the majority of foster parents, kinship caregivers and adoptive parents are minimal, and the state doesn’t know how closely private placement agencies are adhering to the standards.
Read MoreTexas Observer: The State Considers Pausing Controversial Foster Care Reforms
Back in 2011, when Texas legislators announced their plan to improve the child welfare system through privatization, advocates expressed alarm. In 2013, after partial implementation of the plan, an even larger chorus begged lawmakers to slow the rollout until it became clear whether it would work. Now, as the Texas legislature convenes again, a new voice is calling for a halt: the House and Human Services Committee.
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