Children sleeping in CPS offices prohibited under new Texas law

Hundreds of kids in state custody in Texas have been bunking in Child Protective Services offices for months. That has to change but many question where the kids will go. New legislation signed by Gov. Greg Abbott prohibits kids from sleeping in CPS offices. The Texas Department of Family Health Services reported there were more than 300 kids sleeping in state offices in April.

Sheree Scott with Dallas non-profit Buckner International says hundreds of kids taken into protective custody are now with no place to go. They had been staying in CPS offices until the governor recently outlawed the practice with an unfunded mandate, leaving the state agency scrambling to find an alternative. Buckner reached out and took in eight children locally and 32 across the state. "It was only right that Buckner step up and lead the way so we can do our part," Scott said. Dallas CASA president and CEO Kathleen Lavalle said several factors created the shortage of beds for kids in foster care or the child welfare system. COVID-19 caused some foster families to no longer take placements. Eight residential treatment centers also closed in the state of Texas because either the license was suspended or they are under heightened monitoring as a result of pending lawsuits.