The Supreme Court of Texas established the Children's Commission in 2007 with the overall goal of improving the child welfare system by increasing public awareness of challenges facing children and families involved in the child welfare system and bringing attention to this important issue through judicial leadership, reforming judicial practice, and informing policy affecting child welfare.
New Video Series: Understanding the Roles in a CPS Case Videos & Handouts
Texas CASA partnered with the Children’s Commission to develop new resources to explain the role of the professionals involved in a child welfare case. Five handouts and accompanying videos are available in both English and Spanish about the role of:
- The Judge
- The Guardian ad Litem or CASA Volunteer
- The Attorney ad Litem
- The Parent’s Attorney
- The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Attorney
Handouts and videos are available on the TexasCASA website.
2022 Texas Child Welfare Law Bench Book & Bench Cards
The Children's Commission releases and maintains a Texas Child Welfare Law Bench Book (Bench Book) which outlines the state and federal statutory requirements, as well as topical sections, for judges handling child welfare cases. The Bench Cards provide high-level legal and topical information through at-a-glance, easy-to-use checklists that outline relevant laws at the various stages of a child welfare case as well as by topic (e.g., education).
Resources & Reports
Webcast: Children & Youth in Court: How Judges and Attorneys Can Prepare and Support Youth Attending Court
The Children’s Commission hosted a live webcast focused on the importance of youth voice and best practices for preparing a child client for a court appearance, including speaking with the judge about their needs and goals. The recorded webcast was approved for 1.0 hour of MCLE, with 0.25 hours of ethics credit.
