Supreme Court of Texas Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth, and Families

About Us

The Supreme Court of Texas established the Children’s Commission in 2007 as a statewide, multidisciplinary body that includes high-level membership from the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of Texas government, along with child welfare leaders in the public and private sectors. The Children's Commission administers Court Improvement Program (CIP) funds to assess current and future needs of the courts, provide a forum for meaningful collaboration, encourage continuous quality improvement, and promote best child welfare and court practices to improve the child welfare system. 

Structure

The Children's Commission is chaired by Supreme Court of Texas Senior Justice Debra Lehrmann. Justice Kyle Hawkins serves as Deputy Chair. Commissioners include judges, attorneys, Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) executive leadership, non-profit foundation and state bar leaders, legislators, persons with lived experience, and other child welfare stakeholders.

The Collaborative Council serves in an advisory capacity, with approximately 30 members at any given time. Council members include many child welfare stakeholders such as parent and child advocates; experts in related areas such as mental health, education, prevention, juvenile justice, substance abuse, and immigration; DFPS staff; child placing agencies; service providers; as well as child and family advocacy groups.

The Executive Committee meets on an ad hoc basis. There are four standing committees: Systems Improvement, Legal Practice & Process, Training, and Data. Each committee is chaired by a Commissioner and members are drawn from the Commission, Collaborative Council, and other stakeholders in the child welfare system. The Children’s Commission also hosts several committees and workgroups that include individuals with expertise in the subject matter area.

For additional information about the Children's Commission, please link below to the following categories: 

Commissioners

Committees

Collaborative Council

Jurists in Residence

Staff