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, and substance abuse; 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.