Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book

2024 version: As effective October 1, 2024

B. In Texas

In Texas, the issue of disproportionality and disparities is complex. DFPS data from FY 2023 show:

•   Statewide, compared to Anglo children, African American children are:

◦   1.9 times more likely to be reported,

◦   2.1 times more likely to be investigated, and

◦   1.8 times more likely to be removed.

•   Hispanic children had similar or better outcomes compared to Anglo children across many counties but not all counties statewide.

•   Most of the largest urban counties had some disparities for Hispanic children compared to Anglo children; however, it should be noted these disparities were less pronounced than the disparities observed for African American children.

•   Across the state, the overall rate of decline in child removals remains consistent with FY 22. Although all children were impacted by this decline, African American children were least impacted from the reduction in removals.[298]

After removal, African American children are less likely to reunify and, if reunification is ruled out, they wait longer for adoption than other populations. African American children are overrepresented in foster care, Anglo children are proportionately represented, and Hispanic children are underrepresented. However, most Hispanic children wait longer than Anglo children to be adopted.[299]

DFPS collects data at critical decision points in the CPS system by race and ethnicity to measure and understand the extent of disproportionality in the child welfare system. In 2022, DFPS established an Office of Addressing Disproportionality and Disparity with two State Disproportionality Managers and two program specialists who oversee efforts across all divisions of DFPS. The Office is tasked with providing support and training to DFPS staff as well as community partners to improve the response to disproportionality and disparate outcomes in child welfare cases. More information can be found on the DFPS webpage Disproportionality in Child Protective Services System including information on The Texas Model, Texas Community Engagement Model, and other CPS initiatives.[300]