Our organization hears from all over Texas how the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services leeches the lifeblood out of families.

        June 2nd we will have the opportunity to tell our side of the story.

        And you can too.

        Families come forth: this is a time to be seen and heard!

        As we have written in previous e-mails, Rep. Hupp's Select Interim Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care is examining various facets of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Her committee will meet on June 2nd at 10AM in room E1.010 to hear testimony regarding means by which the state may promote substitute care with relatives of a child who is removed from the home by Child Protective Services.

        We have a solution and we have been invited to testify.

        We invite all of you to join us in support of the right for parents to designate who will have custody of their children during a CPS investigation.

        Imagine a relative, perhaps the child's grandparent, or uncle, or aunt lovingly watching over your children during this stressful time instead of stranger care (foster care). Consider what a difference it would make to the child, the best interests of the child, to have familiar surroundings instead of being ripped apart from everything he ever knew.

        People associated with TCFR have been working on this issue for four years. We are ready to speak during the invited testimony.

        Would you join us?

        You could come simply in support of this proposal and fill out a form affirming so.

        Or, during public testimony you will have an opportunity to share briefly on your insights regarding substitute care with relatives rather than foster care.

        Either way, you will make a difference!

        For those speaking, testimony must specifically address this issue and you should be aware that the committee cannot get involved in specific cases. As the committee explains, "Feel free to reference your story, but please testify in regards to how the system can be improved to better serve the children in Texas."

        I would like to hear back from you if you can join us on June 2nd. Please feel free to bring others who have been hurt through the system. We know there are children and adults from all ethnic groups that have suffered at the hands of CPS. Perhaps your child is old enough to express in a few words the anguish of being ripped away from family.

        I will be devoting a significant amount of time between now and then toward our testimony. Nonetheless, I want to hear back from you if you or others can join us. We would like to know of you ahead of time to prepare a "Friends of Texas Center for Family Rights" nametag and to meet you personally if we already have not.

        Please keep this hearing in your prayers.

Respectfully,
Peter JohnstonPresident


Respectfully,
Peter Johnston
President