Texas has announced changes to make it easier for relatives and close family friends to become foster parents. Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) have removed 195 administrative requirements, representing 75% of all such rules, in an effort to simplify the process for kinship foster families.
“Serving as a foster parent is an invaluable way to provide a loving home for a child,” said Governor Abbott. “When we eliminate burdensome and unnecessary rules and regulations so children can stay with their families through kinship foster care, we put those children on the best path forward. Texas will continue to prioritize children in need by removing bureaucratic red tape to keep them with their families.”
First Lady Cecilia Abbott emphasized the importance of supporting families: “When we work together to put children first, we see amazing things happen. By eliminating the hardships on Texas families who wish to foster a child, we can see families across the state stay together and provide care for their own. I thank all Texans and state agencies for working together to remove burdens and ensure every child in Texas has the opportunity to grow and flourish.”
HHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young highlighted how these changes help relatives become caregivers: “By removing unnecessary barriers, we’re helping Texans open their homes to relatives in need. These changes will give more children in foster care the opportunity to grow up in a familiar, loving environment.”
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Commissioner Audrey O’Neill explained the value of kinship placements: “Kinship families allow children in foster care to live with caring adults they know and trust. They enable a child to maintain their sense of identity and foster positive self-esteem while remaining connected to their families and communities.”
Kinship foster care allows children who cannot be cared for by their parents to stay with people they already know, which helps reduce trauma by keeping family bonds intact.
The move follows Senate Bill 593 from the 88th Texas Legislature, signed into law by Governor Abbott, which required HHSC and DFPS to review existing regulations for kinship foster homes.
After consulting with agencies, providers, parents, and advocates, HHSC decided which rules were necessary for safety while eliminating others deemed excessive. The streamlined regulations now focus housing inspections on health and environmental safety concerns; cut down training requirements; and require less paperwork regarding over-the-counter medications.
The Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office plans ongoing collaboration with HHSC, DFPS, and other agencies aimed at further reducing regulatory obstacles while maintaining transparency.
HHSC continues its role licensing child-placing agencies that verify standards are met in kinship homes. It also conducts background checks on household members within such homes as well as random annual inspections.
More information about childcare regulation is available on the HHS website, while details about kinship care can be found on the DFPS website. Residents may also dial 2-1-1 for information about available programs.
