Texas Children's Commission

In this section

Resource Letter for Judges & Attorneys

The Children’s Commission publishes a Resource Letter to inform legal practitioners of training and scholarship opportunities and to relay pertinent child welfare-related information about emerging, relevant, and changing policy, laws, practice, and training opportunities. The Resource Letter is shared via email distribution on a near-weekly basis and posted below.

If you are interested in joining this list to receive the Resource Letter, please subscribe below:

Most Recent Letters

12/13/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Judicial Scholarships to 2025 NCJFCJ Conferences
12/10/2024: Now Available: Preserving the Record for Appeal Webinar
12/5/2024: 2024 Texas Child Welfare Law Bench Book Now Available
11/18/2024: November is National Adoption Month
10/31/2024: Domestic Violence Awareness and Related Webinar Now Available

Jurist in Residence: Letter for Judges

2024

12/13/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Judicial Scholarships to 2025 NCJFCJ Conferences
9/5/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification and Adoption of Foreign-Born Children: An Overview for State Court Judges
8/6/2024: Reminder, 2024 CWJC Registration Now Open
7/26/2024: Registration Now Open: 2024 Child Welfare Judges Conference
7/9/2024: Reminder: Identifying Child Sexual Exploitation: A Judicial Discussion
6/12/2024: Identifying Child Sexual Exploitation: A Judicial Discussion
3/12/2024: Save the Date: 2024 Child Welfare Judges Conference

2023

12/20/2023: Save the Date: 17th Annual Child Welfare Judges Conference October 21-23, 2024
11/13/23: Scholarships to Upcoming NCJFCJ Conferences
8/3/2023:Registration Now Open: Child Welfare Judges Conference October 23-25, 2023
7/10/2023: NCJFCJ Implementation Sites
6/12/2023: Reminder, Recommendations for Trial Skills Training Due June 16
5/31/2023: Trial Skills Training Participant Opportunity
4/28/2023: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 86th Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD
3/28/2023: Save the Date: Child Welfare Judges Conference October 23-25. 2023
3/9/2023: Resources for Developing or Enhancing Family Treatment Courts
1/9/2023: ICYMI: Scholarships Re-Opened for NCJFCJ Conference in Dallas Applications Due January 23rd

2022

12/7/2022: Virtual Reasonable Efforts Judicial Academy
12/1/2022: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity: NCJFCJ 2023 National Conference on Juvenile Justice in Dallas
11/8/2022: 2023 Child Welfare Judges Conference Save the Date
10/4/2022: Virtual Reasonable Efforts Judicial Academy December 15-16, 2022
8/22/2022: Reminder: Registration Open for 2022 Child Welfare Judges Conference
7/26/2022: Registration Now Open: 2022 Child Welfare Judges Conference
5/20/2022: Responding to the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Practical Tools and Takeaways for Judges
4/26/2022: Save the Date: Child Welfare Judges Conference Monday, October 24 - Wednesday, October 26, 2022
4/14/2022: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 85th Annual Conference in Reno, NV; application deadline is midnight, April 29, 2022.

2021

2020

12/1/2020: Registration Deadline Today for the “Day with the Department” Judicial Conference
11/17/2020: Featured Speakers on "Day with the Department" Judicial Conference
10/28/2020: 2020 Child Protection Law Bench Book Now Available
10/8/2020: Save the Date for Upcoming "Day with the Department" Judicial Conference
9/2/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Registration Now Open: 2020 Child Welfare Judges Conference
7/15/2020: Updated Save the Date for 2020 Annual Child Welfare Conference
7/6/2020: Reminder: Applications Due Tomorrow for Scholarships to NCJFCJ 83rd Annual Virtual Conference
6/29/2020: Announcing Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 83rd Annual Virtual Conference
5/18/2020: NCJFCJ Seeking Applications for Board of Directors
2/7/2020: Save the Date: 2020 Child Welfare Judges Conference
1/17/2020: Judicial Practices to Improve Permanency Outcomes

2019

9/19/19: Reminder: Live CPS-Related MCLE on Thursday, September 26, 2019
9/12/19: Announcing Live CPS-Related MCLE on Thursday, September 26, 2019
8/30/19: Save the Date! Upcoming MCLE Opportunities
8/28/19: Back to School 2019-2020
8/21/19: Update on the Status of ICWA in Texas
8/9/19: Learning Opportunity for Judges Who Hear CPS Cases Involving Infants and Toddlers
8/2/19: 2019 Child Protection Update: 86th Legislative Session
7/12/19: Reminder: Registration is Now Open for the 2019 Child Welfare Judges Conference
7/3/19: Children's Commission Webcast: 86th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
6/18/19: 2019 Child Welfare Judges Conference
6/13/19: Webinar on June 21, 2019: LGBTQ and Race Equity
5/24/19: Special Issue: Resources Related to Preventing and Addressing Domestic Child Sex Trafficking
5/21/19: Save the Date for Children's Commission Webcast: 86th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
5/2/19: Deadlines Extended: 2019 Summer Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys
4/26/19: Announcing Judicial Commission on Mental Health Jurist in Residence Resource Letter
4/18/19: Announcing 2019 Summer Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys
4/11/19: Save the Date: 2019 Child Welfare Judicial Conference
4/5/19: Texas Youth Permanency Study
3/29/19: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 82nd Annual Conference
3/15/19: Engaging Children and Youth in Court
3/5/19: Texas Board of Legal Specialization Announces Inaugural Child Welfare Law Specialists
2/14/19: Children's Commission Releases Report on Building a Trauma-Informed Child Welfare System: A Blueprint
2/5/19: Announcing 2019 Spring Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys
1/17/19: Upcoming Training on Family Drug Court, Child Welfare Information Study, Last Day to submit TST Applications
1/10/19: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Applications Extended to Thursday, January 17th
1/3/19: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Applications Due Thursday, January 10, 2019

2018

Resource Letters, by Date

2024

12/13/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Judicial Scholarships to 2025 NCJFCJ Conferences
12/10/2024: Now Available: Preserving the Record for Appeal Webinar
12/5/2024: 2024 Texas Child Welfare Law Bench Book Now Available
11/18/2024: November is National Adoption Month
10/31/2024: Domestic Violence Awareness and Related Webinar Now Available
10/10/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Trial Skills for Child Welfare Cases: Preserving the Record for Appeal
10/3/2024: TIDC Family Protection Representation Appointments Reporting Deadline is October 15, 2024
9/20/2024: We are hiring: Attorney Position Open at the Children's Commission
9/19/2024: Upcoming DV Webinar; New TIDC Website and Reporting Requirements
9/11/2024: ICMYI, Upcoming and Recent Webinars
9/5/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification and Adoption of Foreign-Born Children: An Overview for State Court Judges
8/29/2024: Educational Resources for the 2024-2025 School Year
8/27/2024: Now Available: 2024 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing the DFPS in Child Welfare Cases
8/14/2024: Webinar: Supporting School Aged Children in Care
8/1/2024: Scholarship Announcement: Civil Appellate Practice 101 Course
7/26/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Registration Now Open: 2024 Child Welfare Judges Conference
7/18/2024: Webinars: Mediation in Child Welfare; Handling Your First Child Welfare Appeal
7/12/2024: Youth SIM Mapping; Call for Family Representation Mentorship Program Applications
6/18/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Understanding the Federal Intersection with Key Texas Child Welfare Laws; Family Protection Representation Mentorship Announcement from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission
6/12/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Identifying Child Sexual Exploitation: A Judicial Discussion
6/10/2024: June is Reunification Month
6/7/2024: Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys to Summer Conferences
5/23/2024: Parent, Youth, and Young Adult Surveys from the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council
5/16/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Taking Your First Child Welfare Appeal
5/9/2024: May is National Foster Care Month
5/3/2024: Now Available: Representing Older Youth in Care Replay and Materials
4/23/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Mandamus in Child Welfare Cases
4/18/2024: Now Available: 2024 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children in Child Welfare Cases
4/16/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Taking Your First Child Welfare Appeal
4/12/2024: New Online Report on Trauma-Informed Courts Project
4/11/2024: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
4/10/2024: Trial Skills Contested Hearing Practices Deadline; Upcoming Webinar - Representing Older Youth in Care
4/3/2024: Attorney Scholarships to TexasBarCLE's Handling Youth First (or Next) Civil Appeal Webcast Replay
3/28/2024: Upcoming Children's Commission Webinar: Representing Older Youth in Care
3/26/2024: Trial Skills Training Opportunity: Fall 2024 Contested Hearing Practices Pilot
3/12/2024, Jurist in Residence Letter: Save the Date: 2024 Child Welfare Judges Conference
2/29/2024: Upcoming Webinar and ICYMI
2/14/2024: February is Youth Leadership Month
2/9/2024: Attorney Scholarship to TexasBarCLE's 101 and Advanced Child Protection Law Course
2/9/2024: New Video Series for Child Welfare Attorney Outreach
2/1/2024: Rescheduled: Navigating the Transition from Trial to Appellate Counsel
1/10/2024: Reminder, Upcoming Webinar: Navigating the Transition from Trial to Appellate Counsel
1/9/2024: Reminder: Scholarship Deadline to Attend the ABA Conferences
1/5/2024: January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month

2023

12/20/2023: Save the Date: 17th Annual Child Welfare Judges Conference October 21-23, 2024
12/19/2023: Announcing Scholarships to ABA Center on Children and the Law's National Conferences
12/13/2023: 2023 Texas Child Welfare Bench Book Now Available Online
12/8/23: Upcoming Webinar: Navigating the Transition from Trial to Appellate Counsel; Trial Skills Replay and Materials Now Available
11/13/23, Jurist in Residence Letter: Scholarships to Upcoming NCJFCJ Conferences
11/9/2023: November Celebrates Adoptions and Pathways to Permanency
10/27/2023: Now Available and Upcoming Webinars
10/26/2023: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
10/11/2023: New Court-Attorney Requirement
10/4/2023: New Rules from the Administration for Children and Families Focus on Support and Resources for Children and Families
9/21/2023: The Importance of Kinship Care
9/14/2023: Now Available: Trauma History and Psychotropic Medications: What Judges and Attorneys Need to Know Replay and Materials
9/12/2023: Children's Commission Webcast: Enhancing the Experience for Parents Involved in Child Welfare Cases
9/1/2023: New Legislation Effective Today
8/29/2023: Now Available: Reevaluating Reasonable Efforts Findings Replay and Materials
8/22/2023: Educational Resources for the 2023-2024 School Year
8/16/2023: Register Now: Trauma History and Psychotropic Medication: What Judges and Attorneys Need to Know
8/9/2023: New Online Training Course on Reporting Child Abuse
8/3/2023, Jurist in Residence: Registration Now Open: Child Welfare Judges Conference October 23-25, 2023
7/31/2023: Upcoming Webinars: Reasonable Efforts, Psychotropic Medication
7/21/2023: Now Available: 88th Legislative Session Update Replay, Materials, and Report
7/11/2023: Reminder: Upcoming Legislative Update; Job Opening at the Children's Commission
7/10/2023: NCJFCJ Implementation Sites
7/7/2023: ICYMI: Recorded MCLE Webinars Now Available Online
7/6/2023: DFPS Listening Session on Behavioral Health Services
6/30/2023: U.S. Supreme Court Upholds the Indian Child Welfare Act
6/22/2023: Webinar: 88th Regular Legislative Session Update
6/14/2023: June is Reunification Month
5/31/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: Trial Skills Training Participant Opportunity
5/22/2023: Reminder, Scholarship Applications Due Friday, May 26
5/18/2023: May is National Foster Care Month
5/11/2023: Judicial and Attorney Scholarships for the NACC 46th National Child Welfare Law Conference
5/4/2023: Attorney Scholarships for TexasBarCLE's Child Abuse and Neglect Workshop
5/1/2023: Announcement: TNOYS 40th Annual Conference
4/28/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 86th Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD
4/24/2023: Upcoming Webinar: Overview of Treatment Foster Family Care
4/12/2023: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
3/28/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: Save the Date: Child Welfare Judges Conference October 23-25. 2023
3/23/2023: Reminder Fall 2023 TST Application Deadline
3/14/2023: Identification Documents for Youth in Foster Care
3/9/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: Resources for Developing or Enhancing Family Treatment Courts
3/8/2023: TBLS Now Accepting Applications for Board Certification in Child Welfare Law for 2023
3/7/2023: Trial Skills Training Opportunity
2/23:2023: New Resources! School of Origin, Incarcerated Parents Poster
2/21/23: New Videos for Families Involved in the Child Welfare System
2/13/23: Reminder: Apply by 5:00 p.m. this Wednesday, February 15th Attorney Scholarships to Child Protection Law Courses
2/8/2023: Attorney Scholarships to TexasBarCLE's 101 and Advanced Child Protection Law Courses
1/27/2023: Scholarships for Attorneys Representing DFPS to TDCAA’s 2023 Crimes Against Children Conference
1/9/2023, Jurist in Residence Letter: ICYMI: Scholarships Re-Opened for NCJFCJ Conference in Dallas Applications Due January 23rd
1/9/2023: January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month
1/5/2023: New Report on Child Welfare Representation from Texas Indigent Defense Commission

2022

12/9/2022: Behavioral Health Resources from DFPS
12/7/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Virtual Reasonable Efforts Judicial Academy
12/6/2022: Proposed Rule on the Use of Restraints in Juvenile Court
12/1/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Judicial Scholarship Opportunity: NCJFCJ 2023 National Conference on Juvenile Justice in Dallas
11/30/2022: Scholarship Opportunity for Attorneys Representing DFPS: TDCAA Fundamentals of Child Welfare Law Online Course
11/29/2022: A Culture of Kin: Texas Kinship Steering Committee Workgroups Recommendations Report
11/18/2022: Now Available on LawBox: 2022 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing the Department of Family and Protective Services in Child Welfare Cases
11/17/2022: Celebrating Adoption Month in November
11/8/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: 2023 Child Welfare Judges Conference Save the Date
11/3/2022: 2022 Child Welfare Law Bench Book Available Online
10/31/2022: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
10/27/2022: Recorded Webcast Now Online: Youth in Court
10/17/2022: New Resources Now Available
10/6/2022: National Survey on Virtual Child Welfare Hearings
10/4/2022: Recently Released Reports on Senate Bill (SB) 1578, Children's Mental Health, and SB 1575
10/4/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Virtual Reasonable Efforts Judicial Academy December 15-16, 2022
9/29/2022: Enhancing the Experience of Children & Youth in Court: How Judges and Attorneys Can Prepare and Support Youth Attending Court
9/16/2022: The Importance of Kinship Care
8/29/2022: Resources for the 2022-2023 School Year
8/8/2022: Extra Pandemic Funds Available until August 31, 2022 for Current and Aged Out Foster Youth
7/26/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Registration Now Open: 2022 Child Welfare Judges Conference
6/30/2022: Reminder: Scholarship Application Deadline Friday, July 1
6/21/2022: Application Deadline Extended: Attorney Scholarships for TexasBarCLE’s Child Abuse and Neglect Workshop
6/14/2022: June is National Reunification Month
6/2/2022: “Overview of Qualified Residential Treatment Program Legal Requirements” Recorded Webcast Now Available; Now Available on LawBox: 2022 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children in Child Welfare Cases
6/1/2022: Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys to Summer Conferences
5/20/2022, Jurist in Residence Letter: Responding to the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Practical Tools and Takeaways for Judges
5/16/2022: Trial Skills Training Application Deadline Extended to Friday, May 27th
5/9/2022: May is National Foster Care Month
4/28/2022: Upcoming Educational Opportunities: In-Person Trial Skills; Webcast: Overview of QRTP Legal Requirements
4/26/2022: Jurist in Residence Letter: Save the Date: Child Welfare Judges Conference Monday, October 24 - Wednesday, October 26, 2022
4/14/2022: Jurist in Residence Letter, Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 85th Annual Conference in Reno, NV
4/8/2022: New Education Resources: Updated Foster Care and Student Success Guide
and New Top 10 "Things to Know" Lists
4/5/2022: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
4/1/2022: Child Welfare Case Primer Webcast Replay
3/25/2022: Now Available: 2022 Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children in Child Welfare Cases
2/28/2022: TBLS Now Accepting Applications for Board Certification in Child Welfare Law for 2022; Update on CWLS Certification
2/25/2022: Scholarship Opportunity for TexasBarCLE’s 4th Annual Advanced Child Protection Law Course
2/22/22: Children’s Commission Webcast: Child Welfare Case Primer: Statutory Hearings and Current Issues
2/4/2022: New Resources: Attorney Ad Litem Coloring Book Now Available in Spanish and English; Eighth Edition of the "Aging Out" Guide
2/2/2022: New Resource – Normalcy Matters: A Guide to Supporting Children & Youth in Texas Foster Care
1/31/2022: "The Texas Response to the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children" Webinar Replay
1/14/2022: NACC Publishes New Recommendations for Legal Representation of Children and Youth in Neglect and Abuse Proceedings
1/12/2022: Announcing Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys to ABA Center on Children and the Law’s National Conferences
1/11/2022: 2022 Human Trafficking Prevention Month
1/4/2022: Spotlight on Child Sexual Exploitation in January

2021

12/10/2021: New Publication: Dual Status Task Force Final Report
12/1/2021: Trial Skills Training Application Final Deadline is this Friday, December 3, 2021
11/19/2021: Archive Sessions for 2021 Child Welfare Judges Conference & Save the Date for 2022
11/18/2021: Spotlight on Adoption in November
11/16/2021: Interactive Trial Skills Training Application Deadline Extended to Friday, December 3, 2021
11/8/2021: November is Native American Heritage Month
11/4/2021: Spring 2022 Trial Skills Training Applications Due Next Friday, November 12, 2021
11/3/2021: NCJFCJ Survey of Judicial Officers regarding Families Impacted by Opioid Use Disorder and Substance Use Disorder
11/1/2021: New Publications: Attorney Ad Litem Coloring Book and Updated Child Protection Law Bench Book
10/29/2021: NSCS Summit on Virtual Child Welfare Hearings and Webinar on Multidisciplinary Legal Representation
10/21/2021: Trial Skills Training Opportunity
10/20/2021: Effective Now: Changes to Policy 2400 of the Child Protective Services Handbook
10/13/2021: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
10/6/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, 2021 Child Welfare Judges Conference Update
10/1/2021: Preserving Family Connections through Kinship Care
9/16/2021: 2021 Texas ICWA Summit Replay and Materials Now Available
9/10/2021: September is National Suicide Prevention Month
9/1/2021: 87^th Regular Legislative Session September 1^st Effective Dates
8/27/2021: Back to School Reminders for 2021-2022 School Year
8/13/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Registration Now Open: 2021 Child Welfare Judges Conference
8/5/2021: 87th Legislative Session Archived Webcast, Related Program Materials, and Report
8/3/2021: Emergency Rental Assistance Available
7/30/2021: Judicial Trauma Institute Replay and Materials Now Available
7/23/2021: Young Adult Pandemic Aid (PanAid) for Older Texas Youth
7/21/2021: Reminder: Children's Commission Webcast 87th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
7/13/2021: NACC Invites Comments on Draft Recommendations for Legal Representation of Children and Youth
7/7/2021: Reminder: July 30th Deadline for Fiscal Year 2022 CIP Grant Applications
7/1/2021: Update on the Status of ICWA in Texas
6/29/2021: Effective July 1, 2021, DFPS will not file Non-Emergency Removals
6/28/2021: Reminder: Scholarship Applications Due this Friday, July 2 for TexasBarCLE one-day CAN Workshop and NACC 44th Annual Conference
6/28/2021: Children's Commission Webcast: 87th Legislative Session Update on CPS-Related Matters
6/18/2021: Announcing Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys to Summer Conferences
6/9/2021: National Reunification Month
6/3/2021: Announcing Release of Final Report of the Task Force on Court-Appointed Legal Representation
6/2/2021: Reminder: Applications Due Friday, June 4 for Judicial Scholarships to NCJFCJ's 84th Annual Conference in St. Louis
6/1/2021: Fiscal Year 2022 Court Improvement Program Grant Applications: June 1, 2021 - July 30, 2021
5/27/2021: Supreme Court of Texas 38th Emergency Order
5/26/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Family-Centered Justice Program Opportunity
5/21/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Save the Date: 2021 Child Welfare Judicial Conference
5/19/2021: CPS Webinar on The Asian Experience and Race Equity
5/17/2021: May is Foster Care Month
5/5/2021: Correction: Supporting Youth and Young Adults in Foster Care through the Pandemic
5/3/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Webinar on June 15: Judicial Discussion on Capacity
4/27/2021: Trial Skills Training Application Final Deadline Extended
4/20/2021: Announcing Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys to ABA's Virtual National Parent Representation Conference
4/15/2021: TBLS Child Welfare Law Specialization Application Deadline
4/12/2021: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
4/7/2021: Trial Skills Training Opportunity
3/24/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, National Quality Improvement Center on Family-Centered Reunification Implementation Sites and Information Webinar
3/12/2021: Trauma-Informed Texas Website; Archived Foster Care and Education Webinar; Mediation Round Table Report
3/8/2021: UTMB Survey on the Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Welfare
3/4/2021: Resources and Upcoming Training in the Aftermath of Winter Storm Uri
2/8/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, National CASA/GAL Seeking Nominations for Judicial Leadership Council
1/28/2021: Jurist in Residence Letter, Texas Juvenile Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Law Bench Book
1/13/2021: Registration Reminder: Texas Indian Child Welfare Act Summit
1/11/2021: Human Trafficking Prevention Month

2020

12/18/2020: 2021 Texas Indian Child Welfare Act Summit
12/15/2020: National Study on Remote Hearing Practices in Child Welfare Cases
12/1/2020: Registration Deadline Today for the “Day with the Department” Judicial Conference
11/19/2020: Highlighting ICWA During Native American Heritage Month
11/17/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Featured Speakers on "Day with the Department" Judicial Conference
11/13/2020: Spotlight on Adoption in November
11/6/2020: CPS Webinar on November 19: Someone Who Looks Like Me: Representation Within the Child Welfare System
10/30/2020: The Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Welfare
10/28/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: 2020 Child Protection Law Bench Book Now Available
10/22/2020: Dismissal Date Guidance for Child Protective Services Cases
10/8/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Save the Date for Upcoming "Day with the Department" Judicial Conference
10/1/2020: Casey Family Programs Special Report
9/24/2020: Back to School for the 2020-2021 School Year
9/22/2020: Supreme Court of Texas 26th Emergency Order and Office of Court Administration Guidance for All Court Proceedings During COVID-19 Pandemic
9/10/2020: Upcoming CPS Webinar on September 16th: LGBTQ and Race Equity Part II
9/2/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Registration Now Open: 2020 Child Welfare Judges Conference
8/31/2020: Now Available: Tool Kit for Attorneys Representing Parents and Children in Child Protection Cases
8/21/2020: Recordings Now Available from Ensuring Justice in Child Welfare Summit
8/7/2020: NCSC Free Virtual Child Welfare Summit on August 10-11. 2020
7/29/2020: Announcing Attorney Scholarships for Webcast Replays of TexasBarCLE's Child Abuse and Neglect Workshop
7/20/2020: Announcing Scholarship Opportunity for Child Welfare Judges and Attorneys to NACC 43rd National Child Welfare Law Virtual Conference
7/14/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Updated Save the Date for 2020 Annual Child Welfare Conference
7/6/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Reminder: Applications Due Tomorrow for Scholarships to NCJFCJ 83rd Annual Virtual Conference
6/29/2020: Jurist in Residence Letter: Announcing Judicial Scholarship Opportunity to NCJFCJ 83rd Annual Virtual Conference
6/25/2020: Health Insurance for Aged Out Foster Youth: Former Foster Care Children’s Medicaid
6/17/2020: New Texas CASA Resources and Upcoming Training
6/11/2020: Upcoming Webinar on June 17th: Domestic Violence and Race Equity: TWAIS
6/3/2020: Webcast on June 5, 2020 and Job Opening at Commission
5/29/2020: Register Now: Webcast on Benefits of Using Technology in Child Welfare Cases on June 5, 2020
5/21/2020: Benefits of Utilizing Technology in Child Welfare Cases
5/13/2020: Announcement regarding the Children’s Commission website, COVID-19 webpage and resource links
5/8/2020: Register Now: Webcast on Effective Advocacy in the Virtual CPS Courtroom on May 22nd
5/1/2020: Save the Date! Upcoming Webcast on Effective Advocacy in the Virtual CPS Courtroom
4/28/2020: Resources to Support Educational Success for Students in Foster Care During COVID-19
4/20/2020: Resources for Parents and Families Involved with CPS
4/14/2020: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
4/8/2020: Handling Sensitive or Protected Information in Child Protection Hearings; Interview of Child in Chambers
4/1/2020: Guidance for Services and Service Plans
3/25/2020: DFPS Issues Virtual Contact Guidelines for Caseworkers
3/23/2020: Current Suggested Best Practices for Family Visitation During the COVID-19 Crisis
3/20/2020: COVID-19 Resources Related to CPS Cases
3/19/2020: Supreme Court Emergency Orders Suspending Deadlines and Procedures
3/2/2020: DFPS News Release on Community-Based Care
2/19/2020: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Applications Extended to Friday, February 21^st
2/13/2020: MCLE on Essentials of Family Representation in CPS Cases Now Available in the TexasBarCLE Online Classroom
2/4/2020: Hands-on Trial Skills Training Opportunity
1/30/2020: Child Welfare Presentation: CIP Talks
1/23/2020: Resources Related to Preventing and Addressing Domestic Child Sex Trafficking
1/17/2020: Judicial Practices to Improve Permanency Outcomes

2019

Scholarship & Training Announcements

Current Scholarships and New Training Announcements

10/10/2024: Upcoming Webinar: Trial Skills for Child Welfare Cases: Preserving the Record for Appeal

2018

12/19/18 Hands-on Trial Skills Training Opportunity
12/7/18 Update on the status of ICWA in Texas (December 2018)
11/30/18 2018 Child Protection Law Bench Book
11/9/18 Update on the status of ICWA in Texas (November 2018)
10/3/18 The Education of Children & Youth Placed in Residential Treatment Round Table Report
9/26/18 New and Updated Education-Related Resources
9/12/18 2018 Study of Legal Representation in Child Protective Services Cases
9/7/18 CPS MCLE and Related Discounts
8/24/18 Back to School Reminders for 2018 - 2019
8/17/18 Save the Date: MCLE on CPS-Related Issues September 11, 2018
8/1/18 The Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program
7/13/18 Webinar: Kinship Care and Race Equity in Child Welfare
6/13/18 DFPS "3 in 30" Program Information and Implementation Schedule
5/24/18 Video Conferencing to Increase Family and Youth Engagement
5/17/18 Attorney and Judicial Scholarship Deadlines Extended
5/9/18 Resources Related to Cultural Competency and Reducing Disproportionality and Disparities
5/3/18 Scholarship Deadlines; TBLS Child Welfare Application Extension; TBLS Exam Fee Reimbursement; and DFPS Region 1 Community Meeting
4/24/18 TBLS Applications for Specialization Exam in Child Welfare Law Due April 30, 2018
4/19/18 Summer Scholarship Opportunities for Child Welfare Attorneys
3/22/18 Trial Skills Training Opportunity: July 2018
3/13/18 Legal Representation Survey
2/26/18 TBLS 2018 Specialization Exam in Child Welfare; Scholarship Opportunity for Inaugural CLE hosted by new Child Protection Law Section of the State Bar of Texas
2/23/18 Judicial Commission on Mental Health
2/2/18 Drug Court Grant Opportunity
1/30/18 NACC Conference Scholarships; New Child Protection Law Section
1/22/18 The Texas Response to Human Trafficking

2017

12/13/17 2017 Texas Child Protection Law Bench Book
12/1/17 Hearing Notification Service Update - Hearing Alerts by Text Message Now Available
11/3/17 Trial Skills MCLE Now Available in the TexasBar CLE Online Classroom
10/20/17 Website Update and Children's Commission Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary
9/29/17 MCLEs and Related Discounts
9/18/17 Webcast: MCLE on Trial Skills
9/8/17 Undocumented Caregivers in Texas
9/1/17 New Laws Effective September 1; Scholarships for 2017 Texas CASA Conference; 2017 Legislative Update Now Available Online
8/18/17 Education Considerations for the 2017 - 2018 School Year
7/23/17 Texas Higher Education Information and Resource Guide for Foster Care Liaisons
7/21/17 2017 Child Protection Judicial Update: 85th Legislative Session
7/14/17 Child Protection Legislative Update: 85th Legislative Session Webcast
6/16/17 Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS) Child Welfare Law Certification Exam
5/12/17 Best Practices for Residential Interventions for Youth and their Families: A Resource Guide for Judges and Legal Partners with Involvement in the Children's Dependency Court System
4/21/17 Texas Health Steps Medical Checkup
4/7/17 New Education Guides:
Transition Planning in CPS and Special Education - Encouraging Coordination and Collaboration to Promote Better Outcomes;
Clarifying Confidentiality: New Guidance on Sharing Information about the Education of Children and Youth in Foster Care
3/31/17 ICWA Quick Reference Tools for State Courts
3/16/17 Current and Upcoming MCLEs on CPS-related Issues
3/3/17 Homeless Youth Handbook
2/10/17 American Bar Association (ABA) Resources: Upcoming Conferences and Free MCLE
2/3/17 Resources for Parent and Parent Advocates: The Family Helpline and Spanish Version of the Children's Commission's Parent Resource Guide
1/27/17 Every Student Succeeds Act Update (December 2016)
1/13/17 Free ABA Teleconference: Youth Transitioning from Foster Care to Adulthood

2016

2015

12/29/15 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA 2015)
11/30/15 Extended Health Care Benefits for Former Foster Youth
11/30/15 New Data Available on Education Outcomes for Texas Foster Youth
9/15/15 Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment for Foster Children 2015
9/4/15 Parental Child Safety Placements, or PCSPs
8/3/15 84th Session Legislative Update
1/22/15 Foster Care and Human Trafficking

2014

11/17/14 DFPS Transformation Report and Suggested Statutory Changes
9/8/14 Information about Youth Sex Offenders
6/21/14 Unaccompanied Alien Children
5/30/14 Texas Child Protection Specialty Courts
5/8/14 Why It's Important to Consider the Indian Child Welfare Act
2/4/14 Education Decision-Making in CPS cases and the New Form 2085-E
1/24/14 Medical Consenter Training

2013

12/16/13 Family Visitation in CPS Cases
10/28/13 Legislative Changes Regarding Medical Care for Foster Youth
9/10/13 Back to School - Legislation and Resources to Help Improve Education Outcomes of Students in Foster Care
8/14/13 Opiate and Opioid Dependency of Pregnant and Nursing Women
7/30/13 Federal Requirements Regarding Specificity in Court Orders
3/22/13 Guide for Fathers in CPS cases
1/18/13 Permanency Summit Follow-up
1/3/13 Texas Mounts Efforts to Improve Educational Outcomes of Children and Youth in Foster Care

2012

2011

2010

2009

11/10/09 STAR Health & Psychotropic Medications