Abbott Plows More Money Into Bid to Halt Foster Kids From Being Bunked Down in CPS Offices

AUSTIN -- Gov Greg Abbott on Tuesday ordered the Texas' protective services agency to quickly spend about $3.5 million in a bid to halt abused children from sleeping in state office buildings.Abbott asked the Department of Family and Protective Services to rush the money out the door to provide placements for kids removed from their families but rejected by foster-care providers.Once again, an increasing number of children in Child Protective Services' custody are being forced to sleep in offices and hotels under 24-hour supervision by already-slammed CPS workers."The number of children still sleeping in state agency offices is unacceptable," Abbott said in a statement. "We must do better."The money -- nearly 90 percent of it, state funds -- would try to counteract the unwillingness of child placing agencies, residential treatment centers and emergency shelters to take in older youngsters with severe psychological maladies and sometimes chronic medical needs as well.The providers often cite fears the children could disrupt their operations and expose them to legal liability, even as state reimbursements in many cases don't cover costs."Ensuring safe placements for children in the state's care is a top priority, and I will continue to work with the Legislature, [department] and all stakeholders to provide safe and secure placements for those in need," the Republican governor said.  Continue reading...