Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is putting more scrutiny on the troubled Texas foster care system following the deaths of three children this year who were under state supervision.
Abbott on Wednesday ordered the Department of Family and Protective Services to enforce face-to-face visits between caseworkers and children and develop new screening methods for foster placement.
A 2-month-old in Dallas whose family was on the radar of state caseworkers was drowned in January. A teenager has been arrested in the child's death.
Nine children under state supervision died last year.
Some lawmakers are pushing changes that would require all prospective foster parents to take at least 35 hours of training. Abbott is also calling for more funding for the state's foster care program.
