Bill > HB1536

This bill establishes a rural community-based care pilot program in Texas designed to improve child welfare services in rural regions. The program allows the state's Department of Family and Protective Services to partner with a local nonprofit or government entity (called a "lead entity") to develop and implement a more community-focused approach to child welfare. The pilot program will be implemented in rural regions with predominantly small counties and will focus on providing comprehensive services including family preservation, case management, foster care, adoption support, and transition services for youth aging out of foster care. Key provisions include creating a community alliance to provide local stakeholder input, developing innovative funding models that account for rural service challenges, establishing workforce development strategies, and allowing the lead entity to request waivers from standard child welfare policies. An independent evaluator will assess the program's outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and community satisfaction, with mandatory reports to the legislature in 2027 and 2028. The pilot program is set to run until September 1, 2031, after which the legislature will review its effectiveness and decide whether to continue, modify, or end the program.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1536