General · Texas behavioral health news
State asks to continue monitoring Dallas-area foster care contractor until August
Texas Tribune – Health · By Terri Langford and Stephen Simpson · March 18, 2026
In plain language
Texas officials have asked to extend state control over EMPOWER, a private foster care contractor serving Dallas and surrounding counties. This extension follows safety concerns and the deaths of two children who were under the agency's care. Government monitors will continue to oversee the organization through mid-August to ensure foster children are safe and receiving the proper case management services they need.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- A judge placed the Dallas-area contractor under state oversight after two children died and safety problems persisted.
- State officials found the private agency failed to properly document safety concerns and handle caseworker loads.
- The temporary state management was set to end in June but will now likely continue until August.
- The contractor serves children in nine Texas counties including Dallas, Collin, Rockwall, and Grayson.
- Texas is moving toward a community-based care model that uses private nonprofits for foster care management.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services logo found in a poster in the Child Protective Services office in Austin on Nov. 14, 2019. " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.texastribune.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20191114-Texas-DFPS-EG-23.jpg?fit=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" /> The state said EMPOWER needed more time to improve conditions after two children died under the contractor's care over the years. The post State asks to continue monitoring Dallas-area foster care contractor until August appeared first on The Texas Tribune.
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