General · Texas behavioral health news
Texas’ foster care system is more likely to move children away from their communities
Texas Tribune – Health · By By Terri Langford, DATA REPORTING BY Dan Keemahill · April 23, 2026
In plain language
Texas is increasingly moving foster children far from their home communities despite a multi-year effort to privatize the system and keep kids closer to home. Currently, about one in three foster children is sent to a different region, often because local communities lack specialized treatment beds for children with serious medical or behavioral needs. Many children from across the state are being sent to the Houston area, where there are more specialized facilities and providers. Advocates worry that being moved away from familiar schools and friends increases trauma and makes it harder for children to eventually reunite with their families.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- One in three Texas foster children is now placed in a region away from their home community.
- Out-of-region placements have increased from 22% in 2016 to 34% in 2025.
- The Houston area receives the most out-of-region children due to its higher concentration of specialized behavioral health services.
- New state laws mean children entering foster care today often have more intensive medical and trauma-related needs.
- Private contractors struggle to build local specialized facilities because of zoning issues and a shortage of foster homes.
- Moving children far from home can disrupt their progress and make it more difficult for caseworkers to monitor their care.
A map found in the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services office in Austin on Nov. 14, 2019. " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/www.texastribune.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Texas-DFPS-EG-25.jpg?fit=780%2C520&quality=89&ssl=1" /> In 2025, one in three children placed in foster care was sent to a different region, sometimes hundreds of miles away, a Texas Tribune analysis of state data shows. The post Texas’ foster care system is more likely to move children away from their communities appeared first on The Texas Tribune.
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