More than two thousand people have quit jobs at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services this year, and now the agency is getting a new leader.
Jamie Masters became Commissioner of Family and Protective Services department in 2019. According to reports, the number of kids without placement increased from 50 in 2020 to 400 a year later with some staying in CPS offices and churches.
The Houston Chronicle reported that kids now average 18 nights in the organization's care, with 65 foster care operations closing in the past two years. More than a third have shut down for safety reasons.
A panel recommended more mental health services for kids and mobile crisis teams for families.
Governor Greg Abbott says Masters is now leaving the agency, and Stephanie Muth will take over in January. Kezeli Wold will serve as interim DFPS Commissioner until then, according to Abbott.
Muth is now a consultant and previously worked for the Texas Health and Human Services commission.
Governor Abbott says Muth will help Family and Protective Services shift away from foster care and toward community-based care and comply with court orders in current foster care litigation.
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