About the Children in Care
Where do they come from?
These children are in the care of The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services because they were found to be living in unsafe conditions or custody was given to the state by their parents.
 Many children are in the State’s care for a temporary period and return home when conditions are safe for them to do so. The collective mission is to keep families together as a healthy single unit whenever possible and every effort is made toward this goal before other options are considered.
For other children, returning to their biological family is not possible and adoption becomes the goal. Numerous studies have shown that all children are exponentially more likely to succeed with the support of a permanent, committed family.
Unfortunately, each year hundreds of Texas youth “age out” of the system on their eighteenth birthday. They often end up homeless, in legal trouble, or at-risk for further victimization. Their best hope is to connect with a mentor who will help them grow and learn as an adult. They need someone who will commit to their successful transition into adulthood and beyond.
| Permanency Goal for Children in State's Legal Care – FY 2008 |
| Adoption |
47.7% |
| Family Reunification |
28% |
| Long Term Living |
12% |
| Relative Placement |
6.6% |
| Independent Adult Living (Age Out) |
5.8% |
Demographics
The children and youth in the system originate from virtually every county in the state, come from a variety of social and economic backgrounds and are of every age and race. Some have behavioral issues resulting from their experiences of abuse or neglect. Some have medical needs, learning difficulties, or issues with trust. Some are taken from their mothers at birth while others are removed from their home along with multiple siblings.
| Demographics of Children in Texas Legal Care – FY 2008 |
| Age |
| 0 - 2 |
21.1%
|
| 3 - 5 |
14.5% |
| 6 - 9 |
17.9% |
| 10 - 13 |
18.0% |
| 14 - 17 |
25.6% |
| Over 17 |
3.0% |
| Gender |
| Male |
53.8% |
| Female |
46.2% |
| Ethnicity |
| Hispanic |
38.3% |
| African American |
29.7% |
| Anglo |
29.6% |
| Native American |
0.2% |
| Asian |
0.4% |
| Other |
1.7% |
| Demographics of Children Placed in Adoptive Homes – FY 2008 |
| Age |
| Under 1 |
2.1% |
1 - 5
|
58.5% |
| 6 - 12 |
31.9% |
| 13 & Older |
7.5% |
| Gender |
| Male |
50.6% |
| Female |
49.4% |
| Ethnicity |
| Hispanic |
40.4% |
| Anglo |
31.1% |
| African American |
25.8% |
| Asian |
0.2% |
| Native American |
0.2% |
| Other |
2.4% |
| Child Characteristics |
| No Special Characteristics |
63.8% |
| Emotional, Behavioral or Medical Condition |
36.2% |
|
