Statement on January 19, 2018 foster care ruling by Judge Janis Jack

Statement from Madeline McClure, CEO of TexProtects-Champions for Children, on today’s foster care ruling by Judge Janis Jack:

“This court ruling is decisive. It's time to stop litigating - Texas' foster children are in immediate need and immediate danger, and can no longer wait through further court battles. We believe that foster children have a substantive due process right to be free from unreasonable risk of harm.

“Abused and neglected children must have a foster system that protects them from further abuse and puts them in the most family-like setting possible. Most importantly, we must increase investment for proven prevention and support for kinship and biological families to keep children from ever needing a foster care system.

“We laud the work of the Legislature in last year’s legislative session. However, there is still much more to do. The court has provided a roadmap for needed fixes - now it's time to implement it. We must put the safety of our children first.”

Media inquiries: Lee Nichols, 512-796-9877