TexProtects' goal is to create broad-scale, systemic change via major public policy innovations of child protection systems and to leverage private funds with public funds to bring high-impact prevention solutions to scale.

In 2017, TexProtects became the Texas chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America.

What We Do

To achieve our mission, TexProtects engages in research, advocacy and education. TexProtects advocates for better policies, reforms and appropriate increases in federal, state and local funding for three priority areas:

1. Prevention: Increasing investment in proven child abuse prevention programs
2. Protection: Strengthening and reforming the CPS system
3. Healing: Ensuring victims receive adequate and accessible treatment

Research

Our data-driven, comprehensive research on the evidence-based prevention programs, the cost-benefit and return on investment of these programs, child protective services system, risk factors for child maltreatment and adverse outcomes for abused children guides our organization’s legislative agenda each session through policy recommendations.

Policy and Advocacy

Our research results are applied to our statewide advocacy efforts to help create systemic change through public policy innovations in the CPS system and to secure private and public funds for child abuse prevention programs and services for abused children. We lead three collaborations of experts and advocates in developing a consensus public policy agenda each session.

Education and Outreach

TexProtects has more than 10,000 advocates statewide that we educate on child abuse and neglect prevention, the consequences of maltreatment and how to advocate to their stakeholders. We keep our advocates informed through emails and advocacy alerts to educate them on emerging research and bring attention to issues or legislation affecting the protection of children. We provide presentations, webinars and other educational opportunities to our members at no cost.

Our Impact

Since 2004, TexProtects has assisted and/or led the passage of 46 bills that have improved the Child Protective Services system, and we have advocated for and secured $135 million for family support home visiting programs, which prevent child maltreatment and currently service over 21,000 families across Texas.

History

TexProtects developed from the Dallas-based Child Abuse Prevention Advocacy Commission (CAPAC), a group organized in 2000 along with Fort Worth members in response to the critical need for reform and funding for Region 3 Child Protective Services (CPS). At the time, Dallas and Fort Worth were experiencing the highest turnover rate of caseworkers in the state (46%), resulting in poor outcomes for children, including an increase in child deaths.

Commission members soon realized that DFW’s CPS problems were also issues statewide. Simultaneously, Prevent Child Abuse Texas (PCAT), an Austin-based 501C-3 statewide child abuse prevention education organization, also identified a need to expand its focus from prevention advocacy to include CPS reform. The Chair of CAPAC, Madeline McClure, also served on the Board of PCAT as Advocacy Chair. With her local and statewide role with CAPAC and PCAT, Madeline decided to lead a focused, statewide membership organization. In April 2004, TexProtects was founded as the Advocacy Division of Prevent Child Abuse Texas. After growing the organization to 9,200 members with offices in both Dallas and Austin, TexProtects took-over the operations of Prevent Child Abuse Texas in 2017.

TexProtects was created to tackle issues of CPS reform, prevention and public awareness to bring a collective, organized voice representing the needs of children at risk of abuse and survivors of child abuse and neglect. The organization is autonomous and nonpartisan, designed to educate decision makers, private funders and the public at large. To date, it is the only Texas organization with a dedicated focus on the issues of protection, prevention, and healing of abused and neglected children.