Join our panel of child welfare experts featuring Judge Delia Gonzales, Mercedes Bristol and Kerrie Judice for a discussion on:
- The state of kinship care in Texas
- Solutions to advocate for in the upcoming session
- How these solutions would be a game-changer for Texas’ over-capacitated foster care system
The research is clear. When children at various stages of CPS involvement are placed with relatives – who often step up to provide care – there are better outcomes. However, as it stands, relatives are not given the same support as other caregivers in Texas. This Session, Texas must ensure that every caregiver, no matter where the child is placed, has adequate support to meet the child’s needs.
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Event Details
Speakers
Kerrie Judice, LMSW
Child Protection Policy Manager
View BioKerrie advocates for smart, effective strategies to support children and families within the CPS system and reduce the number of children who are removed from their homes. Kerrie has dedicated her career to advocating for children and families in various roles, including working for CPS for eight years. She believes that we all have a responsibility to promote child welfare and safety, and she wants to see the CPS system work effectively for children and families.
Judge Delia Gonzales
Child Protection and Permanency Court
View BioIn 2019, Judge Gonzales was appointed as an Associate Judge to create and establish the Child Protection and Permanency Court in Dallas County through the Office of Court Administration. The goal of the Court is to work with youth who are in the foster care system to achieve positive outcomes as they exit foster care In 2020, Judge Gonzales was awarded the Texas CASA Judicial Innovation and Leadership Award. In 2021, Judge Gonzales was awarded the Ken Fuller Pro Bono award by the State Bar of Texas for her dedication and leadership to the youth that the Court serves. Judge Gonzales has spoken a various conferences including the Advanced Child Welfare Conference, Judicial Child Welfare Conference, and many Children’s Commission seminars. Judge Gonzales has built the foundation and fundamentals for the court to assist children who are in the permanent custody of CPS and has worked to help the youth in her court obtain positive permanency, enhance outcomes for youth in care and address wellbeing issues.
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