Observation Study of Texas Dependency Hearings Released

November 11, 2013 | Adam Darnell, Senior Research Associate, Casey Family Programs

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Casey Family Programs, in partnership with the National Council for Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), recently completed a study of the quality of placement review hearings for youth in long-term foster care. In 2011, more than 30,000 youth were in the legal custody of the State of Texas; more than 40% had been in the system longer than a year, making them long-term wards of the state.[1] In Texas, placement review hearings are required every six months for youth in long-term foster care.

Casey Family Programs, in partnership with the National Council for Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), recently completed a study of the quality of placement review hearings for youth in long-term foster care. In 2011, more than 30,000 youth were in the legal custody of the State of Texas; more than 40% had been in the system longer than a year, making them long-term wards of the state.[1] In Texas, placement review hearings are required every six months for youth in long-term foster care. These hearings are a key opportunity for judges to spur progress toward permanency by cultivating collaboration and accountability between parties supporting the youth. Organizations such as NCJFCJ and Texas Appleseed have detailed best practices for these hearings.[2],[3],[4] The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which these best practices are implemented and to explore the relationship between quality hearing practices and permanency outcomes. 

Results from structured observations of hearings indicated that best practices—such as reviewing adoption efforts, engaging children in discussion, and focusing discussion on finding a permanent home—did not occur in a substantial number of hearings. In addition, preliminary exploration of the relationship between hearing practice and outcomes suggested that courts with better permanency outcomes from 2008 data tended to have higher-quality hearing practice in the present study. 

The study further indicates the need for judicial leadership in instituting high-quality hearing practice to improve outcomes for youth. It also establishes an approach and foundation for future research to identify the specific aspects of hearing practice that have the strongest effects on permanency outcomes. Further information on the study, including a brief infographic version of findings, an executive summary, and the full report, can be found here

Adam Darnell is a senior research associate at Casey Family Programs in Seattle, Washington, where he uses evaluation research to support initiatives aiming to prevent child maltreatment, promote the well-being of maltreated children, improve the quality of child welfare services, and support the development of an integrated system of child welfare services.


[1] Department of Family and Protective Services. (2011). DFPS data book. Retrieved from http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/documents/about/Data_Books_and_Annual_Reports/2011/DataBook11.pdf

[2] National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. (1995). Resource guidelines: Improving court practice in child abuse and neglect cases. NCJFCJ: Reno, NV. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/resguid.pdf

[3] National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. (2000). Adoption and permanency guidelines: Improving court practice in child abuse and neglect cases. NCJFCJ: Reno, NV. Retrieved from http://www.ncjfcj.org/sites/default/files/Adoption%20and%20Permanency%20Guidelines.pdf

[4] Texas Appleseed. (2010). Improving the lives of children in long-term foster care: The role of Texas’ courts & legal system. Retrieved from http://www.texasappleseed.net/images/stories/reports/FosterCare-rev_press.pdf