Long-running lawsuit against Texas’ foster care system appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court

Lawyers representing foster children asked the high court to reinstate a contempt order against the state, and the judge who issued it.

by Eleanor Klibanoff, The Texas Tribune May 18, 2025June 23, 2025

Lawyers representing foster children asked the high court to reinstate a contempt order against the state, and the judge who issued it.

News

State’s move to bump federal judge from longtime foster care lawsuit caps years of battles

A federal judge has taken the Texas’ foster care system to task for 13 years. Reforms have been made. Now armed with private legal fire power, the state wants the judge off the case.

by Karen Brooks Harper, The Texas Tribune July 8, 2024May 18, 2025

News

Federal judge fines Texas child welfare agency $100K per day for foster care failures

It is the third time the state has been found in contempt over foster care conditions since 2011.

by Karen Brooks Harper, The Texas Tribune April 16, 2024February 12, 2025

News

Facing pressure from judge, Texas reassigns workers to care for foster kids in unlicensed homes

The move is designed to reduce some of the rotating overtime shifts expected of agency caseworkers at group homes and motels, which have been criticized as dangerous for the children who live there.

by Karen Brooks Harper, The Texas Tribune January 23, 2024April 16, 2024

News

Judge considers holding state in contempt a third time over foster care conditions

U.S. District Judge Janis Jack on Monday considers whether state’s foster care agency has made progress caring for most vulnerable children or should be held in contempt for the third time in an ongoing 2011 lawsuit.

by Karen Brooks Harper, The Texas Tribune December 5, 2023July 8, 2024