TexasAppleseed.net

Project Timeline

October 7-9, 2012  Texas Appleseed co-sponsored a conference in Rockwall to address issues impacting children in long-term foster care.

May 2012  Texas Appleseed releases white paper focusing on outcomes, hearing practices, and court costs related to cases of children in long-term foster care.
White Paper

January 2011 Texas Appleseed publicly releases foster care findings and recommendations.
Improving the Lives of Children in Long-Term Foster Care: The Role of Texas' Courts & Legal System

November 2010 Texas Appleseed presents completed study to the Texas Supreme Court Commission for Children, Youth and Families.

August 2010 Texas Appleseed presents preliminary study findings and recommendations to the Commission for Children, Youth and Families.
Preliminary Findings

May 2009  Texas Appleseed helps pass legislation to assure that court oversight can continue after a child turns 18, if the child wants or needs it.

April 2009  Texas Appleseed release preliminary data on children in Permanent Managing Conservatorship in Texas.
Foster Care - Preliminary Data Analysis, April 2009

July 2008  Texas Appleseed publishes an overview of the foster care study commissioned by the Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families.

Foster Care Project Overview

Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilore, L.L.P. led the pro bono effort on this project involving than 60 attorneys from these firms and solo practices: Gunderson, Sharp & Walke, L.L.P.; Hunton & Williams LLP; Littler Mendelson P.C.; Nix, Patterson & Roach, L.L.P.; Perry & Kellogg, LLP; Sprouse Shader Smith P.C.; andThompson & Knight LLP.  We also are indebted to Research & Planning Consultants, LP, and to Tim Bishop, CLVS, with Legal Video Specialists.  Rees-Jones Foundation, The RGK Foundation, the Meadows Foundation, and the Texas Bar Foundation helped underwrite our foster care research and reporting.

January 2008  The Texas Supreme Court's new Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families asks Texas Appleseed to study and issue a formal report on how the courts and the legal system can improve life outcomes for foster children. Texas Appleseed Board Member Allan Van Fleet was named to this Commission, and Executive Director Rebecca Lightsey was named to the Commission's Collaborative Council of Advisors.

November 2007  Texas Appleseed testifies before the Texas Supreme Court on foster care needs and in support of the creation of a Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families (which was established in 2007).

September 2007  Working with pro bono partner Dewey & LeBoeuf, Texas Appleseed publishes a report on the status of foster care in Texas in the wake of the 2007 Texas legislative session.
Texas Foster Care: Current Issues, Reform Efforts & Remaining Problems
September 2007