SJRC Texas to Lead Bexar County’s Foster Care Services

News Summary

SJRC Texas has been appointed to oversee foster care, adoption, and community services in Bexar County, taking over from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. This transition aims to improve support for nearly 2,500 children in care by focusing on community partnerships and family reunifications. CEO Tara Roussett emphasizes the importance of local support systems. The organization has already helped many families like the Englishs, who successfully adopted through SJRC. The new approach also includes initiatives for teens aging out of the system, highlighting a commitment to foster care reform.

Welcoming Change: SJRC Texas to Steer Bexar County’s Foster Care Services

In a significant shift, SJRC Texas has secured the position to oversee foster, adoption, and community care services in Bexar County. This transition marks a fresh chapter as SJRC Texas takes the helm, previously operating in 27 surrounding rural counties where it provided vital support to over 2,000 children since 2021.

The Transition Explained

Prior to this switch, the management of these essential services fell under the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Now, SJRC Texas is stepping into the spotlight to care for nearly 2,500 children in the county. While SJRC will lead case management, family reunifications, and fostering, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services will still manage child welfare investigations and removals.

CEO of SJRC Texas, Tara Roussett, has shared the organization’s eagerness to responsibly meet the needs of Bexar County residents. Her vision includes cultivating community support systems, enriching the domestic landscape for children in need.

Positive Experiences from the Community

Families like the Englishs have offered glowing testimonials, having fostered to adopt three boys through SJRC Texas. They’ve highlighted the importance of community partnerships for families navigating the foster system. These collaborations provide necessary resources and connections, enhancing the overall experience for foster children and their families.

As the English family discovered, the support from SJRC Texas extends beyond mere caregiving. Working alongside organizations like Chosen, families are provided with much-needed assistance, allowing them to thrive as they grow together.

Change in Response to Previous Tragedies

This announcement came during a solemn ceremony which honored five children lost to abuse or neglect within the past year. County and city officials have expressed a strong desire for change, aiming to prevent further heart-wrenching tragedies within the foster care system.

Roussett has indicated a focus on keeping local children as close to their homes as possible, avoiding the disruption of relocating them to distant areas. The community-based care approach initiated in 2017 has shown promise, aiming to improve the experiences of foster kids and ensure they remain connected to their communities.

A Closer Look at Community-Based Care

This approach emerged in response to disturbing reports about children living in hotels and several deaths occurring while in the care of the state in recent years. Expanding community-based care services statewide by 2029 is viewed as a crucial step towards creating a more humane and supportive environment for the youth in care.

Programs for Teens Aging Out of Care

Among the notable initiatives is the College Bound Docket, specially designed for teens aging out of foster care. Launched in 2019, this program has successfully assisted over 1,200 youth, equipping them with essential educational and job training resources. Many participants have benefited from mentorship and supportive guidance as they strive toward higher education.

Impressively, around 66 out of 81 graduates from the College Bound Docket have gained acceptance into colleges, shining a light on the effectiveness of community support in guiding young people towards success.

Stories of Hope and Determination

Among those who have experienced the positive impact of these programs are youth like Officer Miranda “MJ” Jones and DeAnne Roberts, who shared their inspiring stories and aspirations for futures filled with promise. Jeremiah Lockhart’s journey highlights the emotional significance of confirming forever homes, as he adopted his second cousins, showcasing the profound joy that can stem from securely placing children with families.

Yet, as Letty Lozano from Child Protective Services points out, many children still face long waits before finding their forever homes. With more children entering the Texas foster care system daily, there is a pressing need for dedicated foster families to step up and make a difference.

As Bexar County embarks on this transformative journey with SJRC Texas at its helm, there is hope that this new chapter will usher in a brighter future for all children in care.

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Additional Resources

• KSAT: Bexar County’s Foster Adoption Community System Under New Management
• News 4 San Antonio: Foster Care Oversight in Bexar County Transferred to SJRC
• Express News: Bexar County’s College Bound Docket for Foster Care
• KENS 5: Forever Family – Wrights Open Home for Foster Children
• Express News: Fostering Education Success in Bexar County
• Wikipedia: Foster Care
• Google Search: Bexar County Foster Care
• Google Scholar: Foster Care Improvement Bexar County
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Foster Care
• Google News: Bexar County Foster Care News