Mental health pilot program for Texas foster kids underway
A new pilot program led by Gov. Greg Abbott’s office aims to provide specialized care and services for 500 of the most emotionally traumatized foster children in Texas. Full Story
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Marissa Evans
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Marissa Evans reported on health and human services policy for the Tribune from 2016 to 2019. Before the Tribune she reported for CQ Roll Call in D.C., where she covered state legislatures and health care issues. Her reporting has appeared in Civil Eats, NBC BLK, Cosmo for Latinas, Kaiser Health News, The Seattle Times, The Washington Post, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Star Tribune and Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. She is a 2013 alumna of Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Past Contributions
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Child Protective Services funding gets final OK — with restrictions
A board of lawmakers has given final approval for $150 million in funding to help pull the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services out of its crisis mode — but there are strings attached. Full Story
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![Henry "Hank" Whitman, new head of the Dept. of Family and Protective Services, greets visitors to the House Committee on Human Services July 12, 2016 prior to his testimony on his vision for reform at the agency.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune -
Lawmakers on board with emergency funding for child protection
If the Legislative Budget Board signs off, $150 million in emergency funds may be headed to the embattled Department of Family and Protective Services. Full Story
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![Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner Hank Whitman testifies July 12, 2016, to the House Committee on Human Services about his plans to reform the agency.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Under Trump, new questions about mental health benefits in Texas
As Republicans prepare to dismantle Obamacare, mental health advocates are worried that benefits for counseling and substance abuse treatment will be lost in the shuffle. Full Story
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State officials hear more testimony on fetal remains rule
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission Wednesday took its second round of testimony on a controversial rule requiring burial or cremation of fetal remains. Full Story
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![Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, speaks to a reporter at the Department of State Health Services public hearing on fetal tissue remains on Nov. 9, 2016.]()
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Senate panel proposes $75.3 million to start fixing Child Protective Services
A workgroup of the Texas Senate Finance Committee was willing to give Child Protective Services caseworkers $12,000 raises but balked at hiring all the new workers Commissioner Hank Whitman requested. Full Story
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![Hank Whitman, former head of the Texas Rangers and new chief of the Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services, speaks to a guest at the House Committee on Human Services meeting July 12, 2016 prior to his plans for the troubled agency's future.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune -
Report says Child Protective Service workers are overloaded, urges overhaul
The long-awaited report comes almost a year after U.S. District Judge Janis Jack ruled that Texas’ long-term foster care system violated children's civil rights. Full Story
![Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner Hank Whitman testifies July 12, 2016, to the House Committee on Human Services about his plans to reform the agency.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Open enrollment for health insurance begins today in Texas
Texans signing up this year for health insurance under the federal Affordable Care Act may see higher costs but should also qualify for larger subsidies. Full Story
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Texas Public Policy Foundation begins new child welfare initiative
The conservative foundation intends to weigh in on the state's continuing struggle to take care of at-risk children. Full Story
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Texas continues to struggle with number of uninsured children
A new study finds that the rate of children in Texas without health insurance continues to fall, but the state still leads only Alaska in getting children covered. Full Story
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Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman