Foster care chief ups request for caseworker pay hikes
One day after lawmakers challenged his plans for retaining caseworkers, DFPS chief Hank Whitman asks for even more money to raise salaries. 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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![Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner Henry "Hank" Whitman waits to testify during a October 26, 2016 Senate Finance Committee hearing.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
"Beat on me," foster care chief tells lawmakers. And they do.
Hank Whitman, appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to fix the state's dangerous and dysfunctional foster care system, says he needs more money to get the job done. Some lawmakers aren't convinced. Full Story
![Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner Henry "Hank" Whitman waits to testify during a October 26, 2016 Senate Finance Committee hearing.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera -
Child Protective Services chief: We need 550 more caseworkers
“Texas children remain at risk," Department of Family and Protective Services Commissioner Hank Whitman wrote. "This is unacceptable." Full Story
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![Henry "Hank" Whitman, new head of the Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services and a former Texas Ranger, testifies July 12, 2016 to the House Committee on Human Services about his new vision for the troubled agency.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich/Texas Tribune -
When grandparents step in, state often doesn't help
Taking in grandchildren can keep them out of the state's foster care system, but Texas often doesn't help grandparents who step up to do it. Full Story
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![Grandmothers Mercedes Bristol (L) and Delia Martinez meet with with Ray Sauceda, district director for state Rep. Rick Galindo, R-San Antonio at the Divine Grace United Methodist Church in San Antonio on Oct. 19, 2016.]()
Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune -
State leaders order overhaul of Texas Child Protective Services
The governor's office has put the Department of Family and Protective Services on notice to come up with a plan to help foster children find home placements faster and seek out those facing abuse. Full Story
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Credit: Texas Tribune staff