Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by each state for children who cannot live with their families. Children in foster care may live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents. Foster care can also refer to placement settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living.
In Texas, foster care is managed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), specifically through its division, Child Protective Services (CPS). Foster care is intended as a temporary arrangement for children who are unable to live with their biological families due to safety concerns, abuse, neglect, or other family issues. Children in foster care may be placed with relatives (known as kinship care), with licensed foster families, in group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, or in supervised independent living programs for older youth. The state of Texas emphasizes the importance of providing a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for children in foster care, with the ultimate goal of reuniting them with their families whenever possible. If reunification is not possible, other permanent solutions such as adoption may be pursued. The legal framework governing foster care in Texas includes state statutes and regulations that outline the responsibilities of the DFPS, the rights of children and parents, and the requirements for foster care providers.
