Austin.YNN.com

Austin / Round Rock / San Marcos

Change region

  69º



**Click on the banner for an interactive timeline**

Foster care panel finalizes system redesign

After a year of discussing changes to the state's foster care model, 28 members of the Public Private Partnership gathered for the last time to formalize their recommendations.

Foster care panel finalizes system redesign

Updated 12/14/2010 09:41 AM

Systemic barriers keep foster children medicated

Part Three Despite a push by the state to decrease the use of psychotropics, children younger than the age of 2 are being prescribed anti-psychotics. We continue our look at why so many kids are heavily medicated, despite the state's efforts to bring down the numbers.

Systemic barriers keep foster children medicated

10/27/2010 11:15 AM

Tots to teens medicated under state foster care system

(Part Two) Despite a push by the state to decrease the use of psychotropics, children younger than the age of 2 are being prescribed anti-psychotics. We continue our look at why so many kids are heavily medicated, despite the state's efforts to bring down the numbers.

Tots to teens medicated under state foster care system

Updated 10/27/2010 10:15 AM

1 in 5 Texas foster children on psychotropics

(Part One) Earlier this year, we took an in-depth look at the state's foster care system. News 8 continues our effort to shed light on child welfare by turning our attention to how psychotropic drugs come into play. Those are powerful medications that change brain function. Child Protective Services is fighting an on-going battle to limit their use in foster children.

1 in 5 Texas foster children on psychotropics

Updated 10/26/2010 08:30 AM

Program would pay relatives to foster children

The Department of Family and Protective Services told lawmakers Thursday that Texas will try to get more relatives of abused and neglected children to take them in.

Program would pay relatives to foster children

05/14/2010 02:04 PM

Behind the scenes of 'Forever Families'

News 8 Austin and the Adoption Coalition of Texas have teamed up to put a face to their endeavor. Every Sunday, we air a segment called “Forever Families,” where we feature a foster child looking for their forever family.

Behind the scenes of 'Forever Families'

05/14/2010 03:02 PM

Experts, taxpayers work to redesign foster care

(Part 5)-- During our series, Broken Children, Broken System we invite you to explore a rare opportunity to redesign the Texas foster care system. A group of child welfare experts is trying to do the same right now, but success may not be possible without the support of tax payers.

Experts, taxpayers work to redesign foster care

Updated 05/14/2010 11:17 AM

36-year-old proves adoption dreams still come true

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Alice Held entered foster care at the age of three and a half, but she wasn’t adopted until she was 36.

36-year-old proves adoption dreams still come true

05/14/2010 02:26 PM

Youth unprepared for life after foster care

(Part 4)-- This week in our series: Broken Children, Broken System, News 8 puts Texas foster care under a microscope. One in 10 foster children in Texas leave state custody at the age of 18 with no family. In part four we’ll discuss how these kids try to make it on their own.

Youth unprepared for life after foster care

Updated 05/14/2010 10:17 AM

Baskets help equip youth for real world

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Every spring the Center for Child Protection puts on an effort called Project Graduation for anywhere between 80 and 100 youth aging out of the foster care system. These baskets help those aging out to get established in the community.

Baskets help equip youth for real world

Updated 05/14/2010 03:07 PM

The business of rehabilitating foster children

(Part 3)-- This week in our series: Broken Children, Broken System, News 8 puts Texas foster care under a microscope. In part three, we explore the system disincentives to rehabilitate children.

The business of rehabilitating foster children

Updated 05/12/2010 10:20 AM

Shuffling change in CPS through caseworkers

(Part 2)-- This week in our series: Broken Children, Broken System, we invite you to learn more about the system's challenges. In part two, we explore the role of the first person a child sees and attaches to when he leaves his parents - his caseworker.

Shuffling change in CPS through caseworkers

Updated 05/11/2010 07:02 AM

A judge's perspective on foster care

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Associate Judge John Hathaway for the Juvenile Justice and Travis County District Courts spoke to News 8 Austin about the role of the courts in the foster care system and his take on what the community can do to help these children.

A judge's perspective on foster care

Updated 05/14/2010 03:08 PM

Peeking into the life of a foster child

(Part 1)-- This week in our series: Broken Children, Broken System, News 8 puts Texas foster care under a microscope. We begin by introducing you to one young man and his difficult journey.

Peeking into the life of a foster child

Updated 05/11/2010 12:07 PM

Biography: Ryan Dollinger

Ryan Dollinger was born in March of 1987. He entered foster care in 1999.

Biography: Ryan Dollinger

Updated 05/10/2010 10:01 AM

Biography: Alice Held

At the age of three and a half, Alice Held entered foster care and lived in a children’s home for about six years.

Biography: Alice Held

Updated 05/11/2010 10:19 AM

Biography: Trista Miller

Trista was born in 1984. She entered foster care one week before her 12th birthday.

Biography: Trista Miller

Updated 05/10/2010 10:03 AM

Biography: Jarod Smith

Jarod Smith entered foster care when he was 10 years old. In 2009, Jarod aged out of foster care after having been through 35 foster homes, and became homeless.

Biography: Jarod Smith

Updated 05/10/2010 10:02 AM

Changes in Foster Care: A Timeline

This week in our series: Broken Children, Broken System, News 8 puts Texas foster care under a microscope. View a timeline of the changes in foster care.

Changes in Foster Care: A Timeline

05/10/2010 09:31 AM

Broken Children, Broken System: Series summary

Broken Children, Broken System is a five-part, in-depth investigation of Texas foster care. Learn about how your tax money is being used to care for the state's most vulnerable children.

Updated 05/10/2010 10:15 AM