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Video: Seeing An Unintended Consequence In CPS Law

Justin Dehn
/
Texas Tribune
For Angela Brown, a Dallas school teacher, home is not the same without her son. But she says it's not safe to have him around right now.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit the Department of Family and Protective Services from making a finding of "abuse" or "neglect" against a parent who surrenders parental rights to get a child mental health care.

They say there's an unintended consequence that punishes parents who are only trying to do what's best for their children.

Parents of children diagnosed with severe mental illness often find it difficult to get them the help they need.

Each year, some Texas parents actually sign over their parental rights to the state to get the kids access to intensive, long-term care through Child Protective Services.

The Texas Tribune's Alana Rocha reports that it’s a last resort that comes with a stiff consequence – one the Texas Legislature is working to amend.

In this video report, the Texas Tribune explores the issue, featuring a Dallas elementary school teacher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK-3wcjKlhg

Disclosure: The Hogg Foundation is part of the University of Texas at Austin, which is a corporate sponsor of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors can be viewed here.

The Texas Tribune provided this story.