Family-Based Alternatives Evaluation

In Texas, there are over 1,400 children with disabilities living in institutions (state schools, intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded, nursing facilities, and institutions for the mentally retarded licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services). Research indicates these children typically do not return to their birth homes.

In 2001, the Texas legislature passed a bill, signed by the governor, increasing the requirements for permanency planning and directing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to contract for the development and implementation of a system of family-based alternatives in a 12-county region in Texas.

EveryChild, Inc. received this award and is contracting with the Texas Center for Disability Studies to conduct a qualitative evaluation of the model for family-based alternatives.
This will include analysis of data from birth families, support families, and service providers, and will be instrumental in expanding the system beyond the original 12 counties.