Houston, TX – Texans Together proudly announces that it has entered Stage I Go Live of Community-Based Care, marking a significant step toward strengthening the child welfare system and improving outcomes for children and families in the region.
Community-Based Care is a model where local organizations work together to better support children and families, building a collaborative system that is responsive, transparent, and accountable so children in the community can thrive. Texans Together serves as the Lead Agency responsible for implementing these efforts across Harris County and the 12 surrounding counties.
Since being named Lead Agency for the 13-county area, the organization has worked alongside the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) and the Office of Community-Based Care Transition to prepare for Stage I Go Live – this includes building internal systems and procedures, hiring and training staff, cultivating partnerships with community organizations, and hosting town hall meetings to foster collaboration and encourage feedback.
While not a full implementation of Community-Based Care, Stage I Go Live is a significant milestone as it establishes operational readiness and ensures children and families receive uninterrupted, quality care as responsibilities begin to shift from the state to Texans Together. During this stage, Texans Together will work closely with DFPS staff and partner organizations to find supportive homes for children who are currently in care as well as those entering care in the region. Lastly, DFPS will closely monitor the organization’s early performance indicators, using data and feedback to refine processes in real time.
Jenifer Jarriel, CEO of DePelchin and Texans Together, comments: Community-Based Care represents one of the largest steps in [DePelchin’s] 134-year history, allowing us to positively impact thousands of children who need safe, loving homes to heal and grow. We are honored to take on this responsibility alongside the State of Texas and all of our valued community partners. In partnership, we look forward to building safety and well-being for the children and families in our community.
As Texans Together moves forward in Stage I, the organization remains focused on close coordination with DFPS staff, collaboration with care providers, and ensuring its processes best meet the needs of children and families across the region.
For more information, visit www.wearetexanstogether.org
About Texans Together
Texans Together, a nonprofit, serves as the lead agency for Community-Based Care across Harris County and 12 surrounding counties. Guided by a commitment to servant leadership, we work to unite the community around a shared vision for a stronger child welfare system.
Our focus is to transform child welfare into a model of family well-being—one that prioritizes prevention alongside intervention, fosters hope and resilience alongside trauma-informed care, and supports healthy families as the foundation for children to thrive.
Through collaboration with community partners, we are building a diverse, responsive network of organizations that tailor services to meet the unique needs of the children we serve.
Media Contact
Ashley Zustovich, Director of Marketing & Communications