Refrigerators without food and unclean hotels. Local activists claim that certain children across the state are subjected to these conditions while in the custody of Child Protective Services.
Now, campaigners who claim the CPS system is overburdened are taking matters into their own hands and seeking the public for assistance in their goal.
“We have children in foster care who are staying in unlicensed hotels and renting unlicensed houses,” said activist Candice Matthews, who is organizing what she calls a much-needed initiative to build secure locations for Texas children seeking placement. “What’s happening is that we have a shortage of licensed foster homes,” she said.
She and other daycare activists argue that the issue is not a lack of funding in Texas.
“This is a fact: the state has spent more than $250 million housing foster children in dangerous, unregulated environments,” stated State Representative Ron Reynolds.
Matthews shared with us a horrific video, which she claims was recently sent to her by a child in CPS custody who was forced to live in deplorable conditions. She claims it’s only one of many examples of how the system fails children of color.
“Because out of 100 percent of kids that are in CPS custody about 96 percent are African American,” Matthews went on to say.
“You can’t be a pro-life state and ignore what happens to the child after birth. “You can’t force these moms to have these babies and then leave them with no resources when the baby arrives,” said Eugene Howard of Visionary Outreach and the Texas NAACP.
“These little children don’t get anywhere you can think of, or protection, if we don’t protect them then the question is who will?” Said David Jeremiah, Gloves Up, Guns Down.
Matthews is presently hosting a series of fundraisers.
“The funds will go directly to foster home development since the thing is, it will go to home studies, which requires more staff. “Stuff that is required to develop these homes,” she explained.
“We’ll do whatever it takes to get to our sponsors or whoever on time,” said Lynn Price, the owner of Turkey Leg Hut.
Matthews said she intends to organize monthly fundraisers throughout the remainder of the year. The first will take place Saturday, 1-3 p.m., at the Community of Faith church on Pinemont. The second will be held at the Turkey Leg Hut on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
When it came to seeking a response from the state, we contacted Child Protective Services, which is under the Department of Family and Protective Services. They sent us this statement:
“The safety and well-being of each adolescent is our priority as DFPS works tirelessly to reduce the number of children in temporary placements. In March 2021, the total was 271 youngsters; yesterday, it was 31 statewide. – Melissa Lanford, the DFPS spokesperson.