Maya Broaden-Knighten, Foster Care and Adoption Development (FAD) specialist with the Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS), brought us much information about the care she and her colleagues try to provide for the over 52,000 Texas children in the foster care system. First, the prospective foster parents must be US citizens or have a green card. They are then required to submit to a background check and provide references from family, work, and a variety of sources. They must be financially self-supporting and stable. Their homes are inspected for suitability and safety, and then they attend several weeks of training. Children are referred by teachers, neighbors, friends, coaches, etc. because of a concern about domestic violence, drug use, or abuse and neglect—usually via the phone hot line or the on-line website. An investigation follows within 24 hours and if something is wrong, an attempt is made to rectify it through group or family therapy and a safety plan. If that fails and the child/children (mostly 0-5 yrs old, but also older children and sibling groups) must be removed from the home, a search for other family members is made first, and then for a foster home as a last resort. Once placed, the child, usually suffering all kinds of trauma and possibly medical, learning and/or behavioral problems, is provided physical and psychological assessment and a care plan developed. A FAD case worker checks on the child monthly, more often if indicated. Links to other organizations help provide services to the children, and support DFPS programs with mentoring, donations, gifts to the Rainbow Room, and sponsoring special events. There is much more to learn about how Texas cares for its fragile children and we plan to have Maya return in the summer for an update and more information on how we can help.
Maya Broaden-Knighten is a native of Baton Rouge, LA by way of Nashville, TN. She has lived in the state of Texas for 5 years. She obtained her Bachelors of Social Work degree from Southern University A&M College located in Baton Rouge, LA in 1998. She’s used her degree in various work settings ranging from non-profit organizations to faith-based organizations. Mrs. Knighten has been working with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) for 5 years. In her role as a FAD worker Mrs. Knighten recruits, develops, verifies, monitors, and supports foster and adoptive homes that are licensed by DFPS as well as those seeking to become licensed with DFPS. She’s an active member in her church. In, her leisure time she enjoys spending time with family, hiking, watching the Food Network, cooking, reading, shopping and attending her sons’ lacrosse games.