WFAA has reported on several issues involving EMPOWER’s leadership in the region.

DALLAS COUNTY, Texas — The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) filed a request for a court to consider tapping a third-party entity to take over foster care case management in nine North Texas counties on Monday. 

It’s been just more than three years since DFPS awarded a contract to EMPOWER to oversee case management for foster children in Dallas, Collin, Ellis, Rockwall, Grayson, Fannin, Navarro, Hunt and Kaufman counties. These counties make up Region 3E, or Metroplex East, in the department’s geographic map. 

Once DFPS investigates and determines it is necessary to remove a child from their home, it has been EMPOWER’s responsibility to assign each child a caseworker, find safe placements for each child and maintain oversight of their safety since fully taking over case management in March 2024.  It’s part of what DFPS calls community-based care (CBC), a statewide model to contract private groups to manage foster care throughout Texas on a regional level. 

WFAA has reported on several issues involving EMPOWER’s leadership in the region, including high staff turnover and complaints from current and former employees concerning the treatment of children in the state’s care. 

During the last legislative session, Texas lawmakers passed multiple pieces of legislation aimed at creating more transparency and accountability for CBC throughout the state. Notably, the lawmakers responsible for pushing a bulk of that legislation through, including the law that allows for DFPS to file a request for receivership like it did on Monday, represent areas in the North Texas counties served by EMPOWER. 

In a statement, DFPS said: “After careful assessment, DFPS has taken the proactive step of filing a request with the court to appoint a receiver over EMPOWER operations in the Metroplex East Community-Based Care catchment area. The region includes Dallas, Collin, and seven surrounding counties. This step is authorized under Texas state law (Texas Family Code Subchapter B-2 Sec. 264.191).

“Receivership is a constructive, court-guided process designed to strengthen operations, provide targeted support, and build a solid plan to keep services running smoothly, helping to ensure safety and support for children and families in the region. A court decision is expected within five days of the filing.

“The safety and well-being of every child in our care is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to working closely with our partners and community stakeholders throughout this process to make sure the vital work of protecting children and supporting families continues, and improves, every step of the way.”

Additionally, WFAA obtained a copy of the announcement sent out to DFPS employees on Monday afternoon that read in part: “CBC is a critical part of how Texas serves children and families. Strong oversight is essential to making the model work well. When concerns arise, DFPS must act to address them so that children remain safe, services remain stable, and our community partners have the support needed to succeed.”

WFAA also reached out to EMPOWER’s parent company, Kansas-based Texas Family Initiative, which said in a statement: “EMPOWER is assessing the current information. As always, our number one priority is the safety and well-being of the children and families we serve. We will continue to work cooperatively and transparently with DFPS throughout this process.”

DFPS confirmed Monday’s request was filed in Dallas County and that the court’s decision is expected in the next five days.