A new statewide program is offering free legal guidance and crisis support to Texas families when Child Protective Services begins an investigation.
SAN ANTONIO — A new statewide resource aims to help Texas parents navigate investigations by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Child Protective Services.
The Family Early Defense Network, launched this month, provides free legal guidance and crisis support to families as soon as CPS first makes contact.
The program is being run by legal aid offices across the state, including Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which serves the San Antonio area.
Advocates say the program is needed because many CPS investigations do not result in findings of abuse or neglect. Using data from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services from 2015 to 2024, legal aid officials say about 75% of investigations ended without those findings.
The network will connect families to child welfare attorneys through the Texas Legal Services Center Family Helpline, offering guidance from the moment CPS begins an investigation.
Legal aid leaders say the goal is to ensure families understand their rights and have support during a process that can sometimes take months or years.
“CPS is largely operating without oversight on the ground,” said Leila Blatt with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. “For the first time, we’re going to have a more systematic approach to having lawyers in those rooms to really watch what’s happening.”
The hotline is funded by a $14 million grant from the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and will run for three years, with the possibility of expanding if successful.
Families who qualify, generally those earning at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, can call the Family Helpline at 814-888-6565 for assistance.