Agency Overview
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) provides protective and prevention services and processes reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children and adults who have disabilities or are 65 years of age or older. DFPS also regulated childcare in fiscal year 2017, but no longer does so. In FY 2017, DFPS accomplished this through six major programs:
- Statewide Intake
- Adult Protective Services
- Child Care Licensing
- Child Protective Services
- Special Investigations
- Prevention and Early Intervention
In FY 2017, DFPS was a part of the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) system and its commissioner was hired by the HHS executive commissioner. The DFPS commissioner oversees approximately 13,000 employees in 268 local offices located in 11 regions and a state headquarters in Austin. You can learn more about the agency at the DFPS website.
DFPS experienced major changes in FY 2017, which laid the groundwork for even greater changes in FY 2018 and beyond. The 85th Texas Legislature passed several laws that have already had a significant effect on DFPS.