# Texas ends court monitoring of foster care system

> Texas state officials argue $320 million spent on foster care reforms since 2019 means federal oversight should end.
- Title: Texas ends court monitoring of foster care system | Shortify
- Summary: Texas state officials argue $320 million spent on foster care reforms since 2019 means federal oversight should end. Texas claims $320 million spent on…
- Keywords: texas, foster care, dfps, hhsc, federal court monitoring, reforms, child abuse, news, local, ends, court, monitoring
- Source: Texastribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17501782/texas-foster-care-lawsuit-empower
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: texas, foster care, dfps, hhsc, federal court monitoring, reforms, child abuse, news, local
## State officials testify
Texas state officials testified Tuesday that over $320 million has been spent on court-ordered improvements to the foster care system since 2019.
## Reforms claimed permanent
Audrey O’Neill, commissioner of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, called reforms substantial and permanent.
## Funding breakdown
Of the $320 million spent since 2019, $66 million went to federal court monitors and $254 million to worker training and staffing.
## Private contractors used
About 61% of Texas foster care children are in the care of private companies since 2017 reforms.
## EMPOWER contractor terminated
Texas terminated EMPOWER, its largest private foster care contractor, after it failed to improve child care management in Dallas and seven other counties.
## Staffing issues persist
EMPOWER’s staffing problems continued after master caseworkers were sent to help, leading to a second child death in March.
## State legal team pushes for closure
State attorneys led by Allyson Ho have overturned contempt sanctions and removed the judge overseeing the case for antagonistic behavior.
## New center for youth
The state launched a $35 million Terrell Center for Youth to treat traumatized foster care youth with higher needs.
## Key takeaway

Texas claims $320 million spent on foster care reforms since 2019 proves the state no longer needs federal court monitoring for the system.