Texas Review Recommends New Foster Care Spending Reporting As Community-Based Care Expands

The average number of Texas children and youth in state custody without a placement declined from 90 per night in 2022 to fewer than 15 per night during the first quarter of 2026, while annual costs associated with housing and supervising these children declined from about $50 million to about $20 million. However, a Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB) review found that the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) does not regularly report these costs to the legislature and recommended new semiannual reporting requirements. The LBB also called for greater transparency into foster care spending by the private . . .