Foster Texas, LLC

This standard was found deficient as part of a DFPS Investigation.

It was reported that a foster parent hit a child in care on the face.

When reviewing documentation and interview narratives, it was determined that the foster parents were not administering a child's medication consistently or timely.

When reviewing documentation and interview narratives, the foster parent admitted to updating medication logs weekly.

The foster parents were using phone privileges as a form of discipline when the child's weight would not increase.

A child did not receive follow up treatment that was recommended by a physician.

The agency did not provide support to the foster parents when they indicated they were stressed, and case manager indicated it was an inappropriate placement.

During the case review reading it was found that a child's service plan recommended individual therapy for the child. Interviews with the child's team confirmed that the child had only attended therapy two times in six months.

It was determined that a foster parent lacked self-control and pushed a child causing them to fall.

During the walkthrough of the home, 2 fire extinguisher were observed with tags that expired in 2022.

Medication logs for an infant in care had not been submitted to the operation since December 2022.

A child's file did not have record of medical appointments the child has attended since November 2022. The child reportedly has monthly medical visits with their primary care doctor.

The service plan did not include specific supervision requirements for two of two child files reviewed.

One child's record did not have record of immunizations or any reason why the child should be exempt from having immunizations.

A child in care was driven around in a vehicle while in the hatchback of the vehicle without a wearing a seatbelt.

A young child in care was left in a neglectful situation when caregivers left the child sleeping in a vehicle overnight.

It was identified during the course of this investigation that children in care were inappropriately touched by a foster parent and that a foster parent spanked a child in care. It was determined by DFPS this meets the definition for abuse.

The administrator at this operation is also an administrator at another child placing agency; however there does not appear to have been at staffing plan in place at the time of the administrator splitting duties between the two child placing agencies.

An employee was hired in November 2021 and did not have a drug test until March 2022. This employee has access to children.

It was identified during the course of this investigation that a firearm was accessible to a child in care, was later found in a child's bedroom, and this information wasn't reported to Residential Child Care Regulation. It was identified the caregiver was aware of the incident, but failed to report this information directly to the Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline.

It was identified a child's service plan required the child accompany the caregiver to and from the home, whenever the foster parent needs to leave the home. It was identified the caregiver left the home, to pick up another child, and failed to take this child along in accordance with the child's service plan.

Two child files did not have placement authroization forms giving Foster Texas caregivers/staff authorization to care for the children admitted to care.

Two child files did not have a signed child rights form.

Two child files did not have the required medical or dental documentation.