Opinion ID: 539192
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: texas' adoption program

Text: 7 In order to adequately scrutinize the Griffiths' allegations, it is important to understand Texas' statutory framework regulating the supervision and placement of children. 8 Appellee Marlin Johnston is the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS), a state-created agency designed to implement Texas' human welfare programs. Tex.Hum.Res.Code Ann. Secs. 21.004, 22.001 (Vernon 1980 & Supp.1990). Commissioner Johnston exercises all rights, powers, and duties conferred by law on the department, unless the legislature delegates the duty to the Texas Board of Human Resources. Tex.Hum.Res.Code Ann. Sec. 21.004(a) (Vernon Supp.1990). The Board appoints the commissioner, and adopts policies and rules to govern the department's activities. Tex.Hum.Res.Code Ann. Secs. 21.003(a), 21.004(b) (Vernon Supp.1990). 9 Among the many duties carried out by TDHS, the department promote[s] the enforcement of all laws for the protection of dependent, neglected, and delinquent children and children who have no presumed father. Tex.Hum.Res.Code Ann. Sec. 41.001 (Vernon Supp.1990). This mandate authorizes TDHS to bring a suit in state court to terminate the natural parent-child relationship, and to have the state appointed as managing conservator for the child. 2 Tex.Fam.Code Ann. Secs. 11.01 et seq., 15.02, 15.05(b), 14.01(a), (c) (Vernon 1986 & Supp.1990). 10 Where a court has appointed Texas as managing conservator, the state must provide the child with clothing, food, shelter and education, as well as care, control, protection, moral and religious training, and reasonable discipline. 2 Tex.Fam.Code Ann. Sec. 14.02(b) (Vernon 1986 & Supp.1990). The statute also empowers the state to consent to medical, psychiatric, and surgical treatment on behalf of the child. 2 Tex.Fam.Code Ann. Sec. 14.02(b)(5) (Vernon 1986 & Supp.1990). The state may employ and fund foster care as a temporary means to effectuate these statutory obligations. Tex.Hum.Res.Code Ann. Sec. 41.021 (Vernon 1980 & Supp.1990); 2 Tex.Fam.Code Ann. Secs. 18.01 et seq. (Vernon 1986 & Supp.1990). 11 Texas may also consent to the adoption of these children, after determining that the adoptive home fulfills the child's particular needs. 2 Tex.Fam.Code Ann. Sec. 14.02(b)(8) (Vernon 1986 & Supp.1990); 4-81 Texas Department of Human Resources, Minimal Standards For Child Placing Agencies Sec. 5300. Besides its traditional adoption programs, Texas administers a system designed to promote the adoption of hard-to-place children. Tex.Hum.Res.Code Ann. Sec. 47.002 (Vernon 1980). This program provides hard-to-place children who reside in foster homes at state or county expense with stable and secure permanent homes, while potentially reducing the costs paid by the state for foster care. Tex.Hum.Res.Code Ann. Sec. 47.002 (Vernon 1980). 12 Hard-to-place children include those who are three years old or older, those who are difficult to place because of age, race, color, ethnic background, language, or physical, mental, or emotional handicap, or those who are members of a sibling group that should be placed in the same home. Tex.Hum.Res.Code Ann. Sec. 47.001 (Vernon Supp.1990). To encourage adoption of these children, Texas informs prospective adoptive parents about their availability, assists the adoptive parents with the adoption process, and provides financial support to parents including medical fees, and maintenance fees up to the cost of foster care. Adoptive parents might also qualify for adoption assistance under the Federal Adoption Assistance Act. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 673(c). 13 Before placing a child for adoption under any program, TDHS must compile a report concerning the health, social, educational and genetic history of the child to be adopted, as well as any history of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. 2 Tex.Fam.Code Ann. Secs. 16.032(a)-(e) (Vernon Supp.1990). The prospective adoptive parents and the court reviewing the adoption must receive a copy of this report edited to protect the identity of the birth parents and their families. The state must also inform the parents of their right to examine all records and other information related to the history of the child. 2 Tex.Fam.Code Ann. Secs. 16.032(a)-(e), (n), 16.09, 34.08 (Vernon Supp.1990). Any parents who adopted children before the effective date of this act may receive copies of this information from the state. 2 Tex.Fam.Code Ann. Sec. 16.032 (Vernon Supp.1990). 1 14 Along with these legislative requirements, TDHS has formulated its own management policies to instruct staff members about how to handle adoptions. Before the adoptive parents meet the child, TDHS personnel must discuss with the parents all information contained in the child's adoptive readiness study. 86-2 Texas Dept. of Human Services, Child Protective Services Handbook Secs. 6930-31 (March, 1986). This information includes all available medical data, all known hereditary conditions, the existence and significance of handicaps, and the need for medical and psychological treatment. Child Protective Services Handbook at Secs. 6930-31; 4-81 Texas Department of Human Resources, Minimal Standards For Child Placing Agencies Sec. 5300(5). Where the child is handicapped or receiving therapy, the worker must encourage the parents to talk with the child's physician or therapist to understand the implications of the child's condition. Child Protective Services Handbook at Secs. 6930-31. TDHS staff members must also [h]elp the family resolve fears and concerns they have about the child, the child's background, the placement, and their ability to parent the child. Id. at Sec. 6931. 15 At the time of adoption, the staff worker gives the parents the child's medical records, as well as the written report compiled by TDHS pursuant to state statute. Id. at Sec. 6933; Minimal Standards For Child Placing Agencies at Sec. 5300(5). The staff worker must also determine whether the family qualifies for any post-adoption services, including financial assistance, respite care, placement services, parenting programs, support groups, counseling services, and medical aid. Tex.Hum.Res.Code Ann. Secs. 47.031-47.032 (Vernon Supp.1990). Any post-adoption plan must identify services needed by the child and family, possible sources for securing the services, and appropriate disciplinary methods to be used, depending upon the child's disciplinary needs. 86-2 Texas Dept of Human Services, Child Protective Services Handbook Sec. 6935 (March, 1986). 16 After the adoption, TDHS must monitor the placement for a minimum of six months to ensure that the placement adequately meets the child's requirements. If the placement is unsatisfactory, TDHS must remove the child from the adoptive home. Minimal Standards For Child Placing Agencies at Sec. 5400(1). 17 Although TDHS consents to, facilitates and monitors placements via these guidelines, state courts perform the ultimate review of the adoption before issuing the adoption decree. 2 Tex.Fam.Code Ann. Sec. 16.08 (Vernon 1986). In scrutinizing the placement, the court must satisfy itself that the statutory requirements for adoption have been met, and that the adoption is in the best interests of the child. Id.; Green v. Remling, 608 S.W.2d 905, 908 (Tex.1980); Davis v. Collins, 147 Tex. 418, 216 S.W.2d 807 (1949); Hursey v. Thompson, 141 Tex. 519, 174 S.W.2d 317 (1943); Hopper v. Brittain, 612 S.W.2d 636 (Tex.Civ.App.1981). The trial court is invested with broad discretionary power in determining the best interests of the children. In re W.E.R., 669 S.W.2d 716, 716 (Tex.1984); Green, 608 S.W.2d at 908. Thus, both TDHS and Texas state courts implement the adoption system mandated by the Texas legislature, to ensure that all adoptions fulfill the needs of the adoptive families and their adopted children.