Children's Commission Conversations

Latest Episodes:

S1 E11: Intersection of Special Education & Child Welfare Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

Beginning with an overview of special education law, Judge Ian Spechler discusses the what, the why, and the how of special education law as it pertains to children and youth in child welfare cases. Join us for this engaging conversation about best practices that judges and attorneys in child welfare cases can implement to ensure that children and youth’s special education needs are met.

S1E10: Understanding and Addressing Grief in Child Welfare Cases Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Children experiencing the child welfare system can also experience significant grief and loss, extending beyond the time of separation from their families. Identifying and acknowledging grief is critical to the long-term mental health and well-being of children and youth in foster care. Please join us for a conversation with Dr. Julie Kaplow about the positive effects on children when professionals in their child welfare case understand and address children’s grief reactions.

Visit texaschildrenscommission.gov to access resources mentioned in this episode.

S1E9: Parent Mentor Programs and Their Impact on Positive Permanency Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

What impact can a mentor have for parents experiencing the child welfare system? Tune in to hear Founder and Director of One Hope Village, Tiffany Maggret, describe how parent mentors provide support for parents navigating child welfare cases inside and outside of the courtroom and how this can facilitate family reunification and positive permanency.

Visit texaschildrenscommission.gov to access resources mentioned in this episode.

S1E8: Engaging Fathers in Child Welfare Cases Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

How can children and families in the child welfare system benefit from involving fathers? Please tune in for a conversation with Kenneth Thompson Sr., retired DFPS Fatherhood Program Specialist, for a conversation about the critical importance of engaging fathers and suggestions on resources, best practices, and practical ways for judges and attorneys to partner with fathers to improve case outcomes.

Visit texaschildrencommission.gov to access resources mentioned in this episode.

S1E4: Navigating the Attorney-Client Relationship When Representing DFPS Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

In this conversation, DFPS Managing Attorney Sandy Self discusses the law related to and models of the attorney-client relationship, along with how attorneys representing the agency can develop a strong attorney-client relationship and prepare their client for court. The discussion includes the differences in representation across legacy regions and Community Based Care regions.

Visit texaschildrenscommission.gov to access resources mentioned in this episode.

S1E7: Bonus Episode: Role of the DFPS Clinical Coordinator Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

What does a DFPS Clinical Coordinator do? Tune in to learn from Amy Clynes, Division Administrator for Wraparound Services for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. This conversation will cover “the why, the how, the what, and the where” of the Clinical Coordinator and their impact on a child welfare case.

Visit texaschildrenscommission.gov to access resources mentioned in this episode.

S1E6: Visitation Best Practices Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

When planning for visitation in child welfare cases, what best practices can maximize this important family time? Please tune in for a conversation with Ali Vasquez of Serene Counseling and Wellness in Pearland for suggestions on how attorneys can prepare their clients for successful visitations and how visitation can facilitate reunification and positive permanency outcomes.

Visit texaschildrenscommission.gov to access resources mentioned in this episode.

S1E5: Mental Health First Aid in the Courtroom Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

What is Mental Health First Aid and how can judges and attorneys use it to create a safer and supportive courtroom environment? This episode covers techniques, practice tips, and information about how to get additional training. Learn from Hon. Roxanne Nelson, Justice of the Peace – Precinct 1, Burnet County in this conversation about how to incorporate MHFA in ways that benefit all courtroom participants.

*Please note, this episode contains a brief discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Hotline at 988.

Visit texaschildrenscommission.gov to access resources mentioned in this episode.

S1E3: Preserving Sibling Connections in Child Welfare Cases May 14, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Professor Diane Sumoski discusses the positive impact of keeping siblings connected at all stages of a case and related best practices for Attorneys ad Litem.

Visit texaschildrenscommission.gov to access resources mentioned in this episode.

S1E2: Pre-Petition Advocacy in Child Welfare Cases May 14, 2025

Show notes

Attorney Cindy Dyar joins us for a conversation about the impact of pre-petition advocacy on the parent client and on the family, and shares practice tips for parent attorneys taking pre-petition cases.

Visit texaschildrenscommission.gov to access resources mentioned in this episode.

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