HOUSTON – Refrigerators without food, and filthy hotels. These are both conditions local activists say some children across the state are being subjected to while in custody of Child Protective Services
Now, those activists who say the CPS system is overwhelmed are taking matters into their own hands and are asking the public to help them in their mission.
“We have children in foster care that are staying in hotels that are unlicensed facilities as well as rent houses that are unlicensed,” said activist Candice Matthews who is leading what she says is a much-needed effort to create safe spaces for Texas children needing placement.
“What’s happening is that we have a shortage of licensed foster homes,” she added.
She and other childcare advocates say the problem is not that Texas doesn’t have the money.
“This is a fact, the state has spent over 250 million housing foster kids in dangerous unregulated places,” said State Representative, Ron Reynolds.
Matthews sent us a disturbing video she says was recently sent to her by a child in CPS custody, forced into unlivable conditions. She says it’s one of many examples of how the system is failing children of color.
“Because out of 100 percent of kids that are in CPS custody about 96 percent are African American,” Matthews said.
“You can’t be a pro-life state and not care about the life after the child has been born. You can’t force these moms to have these babies and have no resources for when the baby gets here,” said Eugene Howard with Visionary Outreach, and the Texas NAACP.
“These little children don’t got nowhere you can think of, or protection, if we don’t protect them then the question is who will?” Said, David Jeremiah with Gloves Up, Guns Down.
Matthews now holding a series of fundraisers.
“The funding will go directly to foster home development, because the thing is, that will go to home studies, more manpower. Stuff that’s needed to develop these homes,” she said.
“Whatever we have to do to hit our sponsors or whoever in time, we’ll do it,” said Turkey Leg Hut owner, Lynn Price.
Matthews says she plans to hold monthly fundraisers for the rest of the year. The first will be at the Community of Faith church on Pinemont Saturday from 1-3 p.m. The second will be at the Turkey Leg Hut, Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
When it comes to getting a response from the state, we reached out to Child Protective Services which is under the Department of Family and Protective Services. They sent us the following statement:
“The safety and care of each youth is our chief priority as DFPS continues its non-stop efforts to reduce the number of children in temporary settings. In March 2021, the total was 271 youth - yesterday that number was 31 statewide.” - Melissa Lanford, DFPS spokesperson