Judge John Specia, DFPS Commissioner March 31, 2016 9:30am Presentation to the Transition Legislative Oversight Committee on Transformation of the Health and Human Services System Judge John Specia, DFPS Commissioner March 31, 2016 9:30am

PEI and THV Merger Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) is a division of DFPS that focuses on stopping abuse and neglect and juvenile delinquency before it happens in all 254 counties by: Managing community-based programs that prevent child abuse and juvenile delinquency. Helping communities identify their prevention needs and enhance local services. Helping communities create new programs and improve existing ones that improve outcomes for children, youth, and their families.  The Texas Home Visiting (THV) helps to build brighter outcomes for our youngest Texans across 41 Texas Counties by: Matching parents with a trained home visitor who can assist with questions about pregnancy and parenting and can help parents find services that help care for the family. THV programs place emphasis on maternal and infant wellness outcomes and school readiness.

PEI Programs and Initiatives The New PEI PEI Programs and Initiatives Early Childhood Help through Intervention and Prevention (HIP) Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Support (HOPES) Texas Home Visiting (THV) Safe Babies Youth Service to At-Risk Youth (STAR) Community Youth Development (CYD) Statewide Youth Services Network (SYSN) Family Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) Community-Based Family Services (CBFS) Texas Families: Together and Safe Military and Veteran Families Fatherhood

The New PEI PEI and THV Merger Program/Unit Texas Home Visiting Program (HHSC) Prevention and Early Intervention (DFPS) Total Total FY 2016-2017 Budget $65,682,119 $117,746,343 (3.4% of DFPS total) $183,428,462 (5% of DFPS Total) #FTEs as of March 1, 2016* 27 33  60 Number of Contracts in FY 2015 32 73  105 Number of Clients Served in FY 2015 4,425 49,845 54,270 Anticipated Number of Contracts in FY 2017 35 92 127 

PEI and THV Merger Activities An in-depth functional analysis has been completed, with recommendations made according to the PEI division’s statutory duties and other essential activities. The agency is implementing these recommendations. PEI leadership will continue to use this information in developing a structure which will meet the needs of  the combined programs. PEI created six short-term think tanks to address the PEI five-year plan. Each was co-chaired by an internal DFPS PEI or HHSC Texas Home Visiting staff member and an external chair. These think tanks were active between September and December 2015. 

PEI and THV Merger Activities Regional Meetings have been held in Laredo, San Marcos, Amarillo, Houston and Dallas in February through March 2016. These meetings gain stakeholder input on the Strategic plan in coordination with Casey Family Programs. PEI and THV staff are coordinating with internal divisions of HHSC and DFPS to ensure that the logistics of the merger are being facilitated and both divisions are ready to move forward upon approval of the merger.

PEI and THV Merger Activities An all staff meeting was held on February 24, 2016 with invited DFPS partners in order to share division goals and meet with future partners. Six internal workgroups (Integration Teams) comprised of PEI and THV staff were formed to identify goals and submit deliverables pertaining to the merger and the division as a whole (Contracting, Systems Building, Messaging, Procurement and Communications)

PEI and THV Merger Activities Joint Leadership Team Meetings are held weekly. Research Roundtable held on March 3rd with current evaluators and national experts on outcomes and assessments. Planning has begun for the 2016 Partners in Prevention Conference, a joint effort of both programs for contracted providers and community partners.

Vision Vision of New PEI Develop a consolidated hub of expertise and support for community-driven programs at the state level. Provide broader continuum of services to address various community and family needs within allocated resources. Garner national interest and be positioned as leader in setting priorities and policies that have a positive impact on children, youth and families. Empower local communities to strengthen partnerships with philanthropic, business and faith-based organizations.