DFPS responds to questions on Eldorado investigation

But Committee Chair Sen. Jane Nelson was not happy that DFPS officials did not address the issues asked of them. Following Cockerell's testimony, she asked that answers to specific questions be delivered to her by the end of the day.

In a letter that day, Cockerell answered Nelson's questions regarding the impact the absorption of 400 children was having on the state's CPS program, what impact that was having on DFPS resources, what challenges the agency faced due to policy issues and if any legislative changes should be sought during the next legislative session.

Cockerell wrote that the addition of the 400+ children to the DFPS placements program should not "significantly impact" placement opportunities for other children in the foster care system. Because the number of foster children this year is lower than the number last year, Cockerell said the addition of 463 children from the compound represented only a 3 percent increase in the number of children in foster care in Texas.

The biggest impact on the agency was in resources - with 200-400 individuals working at or around the shelters at any one time. They were pulled from Adult Protective Services, CPS, Child Care Licensing and Operations from throughout the state. While many of those who were deployed to San Angelo have returned to their home cities, more resources will continue to be needed to meet the needs of the children, said Cockerell. He added that there will also be a need for continued legal resources and caseworkers. DFPS is currently working with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to compile the costs incurred during the operation as well as ongoing budget needs.

Cockerell also wrote that he found no policy barriers to keep the agency from performing its duties, nor did he know of any "statutory roadblocks" that needed addressing.

In the meantime, DFPS held an information gathering session in Austin to address how to best serve the needs of the children. Attending were state and national experts with a diverse background in meeting the needs of children in state care due to abuse and neglect. Also offering information were professionals who have worked with religious cult survivors and children in CPS guardianship and former Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) members.