Supports and Services for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care - Texas

Date: October 2025

Youth's Parental Rights
Citation: CPS Rights to Children in CPS Care; DFPS Resource Guide

In policy: If I am pregnant and unmarried, I can agree to hospital, medical, or surgical treatment, other than abortion, related to the pregnancy. If I have a child who is in my legal care, I can consent to all medical care for my child.

From the Resource Guide: If a youth in Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) conservatorship thinks he is the father of a child, the caseworker should do the following:

  • Advise the youth he may have rights as the father but must pursue those rights
  • Discuss paternity and paternity testing with the youth
  • Inform him he may have the right to be involved in his child's life
  • Interview the youth to assess his understanding of his role as a father

Placement Options
Citation: CPS Handbook § 6442.2

In policy: When DFPS does not have conservatorship of the youth's child, the child may be placed in the same placement as the youth parent. This placement can be either paid by DFPS or unpaid.

When DFPS has conservatorship of both the youth parent and the youth's child, the caseworker follows the policies related to children in conservatorship. Regardless of whether the child and youth parent are in the same placement, their cases are handled individually.

Health Services 
Citation: CPS Handbook § 6440

DFPS must also make sure a youth is referred to a State of Texas Access Reform (STAR) Health service management program, such as the STAR Health Start Smart for Your Baby program, if the youth is eligible for STAR Health Medicaid. (STAR Health is a statewide, comprehensive health-care system that provides access to health care for children and youth in foster care or formerly in foster care.)

Parent Preparation for Expectant Youth
Citation: Fam. Code § 264.130

At developmentally appropriate stages, DFPS shall ensure that children in the managing conservatorship of the department who are pregnant or who are minor parents receive information on and support in providing safe environments for children, including information and support regarding the following:

  • Safe sleeping arrangements
  • Suggestions for childproofing potentially dangerous settings in a home
  • Child development and methods to cope with challenging behaviors
  • Selection of appropriate substitute caregivers
  • A child's early brain development, including the importance of meeting an infant's developmental needs by providing positive experiences and avoiding adverse experiences
  • The importance of paternal involvement in a child's life and methods for coparenting
  • The benefits of reading, singing, and talking to young children
  • The importance of prenatal and postpartum care for both the mother and infant, including the impact of and signs for perinatal mood disorders
  • Infant nutrition and the importance of breastfeeding
  • Healthy relationships, including the prevention of intimate partner violence

Education and Services to Support Parenting Youth

The issue of assisting parenting youth in finishing high school is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed. For information on assisting youth in foster care complete high school, see Educational Supports for Youth in Foster Care - Texas | Child Welfare Information Gateway.

Economic and Concrete Supports

This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.

Services and Supports for Parenting Youth That Promote Self-Sufficiency

This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed

Foster Care Prevention Strategy for any Child Born to the Youth
Citation: Fam. Code § 264.152; DFPS Resource Guide

'Family preservation services' are time-limited, family-focused services, including services subject to the Family First Prevention Services Act (P.L. 115-123) and services approved under the title IV-E State plan provided to the family of a child who is a pregnant or parenting foster youth.

From the Resource Guide: When the youth parent has custody of the child, caseworkers should make every effort to visit with the youth parents and child together during monthly visits to ensure the child's needs are being met. The caseworker should also discuss the baby's needs with the youth parent's placement, including any strengths and concerns noted or observed by the placement.

The youth parent should be involved in case planning for the youth's child. Plans for transitioning to a successful adulthood and permanency planning should take into consideration goals and child care needs for the youth's child. Additionally, efforts should be made to invite and include both the child's parents and extended family, as appropriate, in service planning and meetings.