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KCare Supports extendedReach Customers: Changes to Texas Foster Care

Picture of Brooke White By   ·  2 minute read

Texas-Foster-Care

At KCare, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of industry changes to ensure our customers can continue to deliver crucial services in their communities. As the parent company of extendedReach, we are aware of the significant transformation currently happening within the Texas foster care system. We’re committed to supporting our extendedReach customers as they navigate this evolving landscape and continue to provide essential Child and Family Services in Texas.

Understanding T3C

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is implementing a new care model within the foster care system, known as Texas Child-Centered Care, or T3C. This initiative aims to create a more integrated and holistic approach to Texas foster care, ensuring the needs of children and families are met more effectively. 

The Texas Legislature and DFPS, in collaboration with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), utilized the input of numerous child welfare stakeholders and residential care providers over multiple years to create the Texas Child-Centered Care model. The T3C model introduces several key changes to foster care and is designed to replace Texas’ Service Level System with:

  • Clearly defined foster care models and service packages

  • New foster care rate methodology

  • A universal screening assessment and placement process to match children to the appropriate services

  • Opportunities to enhance Title IV-E claiming of federal funds

The changes brought by T3C strive to enhance the overall safety, stability, and well-being of children, youth, and young adults in Texas foster care. The T3C will support an improved foster care experience for Texas children and youth by:

  • Ensuring children, youth, and young adults are placed closer to their communities of origin.

  • Enhancing the safety of children, youth, and young adults in foster care.

  • Promoting strong connections with siblings, parents, extended family, and kinship caregivers.

  • Improving services and processes to better match children, youth, and young adults with caregivers, minimizing the number of placement changes needed.

  • Improving coordination and planning between child welfare and STAR Health providers for better service delivery.

  • Quickly identifying and providing appropriate treatment services to support healing and improve well-being and permanency outcomes.

  • Reducing the reliance on out-of-state placements, child-specific, and exceptional care services to meet treatment needs.

T3C

Our Commitment to Supporting extendedReach Customers

As these changes unfold, we at KCare and extendedReach are committed to meeting your needs. We understand that these types of transitions can include periods of uncertainty and unique challenges. Our goal is to provide you with the tools and support necessary to keep your services running and support your clients with minimal disruption.

Child and Family Social Service Agencies play a critical role in our communities. Your work is invaluable, and we are dedicated to giving you the best possible tools and support so you can continue delivering high-quality services. As the T3C model rolls out, you can count on us to be by your side, helping you adapt and thrive in this new environment. Together, we will make a positive impact on the lives of children and families across Texas.

If you are a Texas foster care extendedReach customer, you can find more specific information about what to do to prepare for T3C, and how KCare is supporting our customers HERE.

About KCare

KCare is a suite of innovative software solutions designed for behavioral health and human services organizations. Our industry-leading EHR, case management, and analytics products are designed to boost employee efficiency while improving client outcomes.  For over 25 years, providers have trusted KCare to transform how they deliver care through our software solutions, including extendedReach, Exym, and Stabilify.

As a certified B Corporation, we operate our business in accordance with the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.  We are also part of the global Pledge 1% movement, donating 1% of our profits to the communities served by our customers.