Child Welfare Attorney

DePelchin Children’s Center•Houston, TX

21d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Child Welfare Attorney will represent the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) team serving DFPS Region 6A/6B, which includes Harris County and 12 surrounding counties. This position represents the SSCC in court hearings and legal proceedings throughout Stage I and Stage II of Texas’ Community-Based Care transition. The Attorney will also be responsible for supervising the Court Liaison Paralegal. This role involves frequent travel across the 13-county Region 6 for court hearings and client meetings.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school required.
Active Texas State Bar membership required.
Five (5) years’ experience in family law, child welfare litigation, CPS legal cases, or related courtroom experience.
In-depth knowledge of Texas Family Code (particularly Chapters 262, 263, 264) and child welfare regulations.
Familiarity with DFPS practices, court procedures in child protection cases, and the Community-Based Care (CBC) model including Stage I and II responsibilities.
Demonstrated ability to litigate or appear in court, negotiate, and advocate effectively.
Comfortable preparing witnesses, presenting evidence, and handling high-stakes hearings (e.g. termination of parental rights trials).
Excellent legal writing abilities for drafting motions, court reports, and legal guidance documents.
Strong verbal communication to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers (caseworkers, stakeholders) and to collaborate with multiple parties (judges, opposing counsel, DFPS personnel).
Passion for child welfare and improving outcomes for children and families.
Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team (caseworkers, program staff, leadership) and adapt as the SSCC expands its role.
Proven ethical judgment, confidentiality, and commitment to the best interests of children in the foster care system.
Willingness to travel regularly within Region 6A/6B (a 13-county area) for court hearings, meetings, and trainings.
Must have reliable personal transportation, valid Texas Driver License and current Auto Insurance.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with Child Protective Services (CPS) cases, foster care/adoption law, or representing DFPS/parents/children in CPS proceedings a strong plus.

Responsibilities

Court Representation & Coordination: Attend court hearings (e.g. emergency removals, status hearings, permanency reviews) involving children placed by the SSCC. Represent the SSCC’s interests and provide information to the court regarding placement status, services, and child well-being, in coordination with DFPS caseworkers and attorneys. Ensure the SSCC’s role in placement and services is properly presented to the court.
Legal Advice & Compliance: Advise SSCC program staff on legal requirements during Stage I, including compliance with court orders, DFPS policies, and relevant laws/regulations. Work closely with DFPS counsel to align on case strategy, permanency plans, and any legal issues that arise, since DFPS retains primary case trajectory responsibility in Stage I.
Adoption and Permanency Support: Provide legal support for adoption processes and permanency planning. Oversee legal documentation or court filings related to adoptions that the SSCC is facilitating (e.g. reviewing adoption agreements, coordinating with adoption attorneys or DFPS for relinquishment/TPR paperwork). Ensure that all adoptions and permanency outcomes handled by the SSCC meet legal standards and are completed smoothly under DFPS oversight.
Risk Management: Identify and mitigate any legal risks to the organization during Stage I service provision. This includes addressing issues such as foster home contract disputes, confidentiality and records compliance (HIPAA/FERPA), reporting requirements, or potential liability concerns. Escalate and resolve legal problems in collaboration with DFPS and SSCC leadership.
Lead Court Representation: Take primary responsibility for court proceedings involving children under SSCC case management. Serve as the SSCC’s attorney of record in hearings – presenting case updates, evidence, and recommendations to the court on behalf of the SSCC. This includes drafting and filing court documents (motions, orders, reports) as needed, and ensuring timely notices and submissions for all hearings (status reviews, permanency hearings, placement review hearings, termination trials, etc.). Coordinate closely with any DFPS attorneys or county attorneys or guardians ad litem to align legal strategy.
Caseworker Support & Witness Preparation: Collaborate with SSCC case managers who will be serving as witnesses in legal proceedings (formerly DFPS caseworker duties). Prepare case workers for testimony, advising them on court protocol, evidentiary requirements, and how to effectively communicate case facts and permanency recommendations to judges. Accompany and support SSCC staff during their court appearances, and step in to provide legal clarification or respond to legal challenges as necessary.
Legal Decision-Making & Strategy: Provide counsel on key case decisions – such as pursuing termination of parental rights, reunification, or permanency goals – now that the SSCC makes these recommendations in Stage II. Ensure that decisions are legally sound, backed by evidence, and in compliance with Texas Family Code and DFPS guidelines. Draft or review legal documents like permanency reports, service plans, and affidavits to support the SSCC’s case goals, and obtain any necessary court orders (e.g. to authorize services or placements).
Liaison with Courts and Stakeholders: Act as the primary legal liaison between the SSCC and the court system in Stage II. This includes communicating with judges, court personnel, attorneys for parents/children, and CASA regarding case status and SSCC actions. Ensure court orders and requirements are clearly communicated to SSCC staff and are implemented. Work with DFPS regional attorneys or special assistant attorneys general (SAAGs) as needed for case transitions, to maintain a smooth handoff of legal responsibilities to the SSCC.
Continued Compliance & Oversight: Maintain rigorous compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations in Stage II. Monitor that the SSCC meets all court deadlines, documentation standards, and permanency hearing schedules. Handle any legal issues related to SSCC’s expanded role (e.g. issues with conservatorship responsibilities, inter-agency agreements, or liability concerns) by developing solutions and advising leadership.
Training and Education: Teach and mentor caseworkers and SSCC staff on legal topics and court procedures. Develop and deliver training sessions on subjects such as court report writing, testifying in court, confidentiality laws, and updates in child welfare legislation. Serve as an internal resource so that case managers and program staff understand the legal framework of CPS cases and the SSCC’s duties in each stage.
Legislative Monitoring: Monitor new legislation, court rulings, and policy changes in child welfare and family law. Keep the organization informed of relevant changes in Texas Family Code, DFPS rules, federal laws (like ASFA, Family First Act), and how they impact SSCC operations. Advise leadership on necessary policy or practice adjustments to remain compliant with evolving laws. Possibly engage in advocacy or provide feedback on proposed laws affecting community-based care.
Develop Internal Legal Department: Play a key role in building DePelchin’s internal legal capacity. This includes helping to establish the SSCC’s legal department from the ground up – creating internal legal protocols, case tracking systems for legal matters, and best practices for Stage I and II operations. Over time, assist with hiring or supervising additional legal staff (e.g. paralegals, junior attorneys) as the SSCC’s responsibilities grow. Formulate standard templates (court reports, affidavits, contracts) and guidelines to streamline legal processes. Ensure the SSCC’s legal department is prepared for the eventual transition from Stage I to Stage II and beyond.
Supervise Court Liaison: Provide direction, oversight, and performance feedback related to legal research, document preparation, case management, and other administrative and legal support functions. Ensure the Paralegal’s work aligns with departmental policies, legal standards, and organizational objectives.