We are TSEU members who work in the Department of Family Protective Services. We work in every part of the agency. We are building a strong union in our agency to fight for: better pay and benefits to attract and retain dedicated, experienced staff; lower caseloads; stopping privatization.
TSEU Organizer Contact:
Myko Gedutis
713-661-9030
mgedutis@cwa-tseu.org
DFPS Caucus Legislative Goals 2025-2026
a. Reduce staff turnover and retain staff by establishing a career ladder, paying staff for their educational achievements and language skills after initial hire date, and on the job experience and overtime hours worked.
i. Establish an automatic equity pay adjustment for all existing employee positions to reflect the new hire base pay rate.
b. Adequately fund client services and direct care to eliminate CWOP and to prevent and reverse the privatization of DFPS programs that safeguard children and adults.
c. Request the adoption of caseload standards in alignment with the recommendations of the NAEYC, CWLA, and TDPRS. Additionally, increase full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and provide support workers to ensure caseloads that allow for a manageable workload within a standard 40-hour workweek.
Chaos in DFPS – The CWOP Crisis Continues
Everyday, DFPS staff – case workers, human service techs, supervisors, and administrative assistants – are in motels, hotels, and apartments to watch foster children without placement (CWOP). These foster children, mainly teenagers, are in the temporary or permanent custody of the state of Texas. Many have complex behavioral, psychiatric, and therapeutic needs that are going unmet or being refused by the children. In these unstructured, ad hoc placements, traumatized children in care are deciding whether they will go to school or not, whether they will take their medications or not, and whether they want to stay put or leave to engage in any number of dangerous behaviors – including prostitution, drug use, and armed robbery.
The combination of untrained staff working countless extra shifts, unstructured environments free of consequences, and traumatized children calling the shots has bred chaos. Numerous assaults on staff, other children, and law enforcement have already occurred. Youth have destroyed personal property of staff, DFPS property, and property at hotels, motels, apartments, and church halls serving as unlicensed placements.
LEARN HOW Texas leaders created this disaster, what solutions members are proposing to end the crisis, and what we can do to sound the alarm with decision makers. READ MORE. . .
TSEU members across Texas sound the alarm about the CWOP crisis
During the CWOP crisis, TSEU members have been holding regular statewide meetings to share information, ideas, and updates from all corners of Texas. The bottom line is the concern for the well-being of children and staff is what unites us.
- On October 6th, TSEU members in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin (not pictured) held simultaneous press conference and rallies outside of regional DFPS offices to draw attention to the CWOP crisis.
- Since state leaders have failed to address the needs of children and staff, TSEU members decided to turn to local stakeholders to seek their help. In Dallas and Houston, members held town hall meetings in December with local officials and community members that interact with children in the foster care system. These town halls were forums for members to share their experiences and discuss solutions with local officials. The meetings were eye-openers to many officials who had no idea how chaotic and dangerous our work has become.