Supporting Child-Welfare Involved Families

Torre Hogue of the Parent Advisory Council was one of several panelists at a recent meeting in Garland County, where agencies and organizations involved in the 100 Families Alliance came together to explore how collaboration can better support families navigating the child welfare system.

“Hope is a future" Hogue says. "Forgiveness for yourself. Resources and community support.” Hogue's comments capture the vision of this community alliance and it's collaborative efforts to see the potential in people and offer them the support they need to thrive.

In addition to Hogue, the event featured a diverse panel of experts—including caseworkers, advocates, educators, and parents who highlighted the power of community-driven solutions and compassion.

DCFS Garland County Supervisor Kaitlyn Davis opened the discussion by walking attendees through the initial steps following a report of abuse or neglect. Cases are categorized as Priority 1 or 2, depending on the severity of the allegations, with rapid response timelines.

“We address any risk assessment,” Davis explained. “Substance misuse is one we commonly see… If you have a functioning addict and they’re able to provide a sober caregiver, then we can talk about doing what’s called a team decision-making meeting.”

Davis emphasized the importance of understanding that DCFS doesn’t jump to remove children from homes. “We are here to help. We are not here to just come and take a child. We do that when it’s absolutely necessary for the safety and well-being of the child.”

Kim Hackney, an Advocate Supervisor for CASA, provided a powerful perspective on advocacy for children in foster care.

“CASAs want to make sure that that child’s needs are being met—within the foster home, within their school.” Hackney noted that CASA’s low caseloads allow volunteers to deeply engage with each child’s situation and build trust over time.

Torre Hogue is a parent herself and has experienced the system firsthand. “Being involved in the DCFS system is just as traumatic for parents as it is for the kids,” she said. “When the children are removed, nine times out of ten, you’re removing the last remaining anchor that a parent has.”

Her powerful story of addiction, loss, healing, and ultimately reunification underscored the importance of offering second chances. “It took me two years to prove to them and to myself that I was where I needed to be for reunification. And I’ve had them home now for three and a half years.”

Renae Carrouth, McKinney-Vento & Foster Care Liaison, provided insight into how schools identify and support students experiencing homelessness or entering foster care.

“The McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness includes any student who doesn’t have a stable, adequate long-term residence,” Carrouth explained. She praised the role of school staff in identifying vulnerable children and spoke to the district’s effort to make students feel supported through counseling, access to extracurriculars, and strong community partnerships.

“When they see that the parents are healing and starting to trust us again, that’s when you see the atmosphere change,” Carrouth said.

Brandi Cannon, Supervisor of Clinical Services highlighted the role of Child Advocacy Centers in coordinating care and minimizing trauma. “The goal of the Advocacy Center is to minimize the number of times that children have to share their story,” she said. Through MDT (multidisciplinary team) meetings, professionals share information to create a fuller picture and recommend the best course of action.

“We try really hard to make our space as child friendly as possible,” Cannon added. “For us, it’s really just about making the space safe and giving children the autonomy to ask questions and to not do anything they’re not comfortable with.”

Throughout the discussion, panelists emphasized that every case is unique—and so must be the support plan.

“These cookie-cutter case plans… they don’t work,” Davis stated. “You have to listen to the family in order to understand the family.”

She added that success doesn’t mean perfection. “We’re not looking for A-plus parents. I can’t expect someone struggling with addiction to be where I am. So I want them to set smaller goals—baby steps—in order to reach the larger goal.”

The conversation concluded with a call for community engagement and a shift in mindset. “If we see at that 11-month mark that something has clicked and this parent is making strides… we’re going to give them a shot,” said Davis, addressing concerns about reunification timelines. “We always have our main goal and then we always have the backup plan. Our goal is stability—for the child and the family.”