Sec. 265.004. USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS FOR AT-RISK FAMILIES. (a) To the extent that money is appropriated for the purpose, the department shall fund evidence-based programs, including parenting education, home visitation, family support services, mentoring, positive youth development programs, and crisis counseling, offered by community-based organizations that are designed to prevent or ameliorate child abuse and neglect. The programs funded under this subsection may be offered by a child welfare board established under Section 264.005, a local governmental board granted the powers and duties of a child welfare board under state law, a children's advocacy center established under Section 264.402, or other persons determined appropriate by the department.

(a-1) The department shall ensure that not less than 75 percent of the money appropriated for parenting education programs under Subsection (a) funds evidence-based programs described by Section 265.151(b) and that the remainder of that money funds promising practice programs described by Section 265.151(c).

(a-2) The department shall actively seek and apply for any available federal funds to support parenting education programs provided under this section.

(b) The department shall place priority on programs that target children whose race or ethnicity is disproportionately represented in the child protective services system.

(c) The department shall periodically evaluate the evidence-based abuse and neglect prevention programs to determine the continued effectiveness of the programs.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B. 6), Sec. 1.64, eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 526 (S.B. 813), Sec. 4, eff. June 16, 2007.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1257 (H.B. 2630), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 324 (S.B. 1488), Sec. 24.002(7), eff. September 1, 2017.