H.R. No. 797



R E S O L U T I O N
	WHEREAS, The Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards (TCCWB) 
provides support to a statewide network of concerned citizens who 
are endeavoring to address the needs of children in their 
communities, especially those who are abused and neglected; and
	WHEREAS, Child welfare boards originated in 1931, when the 
Texas Legislature authorized county commissioners courts to 
appoint boards that would coordinate local protective services for 
children; at the same time, the legislature created the Division of 
Child Welfare Services (DCWS), originally part of the State Board 
of Control; DCWS has become Child Protective Services, one of four 
major programs within the Department of Protective and Regulatory 
Services; and
	WHEREAS, Before 1939, when the state assumed responsibility 
for the protection of children with the establishment of the State 
Department of Public Welfare, the county child welfare boards often 
furnished services to families and children themselves, with 
guidance from the DCWS staff; today one of the responsibilities of 
these boards is to oversee county expenditures for child welfare 
services; and
	WHEREAS, In 1976, regional child welfare advisory councils 
began to be established, bringing together representatives of 
county boards, and in 1978 the TCCWB was created; today the state 
council is composed of members representing 11 regional councils, 
which in turn represent 212 county child welfare boards; and
	WHEREAS, Members of the TCCWB collaborate with the staffs of 
Child Protective Services and other agencies and organizations to 
promote services to abused and neglected children and to prevent 
the occurrence of abusive treatment; the scale of the challenge 
facing the TCCWB and allied groups is suggested by the estimate that 
8.5 percent of Texas children are at risk for some sort of abuse or 
neglect; and
	WHEREAS, The TCCWB is committed to creating a society in 
which all children know the security of a loving, nurturing, and 
safe environment, and its work has ramifications that touch all 
Texans; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 78th Texas 
Legislature hereby honor the Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards 
on the occasion of its 25th anniversary and extend to all its 
members sincere appreciation for their outstanding efforts in a 
crucial cause.

                                                                Smith of Tarrant

                                                  ______________________________
                                                       Speaker of the House     

	I certify that H.R. No. 797 was adopted by the House on April 
24, 2003, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House