07/15/2026
Child Trafficking and Abuse Prevention begins UpstreamŠ with proper assessments of a child abuse intake reports and at the initial contact of a child abuse investigation. - Former State Child Abuse Investigator, Legislative Consultant, & CPS Case Consultant.
Throughout my career inside Texasâ child protection systemâas a former child abuse investigator, through state and local leadership roles, legislative reform work, and continued work directly with children, caregivers, and familiesâI have seen how early decisions can change the trajectory of a childâs life.
Several years before youth vulnerability, exploitation, and trafficking became central conversations, I expressed concerns about older youth being removed from their home communities without fully assessing their protective capabilities, strengths, and support systems.
Most teenagers desire to remain connected to their family, friends, and communities. When removed from those connections, many will attempt find a way to returnâsometimes unknowingly placing themselves at increased risk of exploitation.
As an independent legislative consultant, I drafted the new Texas statewide child abuse investigative training standards enacted in 2023 and sponsored by State Senator Borris Miles.
These reforms strengthened the front end of the system by requiring investigative employees to receive training on:
⢠Evidence-based investigations and critical analysis.
⢠Due process protections.
⢠Better assessments of the strengths and protective capabilities of older youths.*
⢠Training on available local resources so identified needs may be addressed immediately versus several months later to avoid safely plan breakdowns and child removals.*
This work continued with legislation I helped draft creating the first-ever Advisory Committee for Child Abuse Investigations, sponsored by Senator Lois Kolkhorst and Representative Candy Noble.
The purpose was clear:
Strengthen investigative practices so the correct cases were worked on, earlier protection and intervention was provided, and older youths had a better opportunity to remain closer to home.
Child maltreatment is complex.
I have used my hands-on experiences with both children and caregivers, along with large systems and data analysis, to help improve our state child welfare systems alongside other stakeholders and key State Leaders.
Protecting children requires embracing deep-dive data analysis, difficult conversations with caregivers and child welfare professionals, understanding the caregiver behavior, intervening earlier, and preserving families when safety allows, and accountability.
Child safety and family preservation are not opposing goals.
Most Texas families are doing a good job. The data supports this fact.
I have learned most parents, when provided a safe space, are willing to open up and make huge changes for their children.
