Judge Katrina Griffith, Harris County CPS Court: Who Gets Their Kids Back?

Judge Katrina Griffith grew up wanting to be a lawyer, encouraged by her mother during arguments with her older brother in "mom's court." As a teenager, she saw the juvenile system affect family members.After college, she entered the University of Houston Law School focusing on juvenile criminal defense. In her 2L year, she joined the juvenile defense clinic. In her final semester, she took Professor Ellen Marrus’ child dependency clinic and shifted to CPS and child welfare law.After graduation, she opened a law firm with her best friend, taking immediate CPS appointments while building the practice. It grew rapidly as she represented both children and parents for balance, working in the field over 20 years. In 2014, Judge Olen Underwood appointed her as the first judge of Harris County's Child Protection Court. She handled 100% CPS cases, where over 80% involved parental drug addiction and substance abuse, such as mothers testing positive at birth or weekend drug use leading to neglect. She oversaw removals, placements (prioritizing relatives and siblings), and services like treatment, distinguishing between abstinence and true sobriety to ensure parents had tools for ongoing addiction recovery.In 2025, Governor Abbott appointed her to the Texas Family Protective Services Council to review CPS policies. She openly discusses her family's hereditary addiction history with her 18- and 20-year-old children.GUESTJudge Katrina GriffithHarris County CPS Impact Court JudgeJudge Katrina Griffith is currently the Associate Judge for the CPS Impact Court in Harris County. Prior to becoming an Associate Judge, she was a Family Law Attorney and is the Managing Partner of The Griffith Law Firm PLLC. The Houston based firm focuses on children's rights, family law, STAR family intervention court (drug court) and SOAR (juvenile drug court). She represented clients in divorce cases, child custody matters, modifications/enforcements, adoptions, children's protective services and juvenile law cases.Connect with Judge Griffith on LinkedInMatt Handy is the founder of Harmony Grove Behavioral Health in Houston, Texas, where their mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care for anyone facing addiction, mental health challenges, and co-occurring disorders.Find out more at harmonygrovebh.com  My Last Relapse explores what everyone is thinking but no one is saying about addiction and recovery through conversations with those whose lives have changed.For anyone disillusioned with traditional recovery and feeling left out, misunderstood, or weighed down by unrealistic expectations, this podcast looks ahead—rejecting the lies and dogma that keep people from imagining life without using.Got a question for us? Leave us a message or voicemail at mylastrelapse.comFind us on YouTube @MyLastRelapse and follow Matt on Instagram @matthew.handy.17About Harmony Grove Behavioral Health Harmony Grove delivers outpatient addiction and mental health treatment focused on wellness, creativity, and authentic human connection—providing a supportive space for healing that extends beyond traditional clinical care.Harmony Grove’s IOP in Houston, Texas, is more than a program; it’s a lifeline for those ready to take the next step in their recovery. We are ready to meet you where you are and find your unique path to change. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling, you don’t have to face it alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, and help is always available. If you or anyone you know needs help, give us a call 24 hours a day at 844-430-3060.Host: Matthew HandyProducer: Eva SheieAssistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah BurkhartEngineering: Chris MannTheme music: Survive The Tide, Machina AeonCover Art:  DMARKMy Last Relapse is a production of Kind Creative: kindcreative.comQuestions this episode answers:What percentage of CPS cases involve substance abuse — and what does that actually look like?What has to happen before CPS will actually remove a child from their home?How hard is it to keep siblings together once they enter the foster care system?Can a parent genuinely get sober and get their kids back in just one year?What happens to a kid in foster care when they turn 18 with nowhere to go?Is being homeless enough to get your children taken away?Does addiction run in families — and how do you talk to your own kids about it?What do judges see that makes them believe addiction is a disease, not a choice?