Children's Commission Conversations

In this conversation, DFPS Managing Attorney Sandy Self discusses the law related to and models of the attorney-client relationship, along with how attorneys representing the agency can develop a strong attorney-client relationship and prepare their client for court. The discussion includes the differences in representation across legacy regions and Community Based Care regions.

What does a DFPS Clinical Coordinator do? Tune in to learn from Amy Clynes, Division Administrator for Wraparound Services for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. This conversation will cover “the why, the how, the what, and the where” of the Clinical Coordinator and their impact on a child welfare case.

When planning for visitation in child welfare cases, what best practices can maximize this important family time? Please tune in for a conversation with Ali Vasquez of Serene Counseling and Wellness in Pearland for suggestions on how attorneys can prepare their clients for successful visitations and how visitation can facilitate reunification and positive permanency outcomes.

What is Mental Health First Aid and how can judges and attorneys use it to create a safer and supportive courtroom environment? This episode covers techniques, practice tips, and information about how to get additional training. Learn from Hon. Roxanne Nelson, Justice of the Peace – Precinct 1, Burnet County in this conversation about how to incorporate MHFA in ways that benefit all courtroom participants.*Please note, this episode contains a brief discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Hotline at 988.

In this conversation, Professor Diane Sumoski discusses the positive impact of keeping siblings connected at all stages of a case and related best practices for Attorneys ad Litem. 

Attorney Cindy Dyar joins us for a conversation about the impact of pre-petition advocacy on the parent client and on the family, and shares practice tips for parent attorneys taking pre-petition cases. 

In this inaugural episode of Children's Commission Conversations, Executive Director Jamie Bernstein introduces the work of the Children's Commission and highlights available resources.