Thousands of Texas parents have their parental rights involuntarily terminated each year. These terminations often begin with a report of alleged child abuse or neglect to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), the umbrella agency that houses Child Protective Investigations (CPI) and Child Protective Services (CPS). From the initial report, parents may face investigations, extrajudicial services, lasting administrative findings, child removal from the home, and termination of their rights to their child. Families are separated and children are removed from their communities due to circumstances often stemming from poverty. 

Family Defense Project defends parental rights and preserves family integrity by representing parents involved with DFPS at a variety of stages. FDP prioritizes advocacy during the following five stages where an indigent parent is not otherwise entitled to a court-appointed attorney.

Click here for more information on the Family Defense Project.

To apply for representation, call TRLA’s intake line.