Bill Text: TX HB2237 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed


Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of the child first grant program.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-04-26 - Referred to Health & Human Services [HB2237 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB2237-Engrossed.html
  88R5468 MPF-F
 
  By: Thompson of Harris, Price, Wu, H.B. No. 2237
      A. Johnson of Harris, et al.
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment of the child first grant program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 265, Family Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter E to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER E. CHILD FIRST GRANT PROGRAM
         Sec. 265.201.  OPERATION OF CHILD FIRST GRANT PROGRAM. (a)  
  The department shall operate a child first grant program through
  which the department will award grants to implement, expand, and
  maintain child first programs in the state. 
         (b)  To be considered for a grant under this subchapter, an
  applicant must, at a minimum: 
               (1)  be a nonprofit organization that is exempt from
  federal income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code
  of 1986, by being listed as an exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3)
  of that code;
               (2)  demonstrate a commitment to a family-centered,
  system of care approach to providing comprehensive, coordinated
  services to children and families;
               (3)  have experience providing successful early
  childhood mental health or prevention services for low-income,
  high-risk families; and
               (4)  have experience in providing home-based services
  to children and families.
         Sec. 265.202.  CHILD FIRST PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. A child
  first program awarded a grant under this subchapter must:
               (1)  be based on the program model developed by the
  Child First National Service Office; and
               (2)  require that a team consisting of a master's level
  licensed mental health or developmental clinician and a bachelor's
  level care coordinator regularly visit the homes of families to:
                     (A)  improve child and parent mental health;
                     (B)  promote school readiness;
                     (C)  decrease child abuse and neglect; and
                     (D)  improve the immediate and long-term health
  and well-being of families.
         Sec. 265.203.  CHILD FIRST PROGRAM STANDARDS. The
  commissioner, with the assistance of the Child First National
  Service Office, shall adopt standards for programs awarded grants
  under this subchapter.
         Sec. 265.204.  GRANT PROGRAM FUNDING. The department may
  solicit, contract for, receive, accept, or administer gifts,
  grants, and donations of money or property from any source for
  purposes of this subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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