FOSTER CHILDREN FORCED TO SLEEP IN STATE OFFICES

  

A new report says dozens of children in foster care in Texas have been forced to sleep in state offices.

According to the Austin American Statesman, a shortage of foster homes in Texas meant more than two dozen children statewide spent at least two nights sleeping in state offices in April, the most recent month for which data is available. The month before that, 42 of them slept in a child welfare office.

State officials say there are not enough foster parents to take in all the children in state custody who need a home. They say compounding the problem is a rising number of children who have been removed from troubled homes.

Kate Murphy with Texans Care for Children says reducing caseloads would give caseworkers more time to find the best place for children.