Advocates worry that without state oversight the quality of care of the children will diminish and that claims of abuse or neglect will not be investigated.
Jennifer Podkul, the vice president of policy and advocacy for Kids in Need of Defense, a children’s advocacy organization, said a state license provides a facility with a layer of accountability and “triggers all sorts of reviews, including access” to the minors.
“When you’re not licensed by the state you lose those types of reviews and oversight,” Podkul said.
Generally, allegations of abuse and neglect are reported to and investigated by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, said Mann, the Texas HHSC spokesperson.