Mobilizing Community Resources in Houston (feat. Alysa Elliott-Wilson, DFPS)
The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is most commonly known for “taking children away” from unsafe home environments. This small snapshot of what DFPS does is often portrayed in a negative light in media and movies.
While the removal of children, whether it be temporary or permanent, is one of the responsibilities of DFPS, there is so much more to what they do. This episode’s guest highlights the Faith-Based and Community Engagement Division of DFPS.
Alysa Elliott-Wilson is the regional administrator for Faith-Based and Community Engagement at the Texas DFPS. She specifically oversees Region Six which includes Houston and the surrounding counties. Alysa plays a critical role in developing partnerships between faith-based organizations and DFPS to provide support services for vulnerable children, families, and adults in Texas.
In this episode, Alysa shares how the Faith-Based and Community Engagement Division seeks to mobilize resources, the importance of coming together to surround vulnerable families in a network of support, how we can further close the gaps of care in our area, and much more.
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Key Takeaways
- With the right support, children don’t need to grow up in foster care. What an incredible vision this is! When we take up our place along the River, supporting families and alleviating systemic issues, we can make it so that no child has to grow up in the system. This is what we are all working towards from DFPS to local organizations and individuals to kinship caregivers.
- More organizations and individuals are needed along the River. There are many untapped resources within our communities. In addition to organizations and individuals gaining awareness and offering resources, it’s vital that caseworkers gain an awareness of those that are willing to step into the gap. Caseworkers are often the primary source to inform families where to access much needed support.
- We all have the same goal to see children thrive. It takes each and everyone of us to care for vulnerable families and children. Making a significant impact doesn’t require fostering or adoption. Often, meaningful change comes from taking one small, actionable step toward helping kids and families heal. Whether what you do appears to be big or small, it has a tremendous impact for building a better future.
Resources
Meet the Guest
Alysa Elliott-Wilson is the regional administrator for Faith-Based and Community Engagement at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). She oversees Region Six which includes Houston and the surrounding counties. Alysa been with DFPS since 1996 and with extensive experience in community engagement, she helps mobilize resources and volunteers to provide support services for vulnerable children, families, and adults in Texas.
