As National Foster Care Month (May 2016) comes to an end, new Assistant Commissioner of Child and Protective Services, Kristene Blackstone, publishes a letter thanking Texas foster parents and recognizing their contributions.
“I would like to thank you for your time and dedication to caring for the vulnerable children of Texas.”
Assistant Commissioner Blackstone reports that more than 16,000 children were in Texas State Foster Care at the end of August, 2015 and describes foster parents as “an invaluable part of the professional team who support and work tirelessly to shape the lives of children and youth in foster care.”
Kristene Blackstone began her duties as Assistant Commissioner for Child Protective Services on May 1, 2016, filling the vacancy left by former Assistant Commissioner Lisa Black. Blackstone previously worked at CPS 17 years where she started as a caseworker. Since then she has served Texas children as a CPS Supervisor, Program Director, and as a Regional Program Administrator. Most recently, Blackstone served Texas as the Deputy Director for Field Operations for the Texas Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division, overseeing more than 2,300 employees across the state. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of North Texas and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
“. . . I would again like to thank you, as the State of Texas is very fortunate to have so many loving foster parents who are willing to provide a safe place for those who are unable to live with their families.” – Kristene Blackstone, Assistant Commissioner for Child Protective Services.
Tap here to see the letter in its entirety.
Tap here to learn more about foster parents and foster care in Texas.