Texas terminates contract with primary foster care provider

Just four months after taking over the operations of its primary foster care provider, Texas has decided to terminate its contract with the nonprofit organization.The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has terminated its contract with EMPOWER, the state's primary foster care provider.The state says children weren't receiving the care they deserve under EMPOWER's oversight. Two children have died since EMPOWER took over foster care for Texas.The nonprofit organization faced chronic staffing shortages and high turnover among caseworkers since taking full oversight.The state took over EMPOWER's operations in March. Recently, the Texas Attorney General's Office filed a motion to continue the state takeover until at least October.Though EMPOWER's contract has been terminated, Texas state law requires a six-month transition period.The nonprofit will continue to operate through January, after which two organizations will take over primary foster care for North Texas: The Texas