AUSTIN, Texas – Teen girls in Texas foster care are almost five times more likely to become pregnant than other teens, according to a new study. The "Fostering Healthy Texas Lives" report says the high pregnancy rate is jeopardizing teens' health and education and puts them at high risk of h

AUSTIN, Texas – After the recent deadly shootings at a Florida high school, gun advocates such as the National Rifle Association and others say arming teachers could avoid another massacre. However, with few exceptions, most teachers in Texas think that's a bad idea, and that it isn't their

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Children's advocates are crying foul after state officials appealed a federal judge's ruling mandating numerous changes to the state's foster care system. The order describes the system as "still broken," and lists additional steps to protect abused and neglected chi

AUSTIN, Texas -- A new report on the "State of America's Children" shows that large numbers of kids living in Texas confront poverty, homelessness, hunger and violence in their daily lives. The report by the Children's Defense Fund found that in Texas, children face major challenges: 1-in-5 live in

AUSTIN, Texas – Health care providers in Texas are getting a $25 billion shot in the arm with the five-year extension of a Medicaid program by the federal government. The plan, known as an 1115 Demonstration Waiver is considered a low-cost alternative to traditional Medicaid. It provides h

AUSTIN, Texas – Almost 9 million families – 400,000 in Texas alone – are anxiously waiting to hear if their children will have health insurance in 2018 and beyond. Congress has passed a two-week, stop-gap budget to avoid a government shutdown, but again failed to fund the Childre

HOUSTON – The Episcopal Health Foundation is shifting its focus to a five-year "big picture" plan that targets specific outcomes needed to address the root causes of poor health in Texas. The Foundation, which serves about 11 million people in a 57-county region of southeast Texas, aims to l

TYLER, Texas – Funding cuts are forcing thousands of Texas children with disabilities and developmental delays to lose access to critical therapy. The Texas Legislature first cut funding several years ago to the state's Early Childhood Intervention program, also called ECI, forcing a signifi