The Hockley County Commissioner’s Court held a regular meeting Monday where the group heard an update from the Hockley County Child Welfare Board and approved a proclamation for Child Abuse Awareness Month.
The President of the Hockley County Child Welfare Board, Tylyn Rushing informed the Commissioners of the progress the Hockley County Child Welfare Board has made since she became president in August.
Rushing stated there had been 49 confirmed victims of child abuse in Hockley County as of this year. They’re hoping as a board to spread awareness and advocacy to bring that number down.
Rushing added that she attended a conference in September and realized that the board had been doing a few things wrong. That included being out of compliance with the Open Meetings Act. The group is now posting their agendas and have moved their meetings so they are open to the community.
Rushing informed the Commissioners they will be receiving a list of the board members in the near future and the bylaws of the board as well. The board has since scrapped their bylaws and have been working on new ones.
In the past, the group could only help CPS children or children that were in state care. Recently, legislation has passed a law where CPS no longer handles the housing of children, so once a child is placed either with a family member or in foster care there’s another agency called Saint Francis that the state has contracted to handle all those types of things.
Now, CPS handles all the investigations and the law enforcement side of the process. With the switch there has been no communication with the agencies asking for help.
In the previous years around Christmas time, the board would buy gifts for 150 children, but the group was able to buy gifts for only 18 children due Saint Francis not asking the board for help this past year.
“Because of that we did not spend our entire budget last year,” said Rushing. “We want to. If the money is there we want to spend it and we want to help these kids.”
It has now been written into their bylaws to expand on that and help more children from different agencies. She also highlighted that Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldridge has looked at the new bylaws to ensure that the board will be in the right at all times.
Rushing added that she has reached out to the state board and their attorney has taken the time to review the updated bylaws as well. At the time of presentation, she stated that she had yet to receive any feedback from the attorney.
Baldridge strongly suggested the implementation of guidelines for applicants to ensure the process is “black and white”. The judge referenced examples in the indigent assistance process at the courthouse.
Rushing agreed with the judge and added in the past they’ve mainly purchased car seats or clothes for back to school as the resources are only limited to the child.
There have been talks among the board to offer more assistance in prevention rather than post due to the state board's suggestions. In a preventative manner it would emphasize more voluntary acts such as taking a mother to a job interview so there would be no money involved.
Additionally, the board has reached out to Saint Francis about these suggestions. In the past Saint Francis has not attended the board meetings, but Rushing was able to reach a Saint Francis contact during a conference. As a result, a representative has attended the previously held meeting. Rushing hopes that will continue in the future.
Additionally, Rushing asked the group to approve a proclamation, proclaiming April as Child Abuse Awareness Month submitted by the Hockley County Child Welfare Board.
The Commissioners did pass it with Rushing stating that, “community members should create an environment where children can have safety and advocate for them.” And the Commissioners’ applauding Rushing’s hard work advocating for these children.
A Business Customer Agreement between Vexus Fiber, LLC and Hockley County for phone and internet service, which was outdated and needed faster internet for the same price was approved. It was explained that the previous contract was outdated with services that were no longer available. When putting together the new contract, the service price was considered as a higher price would cause budget concerns.
An application from the Levelland Ministerial Alliance to use the courthouse lawn for National Day of prayer on May 1, was approved with no issue.
The Commissioners’ approved a donation to the Hockley County Memorial Library from Ariel Estrada to purchase books in the future.
The Continuation of Certificate for Nicole Shelly, Banquet Hall Coordinator Mallet Event Center and the Official Bond and Oath for Erica Dionne Garcia, Deputy Clerk, Hockley County Tax Office was approved with little discussion.
Housekeeping items approved included the minutes for the special meeting held on March 25, approval of all monthly bills and claims submitted to the Court dated through April 7 and the monthly Public Assistance Report.