In after-hours notice, Gov. Greg Abbott announces another leadership change for the Department of Family and Protective Services

Join The Temporary, our every day e-newsletter that retains readers up to the mark on essentially the most important Texas information.

After a tumultuous three years on the Division of Household and Protecting Providers, Commissioner Jaime Masters is out of a job.

Gov. Greg Abbott introduced Monday that Stephanie Muth, a advisor and a former Medicaid director on the Texas Well being and Human Providers Fee, will take excessive submit within the new 12 months.

Masters was appointed by Abbott in December 2019, taking the helm within the midst of an ongoing federal lawsuit in opposition to the state for the failures of its foster care system. Below her management, the division has come below fireplace for a number of high-profile points.

The variety of youngsters with out placement, known as “CWOP,” jumped from almost 50 in August 2020 to about 400 in August 2021, with these youngsters averaging 18 nights with no everlasting residence, the Houston Chronicle reported. The company was additionally the topic of an investigation over allegations that an worker at a residential therapy middle for kids who have been trafficking victims had solicited and bought nude images of these youngsters who lived there.

DFPS has additionally obtained widespread destructive consideration because of Abbott’s directive to analyze households of transgender youngsters for potential baby abuse. The investigations have been topic of lawsuits which are nonetheless underway. These current scandals have led to a wave of hundreds of DFPS workers leaving the company up to now 12 months.

In June, Abbott tapped a widely known former DFPS commissioner, Anne Heiligenstein, to function the manager deputy commissioner for the division — whereas on “mortgage” from Casey Household Applications, a nationwide baby welfare nonprofit, the place she remains to be employed — till June 2023.

However final month, it was introduced that Heiligenstein was out, together with Julie Frank, who served as Masters’ chief of workers. As a part of Abbott’s after-hours announcement about Muth’s appointment, he introduced that Heiligenstein might be returning in a senior adviser function.

Muth has spent 15 years at HHSC in numerous roles, culminating in two and a half years because the state’s Medicaid director. Since then, she’s been a full-time advisor and a senior fellow on the Meadows Psychological Well being Coverage Institute. She’s additionally obtained cash from purchasers for lobbying work.

Earlier than Muth takes the helm in January, Kez Wold, DFPS affiliate commissioner for Grownup Protecting Providers, will function the interim commissioner.