Investigators ordered to work OT to check on at-risk kids

Texas child welfare investigators have been ordered to work overtime this weekend to ensure that kids at risk of abuse are being seen and evaluated.

State Child Protective Services spokesman Patrick Crimmins told The Dallas Morning News the workers will have face-to-face visits in Bexar (bayr), Dallas and Harris counties.

An agency email obtained by the newspaper says overtime will be paid to investigators and supervisors for several weeks. It also requests that CPS workers elsewhere in Texas travel this month to Dallas, Houston or San Antonio to assist with cases for at least a week.

Records released earlier this week show that investigators are still not promptly checking on thousands of kids as the state grapples with a shortage of caseworkers.

Texas struggles to retain its low-paid caseworkers.