“Child-centered” has long been a guiding value in child welfare, but under the July 2025 T3C Blueprint it is now a measurable standard. Agencies must show how policies, decisions, and documentation improve each child’s stability, safety, and voice. This edition of The Weekly Shift explores how to align leadership, CQI, and practice to meet the new child-centered expectations with integrity and precision.

The July 2025 T3C Blueprint raised the bar for agencies across Texas. In just three months, what began as guidance in April became detailed compliance requirements. Placement matching, monitoring, respite, IT coordination, CANS 3.0 alignment, and CQI cycles are no longer optional—they’re mandatory proof points. This article unpacks the key differences between the April and July Blueprints and what they signal for the future of foster care compliance.