Harris County Domestic Relations Office

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Harris County Domestic Relations Office The Harris County Domestic Relations Office: Family Court Services, Alternative Dispute Resolution,

Domestic Relations Office Hosts 2026 Annual Staff Meeting: “One Team, One Vision”The Harris County Domestic Relations Of...
10/26/2026

Domestic Relations Office Hosts 2026 Annual Staff Meeting: “One Team, One Vision”

The Harris County Domestic Relations Office (DRO) recently gathered for its 2026 Annual Staff Meeting, celebrating the year's inspiring theme, “One Team, One Vision.”

The event featured remarks from distinguished speakers representing a variety of disciplines, including Harris County Administrator Erica Lee Carter, Judge Janice Burg, Administrative Family Law Judge and Presiding Judge of the 247th Judicial District Court, Jayne Nimade, Urban Planning Manager for Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Victoria Spencer from Health & Wellness, and David Simpson, Executive Director of the DRO. Each speaker offered words of encouragement, leadership, and recognition for the dedicated work performed by DRO staff.

Throughout the meeting, employees received updates on key 2026 accomplishments and performance metrics, participated in team-building activities, and reflected on the many successes achieved over the past year. DRO leadership expressed sincere gratitude for the team's hard work, dedication, and steadfast commitment to serving Harris County families.

One of the highlights of the day was a series of engaging team-building activities, including Co-Worker Bingo and Kahoot! Staff also enjoyed lunch, door prizes, photo opportunities, and inspiring messages that reinforced the organization's shared mission and vision.

The annual gathering served as a meaningful celebration of teamwork, collaboration, and service excellence.

Go Team DRO! Thank you for continuing to embody the spirit of “One Team, One Vision.”

The Domestic Relations Office (DRO) has been awarded two grant renewals that will continue supporting critical services ...
10/23/2026

The Domestic Relations Office (DRO) has been awarded two grant renewals that will continue supporting critical services for families in our community.

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Grant - The Office of the Texas Governor has announced the recipients of the FY 2026-2027 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. The DRO's Visitation Center received an award for supervised visitation services. The funds ensure that services remain free of charge for participating families.

Access and Visitation Grant - The Office of the Texas Attorney General has announced the recipients of the FY 2026-2027 Access and Visitation Grant program. The Possession/Access program operates within multiple DRO Divisions to enforce parenting time between parents and their children. This funding allows these services to remain free for participants.

We are grateful for the confidence these funding agencies continue to place in the DRO. These awards reflect the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of our staff to serving families and children in need. Their continued support is a testament to the quality of our work and the positive impact our programs have on the community.

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH - PURPLE THURSDAYOctober is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Ever...
10/16/2026

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH - PURPLE THURSDAY

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Every October, communities across the nation unite to observe National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During this time, individuals and organizations join hands to spread awareness about domestic violence, support survivors, and work towards preventing future incidents.

This Thursday, October 15th is Purple Thursday. Purple Thursday, celebrated on the third Thursday of October, is a day where people wear purple to show their support for survivors of domestic violence. This simple act of wearing purple helps raise awareness and lets survivors know they are not alone.

DRO Family Court Services Staff Attend 2026 Innovations in Child Custody Evaluations – Texas AAML and AFCC Biennial Conf...
10/12/2026

DRO Family Court Services Staff Attend 2026 Innovations in Child Custody Evaluations – Texas AAML and AFCC Biennial Conference

The FCS team recently attended the 2026 Innovations in Child Custody Evaluations Conference in Austin, Texas. This year's event was held in partnership with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Presenters covered a wide range of topics related to child custody evaluations, emerging legislation, and effective service‑delivery strategies. The conference reaffirmed the DRO's commitment to staying at the forefront of best practices and legal developments in family law.

Self-Represented Litigant Program - Innovation and Collaboration Award NomineeThe DRO’s Self Represented Litigant (SRL) ...
10/05/2026

Self-Represented Litigant Program - Innovation and Collaboration Award Nominee

The DRO’s Self Represented Litigant (SRL) Program is honored to be nominated for the National Child Support Engagement Association’s Innovation and Collaboration Award. This award recognizes innovative partnerships between child support agencies, programs such as SRL, and the courts that serve parents, families, and children.

The SRL Program is designed to assist individuals who choose to represent themselves in court by helping them navigate the legal system without an attorney. The program ensures that self represented parties have the tools, guidance, and support necessary to meet court requirements for case finalization and to avoid unnecessary dismissals. In Fiscal Year 2025–2026, the SRL Program received 1,811 applications for services. Many litigants were assisted by DRO Family Law Facilitators, while more than 700 cases were also referred to attorneys for in depth legal assistance. Overall, the SRL Program helped litigants finalize their family law cases and supported the Harris County Family Courts in moving their dockets.

Congratulations to the SRL staff!

09/08/2026

The DRO Renews Its Child Support Partnership with the Office of the Texas Attorney General

The Domestic Relations Office (DRO) has recently renewed its partnership with the Office of the Texas Attorney General (OAG), strengthening its child support program and reaffirming Harris County’s commitment to ensuring consistent, reliable financial support for children. These renewed child support agreements provide essential services for families across Harris County:

Integrated Child Support System - The DRO establishes, monitors, enforces, adjusts, and terminates child support orders for non‑TANF cases in the Family District Courts. The DRO currently oversees more than 17,300 child support cases, offering comprehensive support to families. Our team monitors child and medical support obligations and engages in efforts to ensure compliance. When appropriate, child support amounts may be adjusted. Support obligations are enforced through income withholding, tax intercepts, liens, litigation, and other methods that help ensure reliable financial assistance for children.

Community Supervision Services - Parents found in contempt and sentenced to jail for failure to pay court‑ordered child support may instead be placed on community supervision. This alternative approach helps address barriers to compliance and supports parents in meeting their financial responsibilities. Depending on the circumstances, participants may be required to complete parenting classes, substance‑abuse treatment, or employment assistance. Each individual reports monthly to a community supervision officer and demonstrates continued compliance with their court‑ordered child support obligations. The program provides an alternative to incarceration for over 2000 parents.

We value our ongoing partnership with the Family District Courts and the OAG and remain confident that our collaborative efforts will continue to strengthen the financial stability of children and families throughout Harris County.

August is Child Support Awareness Month, and the Harris County Domestic Relations Office (DRO) is proud to recognize its...
08/03/2026

August is Child Support Awareness Month, and the Harris County Domestic Relations Office (DRO) is proud to recognize its longstanding commitment to helping children receive the financial support children need to grow and thrive. Timely and reliable financial contributions from parents are essential for meeting children’s basic needs, education, and long-term opportunities.

Through our Legal Services Division, the DRO currently manages 17,214 active child support cases, providing services that include establishing, monitoring, enforcing, modifying, and terminating child support orders. In addition, our Community Supervision Division provides an alternative to incarceration for 2031 probationers who have been sentenced to jail due to delinquent child support obligations. Key components of the DRO’s programs are:

• Financial Stability for Children: Child support ensures children have the resources they need for food, clothing, education, and healthcare.

• Legal and Practical Support: DRO programs help parents understand their rights, obligations, and options for modifying orders if there are significant changes in income or living situation.

• Protection and Safety: Our outreach addresses concerns about fear of the other parent, offering guidance on how programs can help protect families while accessing support.

The DRO’s child support payment rate remains in the top one to three of all Texas counties for collection percentages. Nationwide the statistics are as follows:

• 12 million children received child support services nationwide in 2025
• $29.3 billion collected in FY25
• 74% of payments come from automatic paycheck withholding — making support reliable and consistent for families
• $4.01 collected for every $1 spent — one of the most cost-effective federal programs
• 63 tribal programs serve 56,000 children with services consistent with tribal values and cultures
• $617 million in medical support delivered in FY25, helping children access the care they need

Although there are always more families in need, we can take pride in the meaningful child support work we’ve accomplished

National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI)The Domestic Relations Office (DRO) is proud to announce that the National Fatherhoo...
07/27/2026

National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI)

The Domestic Relations Office (DRO) is proud to announce that the National Fatherhood Initiative has awarded a grant to fully cover enrollment for a designated number of Harris County fathers in ProFathering15.

ProFathering15 is an online, self‑paced course designed to help fathers build confidence, strengthen parenting skills, and stay actively engaged in their children’s lives.

This opportunity will empower fathers involved in the Harris County Family Courts and further strengthen families across our community. We are excited to offer this course as a valuable addition to the parenting programs already provided by the DRO.

Family Court Services Evaluator – Testimony TrainingToday, Christy Bradshaw Schmidt, LPC, with Texas Family Law Forensic...
07/16/2026

Family Court Services Evaluator – Testimony Training

Today, Christy Bradshaw Schmidt, LPC, with Texas Family Law Forensics, provided Family Court Services and Supervised Visitation staff with an excellent training on effective courtroom testimony. She covered several key topics, including:

• Preparing for your court appearance

• Understanding the difference between fact and expert witnesses

• Tips for direct examination

• Responding to hypothetical questions

• Tips for cross‑examination

• Staying grounded in your role

A sincere thank you to Christy for sharing her expertise and equipping our team with valuable tools for confident, effective testimony.

DRO Family Mediation Program - 2026 National Association of Counties Achievement Award WinnerThe Domestic Relations Offi...
06/22/2026

DRO Family Mediation Program - 2026 National Association of Counties Achievement Award Winner

The Domestic Relations Office’s (DRO) Family Mediation Program has been selected to receive a 2026 National Association of Counties Achievement Award. Congratulations to our outstanding mediation team.

The DRO is grateful for the opportunity to provide mediation services for cases pending in the Harris County Family Courts and for the families who place their trust in us. Since Commissioners Court established the program in 1995, our mediation program has consistently achieved an annual resolution rate above 80%.

Each year, the DRO receives more than 1,700 case requests to mediate, involving two parents per case (3400 applications). Among the cases mediated, over 1,900 children are impacted, 1,200 participants are self-represented, and approximately 450 are Spanish-speaking.

DRO mediators take great pride in helping families reach meaningful and lasting resolutions at no cost. The Office remains grateful for the opportunity to serve our Harris County constituents and the Harris County Family District Courts.

Address

Houston, TX

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17132747300

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