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Judge Specia Appointed DFPS Commissioner

Senior district judge John J. Specia, Jr., a founding member and jurist in residence for the Supreme Court Children’s Commission, has been named the next commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

“Judge Specia has a long legacy of protecting children and pushing for improvement in our programs,” said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Kyle Janek, M.D. “He’s known as a problem solver, and we’re thrilled that he’s bringing that expertise and commitment to DFPS.”

Specia has extensive experience in policy issues involving children and families. He established the Bexar County Children’s Court with specialized services for children and the Family Drug Treatment Court, which has become a model for the state. Specia was vice-chair of the Supreme Court’s Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families and chair of the Supreme Court Task Force on Foster Care. Specia was among the state’s first child welfare attorneys, serving as a regional attorney for the former Texas Department of Human Services from 1980-1985. Read more.