WESLACO - Texas’ troubled foster care system is finally making some much needed hires.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services were in need of more case investigators a few months ago. There were few workers that state lawmakers asked DPS to assist in at-risk cases.

The agency had a significant number of backlogged services in 2016. In addition, more than 100 children died within their care the same year.

CPS hired more than 440 employees since December. Commissioner Hank Whitman said the department plans to hire another 250 people soon.

The state legislature approved $142 million as emergency funding for new staff members.

The money is also paying raises for about 6,000 special investigators in an effort to reduce employee turnover.

There is state legislation being considered in Austin that would bring more changes to CPS.

A house bill would make it easier for children who are at-risk to be adopted by relatives. Two other bills would seek to increase privatizing case management, while the other would separate CPS into its own agency.