About Texas Child Protective Services (CPS)

The Child Protective Services Division investigates reports of abuse and neglect of children. It also:

• Provides services to children and families in their own homes;
• Places children in foster care;
• Provides services to help youth in foster care make the transition to adulthood; and
• Places children in adoptive homes.

Information About the CPS Investigation Process and When Children are in State Care

• Guide to Investigation Process
  • Parent's Guide to a Child Protective Services Investigation
  • Guía para Padres: Investigación de Servicios de Protección al Menor
• How to Get a Copy of a Case Record
• More Information About Investigations
• Information about Parenting Classes
• Guide To Medical Services
• Guide to Foster Care
  • While Your Child Is In Our Care
  • Mientras Cuidamos a Su Hijo
• Family Based Safety Services
  • Supporting Your Family Through Family Based Safety Services (FBSS)
  • Apoyo para su familia por medio de los Servicios de seguridad basados en la familia (FBSS)
• Family Group Decision Making
  • Through Family Group Decision Making, Families and CPS Strive to Keep Children Safe
  • Por medio de la toma de Decisiones del Grupo Familiar, las familias y CPS se esfuerzan por mantener a salvo a los niños

CPS Links

• 2008 Child and Family Service Review
• Citizen Input/Citizen Review Teams
• Child Fatality Review Teams
• Contracts for Client Services

Stop Child Abuse

• Information on Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect
• Kids Should Be Seen and Not Hurt (brochure)
• Los Niños son Inocentes: Cuídelos
• Keeping Children Safe resources

Laws and Handbooks

• Section 261.001 of the Texas Family Code - Legal Definitions of Abuse and Neglect
• Child Protective Services Handbook
• Proposed and Adopted Rules in the Texas Register

Frequently Asked Questions

• How old must a child be to be left alone?
• How do I obtain a copy of a CPS record?
• What Happens to My Child? Frequently asked questions about CPS by parents who receive services from Domestic Violence Providers
• How do I find a form?

Programs and Projects

• NEW: Fostering Connections
• Disproportionate Representation of Ethnic or Racial Groups in the CPS System (Disproportionality)
• Parent Collaboration Group
• Texas Child Fatality Review Team (TCFRT)

How You Can Help

• Community Initiatives
• Greater Texas Community Partners
• Community Partners Contacts
• Rainbow Rooms
• Adopt-A-Caseworker

Helpful Websites

• Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards
• Texas Council on Family Violence
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program
• Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
• Texas Mental Health Initiative - designed to assist behavioral health providers, consumers, family members and interested stakeholders in finding up-to-date, relevant information about prevention, treatment, advocacy, and evidence-based practices.
• A Handbook for Parents and Guardians in Child Protection Cases - State Bar of Texas (in English)
• A Handbook for Parents and Guardians in Child Protection Cases  - State Bar of Texas (en Espanol)
• Legal forms for a Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship in Texas - If you are a grandparent who now has custody of children and now need the legal forms for custody and to make decisions, the forms are available at online at www.texaslawhelp.org.
• Supreme Court Task Force on Child Protection Case Management and Reporting
• Building a Better Court - Measuring and Improving Court Performance and Judicial Workload in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases
• Texas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
• National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges
• Texas Lawyers for Children
• Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas
• National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare
• Child Welfare Information Gateway (formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information)

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