Email Updates

Introduction

DFPS contracts with about 300 licensed residential child care providers to provide substitute care to children in DFPS’s managing conservatorship. Through these contracts, DFPS establishes the qualifications, standards, services, expectations, and outcomes for 24-hour child-care facilities and child-placing agencies.

DFPS has residential contract managers who assess, monitor, and manage these contracts. Residential contract managers serve as liaisons between DFPS field staff and providers to improve communication, gather input, and resolve conflicts. They also work closely with a third party reviewer, Child Protective Services, and HHS Child Care Licensing to ensure contractors comply with service level requirements, contracts expectations, and licensing standards.

Residential Child Care Contracting Opportunities

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) contracts with a variety of vendors. We contract directly for most services for clients and some goods and services that support the work of our employees. Current procurement opportunities are posted on the Electronic State Business Daily (ESBD).

Search by agency name or agency number (DFPS is 530) and status "posted" to locate current:

  • Requests for Proposals (RFP)
  • Requests for Applications (RFA)
  • Requests for Offers (RFO)
  • Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
  • Invitations for Bids (IFB)

Open Enrollment Opportunities

DFPS Open Provider Enrollments (PEN) procurement solicitations are posted on the HHS Procurement and Contract Services website and on the ESBD.

Applying for a Residential Child Care Contract with DFPS

Steps to contracting with DFPS:

Residential Child Care Contractors

  • Active Residential Child Care Contracts
  • Active DFPS Contracts at or Exceeding $100,000
  • Performance Management Evaluation Tool (PMET): PMET is used only by client services contractors who are required to self-report contract performance measure data.
  • Child Placing Agencies Pre-Service Training, Modules, and Topics: For contracted licensed Child Placing Agencies, each caregiver must receive a maximum of 35 hours of pre-service training prior to providing direct care services to a child, and prior to home verification or approval of a foster home. Pre-service training components are referenced within Minimum Standards. Above is a list of pre-service training curriculum, modules, and topics that are provided to caregivers by contracted licensed Child Placing Agencies. Providers may exceed 35 hours of pre-service training based on the needs of the child being placed and whether the child is receiving services including the treatment of emotional disorders, pervasive development disorder, primary medical needs, intellectual and developmental disabilities, or physical disabilities, and whether the child is a victim of human trafficking.

Residential Child Care Contract Documents

The 24-Hour RCC Requirements apply to all contracts, with the exception of Supervised Independent Living contracts. The Uniform Terms and Conditions applies to all contracts.   

Child Placing Agency (CPA)

The following documents apply to all Child Placing Agency contracts, in addition to the above 24-Hour Requirements and Uniformed Terms and Conditions:

  • Open Enrollment
  • Supplemental, Special and Programmatic Conditions for CPA

General Residential Operation (GRO)

The following documents apply to all General Residential Operation contracts, including Residential Treatment Centers and Emergency Shelters, in addition to the above 24-Hour Requirements and Uniformed Terms and Conditions:

  • Open Enrollment
  • Supplemental, Special and Programmatic Conditions for GRO

Intensive Psychiatric Treatment Program (IPTP) 

The following documents apply to all Intensive Psychiatric Treatment Program, in addition to the above 24-Hour Requirements and Uniformed Terms and Conditions:

  • Open Enrollment
  • Supplemental, Special and Programmatic Conditions for IPTP

Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC)

The following documents apply to all Treatment Family Foster Care, in addition to the above 24-Hour Requirements and Uniformed Terms and Conditions:

  • Open Enrollment
  • Supplemental, Special and Programmatic Conditions for TFFC

Feedback

We appreciate your feedback! Send an email to Residential Contracts.