Child Protective Services Handbook
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Section 1000: Organization and Administration
1000 Organization and Administration
1100 Child Protective Services Program
1120 Guiding Principles of the CPS Program
1121 Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)
1122 Focus on Resources and Outcomes
1124 Definition of Stages of Service
1140 Relationship to Other Agencies and Entities
1141 Federal and State Agencies
1142.1 Child Welfare Contracts
1142.2 Development of Child Welfare Contracts
1143 Statewide Parent Collaboration Group and Local Parent Support Group
1143.1 Statewide Parent Collaboration Group
1143.2 Local Parent Support Groups
1143.21 Eligibility for CPS Staff Liaison
1143.22 Regional Parent Liaison
1143.3 Roles of Local Parent Support Group
1143.33 Joint CPS Liaison and Parent Liaison Responsibilities
1143.4 Statewide Parent Collaboration Group
1143.41 Background Check Procedures
1143.42 Background Check Results
1143.5 Local Parent Support Groups
1143.51 Whom to Refer to the Local Parent Support Groups
1143.52 Procedures for the Local Parent Support Group Background Check
1143.53 Travel Reimbursement for Parents Facilitating Parent Support Groups
1143.54 Encouraging Parent Participation in the Local Parent Support Groups
1143.55 Referrals to Parent Support Groups
1143.56 When Attorneys Have Questions About the PSG - Guidelines for Staff
1144 Criminal Records Check for Authorized Volunteer Organizations
1145 Bookkeeping and External Entities
1150 CPS Volunteer and Community Engagement
1151 Acceptance of Gifts and Donations
1160 Public Information About Child Protective Services
1171.1 Development of Regional Program Plans
1172.1 Plans Required by Federal Funding Sources
1172.2 Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR)
1181 Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry
1181.1 Central Registry Retention Periods
1181.2 Who Can Access Central Registry
1181.3 Requests for Central Registry Information
1182 Child and Adult Protective System (CAPS)
1183 Previous Information Systems (Legacy Systems)
1183.1 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting and Inquiry System (CANRIS)
1183.2 Social Services Management System (SSMS)
1183.3 Foster Care, Adoption, and Conservatorship Tracking System (FACTS)
1183.4 Resource Management System (RMS)
1200 Legal Bases for Child Protective Services
1211 Texas Human Resources Code
1212.1 Texas Family Code Chapter 261 (Legal Definitions of Abuse and Neglect)
1212.2 Texas Family Code Chapter 262 (Removal of Neglected Children)
1212.3 Texas Family Code Chapter 263 (Placement of Children Under Conservatorship)
1212.4 Texas Family Code Chapter 264 (Protection of Children in Conservatorship or Substitute Care)
1213 Texas Administrative Code
1220 The U.S. Constitution and Governing Federal Law
1221 Constitutional Protections Under the Fourth Amendment
1221.1 Definitions of Search and Seizure
1221.2 Definition of Imminent and Exigent
1222 Federal Funding Under the Social Security Act
1222.1 Title IV-A and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
1222.2 Title IV-B Child Welfare Services
1222.21 Title IV-B, Subpart 1 (The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program)
1222.22 Title IV-B, Subpart 2 (Promoting Safe and Stable Families)
1223 Title IV-E, Federal Payments for Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and PCA Payments
1224 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)
1240 General Eligibility Criteria
1241 Child Protective Services Priorities
1242 Request for Child Protective Services
1243 Right to Refuse Services and Consequences of Refusal
1244 Administrative Reviews of Client Complaints
1250 Clients With Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
1251 Clients with Communication Disabilities
1251.1 Requirements for Auxiliary Aids and Services
1251.2 Sign Language Interpreter Requirements During CPS Interventions
1270 Evaluation and Monitoring of CPS Cases
1271 Federal Monitoring of CPS Cases
1272 Federal Eligibility Reviews of Title IV-E Foster Care
1273 Federal Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR)
1333 Reimbursement for Court-Ordered Social Studies
1400 Case Records and Workload Management
1422 Organization of Paper Case Records
1431.1 References for Detailed Case Recording Requirements
1432.1 Establishing Relationships Using Family Tree in IMPACT
1432.2 Situations in Which a Staff Member Is Included in Family Tree
1432.3 Handling Exceptional Relationships in Family Tree
1432.4 Viewing Family Tree Graphs
1432.5 Printing Family Tree Reports
1432.51 Family Tree Contact Information Report
1432.6 Confidentiality and Release of Family Tree Reports
1433 Supervisory Approval Process in IMPACT
1450 Confidentiality of Information
1452 Release of Confidential Information
1452.1 Releasing Information to Agencies Working with the Family
1452.3 Releasing Information to Military Personnel
1452.4 Releasing Information to Relatives, Providers, and Volunteers
1452.5 Releasing Information to Locate Missing Parents
1452.6 Releasing or Using Children's Photographs or Images
1452.61 Not Requiring Child, Youth or Caregiver Consent
1452.62 Not Requiring DFPS Consent But Requiring Verbal Or Written Child or Youth Consent
1452.7 Releasing Information to Adoptive Parents
1454 Privileged Communications
1456 Release of Fiscal and Statistical Information
1461 Phase 1: Discontinuing Services
1462 Phase 2: Closing a Case in IMPACT
1463 Phase 3: Preparing the Paper File (External Record)
1463.1 Unit Staff Responsibilities
1463.2 Items Retained in the Paper Case File
1463.3 Items Returned to the Child When a Conservatorship Case Is Closed
1463.4 Items Removed From the File When Closing FBSS or Conservatorship Cases
1464 Administrative Closure of Cases
1470 Retention and Disposal of Case Information
1471 Retention of Conservatorship or Foster Care Case Information
1472 Retention of Family Preservation Services Case Records
1473 Retaining Records for Cases That Are Closed After Investigation
1473.3 Retaining Records When Abuse and Neglect Are Ruled Out and Risk is Indicated
1474 Retaining the Records for Cases That Do Not Involve Abuse, Neglect, or Conservatorship
1474.4 Retaining Records for Casework-Related Special Requests
1475 Retention of Case Records Related to Foster and Adoptive Homes
1475.1 Retention of Foster and Adoptive Case Records
1475.2 Retention of Post-Adoption Services Case Records
1476 Retention of Consummated Adoption Case Records
1477 Destruction of Case Records in Regional Storage
1478.1 Retrieval of Records from the Records Center
1478.2 Destruction of Records in the Records Center
1480 Consummated Adoption Records
1481 Procedures for Accessing Consummated Adoption Records within the Central Records
1490 Workload Management System
1491 Case Conference and Supportive Supervision
1500 Eligibility for Child Protective Services
1510 Foster Care Maintenance Resources
1511 Foster Care Assistance and Review Policies
1511.1 Applying for Foster Care Assistance
1511.2 Determining Eligibility
1511.4 Consistency with Income and Resources Information
1511.5 Unknown Family Income on the Foster Care Assistance Application
1511.6 Zero Family Income on the Foster Care Assistance Application
1514 Notifications to SSA and Use of the Wire Third Party Query (WTPY) System
1515 Foster Care Financial Eligibility Case Record
1520 Obtaining Certified Birth Certificates and Screen-Printing Birth Records
1521 Requesting Certified Birth Certificates
1521.1 Requesting Birth Certificates for Children Born in Texas
1521.2 Requesting Birth Certificates for Children Born in Texas for Adoption Purposes
1521.3 Requesting Out-of-State Birth Certificates
1521.4 Requesting International Birth Certificates
1521.5 Request Reimbursement if Personal Funds Must Be Used to Obtain Certificate
1531 General Foster Care Assistance Eligibility Requirements
1531.1 General Eligibility Requirements for Title IV-E and State-Paid Foster Care
1531.11 Responsibility for Placement and Care
1531.14 Social Security Number
1531.2 General Eligibility Requirements for MAO Foster Care
1532 Additional Eligibility Requirements for Title IV-E Foster Care
1532.1 Judicial Determinations
1532.2 Citizenship or Immigration Status
1533 Requirements When IV-E Children are in a Non-IV-E Placement
1533.1 Trial Home Visits/Monitored Returns
1533.2 Placements Outside the Scope of Foster Care
1534 Additional Eligibility Requirements for State-Paid Foster Care
1535 Additional Eligibility Requirements for MAO Foster Care
1535.1 Medical Coverage for Children in Foster Care
1535.2 Medical Assistance Only (MAO) Auto-Eligibility
1535.3 MAO Coverage for Children Placed in Kinship, Relative, or Own Home Placement
1535.4 MAO Coverage for Children in Adoptive Placements
1535.5 MAO Coverage for Children in Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Placements
1536 Eligibility in Medical Facilities Before Placement
1537 Foster Care Payments During Absences From the Foster Care Home or Facility
1538 Medicaid Benefits for Foster Care Children Placed in Texas From Other States
1539 Medicaid Benefits for Foster Care Children Placed Out of State
1541 Extended Foster Care Assistance
1542 Return for Extended Foster Care
1543 Payment for Long-Term Care in Adulthood
1543.1 Youth Age 18 or Older in Voluntary Foster Care: Signing Over SSI and RSDI Benefits
1544 Eligibility for Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY)
1550 Foster Care Maintenance Payments
1551 Effective Dates of Foster-Care-Assistance Payments
1552 Billing and Payment for Foster Care Assistance
1553 Recoupment of Foster Care Maintenance Overpayment
1553.2 Manual Recoupment Process
1553.3 Notification to Providers of Recoupment That Exceeds 50% of Next Payment
1553.4 Extreme Hardship and Repayment Plans
1560 Management of Children's Funds
1561 Accounting Procedures for Children's Funds
1562 Managing Children's Income Accounts (CIAs)
1562.1 Prior-Period Adjustment (PPA) Invoice Processing for Children With Income
1562.2 Account Resource Limits
1562.3 Adoptive Placement and Children's Income
1562.4 Handling Deceased Children's Income
1563 Establishing, Transferring, and Closing Children's Savings Accounts
1564 Duties of Accounts Receivable (AR) Staff
1564.1 Manual Receipt of Funds by Accounts Receivable (AR) Staff
1564.2 Receivables Procedures for Accounts Receivable (AR) Staff
1564.3 Reconciliation Requirements for Accounts Receivable (AR) Staff
1564.4 Electronic Return of Benefits
1564.5 Lump Sum Distribution Instructions
1565 Duties of Accounts Payable (AP) Staff
1565.1 Handling Income When Child is in Paid Substitute Care
1565.2 Handling Income When Child is Not in Paid Substitute Care
1566 Duties of Accounting Supervisor
1566.1 Procedures for Reviewing Information and Reports
1566.2 Reconciliation Responsibilities of Accounting Supervisor
1566.3 Annual Reconciliation for Each Client
1566.4 Reconciliation of Child's Income at Discharge
1566.5 Reconciliation of Discrepancies
1566.6 Reconciliation of Child's Income at Death
1567 Records Retention Requirements for Transactions Involving Children's Funds
1570 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children in Foster Care
1571 Effect of SSI Eligibility on Title IV-E Foster Care
1572 Effect of SSI Eligibility on State-Paid Foster Care
1573 Effect of SSI Eligibility on MAO Foster Care
1574 SSI Applications for Youth Aging Out of Care
1575 Placement in Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Homes
1575.1 SSI Coordinator and Foster Care Eligibility Specialist Responsibilities
1576 Child Specific Contract Placements
1577 Establishing a Dedicated Account Using a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lump Sum
1578 Money Earned by Foster Children From Full- or Part-Time Employment
1579 Third Party Resources for Medical Care Services
1580 Management of a Lump Sum Award (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Non-SSI)
1581 Managing a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lump Sum
1581.1 Child Is in a DFPS Paid Foster Care Placement
1581.2 Child Is Not in DFPS Paid Placement
1581.3 Child Is No Longer in DFPS Conservatorship
1581.4 Child Dies While DFPS Is Managing Conservator
1582 Managing a Non-SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Lump Sum
1583 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Reports
1600 Permanency Care Assistance
1610 Definitions Related to Permanency Care Assistance
1611 Overview of Permanency Care Assistance
1612 Eligibility Requirements for Permanency Care Assistance
1612.2 Eligibility Requirements of Children for Permanency Care Assistance
1612.3 Eligibility Requirements of Siblings for Permanency Care Assistance
1612.4 When a Child Is Not Eligible for Permanency Care Assistance (State-Paid or Title IV-E Funded)
1613 Requesting an Extension of Permanency Care Assistance
1614 Informing Families About Permanency Care Assistance
1615 Applying for Permanency Care Assistance
1616 The Regional Role in Determining Eligibility for Permanency Care Assistance
1616.1 The Eligibility Assistance Units in the Regions
1616.2 The Steps for Determining Eligibility for Permanency Care Assistance
1616.21 Step 1: Logging Receipt of a PCA Packet and Evaluating it for Completeness
1616.22 Step 2: Making a Preliminary Determination About PCA Eligibility
1616.23 Step 3: Negotiating a PCA Agreement With a Prospective Managing Conservator
1616.24 Step 4: Activating PCA Benefits Upon a Transfer of Managing Conservatorship
1616.4 Ongoing Responsibilities of Eligibility Units in Permanency Care Assistance
1616.5 Reimbursing Nonrecurring Expenses Covered by Permanency Care Assistance
1616.6 Determining Which Region Maintains a Case Involving Permanency Care Assistance
1618 Negotiating Permanency Care and Deferred Agreements
1618.1 The Role of the Negotiator in Determining Permanency Care Assistance
1618.2 Determining the Payment Ceiling When Negotiating for Permanency Care Assistance
1618.3 Other Considerations When Negotiating for Permanency Care Assistance
1618.4 Explaining Education Requirements When Negotiating for Permanency Care Assistance
1618.5 Negotiating Deferred Agreements for Permanency Care Assistance
1619 Providing Medical Assistance to Recipients of Permanency Care Assistance
1619.1 Providing Medical Care to a Child Who Lives in Texas and Receives Permanency Care Assistance
1620 A Change in the Circumstances of a Recipient of Permanency Care Assistance
1621 Benefits: Recertification and Termination for Permanency Care Assistance
1621.1 Recertification of Eligibility for Permanency Care Assistance
1621.2 Terminating Permanency Care Assistance
1622 Fair Hearings Regarding Decisions About Permanency Care Assistance
1622.1 Duties of the Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialist
1622.2 Appealing Decisions Made Regarding Permanency Care Assistance
1700 Adoption Assistance Program
1710 Adoption Assistance Program Description
1711 Adoption Assistance Eligibility Requirements for Children Adopted From DFPS Conservatorship
1711.1 General Eligibility Requirements
1711.2 Determining Whether a Child Has Special Needs
1711.3 Eligibility Requirements for Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses
1711.4 Additional Eligibility Requirements for Monthly Payments and Medicaid Coverage
1711.5 Eligibility Requirements for State-Paid Adoption Assistance
1711.6 Determining Who Is an Applicable Child
1711.7 Eligibility Requirements for Extended Adoption Assistance
1711.8 When Adoption Assistance Is Not Available (Transferring Permanent Managing Conservatorship)
1712.1 Eligibility Requirements
1712.2 Adoption Assistance Eligibility Case Record
1712.3 International Adoptions
1713 Jurisdiction and Responsibility for Determining Eligibility and Activating Benefits
1713.1 Determining Which Children Are Within DFPS Jurisdiction
1713.2 Determining Region With Responsibility for a Case
1714 Program Notification, Application Process, and Responsibility for Cases
1714.1 Informing Families of the Adoption Assistance Program
1714.2 Application Process For Adoption Assistance
1714.3 Determination of Eligibility
1714.5 Commencement of Benefits
1714.6 Ongoing Responsibilities of Eligibility Units for the Adoption Assistance Program
1714.7 Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Expenses of Adoption
1715 Negotiating Adoption Assistance Agreements and Deferred Adoption Assistance Agreements
1715.1 Responsibilities of Negotiators for Initial Adoption Assistance Agreement
1715.2 Ongoing Responsibilities of Negotiators
1715.3 Considerations During Negotiations
1715.4 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments and Adoption Assistance Payments
1715.5 Determining the Adoption Assistance Payment Ceiling
1716 Deferred Adoption Assistance Agreements
1717 Changes in Circumstances and Periodic Certification of Continued Eligibility
1717.1 Recertification of Eligibility
1717.2 Adoptive Parents Die or Their Parental Rights Are Terminated
1718 Benefits: Termination and Resumption
1718.1 Termination of Benefits
1718.2 Recouping an Overpayment of Adoption Assistance
1718.21 Standard Cases - Recouping an Adoption Subsidy in 30 Days
1718.22 Hardship Cases – Recouping an Adoption Subsidy in Any Dollar Amount
1719 Fair Hearings Regarding Adoption Assistance Decisions
1719.2 An Agreement for Adoption Assistance Was Not Signed Before an Adoption's Consummation
1719.3 Responsibilities of the Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialist and Negotiator
1730 Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1731 Definition of Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1732 Eligibility Requirements for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1733 Proceeding With Adoptive Placements in a Timely Manner
1734 Approval Process for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1734.1 Regional Approval Process
1734.2 State Office Approval Process
1734.3 Approvals and Notification to Family
1735 Negotiation for Enhanced Adoption Assistance and Placement
1736 Authorization of Payments for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1737 Denials of Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1738 Deferred Agreements for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1739 Appeals and Fair Hearings
1761 The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance and its Impact on Adoption Assistance
1762 Procedures of The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance
1811 Criminal Records Checks Legal Requirements
1811.1 Persons/Entities on Whom Criminal Records Checks Can be Made
1811.2 Limited Disclosure of Records
1814 Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry
1815 Procedures for Requesting, Viewing, or Documenting a Records Check in CAPS
1820 Records Checks on Applicants, Employees, Interns, and Volunteers
1823 Required Reporting as Events Occur
1910 Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
1911 Determining Eligibility for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Services
1912 Referring Clients to DSHS-Funded Substance Abuse Treatment
1912.1 Inpatient Treatment of Substance Abuse
1912.12 Direct Referrals to Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment
1912.13 Required Forms for Inpatient Treatment of Substance Abuse
1912.2 Outpatient Treatment and Detoxification Services for Substance Abuse
1913 Purchasing Substance Abuse Treatment Services for Eligible Clients
1914 Identifying Available Services
1915 Authorizing Substance Abuse Treatment Services in IMPACT
1916 Coordinating With a DSHS Provider to Deliver Substance Abuse Services
1917 Terminating DSHS Services for Substance Abuse
1921 Definitions Related to Substance Abuse
1921.4 Instant Test (Oral Swab)
1922 Eligibility for Substance Abuse Testing
1922.1 Determining Eligibility for Substance Abuse Testing Conducted by a Contracted Laboratory
1922.2 Identifying the Substances That Are Eligible for Testing
1922.3 Identifying Laboratory Services for Substance Abuse Testing
1922.4 Referring Clients for Substance Abuse Testing
1922.5 Authorizing Substance Abuse Testing in IMPACT
1922.6 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Substance Abuse Services
1923 Testing for Substance Abuse
1923.1 Detection Periods for Substance Abuse
1923.2 Diluted Samples Obtained During Testing
1923.3 Instant (Swab) Tests and Court Hearings
1923.4 Using Acceptable Contractors to Obtain Test Results
1923.5 Frequency of Random Substance Abuse Testing
1923.6 Situations Not Appropriate for Drug Testing
1923.7 Discontinuing Drug Testing
1923.8 Assessing Test Results or Accepting an Admission
1923.9 Documenting Prescribed Medicine Before Offering Drug Testing
1924 Special Situations Related to Substance Abuse
1924.1 Methadone and Prescription Medication
1924.3 Drug Use During a Parent-Child Visit or FGDM Conference
1924.4 The Court Testimony of the Medical Review Officer
1930 Casework Practice for Substance Abuse Cases
1931 Overview of Casework Practice for Substance Abuse Cases
1931.1 The Definition of a Drug
1931.2 Obtaining Diagnostic Classifications From Professionals
1931.3 Guiding Principles of Drug Testing
1931.5 Determining Safety and Risk When Marijuana, Other Substances, or Alcohol Are Present
1932 Screening and Assessing for Substance Abuse
1932.1 Screening for Substance Abuse
1932.2 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
1932.3 Drug Use Outside of the Home
1940 Establishing Protective Measures When a Child Is Threatened by Substance Abuse
1950 Newborns, Children, and Youth Who Are Exposed to Drugs or Alcohol
1951 Children and Adolescents Who Smoke Marijuana, Use Other Drugs, or Drink Alcohol
1951.1 Youth Who Are Not in DFPS Conservatorship and Are Not Unemancipated
1951.2 Children and Adolescents in DFPS Conservatorship
1951.3 Youth in Extended Care or Return to Care
1952 Newborns Exposed to Drugs or Alcohol
1952.1 Safety Plan for a Substance-Exposed Newborn
1960 Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Abuse
1961 Treatment Options for Drug and Alcohol Abuse
1962 Education When Treatment Is Not Recommended by an OSAR Screener or Provider
1964 The Prevention and Early Intervention Program (PEI)
1965 Indicators of Progress Made Toward Recovery
1966 Developing a Safety Plan in Case a Client Relapses
1971 Drug Raids to Protect Drug-Endangered Children
1972 Safety Tips for Visiting Homes or Areas Where Substance Abuse Is Practiced
1973 Recognizing When a Caseworker Is Physically Exposed to Drugs
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Section 2000: Intake, Investigation, and Assessment
2000 Intake, Investigation, and Assessment
2100 Processing Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2110 Definitions of Abuse/Neglect and Authority
2112 Primary Statutory Definitions
2113 Statutory Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
2114 Statutory Definition of Person Responsible for Child's Care, Custody, or Welfare
2115 Terms Used in Primary Statutory Definitions
2120 CPS Authority for Investigating Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2121 Reports Within CPS Authority to Investigate
2122 Reports Not Within CPS Authority to Investigate
2123 Children Not Yet Born or Not Born Alive
2130 The Roles of SWI and CPS During Intake
2131 Legal Requirements for Reporting Abuse or Neglect
2132 Reporting Responsibilities for DFPS Staff
2133 Special Issues Relating to Reporting Abuse or Neglect
2134 Reporting Directly to SWI About Abuse or Neglect
2135 Reports Made to Field Offices
2136 When to Notify Law Enforcement About Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2140 Screening an Intake for Investigation
2141 Screening and Prioritizing Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2142 The Allegations That CPS Accepts for Investigation and Assessment
2142.1 Criteria for Initiating an Investigation
2142.3 Incomplete or Questionable Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2142.4 When Abuse or Neglect Occurs in a Foster or Adoptive Home
2142.5 Reports of Abuse or Neglect That Relate to Child-Care Facilities
2143 Assigning Priority to Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2144 The Role of SWI in Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2150 CPS Process of Screening Intakes for Investigations
2151 The CPS Supervisor's Role in Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2152 Contacting Collateral Sources About Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2153 Formally Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect (The Role of the Investigation Screener)
2153.1 Criteria for Formally Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2153.2 CPS Staff Who Formally Screen Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2153.3 Determining a Report's Eligibility for Screening
2153.4 Reports That Clearly Meet Investigation Guidelines
2153.5 Reports That Do Not Clearly Meet Investigation Guidelines
2153.6 Recommending a Formally Screened Report for Investigation
2153.7 Closing a Formally Screened Report (Not Recommending Investigation)
2153.8 Time Frames for Completing the Formal Screening of a Report
2153.9 Documenting the Formal Screening of a Report
2154 Notifying the Reporter When a Report Is Closed
2155 Changing the Priority of a Report About Abuse or Neglect
2156 Closing Reports of Abuse or Neglect Without Assignment for Investigation
2156.1 Reports of Abuse or Neglect That Require Supervisory Approval for Closure
2157 Receiving a New Report During an Open Investigation of Abuse or Neglect
2200 Overview of Investigations
2211 Objectives and Casework Process
2212 Workers Who Perform Investigations
2213 Roles of the Worker and Supervisor
2214 Roles of Secondary Workers
2215 Separation of Investigatory and Service-Delivery Functions
2220 Jurisdictional Issues Involving a Child's County of Residence
2221 Definition of Child's County of Residence
2222 Preventing and Resolving Disagreements Among Staff Regarding Residence Designations
2223 County of Child's Residence Is Unknown / Child Is Temporarily Away From Home
2224 Expectant Mother Residing in Texas Department of Corrections Facility or State Mental Hospital
2230 Requirements to Protect Locating Information of Family Violence Victims
2231 Families Who Participate in the Address Confidentiality Program
2232 Securing the Confidential Address
2233 Entering an OAG-Issued Substitute Post Office Box Address in IMPACT
2234 Obtaining the Confidential Address (Abuse and Neglect Cases Only)
2235 Sending Legal or Other Written Information
2236 When a Child Is Removed and DFPS Is Managing Conservator
2237 Disclosing a True Physical Address
2238 Youth Transitioning Out of DFPS Care
2240 CPS Cooperation with Law Enforcement Officials
2241 CPS Roles During Criminal and Civil Investigations
2242 Arrangements with Local Criminal Justice Officials
2243 Office of the Inspector General
2245 County or District Criminal Attorney
2250 Time Frames of Investigation
2251 Time Frames for Investigations
2252 Time Frame for Progressing an Intake to the Investigation Stage
2253 Time Frames for Initiating Priority I and Priority II Investigations
2254 Twenty-Four Hour Documentation
2254.1 Documentation of Removal, Initial Placement and Medical Consenter
2255 Time Frame for Completing Investigation Actions
2256 Time Frame for Documenting the Investigation
2257 Time Frame for Approving the Investigation
2260 Overview of Transporting a Child During an Investigation
2261 Transporting a Child From School for an Interview
2261.1 Obtaining Supervisory Approval to Transport a Child
2261.2 Determining the Basis of Authority for Transporting a Child
2261.3 Informing Law Enforcement Involved in a Joint Investigation
2261.4 Documenting the Transporting of a Child
2262 Transporting a Child in Other Circumstances
2263 Notifying the Parents Before Transporting a Child
2263.1 When Speaking Directly With a Parent About Transporting a Child
2263.2 When Direct Contact With the Parent Cannot Be Made
2264 Concealing from the Parent the Location to Which a Child Is Transported
2300 Basic Steps in Investigation
2310 Assessing Safety During the Investigation
2311 Initial Safety Assessment
2311.1 Background Checks During the Initial Safety Assessment
2311.2 Time Frames Related to the Initial Safety Assessment
2311.3 Examples of Priority 1 and 2 Time Frames for Initial Safety Assessments
2312 Casework Process for Assessing Initial Safety
2312.1 Handling Safety-Related Tasks at the Beginning of the Investigation
2312.2 Identifying a Present Danger of Serious Harm
2312.3 Identifying Insufficient Protective Capacity
2312.4 Determining Elevated Child Vulnerability
2312.5 Determining Safety Criteria for Decision Making
2312.6 Making the Safety Decision
2312.7 Holding a Staffing Meeting and Obtaining Approval
2313 Completing the Safety Assessment Page
2314 Case Merge and the Safety Assessment Page
2315 Responding to Safety Concerns
2315.1 Controlling Safety Threats
2315.2 Assessing the Family's Response to Child-Safety Issues
2316 Subsequent Safety Assessments During an Investigation
2316.1 Assessing Safety at the End of the Investigation
2317 When Safety Assessments Do Not Apply
2321 Casework Process for Assessing Risk
2321.1 Time Frames for the Risk Assessment
2321.2 Abuse and Neglect Background Checks
2323 Risk Factors and Categories Within Each Area of Concern
2323.1 Child Vulnerability Risk Factors and Categories
2323.2 Caregiver Capability Risk Factors and Categories
2323.3 Quality of Care Risk Factors and Categories
2323.4 Maltreatment Pattern Risk Factors and Categories
2323.5 Home and Social Environment Risk Factors and Categories
2323.6 Documenting Domestic Violence on the Risk Assessment Tool
2323.7 Response to Intervention Risk Factors
2324 Assigning a Level of Concern to Each Risk Area
2325 Determining Risk of Abuse or Neglect at the End of the Investigation
2325.1 Staffing of Dispositions, Risk, and Decision About Services
2325.2 When Children Are at Risk
2325.3 Children Are Not at Risk
2326 Where to Document the Risk Assessment
2327 Investigations in Which Risk Assessments Are Not Conducted
2330 Investigating Allegations
2331 Objectives of Investigations
2332 Investigating Allegations of Abuse or Neglect
2333 Investigating Alleged Perpetrators
2334 Investigating Allegations of Abuse or Neglect Without Naming a Perpetrator
2335 New Intake or Allegation Received During an Open Investigation
2336 Subsequent Investigations on a Family
2337 Documentary Evidence Needed for the Case Record
2337.1 A Child's School Records
2340 Casework Tasks Performed When Starting an Investigation
2341 Abuse and Neglect Background Checks
2342 Criminal Background Checks
2343 Staffing a Report Assigned for Investigation
2344 Arranging Joint Investigations With Law Enforcement
2345 Contacting the Reporter Before Initiating the Investigation
2346 Multiple Referral Reports
2346.1 Worker Responsibilities
2346.2 Supervisor Responsibilities
2346.3 Child Safety Specialist Responsibilities
2347 Making a Contact to Initiate the Investigation
2348 Follow-Up When Contact Is Not Made Within Priority Time Frames
2351.1 Worker Requests Permission to Enter a Home
2351.2 Who Has the Authority to Give Consent to Enter the Home
2351.6 When Parents Disagree About Consent
2351.7 Scope of the Consent Given by an Adult Caretaker, Child, or Occupant of the Home
2352 Exigent Circumstances Relating to Entry of a Home
2353 Documenting the Visit to the Home
2360 Investigative Interviews With Children
2361 Interviews with Alleged Victims
2361.1 Obtaining Consent to Interview
2361.2 Basic Requirements During the Interview
2361.31 Substitute Interviews for Alleged Victims of Sexual Abuse or Serious Physical Abuse
2362 Recording Interviews With Children
2362.1 Acceptable Methods Used to Record Interviews
2362.2 Unusual Situations That May Legitimately Preclude Recording Interviews
2362.3 Documenting in IMPACT Whether Interviews Were Recorded
2362.4 Confidentiality of Recorded Interviews
2362.5 Storing, Labeling, Retaining, and Purging of Recorded Interviews
2362.51 Storing Recorded Interviews
2362.52 Number of Recorded Interviews That Can Be Preserved on Various Media
2362.53 Labeling of Media on Which Recorded Interviews Are Stored
2362.54 Storing, Retaining, and Purging of Recorded Interviews
2363 Interviews With Other Children in the Home
2364 Giving Notice When Interviewing or Examining a Child for an Investigation
2364.1 Definitions Related to Notice of Report
2365 Identifying and Locating Parents and Guardians
2366 Time Frames Related to Notice
2366.1 Exceptions to Providing Notice
2367 Means and Content of Notice
2368.2 When Withholding Notice
2368.3 When Delaying Notice by Request
2369 Limited English Proficiency and Clients With Communication Disabilities
2371 Examinations of Alleged Victims and Other Children in the Home
2374 Sexual Abuse Examinations
2375 Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Examinations
2376 Purchase of Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Examinations
2377 Medical and Mental Health Records
2381 Camera-Related Requirements
2382 Consent and Authority to Photograph and Documentation of Witnesses
2383 Photographing the General Appearance of a Child
2384 Photographing a Child's Injuries
2385 Photographing the Physical Evidence and Incident Scenes
2386 Photographing the Home and Living Environment
2387 Deleting or Altering Photographs
2388 Digital Storage of Digital Photographs in IMPACT
2389 Storing Prints of Photographs in the Paper Case File
2390 Investigative Interviews with Adults
2391 Individual and Private Interviews
2392 Interviews with Parents, Alleged Perpetrators, and Other Adults
2393 Interviews With Parents or Primary Caretakers
2393.1 Parents or Primary Caretakers in the Home
2393.2 Referral for Domestic Violence Services
2394 Interviews With Alleged Perpetrators
2394.1 When a Child Age 10 or Older Is Also Alleged to Be a Victim
2394.2 Substitute Interview of Alleged Perpetrator
2394.3 Police Request That CPS Delay Interviewing Alleged Perpetrator
2394.4 Alleged Perpetrator in Police Custody
2394.5 Abbreviated, Unable to Complete, and Preliminary Investigations
2395 Interviewing Parents or Alleged Perpetrators
2395.1 Coordinating With Law Enforcement
2395.2 Required Content of Initial Interview With Parents or Alleged Perpetrators
2395.3 Use of Polygraphs With Parents or Alleged Perpetrators
2395.4 Family Cannot Be Located or Refuses an Interview
2395.5 Interviews With the Person Who Has Primary Legal Responsibility for the Child
2396 Interviews With Other Adults in the Home or Family
2397 Interviews With Collateral Sources
2400 Types of Investigations, Case Actions, Services and Conclusions
2411.1 Interested Relatives and Significant Non-Related Parties in Thorough Investigations
2412 Abbreviated Investigations
2413 Unable To Complete an Investigation
2413.1 When a Family Has Moved or Cannot Be Located
2413.2 When a Family Is Uncooperative
2413.3 Documentation in an Unable to Complete/Cannot Locate Investigation
2413.4 Locating a Family that Moved During an Investigation
2413.5 Transferring a Case to a Family's New Location
2413.7 Interference With an Investigation
2413.8 Child Safety Check Alert List
2414 Preliminary Investigations (Administrative Closure)
2414.1 Preliminary Investigations Closed for Statutory Reasons
2414.2 Preliminary Investigations Closed for Programmatic Reasons
2414.3 Preliminary Investigations of Anonymous Reports
2421 Removing an Alleged Perpetrator From the Home and Developing a Corresponding Safety Plan
2421.1 Removal of Alleged Perpetrator From Home: In General
2421.2 Situations in Which Removal of an Alleged Perpetrator From the Home Is Required
2421.3 Requirements for Safety Plan when Alleged Perpetrator Is Removed From Home
2422 Developing a Safety Plan When Transferring to Family-Based Safety Services
2423 Initiating Safety Plans in other Stages
2430 Criteria for Parental Child Safety Placements
2431 Overview of Parental Child Safety Placements (PCSPs)
2431.1 Out-of-State Parental Child Safety Placements
2431.2 When a Parent Has Made an Out-of-State Placement Before CPS Involvement
2431.3 When a Parent Has Made an In-State Placement Before CPS Involvement
2431.4 When a PCSP Is Appropriate to Use
2431.5 No Limitation on CPS Authority to Perform Necessary Removals
2432 When a Removal Is More Appropriate Than a Parental Child Safety Placement
2432.1 When a PCSP Should Not Be Made or Sustained
2433 Making the Parental Child Safety Placement
2433.1 Parental Responsibility During Transition to the Proposed Placement
2433.2 Caseworker Responsibilities
2433.21 Caseworker Responsibilities Before Placement Is Pursued or Implemented
2433.22 Caseworker Responsibilities at the Time of Placement or Immediately Before Placement
2433.23 Caseworker Responsibilities Within 24 Hours of Implementing the PCSP
2433.3 Documenting the PCSP and Caregiver Evaluation
2433.4 Informing the Parent and Proposed Caregiver Whether the PCSP Can Be Made
2533.41 Providing Information When PCSP Will Not Be Made
2434 Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2434.1 Verifying Caregivers' and Household Members' Identities
2434.31 Procedures for FBI Records Checks on In-State Caregivers
2434.32 Procedures for FBI Records Checks on Out-of-State Caregivers
2434.4 Assessing Criminal History and Considering the Totality of the Circumstances
2434.41 Category A: Offenses That Permanently Preclude a PCSP
2434.42 Category B: Offenses That Temporarily Preclude a PCSP
2434.43 Category C: Offenses That Preclude a PCSP Without Additional Evaluation
2434.5 History Other Than Convictions
2434.6 Informing Parents and Caregivers About Criminal History
2435 Conducting Abuse and Neglect Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2435.1 Consequences of an Abuse or Neglect History
2435.2 Informing Parents and Caregivers About Abuse or Neglect History
2435.4 Parent and Caregiver Agreement for Parental Child Safety Placement
2435.5 Re-Evaluation of the Parent and Caregiver Agreement for Parental Child Safety Placement
2435.6 Making and Supporting the PCSP
2435.62 Contact Requirements for Parental Child Safety Placements
2435.7 Out-of-Region or Out-of-County PCSPs
2435.8 Use of the Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relatives
2436 Ongoing Assessment of the Parental Child Safety Placement (PSCP)
2436.1 Extending a PCSP Past 90 Days
2436.2 Change in PCSP Caregiver Requested by the Parent
2437 Closing a Case Involving a Parental Child Safety Placement
2437.1 Returning a Child From a PCSP to the Parent's Home
2437.2 Returning the Child to a Different Parent or Legal Guardian
2437.3 Case Closure With an Open PCSP
2437.31 Child Can Safely Return to Parent
2437.32 Child Cannot Safely Return to Parent
2438 Expedited Background Checks For Emergency Placements
2438.1 Expedited DPS or IMPACT History Checks
2438.2 Expedited National Criminal History Checks
2438.3 Additional Requirement For Fingerprint Card Within Seven Days Requires a Safety Plan
2438.4 Consequences of Not Providing Completed Fingerprint Cards
2438.5 Procedure for Obtaining Expedited Background Checks
2438.6 Use of the Background Check Information
2441 Family Team Meeting (FTM) Referral Criteria
2441.1 Circumstances Requiring an FTM Referral
2441.2 Circumstances Allowing an FTM Referral
2442 Scheduling and Coordinating FTMs
2443 Family Team Meeting Participants
2444 Caseworker and Supervisor Roles at Family Team Meetings
2445 Documenting Family Team Meetings
2445.1 Investigation Caseworker
2445.2 Family Team Meeting Facilitator
2450 Service Referrals During an investigation
2451 Referring the Family for Community Services
2452 Referrals to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
2452.1 Investigation Stage and Findings
2452.2 General Referral Procedures
2460 Transferring a Case to Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
2461 Overview of Transferring a Case to FBSS
2462.1 Preparing the FBSS Referral
2462.2 Submitting the FBSS Referral Packet
2462.3 Monitoring the FBSS Referral
2463 The FBSS Family Assessment and Staffing
2464 Making Key Decisions About Transferring a Case to FBSS
2465 Maintaining Contact With the Family During the Transfer to FBSS
2466 Delivering Services During a Transfer to FBSS
2467 Requesting That the Court Order FBSS
2468 Documenting the Transition to FBSS
2469 Documenting an Investigation Without Offering FBSS
2470 Concluding the Investigation and Assessment
2471 Definitions of Dispositions of Abuse or Neglect
2471.1 Determining the Overall Disposition for an Investigation
2471.2 Dispositions of Allegations of Prenatal Drug or Alcohol Exposure
2472 Definitions of Overall Roles
2472.1 Determining the Overall Role for a Person in an Investigation
2480 Informal Review of Complaints During Investigations
2490 When People Request Copies of Case Records
2500 Removing a Child From the Home
2510 Evaluate the Need for Removal
2511 Removal of Certain Children With Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
2511.2 Required Actions for Children Under 11 Who Have Sexually Transmitted Diseases
2511.3 Required STD Testing for the Perpetrator
2512 Obtain Approval for Removal
2520 Determine the Basis of Authority for Removing a Child
2522 Definitions of Terms (Exigent Circumstances and Imminent Danger)
2530 Document the Removal of a Child
2531 Provide Notice and Gather Information Following a Removal
2533 Gather Information About Child and Family
2534 Form 2279 Placement Summary
2535 Form 2626 Family Information
2536 Form 2625 Child Caregiver Resource
2537 Establish Relationships in Family Tree in IMPACT When Children Are Removed
2540 Notification to Relatives Following a Removal
2541 Exercising and Documenting Due Diligence After Removal of a Child
2542 The Contents of the Notice to Relatives Following the Removal of a Child
2543 The Roles of the Removal and CVS Workers After Removing a Child
2544 Evaluating Relatives as Caregivers After a Child Has Been Removed
2550 Provide Information to the Child, Parents, Caregiver, and Court After a Removal
2551 Information Provided to the Parents at the Time of Removal
2552 Information Provided to the Child After a Removal
2553 Information Provided to the Caregiver at the Time of Placement
2554 Information Provided to the Court After Removal
2560 Transition to Conservatorship
2561 Select a Substitute Caregiver at the Time of Removal
2562 Transferring a Case to Conservatorship
2563 Conferring Through a Post-Removal Staffing
2700 Special Intake and Investigative Activities
2711 Notification When a Child Dies
2711.2 Medical Examiner or Justice of the Peace
2711.3 DFPS Staff When a Child Dies
2711.4 The Parents and Others When a Child Dies
2712 Investigating a Child's Death
2712.1 Coordinating With Law Enforcement
2712.2 Conducting the CPS Investigation
2712.3 Documenting a Child's Death
2712.33 Ensuring Consistency in IMPACT When a Child Dies
2713 Regional Responsibility to Review Cases of Child Death
2713.1 Establishing a Protocol in Each Region for Reviewing Cases That Involve a Child's Death
2713.2 The Regional Child Death Review Committee
2713.21 The Purpose of Conducting a Regional Review When a Child Dies
2713.22 Cases That Require Review by a Regional Child Death Review Committee
2713.23 The Structure of the Regional Child Death Review Committee
2713.24 Procedures for Conducting a Regional Review of a Child's Death
2714 Definitions of Committees and Teams Responsible for Child Death Reviews
2715 Release of Information on a Child Fatality Investigation
2721 Criteria for a Baby Moses Case
2723 A Designated Emergency Infant Care (DEIC) Provider
2724 Investigating Cases Under the Baby Moses Law
2724.2 Disposition of a Baby Moses Case
2725 When Someone Claims to be a Parent or Relative of the Infant
2731 Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2731.1 Findings of Physical Abuse for Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2731.2 Findings of Neglectful Supervision for Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2731.3 Disposition Guidelines for Prenatal Use of Controlled Substances
2732 Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2732.1 Findings of Physical Abuse for Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2732.2 Findings of Neglectful Supervision for Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2732.3 Disposition Guidelines for Prenatal Use of Alcohol
2733 Prenatal Exposure to Methadone or Controlled Medications
2734 Prenatal Use of Alcohol or Controlled Substance: Birth Imminent
2741 Exceptions to Confidentiality of Abortion-Related Information
2743 Intake Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had an Abortion Without Informing Her Family
2743.1 Statewide Intake Procedures Regarding Abortion-Related Information
2743.2 Regional Action on the Intake
2744.3 Authorizations Required for Disclosure
2744.4 Other Investigation Activities
2744.5 Concurrent Judicial Bypass Proceedings
2744.51 Assisting the Minor in Applying for Judicial Bypass
2745 Removal Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had Abortion Without Her Family Knowing
2750 Investigations of Personnel and Volunteers in Public and Private Schools
2753 Criteria for Accepting Reports and Conducting School Investigations
2753.1 Reports Accepted for Investigation
2753.2 Reports Not Accepted for Investigation
2754 Conducting the School Investigation
2754.1 Notification to School Principal
2754.2 Basic Steps and Time Frames
2754.3 Conducting Interviews or Examinations
2755 Dispositions in School Investigations
2756 Notification of Findings in School Investigations
2756.1 Public School Investigations
2756.2 Private School Investigations
2757 Documenting the School Investigation
2790 Other Investigation Requests
2791 Casework-Related Special Requests
2791.11 Required Actions for Special Requests and I&Rs
2791.12 Reclassifying a Case-Related Special Request or I&R as an Intake
2791.2 Casework-Related Special Requests
2791.22 Types of CRSRs Not Accepted by CPS
2791.23 Requests that Involve Illegal Child Care Operations
2791.24 Special Requests Made Directly To The Worker
2791.3 Administrative Special Requests
2791.4 Information and Referrals
2792 Special Requests (Administrative)
2793 Out-of-State Incident and Perpetrators
2794 Investigation of Lack of Medical Care Because of Religious Beliefs
2795 When a Child is Abandoned in a DADS Facility
2796 Investigations Involving Children Who Have Special Health Care Needs
2797 Investigating Reports That Involve Disabled People
2798 Investigating Reports of Abuse or Neglect on Military Bases
2799 When a Custody Order or Abduction Suit Involves a Foreign Country
2800 Documentation, Approving Notification and Internal Due Process Requirements of an Investigation
2810 Documenting the Investigation and Assessments
2811 Documenting in the IMPACT System
2812 Completing the Maintain Person Task
2812.1 Person Identifying and Locating Information
2812.3 Personal Identifiers (Social Security Number, Driver's License Number)
2812.4 Person Race and Ethnicity
2812.7 Person Search and Person Merge, and Case Merge
2812.8 Add, Relate, or Delete Persons in the Investigation Stage of IMPACT
2812.9 Change Principal to Collateral
2813 Completing the Maintain Allegation Task
2814 Completing the Contacts Task
2814.1 Documenting Contacts Within 24 Hours
2814.2 Documenting the Contact That Initiates the Investigation
2814.3 Documenting All Other Investigation Contacts
2815 Completion and Documentation of Investigation Tasks
2815.1 Completing the Safety Assessment and Risk Assessment Tasks
2815.2 Completing the Services and Referrals Checklist Task
2815.3 Completing the Investigation Conclusion Task
2815.4 Completing the EA Eligibility Section
2815.41 Consistency Check Between the First EA Question and the Risk Finding or Safety Plan
2815.5 External Documentation Task
2815.6 Medical/Mental Assessment Task
2815.7 Service Authorization Task
2815.8 Conservatorship Removal Task
2815.9 Establish Relationships in Family Tree in the Investigation Stage
2816 External Documentation Required: Forms, Letters, Documents, and Photos
2816.1 The Worker's Original Case Notes
2817 Children Who Have Been Previously Adopted
2817.2 Documenting Child Placement Characteristics of "Previously Adopted"
2817.3 Documenting Child Placement Characteristics in Dissolved Intercountry Adoptions
2818 Designating a Case as Sensitive in IMPACT
2821 Approving the Investigation
2822 Investigations That Require a Secondary Approver Before Being Closed
2830 Documenting Notification of Findings
2831 Accessing and Documenting Notification of Findings Letters
2832 Documenting Exceptions to Providing Notification of Investigation Finds Letters
2840 Notification About Investigation Results
2841 Notification of Investigation Findings to a Parent, Guardian, or Substitute Parent
2841.1 Notification of Investigation Findings to Parents or Guardians
2841.2 Parent or Guardian Is a Perpetrator
2841.3 Notification of Investigation Findings to a Substitute Parent
2842 Notification of Investigation Findings to Alleged Perpetrators
2842.1 Adult Alleged Perpetrators Who Are Not Parents, Guardians, or Substitute Parents
2842.2 Alleged Perpetrators Who Are Minors and Are Not Parents
2842.3 Any Designated Perpetrator or Ruled Out Perpetrator
2842.5 Notification of Investigation Findings to Alleged Victims
2842.6 Notification of Investigation Findings to Reporters
2842.61 Reporter Lives with a Member of the Family or Household That Was Reported
2843 Time Frames for Providing Notification of Investigation Findings
2844 Special Requirements for Notification of Investigation Findings
2844.1 Exceptions to Providing Notification of Investigation Findings or to Time Frame
2844.2 Investigations Involving Children in CPS Conservatorship
2844.3 Releasing Investigation Findings
2844.4 Optional Provision of Investigation Findings to Parents of Non-Victims
2845 Removal of Alleged Perpetrator Role Information
2850 Administrative Review of Investigation Findings
2851 Determination and Notice of Eligibility
2851.1 Initial Determination of Eligibility
2851.2 Notice of Initial Eligibility Determination
2852 Conditions Allowing a Delay of the ARIF
2852.1 Notice of Delay of ARIF
2852.2 Eligibility Determination and Notice After an ARIF Has Been Delayed
2853.1 Notification of the Time, Place, and Conduct of the ARIF
2854 Final Written Decision of ARIF
2855 Documentation of the ARIF Decision and Change of Allegations in IMPACT
2855.1 Documentation and Changing Allegations in the ARIF Stage
2855.2 Documentation in a Closed-Stage Addendum Contact
2855.3 Changing Allegations Through Database Correction
2855.4 Changing the Type of Abuse or Neglect in a Confirmed Allegation
2855.5 Changing the Severity of a Confirmed Allegation to or From "Fatal"
2856 Notification of Results of the ARIF
2856.1 Notification of Written Decision to Requester
2856.2 Notification of Written Decision to Parent/Guardian and Reporter
2856.3 Accessing, Processing, and Filing Notification Letters
2857 ARIF During the Release-Hearing Process
2860 Reviews by the Office of Consumer Affairs
2861 Overview of the Review Process
2862 Regional Responsibilities
2871 Definitions Related to Release Hearings
2872 Release on a Non-Emergency or an Emergency Basis
2873 Providing Notice to Designated Perpetrators of DFPS's Decision to Release the Findings
2873.3 What the Notice Must Include
2874 Designated Perpetrator Does Not Request a Release Hearing
2875 Preparing for and Scheduling Release Hearings
2875.1 When DFPS May Schedule a Release Hearing
2875.2 After a Designated Perpetrator Requests a Release Hearing
2876 Release Hearing Conduct and Decisions
2876.2 Timing of Sending Notice Letters and Updating IMPACT
2876.4 Notification of Court Decisions
2876.5 Regional Actions if Finding Is Sustained (Upheld)
2876.6 Regional Actions if Finding Is Reversed or Altered
2877 Designated Perpetrator Does Not Appear at the Release Hearing
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Section 3000: Family Based Safety Services
3000 Family Based Safety Services
3110 Philosophy, Goals, and Objectives
3111 The Role of the FBSS Caseworker
3112 The Role of the FBSS Supervisor
3113 The Purpose and Criteria for Providing FBSS
3114 Constitutional Requirements for Family Based Safety Services and Family Reunification Cases
3120 Types of Family-Based Safety Services
3121 Regular Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
3122 Moderate Family-Based Safety Services (M-FBSS)
3123 Intensive Family-Based Safety Services (I-FBSS)
3124 Identifying the Correct IMPACT Stage and Stage Type
3131 Cases That May Not Need FBSS
3132 Assigning Moderate or Intensive FBSS
3140 Determining Caseload Size
3141 Determining Caseload Size for Regular FBSS
3142 Determining Caseload Size for Moderate FBSS
3143 Determining Caseload Size for Intensive FBSS
3200 Transferring a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3210 Referring a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3211 The Investigator's Role in an FBSS Family Assessment
3212 The Necessity of Making Face-to-Face Contact During an FBSS Transfer
3220 Conducting the FBSS Family Assessment
3221 Constitutional Requirements for an FBSS Family Assessment
3222 Scope and Purpose of an FBSS Family Assessment
3223 Steps for Conducting a Family Assessment
3230 Conducting the FBSS Staffing
3231 Deciding Whether to Transfer a Case
3232 Documenting the Transfer of a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3233 Documenting the FPR Service Stage Type or Closing a Case Without Offering Services
3310 Permanency Planning in Family-Based Safety Services
3312 Definition and State Policy
3313 The Permanency Planning Process
3314 The Permanency Plan in Family-Based Safety Services
3315 The Goal of Family Preservation
3316 Steps for Achieving the Permanency Goal
3317 Discussion of Efforts Made to Achieve the Permanency Goal
3320 Face-to-Face Contacts in an FBSS Case
3321 Initial Face-to-Face Contact Following Stage Progression
3321.1 When to Make Initial Face-to-Face Contact in an FBSS Case
3322 Frequency of Face-to-Face Contacts
3323 Preparing for Face-to-Face Contact
3324 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3324.1 Activities and Assessment During the Face-to-Face Contact
3324.2 Meeting Federal Requirements
3325 When the Assigned Caseworker Changes
3326 When Face-to-Face Contact Is Made By Another Worker
3327 Notifying a Supervisor When Unable to Meet the Time Frames for Face-to-Face Contact
3328 Changing the Frequency of Contact
3329 Documenting Contacts and Visits
3329.1 Documenting Critical Contacts
3329.2 Documenting Noncritical Contacts
3329.3 Timeframes for Documenting FBSS Contacts
3329.4 Recording Narratives Under the Monthly Evaluation
3330 Addressing Child Safety in FBSS
3331 Immediate or Short-Term Protection During an FBSS Case
3332 Parental Child Safety Placement
3333 Determining Whether to Seek a Court Order or Removal Before or During an FBSS Case
3340 Family Group Decision Making - Applying FGDM to an FBSS Case
3341 Applying Family Group Conferences to an FBSS Case
3341.1 Criteria for a Required Family Group Conference
3341.2 Criteria for an Optional Family Group Conference
3341.3 Documenting a Family Group Conference
3342 Applying Family Team Meetings to an FBSS Case
3400 Working With Families to Develop an FBSS Plan
3410 Purposes of the Family Service Plan
3411 Timeframes for the Initial Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case
3412 Developing the Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case
3412.1 Holding an Initial Discussion About the Family Service Plan
3412.2 Developing Goals, Tasks, and Services for a Family Service Plan
3413 Required Content of the Family Service Plan
3414 Reasonable Accommodations and Modification of Services
3415 Parental Involvement in Service Planning - Ensuring the Involvement of Fathers
3416 Documenting the Family Service Plan
3417 Supervisory Approval and Completion of Family Service Plans
3418 Reviewing and Updating the Family Service Plan
3419 Compliance With Family Service Plans
3420 Meeting Children's Specific Needs in the Family Service Plan
3421 Referral to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services
3422 Working With Children in FBSS Who Have Special Health Care Needs
3430 Purchased Services for Families Receiving Family Based Safety Services
3434.1 Definition and Goals of Concrete Services
3434.2 Eligibility for Concrete Services
3434.3 Eligible Goods and Services to Purchase With Concrete Services
3434.4 Documenting and Authorizing Concrete Services
3434.5 Reviewing and Approving a Request for Concrete Services
3461 Time Frames for Establishing and Updating Relationships in Family Tree
3462 Documenting the Family Tree
3471 The Frequency for Reviewing an FBSS Case
3472 Strategies for Reviewing an FBSS Case
3472.1 Using Family Group Conferences to Review an FBSS Case
3472.2 Using Case Staffings to Review an FBSS Case
3473 Case Staffings for FBSS Cases
3473.1 Case Staffings for Regular FBSS (R-FBSS)
3473.2 Case Staffings for Moderate FBSS
3473.3 Case Staffings for Intensive FBSS
3480 Documenting Supervisor Tasks
3481 Documenting Significant Consultations Between the Supervisor and Worker
3482 Documenting Supervisor Approvals of FBSS Contacts and Evaluations
3500 Family Reunification Services (FRS)
3520 Regular Family Reunification Services (R-FRS)
3521 The Discharge Planning Meeting and Home Visits
3521.1 Assessing Safety and Reviewing the Family Plan
3521.2 Scheduling a Discharge Planning Meeting
3521.21 The Caseworker's Duties at a Discharge Planning Meeting
3522 Case Staffings and Reviews
3523 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3523.1 Home Visits Before a Child Returns Home
3523.2 Home Visits After a Child Returns Home
3523.3 Making Contact 48-Hours After a Child Returns Home
3524 Terminating Conservatorship
3530 Moderate In-Home Safety Services in the Reunification Safety Services Stage
3540 Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3541 Definition and Objectives of IE-FRS
3543 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact (IE-FRS)
3543.1 Determining Caseload Size (IE-FRS)
3543.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact (IE-FRS)
3544 Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Early Reunification Safety Services Assessment
3545 Holding a Removal Staffing for an IE-FRS Case
3545.1 Holding a Staffing for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.3 Conducting Reviews for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.31 Conducting a 60-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.32 Conducting a 90-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.33 Conducting a 120-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3550 Intensive Family Reunification Services (I-FRS)
3551 Definition and Objectives of I-FRS
3553 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact (I-FRS)
3553.1 Determining Caseload Size (I-FRS)
3553.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact (I-FRS)
3553.3 Decreasing Contact (I-FRS)
3554 Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Reunification Safety Services Assessment
3590 Removing a Child From the Home After Reunification
3591 Avoiding Removal After Reunification
3592 Identifying Court Protocols Before Removing a Child After Reunification
3593 Providing Notification of Removal After Reunification
3594 Reassessing the Reunification Plan After a Child Is Reunited With the Family
3610 Children in DFPS Conservatorship Living at Home
3620 Unmarried, School-Age Parents
3640 When a Child Dies During an Open FBSS Case
3650 HSEGH Information for Previously Adopted Children
3700 Closing a Case, Closing a Stage, and Transferring a Case
3721 Closing an FBSS Case Because CPS Services Are No Longer Needed
3722 Closing an FBSS Case When a Child Is Still in a Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)
3723 Closing an FBSS Case for Administrative Reasons
3724 Closing an FBSS Case in IMPACT
3730 Closing an FBSS Stage When the Case Transfers to Substitute Care
3731 Removing a Child From the Home
3732 Documenting the Removal of a Child From His or Her Home
3733 Providing Substitute-Care Services
3900 Contracted Family Based Safety Services
3930 Assigning and Monitoring a Contracted Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case
3940 Closing a Contracted Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case
-
Section 4000: Placement Options for Children in the Conservatorship of DFPS
4000 Placement Options for Children in the Conservatorship of DFPS
4110 The Placement Process for Initial and Subsequent Placements
4112 Identify the Child’s Permanency Goal
4113 Select Appropriate Placement Category and Follow Process
4114 Secure Appropriate Approvals
4120 Issues to consider in selecting a placement Consider Key Issues in Selecting a Caregiver
4121 Required Factors to Consider for Placement
4134 Issues Regarding Subsequent Placements
4134.1 Selecting a Subsequent Caregiver
4135 Plans for Children When Placement is Unavailable
4141 Centralized Placement Team
4142 Regional Placement Coordinators
4200 Types of Licensed Placements
4210 Placement with Licensed Caregivers
4211.1 Disallowing Placements into Foster Homes
4211.2 Re-Allow Placement Procedure
4212.3 Primary Medical Needs Care
4213 Residential Group-Care Facilities
4214 DFPS-Licensed Institutions Serving Children With Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
4216 Temporary Absence From Placement
4216.2 Criteria for Paying for Foster Care During a Child’s Absence
4216.3 Time Frames for Payments
4216.4 The Plan or Intent for the Child to Return
4216.5 When the Caregiver or Provider Does Not Agree for the Child to Return
4216.6 When a Child Is Absent 14 Days
4220 Facilities Under the Authority of Other State Agencies
4221 Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Program
4222 Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons With Mental Retardation/Related Conditions (ICFMR/RC)
4240 The IPTP Program - Short-Term Therapeutic Placement
4242 Determining Eligibility for IPTP Placement
4243 Referring a Child for IPTP Placement
4244 Planning for Discharge From IPTP Placement
4245 How to Request the Extension of an IPTP Placement
4250 Intense Foster Family Care Services
4260 Independent Living Arrangements
4262 Unauthorized Arrangements
4270 When Placement Issues Arise
4271 Court-Ordered Placements in Unapproved Facilities
4272 Abuse and Neglect Investigations of Placements Regulated by RCCL
4300 Texas Service Levels System
4311 Definitions of Service Levels
4312 Service Level Standards for Foster Caregivers
4320 Service Level Determinations and Reauthorizations
4321 Responsibility for Timely Determinations
4322 Authorized and Billing Service Levels
4324 Obtaining an Initial Service Level Authorization (ASL)
4324.1 Process for Obtaining an Initial Service Level Authorization
4325 Scheduled or Non-Scheduled Review of Service Level
4325.1 Process for Obtaining a Scheduled or Non-Scheduled Review of Service Level
4326 Guidelines for Expired Service Level Authorization
4327 Retroactive Service Level Authorization
4330 When Authorized Service Levels and Billing Service Levels are not the same
4331 Placing a Child One or More Billing Service Levels Lower Than the Authorized Service Level
4332 Requesting a BSL That Is Higher Than the ASL
4333 End Dates for an ASL at the Basic Service Level
4334 State Office Eligibility Program Specialist Role and Responsibilities
4335 How to Appeal Disagreements With ASLs
4480 Placement With Noncustodial Parents
4482 Consideration of Noncustodial Parent
4483 Assessment of the Noncustodial Parent
4484 Placement With the Noncustodial Parent
4490 Making Placements Across Regional or Unit Lines
4491 Making Placements with Parents, Relatives, or Family Friends Across Regional
4500 Placing a Child With Relatives and Other Kinship Caregivers
4510 Definitions Related to Kinship Care
4511 Definition of Kinship Care
4512 Definition of a Kinship Caregiver (Verified and Unverified)
4513 Definition of a Fictive Kin or Other Designated Caregiver
4514 Definition of the DFPS Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program
4515 Definition of a Kinship Development Worker
4516 Definition of Kinship Foster Care
4518 Definition of Permanency Care Assistance
4519 Definition of a Prospective Permanent Managing Conservator
4520 Placing a Child With an Unverified Kinship Caregiver
4521 Identifying Potential Relative or Fictive Kin Caregivers
4521.1 Assessing the Unverified Kinship Caregiver’s Home and Conducting History Checks
4521.2 Identifying Additional Relatives and Kin
4522 When Placing a Child With an Unverified Kinship Caregiver Following a Removal
4523 Conduct and Evaluate CPS History Checks on Potential Kinship Caregivers
4524 Contact Potential Kinship Caregivers Not Ruled Out by a CPS History Check
4525 Conduct and Evaluate Criminal History Checks on Potential Kinship Caregivers
4525.1 Conducting a Criminal History Check
4525.11 Caregivers Living in Texas for Fewer Than Three Years
4525.2 Considering the Totality of the Circumstances
4525.3 Determining the Consequences of a Criminal History
4525.4 Factors to Consider in Proceeding with Kinship Home Assessment or Approval of a Home
4525.5 Determining Whether to Proceed with Kinship Caregiver Home Assessment
4525.6 If a Potential Kinship Caregiver Is Denied Further Consideration
4525.7 If More Than One Potential Kinship Caregiver Is Under Consideration
4526 Complete a Risk Assessment and a Written Home Assessment of the Kinship Caregiver
4526.1 Referring Across Regional Lines for Kinship Home Assessments and Services
4527 Obtain Approval for Placement in a Kinship Home with DFPS or Criminal History
4527.1 Requirements for a Kinship Safety Evaluation
4527.2 Obtain CPS Approval for Placement of a Child in a Kinship Home
4527.3 Obtain Court Approval for a Kinship Caregiver with Criminal or DFPS History
4527.4 Explaining Consequences of Criminal History to Kinship Caregivers If Court Approval Received
4529 Place a Child With a Kinship Caregiver After All Prerequisites Are Met
4530 Services for Unverified Kinship Caregivers
4531 Providing the Kinship Manual and Agreement at Placement
4532 Referring the Case to the Regional Kinship Development Worker
4533 The Duties of a Kinship Development Worker
4534 Explaining the Federal Financial Assistance Available to an Unverified Kinship Caregiver
4535 Explaining the DFPS Financial Assistance Available to an Unverified Kinship Caregiver
4536 Advising the Unverified Kinship Caregiver About Support Services
4537 When Services Are Not Available to the Unverified Kinship Caregiver
4600 Verified Kinship Caregivers
4610 Kinship Caregivers Interested in Becoming Verified as Foster Parents
4611 Assisting a Kinship Caregiver Seeking Verification as a Foster Parent
4612 When a Kinship Caregiver Is Verified as a Foster Parent
4613 Foster Care Reimbursement Payments and Kinship Financial Assistance
4614 Services for Verified Kinship Caregivers (Foster Parents)
4700 Permanency Care Assistance
4710 Obtaining Permanency Care Assistance
4711 Adding Permanency Care Assistance to the Child's Plan of Service
4712 Ruling Out Family Reunification and Adoption Before Pursuing Permanency Care Assistance
4713 Discussing the Intent to Pursue Permanency Care Assistance
4720 Applying for Permanency Care Assistance
4730 Granting Permanent Managing Conservatorship to the Kinship Caregiver
4734 Granting Assistance to the Sibling of a Child Who Receives Permanency Care Assistance
-
Section 5000: Court-Related Services
5100 Overview of Court-Related Services
5110 Safeguarding the Legal Rights of Parents and Children
5120 Documentation of a Legal Status or Legal Action
5121 Definition of Legal Status
5122 Definition of Legal Action
5123 Entering a Change in Legal Status or Legal Action Into IMPACT
5130 Court Orders That Conflict With CPS Policy or Practice
5200 Court-Related Services for Children at Risk of Abuse or Neglect
5211 Ex Parte Temporary Protective Orders
5212 Removal of the Alleged Perpetrator from the Home
5212.1 Seeking Order for Removal of Alleged Perpetrator From Home
5212.11 Approval to Seek Order
5212.12 Required Proof in Support of Order
5212.13 Standard for Court's Decision
5212.14 Notice and Service Requirements for Order
5212.2 Effect of Order for Removal of Alleged Perpetrator
5212.3 Duration of Order for Removal of Alleged Perpetrator
5213 Temporary Restraining Orders
5214 Court-Ordered Participation in CPS Services
5220 Involuntary Removal of a Child
5221 Types of Involuntary Removal of a Child
5222 Full Adversary Hearings When Removing a Child
5223 Preparing a Court Case to Remove a Child
5223.1 Preparing an Affidavit for Removal of a Child
5223.2 Determining the Jurisdiction and Venue of a Lawsuit to Remove a Child
5223.3 Providing Information for a Petition to Remove a Child
5223.4 Providing Other Supporting Information for Removal of a Child
5223.5 Appearing as a Witness in a Hearing to Remove a Child
5224 After an Adversary Hearing to Remove a Child
5230 Providing Written Notice to Parents When Removing a Child
5231 When to Provide Written Notice About Removing a Child
5232 Completing Form 2231 Notice of Removal
5233 Delivering Written Notice When Removing a Child
5233.1 Providing Notice When Removing a Child Based on Voluntary Relinquishment
5234 Conducting a Diligent Search for Missing Parents
5234.1 What the Law Requires of a Diligent Search for Missing Parents
5234.2 When a Parent of an Indian Child Cannot Be Located
5234.3 Locating One or More Alleged Biological Fathers
5234.4 How to Conduct a Diligent Search for Missing Parents
5240 Court-Ordered Removal after an Emergency Ex Parte Hearing
5250 Emergency Removal Without a Court Order
5251 Delivering a Child to the Child's Parents
5252 Emergency Removal from the Child's Parents Without a Court Order
5300 Court-Related Services for Children in Conservatorship
5311 Working with the Child's Attorney and Guardian Ad Litem
5320 Time Frames for Temporary Orders for Managing Conservatorship
5340 Required Administrative Reviews
5350 Required Court Reviews and Hearings
5351 The 60-Day Status Hearing
5352 Permanency Hearings for Children Under Temporary DFPS Conservatorship
5352.1 The Purpose of a Permanency Hearing
5352.2 Meeting the Time Frames for Holding a Permanency Hearing
5352.3 Filing a Service Plan With the Court After DFPS Is Appointed Temporary Conservator
5352.4 Filing a Permanency Progress Report With the Court and Parties
5352.5 Meeting the Content Requirements for the Permanency Progress Report
5352.6 Obtaining Approval of a Permanency Progress Report
5353 Placement Review Hearings for Children Under Permanent DFPS Conservatorship
5353.1 The Purpose of a Placement Review Hearing
5353.2 Meeting the Time Frames for Holding a Placement Review Hearing
5353.3 Filing a Placement Review Report With the Court and Parties
5353.4 Meeting the Content Requirements for a Placement Review Report
5353.5 Obtaining Approval of a Placement Review Report
5360 Special Court Approvals and Notifications
5363 Extension of Court Jurisdiction Past Turning 18
5363.12 Required Actions for All Youth Aging out of DFPS Conservatorship
5363.2 Court Jurisdiction and Reviews in Extended Foster Care
5363.21 Extended Foster Care Review Hearings
5363.22 Required Actions for the Caseworker
5363.3 Court Jurisdiction and Reviews During and After Trial Independence
5363.31 Court Jurisdiction and TI
5363.32 Required Court Actions for the Caseworker
5363.41 Court Jurisdiction and Transitional Living Services
5363.42 Required Court Actions for the Caseworker
5363.5 Court Jurisdiction and Reviews Pending Guardianship Referral
5363.51 Required Court Actions for the Caseworker
5370 Child Support for Children in Substitute Care
5371 Referring Child Support Cases to the Office of the Attorney General
5372 Updating Information for the Office of the Attorney General
5373 Referring Cases to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for Paternity Testing
5374 Enforcement of Child Support Orders
5375 Obtaining Information on Child Support Payments Made to the Office of the Attorney
5376 Closing DFPS Child Support Cases in the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Automated System
5380 Legal Determination of Adoptability
5390 Bureau of Vital Statistics Reporting Requirements
5410 The Managing Conservator's Annual Court Report
5420 Court-Ordered Social Studies
5431 Court Orders Based on Affidavits of Relinquishment
5432 Negotiating a Final Order for Conservatorship
5432.1 Using Mediation to Resolve Conservatorship Disputes
5432.11 Requirements for Mediation
5432.13 Who Must Attend Mediation (Formal and Informal)
5432.2 Agreeing to Accept DFPS Conservatorship Without Termination of Parental Rights
5432.21 Actions Prohibited When Negotiating for Conservatorship
5500 Judicial Bypass to Parental Notification of Abortion
5511 Role and Responsibilities of the DFPS Guardian Ad Litem
5512 Appointment as Guardian Ad Litem of Minor in DFPS Conservatorship
5513 Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
5514 Official Business Record: CAPS, Format, Confidentiality and Retention
-
Section 6000: Substitute-Care Services
6100 Overview of Substitute Care
6110 Before Removing a Child and Placing the Child in Substitute Care
6120 Providing Substitute Care After a Child Is Removed
6121.1 Creating FSU and SUB Stages in IMPACT
6121.2 Assigning a Conservatorship (CVS) Caseworker
6121.3 Handling Initial CVS Caseworker Activities
6122 Consulting With Staff After a Child Is Removed
6123 Locating Relatives and Providing Notice of Removal
6123.1 When Relatives Have Been Contacted and Have Responded
6124 Providing Substitute Care Immediately After a Child Is Removed
6124.1 Substitute Care Services to the Parents
6124.2 Substitute Care Services to the Child
6124.3 Substitute Care Services to the Caregiver
6124.4 Substitute Care Services to Grandparents or Other Relatives
6130 Documentation of Substitute Care
6131 Documentation of Contacts in Substitute Care
6131.1 Documentation of Monthly Contacts and Visits
6131.2 Documenting Contacts in IMPACT
6131.21 Documenting Contacts Using the Contact Details Page
6131.22 Completing a Monthly Evaluation/Assessment Report and Entering the Required Content
6131.23 Required Documentation for a Contact Detail
6131.24 Required Narrative Content
6131.25 Entering Contacts and Submitting the Monthly Evaluation/Assessment for Supervisory Approval
6131.26 Obtaining Supervisory Approvals
6132 Documentation of Legal Activity
6133 Documentation of Child's Biographical Data and Information About Relatives and Fictive Kin
6134 Documentation of Information on Case Principals
6135 Documentation of Services to Parents and Caregivers
6136 Documentation of Permanency Planning Meetings
6137 Documentation of Transfer and Closing Summaries
6141 Actions Requiring Level 1 Approval
6200 Permanency Planning in Substitute Care
6211.1 Concurrent Permanency Planning
6212 Permanency Planning Goals
6212.3 Permanent Managing Conservatorship to a Relative or Suitable Individual
6212.4 Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement
6213 Selecting the Permanency Goal
6213.1 Prioritizing Permanency Goals
6213.2 Ruling Out Family Reunification
6213.3 Adoption vs. Conservatorship
6213.4 Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement
6213.5 Assessing Priority of Permanency Goals
6220 Implementing the Permanency Plan
6221 Documentation of the Permanency Plan
6222 Presentation of the Permanency Plan to the Court
6222.1 Changing or Revising the Permanency Plan
6223 Specific Steps for Achieving the Permanency Goal
6223.1 Specific Steps for Implementing the Permanency Plan
6223.2 Specific Steps for Meeting Time Frames for Permanent Family Placements
6224 Discussion of Efforts Made to Achieve the Permanency Goal
6230 Recommending a Conservatorship Option That Supports the Permanency Goal
6231 Dismissal of Conservatorship
6232 Transferring Conservatorship From DFPS to a Suitable Person
6233 Termination of Parental Rights
6234 DFPS Conservatorship Without Termination of Parental Rights
6251.1 Documentation Required for a Child's Service Plan
6251.2 Approval and Implementation of the Child's Service Plan
6252 The Family's Service Plan
6252.2 Family Participation in Developing the Family Service Plan
6252.3 The Family Plan for Children Under Age Two
6252.4 Content of the Family Service Plan
6252.5 Completing and Documenting the Family Service Plan
6252.6 Filing the Family Service Plan With the Court
6261 Reviewing the Family Service Plan
6262 Reviewing the Child's Service Plan
6263 Enforcement of the Family Service Plan
6264 Required Content When Reviewing a Service Plan
6265 Participation in the Case Plan Review
6266 Required Documentation for Child and Family Service Plans
6267 Children in Therapeutic Foster Care
6268 Children in Residential Treatment
6269 Case Planning in Subsequent Placements
6270 Special Types of Service Plan Conferences, Meetings and Reviews
6272 Administrative Case Reviews
6273 Permanency Planning Meetings
6273.1 Family Group Conferences
6274 Permanency Planning Meetings for Youth 16 and Over
6274.2 Transition Plan Meeting
6300 Services to Children in Substitute Care
6310 Supervision of Children In Substitute Care
6311.1 Preparing for the Monthly Visit
6311.2 Conducting the Monthly Visit
6311.3 Assessing the Monthly Visit
6311.4 Documenting the Monthly Visit
6311.5 Following Up on Identified Needs
6312 Responsibility for Contact Across Regional Lines
6313 Child or Youth Access to Caseworker and Unit Management
6313.1 Explaining How to Obtain Immediate Assistance
6313.2 Responding to a Message From a Child or Youth
6314 When a Child or Youth is Missing from Care
6314.1 Minor Child Missing from Foster Care Placement
6314.2 When a Missing Child Returns to Care
6314.3 Documenting a Child as a Runaway
6315 Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care
6315.1 Texas Foster Care Handbook
6315.4 Respect for Religious Practices
6316 Maintaining Current Photograph of a Child
6321 Transporting Children by Vehicle
6322 Transporting Children by Airplane
6323 Special Issues While Transporting
6324 When a Child Travels Within Texas
6324.1 Travel Within Texas With a Caregiver
6324.2 Travel Within Texas With a Person Who Is Not a Caregiver or Relative
6326 When a Child Travels Outside of Texas
6326.1 Travel Outside of Texas With a Caregiver
6326.2 Travel Outside of Texas With a Person Who Is Not a Caregiver or Relative
6327 When a Child Travels Outside of the U.S.
6327.1 Requesting Court Approval
6327.2 Steps After Obtaining Court Approval
6327.3 Obtaining Travel Documents
6330 Email, Internet, and Social Media Use by Children and Youth in Foster Care
6331 Use of Email by Children and Youth in Foster Care
6332 Use of the Internet and Social Media by Children and Youth in Foster Care
6333 Online Privacy Expectations of Children and Youth in Foster Care
6400 Services to Parents and Caregivers
6410 Services to the Child's Family When the Child Is in Substitute Care
6411 The Participation of Parents' Attorneys When a Child Is in Substitute Care
6412 Family Services When Family Reunification is the Permanency Goal
6412.1 Contact With the Family
6412.2 Conducting Visits With the Family
6412.3 Review the Family Service Plan
6412.4 Initiate the Reunification Process
6413 When a Child Is Reunified with their parents
6413.1 Providing Services After a Child Is Returned
6413.2 Maintaining Contact with Families When Children Are Returned Home
6413.3 Conducting Follow-up Visits With the Family When Children Are Returned Home
6414.1 When to Complete a Family Plan of Service and Safety Plan
6414.3 Reassessment of Inactive Parents and Parents Unable to Provide a Safe Home
6414.4 Contact Between the Parent, the Child in Care, and the DFPS Caseworker
6414.5 Contact and Service Planning for Children Remaining in the Home
6415 Maintaining Contact Between the Family and the Child
6415.1 The Right to Regular Contact
6415.2 Planning for Family-Child Contact
6415.3 Documenting Visitation, the Contact Plan, and Progress
6415.4 Keeping Parents Informed of the Child's Circumstances
6416 Services to Parents Across Regional Lines
6417 Working With Military Families
6418.1 Types of Incarceration Facilities
6418.2 Locating a Parent Who is Incarcerated
6418.3 Guidelines for Caseworker Visitation to an Incarceration Facility
6418.4 Engaging an Incarcerated Parent
6418.5 Service Planning for the Incarcerated Parent
6420 Services to the Substitute Caregiver
6421 Caregiver Access to Caseworker and Unit Management
6490 Discharging Children from Substitute Care
6491 Services Preceding Discharge
6492 Services at Discharge From Substitute Care
6494 Permanent Placement with the Caregiver
6495 Supervision, Dismissal, Continuation, and Closure
6500 Special Circumstances for Children in Substitute Care
6510 When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6511 Notifying DFPS Staff When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6512 Notifying Persons Outside of DFPS When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6513 Making Funeral Arrangements
6520 CPS Youth and Juvenile Justice
6521 Reporting Juvenile Offenses to Law Enforcement
6522 When a Youth Is in TJJD Custody or on TJJD Parole
6522.1 General Procedures When Youth Are Committed to the TJJD
6522.2 Documenting in IMPACT Actions Related to Youth Committed to the TJJD
6522.3 Providing Medical Care to Youth in TJJD Custody or on TJJD Parole
6522.4 Meeting and Consulting With TJJD Staff
6522.5 Providing Other Services to Youth in TJJD Custody or on TJJD Parole
6522.6 Addressing Other TJJD-Related Issues
6711 Services to Children and Families Who Are Not U.S. Citizens
6712 Undocumented Youth Who Are 16 or Older
6713 Notification to Foreign Consulate
6714 Requesting Home Studies in Foreign Countries
6715 Deciding Whether to Repatriate or to Plan for a Child to Remain in the US
6715.1 Repatriation Procedures
6716 Verifying Immigration Status of Children in Care
6716.1 CAPS Immigration Status Categories
6716.2 Immigration Assessment Guide
6717 Immigration Opportunities for Undocumented CPS Children
6717.1 Staff Responsibility for Monitoring a Child’s Immigration Status
6718 Transportation of Undocumented Persons
6719 Contacts with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
6910 Criteria and Types of Service
6920 Planning for a Child's Adoption
6921 Completing the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Report
6922 Completing the Adoption Readiness Summary
6923 Assessing the Child's Readiness
6925 Preparing the Child's Records for Presentation to Prospective Adoptive Parents
6930 Selecting an Adoptive Family
6931 Issues to Consider When Selecting an Adoptive Home
6931.1 Challenges of a Termination Order by Certain Relatives: 90-Day Period Following Termination
6932 Adoption by Foster Parents
6933 Adoptive Homes Located by Outside Child-Placing Agencies
6934 Adoptive Homes in Other States
6935 Considering the Need for an Adoption Subsidy
6936 Adoption by Military Families
6938 Meeting to Discuss the Home Studies of Prospective Adoptive Families
6938.1 Holding Separate Discussions About the Child to Protect Privacy
6938.2 Holding Separate Discussions About Adoptive Families to Protect Privacy
6938.3 Confirming Approval of a Prospective Adoptive Family
6939 When No Prospective Adoptive Family Is Available
6940 Presenting and Placing the Child for Adoption
6941 Presenting Information about the Child
6942 Preparing the Family and the Child for the Placement
6944 Making Adoptive Placements in Other Regions and With Private Agency Adoptive Homes
6945 Making Placements in Other States
6946 Making Out of Country Placements
6950 Supporting and Consummating the Adoption
6951 Supporting the Adoptive Placement
6951.1 Developing an Adoption Services Plan
6951.2 Contact with the Child and Adoptive Family
6951.3 Conducting Visits With the Child and Adoptive Family
6952 Consummating the Adoption
6952.1 Time Frames for Consummating the Adoption
6952.11 Time Frames for Consummating Kinship Adoptions
6952.13 Foster Parent Adoptions
6952.2 CPS Caseworker's Tasks After the Adoption Petition is Filed
6952.3 Termination of DFPS's Managing Conservatorship
6952.4 Adoption Reporting Requirements
6954 Post Adoption Substitute-Care Services
6955 Subsequent Placements in the Same Home
6956 Resolving Problems in an Adoptive Placement
6960 Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE)
6962 Databases of the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE)
6963 TARE Adoption Recruitment Efforts
6963.1 Pre-TARE Regional Recruitment Efforts
6963.2 National Recruitment Efforts
6964 Time Frames for Registering Children on TARE
6965 Court Orders Related to Adoption Recruitment
6966.1 Initial Registration on TARE
6966.2 Maintaining TARE Registrations
6966.3 Adoption Status Designations in the TARE Database
6966.4 Reason to Unpublish in the TARE Database
6966.5 Managing Home Screenings in TARE
6967.1 TARE Child Inquiry Forms
6967.3 Responding to Inquiries for Children on TARE
6968 TARE Family Registry Database Procedures
6968.1 Registering Families on TARE
6968.2 TARE Family Registry Broadcasts
6968.3 TARE Family Registry Broadcasts for Children Age Six or Younger
6968.4 Searching the TARE Family Registry Database for Potential Adoptive Matches
-
Section 7000: Foster and Adoptive Home Development
7000 Foster and Adoptive Home Development
7020 Facilities and Definitions
7030 Types of Foster Care Facilities and Definitions
7040 Expectations, Roles, and Responsibilities of Foster/Adoptive Parents
7041 Maintaining a Master Schedule of Supervision
7042 Providing Direct Continuous Observation of Children Presenting Significant Risk of Harm
7043 Providing Awake Caregivers at Night for Children Requiring 24-Hour Supervision
7100 Recruitment of Foster and Adoptive Homes
7111 Topics of Information Meetings
7111.1 Application Distribution and Application Assistance
7111.2 Previously Verified or Approved Applicants
7112 Recruitment Plans and Calendars
7212.1 Regional Recruitment Plan
7114 Annual Recruitment Events
7120 Inquiry and Screening Foster Family Homes and Adoptive Homes
7121 Entering Inquiries into CAPS
7122 The Citizenship or Immigration Status of Prospective Parents
7122.1 The Citizenship Requirement for Foster Parents
7122.2 The Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents
7122.21 Waiving the Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents
7122.22 Requesting a Waiver of the Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents
7122.3 Verifying Citizenship or Immigration Status
7123 Assessment of Single Individuals
7124 Assessment of Household Members
7125 Approving an Adoptive Home for a Child
7200 Training and Study Process for Foster and Adoptive Homes
7211 Processing Foster Home Applications
7212 Processing Adoption Applications
7220 Pre-service Training of Foster and Adoptive Homes
7222 Pre-Service Training Requirements
7223 Mutual Assessment and Selection
7224 When to Use Full Pre-Service or Abbreviated Pre-Service Training
7725 Withdrawal and Home Closures
7226 Pre-Service Training Exception for Foster Caregivers
7227 Pre-Service Training Requirements for Prospective Adoptive Parents
7230 CPR and First Aid Training
7231 Psychotropic Medication Training for Foster Parents
7240 Checking Criminal Records and Abuse/Neglect History
7241.1 When a Criminal History Is Found
7241.11 Denial of Application Because of Conviction
7241.12 Conditions for Approval of Application Despite Conviction
7241.2 Time Frames for Criminal History Checks
7242 Abuse and Neglect Record Checks
7242.1 When an Abuse or Neglect History is Found
7242.11 Denial of Application Because of Abuse or Neglect History
7242.12 Conditions for Approval of Application Despite Abuse or Neglect History
7242.2 Time Frames for Abuse and Neglect History Checks for Foster Homes
7243 Risk Evaluations: Determining Their Need - Procedures for Requesting
7261 Gathering Information for Pre-Adoptive Home Screenings
7261.2 Requisites for Foster Pre-Adoptive Home Screenings
7261.3 Requisites for Adoptive Home Screenings
7270 Verification of Foster Family Homes and Approval of Adoptive Homes
7273 Legal-Risk/Adoptive Parent Registry
7274 Approval of Adoptive Homes
7280 Documentation, Billing, and Payment
7310 Application and Verification
7320 Approval Reports for Verification
7330 Approval and Verification
7400 Developing Foster and Adoptive Homes
7420 Foster Family Quarterly Assessment
7430 Developmental and Corrective Action Plans
7440 Non-Licensed Child Care for Children
7450 Adoptive Home Supervision
7460 Intermittent Alternate Care, Baby-Sitting, Overnight Care, and Respite Care
7461 Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) for DFPS-Verified Foster Homes
7462 Recipients of Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) Services
7462.1 Arranging Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) Services
7462.2 Time Allotments for Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) Services
7462.3 Payment Rate for Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) Services
7463 Providers of Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) Services
7463.1 Eligibility Requirements for Providers
7463.2 Limitations of Services by Providers
7463.3 Requirements for IAC Services Provided by Verified Foster Homes
7464 Authorizing Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) Services
7465 Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) Placement Procedures by Contract Type
7465.1 Forms and Procedures for Broker Contracts
7465.2 Procedures for Individual Contracts
7465.3 Forms for Individual Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) Contracts
7500 Reevaluation of Foster Homes for Compliance with Minimum Standards
7620 Child Welfare Board Members and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
7630 Special Considerations Regarding Foster Parents
7631 Verification of AFDC or Food Stamp Recipients as Foster Parents
7632 Verification of DFPS Employees as Foster Parents
7633 When Foster Families Move
7635 Special Considerations in Foster Group Homes
7636 Foster Families that Adopt
7640 Special Considerations Regarding Adoptive Parents
7641 Adoption by DFPS Employees
7700 Abuse and Neglect in Foster Family, Foster Group Homes, and Pre-Consummated Adoptive Homes
7810 Peer Review Appeal Process for DFPS Verified Foster Parents
7820 Denial of Foster Group Home Applications-Closure of Certified Foster Group Homes
-
Section 8000: Purchased Child Protective Services
8000 Purchased Child Protective Services
8120 Types of Purchased Services
8121.1 Direct Services for Active Cases (Standard and ICPC)
8121.2 Post Adoptive Cases (Consummated Adoptions)
8123 State Office (Statewide) Contracts
8130 Policy Waivers or New Service Requests
8150 State Office and Regional Responsibilities
8151 State Office Responsibilities
8152 Regional Responsibilities
8160 Authorizing, Extending, or Terminating Services
8161 Direct Services – Authorizing, Extending, or Terminating
8161.1 Active Cases – Authorizing, Extending, or Terminating Direct Services
8161.11 Considering Priority Funding
8161.13 Establishing End Dates
8161.14 Adding, Extending, or Reauthorizing Service
8161.2 Post-Adoptive Services (Consummated Adoptions)
8162 Support Services – Authorizing, Extending, or Terminating
8163 State Office Contracts – Adding, Extending, or Terminating
8163.1 Authorizing Contract Services
8163.2 Contract Services – Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating
8164 Manual Authorization – Submitting a Paper Form
8165 Interregional Service – Authorization
8200 Direct Services for Active Cases
8220 Purchased Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
8222 Identifying Available Services
8223 Referring Clients for Family-Based Safety Services
8224 Using IMPACT for Completing Service Authorizations
8226 Starting New Investigations of Open Cases
8227 Handling Returned Open Cases
8228 Adding, Changing, or Terminating
8230 Services for Caregivers (p.8)
8231.1 Protective Homemaker Services
8231.11 Determining Eligibility
8231.12 Identifying Available Services
8231.15 Handling Additional Duties
8231.2 Emergency Homemaker Services
8231.21 Determining Eligibility
8231.22 Identifying Available Services
8231.25 Handling Additional Duties
8232 Parent and Caregiver Training
8232.1 Basic Training – Parents and Caregivers
8232.11 Determining Eligibility
8232.12 Identifying Available Services
8232.15 Handling Additional Duties
8232.2 Special Needs Training for Parents and Caregivers
8232.21 Determining Eligibility
8232.22 Identifying Available Services
8232.25 Handling Additional Duties
8233.1 Determining Eligibility
8233.2 Identifying Available Services
8233.41 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8233.5 Handling Additional Duties
8234 Hospital Sitting Services
8234.2 Determining Eligibility
8234.3 Identifying Available Services
8234.51 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8234.6 Handling Additional Duties
8235.1 For All Child Day Care Cases
8235.12 Contracting for Child Day Care
8235.13 Identifying Available Services
8235.14 Availability of Funding for Child Day Care Services
8235.15 Authorizing, Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, Terminating, or Changing Services
8235.16 Worker Responsibilities
8235.17 When a Child Care Provider's Licensing Status Changes
8235.2 General Protective Child Day Care
8235.21 Determining Eligibility
8235.22 Types of Centers That May Be Used
8235.23 Resolving Issues of Space
8235.24 Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services
8235.31 Determining Eligibility
8235.32 Types of Day Care Centers That May Be Used
8235.33 Resolving Issues of Space
8235.34 Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services
8235.4 Special Needs Foster Child Day Care
8235.41 Determining Eligibility
8235.42 Types of Centers That May Be Used
8235.43 Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services
8235.51 Determining Eligibility
8235.52 Types of Centers That May Be Used
8235.53 Resolving Space Issues
8235.54 Initiating, Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services
8235.6 Former CPS Child Day Care – Provided by the Texas Workforce Commission
8235.61 Determining Eligibility
8235.62 Types of Centers That May Be Used
8235.63 Ensuring Continued Care
8235.7 Regional Day Care Coordinator Responsibilities
8235.71 Handling Program-Related Duties
8235.72 Handling Fiscal Responsibilities
8235.73 Coordinating With Local Child-Care Management Services (CCMS) Agencies
8236 Supervised Visitation Services
8236.1 Determining Eligibility
8236.2 Contracted Supervised Visitation
8236.5 Handling Additional Duties
8236.6 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Services
8240 Evaluation, Treatment, and Substance Abuse Services
8242.1 Psychosocial Assessment
8242.11 Determining Eligibility for Psychosocial Assessment
8242.12 Identifying Available Services for Psychosocial Assessment
8242.13 Referring Clients for Psychosocial Assessment
8242.14 Using IMPACT to Authorize Psychosocial Assessment
8242.15 Adding, Extending, and Reauthorizing Psychosocial Assessment Services
8242.16 Terminating Service for Psychosocial Assessment
8242.21 Determining Eligibility for Psychological Testing
8242.22 Identifying Available Services for Psychological Testing
8242.23 Referring Clients for Psychological Testing
8242.24 Using IMPACT to Authorize Psychological Testing
8242.25 Adding, Extending, and Reauthorizing Services for Psychological Testing
8242.26 Terminating Service for Psychological Testing
8242.31 Determining Eligibility for Psychiatric Evaluation
8242.32 Identifying Available Services for Psychiatric Evaluation
8242.33 Referring Clients for Psychiatric Evaluation
8242.34 Using IMPACT to Authorize a Psychiatric Evaluation
8242.35 Adding, Extending, and Reauthorizing Services for Psychiatric Evaluation
8242.36 Terminating Service for Psychiatric Evaluation
8243.1 Counseling — Individual, Family, and Group
8243.11 Determining Eligibility
8243.12 Identifying Available Services
8243.15 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8243.16 Handling Additional Duties
8243.17 Adding, Changing, or Terminating Service
8243.2 Programs for Children with Developmental Delays
8243.21 Determining Eligibility
8243.22 Identifying Available Services
8243.25 Handling Additional Duties
8250 Court-Related Services – Preparing for Judicial Determination
8252 Requesting Court-Related Services
8253 Obtaining Court-Related Services
8260 Adoption Services (Pre-Consummated Adoptions)
8261 HSEGH Reports - Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History
8261.1 Identifying Available Services for HSEGH Reports
8261.21 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8262 Adoptive Placement Services (Including Legal Risk Placements)
8262.1 Determining Eligibility
8262.2 Identifying Available Services
8262.3 Referring Clients for In-State Adoption Services
8263 Out-of-State Adoption Placement
8263.1 Identifying Out-of-State Families for Adoption Placement Services
8263.2 Determining Eligibility
8263.3 Contracting with Out-of-State CPAs
8263.4 Selecting an Out-of-State Family and Authorizing Services
8263.5 Adding, Extending, or Reauthorizing Services
8263.6 Completing Placement Services
8264 Post-Placement Adoption Services (Pre-Consummated)
8264.1 Determining Eligibility
8264.2 Identifying Available Services
8264.5 Handling Additional Duties
8265 Subsequent Adoptive Placement Services
8265.1 Determining Eligibility
8270 Youth Camping Services — Day and 24-Hour
8272 Identifying Available Services
8275 Contracting with Youth Camps
8276.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8280 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Services
8282 Identifying Available Services
8283 Identifying Additional Services
8285.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8286 Adding, Extending, or Terminating Services
8300 Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC)
8312 Identifying Available Services
8314.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8315 Handling Additional Duties
8316 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Services
8320 ICPC Placement and Courtesy Supervision Services
8322 Identifying Available Services
8324.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8325 Handling Additional Duties
8326 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Closing Services
8330 ICPC Evaluation and Treatment Services
8332 Identifying Available Services
8334.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8335 Handling Additional Duties
8336 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Service
8400 Post Adoption Services (Consummated Adoptions)
8411.1 Determining Eligibility
8411.3 Identifying Available Services
8411.6 Sharing the Child's Record
8412.1 Casework and Service Planning
8412.11 Defining Casework and Service Planning
8412.12 Maintaining a Service Plan
8412.21 Identifying Available Services
8412.22 Determining Eligibility
8412.23 Identifying Allowable Costs
8412.31 Identifying Available Services
8412.32 Determining Eligibility
8412.33 Identifying Allowable Subcontractors
8412.4 Post Adoption Counseling
8412.41 Providing Available Services
8412.42 Determining Eligibility
8412.43 Identifying Allowable Providers
8412.44 Defining Units of Service
8412.45 Authorizing in Advance
8412.51 Identifying Eligible Providers
8412.53 Defining Units of Service
8412.6 Residential Therapeutic Care
8412.61 Determining Eligibility
8412.63 Requiring Family Involvement
8412.64 Reunifying Child and Family
8412.65 Identifying Allowable Providers
8412.69 Reducing the Service Level
8414 The Contract Plan of Operation for Post Adoption Services
8420 Duties of a Regional Liaison
8431 Notifying Families of Their Rights
8432 Resolving Disagreements with Contractors
8434 During and After the Fair Hearing
8511 Foster Parent Intermittent Alternate Care (IAC) Services
8512 Funeral and Burial Services for Children in DFPS Conservatorship
8512.1 DFPS Funding for Services
8512.2 Purchasing and Payment of Services
8513 Medical, Dental, or Sexual Abuse Examinations
8514 Diagnostic Consultation — Case Specific
8514.1 Determining Eligibility for Consultation
8514.2 Identifying Available Consultation Services
8514.3 Referring Clients for Consultation
8514.41 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8514.5 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Consultation
8520 Program Support Services (Regional)
8521.2 Foster and Adoptive Home Study Services
8521.22 Determining Eligibility
8521.23 Identifying Available Services
8521.26 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8521.27 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Studies
8521.3 Relative, OTI, or Court-Ordered Home Study Services
8521.31 Identifying Required Services
8521.34 Handling Additional Duties
8521.35 Adding, Changing, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Services
8522 Programmatic Consultation
8522.1 Identifying Allowable Services
8523 Community and Parent Group Services
8523.1 Contracting With Councils, Associations, and Organizations
8523.11 Identifying Eligible Contractors
8523.3 Costs for Community and Parent Group Services
8523.31 Allowable Costs for Community and Parent Group Services
8523.32 Unallowable Costs for Community and Parent Group Services
8524.1 Group Training for Foster and Adoptive Parents
8524.11 Determining Eligibility
8524.14 Handling Additional Duties
8524.2 Topic-Specific Training for Clients, Parents, or Contractors
8524.22 Determining Eligibility
8525 Title IV-E University Pass-Through Services
8525.1 Title IV-E — Professional Training
8525.2 Title IV-E — Ongoing Training
8525.3 Title IV-E — University Degree and Stipend Programs
8525.31 Identifying Allowable Services
8525.32 Student Responsibilities
8526.3 Reviewing Contracts Annually
8526.4 Including Termination Dates
8526.5 Registering and Paying Contracts
8526.7 Restrictions on Child Welfare Boards
8526.72 Restrictions on Contracts
8526.73 Restrictions on Funding
8530 State Office Contracts with Program Consultants
8531 Identifying Available Services
-
Section 9000: Interstate Placements
9100 Types of Interstate Placements
9200 Understanding the Interstate Placement Process
9210 Understanding the Request Stage of an Interstate Placement
9220 Understanding the Approval or Denial Stage of an Interstate Placement
9230 Understanding the Placement Stage of an Interstate Placement
9240 Understanding the Supervision Stage of an Interstate Placement
9250 Understanding the Closure Stage of an Interstate Placement Case
9260 Overview of Maintaining the File for an Interstate Placement
9300 Placing Children Outside of Texas
9310 Requesting Another State's Permission to Place a Child
9311 Documenting a Request to Place a Child Outside of Texas
9311.1 Specifying How Costs Will Be Covered for Daily Care
9311.2 ICPC Financial / Medical Form for an ICPC Placement Request
9311.3 Information About the Child for an ICPC Placement Request
9312 Requesting Placement With a Parent or Relative Outside of Texas
9312.1 Criteria for Priority Home Screening
9313 Requesting Placement With a Foster Family Outside of Texas
9314 Requesting Placement With an Adoptive Family Outside of Texas
9315 Requesting Placement in a Residential Treatment Center Outside of Texas
9316 When a Texas Caregiver Moves to Another State
9317 The Role of the Texas Interstate Compact Office (TICO)
9317.1 The Role of the DFPS Regional ICPC Coordinator
9317.2 TICO's Role in ICPC Disaster Planning
9318 The Role of the Receiving State's Compact Office During an Interstate Placement
9319 The Role of the Receiving Agency During an Interstate Placement
9320 Obtaining the Other State's Decision on an Interstate Placement
9330 Placing a Child in Another State
9340 The Supervision Services Expected From Another State
9400 Placing Children From Another State In Texas
9410 Accepting a Request to Place a Child From Another State in Texas
9411 Creating an ICPC Case in IMPACT
9411.1 Entering the Information Into the Intake Stage
9411.2 Progressing the ICPC Intake to a SUB or ADO stage
9412 When a Caregiver Moves to Texas
9420 Completing a Home Screening When a Child From Another State Is Placed in Texas
9421 When a Home Screening Cannot Be Completed for an ICPC Case
9430 Making the Decision to Accept an ICPC Placement
9431 Placing a Child From Another State in a Licensed Residential Facility in Texas
9440 Supervising a Child Placed in Texas From Another State
9441 When a Caregiver Moves During the Supervision of an ICPC Case
9442 When an Interstate Placement Breaks Down
9444 Illegal Interstate Placements
9451 Documenting an ICPC Closure in IMPACT
9500 Other ICPC-Related Issues
9510 Private Interstate Placements
9512 When a Parent Requests to Make a Private Placement in a Licensed Residential Facility
9513 When a Juvenile Probation Officer Requests Placement in a Licensed Residential Facility
9514 ICPC Request Website When Texas Is the Sending State
9520 Special Situations Related to Interstate Placements
9521 Voluntary Interstate Placements With Relative Caregivers
-
Section 10000: Services to Older Youth in Care
10000 Services to Older Youth in Care
10100 Transitional Living Services
10110 Transitional Living Services Program
10111 Experiential Life Skills Training for Youth Age 14 and older
10120 Transition Planning for Older Youth
10121 Permanency Planning Meetings for Youth Age 16 and Older
10122.1 Child's or Youth's Plan of Service
10122.2 Transition Plan Review
10122.21 Preparation for Youth Within 90 Days Before Turning 18
10130 Documents Given to Youth Who Are Transitioning to Adulthood
10131 Personal Documents Provided to Youth at Age 16
10132 Personal Documents Provided to Youth at Age 18
10133 Guidance on Obtaining Documentation for Youth Transitioning to Adulthood
10133.1 Personal Identification Certificates or Driver's Licenses
10133.3 Requesting Certified Birth Certificates
10133.4 Health Passports (STAR Health), Proof of Medicaid Enrollment, and Immunization Records
10133.5 Requesting a Youth's CPS Case Record
10133.51 Accessing the Basic Family Tree Report
10134 Youth Transition Portfolio
10134.1 Ownership of the Youth Transition Portfolio - Extended Foster Care
10134.2 Documentation of the Youth Transition Portfolio
10134.3 Available Funding Sources
10140 Transition Centers for Youth
10150 Healthcare Coverage for Transitioning Youth and Young Adults
10151 Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY)
10152 Healthcare Benefits for Former Foster Care Youth in Higher Education
10154 Medical Power of Attorney
10200 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)
10210 Preparation for Adult Living Program
10212 Targeted and Eligible Population for PAL
10214 PAL Eligibility for Youth Placed in Texas From Another State
10215 PAL Staff Role for Youth Residing With the Designated Perpetrator of Abuse or Neglect
10220 Required PAL Services and Benefits
10221 Independent Living Skills Assessment
10223 Life Skills Independent Study Guide
10240 PAL Transitional Living Allowance (TLA)
10241 Qualifications for PAL Transitional Living Allowance
10242 Payment Limits for the PAL Transitional Living Allowance
10243 PAL Transitional Living Allowance Payment Procedures
10244 PAL Transitional Living Allowance When a Youth Is Living With or Returning to a Parent
10245 Suspension of Payments of PAL Transitional Living Allowance
10250 PAL Aftercare Room and Board
10251 Qualifications for PAL Aftercare Room and Board
10252 Eligibility for PAL Aftercare Room and Board Services
10253 Assessment of Amount for PAL Aftercare Room and Board Payment
10254 Allowable Expenditures for PAL Aftercare Room and Board
10255 PAL Aftercare Room and Board Payment Procedures
10256 Host Home for PAL Aftercare Room and Board Payment
10260 Administration of PAL Services
10263 PAL Responsibilities When Youth Are Placed Cross-Regionally
10263.1 PAL Services When Youth Are Placed Cross-Regionally
10263.2 PAL Payments When Youth Are Placed Cross-Regionally
10264 National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)
10265 National Youth in Transition (NYTD) Services
10266 National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Survey
10266.1 Baseline and Follow-Up Populations
10266.2 Outcome Reporting Status
10266.3 Designating a National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Primary Contact
10266.4 IMPACT Data and Information Alerts
10266.5 Use of Diligent Search to Locate Youth in the Survey Population
10267.1 Reporting on Youth From a Different State (ICPC)
10267.2 Reporting on Youth in Placement With the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD)
10300 Services to Support Adulthood
10310 Services for Post-Secondary Education
10311 College Tuition and Fee Waiver Information
10313 College Tuition and Fee Exemption for Youth Who Have Been Adopted
10313.1 PAL Staff Responsibilities for College Tuition and Fee Waiver
10314 Temporary Housing Assistance Between Academic Terms
10321 Eligibility for the ETV Program
10322 Schools That ETV Recipients May Attend
10323 How the ETV Grant Amount Is Determined and Disbursed
10324 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for a Foster Youth
10326 Applying for the ETV Program
10326.1 ETV Application Process and Supporting Documentation Requirements
10326.3 Ongoing ETV Eligibility Requirements After Initial Qualification
10326.4 ETV for Youth Who Move to Another State
10326.5 Other Educational Resources
10327 Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Expenses
10327.1 Allowable ETV Expenses
10327.2 Allowable ETV Transportation Expenses
10330 Employment Preference for Former Foster Youth
10340 Preparation for Long-Term Care or Support in Adulthood for Youth with Disabilities
10341 Planning for Long-Term Care Needs
10341.1 Researching Long-Term Care Resources
10341.2 Ensuring Funding and Eligibility for Services
10343 Criteria for DADS Guardianship Referral
10344 Steps in the DADS Guardianship Referral Process
10344.1 DADS Referral Step 1: Initial Request for Information and Assistance
10344.2 DADS Referral Step 2: CPS Initiates the Request
10344.3 DADS Referral Step 3: Guardianship Assessment
10344.4 DADS Referral Process Step 4: DADS Decision, Notification, and CPS Response
10344.41 DADS Agrees to Become Guardian
10344.42 DADS Denies Request for DADS Guardianship
10345 DADS Appointed as Guardian
10345.1 Youth Leaves CPS Foster Care
10345.2 CPS Foster Care Placement After DADS Appointed as Guardian
10345.3 Foster Parent Wishes to Be a Guardian
10400 Extending Foster Care for Youth Who Are Age 18 or Older
10410 Qualifying for Extended Foster Care
10411 Education and Work Related Criteria for Extended Foster Care
10412 Transitioning Between Education or Work Related Activities
10412.1 Enrollment in a Higher Education Program or a Post-Secondary Vocational or Technical School
10412.2 Young Adults Who Are Incapable of Performing Education and Work Related Activities
10420 Preparation Required When a Youth Plans To Stay in Extended Foster Care
10421 Within 90 Days Before the Youth's 18th Birthday
10422 As Soon as Possible After the 18th Birthday
10430 Acceptable Documentation for Educational and Work Related Activities for Extended Foster Care
10433 Programs or Activities to Promote or Remove Barriers to Employment
10435 Monitoring Continued Participation
10440 General Eligibility Issues
10441 Temporary Absences From Extended Foster Care
10442 Young Adults Receiving Social Security Benefits
10442.1 Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Guardianship
10442.2 Young Adult's Refusal to Sign the VEFCA Financial Agreement
10443 Young Adult With Dependent Children
10450 Issues Related to a Young Adult with a Physical or Intellectual Disability
10451 Physically Unable to Sign VEFCA
10452 Mental Capacity Issues in Signing the VEFCA
10460 Casework Activity for Young Adults in Extended Foster Care
10461 Casework Activity That Respects Young Adult Status
10463 Extended Care Monthly Face-to-Face Visits
10464 Service Plan for Young Adults 18 and Older
10465 Medical Consenter Issues and Documentation
10470 Ongoing Review of Eligibility for Extended Foster Care
10471 Annual Review for Extended Foster Care Eligibility
10480 Supervised Independent Living (SIL)
10481.2 Responsibilities of Young Adults While in an SIL Setting
10483 Eligibility for Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Placements
10483.1 Additional Requirements
10483.2 Annual Eligibility Review
10484 Referral, Assessment, and Approval Process for the Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Program
10484.1 Referral for SIL Placement Readiness
10484.2 Prescreening for SIL Placement
10484.3 SIL Application and Assessment
10484.4 Referral to the SIL Coordinator in State Office
10484.41 Approval by the SIL Coordinator in State Office
10484.5 Referral to and Approval by a DFPS SIL Provider
10484.6 Young Adult Not Accepted Into a SIL Placement
10484.61 DFPS Denies a Young Adult's Application
10484.62 Review of SIL Determination
10484.63 SIL Provider Denies a Young Adult's Application
10484.7 Reapplication After SIL Application Is Denied
10485 Initial Placement Process
10485.3 Service Plan Assessment Update
10486 Subsequent Placement Process With the Same DFPS SIL Provider
10487 Ongoing Caseworker Duties During SIL Placement
10487.1 Monitoring a Young Adult's Progress
10487.12 Transition Plan Meetings
10487.2 Collaborations With the DFPS SIL Provider
10487.3 Documentation of Young Adults with Dependent Children
10488 Temporary Absences From the SIL Program
10489 Discharges From the SIL Program
10489.11 Change of DFPS SIL Providers
10489.12 Discharge From the SIL Program to a Traditional Extended Foster Care Setting
10489.2 Emergency Discharge From the SIL Program
10489.21 Emergency Discharge from the SIL Program to Trial Independence
10489.3 Additional Discharge Actions
10490 Discharge From Extended Foster Care
10491 Planned Discharge From Extended Foster Care
10492 Emergency Discharge From Extended Foster Care
10492.1 Actions to Prevent an Unplanned Discharge
10493 Discharge to Trial Independence
10500 Trial Independence and Return for Extended Foster Care
10511 IMPACT Documentation for Trial Independence
10512 Returning to Extended Foster Care after Trial Independence (TI) Period Has Ended
10520 Acceptance Criteria for Return to Extended Foster Care
10530 Processing a Young Adult's Initial Request to Return to Extended Foster Care
10531 Receiving the Young Adult's Request
10532 Referring the Young Adult to Regional PAL Staff
10540 Roles and Responsibilities of Staff Helping a Young Adult Return for Extended Foster Care
10541 Roles and Responsibilities of PAL Staff
10541.1 Pre-Screen for Eligibility for Return for Extended Foster Care
10541.2 Continue Return Process, If Young Adult Is Eligible To Proceed
10541.3 End the Return Process, if Young Adult Not Eligible To Proceed
10542 Re-Entry Staff (Regional and Unit)
10542.1 Regional Re-Entry Staff
10542.3 Upon Approval of Re-Entry Into Extended Foster Care
10550 Special Circumstances Related to Re-Entry into Extended Foster Care
10552 When Immediate Assistance Is Needed
10553 Handling Monthly SSA Awards That Exceed the Cost of Care
10554 Young Adults With Children
10560 Returning to Extended Foster Care for College Breaks and Holidays
10570 Providing Support After a Young Adult Returns to Extended Foster Care
10572 Contacts and Time Frames
10573 Revising the Transition Plan
10574 Completing the Child Plan of Service
10575 Restarting Court Reviews
10576 Ongoing Casework Activity after Resuming Care
10600 Other Services to Older Children in Substitute Care
10621 Overview of Consumer Credit Reports
10622 Requesting a Consumer Credit Report for Youth Ages 16 and 17
10623 Informing Young Adults Age 18 in Extended Foster Care About Obtaining a Consumer Credit Report
10624 Requesting Credit Restoration Services
10630 Youth Parents in DFPS Conservatorship
10640 Situations That Require Authorizations
10641 Marriage of Youth in Conservatorship
10642.1 Driver License Assessment
10642.12 Reassessing a Youth Before or After Receipt of a Driver License
10642.13 Youth Placed Out of State
10642.2 Issuing a DFPS Foster Youth Driver License Fee Waiver Letter
10642.3 Affidavit Requirements
10642.31 DFPS Conservatorship Affidavit – Under Age 18
10642.32 DFPS Placement Affidavit – Ages 18 to 21
10642.4 Documenting the Issuance of a Driver License Fee Waiver Letter
10642.41 Texas Residency Affidavit (DPS Form DL-5)
10642.5 Canceling or Withdrawing a Driver License
10642.6 Driver License General Information Foster Youth Fact Sheet
-
Section 11000: Health Care – Medical and Behavioral
11110 Court Authorizes DFPS to Consent
11111 Selecting Medical Consenter and Back Up Medical Consenter
11112 Ensuring Training on Informed Consent and Requirements for Medical Consenters
11114 Providing Medical Information to the Medical Consenter
11115 Changing Medical Consenter and Back Up Consenter
11118 Court Authorizes an Individual Other Than DFPS to Consent
11120 Responsibilities of Medical Consenters and Back Up Medical Consenters
11121 Being Knowledgeable of Child's Medical Condition
11122 Participating in Each Medical Appointment
11123 Updating All Medical Consenters and Back Up Medical Consenters
11130 Medical Consent by Youth
11131 Educating Children About Their Medical Care
11132 Informing Youth About Certain Rights
11133 Documenting Court Authorization for Youth Consent in IMPACT
11134 Offering Ongoing Support to Youth
11135 Requesting a Court Order When a Youth Refuses Medical Care
11140 Notification of Medical Care
11141 Including Medical Information in Court Reports
11142 Notifying Parents About Significant Medical Conditions
11151 Youth Who Are 18 Years or Older
11152 Youth Under DADS Guardianship in Extended Foster Care
11153 Youth Who Are Parents in DFPS Conservatorship or Extended Foster Care
11200 Medical and Dental Services
11210 Meeting the Requirements for Medical and Dental Services
11211 Initial Texas Health Steps Medical Checkup
11212 Initial Texas Health Steps Dental Checkup
11213 Subsequent, Ongoing Texas Health Steps Checkups
11230 Gynecological and Reproductive Health
11251 Informing Caregivers and Medical Consenters About Health Services
11252 Arranging Transportation for Medical Services
11260 Documenting Medical and Dental Issues in IMPACT and the Case File
11261 Documenting Checkups (Medical and Dental) in IMPACT and the Case File
11262 Documenting Other Health-Related Visits in IMPACT and the Case File
11263 Completing a Medical history in IMPACT
11264 Documenting Additional Health-related Details for the Record
11270 Using the Health passport to Store and Retrieve a Child's Health-Related Information
11271 What the Health Passport Contains
11272 Restrictions on Using the Health Passport
11310 Administering Medication
11320 Administration of Medications by DFPS Staff
11321 Route of Administration of Medication
11322 Action When a Child Has Not Taken a Medication in Over 24 Hours
11324 Destruction of Medications
11330 Psychotropic Medications
11400 Special Healthcare Needs
11410 Arranging for Special Health Care Management Services
11411 Referring a Child to Medical Professionals and Health-Related Community Services
11412 Working With Children in DFPS Conservatorship Who Have Special Health Care Needs
11510 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
11511 Sex Education and AIDS Prevention
11512 Testing Children in DFPS's Conservatorship for HIV Antibodies
11512.1 Children at Risk from Birth
11512.2 Other Children at Risk
11513 Testing Procedures and Counseling
11514 Treatment and Medical Management
11520 Confidentiality When Working With Individuals With HIV
11521 Children With HIV Who Are in DFPS Conservatorship
11521.1 Confidentiality of a Child's HIV Status
11521.2 Notification About a Child's HIV Status
11600 Behavioral (Mental Health) Services
11610 Inpatient Mental Health Treatment
11611 Voluntary Admission to Inpatient Mental Health Facility and Consent to Treatment
11612 Emergency Detention Order and Order for Protective Custody
11613 Involuntary Commitment Order for Mental Health Services
11614 Summary of Admission and Consent to Medical and Psychiatric Treatment Process
11615 Notification of Placement Staff and Star Health
11700 Extraordinary Medical Conditions
11710 Enrollment and Participation in Certain Drug Research Programs
11712 DFPS Actions When a Physician Recommends Enrollment In a Drug Research Program
11720 Withholding and Withdrawing Life Sustaining Treatment
11730 Organ Donation / Anatomical Gifts
11751 When a Youth is Pregnant
11752 The DFPS Requirements to Inform Parents and Caretakers About Abortion-Related Information
11753 When a Physician May Perform an Abortion for a Youth in Conservatorship
11755 Documenting Abortion-Related Information for Youth in Conservatorship
-
Section 15000: Education for Children
15100 The Role of DFPS and the Caseworker in Ensuring Education Stability
15110 The Role of the Caseworker in Ensuring Education Stability
15111 School Readiness Programs
15120 The Role of the Education Specialist in Educating Children
15200 School Options for Children
15210 Choosing a Public School or RTC Program
15220 School-Related Expenses That Are Not Reimbursable
15221 Sending a Child to Private School
15222 School-Age Children Who Are Placed Out-of-State
15223 School Services in Nursing Homes and for the Homebound
15230 Exceptions to Standard Schooling Options
15231 Requesting an Exception for Home Schooling
15300 School Enrollment, School Transfer, and Records Maintenance
15310 Prompt Enrollment in School After Removal From the Home or a Change in Placement
15320 Required Documents for School Enrollment
15321 Accessing and Maintaining School Records
15322 Creating a Child's Educational Record
15330 Education-Related Documents Required for the Case File
15340 The Child's Education Service Plan
15350 Updating the Education Section of IMPACT
15360 The Child's Education Portfolio
15370 Developing, Maintaining, and Documenting the Education Portfolio
15371 Creating the Education Portfolio
15372 Delivering the Education Portfolio to the Child's Caregiver
15373 Maintaining the Education Portfolio
15373.1 The Role of CPS in Maintaining the Education Portfolio
15373.2 The Role of the Caregiver in Maintaining the Education Portfolio
15373.3 Maintaining the Education Portfolio at Discharge
15400 Discipline of Children in DFPS Conservatorship in the Public Schools
15410 Discipline of Children With Disabilities
15420 Discipline Strategies and Restrictions for Children With Disabilities
15500 Psychological Testing of School-Age Children
15600 School Services for Children With Disabilities
15610 The Role of the School in Serving Children With Disabilities
15611 The Role of Surrogate Parents in Planning the Education of Children With Disabilities
15612 The Admissions, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee
15620 Denial of Education-Related Services
15630 Residential Placements for Children Not in DFPS Conservatorship
15700 Tuition and Funding for Post-Secondary Education
15710 Exemptions From College Tuition
15720 The Education and Training Voucher Program
-
Appendices
Appendix 1121: Documentation Requirements for Models of Family Group Decision Making (FGDM)
Appendix 1132: Federal and State Agencies
Appendix 1132.2(a): Steps in Developing a Child Welfare Contract
Appendix 1132.2(b): Contract Outline
Appendix 1132.2(c): Responsibilities of DFPS, Child Welfare Board, and County
Appendix 1226-B: Checklist for Compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act
Appendix 1510: Procedures for Issuing HHSC Form 1027-A
Appendix 1511: Information Needed for the Foster Care Application
Appendix 1514: Requesting Wire Third Party Query (WTPY) System Access
Appendix 1530: Foster Care Eligibility
Appendix 1530 A: AFDC Income Determination Worksheet
Appendix 1530 B: Stepparent or Disqualified Parent Budgetary Needs Allowance Deduction
Appendix 1530 C: AFDC Needs Standard Income Limits
Appendix 1530 D: Income Guidelines for Underemployed Parent for Parental Deprivation
Appendix 1530 E: Title IV-E Eligibility Checklist
Appendix 1530 F: Categorical Requirements for AFDC
Appendix 1530 G: Underemployed Parent Checklist for Parental Deprivation
Appendix 1531: Acceptable U.S. Citizenship Verification Documents
Appendix 1533.2: MAO Auto-Eligibility
Appendix 1562.1: Prior-Period Adjustment (PPA) Invoice Processing for Children With Income
Appendix 1563: Setting Up Savings Accounts
Appendix 1564.1: Manual Receipt of Funds
Appendix 1564.3: Outstanding Items Procedures
Appendix 1581.1: Appropriate Needs
Appendix 1583.1: Guide to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Tracking Report
Appendix 1618.3: Discussion Guide - Negotiating Permanency Care Assistance
Appendix 1715.3: Negotiation of Adoption Assistance Discussion Guide
Appendix 1922.1: Detection Periods for Abused Substances
Appendix 1931.1 Physical Signs and Symptoms of Drug or Alcohol Use
Appendix 1931.2: Criteria for Diagnosing Substance Abuse
Appendix 1960: Treatment Options for Substance Abuse
Appendix 1961: Family Drug Treatment Courts (FDTC)
Appendix 1971: Protocol for Working With Drug-Endangered Children
Appendix 2000 Flexible Response System of Service Delivery
Appendix 2140: Guidelines for Decision Making at Intake
Appendix 2251: Time Frames for Investigations
Appendix 2310: Structure of the Risk Assessment Tool
Appendix 2337.1: Confidentiality of School Records
Appendix 2411: Dispositions and Risk Findings Appropriate to the Types of Investigations
Appendix 2414: "Seriousness" Indicators for Thorough Investigations
Appendix 2433: Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
Appendix 2471: Disposition Categories In Use Before April 1, 1999
Appendix 2472.1-A: Determining Overall Disposition and Overall Role
Appendix 2472.1-B: Definitions of Roles
Appendix 2472.1-C: Examples in Which the Overall Role Will Be "Unknown (Unable to Determine)"
Appendix 2813-A: Adding, Deleting, and Changing Allegations in the Investigation Stage
Appendix 2813-B: Correcting Information in Intake Allegations
Appendix 2813-C: Alleged Perpetrator Incorrectly Named in Intake Allegation (Case Scenario)
Appendix 2813-D: No Alleged Perpetrator Named in Intake Allegation (Case Scenario)
Appendix 2813-F: Incorrect Type of Abuse or Neglect Alleged in Intake Allegation
Appendix 2840: Persons to be Notified at the End of the Investigation
Appendix 2871: Additional Procedures for Release to Licensing Boards
Appendix 2872: When to Use Templates for Release Hearing Notice Letters
Appendix 3120: Types of Family Based Safety Services
Appendix 3412: Community Resources
Appendix 3414: Americans With Disabilities Act Reasonable Accommodations in Service Planning
Appendix 3473: Guidelines for Case Closure or Legal Intervention
Appendix 3620: Services to Abused or Neglected, Unmarried, School-Age Parents (Practice Suggestions)
Appendix 4120-A: Issues to Consider in Placement Decisions
Appendix 4120-B: Information to Consider About Race and Ethnicity in Placement Decisions
Appendix 4121: Federal Requirements
Appendix 4320: DFPS Guidelines for Service Authorizations
Appendix 4525: Offenses From the Texas Penal Code
Appendix 4531: DFPS Kinship Homes Discipline Policy
Appendix 4533-A: Working in the KIN Stage of Service in IMPACT
Appendix 4533-B: Add a Kinship Home to IMPACT
Appendix 4533-C: Search for a Home That Already Exists in IMPACT
Appendix 4533-D: Roles and Responsibilities of the Kinship Development Worker
Appendix 5110: Parents' and Children's Rights Observed by the Court
Appendix 5224-A: Jurisdiction and Venue
Appendix 5224-B: Bureau of Vital Statistics, Texas Department of Health Central Record
Appendix 5230: Criteria for Determining the Best Interest of the Child
Appendix 5240: Emergency Orders
Appendix 5261 A. Detailed Diligent Search for Parent (Steps to Take)
Appendix 5261-B: Detailed Diligent Search for Relatives (Steps to Take)
Appendix 5420: Court Ordered Social Studies (in cases of disputed conservatorship)
Appendix 5511: Duties of the Guardian Ad Litem in Chapter 33 Proceedings
Appendix 6133: When a Suit to Terminate Must be Filed
Appendix 6141: Federal Case-Planning Requirements
Appendix 6151-B: Procedure for Requesting a Level 1 Policy Variance
Appendix 6273.1: Roles and Responsibilities of Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)
Appendix 6323.5: Placement Checklist for Children With Disabilities
Appendix 6323.51: ICF-ID/RC Levels of Care
Appendix 6392: Discharging Children From Substitute Care
Appendix 6520: Filing Charges with the Juvenile Justice System
Appendix 6931-A: Information to Consider about the Child When Selecting an Adoptive Family
Appendix 7040-A: Expectations, Roles and Responsibilities of Foster Parents
Appendix 7040-B Liability of Foster Parents
Appendix 7040-C: Expectations, Roles, and Responsibilities of Adoptive Parents
Appendix 7110: Recruitment of Foster and Adoptive Homes
Appendix 7111: Foster Parent Associations
Appendix 7120: DFPS Discipline Policy
Appendix 7240: Instructions for Obtaining and Processing FBI Fingerprint Cards
Appendix 7260: Foster/Adoptive Home Study Guidelines
II. Applicants' Feelings About Themselves, Their Parents, and Their Childhood
V. Supporting the Child's Needs Regarding Birth Family
VI. Dealing with Separation and Loss
VII. Dealing With Children Who Have Been Physically, Sexually Abused and or Neglected
VIII. Child Management and Discipline
X. The Mutual Problem-Solving Plan
XI. Verification of Compliance with Minimum Standards
Appendix 7410-A: Roles and Responsibilities of the Foster Home Development Worker
Appendix 7410-B: Roles and Responsibilities of the Adoption Worker
Appendix 7420: Instructions for Foster Family Quarterly Assessment Narrative
Appendix 7430: Guidelines for Corrective Action and Closure
Appendix 7450: Guidelines for Monthly Adoption Assessment
Appendix 7460: Intermittent Alternate-Care Service Provider Assurances
Appendix 8160: CPS Service Codes and Descriptions as Identified in IMPACT
Appendix 8210: Contract Evaluation Review Items
Appendix 8410: Purchased Protective Services Guidelines
Appendix 9110: Roles and Responsibilities of the Regional ICPC Coordinator
Appendix 9300: States That Require All Non-Parents to Be Licensed as Foster Parents
Appendix 10212: Preparation for Adult Living Life Skills Training Curriculum Outline
Appendix 10266-A: Completing a NYTD Survey for a Youth - Instructions
Appendix 10266-B Overview of NYTD Timeline
Appendix 10333-A: Joint Staffing Process for DFPS Referrals to DADS Guardianship Services
Appendix 10334: Helpful Hints for Submitting the Guardianship Referral Form
Appendix 10334.2: CPS Guardianship Referral Form IMPACT Guide
Appendix 10334.42: Guardianship Review of Decision Protocol
Appendix 10620: Documents Required to Begin Credit Restoration Services
Appendix 11000: STAR Health - Provider for Most Children in DFPS Conservatorship
Appendix 11211-A: Texas Health Steps - Obtained Through STAR Health or Traditional Medicaid
Appendix 11211-B: Traditional Medicaid - For Children Not Eligible for STAR Health
Appendix 11512: Emergency Detention Order and Order for Protective Custody
Appendix 11513: Involuntary Commitment for Mental Health Services