Child Protective Services

Handbook Revision, July 2016

This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on July 1, 2016.

CPS wants to ensure that the general public understands what critical actions caseworkers are required to perform and why. To further this understanding, CPS has set up a policy e-mail box for the general public: CPSPolicyQuestions@dfps.texas.gov. Please feel free to contact us, via this email address, with any general questions related to policy.

For questions or concerns regarding specific cases, please contact the caseworker or supervisor, or the Office of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-720-7777.

Time Frame for Reviewing

FAD - Waiving Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents

Parental Child Safety Placements

Child Fatality Protocol Handbook

Time Frame for Reviewing (PATS 9212)

This item is revised to state that CPS staff must review the CPS Rights with a child or youth and the caregiver no later than 72 hours from the date when the child or youth comes into foster care or a placement change is made. (Previously, the time frame was 7 days.) See:

6315 Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care

FAD - Waiving Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents (PATS 9267)

This revision modifies:

  •  the criteria for waiving the citizenship requirement for adoptive parents; and

  •  the requirements for requesting a citizenship waiver.

See:

7226.4 Criteria for Waiving the Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents

7226.5 Procedure Requirements for Requesting a Citizenship Waiver of the Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents

Parental Child Safety Placements (PATS 9252)

The items below are revised to clarify how the caseworker and program director must document PCSP decisions, as well as requirements for post-placement staffing at 21, 60, and 90 days. See:

3210 Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)

3211 Evaluating the Child’s Safety Before Placement

3211.1 Assessing and Documenting Placement in a PCSP

3211.2 Criminal History Checks

3211.21 DPS Criminal History Check

3211.22 3211.1 FBI Exigent and Fingerprint Records Checks

3211.23 PCSP Household Member with Criminal History

3211.3 Abuse and Neglect History Checks

3211.31 3211.2 Household Members That Previously Lived Outside of Texas

3211.3 PCSP Household Member with Criminal History

3211.32 3211.4 PCSP Household Member with Abuse or Neglect History

3211.5 Notifying Parent or Guardian of PCSP Approval or Denial

3211.4 3211.6 Collateral Contacts

3211.5 3211.7 Staffing with Regional Attorney

3211.6 New Children Placed into an Existing PCSP

3212 Notifying Parent or Guardian of PCSP Approval or Denial

3213 3212 Program Director Documentation in Approving PCSPs Approval

3213 Documenting a PCSP Placement

3213.1 Voluntary Caregiver Manual

3213.2 New Children Placed into an Existing PCSP

3213.3 Program Director Documentation in Approving or Denying PCSPs

3214 Option to Enter Into Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relative

3214 3215 Required Contacts

3214.1 3215.1 Required Contact with Child and PCSP Caregiver

3214.2 3215.2 Required Parent Contact

3215 Re-evaluating the PCSP

3216 Extending a PCSP Past 60 Days

3216 Extending a PCSP

3217 Ending Closing a PCSP

3218 Closing a Case or Stage When the Child Remains in a PCSP with a Caregiver Who Does Not Have Legal Custody

Child Fatality Protocol Handbook

The resource guide has been updated.