Handbook Revision, September 4, 2018
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on September 4, 2018.
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 email 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 Relations at 1-800-720-7777.
Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP) (PATS 10942)
Data Broker Verification (PATS 11057)
Containing Child Protective Day Care Expenses (PATS 11242)
Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP) (PATS 10942)
PCSP policy is updated to clarify areas that have been noted as areas of concerns by quality assurance staff and field management.
The PCSP Resource Guide is also updated to reflect these clarifications.
See:
3210 Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)
3211 Evaluating the Child's Safety Before Placement
3211.1 Assessing and Documenting Placement in a PCSP
3211.11 Out-of-State PCSP (new item)
3211.2 Criminal History Checks
3211.21 DPS Criminal History Check
3211.22 FBI Exigent and Fingerprint Checks
3211.23 PCSP Household Member with Criminal History
3211.3 Abuse and Neglect History Checks
3211.31 Household Members Who That Previously Lived Outside of Texas
3211.32 PCSP Household Member with Abuse or Neglect History
3211.4 Collateral Contacts
3211.5 Staffing with Regional Attorney
3211.51 The Court Places a Child Without DFPS Agreement (new item)
3211.6 New Child Children Placed into an Existing PCSP
3212 Notifying Parent or Guardian of PCSP Approval or Denial
3213 Program Director Documentation in Approving PCSPs
3214 Required Contacts
3214.1 Required Contact with Child and PCSP Caregiver
3214.2 Required Parent Contact
3215 Reevaluating the PCSP
3216 Extending a PCSP Past 60 Days
3217 Ending a PCSP
3218 Closing a Case or Stage When the Child Remains in a PCSP with a Caregiver Who Does Not Have Legal Custody
Data Broker Verification (PATS 11057)
The appendix below is revised to direct eligibility staff regarding when to run a Data Broker inquiry (needed for Title IV-E eligibility determinations) and under what conditions they must complete a new IMPACT foster care application. Eligibility staff must now complete a new IMPACT foster care application if the Data Broker results change the countable income for a family but do not deny the child’s Title IV-E eligibility.
This change is in response to a recommendation made during the agency’s 2018 Title IV-E Eligibility Federal Review (March 2018). The goal is to ensure that the family’s countable income is properly documented on the IMPACT foster care application.
See:
Appendix 1530-H: Data Broker Verification Procedures
Basic Process for Conducting an Emergency Removal Before Obtaining a Court Order and for Filing a Petition After an Emergency Removal (PATS 11087)
The policy below is revised to state that before obtaining a court order for an emergency removal the caseworker must obtain approval not only from the supervisor but also from the program director. See:
5412.2 Basic Process for Conducting an Emergency Removal Before Obtaining a Court Order and for Filing a Petition After an Emergency Removal
Containing Child Protective Day Care Expenses (PATS 11242)
This policy revision changes the age requirements for day care and adds new work rules for a specific group of caregivers who did not have work requirements before. This policy corresponds with the amendment of DFPS rules 40 TAC §§700.1013, effective September 1, 2018.
See:
8235.1 Funding Availability for Child Day Care Services
8235.2 Authorizing, Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, Terminating, or Changing Services
8235.21 Caseworker Responsibilities
8235.22 When a Child Care Provider’s Licensing Status Changes
8235.3 General Protective Child Day Care
8235.31 Determining Eligibility for General Protective Day Care
8235.32 Types of Centers That May Be Used for General Protective Day Care
8235.33 Resolving Issues of Space
8235.34 Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services
8235.4 Foster Child Day Care
8235.41 Determining Eligibility for Foster Day Care
8235.42 Types of Day Care Centers That May Be Used for Foster Day Care
8235.43 Resolving Issues of Space
8235.44 Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services
8235.5 Kinship Child Day Care
8235.51 Determining Eligibility for Kinship Day Care
8235.52 Types of Centers That May Be Used for Kinship Day Care
8235.53 Resolving Issues of Space
8235.54 Initiating, Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services
8235.6 Regional Day Care Coordinator Responsibilities
8235.61 Handling Program-Related Duties