Handbook Revision, December 1, 2020
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on December 1, 2020.
On September 1, 2017, the investigations branch of CPS became a separate division named Child Protective Investigations (CPI). Until CPI develops its own policy handbook, investigation policies and procedures will remain in the CPS handbook.
See:
Child Protective Services Revisions
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
Child Protective Services Revisions
Face-to-Face Monthly Visitation (PATS 11677)
The previous policy on visits between a caseworker and a child or youth was overly prescriptive and acted as a checklist for these face-to-face monthly visits. The policy has been rewritten to give examples of how to engage with children to address safety, permanency, and well-being.
See:
6314 Services to Children and Parents across Regional Lines
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6400 Services to Children in Substitute Care
6410 Placement Supervision
6411 Contact with the Child
6411.1 Federal Requirements
6411.2 Face-to-Face Visits
6411.21 6411.2 Frequency of Face-to-Face Visits
6411.22 6414.7 Conducting the Monthly Visit
6411.23 6414.72 Documenting the Monthly Visit
6411.24 6414.73 Following Up on Identified Needs
6411.25 6414.74, 6414.75 Alternate Caseworker
6411.3 Contact with Children Placed in IDD GRO, SSLC, and ICF Facilities
6411.31 Responsibilities of the Developmental Disability Specialist
6411.32 Responsibilities of the Primary Conservatorship Caseworker When a Child Has an Intellectual or Developmental Disability
6411.4 6411.5 Children with Primary Medical Needs and Special Health Care Needs
6411.5 6411.4 Contacts with Out-of-State Placements
6412 6413 Services to Children and Caregivers across Regional Lines
6412.1 6412 Courtesy Supervision – Responsibility for Contact across Regional Lines
6412.2 6414 Local Permanency Supervision
6412.21 6414.1 Local Permanency Eligibility
6412.22 6414.2 Coordination between Local Permanency and Primary Caseworker
6412.23 6414.3 Responsibilities of the Local Permanency Specialist
6412.24 6414.4 Responsibilities of the Primary Caseworker When a Local Permanency Specialist Is Assigned to a Child
6412.25 6414.5 Transitioning from a Local Permanency Specialist to a Courtesy Caseworker When the Out-of-Region Placement Is Identified as the Adoptive Home
6412.26 6414.6 Local Permanency Waiver
6414.7 Conducting the Monthly Visit
6414.71 Assessing the Monthly Visit
6414.72 Documenting the Monthly Visit
6414.73 Following Up on Identified Needs
6414.74 Visits Conducted by an Alternate Caseworker
6414.75 Alternate Caseworker Follow Up
Records Checks (PATS 12517)
This update streamlines policy on records checks.
See:
1800 Records Checks
1810 Types of Records Checks
1810 1811 Legal Requirements for Criminal Records Checks Legal Requirements
1820 Purpose and Types of Background Checks
1830 1811.1 People Persons/Entities on Whom Criminal Records Checks Can Be Made
1840 1811.2 Limited Disclosure of Criminal History Records
1812 FBI Records Checks
1813 CAPS History Checks
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
1821 Applicants
1822 Annual Checks
1823 Required Reporting as Events Occur
Placement Policy Updates (PATS 13072)
Updates are being made to the newly published placement policy to include further guidance on caregiver notification of sexual abuse history.
See:
4121.2 Prepare the Current and New Caregivers for the Move
4121.3 Complete the Placement Summary Form
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4133 Provide and Discuss the Placement Summary (Form 2279)
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4152.2 Meeting the Needs of a Child or Youth Until a Placement Is Secured
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4220 Placements into Facilities Regulated by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
4221 Abuse and Neglect Investigations of Placements Regulated by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
4221.1 RCCI Notifying CPS of Alleged Abuse or Neglect in Foster Homes
4221.2 CPS Responsibility and Procedure after Receiving a Notification of Abuse or Neglect by either RCCI or CPI
4221.3 CPS Protocol During an RCCI Investigation Involving a Child in Conservatorship
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4230 Facilities Under the Authority of Other State Agencies
4231 DFPS’s Continuing Responsibilities When a Child in Conservatorship is Placed in a Facility Regulated by Another State Agency
4231.1 Notifying a Facility Regulated by Another State Agency of a Child’s Sexual Victimization and Sexual Aggression History
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4233 TJJD and JPD Facilities
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6419 6241.11 Working with Children Who Are Sexually Aggressive, Have Sexual Behavior Problems, or Are Victims of Sexual Abuse
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
None