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Section 1000: Organization and Administration
1000 Organization and Administration
1100 Child Protective Services Program
1110 Purpose and Objectives
1120 Guiding Principles of the CPS Program
1121 Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)
1122 Focus on Resources and Outcomes
1123 Stages of Service
1124 Definition of Stages of Service
1130 Program Organization
1131 State Office
1132 Regional Offices
1140 Relationship to Other Agencies and Entities
1141 Federal and State Agencies
1142 County Governments
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
1143.31 Parent Liaison
1143.32 Regional CPS Liaison
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 Volunteers
1151 Volunteer Requirements
1152 DFPS Staff Who Supervise Volunteers
1153 Volunteer Casework Services
1154 Volunteer Services Agencies
1160 Public Information About Child Protective Services
1170 Program Planning
1171 Regional Planning
1171.1 Development of Regional Program Plans
1172 State Planning
1172.1 Plans Required by Federal Funding Sources
1172.2 Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR)
1200 Legal Base for Child Protective Services
1210 State Laws
1211 Texas Family Code
1212 Human Resources Code
1220 Federal Laws
1221 Title IV-A, Emergency Assistance
1222 Title IV B, Child Welfare
1223 Title IV E, Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance
1224 Title XIX, Medicaid
1225 Title XX, Block Grant
1226 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (PL 93-247)
1227 Indian Child Welfare Act (PL 95-608)
1230 Constitutional Protections
1300 Fiscal Requirements
1310 Federal Funds
1320 State Funds
1330 Local Funds
1331 Public Local Funds
1332 Private Local Funds
1332.1 Children's Funds
1333 Reimbursement for Court-Ordered Social Studies
1334 Adoption Reimbursement
1335 Receipt of Money
1340 Management of Children's Funds
1341 Accounting Procedures for Children's Funds
1342 Managing Children's Income Accounts (CIAs)
1342.1 Prior-Period Adjustment (PPA) Invoice Processing for Children With Income
1342.2 Account Resource Limits
1342.3 Adoptive Placement and Children's Income
1343 Establishing, Transferring, and Closing Children's Savings Accounts
1344 Duties of Accounts Receivable (AR) Staff
1344.1 Manual Receipt of Funds by Accounts Receivable (AR) Staff
1344.2 Receivables Procedures for Accounts Receivable (AR)
1344.3 Reconciliation Requirements for Accounts Receivable (AR) Staff
1344.4 Electronic Return of Benefits
1344.5 Lump Sum Distribution Instructions
1345 Duties of Accounts Payable (AP) Staff
1345.1 Handling Income When Child is in Paid Substitute Care
1345.2 Handling Income When Child is Not in Paid Substitute Care
1345.3 Handling Deceased Child's Income
1346 Duties of Accounting Supervisor
1346.1 Procedures for Reviewing Information and Reports
1346.2 Reconciliation Responsibilities of Accounting Supervisor
1346.3 Annual Reconciliation for Each Client
1346.4 Reconciliation of Child's Income at Discharge
1346.5 Reconciliation of Discrepancies
1346.6 Reconciliation of Child's Income at Death
1347 Records Retention Requirements for Transactions Involving Children's Funds
1350 Audits
1351 Adjustments to Foster Care Assistance Payments
1352 Audit Recommendations
1400 Case Records and Workload Management
1410 Case Definition
1411 Types of Cases
1420 Opening a Case
1421 The Case Record
1422 Organization of Paper Case Records
1423 Foster Care Financial Eligibility Case Record
1424 Adoption Subsidy Eligibility Case Record
1430 Case Recording
1431 Narrative Guidelines
1431.1 References for Detailed Case Recording Requirements
1432 Family Tree
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
1440 Security of Case Records
1450 Confidentiality of Information
1451 Confidential Information
1452 Release of Confidential Information
1452.1 Releasing Information to Agencies Working with the Family
1452.2 Releasing Information to the Court, County or District Attorney, Law Enforcement Officials, and DFPS Staff
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
1452.8 Releasing Information to Alleged Victims of Child Abuse or Neglect and to Their Adoptive Parents
1453 Public Information
1454 Privileged Communications
1455 Subpoenaed Case Records
1456 Release of Fiscal and Statistical Information
1460 Closing Cases
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
1473.1 Retaining Records When Abuse and Neglect Are Ruled Out, No Risk Is Indicated, and No Service is Authorized
1473.2 Retaining Records When Abuse and Neglect Are Ruled Out, No-Risk Is Indicated, and Services Are Authorized
1473.3 Retaining Records When Abuse and Neglect Are Ruled Out and Risk is Indicated
1473.4 Retaining Records When the Disposition Is Reason to Believe, Unable to Determine, or Unable to Complete
1474 Retaining the Records for Cases That Do Not Involve Abuse, Neglect, or Conservatorship
1474.1 Retaining Records When the Intake Report Is Closed and the Case Is Not Assigned for Investigation
1474.2 Retaining Records When the Investigation Is Closed Administratively Without a Service Authorization
1474.3 Retaining Records When the Investigation Is Closed Administratively With a Service Authorization
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 Records Center 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 General Eligibility Criteria
1511 Child Protective Services Priorities
1512 Request for Child Protective Services
1513 Right to Refuse Services and Consequences of Refusal
1514 Administrative Reviews of Client Complaints
1515 Fair Hearings
1516 Clients With Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
1517 Clients with Communication Disabilities
1517.1 Requirements for Auxiliary Aids and Services
1517.2 Sign Language Interpreter Requirements During CPS Interventions
1520 Eligibility for Child Protective Services Delivered by DFPS Staff
1521 Eligible Individuals
1522 Determination and Redetermination of Eligibility
1530 Eligibility for Child Protective Services
1531 Eligible Individuals
1532 Limitations on Purchased Services
1533 Determination and Redetermination of Eligibility
1534 Authorization and Reauthorization of Services
1540 Foster Care Maintenance Resources
1541 Foster Care Assistance and Review Policies
1541.1 Unknown Family Income on the Foster Care Assistance Application
1541.2 Zero Family Income on the Foster Care Assistance Application
1541.3 Notifications to SSA and Use of the Wire Third Party Query (WTPY) System
1541.4 Obtaining Certified Birth Certificates and Screen-Printing Birth Records
1541.5 Requesting Certified Birth Certificates
1541.51 Requesting Birth Certificates for Children Born in Texas
1541.52 Requesting Birth Certificates for Children Born in Texas for Adoption Purposes
1541.53 Requesting Out-of-State Birth Certificates
1541.54 Requesting International Birth Certificates
1541.55 Request Reimbursement if Personal Funds Must Be Used to Obtain Certificate
1542 Foster Care Assistance Eligibility Requirements for Children and Youth Who Are in DFPS Conservatorship
1542.1 Additional Eligibility Requirements for Title IV-E Foster Care
1542.2 Additional Eligibility Requirements for State-paid Foster Care
1542.3 Additional Eligibility Requirements for MAO Foster Care
1542.31 Medical Coverage for Children in Foster Care
1542.32 Medical Assistance Only (MAO) Auto-Eligibility
1542.33 MAO Coverage for Children Placed in Kinship, Relative, or Own Home Placement
1542.34 MAO Coverage for Children in Adoptive Placements
1542.35 MAO Coverage for Children in Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Placements
1542.4 Eligibility In Medical Facilities before Placement
1542.5 AFDC Domicile for Children Relinquished at Birth and Children Born to Incarcerated Mothers
1542.6 Eligibility in Placements Provided by Relatives
1542.7 Eligibility during Absences from the Foster Care Facility
1542.8 Medicaid Benefits for Foster Care Children Placed in Texas From Other States
1542.9 Medicaid Benefits for Foster Care Children Placed Out of State
1543 Foster Care Assistance Eligibility Requirements for Young Adults Formerly in DFPS Conservatorship
1543.1 Extended Foster Care Assistance
1543.2 Return for Extended Foster Care
1544 Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY)
1545 Foster Care Maintenance Payments
1545.1 Effective Dates of Foster-Care-Assistance Payments
1545.2 Billing and Payment for Foster Care Assistance
1545.3 Recoupment of Foster Care Maintenance Overpayment
1545.31 Manual Recoupment
1545.32 Manual Recoupment Process
1545.33 Notification to Providers of Recoupment That Exceeds 50% of Next Payment
1545.34 Extreme Hardship and Repayment Plans
1546 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children in Foster Care
1546.1 Effect of SSI Eligibility on Title IV-E Foster Care
1546.2 Effect of SSI Eligibility on State-Paid Foster Care
1546.3 Effect of SSI Eligibility on MAO Foster Care
1546.4 SSI Applications for Youth Aging Out of Care
1546.5 Placement in Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Homes
1546.51 SSI Coordinator and Foster Care Eligibility Specialist Responsibilities
1546.6 Child Specific Contract Placements
1546.7 Establishing a Dedicated Account Using a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lump Sum
1547 Third Party Resources for Medical Care Services
1547.1 Cost Avoidance
1547.2 Post Payment Recovery
1550 Other Payment Issues
1551 Money Earned by Foster Children From Full- or Part-Time Employment
1552 Payment for Placement-Related Travel
1553 Transferring Income, Benefits, and Assets When a Child is Discharged from Substitute Care
1554 Payment for Long-Term Care in Adulthood
1554.1 Youth Age 18 or Older in Voluntary Foster Care: Signing Over SSI and RSDI Benefits
1555 Management of a Lump Sum Award (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Non-SSI)
1555.1 Managing a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lump Sum
1555.11 Child Is In a DFPS Paid Foster Care Placement
1555.12 Child Is Not in DFPS Paid Placement
1555.13 Child Is No Longer in DFPS Conservatorship
1555.14 Child Dies While DFPS Is Managing Conservator
1555.15 Overpayments
1555.2 Managing a Non-SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Lump Sum
1556 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Tracking Reports
1556.1 SSI Tracking Report
1556.2 17-Year-Old SSI Report
1556.3 SSA Change Reports
1560 Adoption Assistance Program
1561 Adoption Assistance Eligibility Requirements for Children Adopted From DFPS Conservatorship
1561.1 General Eligibility Requirements
1561.2 Determining Whether a Child Has Special Needs
1561.3 Eligibility Requirements for Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses
1561.4 Additional Eligibility Requirements for Monthly Payments and Medicaid Coverage
1561.5 Eligibility Requirements for State-Paid Adoption Assistance
1561.6 Determining Who Is an Applicable Child
1561.7 Eligibility Requirements for Extended Adoption Assistance
1561.8 When Adoption Assistance Is Not Available (Transferring Permanent Managing Conservatorship)
1562 Adoption Assistance Eligibility Requirements for Children Adopted From the Conservatorship of an LCPA
1562.1 Eligibility Requirements
1562.2 International Adoptions
1563 Jurisdiction and Responsibility for Determining Eligibility and Activating Benefits
1563.1 Determining Which Children Are Within DFPS Jurisdiction
1563.2 Determining Region With Responsibility for a Case
1564 Program Notification, Application Process, and Responsibility for Cases
1564.1 Informing Families of the Adoption Assistance Program
1564.2 Application Process For Adoption Assistance
1564.3 Determination of Eligibility
1564.4 Responsibilities of the Eligibility Specialist in Entering Into the Initial Adoption Assistance Agreement
1564.5 Commencement of Benefits
1564.6 Ongoing Responsibilities of Eligibility Units for the Adoption Assistance Program
1564.7 Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Expenses of Adoption
1565 Negotiating Adoption Assistance Agreements and Deferred Adoption Assistance Agreements
1565.1 Responsibilities of Negotiators for Initial Adoption Assistance Agreement
1565.2 Ongoing Responsibilities of Negotiators
1565.3 Considerations During Negotiations
1565.4 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments and Adoption Assistance Payments
1565.5 Determining the Adoption Assistance Payment Ceiling
1565.6 Education Requirements
1566 Deferred Adoption Assistance Agreements
1567 Changes in Circumstances and Periodic Certification of Continued Eligibility
1567.1 Recertification of Eligibility
1567.2 Adoptive Parents Die or Their Parental Rights Are Terminated
1568 Benefits: Termination and Resumption
1568.1 Termination of Benefits
1569 Fair Hearings Regarding Adoption Assistance Decisions
1569.1 Appealing Decisions
1569.2 An Agreement for Adoption Assistance Was Not Signed Before an Adoption's Consummation
1569.3 Responsibilities of the Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialist and Negotiator
1570 Medicaid Coverage, The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance, and Adoption Assistance
1571 The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance and its Impact on Adoption Assistance
1572 Procedures of The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance
1573 Procedures Regarding Children Eligible for Adoption Assistance who Are Placed or Moved Out of State
1574 Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1574.1 Definition of Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1574.2 Eligibility Requirements for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1574.3 Proceeding With Adoptive Placements in a Timely Manner
1574.4 Approval Process for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1574.41 Regional Approval Process
1574.42 State Office Approval Process
1574.43 Approvals and Notification to Family
1574.44 Summary of Forms
1574.5 Negotiation for Enhanced Adoption Assistance and Placement
1574.6 Authorization of Payments for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1574.7 Denials of Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1574.8 Deferred Agreements for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1574.9 Appeals and Fair Hearings
1580 Permanency Care Assistance
1581 Definitions Related to Permanency Care Assistance
1582 Overview of Permanency Care Assistance
1583 Eligibility Requirements for Permanency Care Assistance
1583.1 Eligibility Requirements for a Prospective Permanent Managing Conservator to Receive Permanency Care Assistance
1583.2 Eligibility Requirements of Children for Permanency Care Assistance
1583.3 Eligibility Requirements of Siblings for Permanency Care Assistance
1583.4 When a Child Is Not Eligible for Permanency Care Assistance (State-Paid or Title IV-E Funded)
1584 Requesting an Extension of Permanency Care Assistance
1585 Informing Families About Permanency Care Assistance
1586 Applying for Permanency Care Assistance
1587 The Regional Role in Determining Eligibility for Permanency Care Assistance
1587.1 The Eligibility Assistance Units in the Regions
1587.2 The Steps for Determining Eligibility for Permanency Care Assistance
1587.21 Step 1: Logging Receipt of a PCA Packet and Evaluating it for Completeness
1587.22 Step 2: Making a Preliminary Determination About PCA Eligibility
1587.23 Step 3: Negotiating a PCA Agreement With a Prospective Managing Conservator
1587.24 Step 4: Activating PCA Benefits Upon a Transfer of Managing Conservatorship
1587.4 Ongoing Responsibilities of Eligibility Units in Permanency Care Assistance
1587.5 Reimbursing Nonrecurring Expenses Covered by Permanency Care Assistance
1587.6 Determining Which Region Maintains a Case Involving Permanency Care Assistance
1588 Negotiating Permanency Care and Deferred Agreements
1588.1 The Role of the Negotiator in Determining Permanency Care Assistance
1588.2 Determining the Payment Ceiling When Negotiating for Permanency Care Assistance
1588.3 Other Considerations When Negotiating for Permanency Care Assistance
1588.4 Explaining Education Requirements When Negotiating for Permanency Care Assistance
1588.5 Negotiating Deferred Agreements for Permanency Care Assistance
1589 Providing Medical Assistance to Recipients of Permanency Care Assistance
1589.1 Providing Medical Care to a Child Who Lives in Texas and Receives Permanency Care Assistance
1589.2 Providing Medical Care to a Child Who Lives Out-of-State and Receives Permanency Care Assistance
1590 A Change in the Circumstances of a Recipient of Permanency Care Assistance
1591 Benefits: Recertification and Termination for Permanency Care Assistance
1591.1 Recertification of Eligibility for Permanency Care Assistance
1591.2 Terminating Permanency Care Assistance
1592 Fair Hearings Regarding Decisions About Permanency Care Assistance
1592.1 Duties of the Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialist
1592.2 Appealing Decisions Made Regarding Permanency Care Assistance
1600 Information Systems
1610 Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry
1611 Central Registry Retention Periods
1612 Who Can Access Central Registry
1613 Requests for Central Registry Information
1620 Child and Adult Protective System (CAPS)
1630 Previous Information Systems (Legacy Systems)
1631 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting and Inquiry System (CANRIS)
1632 Social Services Management System (SSMS)
1633 Foster Care, Adoption, and Conservatorship Tracking System (FACTS)
1634 Resource Management System (RMS)
1700 Evaluation and Monitoring
1710 Evaluation
1720 Monitoring
1721 Federal Monitoring
1722 Monitoring and Certification by the Licensing Division
1723 Other Monitoring
1800 Record Checks
1810 Types of Records Checks
1811 Criminal Records Checks Legal Requirements
1811.1 Persons/Entities on Whom Criminal Records Checks Can be Made
1811.2 Limited Disclosure of 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
1830 Review Team Members
1900 Substance Abuse Services
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
1912.11 Referring Clients to Providers of Outreach, Screening, Assessment, and Referral (OSAR) Services
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
1920 Substance Abuse Testing
1921 Definitions Related to Substance Abuse
1921.1 Chain of Custody
1921.2 Drug Confirmation
1921.3 Drug Screen
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
1924.2 The Infectious Client
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
1931.4 Marijuana Policy
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
1963 When Treatment Is Unavailable, Resources Are Scarce, Waiting Lists Are Long, or the Distance Is Too Far to Travel
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
1970 Drug-Endangered Children
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
1980 Assessing Substance Abuse
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Section 2000: Intake, Investigation, and Assessment
2000 Intake, Investigation, and Assessment
2100 The Intake Process for Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2110 The Roles of SWI and CPS During Intake
2120 Requirements for Reporting Abuse or Neglect
2121 Legal Requirements for Reporting Abuse or Neglect
2122 Special Issues Relating to Reporting Abuse or Neglect
2130 The Process for Reporting Abuse or Neglect to the DFPS Statewide Intake Division (SWI)
2131 Reporting Directly to SWI About Abuse or Neglect
2132 Reports Made to Field Offices
2140 Screening and Prioritizing Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2141 The Allegations That CPS Accepts for Investigation and Assessment
2141.1 Criteria for Initiating an Investigation
2141.2 Applying Statutory Definitions of Abuse or Neglect to Determine if a Report Meets the Criteria for CPS Investigation
2141.3 Incomplete or Questionable Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2141.4 When Abuse or Neglect Occurs in a Foster or Adoptive Home
2141.5 Reports of Abuse or Neglect That Relate to Child-Care Facilities
2142 Assigning Priority to Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2143 The Role of SWI in Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2144 The Role of CPS in Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2144.1 Contacting Collateral Sources About Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2144.2 The CPS Supervisor's Role in Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2144.3 Formally Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect (The Role of the Investigation Screener)
2144.31 Criteria for Formally Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2144.32 CPS Staff Who Formally Screen Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2144.33 Determining a Report's Eligibility for Screening
2144.34 Reports That Clearly Meet Investigation Guidelines
2144.35 Reports That Do Not Clearly Meet Investigation Guidelines
2144.36 Recommending a Formally Screened Report for Investigation
2144.37 Closing a Formally Screened Report (Not Recommending Investigation)
2144.38 Time Frames for Completing the Formal Screening of a Report
2144.39 Documenting the Formal Screening of a Report
2144.4 Notifying the Reporter When a Report Is Closed
2145 Changing the Priority of a Report About Abuse or Neglect
2146 Closing Reports of Abuse or Neglect Without Assignment for Investigation
2146.1 Reports of Abuse or Neglect That Require Supervisory Approval for Closure
2147 Receiving a New Report During an Open Investigation of Abuse or Neglect
2148 When a Child is Abandoned in a DADS Facility
2150 When to Notify Law Enforcement About Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2200 Investigation and Assessment
2210 Objectives and Casework Process
2211 Workers Who Perform Investigations
2212 Roles of the Worker and Supervisor
2213 Separation of Investigatory and Service-Delivery Functions
2220 Miscellaneous Provisions
2221 Assignment and Required Completion of Investigations
2222 Jurisdictional Issues Involving a Child's County of Residence
2222.1 Definition of Child's County of Residence
2222.2 Preventing and Resolving Disagreements Among Staff Regarding Residence Designations
2222.3 County of Child's Residence Is Unknown / Child Is Temporarily Away From Home
2222.4 Expectant Mother Residing in Texas Department of Corrections Facility or State Mental Hospital
2222.5 Roles of Secondary Workers
2223 Time Frames for Investigations
2223.1 Time Frame for Progressing an Intake to the Investigation Stage
2223.2 Time Frames for Initiating Priority I and Priority II Investigations
2223.3 Twenty-Four Hour Documentation
2223.31 Documentation of Removal, Initial Placement and Medical Consenter
2223.4 Time Frame for Completing Investigation Actions
2223.5 Time Frame for Documenting the Investigation
2223.6 Time Frame for Approving the Investigation
2223.7 Extending Time Frames
2224 Types of Investigations, Case Actions, Services, and Conclusions
2224.1 Thorough Investigations
2224.11 Interested Relatives and Significant Non-related Parties in Thorough Investigations
2224.2 Abbreviated Investigations
2224.3 Unable To Complete an Investigation
2224.31 When a Family Has Moved or Cannot Be Located
2224.32 When a Family Is Uncooperative
2224.33 Documentation in an Unable to Complete/Cannot Locate Investigation
2224.34 Locating a Family that Moved During an Investigation
2224.35 Transferring a Case to a Family's New Location
2224.36 When a Subsequent Intake Is Received for a Family With a Previous Unable to Complete Investigation (Close – Family Moved/Cannot Locate)
2224.37 Interference With an Investigation
2224.38 Child Safety Check Alert List
2224.4 Preliminary Investigations (Administrative Closure)
2224.41 Preliminary Investigations Closed for Statutory Reasons
2224.42 Preliminary Investigations Closed for Programmatic Reasons
2224.43 Preliminary Investigations of Anonymous Reports
2225 Requirements to Protect Locating Information of Family Violence Victims
2225.1 Families Who Participate in the Address Confidentiality Program
2225.2 Securing the Confidential Address
2225.3 Entering an OAG-Issued Substitute Post Office Box Address in IMPACT
2225.4 Obtaining the Confidential Address (Abuse and Neglect Cases Only)
2225.5 Sending Legal or Other Written Information
2225.6 When a Child Is Removed and DFPS Is Managing Conservator
2225.7 Disclosing a True Physical Address
2225.8 Youth Transitioning Out of DFPS Care
2226 Confidentiality When Working With Individuals With HIV
2226.1 Release of HIV Status
2226.2 The Court System
2230 Conducting the Investigation
2231 Objectives of Investigations
2232 Casework Tasks Performed When Starting an Investigation
2232.1 Abuse and Neglect Background Checks
2232.2 Staffing a Report Assigned for Investigation
2232.3 Arranging Joint Investigations With Law Enforcement
2232.4 Contacting the Reporter Before Initiating the Investigation
2232.5 Multiple Referral Reports
2232.51 Worker Responsibilities
2232.52 Supervisor Responsibilities
2232.53 Child Safety Specialist Responsibilities
2232.6 Making a Contact to Initiate the Investigation
2232.7 Follow-Up When Contact Is Not Made Within Priority Time Frames
2233 Investigating Allegations of Abuse or Neglect
2233.1 Investigating Alleged Perpetrators
2233.2 Investigating Allegations of Abuse or Neglect Without Naming a Perpetrator
2233.3 New Intake or Allegation Received During an Open Investigation
2233.4 Subsequent Investigations on a Family
2234 Assessing Safety
2234.1 Initial Safety Assessment
2234.11 Background Checks During the Initial Safety Assessment
2234.12 Time Frames Related to the Initial Safety Assessment
2234.13 Examples of Priority 1 and 2 Time Frames for Initial Safety Assessments
2234.2 Casework Process for Assessing Initial Safety
2234.21 Handling Safety-Related Tasks at the Beginning of the Investigation
2234.22 Identifying a Present Danger of Serious Harm
2234.23 Identifying Insufficient Protective Capacity
2234.24 Determining Elevated Child Vulnerability
2234.25 Determining Safety Criteria for Decision Making
2234.26 Making the Safety Decision
2234.27 Holding a Staffing Meeting and Obtaining Approval
2234.28 Completing the Safety Assessment Page
2234.29 Case Merge and the Safety Assessment Page
2234.3 Responding to Safety Concerns
2234.31 Controlling Safety Threats
2234.32 Assessing the Family’s Response to Child-Safety Issues
2234.33 Developing a Safety Plan
2234.34 Developing a Safety Plan When Removing an Alleged Perpetrator From the Home
2234.35 Developing a Safety Plan When Transferring to Family-Based Safety Services
2234.36 Initiating Safety Plans in Other Stages
2234.4 Criteria for Parental Child Safety Placements
2234.41 When a Removal Is More Appropriate Than a Parental Child Safety Placement
2234.42 Considerations and Tasks to Complete Before the Parental Child Safety Placement Occurs
2234.43 Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2234.44 Conducting Abuse and Neglect Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2234.45 Developing Plans for a Parental Child Safety Placement
2234.46 Ongoing Assessment of the Parental Child Safety Placement (PSCP)
2234.47 Closing a Case Involving a Parental Child Safety Placement
2234.5 Subsequent Safety Assessments During an Investigation
2234.51 Assessing Safety at the End of the Investigation
2234.6 When Safety Assessments Do Not Apply
2235 Assessing Risk
2235.1 Casework Process for Assessing Risk
2235.11 Time Frames for the Risk Assessment
2235.12 Abuse and Neglect Background Checks
2235.2 Risk Areas of Concern
2235.3 Risk Factors and Categories Within Each Area of Concern
2235.31 Child Vulnerability Risk Factors and Categories
2235.32 Caregiver Capability Risk Factors and Categories
2235.33 Quality of Care Risk Factors and Categories
2235.34 Maltreatment Pattern Risk Factors and Categories
2235.35 Home and Social Environment Risk Factors and Categories
2235.36 Documenting Domestic Violence on the Risk Assessment Tool
2235.37 Response to Intervention Risk Factors
2235.38 Protective Capacities
2235.4 Assigning a Level of Concern to Each Risk Area
2235.5 Determining Risk of Abuse or Neglect at the End of the Investigation
2235.51 Staffing of Dispositions, Risk, and Decision About Services
2235.52 When Children Are at Risk
2235.53 Children Are Not at Risk
2235.6 Where to Document the Risk Assessment
2235.7 Investigations in Which Risk Assessments Are Not Conducted
2236 Referring the Family for Community Services
2236.1 Referrals to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
2236.11 Investigation Stage and Findings
2236.12 Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) Stage
2236.13 Conservatorship (CVS) Stage
2236.14 General Referral Procedures
2237 Family Team Meetings
2237.1 Family Team Meeting (FTM) Referral Criteria
2237.11 Circumstances Requiring an FTM Referral
2237.12 Circumstances Allowing an FTM Referral
2237.2 Scheduling and Coordinating FTMs
2237.3 Family Team Meeting Participants
2237.4 Caseworker and Supervisor Roles at Family Team Meetings
2237.5 Documentating Family Team Meetings
2237.51 Investigation Caseworker
2237.52 Family Team Meeting Facilitator
2237.6 Dispute Resolution
2238 Case Transfers
2238.1 Transferring a Case to Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
2238.11 Making Key Decisions About Transferring a Case to FBSS
2238.12 Maintaining Contact With the Family During the Transfer to FBSS
2238.13 Delivering Services During a Transfer to FBSS
2238.14 Requesting That the Court Order FBSS
2238.15 Documenting the Transition to FBSS
2238.16 Documenting an Investigation Without Offering FBSS
2238.2 Transferring a Case to Conservatorship
2238.21 Conferring Through a Post-Removal Staffing
2240 Investigative Interviews
2241 Interviews with Alleged Victims
2241.1 Obtaining Consent to Interview
2241.2 Basic Requirements During the Interview
2241.3 Substitute Interviews
2241.31 Substitute Interviews for Alleged Victims of Sexual Abuse or Serious Physical Abuse
2242 Interviews With Other Children in the Home
2243 Interviews with Parents, Alleged Perpetrators, and Other Adults
2243.1 Interviews with Parents or Primary Caretakers
2243.2 Interviews with Alleged Perpetrators
2243.3 Interviewing Parents or Alleged Perpetrators
2243.4 Interviews with Other Adults
2244 Interviews with Collateral Sources
2245 Visits to the Home
2245.1 Consent to Enter a Home
2245.11 Worker Requests Permission to Enter a Home
2245.12 Who Has the Authority to Give Consent to Enter the Home
2245.13 Capacity to Consent
2245.14 Voluntary Consent
2245.15 Withdrawal of Consent
2245.16 When Parents Disagree About Consent
2245.17 Scope of the Consent Given by an Adult Caretaker, Child, or Occupant of the Home
2245.2 Exigent Circumstances Relating to Entry of a Home
2245.3 Documenting the Visit to the Home
2245.4 Address Confidentiality Program of the Office of the Attorney General (ACP-OAG)
2246 Recording Interviews With Children on Audiotape or Videotape
2246.1 Unusual Situations That May Legitimately Preclude Taping Interviews
2246.2 Documenting in IMPACT Whether Interviews Were Taped
2246.3 Confidentiality of Taped Interviews
2246.4 Labeling, Storing, Retaining, and Purging of Taped Interviews
2247 Overview of Transporting a Child During an Investigation
2247.1 Transporting a Child From School for an Interview
2247.11 Obtaining Supervisory Approval to Transport a Child
2247.12 Determining the Basis of Authority for Transporting a Child
2247.13 Informing Law Enforcement Involved in a Joint Investigation
2247.14 Documenting the Transporting of a Child
2247.2 Transporting a Child in Other Circumstances
2247.3 Notifying the Parents Before Transporting a Child
2247.31 When Speaking Directly With a Parent About Transporting a Child
2247.32 When Direct Contact With the Parent Cannot Be Made
2247.33 Concealing the Location to Which a Child Is Transported
2248 Individual and Private Interviews
2250 Examinations of Alleged Victims and Other Children in the Home
2251 Examinations by Workers
2251.1 Visual Examinations
2251.2 Sexual Abuse Examinations
2252 Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Examinations
2253 Purchase of Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Examinations
2254 Medical and Mental Health Records
2260 Other Investigation Activities
2261 Notice of Report: Allegations, Interviews and Examinations
2261.1 Giving Notice When Interviewing or Examining a Child for an Investigation
2261.2 Definitions Related to Notice of Report
2261.3 Identifying and Locating Parents and Guardians
2261.4 Time Frames Related to Notice
2261.41 Exceptions to Providing Notice
2261.5 Means and Content of Notice
2261.6 Documentation of Notice
2261.61 When Providing Notice
2261.62 When Withholding Notice
2261.63 When Delaying Notice by Request
2262 Documentary Evidence Needed for the Case Record
2262.1 Photographs as Evidence
2262.11 Camera-Related Requirements
2262.12 Consent and Authority to Photograph and Documentation of Witnesses
2262.13 Photographing the General Appearance of a Child
2262.14 Photographing a Child's Injuries
2262.15 Photographing the Physical Evidence and Incident Scenes
2262.16 Photographing the Home and Living Environment
2262.17 Deleting or Altering Photographs
2262.18 Digital Storage of Digital Photographs in IMPACT
2262.19 Storing Prints of Photographs in the Paper Case File
2262.2 A Child's School Records
2263 Criminal Background Checks
2264 Expedited Background Checks For Emergency Placements
2264.1 Expedited DPS or IMPACT History Checks
2264.2 Expedited National Criminal History Checks
2264.21 Additional Requirement For Fingerprint Card Within Seven Days Requires a Safety Plan
2264.22 Consequences of Not Providing Completed Fingerprint Cards
2264.3 Procedure for Obtaining Expedited Background Checks
2264.4 Use of the Background Check Information
2264.5 Limitations
2270 Concluding the Investigation and Assessment
2271 Definitions of Dispositions of Abuse or Neglect
2271.1 Determining the Overall Disposition for an Investigation
2272 Definitions of Overall Roles
2272.1 Determining the Overall Role for a Person in an Investigation
2273 Notification About Investigation Results
2273.1 Notification by Type of Investigation
2273.11 Notification in Abbreviated and Thorough Investigations
2273.12 Notification in Administratively Closed Investigations
2273.13 Other Provisions that Apply to Any Type of Investigation
2273.14 Exceptions to Providing Notification
2273.2 Form of Notification
2273.3 Documentation Related to Notifications
2273.4 Mandatory Written Notification to Designated Perpetrator or Designated Victim/Perpetrator
2273.5 Mandatory Written Notification to Alleged Perpetrator Whose Allegations are Ruled Out
2273.6 Optional Written Notification to Parents and Guardians
2273.7 Notifying a Reporter When the Investigation Is Complete
2273.8 Special Notification Requirements
2274 Removal of Alleged Perpetrator Role Information
2280 Documenting and Approving the Investigation and Assessments
2281 Documenting in the IMPACT System
2281.1 Completing the Maintain Person Task
2281.11 Person Identifying and Locating Information
2281.12 When a Person Has Died
2281.13 Personal Identifiers (Social Security Number, Driver's License Number)
2281.14 Person Race and Ethnicity
2281.15 Person Language
2281.16 Person Characteristics
2281.17 Person Search, Person Merge, and Case Merge
2281.18 Add, Relate, or Delete Persons in the Investigation Stage of IMPACT
2281.19 Change Principal to Collateral
2281.2 Completing the Maintain Allegation Task in IMPACT
2281.3 Completing the Contacts Task
2281.31 Documenting Contacts Within 24 Hours
2281.32 Documenting the Contact That Initiates the Investigation
2281.33 Documenting All Other Investigation Contacts
2281.4 Completing the Safety Assessment and Risk Assessment Tasks
2281.5 Completing the Services and Referrals Checklist Task
2281.6 Completing the Investigation Conclusion Task
2281.61 Completing the EA Eligibility Section
2281.62 Consistency Check Between the First EA Question and the Risk Finding or Safety Plan
2281.7 Completing Miscellaneous Investigation Tasks
2281.71 External Documentation Task
2281.72 Medical/Mental Assessment Task
2281.73 Service Authorization Task
2281.74 Conservatorship Removal Task
2281.8 Establish Relationships in Family Tree in the Investigation Stage
2282 External Documentation Required: Forms, Letters, Documents, and Photos
2282.1 The Worker's Original Case Notes
2283 Children Who Have Been Previously Adopted
2283.1 Documenting Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Information About the Birth Family In a Subsequent Investigation
2283.2 Documenting Child Placement Characteristics of "Previously Adopted"
2283.3 Documenting Child Placement Characteristics in Dissolved Intercountry Adoptions
2284 Approving the Investigation
2284.1 Investigations That Require a Secondary Approver Before Being Closed
2290 Reviews and Hearings
2291 Informal Review of Complaints During Investigations
2292 Administrative Review of Investigation Findings
2292.1 Determination and Notice of Eligibility
2292.11 Initial Determination of Eligibility
2292.12 Notice of Initial Eligibility Determination
2292.2 Conditions Allowing a Delay of the ARIF
2292.21 Notice of Delay of ARIF
2292.22 Eligibility Determination and Notice After an ARIF Has Been Delayed
2292.3 Conducting the ARIF
2292.31 Notification of the Time, Place, and Conduct of the ARIF
2292.32 ARIF Proceedings
2292.4 Final Written Decision of ARIF
2292.5 Documentation of the ARIF Decision and Change of Allegations in CAPS
2292.51 Documentation and Changing Allegations in the ARIF Stage
2292.52 Documentation in a Closed-Stage Addendum Contact
2292.53 Changing Allegations Through Database Correction
2292.54 Changing the Type of Abuse or Neglect in a Confirmed Allegation
2292.55 Changing the Severity of a Confirmed Allegation to or From "Fatal"
2292.6 Notification of Results of the ARIF
2292.61 Notification of Written Decision to Requester
2292.62 Notification of Written Decision to Parent--Guardian and Reporter
2292.63 Accessing, Processing, and Filing Notification Letters
2292.7 ARIF During the Release-Hearing Process
2293 Release Hearings
2293.1 Sustained Conclusions About Designated Perpetrators and Designated Victim/Perpetrators
2293.2 Releasing Information About Designated Perpetrators or Designated Victim/Perpetrators
2293.3 Notice Requirements for Releasing Information to Outside Parties
2293.4 Prerequisites for Release Hearings
2293.5 Release-Hearing Procedures, Decisions, and Subsequent Actions
2294 Reviews by the Office of Consumer Affairs
2294.1 Overview of the Review Process
2294.2 Regional Responsibilities
2300 Special Intake and Investigative Activities
2310 When a Child Dies
2311 Notification When a Child Dies
2311.1 Law Enforcement
2311.2 Medical Examiner or Justice of the Peace
2311.3 DFPS Staff When a Child Dies
2311.4 The Parents and Others When a Child Dies
2312 Investigating a Child's Death
2312.1 Coordinating With Law Enforcement to Investigate a Child's Death
2312.2 Steps for Investigating a Child's Death
2312.3 Documenting a Child's Death
2312.31 Completing the Maintain Person Task in IMPACT When a Child Dies
2312.32 Completing the Maintain Allegation Task in IMPACT When a Child Dies
2312.33 Ensuring Consistency in IMPACT When a Child Dies
2313 Regional Responsibility to Review Cases of Child Death
2314 Child Death Committee / Teams Glossary
2315 Release of Information on a Child Fatality Investigation
2320 Investigation of Lack of Medical Care Because of Religious Beliefs
2330 Reports Alleging Medical Neglect of Disabled Children With Life-Threatening Conditions
2331 Investigations Involving Children Who Have Special Health Care Needs
2340 Investigating Reports That Involve Disabled People
2350 Investigating Reports of Abuse or Neglect on Military Bases
2360 Baby Moses Cases
2361 Criteria for a Baby Moses Case
2361.1 A Harmed Infant
2361.2 A Designated Emergency Infant Care (DEIC) Provider
2362 Investigating Cases Under the Baby Moses Law
2362.1 Legal Provisions
2362.2 Disposition of a Baby Moses Case
2362.3 When Someone Claims to be a Parent or Relative of the Infant
2370 Special Requests
2371 Casework-Related Special Requests
2371.1 Reclassifying a Casework-Related Special Request as an Intake
2372 Special Requests (Administrative)
2380 Out-of-State Incident and Perpetrators
2390 Intake and Investigation Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had an Abortion Without Knowing
2391 Exceptions to Confidentiality of Abortion-Related Information
2392 Definitions
2393 Intake Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had an Abortion Without Informing Her
2393.1 Statewide Intake Procedures Regarding Abortion-Related Information
2393.2 Regional Action on the Intake
2394 Abuse/Neglect Investigations Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had an Abortion Without Informing Her Family
2394.1 Reviewing the Intake
2394.2 Interviewing the Minor
2394.3 Authorizations Required for Disclosure
2394.4 Other Investigation Activities
2394.5 Concurrent Judicial Bypass Proceedings
2394.51 Assisting the Minor in Applying for Judicial Bypass
2395 Removal Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had Abortion Without Her Family Knowing
2400 Definitions and Authority
2410 Definitions
2411 Primary Statutory Definitions
2411.1 Statutory Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
2411.2 Statutory Definition of Person Responsible for Child's Care, Custody, or Welfare
2412 Terms Used in Primary Statutory Definitions
2413 Other Definitions
2420 CPS Authority for Investigating Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2421 Reports Within CPS Authority to Investigate
2422 Reports Not Within CPS Authority to Investigate
2422.1 Children Not Yet Born or Not Born Alive
2430 Dispositions of Allegations of Prenatal Drug or Alcohol Exposure
2431 Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2431.1 Findings of Physical Abuse for Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2431.2 Findings of Neglectful Supervision for Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2431.3 Disposition Guidelines for Prenatal Use of Controlled Substances
2432 Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2432.1 Findings of Physical Abuse for Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2432.2 Findings of Neglectful Supervision for Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2432.3 Disposition Guidelines for Prenatal Use of Alcohol
2433 Prenatal Exposure to Methadone or Controlled Medications
2434 Prenatal Use of Alcohol or Controlled Substance: Birth Imminent
2500 CPS Cooperation with Law Enforcement Officials
2510 CPS Roles During Criminal and Civil Investigations
2520 Arrangements with Local Criminal Justice Officials
2521 Office of the Inspector General
2522 Law Enforcement Agencies
2523 County or District Criminal Attorney
2524 The Courts
2600 Removing a Child From the Home
2610 Overview of Removing a Child From the Home
2620 Evaluate the Need for Removal
2630 Obtain Approval for Removal
2640 Determine the Basis of Authority for Removing a Child
2641 Types of Court Orders
2642 Definitions of Terms (Exigent Circumstances and Imminent Danger)
2650 Document the Removal of a Child
2660 Provide Notice and Gather Information Following a Removal
2661 Notification at Removal
2662 Gather Information About Child and Family
2662.1 Form 2279 Placement Summary
2662.2 Form 2626 Family Information
2662.3 Form 2625 Child Caregiver Resource
2662.4 Establish Relationships in Family Tree in IMPACT When Children Are Removed
2663 Notifying Relatives About the Removal of a Child
2663.1 Exercising and Documenting Due Diligence After Removal of a Child
2663.2 The Contents of the Notice to Relatives Following the Removal of a Child
2663.3 The Roles of the Removal and CVS Workers After Removing a Child
2663.4 Evaluating Relatives as Caregivers After a Child Has Been Removed
2670 Provide Information to the Child, Parents, Caregiver, and Court After a Removal
2671 Information Provided to the Parents at the Time of Removal
2672 Information Provided to the Child After a Removal
2673 Information Provided to the Caregiver at the Time of Placement
2674 Information Provided to the Court After Removal
2680 Select a Substitute Caregiver at the Time of Removal
2700 Intake and Investigation in Facilities Under the Authority of Other State Agencies
2800 Investigations of Personnel and Volunteers in Public and Private Schools
2810 Overview
2820 Definitions
2830 Criteria for Accepting Reports and Conducting School Investigations
2831 Reports Accepted for Investigation
2832 Reports Not Accepted for Investigation
2840 Conducting the School Investigation
2841 Notification to School Principal
2842 Basic Steps and Time Frames
2843 Conducting Interviews or Examinations
2850 Dispositions in School Investigations
2860 Notification of Findings in School Investigations
2861 Public School Investigations
2862 Private School Investigations
2863 Other Notifications
2870 Documenting the School Investigation
-
Section 3000: Family Based Safety Services
3000 Family Based Safety Services
3100 Overview
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
3115 Constitutional Requirements for Family-Based Safety Services and Family Reunification Cases
3120 Transferring a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3121 Referring a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3122 Conducting the FBSS Family Assessment
3122.1 Constitutional Requirements for an FBSS Family Assessment
3122.2 Scope and Purpose of an FBSS Family Assessment
3122.3 The Investigator's Role in an FBSS Family Assessment
3122.4 Steps for Conducting a Family Assessment
3123 Conducting the FBSS Staffing
3123.1 Deciding Whether to Transfer a Case
3124 Maintaining Contact With the Family During an FBSS Transfer
3124.1 The Necessity of Making Face-to-Face Contact During an FBSS Transfer
3130 Making Initial Face-to-Face Contact in an FBSS Case
3131 When to Make Initial Face-to-Face Contact in an FBSS Case
3132 Notifying a Supervisor When Unable to Meet the Time Frames for Face-to-Face Contact
3140 Working With Families to Develop an FBSS Plan
3141 Family Group Decision Making - Applying FGDM to an FBSS Case
3141.1 Applying Family Group Conferences to an FBSS Case
3141.11 Criteria for a Required Family Group Conference
3141.12 Criteria for an Optional Family Group Conference
3141.13 Documenting a Family Group Conference
3141.2 Applying Family Team Meetings to an FBSS Case
3143 Developing the Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case
3143.1 Holding an Initial Discussion About the Family Service Plan
3143.2 Developing Goals, Tasks, and Services for a Family Service Plan
3143.3 Completing and Signing the Family Service Plan
3144 Reviewing an FBSS Case
3144.1 The Frequency for Reviewing an FBSS Case
3144.2 Strategies for Reviewing an FBSS Case
3144.21 Using Family Group Conferences to Review an FBSS Case
3144.22 Using Case Consultations (Staffings) to Review an FBSS Case
3144.3 After Reviewing an FBSS Case
3145 Documenting an FBSS Case in IMPACT
3145.1 Documenting the Transfer of a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3145.2 Documenting the Level of Service or Closing a Case Without Offering Services
3145.3 Documenting the Family Service Plan
3145.4 Documenting Contacts and Visits
3145.41 Documenting Critical Contacts
3145.42 Documenting Noncritical Contacts
3145.43 Timeframes for Documenting FBSS Contacts
3145.44 Recording Narratives Under the Monthly Evaluation
3145.45 Identifying the Correct IMPACT Stage and Stage Type
3145.5 Documenting Supervisor Tasks
3145.51 Documenting Significant Consultations Between the Supervisor and Worker
3145.52 Documenting Supervisor Approvals of FBSS Contacts and Evaluations
3145.6 Documenting the Family Tree
3150 Closing a Case, Closing a Stage, and Transferring a Case
3151 Closing an FBSS Case
3151.1 Closing an FBSS Case Because CPS Services Are No Longer Needed
3151.2 Closing an FBSS Case When a Child Is Still in a Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)
3151.3 Closing an FBSS Case for Administrative Reasons
3151.4 Closing an FBSS Case in IMPACT
3152 Transferring a Case From FBSS to Substitute Care
3152.1 Removing a Child From the Home
3152.2 Documenting the Removal of a Child From His or Her Home
3152.3 Providing Substitute-Care Services
3153 Removing a Child From the Home After Reunification
3153.1 Avoiding Removal After Reunification
3153.2 Identifying Court Protocols Before Removing a Child After Reunification
3153.3 Providing Notification of Removal After Reunification
3153.4 Reassessing the Reunification Plan After a Child Is Reunited With the Family
3160 The Family Service Plan
3161 Purposes of the Family Service Plan
3162 Timeframes for the Initial Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case
3163 Reviewing and Updating the Family Service Plan
3164 Required Content of the Family Service Plan
3165 Parental Involvement in Service Planning – Ensuring the Involvement of Fathers
3166 Supervisory Approval and Completion of Family Service Plans
3167 Compliance With Family Service Plans
3168 Time Frames for Establishing and Updating Relationships in Family Tree
3170 Special Issues
3171 Immediate or Short-Term Protection During an FBSS Case
3172 Parental Child Safety Placement
3173 Children in DFPS Conservatorship Living at Home
3174 Unmarried, School-Age Parents
3175 When a Child Dies During an Open FBSS Case
3176 HSEGH Information for Previously Adopted Children
3177 Reasonable Accommodations and Modification of Services
3178 Family-Based Safety Services Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had Abortion Without Her Family Knowing
3179 Referral to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services
3200 Purchased Services for Families Receiving Family Based Safety Services
3210 Overview
3220 Services Purchased
3230 Authorizing Services
3240 Concrete Services
3241 Definition and Goals
3242 Eligibility
3243 Documenting and Authorizing Concrete Services
3244 Reviewing and Approving a Request for Concrete Services
3250 Contracted Family Based Safety Services
3251 Overview
3252 Stages of Service
3253 Assigning and Monitoring a Contracted Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case
3254 Closing a Contracted Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case
3300 In-Home Safety Services (I-HSS)
3301 Permanency Planning in In-Home Services
3301.1 Permanency Planning
3301.11 Definition and State Policy
3301.12 The Permanency Planning Process
3301.2 The Permanency Plan in In-Home Services
3301.21 The Goal of Family Preservation
3301.22 Steps for Achieving the Permanency Goal
3301.23 Discussion of Efforts Made to Achieve the Permanency Goal
3310 Regular Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
3311 Definition and Objectives of FBSS
3312 Eligibility for Regular FBSS
3312.1 Criteria for Regular FBSS
3312.2 Cases That May Not Be Appropriate for Regular FBSS
3312.3 Determining Whether to Seek a Court Order or Removal for Regular FBSS
3312.4 Assigning Moderate FBSS
3313 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact
3313.1 Determining Caseload Size
3313.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3313.3 Meeting Federal Requirements
3313.4 When Face-to-Face Contact Is Made By Another Worker
3314 Initial Face-to-Face Contact Following Stage Progression
3315 Case Consultations (Staffings) for Regular FBSS
3320 Moderate Family-Based Safety Services (M-FBSS)
3321 Definition and Objectives
3322 Eligibility for Moderate FBSS
3322.1 Criteria for Moderate FBSS
3322.2 Cases That May Not Be Appropriate for Moderate FBSS
3322.3 Determining Whether to Seek a Court-Order or Removal for Moderate FBSS
3322.4 Assigning Intensive FBSS
3323 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact
3323.1 Determining Caseload Size
3323.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3323.3 Changing the Frequency of Contact
3324 The Moderate Family-Based Safety Services (M-FBSS) Initial Face-to-Face Contact
3325 Case Consultations (Staffings) for Moderate FBSS
3330 Intensive Family-Based Safety Services (I-FBSS)
3331 Definition and Objectives
3332 Eligibility for Intensive FBSS
3332.1 Criteria for Intensive FBSS
3332.2 Cases That May Not Be Appropriate for Intensive FBSS
3332.3 Determining Whether to Seek a Court-Order or Removal for Intensive FBSS
3333 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact
3333.1 Determining Caseload Size
3333.2 Preparing for Face-to-Face Contact
3333.3 Changing the Frequency of Contact
3334 The Intensive Family-Based Safety Services (I-FBSS) Initial Face-to-Face Contact
3335 Case Consultations (Staffings) for Intensive FBSS
3336 Working With Children in FBSS Who Have Special Health Care Needs
3400 Family Reunification Services (FRS)
3410 Purpose of FRS
3420 Regular Family Reunification Services (R-FRS)
3421 The Discharge Planning Meeting and Home Visits
3421.1 Assessing Safety and Reviewing the Family Plan
3421.2 Scheduling a Discharge Planning Meeting
3421.21 The Caseworker's Duties at a Discharge Planning Meeting
3422 Case Consultations (Staffings) and Reviews
3423 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3423.1 Home Visits Before a Child Returns Home
3423.2 Home Visits After a Child Returns Home
3423.3 Making Contact 48-Hours After a Child Returns Home
3424 Terminating Conservatorship
3425 Closing the Case
3430 Moderate In-Home Safety Services in the Reunification Safety Services Stage
3440 Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3441 Definition and Objectives
3442 Eligibility
3443 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact
3443.1 Determining Caseload Size
3443.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3444 Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Early Reunification Safety Services Assessment
3445 Holding a Removal Staffing for an IE-FRS Case
3445.1 Holding a Staffing for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3445.2 Developing the Initial Service Plan for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3445.3 Conducting Reviews for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3445.31 Conducting a 60-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3445.32 Conducting a 90-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3445.33 Conducting a 120-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3450 Intensive Family Reunification Services (I-FRS)
3451 Definition and Objectives
3452 Eligibility
3453 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact
3453.1 Determining Caseload Size
3453.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3453.3 Decreasing Contact
3454 Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Reunification Safety Services Assessment
-
4000 Reserved for Future Use
4000 Reserved for Future Use
-
Section 5000: Court-Related Services
5000 Court-Related Services
5100 Overview of Court-Related Services
5110 Safeguarding the Legal Rights of Parents and Children
5120 Documentation of Legal Status and Legal Action
5130 Court Orders That Conflict With CPS Policy or Practice
5200 Court-Related Services for Children at Risk of Abuse or Neglect
5210 Protective Court Orders
5211 Ex Parte Temporary Protective Orders
5212 Removal of the Alleged Perpetrator from the Home
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
5310 Required Services
5311 Working with the Child's Attorney and Guardian Ad Litem
5320 Time Frames for Temporary Orders for Managing Conservatorship
5330 Required Court Reports
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
5354 Dispositional Hearings
5360 Special Court Approvals and Notifications
5361 Obtaining Court Approval
5362 Notifying the Court
5363 Extension of Court Jurisdiction Past Turning 18
5363.1 General Provisions
5363.11 Overview
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
5363.4 Court Jurisdiction and Reviews for Young Adults Receiving Transitional Living Services Whose TI Period has Ended
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
5376.1 Factors That Affect Closure of DFPS Child Support Cases in the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Automated System
5377 Steps for a Relative Caretaker to Obtain Child Support Services After DFPS Conservatorship Is Dismissed
5380 Legal Determination of Adoptability
5390 Bureau of Vital Statistics Reporting Requirements
5400 Special Issues
5410 The Managing Conservator's Annual Court Report
5420 Court-Ordered Social Studies
5430 Voluntary Relinquishment
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
5432.12 Types of Mediation
5432.13 Who Must Attend Mediation (Formal and Informal)
5432.2 Agreeing to Accept DFPS Conservatorship Without Termination of Parental Rights
5431.21 Actions Prohibited When Negotiating for Conservatorship
5500 Judicial Bypass to Parental Notification of Abortion
5510 DFPS Appointed as Guardian Ad Litem in Judicial Proceedings to Bypass 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
6000 Substitute-Care Services
6100 Overview
6110 Overview of Substitute Care
6120 Before Removing a Child and Placing the Child in Substitute Care
6130 Providing Substitute Care After a Child Is Removed
6131 Removing a Child
6131.1 Creating FSU and SUB Stages in IMPACT
6131.2 Assigning a Conservatorship (CVS) Caseworker
6131.3 Handling Initial CVS Caseworker Activities
6132 Consulting With Staff After a Child Is Removed
6133 Locating Relatives and Providing Notice of Removal
6133.1 When Relatives Have Been Contacted and Have Responded
6134 Providing Substitute Care Immediately After a Child Is Removed
6134.1 Substitute Care Services to the Parents
6134.2 Substitute Care Services to the Child
6134.3 Substitute Care Services to the Caregiver
6134.4 Substitute Care Services to Grandparents or Other Relatives
6200 Permanency Planning in Substitute Care
6210 Permanency Planning
6211 The Permanency Plan
6211.1 Concurrent Permanency Planning
6211.2 Permanency Planning for Children With Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities in Institutional Settings
6212 Permanency Planning Goals
6212.1 Family Reunification
6212.2 Adoption
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
6221.1 Approval of the 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
6223.3 Specific Steps when Child's Permanent Placement Involves the Department Maintaining Conservatorship
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
6300 Placement Actions in Substitute Care
6310 The Placement Process for Initial and Subsequent Placements
6311 Identify the Child's Needs
6312 Identify the Child's Permanency Goal
6313 Select Appropriate Placement Category and Follow Process
6313.1 Centralized Placement Team
6314 Consider Key Issues in Selecting a Caregiver
6314.1 Required Issues to Consider
6315 Secure Appropriate Approvals
6316 Discussing the Move
6316.1 Pre-Placement Visit
6317 Making the Placement
6318 Issues Regarding Subsequent Placements
6318.1 Selecting a Subsequent Caregiver
6318.2 Revising the Case Plan
6318.3 Plans for Children When Placement Is Unavailable
6320 Types of Placements
6321 Placement With Noncustodial Parents
6321.1 Definitions
6321.2 Consideration of Noncustodial Parent
6321.3 Assessment of the Noncustodial Parent
6321.4 Placement With the Noncustodial Parent
6322 Placing a Child With Relatives and Other Kinship Caregivers
6322.1 Definitions Related to Kinship Care
6322.11 Definition of Kinship Care
6322.12 Definition of a Kinship Caregiver (Verified and Unverified)
6322.13 Definition of a Fictive Kin or Other Designated Caregiver
6322.14 Definition of the DFPS Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program
6322.15 Definition of a Kinship Development Worker
6322.16 Definition of Kinship Foster Care
6322.17 Definition of a Relative
6322.18 Definition of Permanency Care Assistance
6322.19 Definition of a Prospective Permanent Managing Conservator
6322.2 Placing a Child With an Unverified Kinship Caregiver
6322.21 Initial Steps for Placing a Child With an Unverified Kinship Caregiver
6322.22 Identifying Potential Relative or Fictive Kin Caregivers
6322.23 Assessing the Unverified Kinship Caregiver's Home and Conducting History Checks
6322.24 Identifying Additional Relatives and Kin
6322.3 When Placing a Child With an Unverified Kinship Caregiver Following a Removal
6322.31 Conduct and Evaluate CPS History Checks on Potential Kinship Caregivers
6322.32 Contact Potential Kinship Caregivers Not Ruled Out by a CPS History Check
6322.33 Conduct and Evaluate Criminal History Checks on Potential Kinship Caregivers
6322.34 Complete a Risk Assessment and a Written Home Assessment of the Kinship Caregiver
6322.35 Obtain Approval for a Caregiver With a CPS or Criminal History
6322.36 Request Special Court Action for Placement With Fictive Kin (Caregivers Not Related to the Child)
6322.37 Place a Child With a Kinship Caregiver After All Prerequisites Are Met
6322.38 Referring Across Regional Lines for Kinship Home Assessments and Services
6322.4 Services for Unverified Kinship Caregivers
6322.41 Providing the Kinship Manual and Agreement at Placement
6322.42 Referring the Case to the Regional Kinship Development Worker
6322.43 The Duties of a Kinship Development Worker
6322.44 Explaining the Federal Financial Assistance Available to an Unverified Kinship Caregiver
6322.45 Explaining the DFPS Financial Assistance Available to an Unverified Kinship Caregiver
6322.46 Advising the Unverified Kinship Caregiver About Support Services
6322.47 When Services Are Not Available to the Unverified Kinship Caregiver
6322.5 Verified Kinship Caregivers
6322.51 Kinship Caregivers Interested in Becoming Verified as Foster Parents
6322.52 Assisting a Kinship Caregiver Seeking Verification as a Foster Parent
6322.53 When a Kinship Caregiver Is Verified as a Foster Parent
6322.54 Foster Care Reimbursement Payments and Kinship Financial Assistance
6322.6 Services for Verified Kinship Caregivers (Foster Parents)
6322.7 Obtaining Permanency Care Assistance
6322.71 Adding Permanency Care Assistance to the Child's Plan of Service
6322.72 Ruling Out Family Reunification and Adoption Before Pursuing Permanency Care Assistance
6322.73 Discussing the Intent to Pursue Permanency Care Assistance
6322.74 Applying for Permanency Care Assistance
6322.75 Granting Permanent Managing Conservatorship to the Kinship Caregiver
6322.76 Granting Assistance to the Sibling of a Child Who Receives Permanency Care Assistance
6323 Placement with Licensed Caregivers
6323.1 Foster Family-Homes
6323.2 Foster Group-Homes
6323.21 Disallowing Placements into Foster Homes
6323.22 Re-Allow Placement Procedure
6323.3 Residential Group-Care Facilities
6323.31 DFPS-Licensed Institutions Serving Children With Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
6323.4 Emergency Shelters
6323.5 Facilities Under the Authority of Other State Agencies
6323.51 Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Program
6323.52 Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation / Related Conditions (ICF-MR-RC)
6323.53 Nursing Homes
6323.6 The IPTP Program - Short-Term Therapeutic Placement
6323.61 IPTP Definitions
6323.62 Determining Eligibility for IPTP Placement
6323.63 Referring a Child for IPTP Placement
6323.64 Planning for Discharge From IPTP Placement
6323.65 How to Request the Extension of an IPTP Placement
6323.7 Intense Foster Family Care Services
6324 Independent Living Arrangements
6324.1 Authorized Arrangements
6324.2 Unauthorized Arrangements
6325 Court-Ordered Placements in Unapproved Facilities
6330 Types of Care
6331 Emergency Care
6332 Basic Care
6333 Therapeutic Care
6334 Primary Medical Needs Care
6335 Habilitative Care
6340 Texas Service Levels System
6341 Definitions
6342 Service Level Determinations and Reauthorizations
6343 Responsibility for Timely Determinations
6343.1 Authorized and Billing Service Levels
6344 Common Application
6345 Procedures
6345.1 Obtaining an Initial Service Level Authorization (ASL)
6345.11 Process for Obtaining an Initial Service Level Authorization
6345.2 Scheduled or Non-Scheduled Review of Service Level
6345.21 Process for Obtaining a Scheduled or Non-Scheduled Review of Service Level
6345.22 Guidelines for Expired Service Level Authorization
6345.23 Retroactive Service Level Authorization
6345.3 Modifying Placement for ASLs and Billing Service Levels (BSLs)
6345.31 Placing a Child One or More Billing Service Levels Lower Than the Authorized Service Level
6345.32 Requesting a BSL That Is Higher Than the ASL
6345.33 End Dates for an ASL at the Basic Service Level
6345.4 State Office Eligibility Program Specialist Role and Responsibilities
6345.5 How to Appeal Disagreements With ASLs
6350 Out-of-State Placements
6360 Administrative Review of Foster-Parent Concerns About New Placements
6370 Abuse and Neglect Investigations of Placements Regulated by RCCL
6400 Case Planning
6410 Initial Assessment Plan
6420 The Case Plan
6421 The Child's Service Plan
6421.1 Documentation Required for a Child's Service Plan
6421.2 Approval and Implementation of the Child’s Service Plan
6422 The Family's Service Plan
6422.1 Assessing the Family
6422.2 Family Participation in Developing the Family Service Plan
6422.3 The Family Plan for Children Under Age Two
6422.4 Content of the Family Service Plan
6422.5 Completing and Documenting the Family Service Plan
6422.6 Filing the Family Service Plan With the Court
6430 Case Plan Review
6431 Reviewing the Family Service Plan
6432 Reviewing the Child's Service Plan
6433 Enforcement of the Family Service Plan
6434 Required Content When Reviewing a Service Plan
6435 Participation in the Case Plan Review
6436 Required Documentation for Child and Family Service Plans
6437 Special Types of Service Plan Conferences, Meetings and Reviews
6437.1 Periodic Review
6437.2 Administrative Case Reviews
6437.3 Permanency Planning Meetings
6437.31 Family Group Conferences
6437.32 Permanency Conferences
6437.4 Permanency Planning Meetings for Youth 16 and Over
6437.41 Circle of Support
6437.42 Transition Plan Meeting
6440 Case Planning in Subsequent Placements
6450 Special Requirements
6451 Children in Therapeutic Foster Care
6452 Children in Residential Treatment
6453 The Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Report
6500 Services to Children in Substitute Care
6510 Placement Supervision
6511 Contact With the Child
6511.1 Conducting Monthly Visits With the Child
6511.11 Preparing for the Monthly Visit
6511.12 Conducting the Monthly Visit
6511.13 Assessing the Monthly Visit
6511.14 Documenting the Monthly Visit
6511.15 Following Up on Identified Needs
6511.2 Visits Conducted by an Alternate Caseworker
6511.3 Responsibility for Contact Across Regional Lines
6511.4 Ensuring Access to the Caseworker and Unit Management
6511.41 Providing the Caseworker's Contact Information (Form 6590)
6511.42 Explaining How to Obtain Immediate Assistance
6511.43 Responding to a Message From a Child or Youth
6512 Making Placements Across Regional or Unit Lines
6512.1 Making Placements with Parents, Relatives, or Family Friends Across Regional
6512.2 When DFPS Foster or Adoptive Homes Move Across Regional Lines
6512.3 Placements in DFPS Foster or Adoptive Homes Across Regional or Unit Lines
6513 Sibling Contact
6514 Maintaining Current Pictures of a Child
6515 Texas Foster Care Handbook
6520 Health Care
6521 Medical Consent
6521.1 Court Authorizes DFPS to Consent
6521.11 Selecting Medical Consenter and Backup Medical Consenter
6521.12 Ensuring Training on Informed Consent and Requirements for Medical Consenters
6521.13 Issuing Form 2085-B
6521.14 Providing Medical Information to the Medical Consenter
6521.15 Notifying the Court
6521.16 Documenting in IMPACT
6521.17 Including Medical Information in Court Reports
6521.18 Notifying Parents About Significant Medical Conditions
6521.19 Changing Medical Consenter and Backup Consenter
6521.2 Responsibilities of Medical Consenters and Backup Medical Consenters
6521.21 Being Knowledgeable of Child’s Medical Condition
6521.22 Participating in Each Medical Appointment
6521.23 Updating All Medical Consenters and Backup Medical Consenters
6521.3 Court Authorizes an Individual Other Than DFPS to Consent
6521.4 Medical Consent by Minor Youth
6521.41 Educating Children About Their Medical Care
6521.42 Informing Youth About Certain Rights
6521.43 Documenting Court Authorization for Youth Consent in IMPACT
6521.44 Offering Ongoing Support to Youth
6521.45 Requesting a Court Order When a Youth Refuses Medical Care
6521.5 Emergency Medical Care
6521.6 Special Circumstances
6521.61 Youth Who Are 18 Years or Older
6521.62 Youth Under DADS Guardianship in Extended Foster Care
6521.63 Youth Who Are Parents in DFPS Conservatorship or Extended Foster Care
6522 Withholding and Withdrawing Life Sustaining Treatment
6523 Organ Donation / Anatomical Gifts
6524 Enrollment and Participation in Certain Drug Research Programs
6524.1 Consent by Parent to Enroll Child in Drug Research Program or Administer Investigational New Drug
6524.2 DFPS Actions When a Physician Recommends Enrollment In a Drug Research Program
6524.3 Documentation in IMPACT of Enrollment in Drug Research Program or Administration of Investigational New Drug
6525 Medical and Dental Services
6526 Meeting the Requirements for Medical and Dental Services
6526.1 Initial Texas Health Steps Medical Checkup
6526.2 Initial Texas Health Steps Dental Checkup
6526.3 Subsequent, Ongoing Texas Health Steps Checkups
6526.4 Psychotropic Medications
6526.5 Immunizations
6527 Service Planning
6527.1 Informing Caregivers and Medical Consenters About Health Services
6527.2 Arranging Transportation for Medical Services
6527.3 Arranging for Special Health Care Management Services
6527.4 Referring a Child to Medical Professionals and Health-Related Community Services
6527.5 Working With Children in DFPS Conservatorship Who Have Special Health Care Needs
6528 Documenting Medical and Dental Issues in IMPACT and the Case File
6528.1 Documenting Checkups (Medical and Dental) in IMPACT and the Case File
6528.2 Documenting Other Health-Related Visits in IMPACT and the Case File
6528.3 Completing a Medical History in IMPACT
6528.4 Documenting Additional Health-Related Details for the Record
6528.5 Using the Health Passport to Store and Retrieve a Child's Health-Related Information
6528.51 What the Health Passport Contains
6528.52 Restrictions on Using the Health Passport
6529 Inpatient Mental Health Treatment
6529.1 Voluntary Admission to Inpatient Mental Health Facility and Consent to Treatment
6529.2 Emergency Detention Order and Order for Protective Custody
6529.3 Involuntary Commitment Order for Mental Health Services
6529.4 Summary of Admission and Consent to Medical and Psychiatric Treatment Process
6529.5 Notification of Placement Staff and Star Health
6530 Other Services
6531 Day Care for Children in CPS Foster Homes
6534 Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care
6535 Discipline
6536 Respect for Religious Practices
6540 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
6541 Sex Education and AIDS Prevention
6542 Testing Children in DFPS's Conservatorship for HIV Antibodies
6542.1 Children at Risk from Birth
6542.2 Other Children at Risk
6543 Testing Procedures and Counseling
6544 Treatment and Medical Management
6545 Notification
6546 Caregiver Training
6547 Confidentiality
6566 Undocumented Youth Who Are 16 or Older
6570 Special Issues
6571 When a Child Travels
6571.1 Transporting Children by Vehicle
6571.2 Transporting Children by Airplane
6571.3 Special Issues While Transporting
6571.4 Traveling Within Texas
6571.41 Traveling With a Foster Caregiver
6571.42 Traveling With a Person Who Is Not a Caregiver or Relative
6571.5 Blanket Authorizations
6571.6 Traveling Outside of Texas or the U.S.
6571.61 When a Child Travels Outside of Texas
6571.62 When a Child Travels Outside of the U.S.
6571.7 Chart of Scenarios When Traveling With a Child
6572 When a Child or Youth Is Missing from Care
6572.1 When a Minor Child Is Missing from Foster Care Placement
6572.2 When a Missing Child Returns to Care
6572.3 Documenting a Child as a Runaway
6573 When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6573.1 Notifying DFPS Staff When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6573.2 Notifying Persons Outside of DFPS When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6573.3 Making Funeral Arrangements
6573.4 Other Tasks Required When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6574 Hunting
6575 Disaster Plans
6577 CPS Youth and Juvenile Justice
6577.1 Reporting Juvenile Offenses to Law Enforcement
6577.2 When a Youth Is in TJJD Custody in a Secure Facility or on TJJD Parole
6577.21 General Procedures When Youth Are Committed to the TJJD Secure Facility Program
6577.22 Documenting in IMPACT Actions Related to Youth Committed to the TJJD
6577.23 Providing Medical Care to Youth in TJJD Custody or on TJJD Parole
6577.24 Meeting and Consulting With TJJD Staff
6577.25 Providing Other Services to Youth in TJJD Custody or on TJJD Parole
6577.26 Addressing Other TJJD-Related Issues
6580 Services to Children and Families Who Are Not U.S. Citizens
6581 Notification to Foreign Consulate
6582 Requesting Home Studies in Foreign Countries
6583 Deciding Whether to Repatriate or to Plan for a Child to Remain in the US
6583.1 Repatriation Procedures
6584 Verifying Immigration Status of Children in Care
6584.1 CAPS Immigration Status Categories
6584.2 Immigration Assessment Guide
6585 Immigration Opportunities for Undocumented CPS Children
6585.1 Staff Responsibility for Monitoring a Child's Immigration Status
6586 Transportation of Undocumented Persons
6587 Contacts with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
6600 Services to Families and Caregivers
6610 Services to the Child's Family When the Child Is in Substitute Care
6610.1 The Participation of Parents' Attorneys When a Child Is in Substitute Care
6611 Family Services When Family Reunification is the Permanency Goal
6611.1 Contact With the Family
6611.2 Conducting Visits With the Family
6611.3 Review the Family Service Plan
6611.4 Initiate the Reunification Process
6611.5 When a Child Is Returned
6611.51 Providing Services After a Child Is Returned
6611.52 Maintaining Contact with Families When Children Are Returned Home
6611.53 Conducting Follow-up Visits With the Family When Children Are Returned Home
6612 Ongoing Efforts to Achieve Permanency When DFPS Obtains Permanent Managing Conservatorship Without Termination of Parental Rights
6612.1 When to Complete a Family Plan of Service and Safety Plan
6612.2 Parental Participation
6612.3 Reassessment of Inactive Parents and Parents Unable to Provide a Safe Home
6612.4 Contact Between the Parent, the Child in Care, and the DFPS Caseworker
6612.5 Contact and Service Planning for Children Remaining in the Home
6613 Maintaining Contact Between the Family and the Child
6613.1 The Right to Regular Contact
6613.2 Planning for Family-Child Contact
6613.3 Documenting Visitation, the Contact Plan, and Progress
6613.4 Keeping Parents Informed of Children's Circumstances
6613.5 Sibling Rights
6614 Providing Additional Medical, Psychological, or Psychiatric Information to the Adoptive Family
6615 Other Issues Regarding Services to Families
6615.1 Services to Parents Across Regional Lines
6615.2 Incarcerated Parents
6615.21 Types of Incarceration Facilities
6615.22 Locating a Parent Who is Incarcerated
6615.23 Guidelines for Caseworker Visitation to an Incarceration Facility
6615.24 Engaging an Incarcerated Parent
6615.25 Service Planning for the Incarcerated Parent
6620 Services to the Substitute Caregiver
6621 Caregiver Access to Caseworker and Unit Management
6630 Working With Military Families
6700 Discharging Children from Substitute Care
6710 Services Preceding Discharge
6720 Services at Discharge From Substitute Care
6721 Family Reunification
6722 Permanent Placement with the Caregiver
6730 Supervision, Dismissal, Continuation, and Closure
6800 Adoption Services
6810 Criteria and Types of Service
6820 Planning for a Child's Adoption
6821 Assessing the Child's Readiness
6822 Completing the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Report
6823 Registering the Child on the Adoption Resource Exchange
6824 Preparing the Child
6825 Preparing the Child's Records for Presentation to Adoptive Parents
6826 Swift Adoption Teams
6830 Selecting an Adoptive Home
6831 Issues to Consider When Selecting an Adoptive Home
6831.1 Challenges of a Termination Order by Certain Relatives: 90-Day Period Following Termination
6832 Adoption by Foster Parents
6833 Adoptive Homes Located by Outside Child-Placing Agencies
6834 Adoptive Homes in Other States
6835 Considering the Need for an Adoption Subsidy
6836 Adoption by Military Families
6837 Adoptive Parent Registry
6838 Protecting the Privacy of Prospective Adoptive Families During Staffings With Non-Staff Members
6840 Presenting and Placing the Child for Adoption
6841 Presenting Information about the Child
6842 Preparing the Family and the Child for the Placement
6843 Completing the Placement
6844 Making Adoptive Placements in Other Regions and With Private Agency Adoptive Homes
6845 Making Placements in Other States
6846 Making Out of Country Placements
6850 Supporting and Consummating the Adoption
6851 Supporting the Adoptive Placement
6851.1 Developing an Adoption Services Plan
6851.2 Contact with the Child and Adoptive Family
6851.3 Conducting Visits With the Child and Adoptive Family
6852 Consummating the Adoption
6852.1 Time Frames for Consummating the Adoption
6852.11 Time Frames for Consummating Kinship Adoptions
6852.12 Non-Kinship Adoptions
6852.13 Foster Parent Adoptions
6852.2 CPS Caseworker’s Tasks After the Adoption Petition Is Filed
6852.3 Termination of DFPS’s Managing Conservatorship
6852.4 Adoption Reporting Requirements
6853 Postadoption Services
6854 Post Adoption Substitute-Care Services
6855 Subsequent Placements in the Same Home
6860 Resolving Problems in an Adoptive Placement
6870 Texas Adoption Resource Exchange
6871 Registering Children
6872 Registering Families
6873 Operating Procedures
6880 Special Issues
6881 Regional Designation of Responsible Units
6882 Releasing the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Report to Other Parties on Request
6900 Administrative Issues
6910 Licensing, Certification, and Verification
6911 Certification of Regional Child-Placing Programs
6912 Waiver or Variance of Minimum Standards
6920 Regional Placement Coordinators
6930 Documentation of Substitute Care
6931 Documentation of Contacts in Substitute Care
6931.1 Documentation of Monthly Contacts and Visits
6931.2 Documenting Contacts in IMPACT
6931.21 Documenting Contacts Using the Contact Details Page
6931.22 Completing a Monthly Evaluation/Assessment Report and Entering the Required Content
6931.23 Required Documentation for a Contact Detail
6931.24 Required Narrative Content
6931.25 Entering Contacts and Submitting the Monthly Evaluation/Assessment for Supervisory Approval
6931.26 Obtaining Supervisory Approvals
6932 Documentation of Legal Activity
6933 Documentation of Child's Biographical Data and Information About Relatives and Fictive Kin
6934 Documentation of Information on Case Principals
6935 Documentation of Services to Parents and Caregivers
6936 Documentation of Permanency Planning Meetings
6937 Documentation of Transfer and Closing Summaries
6938 External Documentation
6940 Approvals
6941 Actions Requiring Level 1 Approval
-
Section 7000: Foster and Adoptive Home Development
7000 Foster and Adoptive Home Development
7010 Overview
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/Adoptive Homes
7110 Purpose of Recruitment
7111 Recruiting Foster Family Homes
7112 Recruiting Adoptive Homes
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
7210 Applications
7211 Processing Foster Home Applications
7212 Processing Adoption Applications
7220 Pre-service Training of Foster and Adoptive Homes
7230 CPR and First Aid Training
7231 Psychotropic Medication Training for Foster Parents
7240 Checking Criminal Records and Abuse/Neglect History
7241 Criminal History Checks
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
7250 Required Documentation
7251 Water Safety
7260 Home Study
7261 Gathering Information for Pre-Adoptive Home Screenings
7261.1 For All Screenings
7261.2 Requisites for Foster Pre-Adoptive Home Screenings
7261.3 Requisites for Adoptive Home Screenings
7262 Documenting in IMPACT
7270 Verification of Foster Family Homes and Approval of Adoptive Homes
7271 Foster Home Verification
7271.1 Waivers and Variances
7272 Foster/Adoptive Homes
7273 Legal-Risk/Adoptive Parent Registry
7274 Approval of Adoptive Homes
7280 Documentation, Billing, and Payment
7300 Foster Group Homes
7310 Application and Verification
7320 Approval Reports for Verification
7330 Approval and Verification
7400 Developing Foster and Adoptive Homes
7410 Foster Home Development
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
7600 Special Considerations
7610 Marital Status
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
7634 Inactive Foster Homes
7635 Special Considerations in Foster Group Homes
7636 Foster Families that Adopt
7637 Solicitation of Funds
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
7800 Administrative Review
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
8100 General Information
8110 Definitions
8120 Types of Purchased Services
8121 Direct Services
8121.1 Direct Services for Active Cases (Standard and ICPC)
8121.2 Post Adoptive Cases (Consummated Adoptions)
8122 Support Services
8123 State Office (Statewide) Contracts
8130 Policy Waivers or New Service Requests
8131 New Service Requests
8132 Policy Waiver Requests
8140 Consultant Contracts
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
8161.12 Authorizing Service
8161.13 Establishing End Dates
8161.14 Adding, Extending, or Reauthorizing Service
8161.15 Terminating Service
8161.2 Post-Adoptive Services (Consummated Adoptions)
8162 Support Services – Authorizing, Extending, or Terminating
8162.1 Authorizing Services
8162.11 Client Specific
8162.12 Non-Client Specific
8162.2 Terminating Service
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
8170 Missed Appointments
8200 Direct Services for Active Cases
8210 Assessment Service
8220 Purchased Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
8221 Determining Eligibility
8222 Identifying Available Services
8223 Referring Clients for Family-Based Safety Services
8224 Using IMPACT for Completing Service Authorizations
8225 Handling Liaison Duties
8226 Starting New Investigations of Open Cases
8227 Handling Returned Open Cases
8228 Adding, Changing, or Terminating
8230 Services for Caregivers (p.8)
8231 Homemaker Services
8231.1 Protective Homemaker Services
8231.11 Determining Eligibility
8231.12 Identifying Available Services
8231.13 Referring Clients
8231.14 Using IMPACT
8231.15 Handling Additional Duties
8231.16 Terminating Services
8231.2 Emergency Homemaker Services
8231.21 Determining Eligibility
8231.22 Identifying Available Services
8231.23 Referring Clients
8231.24 Using IMPACT
8231.25 Handling Additional Duties
8231.26 Terminating Services
8232 Parent and Caregiver Training
8232.1 Basic Training – Parents and Caregivers
8232.11 Determining Eligibility
8232.12 Identifying Available Services
8232.13 Referring Clients
8232.14 Using IMPACT
8232.15 Handling Additional Duties
8232.16 Terminating Services
8232.2 Special Needs Training for Parents and Caregivers
8232.21 Determining Eligibility
8232.22 Identifying Available Services
8232.23 Referring Clients
8232.24 Using IMPACT
8232.25 Handling Additional Duties
8232.26 Terminating Services
8233 Concrete Services
8233.1 Determining Eligibility
8233.2 Identifying Available Services
8233.3 Referring Clients
8233.4 Using IMPACT
8233.41 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8233.5 Handling Additional Duties
8233.6 Terminating Services
8234 Hospital Sitting Services
8234.1 Authorizing Service
8234.2 Determining Eligibility
8234.3 Identifying Available Services
8234.4 Referring Clients
8234.5 Using IMPACT
8234.51 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8234.6 Handling Additional Duties
8234.7 Terminating Services
8235 Child Day Care Services
8235.1 For All Child Day Care Cases
8235.11 Definitions
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
8235.3 Foster Child Day Care
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
8235.5 Kinship Child Day Care
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
8235.64 Authorizing Services
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
8236.3 Referring Clients
8236.4 Using IMPACT
8236.5 Handling Additional Duties
8236.6 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Services
8240 Evaluation, Treatment, and Substance Abuse Services
8241 Definitions
8242 Evaluation
8242.1 Psychological Evaluation
8242.11 Determining Eligibility
8242.12 Identifying Available Services
8242.13 Referring Clients
8242.14 Using IMPACT
8242.15 Adding, Extending, and Reauthorizing Services
8242.16 Terminating Service
8242.2 Psychiatric Evaluation
8242.21 Determining Eligibility
8242.22 Identifying Available Services
8242.23 Referring Clients
8242.24 Using IMPACT
8242.25 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Services
8243 Treatment
8243.1 Counseling — Individual, Family, and Group
8243.11 Determining Eligibility
8243.12 Identifying Available Services
8243.13 Referring Clients
8243.14 Using IMPACT
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
8243.23 Referring Clients
8243.24 Using IMPACT
8243.25 Handling Additional Duties
8243.26 Terminating Service
8250 Court-Related Services – Preparing for Judicial Determination
8251 Definitions
8252 Requesting Court-Related Services
8253 Obtaining Court-Related Services
8254 Using IMPACT
8260 Adoption Services (Pre-Consummated Adoptions)
8261 HSEGH Reports - Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History
8261.1 Identifying Available Services for HSEGH Reports
8261.2 Using IMPACT
8261.21 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8261.3 Altering a Request
8261.4 Terminating a Request
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
8262.4 Using IMPACT
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
8264.3 Referring Clients
8264.4 Using IMPACT
8264.5 Handling Additional Duties
8264.6 Terminating Services
8265 Subsequent Adoptive Placement Services
8265.1 Determining Eligibility
8265.2 Referring Clients
8265.3 Using IMPACT
8270 Youth Camping Services — Day and 24-Hour
8271 Authorizing Service
8272 Identifying Available Services
8273 Determining Eligibility
8274 Referring Clients
8275 Contracting with Youth Camps
8276 Using IMPACT
8276.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8280 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Services
8281 Determining Eligibility
8282 Identifying Available Services
8283 Identifying Additional Services
8284 Referring Clients
8285 Using IMPACT
8285.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8286 Adding, Extending, or Terminating Services
8300 Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC)
8310 ICPC Home Study Services
8311 Determining Eligibility
8312 Identifying Available Services
8313 Referring Clients
8314 Using IMPACT
8314.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8315 Handling Additional Duties
8316 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Services
8320 ICPC Placement and Courtesy Supervision Services
8321 Determining Eligibility
8322 Identifying Available Services
8323 Referring Clients
8324 Using IMPACT
8324.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8325 Handling Additional Duties
8326 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Closing Services
8330 ICPC Evaluation and Treatment Services
8331 Determining Eligibility
8332 Identifying Available Services
8333 Referring Clients
8334 Using IMPACT
8334.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8335 Handling Additional Duties
8336 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Service
8400 Post Adoption Services (Consummated Adoptions)
8410 Post Adoption Services
8411 Obtaining Services
8411.1 Determining Eligibility
8411.2 Authorizing Service
8411.3 Identifying Available Services
8411.4 Referring Clients
8411.5 Identifying Providers
8411.6 Sharing the Child's Record
8412 Types of Service
8412.1 Casework and Service Planning
8412.11 Defining Casework and Service Planning
8412.12 Maintaining a Service Plan
8412.2 Support Groups
8412.21 Identifying Available Services
8412.22 Determining Eligibility
8412.23 Identifying Allowable Costs
8412.3 Parent-Training
8412.31 Identifying Available Services
8412.32 Determining Eligibility
8412.33 Identifying Allowable Subcontractors
8412.34 Budgeting
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
8412.5 Respite Care
8412.51 Identifying Eligible Providers
8412.52 Paying for Care
8412.53 Defining Units of Service
8412.6 Residential Therapeutic Care
8412.61 Determining Eligibility
8412.62 Extending Eligibility
8412.63 Requiring Family Involvement
8412.64 Reunifying Child and Family
8412.65 Identifying Allowable Providers
8412.66 Referring Clients
8412.67 Authorizing Care
8412.68 Paying for Care
8412.69 Reducing the Service Level
8413 Using Nonprogram Funds
8414 The Contract Plan of Operation for Post Adoption Services
8420 Duties of a Regional Liaison
8430 Fair Hearings
8431 Notifying Families of Their Rights
8432 Resolving Disagreements with Contractors
8433 Requesting a Hearing
8434 During and After the Fair Hearing
8500 Support Services
8510 Client Support Services
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
8513.1 Funding Examinations
8514 Diagnostic Consultation — Case Specific
8514.1 Determining Eligibility for Consultation
8514.2 Identifying Available Consultation Services
8514.3 Referring Clients for Consultation
8514.4 Using IMPACT
8514.41 When IMPACT is Unavailable
8514.5 Adding, Extending, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Consultation
8520 Program Support Services (Regional)
8521 Home Study Services
8521.1 Definitions
8521.2 Foster and Adoptive Home Study Services
8521.21 Types of Services
8521.22 Determining Eligibility
8521.23 Identifying Available Services
8521.24 Referring Clients
8521.25 Working in IMPACT
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
8521.32 Referring Clients
8521.33 Working in IMPACT
8521.34 Handling Additional Duties
8521.35 Adding, Changing, Reauthorizing, or Terminating Services
8522 Programmatic Consultation
8522.1 Identifying Allowable Services
8522.2 Requesting Services
8522.3 Working in IMPACT
8523 Community and Parent Group Services
8523.1 Contracting With Councils, Associations, and Organizations
8523.11 Identifying Eligible Contractors
8523.12 Requesting a Contract
8523.2 Contracting With Organizations That Sponsor Volunteer, Self-Help, and/or Primary Prevention Programs
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 Training Services
8524.1 Group Training for Foster and Adoptive Parents
8524.11 Determining Eligibility
8524.12 Referring Clients
8524.13 Requesting Training
8524.14 Handling Additional Duties
8524.2 Topic-Specific Training for Clients, Parents, or Contractors
8524.21 Authorizing Training
8524.22 Determining Eligibility
8524.23 Requiring Topics
8524.24 Referring Clients
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
8525.34 Applying – Employees
8526 County Contracts
8526.1 Definitions
8526.2 Types of Contracts
8526.3 Reviewing Contracts Annually
8526.4 Including Termination Dates
8526.5 Registering and Paying Contracts
8526.6 Reimbursing Counties
8526.7 Restrictions on Child Welfare Boards
8526.71 General Information
8526.72 Restrictions on Contracts
8526.73 Restrictions on Funding
8530 State Office Contracts with Program Consultants
8531 Identifying Available Services
8532 Gathering Required Details
8533 Authorizing in IMPACT
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Section 9000: Interstate Placements
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
9350 Closing an ICPC Case
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
9443 Interstate Visits
9444 Illegal Interstate Placements
9450 Closing an ICPC Case
9451 Documenting an ICPC Closure in IMPACT
9500 Other ICPC-Related Issues
9510 Private Interstate Placements
9511 Private Adoptions
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
9522 When a Child Runs Away to Another State
-
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 Transition Plan
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
10133.2 Social Security Cards
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 Medical Services for Transitioning Youth
10151 Coordination for Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MYFCY)
10152 Healthcare Benefits for Former Foster Care Youth in Higher Education
10153 Medical Power of Attorney
10200 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)
10210 Preparation for Adult Living Program
10212 Targeted and Eligible Population for PAL
10213 PAL Eligibility for Youth Placed Into Foster Care by a County Juvenile Probation Department (CJPD)
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
10222 Life Skills Training
10223 Life Skills Independent Study Guide
10230 Optional PAL Services
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
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
10261 Regional PAL Staff
10262 PAL Data Entry
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)
10264.1 Key Terms
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 Special Populations
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
10312 College Tuition and Fee Waiver Exemption for Foster Youth, Adopted Youth, and Youth in Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC)
10313 College Tuition and Fee Exemption for Youth Who Have Been Adopted
10313.1 PAL Staff Responsibilities for College Tuition and Fee Waiver
10313.2 Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialist Responsibilities for College Tuition and Fee Waiver
10314 Temporary Housing Assistance Between Academic Terms
10320 Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program for Youth Aging Out of Care, Adopted Youth, and Youth in Permanency Care Assistance
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
10325 Staff Responsibilities for Youth in Permanency Care Assistance (PCA) to Obtain Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Funds
10326 Applying for the ETV Program
10326.1 ETV Application Process and Supporting Documentation Requirements
10326.2 ETV Appeal Rights
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 Preparation for Long-Term Care or Support in Adulthood for Youth with Disabilities
10331 Planning for Long-Term Care Needs
10331.1 Researching Long-Term Care Resources
10331.2 Ensuring Funding and Eligibility for Services
10332 Appointing a Guardian
10333 Criteria for DADS Guardianship Referral
10334 Steps in the DADS Guardianship Referral Process
10334.1 DADS Referral Step 1: Initial Request for Information and Assistance
10334.2 DADS Referral Step 2: CPS Initiates the Request
10334.3 DADS Referral Step 3: Guardianship Assessment
10334.4 DADS Referral Process Step 4: DADS Decision, Notification, and CPS Response
10334.41 DADS Agrees to Become Guardian
10334.42 DADS Denies Request for DADS Guardianship
10335 DADS Appointed as Guardian
10335.1 Youth Leaves CPS Foster Care
10335.2 CPS Foster Care Placement After DADS Appointed as Guardian
10335.3 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
10431 Educational Services: High School, General Equivalency Diploma (GED) Programs, Vocational and Technical Schools, Colleges and Universities
10432 Employment
10433 Programs or Activities to Promote or Remove Barriers to Employment
10434 Inability to Perform Either Educational or Work Related Activity Because of a Medical Condition
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
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
10462 Casework Activity
10463 Extended Care Monthly Face-to-Face Visits
10464 Service Plan for Young Adults 18 and Older
10465 Medical Consenter Issues and Documentation
10466 Young Adult with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability Missing from Extended Foster Care Placement
10470 Ongoing Review of Eligibility for Extended Foster Care
10471 Annual Review for Extended Foster Care Eligibility
10480 When Young Adults Are Ready for Discharge
10500 Trial Independence and Return for Extended Foster Care
10510 Trial Independence
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
10542.2 Unit 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
10551 Primary Contact for a Young Adult Who Wants to Return to Care and is Outside of the Young Adult's Previous Legal Region
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
10571 Foster Care Eligibility
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
10610 Contraceptive Services
10620 When a Youth Is Pregnant
10621 The DFPS Requirement to Inform Parents and Caretakers About Abortion-Related Information
10622 When a Physician May Perform an Abortion for a Youth in Conservatorship
10623 DFPS Appointed as Guardian Ad Litem for Youth in Conservatorship for Judicial Bypass Proceedings
10624 Documenting Abortion-Related Information for Youth in Conservatorship
10630 Youth Parents in DFPS Conservatorship
10640 Situations That Require Authorizations
10641 Marriage of Youth in Conservatorship
10642 Driver's Licenses
10643 Youth Enlisting in the Military
10644 Use of Cigarettes or Tobacco Products
-
Section 15000: Education for Children
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
1000
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 1211: Responsibilities Under the Texas Family Code
Appendix 1212(a): DFPS Responsibilities Under the Human Resources Code
Appendix 1212(b): County Responsibilities Under the Human Resources Code
Appendix 1226-A: Child-Placing Requirements of the Indian Child Welfare Act and Related Guidelines and Regulations
Appendix 1226-B: Checklist for Compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act
Appendix 1132.2(b): Contract Outline
Appendix 1342.1: Prior-Period Adjustment (PPA) Invoice Processing for Children With Income
Appendix 1343-A: Setting Up Savings Accounts
Appendix 1344.1A: Manual Receipt of Funds
Appendix 1344.3A: Outstanding Items Procedures
Appendix 1422: Instructions and Tables of Contents for Case Record Dividers
Appendix 1423a: Sample Format for Foster-Child Financial Eligibility Case Record (for casefolders)
Appendix 1424: Sample Format for Adoption Case Record (for casefolders)
Appendix 1540-A: Procedures for Issuing HHSC Form 1027-A
Appendix 1540-B: Information Needed for the Foster Care Application
Appendix 1541.3: Requesting Wire Third Party Query (WTPY) System Access
Appendices 1542A - G: Foster Care Eligibility
Appendix 1542-A: AFDC Income Determination Worksheet
Appendix 1542-B: Stepparent Allowance Deduction
Appendix 1542-C: AFDC Income Limits
Appendix 1542-D: Income Guidelines for Underemployed Parent
Appendix 1542-E: Title IV-E Eligibility Checklist
Appendix 1542-F: Categorical Requirements for AFDC
Appendix 1542-G: Underemployed Parent Checklist
Appendix 1542.1: Acceptable U.S. Citizenship Verification Documents
Appendix 1542.3: MAO Auto-Eligibility
Appendix 1545-A: Levels of Care by Type of Facility
Appendix 1545-B: Foster Care Daily Rates
Appendix 1548: Sources of Third-party Resources
Appendix 1555: Appropriate Needs
Appendix 1556: Examples of Appropriate and Inappropriate Items and Services to Purchase With Lump Sum Benefits
Appendix 1557: Guide to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Tracking Report
Appendix 1560: Negotiation of Adoption Assistance Discussion Guide
Appendix 1580: Discussion Guide - Negotiating Permanency Care Assistance
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
2000
Appendix 2000 Flexible Response System of Service Delivery
Appendix 2131 Guidelines for Decision Making at Intake
Appendix 2223 Time Frames for Investigations
Appendix 2224-A: "Seriousness" Indicators for Thorough Investigations
Appendix 2224-B: Dispositions and Risk Findings Appropriate to the Types of Investigations
Appendix 2234: Structure of the Risk Assessment Tool
Appendix 2234.3: Concluding Whether a Child is 'At Risk' and Associated Risk Findings
Appendix 2234.43: Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
Appendix 2240: Standards for Investigators of Child Abuse
Appendix 2262: Confidentiality of School Records
Appendix 2271: Disposition Categories In Use Before April 1, 1999
Appendix 2271-B: Determining Overall Disposition and Overall Role
Appendix 2272-A: Definitions of Roles
Appendix 2272-B: Examples in Which the Overall Role Will Be "Unknown (Unable to Determine)"
Appendix 2273-A: Persons to be Notified at the End of the Investigation
Appendix 2273-B: Required Notifications by Time Frames, with Exceptions Noted
Appendix 2284.12-A: Adding, Deleting, and Changing Allegations in the Investigation Stage
Appendix 2284.12-B: Correcting Information in Intake Allegations
Appendix 2284.12-C: Alleged Perpetrator Incorrectly Named in Intake Allegation (Case Scenario)
Appendix 2284.12-D: No Alleged Perpetrator Named in Intake Allegation (Case Scenario)
Appendix 2284.12-E: Child Under Age 10 Incorrectly Named as Alleged Perpetrator in Intake Allegation (Case Scenario)
Appendix 2284.12-F: Incorrect Type of Abuse or Neglect Alleged in Intake Allegation
Appendix 2284.14: Criteria for Full and Shortened Documentation in the Structured
Appendix 2310: Regional Committees to Review Child Deaths
Appendix 2600: Administration of Medications by DFPS Staff
Appendix 2620-A: Types of Reports Involving Foster and Adoptive Homes
3000
Appendix 3111: Service Activities During Family Contacts (Practice Guidelines)
Appendix 3114: Types of Family-Based Safety Services
Appendix 3144-A: Community Resources
Appendix 3144-B: Guidelines for Case Closure or Legal Intervention
Appendix 3174: Services to Abused or Neglected, Unmarried, School-Age Parents (Practice Suggestions)
Appendix 3177-A: Concrete Services
Appendix 3213: Americans With Disabilities Act Reasonable Accommodations in Service Planning
5000
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
6000
Appendix 6123.2: Guidelines for Preplacement Visits
Appendix 6225: Sample Agreement for Permanent Foster Care
Appendix 6233: When a Suit to Terminate Must be Filed
Appendix 6311: Issues to Consider in Placement Decisions
Appendix 6311-A: Issues to Consider in Placement Decisions
Appendix 6311-B: Federal Requirements
Appendix 6311-C: Information to Consider About Race and Ethnicity in Placement Decisions
Appendix 6322-A: Working in the KIN Stage of Service in IMPACT
Appendix 6322-A.1: Add a Kinship Home to IMPACT
Appendix 6322-A.2: Search for a Home That Already Exists in IMPACT
Appendix 6322-C: Offenses From the Texas Penal Code
Appendix 6322-D: Roles and Responsibilities of the Kinship Development Worker
Appendix 6323.5: Placement Checklist for Children With Disabilities
Appendix 6323.51: ICF-ID/RC Levels of Care
Appendix 6340-A: Definitions of Service Levels
Appendix 6340-B: Service Level Standards for Foster Caregivers
Appendix 6343.3A: DFPS Guidelines for Service Authorizations
Appendix 6410: Federal Case-Planning Requirements
Appendix 6437.31: Roles and Responsibilities of Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)
Appendix 6443: Requirements for Completing the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History Report
Appendix 6520-A: STAR Health - Provider for Most Children in DFPS Conservatorship
Appendix 6520-B: Texas Health Steps - Obtained Through STAR Health or Traditional Medicaid
Appendix 6520-C: Traditional Medicaid - For Children Not Eligible for STAR Health
Appendix 6529.2: Emergency Detention Order and Order for Protective Custody
Appendix 6529.3: Involuntary Commitment for Mental Health Services
Appendix 6535-A: DFPS Kinship Discipline Policy
Appendix 6577: Filing Charges with the Juvenile Justice System
Appendix 6585-A: Understanding the Risks and Benefits of Applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Appendix 6585-B: Entendiendo los Riesgos v Beneficios al Aplicar para el Estato de Inmigrante Juvenil Especial
Appendix 6620: Quarterly Visits to Foster Families
Appendix 6720: Discharging Children From Substitute Care
Appendix 6825: Deleting Identifying Information Before Releasing Records to Adoptive Parents or Other Authorized Parties
Appendix 6831-A: Information to Consider about the Child When Selecting an Adoptive Family
Appendix 6831-B Information to Consider about the Prospective Adoptive Family When Placing a Child for Adoption
Appendix 6941-A: Licensing Criteria for Granting Variances for Level 1 Child Placing Staff Qualifications
Appendix 6941-B: Procedure for Requesting a Level 1 Policy Variance
7000
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
Foster/Adoption Home Study
I. Motivation
II. Applicants' Feelings About Themselves, Their Parents, and Their Childhood
III. Family Interaction
IV. Home Environment
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
IX. Working with the Agency
X. The Mutual Problem-Solving Plan
XI. Verification of Compliance with Minimum Standards
XII. Type of Child
XIII. Recommendations
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
8000
Appendix 8160: CPS Service Codes and Descriptions as Identified in IMPACT
Appendix 8210: Contract Evaluation Review Items
Appendix 8410: Purchased Protective Services Guidelines
9000
Appendix 9110: Roles and Responsibilities of the Regional ICPC Coordinator
Appendix 9300: States That Require All Non-Parents to Be Licensed as Foster Parents
10000
Appendix 10130: Documentation for Youth Changing Placements or for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care
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