What is Full Credentialing?
Full Credentialing is the process of submitting an Application and supporting documentation in the Credentialing Platform for review by DFPS, to determine if the CPA or GRO has met the qualifications to offer a specific Package or Add-On Service (CPAs only). The Active Full Credential is issued when the provider has met all necessary requirements to offer a specific Service Package or Add-On Service under the T3C System.
Each Active Full Credential is time-limited. The Active Full Credential for a Foster Family Home Service Package and/or Add-On Service is issued to a CPA for a 4-year period. GROs are issued an Active Full Credential for a 3-year period.
DFPS anticipates publishing a draft of the Application for the Full Credential in December 2024. New and existing providers will be able to submit completed Applications for the Full Credential with the required attachments beginning in January 2025.
New Provider’s and the Full Credential
All new providers applying for a Full Credential to deliver one or more of the GRO Tier II Service Packages must maintain a census of 16 or fewer children and youth residing on each premises where services are provided, as a part of the operation’s Permit that is attached to the provision of the GRO Tier II services. Used in this context a “new” provider is defined as an operation that is not currently serving children or youth under an active DFPS or SSCC residential childcare contract. Pending applications to provide GRO services under an SSCC and/or DFPS contract will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine applicability prior to January 1st, 2025. This provision applies to both in-state and out-of-state operations.
Provider Eligibility for the Full Credential
In order for a residential childcare provider to be eligible to apply for the Full Credential, they must meet all of the following criteria on the day that the Application for the Full Credential (specific to the Service Package or Add-On Service) is submitted:
1. Active Permit:
- The residential child care provider must have been provided a valid acceptance letter from HHSC-CCR, or a “Initial” or “Full” Permit issued by HHSC-CCR (or similar body for out of state providers) to support the Permit Type required for the Service Package. A provider operating under an “Initial” Permit may apply for the Full Credential.
- The residential child care provider’s Permit must include all applicable Treatment, Programmatic, and Special Services required for each Service Package at the time of application for the Full Credential, unless hiring certain staff is the only barrier. If hiring certain staff is the only barrier, the provider will be required to have these staff hired and in place before providing services under an Active Full Credential (see APPENDIX III.A: T3C Full Credential Requirements for more information on staffing requirements).
Meeting the Programmatic/ Staffing/ Infrastructure Requirements for the Full Credential
The tasks, activities, staffing plans, personnel and infrastructure requirements specific to each Service Package and Add-On Service for the Full Credential are distributed across two categories depending on when they are required to be in place, as indicated in APPENDIX III.A: T3C Full Credential Requirements. Those milestones are:
- Required to be In Place @ Time of Application for Full Credential – Any requirement that must be fulfilled at the time of submission of the Application for the Full Credential. Providers will submit documentation supporting that the requirement has been met for review with their Application.
- Required to be In Place on 1st Day Operating under an Active Full Credential – Any requirement that allows the provider to submit a specific plan with a timeline detailing how the requirement will be fulfilled in no more than 120 calendar days after the date that the provider receives notification of the issuance of the Inactive Full Credential. A provider does have the ability to be working towards completion of these plans during the time that the Application for Full Credential is being reviewed, but it is not required. A provider also has the ability to complete and submit any requirement under this milestone and time frame at the time of Application for Full Credential instead of waiting until after they have been awarded the Inactive Full Credential. If the provider submits plans without the required level of specificity for action steps and time frames, they will have their Application returned for enhancements prior to the Inactive Full Credential award.
The T3C System Blueprint, APPENDIX III.B: Service Package Dependencies for T3C Full Credential Requirements can be used to identify which Service Package(s) and Add-On Service(s) a particular requirement is related to, as identified in the “Service Package Dependent” column of APPENDIX III.A.
The Inactive and Active Full Credential Status
The Full Credential is divided into two status periods, starting with the Inactive Full Credential, and followed by the Active Full Credential.
The Inactive Full Credential is issued to a qualifying provider after it has been determined that they are eligible and meet all of the requirements necessary at the time of application. During the Inactive Full Credential period, the provider must complete all of their plans to fulfill the requirements identified as “Required to be In Place on 1st Day Operating under Active Full Credential” (see APPENDIX III.A: T3C Full Credential Requirements). The Inactive Full Credential is valid for up to 120 calendar days and failure to submit documentation of completion of all required plans to move to the Active Full Credential status by that deadline may result in the provider having to restart the process and re-submit the Application for Full Credential again.
Once the provider has satisfied all requirements identified as “Required to be in Place on 1st Day Operating under Active Full Credential”, the provider will be issued the Active Full Credential, allowing for T3C paid placements into the Credentialed T3C Service Package(s) and Add-On Service(s).
Full Credential T3C Verification Form
After the provider has met all requirements of the Inactive Full Credential and before the Active Full Credential is issued, the provider will be provided the T3C Verification Form to review, sign, and return to the Department. This form will outline expectations associated with the Active Full Credential, including the time frames, reporting requirements, and possible consequences of failing to comply.
The T3C Verification Form will require the signatures of both the CEO/Chair of the provider’s Governing Body, and their Designee that signed the Application, as applicable. Once the T3C Verification Form is received by the Department, the provider will be eligible for the Active Full Credential, and subject to contract amendments, can begin providing the specific Service Package(s) and/or Add-On Service(s).
T3C System Annual Credential Report
During the Active Full Credential period, the provider must submit an annual T3C System Credential Report to DFPS to ensure model fidelity between Re-credentialing periods. This report will be data-based and provide details on the organization’s operation of the various Service Package(s) and Add-On Service(s) to include reports on workforce, staff/caregiver turnover, staff/caregiver tenure, admission and discharge rates, average length of stay, outcome, and other data. The due date for each provider’s T3C System Credential Report will align with the expiration month of the Active Full Credential for each Service Package and Add-On Service. For example, if the Active Full Credential for the CPA’s Foster Family Home Service Packages expire in January 2029, then the annual report will always be due in January of each calendar year.
Deactivation and/or Revocation of the Interim or Full Credential
DFPS may inactivate or revoke an issued Interim or Full Credential for reasons that include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Provider and/or Foster Caregiver’s failure to meet and perform in accordance with the requirements of the specific T3C Service Package(s) or Add-On Service(s).
- Failure to complete and/or submit a Status and/or Annual Report by the required due to date.
Contents of the Status or Annual Credential Report may trigger ad hoc unscheduled Credentialing reviews and/or DFPS/SSCC contract monitoring/action.
Prioritization of Interim and Full Credential Applications
DFPS intends to prioritize the review of Interim and Full Credential Applications based on T3C Service Packages that meet the greatest need for capacity at this time.
Applying for an Interim or Full Credential in one or more of the following Service Packages will result in that Application being a higher priority for review:
- CPA/Foster Family Home: Short-term Assessment Support Services
- CPA/Foster Family Home: T3C Treatment Foster Family Care Support Services
- CPA/Foster Family Home: Mental & Behavioral Health Support Services
- CPA/Foster Family Home: Complex Medical Needs or Medically Fragile Support Services
- CPA/Foster Family Home: Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Support Services
- GRO Tier I: Mental & Behavioral Health Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
- GRO Tier II: Aggression/Defiant Disorder Services to Support Stabilization
- GRO Tier II: Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Services to Support Stabilization
- GRO Tier II: Complex Mental Health Services to Support Stabilization