12000 Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
CPS June 2019
The FBSS program serves families who need additional services from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to keep a child safe. Services are provided by:
• Community-based organizations
• Contractors
• Caseworkers
12100 Philosophy and the Role of FBSS Staff
12110 Philosophy
CPS June 2019
The FBSS program is child safety centered and family focused. The safety and health of children is always the paramount concern when providing services that prevent removal of the child from the home. At any point, if staff determine that the safety of the child can no longer be ensured, a plan for the child’s safety must be implemented immediately.
Most families who are struggling to provide a safe and stable environment for their children want help and can change. FBSS staff work in partnership with parents, children, and communities to prevent children from entering into foster care. FBSS services are time-limited, tailored to family needs, culturally sensitive, and focus on the strengths of the family. FBSS staff provides services in a manner that respects the fundamental right of the parents to control the education and upbringing of their children.
12120 The Role of the FBSS Caseworker
CPS June 2019
The most important objective of the FBSS caseworker is to ensure a child’s health and safety. The caseworker uses the Child Protective Services Practice Model to work with children and families and ensure that his or her work is safety-organized, child-centered, family-focused, and collaborative.
The practice model outlines the process that the caseworker uses to help the family achieve desired outcomes by engaging, assessing, teaming, planning, intervening and evaluating.
12130 The Role of the FBSS Supervisor
CPS June 2019
The FBSS supervisor trains, advises, supports, and evaluates the FBSS caseworker. The supervisor plays an important role in addressing the safety of the child receiving services.
The essential functions of a supervisor include:
• Critically thinking through case situations and obtaining all needed information to make sound and safe decisions.
• Approving the caseworker’s decisions or providing clear direction for any reasons for changing them.
• Approving and reviewing case documentation in a timely manner.
• Holding at least 10 monthly conferences per year with each caseworker and using conference notes to document casework practice and decision-making related to each case reviewed.
• Periodically accompanying the caseworker on home visits or meetings with a child or family member.
• Supporting caseworker development.
• Ensuring that appropriate child safety plans are developed.
• Ensuring that appropriate plans of service are developed.
• Working closely with the caseworker to monitor the safety of the child while the family receives services.
• Consulting with caseworkers, CPS management, and legal parties about legal actions necessary to make sure the child is safe, up to and including removal.
12200 Contacts in Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
12210 Constitutional Requirements for Family-Based Safety Services
CPS October 2024
During all visits in Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) cases, including the joint visit when the case is being transferred to FBSS, the caseworker must follow the constitutional requirements related to:
- Entering a family’s home.
- Interviewing a child.
- Conducting a visual examination of a child.
- Transporting a child.
- Removing a child.
Within 24 hours of the visit, the FBSS caseworker includes whether consent was granted or denied for the actions listed above in the documentation of the face-to-face contact in IMPACT.
See:
2242.11 Determining Whether a Child Has Capacity to Consent
Appendix 2000-1 Summary of Consent Requirements
12211 Consent to Enter and Remain in a Family's Home
CPS October 2024
Before entering a family’s home, the caseworker must do both of the following:
- Clearly identify himself or herself as a CPS caseworker.
- Explicitly request permission to enter the home.
The caseworker must obtain consent to enter the home each and every time, even if:
- The caseworker has an ongoing relationship with the family and has been to the home before.
- A court ordered the family to participate in Family-Based Safety Services.
If the family withdraws the consent to enter at any time after the caseworker has entered the home, the caseworker must take both of the following actions:
- Leave the home.
- Consult with the supervisor to determine what action, if any, is appropriate.
See:
2243.1 Consent to Enter the Home
2243.11 Who Has the Authority to Give Consent to Enter the Home
2243.12 Consent Provided by an Adult Resident of the Home
12212 Consent to Visually Examine the Child in the Home
CPS October 2024
The caseworker must obtain consent before visually examining any part of a child’s body that is not in plain sight. The caseworker examines the child when the caseworker is concerned about or is screening for signs of neglect or physical harm. Consent must be obtained from any of the following:
- The child’s parent.
- A person authorized to consent (if the parent is not present).
- An alleged child victim with the capacity to consent (if a parent or another adult is not present.)
If the parent defies a court order that requires that the child be made available to the caseworker at the home or any other location, the caseworker consults with the supervisor to determine the next steps.
See:
2242.11 Determining Whether a Child Has the Capacity to Consent
2245.3 Conducting a Visual Examination
12213 Consent to Transport the Child
CPS October 2024
If the child is required to receive services outside the home, the caseworker must first attempt to have the parent take the child or arrange for someone else to take the child to the appointment for services. Parental consent is required and must be documented in IMPACT if the caseworker or another DFPS employee will take the child.
The parent must participate to the extent possible and may ride with the caseworker and the child, if necessary.
See 2246 Transporting a Child.
12214 Meeting Federal Requirements
CPS June 2019
A caseworker’s visits with a child must meet federal requirements.
Federal requirements for face-to-face visits include the following:
• Maintaining children safely in the home, whenever possible.
• Enhancing a family’s capacity to meet the children’s needs by:
• Supporting the parents in meeting their educational, physical, and mental health needs.
• Conducting a quality visit with the child and the parent or caregiver.
These requirements measure whether the frequency and quality of the caseworker’s visits with the child and family are of sufficient quality to:
• Ensure the child’s safety and permanency.
• Ensure the well-being of the child and family.
• Help achieve the goals set for the case.
12215 Assessing Communication Needs
CPS June 2019
The caseworker must assess communication needs for each child and adult to determine if any accommodations need to be made for the child or adult while participating in services or contacts. If the caseworker believes that the child or adult may have a communication disability or other disability, such as deafness, hearing loss, or autism spectrum disorder, which causes the child or adult to not communicate effectively, the caseworker must make appropriate accommodations in order to ensure effective service delivery.
See the Working with Persons with Disabilities Resource Guide.
12216 Notification of Rights
CPS July 2024
If DFPS’s first contact with a parent, legal guardian, or alleged perpetrator occurs after the FPR stage is opened, the FBSS caseworker must notify the person of the person’s rights following the steps outlined in 2248.11 Required Notification of Rights.
See also:
6126 Notification of Rights of a Parent, Legal Guardian, or Alleged Perpetrator
12220 Receiving a Case in FBSS from Investigations
CPS November 2023
Families agree to receive FBSS and enter the FBSS program upon referral from the Investigations division of Child Protective Investigations (CPI). The goal of the FBSS caseworker is to engage the families and assess their strengths and needs during their initial involvement with CPI to evaluate whether continued DFPS intervention is necessary and appropriate.
Most Family Preservation (FPR) stages remain open at least 60 days after the FBSS program receives a referral from Investigations. This time frame is for family engagement and to further assess the family’s progress with community services.
12221 FBSS Actions When the INV and Family Preservation (FPR) Stages Are Open Concurrently
CPS November 2023
Communication is key while the family is involved with both an investigation case and an FBSS case. The FBSS caseworker does the following:
- Invites the CPI caseworker to safety network meetings or family group decision-making conferences.
- Communicates with the CPI caseworker about significant actions or changes in family circumstances that may affect the INV stage.
If the FPR stage has been created, FBSS has met with the family, and the family becomes uncooperative, then the FBSS caseworker continues efforts to engage the family and must staff the case (consult) with the FBSS supervisor to determine whether a court order to participate in services is warranted. If the FBSS caseworker hasn’t met with the family, CPI may file for court-ordered services.
See 12580 Family’s Lack of Participation.
The FBSS caseworker makes all the required contacts each month with the family and the parental child safety placement (PCSP) caregiver, as stated in 12240 Face-to-Face Contacts, even though the CPI caseworker may also contact the family.
See:
2410 Process for Concurrent Stages – Referring a Case to Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
2414 Court-Ordered Participation in FBSS
12230 Ten-Day Tasks When the FBSS Case Is Remaining Open
CPS May 2021
CPI and FBSS complete a joint visit with the family and a joint transfer staffing (meeting) within 10 calendar days after the FBSS case is opened. See 2400 Referring a Case from Investigations to Voluntary or Court Ordered Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS).
Before the transfer staffing, the FBSS caseworker does the following:
- Reviews the case or cases involving the family.
- Makes face-to-face contact with each principal child who will receive services.
- Makes face-to-face contact with each parent or caregiver who will receive services.
- Makes face-to-face contact with at least one PCSP caregiver for each child, if applicable.
- Begins the Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA).
The CPI and FBSS joint visit with the parents or caregivers and children may serve as the required FBSS initial visit, if the joint visit occurs within the time frame required for the FBSS initial visit. FBSS must complete initial contacts in a timely manner.
Through the above initial contacts and actions, the FBSS caseworker gathers information to determine which (if any) of the following apply:
- Adequate safety interventions are in place.
- Parental protective factors are present.
- FBSS is an appropriate intervention.
To do this, the FBSS caseworker follows the guidance in 2400 Referring a Case from Investigations to Voluntary or Court Ordered Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) about cases that are and are not appropriate for FBSS and evaluates the circumstances as described in that section.
12240 Face-to-Face Contacts
CPS November 2023
The caseworker must make regular contact with the following people:
- Each child receiving services and the child’s parents or caregivers.
- Non-offending or noncustodial parents who are not part of the household where the allegations occurred.
- Parental child safety placement (PCSP) caregivers.
In all Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) cases, the caseworker uses the risk level of the most recent Risk Assessment or Risk Reassessment tool to determine the minimum number of face-to-face contacts to make each month with the parent or caregiver and child receiving FBSS. The table below describes the minimum number of face-to-face contacts required for each risk level.
| Risk Level |
Minimum Number of Face-to-Face Contacts |
|---|---|
Very High or High |
|
Moderate |
|
Low |
|
The caseworker completes at least one face-to-face contact with each parent or caregiver each month. For example, in a case with a risk level of Very High, the caseworker can make two face-to-face contacts with one parent and one with the other, but not three contacts with one parent and none with the other.
Caseworkers conduct private face-to-face contacts with verbal children at least once a month.
If the child is not the subject of a parental child safety placement (PCSP), then the FBSS caseworker makes most face-to-face visits with the parent and child in the family’s home.
The supervisor may approve a change in the frequency of face-to-face contacts with the family due to a short-term change in the family’s situation. For example, if the parent is incarcerated for 30 days, the caseworker may only need to see the parent once during that time. The caseworker documents this short-term approved change in IMPACT.
If the caseworker believes that the risk level within the family has changed, the caseworker completes and submits a Risk Reassessment tool in IMPACT. A supervisor approves this Risk Reassessment tool in IMPACT. If the supervisor approves the change, the supervisor includes the reasons why risk has been reduced or increased. When the risk level changes on a Risk Reassessment tool, the frequency of contact changes accordingly.
When a Child Is in a PCSP
If the child is in a PCSP, then most visits with the parent must be in the parent’s home, and at least one visit per month with the child must be in the PCSP caregiver’s home.
Regular contact with PCSP caregivers helps ensure that the living arrangement has continued and remains safe and allows the caseworker to address any issues that arise.
See 3213 Required Ongoing Contacts after Implementing a Safety Plan and Family-Initiated PCSP.
12250 Notifying a Supervisor When Unable to Meet the Time Frames for Face-to-Face Contact
CPS June 2019
If there becomes a pattern of unsuccessful attempts to make initial or subsequent face-to-face contact with the child or family, the supervisor and caseworker must develop a plan to ensure that the child is safe.
The assigned caseworker must notify his or her supervisor within one work day in either of the following situations:
• The caseworker cannot meet the standards for initial face-to-face contact consistent with CPS policy.
• The caseworker has made three unsuccessful attempts to make face-to-face contact in any month.
12260 Locating, Contacting, and Assessing Absent or Noncustodial Parents
CPS June 2019
If a child in an FBSS case has an absent or noncustodial parent, it is important to identify and engage (as appropriate) that parent. The involvement of an absent or noncustodial parent can:
• Provide support to the child.
• Help build the family’s safety network.
• Enhance alternative placement options, if needed.
12261 Locating Absent or Noncustodial Parents
CPS June 2019
FBSS caseworkers must exercise due diligence in order to locate the absent or noncustodial parent, including:
• Contacting the following:
• Collaterals.
• Adult children of the absent or noncustodial parent.
• Other family members, including but not limited to the parents and siblings of the absent or noncustodial parent, if known.
• Any other individual that the caseworker believes has information about the absent or noncustodial parent’s whereabouts.
• Having a discussion with each child involved in the FBSS case about his or her contact and involvement with the absent or noncustodial parent. The caseworker follows up if there is reason to believe that the child may have additional information.
• Running a DFPS history search.
• Requesting a FINDRS search.
Due diligence is further defined in 5233 Exercising Due Diligence to Locate Missing Parents and Other Relatives.
FBSS caseworkers must make ongoing efforts to identify and locate absent or noncustodial parents and document what efforts were made.
12262 Contacting and Assessing Absent or Noncustodial Parents
CPS June 2019
Upon obtaining locating information for the absent or noncustodial parent, the caseworker must make attempts to contact the parent, including but not limited to attempting face-to-face contact, or by phone, email, letter, or other means.
Upon contacting the absent or noncustodial parent, the FBSS caseworker must notify the parent of the FBSS case and make efforts to assess and engage the parent in the case. Depending on the circumstances of the family and specific facts of the case, this may include:
• Informing the parent of the services that involve the child.
• Ascertaining the parent’s desired level of involvement with the child.
• Conducting an assessment with the parent, which may include completing a Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA) within 21 days.
• Based on the assessment and the parent’s desired level of involvement, offering services that will enhance the absent or noncustodial parent’s ability to safely parent the child and increase his or her protective capacities if the child is removed from the primary parent.
• Completing a Family Plan of Service.
• Maintaining monthly contact with the parent unless the parent has informed the FBSS caseworker that he or she does not want to be involved in the case.
When determining the appropriate steps to take to engage the absent or noncustodial parent, the caseworker must consider all of the following:
• Any child safety issues.
• Whether there are any existing court orders that limit the parent’s contact with the child.
• The parent’s current relationship with the child and primary parent, as appropriate.
• The parent’s desire to be involved.
12270 FBSS Actions When a Child or Principal Cannot Be Located
CPS June 2019
Regular contact with families is essential to engaging parents in services and assessing child safety.
If the caseworker cannot locate the family or determines the family may be missing, the caseworker must conduct a diligent search for 10 days beginning with the day of the caseworker’s first unsuccessful attempt to contact the child and family. For specific guidance on conducting a diligent search, see 3100 When a Child Who is With His or Her Family Cannot be Located.
At any time during the search, if there is a reason to believe the child may be in imminent danger, the caseworker must immediately consult with the supervisor. If the supervisor agrees the child is in imminent danger, the supervisor must meet with the Special Investigations program director to immediately submit a referral to the Department of Public Safety to place the child on the Child Safety Check Alert List.
12300 Transferring a Case in Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
12310 Transferring a Case from Alternative Response or Investigation to FBSS
CPS July 2024
Families are referred to Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) by Child Protective Investigations (CPI) or Alternative Response (AR). The referral must be received from the INV stage and not out of the AR stage.
If the FPR stage is received from an AR stage, it is closed using closure code Administratively Closed and then reopened out of an INV stage. CPI must be informed about the closure and the need to reopen after being stage progressed to a traditional investigation.
Once the FPR stage is opened, the transfer process is completed within 10 calendar days. This ensures initial assessment of the family and timely services are provided. The time frame includes the dispute resolution process when there is a difference of opinion about case transfer.
See:
2635 Referring a Case to Family Based Safety Services (FBSS)
12320 Transferring FBSS Cases between Counties and Regions
CPS June 2019
Families sometimes relocate while receiving services from FBSS. When a family moves to another county or region, it is important that the family continues receiving services in the new location. When a case is being transferred between counties or regions, the caseworker in the transferring county or region is responsible for the case until the transfer is completed.
12321 Transfer Process
CPS June 2022
FBSS takes the following steps when transferring a case between counties or regions:
- As soon as the need for case transfer is identified, the transferring FBSS supervisor emails the receiving regional FBSS case transfer mailbox to set up the case transfer. The transfer request email must include Form 7102 Courtesy or Case Transfer Request as well as any additional pertinent information related to the case and case transfer. See FBSS Courtesy and Transfer List.
- Within two business days, the receiving FBSS supervisor emails the transferring FBSS supervisor to identify the FBSS caseworker assigned to the case.
- The transferring FBSS caseworker must complete the case transfer summary in full and include all of the following:
- A detailed assessment of the progress of services.
- Ongoing needs to address child safety and the family’s protective capacities.
- Any parental child safety placement, safety plan, and Family Agreement Plan that is in place.
- The transferring FBSS caseworker makes sure:
- The Person Detail page is up to date.
- There is a current Family Plan of Service or Family Plan Evaluation.
- The receiving FBSS caseworker must contact the family to confirm the family’s residence in the area before the FBSS staffing.
- The FBSS staffing (meeting) must be held within 10 calendar days from the date that the transfer request is sent. The transferring FBSS unit and the receiving FBSS unit must participate in the FBSS staffing.
Upon verifying the family’s residence, the receiving FBSS caseworker must begin making monthly face-to-face contact with the family according to policy.
If principals in a case are actually or are believed to be located in more than one county or region, FBSS staff in both locations must cooperate to:
- Take any immediate actions needed to ensure child safety.
- Determine in which area the family will be best served.
12322 Resolving Disagreements Regarding Case Transfers
CPS June 2019
The receiving FBSS supervisor must accept the referral for case transfer.
If the transferring FBSS supervisor and the receiving FBSS supervisor disagree about the responsibilities of their respective units, their program directors must resolve the disagreement.
If the program directors cannot resolve the disagreement, the program administrators make the final decision.
Child safety must be the paramount consideration in the decision-making process.
12400 Documentation and Case Reviews in FBSS
12410 Documentation and Contact Entry
CPS June 2019
Accurate and timely documentation about child safety and parental engagement is a critical function of casework. The caseworker must document the following activities in IMPACT within 24 hours of their occurrence:
• Contacts made with case principals, children, and caregivers.
• Any attempted contact with any child.
The caseworker must select in the Contact Detail page all children seen during the contact. If the caseworker saw at least one child, the caseworker must not select Attempted. If there were children that the caseworker did not see during the contact, the caseworker must create a separate Contact Detail listing those children and indicating an attempted contact.
Within three calendar days of making the contact, the caseworker must fully document all other contacts in IMPACT, including:
• Collateral contacts.
• Contacts with service providers.
12420 Caseworker Monthly Evaluation of Progress
CPS June 2022
Every month while an FBSS case is open, the FBSS caseworker must do the following:
- Make reasonable efforts to contact any provider who is providing services as part of the Family Plan of Service and get information about the family’s progress. If the caseworker is unable to get information, the caseworker must document his or her efforts to do so.
- Gather any other information or documentation from collaterals related to child safety and the Family Plan of Service.
- Evaluate all information gathered.
- Document the following:
- Whether FBSS is still needed to ensure child safety.
- Whether the Family Plan of Service, safety plan, Family Agreement Plan, or parental child safety placement (PCSP) need to be changed. The caseworker must document reasons for any changes.
12430 Submitting Monthly Evaluations
CPS June 2019
No later than the sixth calendar day of each month, the caseworker must complete, save, and submit the monthly evaluation for the previous month to the supervisor.
DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.704(e)
12440 Supervisor Monthly Review
CPS June 2019
Supervisory review of monthly evaluations is critical to ensuring that quality casework and services are being provided to families.
The supervisor must review and approve the monthly evaluation no later than the last calendar day of the month that follows the reporting period. This includes the rejection and approval process.
12450 Risk Reassessment
CPS June 2019
The purpose of the Risk Reassessment tool is to help caseworkers and supervisors assess whether the risk to child safety has decreased enough for CPS to close a case.
The caseworker completes the Risk Reassessment tool in IMPACT at the following times:
• 90 days after completion of the initial Family Plan of Service, and every 90 days after that.
• No more than 30 days before submitting the case for closure.
• At any time when there are new circumstances or information that may affect risk.
Each time the caseworker completes the Risk Reassessment tool, he or she submits it to his or her supervisor for approval.
However, a Risk Reassessment tool is not required if any of the following exceptions apply:
• CPS has removed all children from the home, and they are in substitute care.
• CPS cannot locate the family after making diligent efforts to do so.
• The only child has died.
See the Risk Reassessment Procedure and Reference Manual.
12451 Risk Scores
CPS June 2019
IMPACT uses the information that the caseworker has entered in the Risk Reassessment tool to calculate a risk score. There are four possible risk scores, as follows:
• Low
• Moderate
• High
• Very High
The caseworker reads the results of the Risk Reassessment tool, including the risk score.
If the risk score is higher than the risk score from the family’s previous Risk Assessment tool or Risk Reassessment tool, the caseworker completes the following:
• Family Strengths and Needs Assessment.
• Family Plan of Service Evaluation.
The caseworker completes these within 21 days after his or her supervisor approves the Risk Reassessment tool.
12452 Risk Score Overrides
CPS June 2019
There are two types of overrides for the Risk Reassessment tool: Policy Override and Discretionary Override.
12453 Policy Override
CPS June 2019
A Policy Override is required if any of the following circumstances apply in the case:
• Parent/Caregiver’s inaction or action resulted in non-accidental injury to a child under age 3.
• Sexual abuse case AND the perpetrator is likely to have access to the child.
• Parent/Caregiver’s inaction or action resulted in severe non-accidental injury to any child younger than age 16.
• Parent/Caregiver’s action or inaction resulted in death of a child due to abuse or neglect (previous or current).
If the caseworker uses a Policy Override, IMPACT automatically changes the risk score to Very High, and the caseworker cannot change the risk score.
12454 Discretionary Override
CPS June 2019
If the caseworker believes that the risk score does not accurately reflect the family’s risk level, he or she uses a Discretionary Override.
The caseworker may increase or decrease the risk score by one level. For example, if the Risk Reassessment tool gives a risk score of Moderate, he or she may change it to Low or High, but not to Very High.
12455 Recommended Action and Planned Action
CPS June 2019
After the caseworker has responded to all items in the Risk Reassessment tool and has addressed overrides, IMPACT automatically shows the following two possible actions:
• Continue services
• Close
The caseworker chooses the radio button for the planned action, which is what CPS plans to do.
If the planned action is Continue services, the caseworker must do the following:
• Consult with the supervisor to determine whether CPS needs to use different strategies to engage the family and to help them lower the risk.
• Collaborate with the family to determine what action steps are next.
If the planned action does not match IMPACT’s recommended action, the caseworker types an explanation in the appropriate field.
12460 Children with Medical and Mental Health Issues and Medical Needs Staffings
CPS April 2024
It is important for the caseworker to understand the child’s medical needs and ensure that these needs are being adequately addressed, so the caseworker can make a plan when there are concerns related to the child’s medical needs.
If a child is identified to have any of the following, the caseworker and supervisor must staff the case with the program director to determine whether ongoing medical needs staffings will be needed:
- A chronic medical condition. A chronic medical condition is a long-term condition (approximately one year or longer) that requires ongoing medical attention or limits activities of daily living.
- A medically complex condition. A medically complex condition is either of the following:
- A diagnosis that affects multiple organ systems (or more than one such diagnosis).
- A long-term health condition that results in functional limitations, high need for or high use of health care, and often the need for medical technology.
Behavioral or mental health needs should be discussed if both of the following apply:
- The child’s behavioral or mental health needs have resulted in psychiatric hospitalization.
- A staffing is being held to discuss the child’s physical health.
This staffing should occur at the earliest possible point in the case, which is either:
- Upon opening of the FPR stage.
- Within three business days of the caseworker being notified of the child receiving a new diagnosis during an open FBSS case.
The staffing must occur regardless of the parent’s compliance with medical advice.
Medical Needs Staffing
If the program director determines that the child has a chronic medical condition or a medically complex condition, the program director must coordinate a medical needs staffing. This staffing must include, at a minimum, the following people:
- Caseworker
- Supervisor
- Program director
- Program administrator
- DFPS medical director
- Regional nurse consultant
- Nurse consultant manager
These staffings must occur monthly until the FPR stage closes.
The staffing should be facilitated by the program director or designee, and the participants must do the following:
- Review the child’s medical history (including diagnoses and care needs).
- Identify feeding issues.
- Discuss future medical appointments.
- Update names and contact information (if available) for specialists involved in the child’s care.
- Identify medications.
- Identify services (for example: medical, private duty nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, purchased client services (PCS), and counseling), and preferred providers.
- Identify behavioral or mental health needs, if these have resulted in psychiatric hospitalization.
- Identify medical equipment and supplies and obtain a list of items the child currently has and items the child needs.
- Determine the child’s status on any waiver programs or wait lists.
- Identify and discuss plan and action items.
Any action items or follow-up tasks that are identified in one of these staffings need to be completed before the next staffing.
The caseworker documents these staffings in IMPACT within 24 hours after the staffing.
12500 Providing Services in FBSS
CPS May 2021
It is important to remember that each family has different strengths and needs. The caseworker pays special attention to providing services that address the family’s specific circumstances and making sure to offer services at the frequency and intensity appropriate for the family’s circumstances.
12510 Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
CPS April 2022
The Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA) does the following:
- Helps identify what the Family Plan of Service (FPOS) should address.
- Helps make agreements about what the FPOS should address.
- Determines strengths that may help with child safety.
The FBSS caseworker completes the FSNA collaboratively with the family to develop the initial FPOS and family plan evaluation.
The FBSS caseworker completes the FSNA as follows:
- With the involvement of the parents or caregivers and children receiving services.
- Within 21 calendar days after the FPR stage was opened in IMPACT on all cases remaining open.
- Before submitting a case for closure within 21 days of the date the FPR stage was opened in IMPACT when the closure is due to Services Inappropriate (FBSS not necessary). (See closure chart in 12780 Administratively Closed.)
- Before completing an FPOS or family plan evaluation. An FSNA (or FSNA exception) in IMPACT is required before documenting an FPOS or family plan evaluation in IMPACT.
The FBSS caseworker may also complete an FSNA with each noncustodial parent who is not receiving FBSS.
See the Family Strengths and Needs Assessment Resource Guide.
Exceptions to the Requirement to Complete an FSNA
The supervisor may approve an exception to completing the FSNA if any of the following case closure situations exist:
- The family cannot be located.
- DFPS is pursuing court-ordered services.
- Child is outside of home/no CVS.
- Family refused/Legal impossible.
- Only child died.
- Family moved.
- Another reason for an exception exists based on the circumstances of the case.
The exception must be documented on the FSNA tool in IMPACT.
12520 Participation in the Family Plan of Service
CPS October 2020
It is important for the family to participate in the development of the Family Plan of Service (FPOS). The caseworker may consider the use of a family group conference to help create the FPOS. See 1121 Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM).
In developing the FPOS, the FBSS caseworker makes reasonable efforts to gain the participation and input of all of the following people:
- The parents of each child who will receive services.
- Each child who will receive services (as appropriate for each child’s age and development).
- All other principals in the home of each child who will receive services.
If the caseworker cannot gain participation from any parent, child, or other principal in the child’s home, the caseworker documents the efforts made to gain participation.
The caseworker makes sure that each person signing the FPOS or Family Plan Evaluation understands and agrees to all of the following:
- His or her responsibilities.
- The potential consequences of not complying with the FPOS.
- The actions and behavioral changes needed to complete the FPOS and close the FBSS stage with no further involvement by CPS.
The caseworker provides a signed copy of the FPOS or Family Plan Evaluation, and any revisions to it, to everyone who signed it.
12530 Creating the Initial Family Plan of Service
CPS June 2019
The Family Plan of Service (FPOS) is designed to help parents do both of the following:
• Access help from sources other than CPS.
• Develop sufficient capacity to protect their children from abuse or neglect.
The FBSS caseworker must develop the FPOS and submit it to his or her supervisor within 21 calendar days after an FBSS stage is opened. The FBSS caseworker must document the FPOS on the Family Service Plan form in IMPACT.
The supervisor may approve an exception if the family cannot be located, court-ordered services are being pursued, or another reason for an exception exists based on the circumstances of the case.
If the supervisor approves an exception to the initial FPOS, the caseworker must still complete the designation of foster care candidacy for each child.
12540 Family Plan of Service Evaluations
CPS June 2019
The FBSS caseworker must complete and submit a Family Plan Evaluation for supervisor approval according to the appropriate time frame below:
• Within 6 months after completing the initial FPOS.
• Within 6 months after completing a previous Family Plan Evaluation.
• Within 21 days after the supervisor approves a Risk Reassessment that has a higher risk level than the previous Risk Assessment or Risk Reassessment.
• If the caseworker initially determines the child is not eligible for Foster Care Candidacy (FCC) on the initial FPOS but the child later becomes eligible.
The caseworker must complete a new Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA) before completing a Family Plan Evaluation.
The supervisor may approve an exception to completing a Family Plan Evaluation in any of the following circumstances:
• The family cannot be located.
• Court-ordered services are being pursued.
• Any other reason an exception exists based on case circumstances.
If the supervisor approves an exception to the Family Plan Evaluation, the caseworker must still complete the designation of foster care candidacy for each child.
12550 Foster Care Candidacy (FCC) Determination for FBSS
CPS June 2019
The FBSS caseworker designates a child as a foster care candidate:
• At any time a child is the subject of a safety plan and absent preventive services the plan is removal.
• A child is not the subject of a safety plan but is at high or very high risk of abuse or neglect, and absent preventive services the plan is removal.
The caseworker evaluates Foster Care Candidacy (FCC) when completing any of the following:
• Initial Family Plan of Service (FPOS).
• Family Plan Evaluation.
• An exception to an initial FPOS or Family Plan Evaluation.
If the FBSS caseworker determines the child is not eligible for FCC on the initial FPOS, but the child later becomes eligible, the caseworker must take the following steps:
• Complete a Family Plan Evaluation.
• Record the FCC eligibility.
• Submit the Family Plan Evaluation for approval.
12560 Families with Substance Use in FBSS
CPS October 2020
When a caseworker is working with a client who uses or has used substances, the caseworker conducts regular, timely evaluations to assess the progress of the parent or caregiver in maintaining abstinence from substances while ensuring child safety.
See 1900 Substance Use.
12570 Referral to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services
CPS June 2019
All children under age 3 who are confirmed victims of abuse or neglect must be referred to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) within 10 days of investigation case transfer to FBSS.
The FBSS caseworker must ensure a referral to ECI has been made when the investigation includes all of the following:
• The disposition is Reason to Believe (RTB).
• The victim is under age 3.
• The case is referred to FBSS.
Within 10 business days of the case being transferred to the FBSS unit with a finding of Abuse or neglect substantiated (Reason to Believe), the FBSS caseworker must refer all designated victims under 3 years of age to ECI for screening.
If the FBSS caseworker or family suspects a child who is not a designated victim has a disability or developmental delay during the course of the FBSS case, the caseworker must refer the child to ECI within two days of identifying the need.
Exception: The FBSS caseworker does not refer the child to ECI if the Child Protective Investigations caseworker already referred the child to ECI during the Investigation stage.
12580 Family’s Lack of Participation
CPS October 2024
The Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker must staff (consult) with the supervisor to determine whether to request court-ordered services if either of the following apply:
- The family becomes uncooperative at any time during or after the joint visit, and services are necessary to ensure child safety.
- The family decides not to voluntarily participate in services, and services are necessary to ensure child safety.
Court-Ordered Services while the INV Stage Remains Open
The FBSS caseworker and supervisor must consult with the program director to determine whether seeking a court order for participation in services is appropriate if all of the following occur:
- The family allows the FBSS caseworker access to the home and child during the joint visit.
- FBSS completes its Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA) during the joint visit.
- The family declines services during or after the joint visit, and there is a need identified for DFPS to provide services following the FSNA.
If the FBSS caseworker has not met with the family, and the family becomes uncooperative, CPI may request court-ordered services.
Court-Ordered Services after the INV Stage Has Closed
If a parent does not participate in services for 60 consecutive days, then the FBSS caseworker and supervisor must consult with the program director to determine whether to request a court order for participation in services for the parent or parents who did not participate.
Filing for Court-Ordered Services
For DFPS to file a petition for court-ordered services, there must be evidence that both of the following circumstances exist:
- Abuse or neglect has occurred, or there is a substantial risk of abuse or neglect.
- A parent’s act or failure to act is causing a continuing danger to the child’s physical health or safety.
If the FBSS caseworker, supervisor, and program director decide to seek a court order for participation in services, then the caseworker and supervisor submit an affidavit to and consult with the attorney representing DFPS.
If the attorney representing DFPS denies the request for a court order, the caseworker and the supervisor immediately staff the denial with the program director. The program director reviews the case and why the parent’s or child’s participation in services is needed to determine if the program director agrees with the denial.
If the program director agrees with the attorney’s denial, the program director staffs with the supervisor and caseworker to determine next steps to resolve the case. The caseworker then closes the FPR stage as Family Refused/Legal Impossible.
If the program director disagrees with the denial and believes the court order is still warranted due to concerns about the safety of the child, the program director contacts the attorney who represents DFPS or the regional attorney.
If legal continues to deny the court orders after exhausting all efforts with the attorney who represents DFPS or the regional attorney and with the chain of command, the caseworker must close the FPR stage as Family Refusedl/Legal Impossible.
In addition to filing for court-ordered services, the FBSS caseworker and supervisor may use the Family Group Decision Making process to assist with engaging families.
See:
1121 Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)
2414 Court Ordered Participation in FBSS
5160 Requesting a Court Order to Participate in Services
12760 Family Refused/Legal Impossible
12581 Documenting Court-Ordered Participation and Other Legal Actions
CPS August 2024
When a court orders a family to participate in FBSS, the caseworker (or the caseworker’s designee) must document in the FPR stage in IMPACT any legal action being taken on the same day that the order is issued. When that is not possible, the caseworker or designee must document the legal action as soon as possible but no later than three calendar days following the date the order is issued.
The caseworker uses the drop-down menu to select Orders for Services as the Action and then selects the correct Subtype on the Legal Action and Outcome page.
Within 24 hours of receiving the written court order, the caseworker uploads all legal documents, including court orders and affidavits, into the Legal tab in OneCase.
For all court hearings, the caseworker must do the following in IMPACT:
- Document the hearing as a Face-to-Face Contact, with Legal as the Purpose and Court as the Location.
- Enter a description of what happened during the hearing.
Only legal actions pertaining to court-ordered participation are entered in the FPR stage. The caseworker enters all legal actions regarding a removal or conservatorship in the child’s SUB stage (not the FPR stage). See 6133.3 Documenting Legal Activity.
See 5251 Entering a Change in Legal Status or Legal Action Into IMPACT.
For definitions of legal status and legal action, see the Hearings and Legal Proceedings Resource Guide.
12600 Safety in FBSS
12610 Safety Assessment
CPS June 2019
FBSS caseworkers assess child safety throughout the FBSS stage.
The purpose of the Safety Assessment tool is to:
• Assess whether any child is likely in immediate danger of serious harm or maltreatment, which requires a safety intervention.
• Determine what safety interventions should be initiated or maintained to provide appropriate protection.
The FBSS caseworker must complete a Safety Assessment tool in any of the following situations:
• When circumstances suggest that the child’s safety may be jeopardized.
• When changing safety interventions on an existing safety plan.
• Before closing an FBSS case with at least one child in the home.
• When considering changing parental contacts with a child from supervised to unsupervised.
• Before returning a child from a parental child safety placement (PCSP).
• When closing the case when the child is living in a PCSP. The Safety Assessment tool is completed on the parent’s home to determine if danger indicators continue to exist in the parent’s home.
See the Safety and Risk Assessment Resource Guide.
12620 Ongoing Assessment of Child Safety
CPS June 2019
The caseworker must assess child safety throughout the FBSS case. The caseworker must immediately reassess safety in the home if, at any point during the case, the caseworker develops concerns for the child’s safety due to a change in the family’s circumstances, composition, willingness to work with DFPS, or home condition, or for other reasons.
12621 Criminal and DFPS Background Checks
CPS October 2024
When reassessing safety, the caseworker identifies whether there are any of the following:
- Frequent visitors to the home.
- Changes in who is part of the household.
See 2115 Terms Used in Primary Statutory Definitions for the definition of household.
New Household Members
The caseworker completes the following on any new person who moves into the home:
- A child abuse and neglect history check, regardless of the person’s age.
- A criminal history check, if the person is age 14 or older and not the victim child.
See 1830 People on Whom Criminal Records Can be Made.
Frequent Visitors
The caseworker consults with his or her supervisor to evaluate whether a criminal history check, a child abuse and neglect history check, or both are necessary for any frequent visitor to the home.
The caseworker and supervisor consider the following factors when determining whether to complete a background check on a frequent visitor:
- Frequency of the visitor’s contact with the child.
- Current safety concerns in the case.
- Vulnerability of the child.
- Parent’s history (if any) of choosing household members or caregivers who pose a danger to the child.
- Information from the child about time spent with the visitor.
- Information from collaterals about the visitor.
- Criminal or child abuse and neglect history that the visitor mentions.
Potential Danger Indicators
The caseworker discusses the results with the supervisor if a background check reveals that a person has a criminal history or a child abuse or neglect history. (This applies to new household members and frequent visitors.) The caseworker and the supervisor evaluate whether the results affect child safety and identify any actions necessary to make sure the child is safe. The caseworker documents this discussion in IMPACT.
The results of the Texas Department of Public Safety criminal history or Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history checks must not be documented in IMPACT.
See 3212.2 Competing Background Checks.
12630 Safe Sleep and Other Safety-Related Issues
CPS June 2020
Initial Face-to-Face Contact
During the initial face-to-face contact with a parent or caregiver, the caseworker completes the following tasks and documents them in a case contact:
- Gives the Keeping Children Safe Wherever You Go! document to the parent or caregiver and discusses the topics.
- Observes the home environment to evaluate safety.
- If there is an infant (under 12 months of age), observes the area where the infant sleeps for any unsafe sleep practices.
- Discusses any concerns about the home environment with the parent or caregiver and makes a plan to correct the issues.
- Consults with the supervisor as appropriate.
Ongoing Contacts
At least once each month, the caseworker views the sleeping arrangements for any child under 12 months of age and discusses them with the parents or caregivers. The caseworker does this more often if the caseworker has reason to believe the parents or caregivers are not following safe sleep guidelines for children under 12 months of age.
All Contacts (Initial and Ongoing)
If the caseworker notes any concerns about sleep environments, the caseworker does the following:
- Discusses safe sleep with the parent or caregiver.
- Helps the family obtain bedding, cribs, and beds as soon as possible, to make sure all children are safe.
- Consults with the supervisor, as appropriate.
The caseworker documents the following in a case contact, as appropriate:
- Observations of the child’s sleeping arrangements.
- Conclusions about whether the child’s sleeping arrangements are safe.
- Discussions with the parent or caregiver about safe sleep, including the responses of the parent or caregiver.
- Supervisor consultations related to safe sleep.
- Actions taken to help the family with safe sleeping arrangements.
12640 Safety Plans in FBSS
CPS December 2023
If danger to a child is present, the caseworker determines if a safety plan is sufficient to mitigate the danger. If so, the caseworker implements a safety plan with the family to prevent removal. The caseworker must complete Form 2604 Safety Plan or Form 2207 Family-Initiated Parental Child Safety Placement Agreement and Safety Plan documenting one or more of the following supervision interventions implemented to address the danger indicators:
- The parent and child are residing together but away from the danger.
- The parent-child contact is being supervised.
- The parent chooses to implement a family-initiated PCSP.
The caseworker must attempt to complete Form 2604 Safety Plan or Form 2207 Family-Initiated Parental Child Safety Placement Agreement and Safety Plan whenever there is a danger present that threatens child safety, except in any of the following situations:
- The family is unwilling to participate in the safety plan (see 12641 Refusal to Participate in a Safety Plan).
- When there is no other reasonable way to ensure safety except for seeking an immediate removal. See 12660 When a Child is Unsafe.
Supervisor approval must be provided prior to implementing a safety plan, and safety plans must not go beyond 30 calendar days without being reviewed with a supervisor and renewed with the family, including signatures. This review must be documented in IMPACT.
The caseworker must ensure that each person signing Form 2604 Safety Plan or Form 2207 Family-Initiated Parental Child Safety Placement Agreement and Safety Plan understands and agrees to all of the following:
- Their responsibilities.
- The potential consequences of not complying with the safety plan.
- The actions or circumstances needed to eliminate the need for the safety plan.
The caseworker must complete criminal and DFPS background checks on anyone who agrees to serve as a supervision caregiver by living in the home with the family. The caseworker, in consultation with the supervisor, evaluates the background check results and proceeds in accordance with 3212 Assessing the Child’s Safety Before Implementing a Safety Plan or Family-Initiated Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP).
The caseworker must provide a signed copy of Form 2604 Safety Plan or Form 2207 Family-Initiated Parental Child Safety Placement Agreement and Safety Plan to each person who signed it and upload a copy into OneCase.
See the Safety Plan Resource Guide.
12641 Refusal to Participate in a Safety Plan
CPS December 2023
If the family is unwilling to participate in a safety plan to address dangers to the child, the caseworker determines if it is necessary to remove the child from the home. See 3220 Taking Legal Custody of a Child.
12642 Required Contact
CPS December 2023
If the safety plan includes a provision requiring an individual to live with the parent and child, the caseworker must contact that individual as often as necessary to ensure child safety, which means once each month or more.
12643 Ending a Safety Plan
CPS December 2023
The caseworker must end a safety plan in either of the following situations:
- It is no longer needed to ensure the safety of the child.
- The Family Preservation (FPR) stage will be closed with no further CPS involvement.
12650 Family-Initiated Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)
CPS October 2023
A parental child safety placement (PCSP) is a temporary family-initiated placement that must not last longer than 30 days without an approved extension.
A family-initiated PCSP is implemented after a caseworker determines a danger is present, and a safety intervention requiring the parent to be supervised will keep the child safe, but the parent decides placing the child out of the home with a PCSP caregiver is the only possible intervention available.
A caseworker must only consider agreeing to implement a PCSP as a safety intervention when the following apply:
- The child is in immediate danger and removal is necessary to keep the child safe.
- All safety plan options that would allow the child to safely remain with a parent under supervision were explored, but no options outside of a PCSP were possible.
- The PCSP caregiver and home members were fully evaluated and are knowledgeable, willing, and able to supervise and protect the child.
- A parent and PCSP caregiver are willing and able to agree to the PCSP and sign the Family-Initiated Parental Child Safety Placement Agreement and Safety Plan.
If the Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker determines that supervision interventions would not be effective to ensure child safety, then the caseworker must staff with the supervisor to seek a removal. The FBSS caseworker must not offer a PCSP as an option to address the danger.
Texas Family Code, Chapter 264, Subchapter L
See 3200 DFPS Actions When Danger to a Child Is Present for accessing, implementing, and extending PCSPs.
See 12200 Contacts in Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) for face-to-face contacts when children are in a PCSP.
12660 When a Child is Unsafe
CPS October 2023
If danger to a child is present at any point during the case, the caseworker must consult with the supervisor and take one or more of the actions below to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from the home:
- Require a caregiver to take action to control the danger to a child.
- Implement a supervision safety plan, if appropriate.
- Request an immediate Family Team Meeting (FTM). If a referral for an FTM is not possible, the caseworker documents the reason in IMPACT. See 1121 Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM).
- Implement a family-initiated Parent Child Safety Placement, if appropriate.
- Seek a non-removal legal action, after consulting with the attorney representing DFPS.
See:
5121.3 Standard for Court’s Decision on Whether to Issue a Temporary Restraining Order
5122 The Effect of a Temporary Restraining Order for Removal of the Alleged Perpetrator
5123 Duration of a Temporary Restraining Order for Removal of an Alleged Perpetrator
The caseworker removes the child if the situation meets all of the following criteria:
- There is an immediate danger to the child.
- The caseworker made reasonable efforts, consistent with the circumstances of each case, to secure the child’s safety.
- There is no other reasonable way to ensure safety except for removal.
The caseworker has two options for obtaining a court order for emergency removal, depending on the circumstances of the case.
See:
3220 Taking Legal Custody of a Child
5411 Obtaining a Court Order before Conducting an Emergency Removal
5412 Conducting an Emergency Removal before Obtaining a Court Order
12700 Case Closure in Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
12710 Case Closure Tasks
CPS November 2023
In this policy, staff finds information on all case closure tasks and what steps are required for each of these tasks. What closure code to use for the case closure situation, and a chart that shows staff which tasks are required for each case closure code is also included.
12711 Case Closure Conference (Staffing)
CPS November 2023
The Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker must confer with the supervisor within 30 calendar days of the case being submitted for closure. The caseworker must document a contact narrative for the staffing, providing details of the discussion in the Closing Summary.
If the parents or caregivers did not participate in services or made the necessary behavioral changes to ensure child safety, the caseworker and supervisor must confer with the program director to determine next steps or the rationale for case closure. These discussions must be documented in IMPACT.
12712 Final Risk Reassessment before Closure
CPS November 2023
The Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker must complete a Risk Reassessment tool within 30 calendar days, before submitting the case to the supervisor for closure when the following case closure codes are used:
- Risk is reduced in the family.
- Services Inappropriate (when no need for services was identified on the FSNA).
12713 Final Safety Assessment before Closure
CPS November 2023
The Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker must complete a Safety Assessment tool within 30 calendar days before submitting the case to the supervisor for closure when any of the following case closure codes are used:
- Child outside of home/no CVS.
- Court ordered services closed.
- Risk is reduced in the family.
- Services Inappropriate (all cases).
- Family refused/Legal impossible.
12720 Closing Summary
CPS November 2023
Completion of the closing summary is required for all case closures. The caseworker must complete a closing summary in IMPACT within 30 calendar days before submitting the case for closure.
The Closing Summary must include the following:
- Summary of the reason for Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS).
- Progress in addressing risk or safety issues, as applicable, to the case closure reason.
- Name and contact information of the person with whom the child is living if other than the parent who was receiving family-based safety services.
- The rationale for closure, including the case closure code.
- Any recommendations or concerns to be considered if there is a future referral.
In addition, these questions must be answered in the closing summary, as they apply to the case closure reason:
- How have the danger or worries identified at the beginning of the FBSS case been mitigated?
- What parental or caregiver behavioral changes has the caseworker observed that lead the caseworker to believe that the caregiver’s protective capacities have increased and the child is safe?
- What do service providers, family members, and any other safety network members report regarding the family’s progress?
- Who functions as the safety network for the family? What changes have they observed? What commitment have they made to help ensure child safety?
12721 Final Face-to-Face Contact with Parents or Caregivers
CPS November 2023
A final face-to-face contact with each parent or caregiver on the current Family Plan of Service (FPOS) is required for the following case closure codes:
- Child outside of home/no CVS.
- Risk is reduced in the family.
- Court ordered services closed.
No more than 10 calendar days before submitting the case for closure, the Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker must do the following:
- Make face-to-face contact with each parent or caregiver on the current FPOS.
- Notify each person of the case closure decision.
If the caseworker made diligent efforts to make final face-to -face contact, but was ultimately unable to do so, the caseworker must document every effort attempted.
12722 Final Child Face-to-Face Contact, Pictures, and Home Visit
CPS November 2023
Documentation of the final home visit with the child and pictures are required for the following case closure codes:
- Child outside of home/no CVS.
- Risk is reduced in the family.
- Court ordered services closed.
No more than 10 calendar days before submitting the case for closure, the Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker must do the following:
- Conduct a home visit at the child’s residence for each child on the current Family Plan of Service.
- Take an individual picture of each child to document his or her condition and upload it into IMPACT.
If the caseworker made diligent efforts to make final face-to-face contact, but was ultimately unable to do so, the caseworker must document every effort attempted.
12730 Case Closure Approval
CPS November 2023
The supervisor or Program Director must approve or reject the case closure within 15 calendar days of the case being submitted for closure. No more than 25 days should have passed since the last face-to-face contact with the children and parents when the case is approved for closure in IMPACT.
12731 Whom to Notify of the Case Closure Decision
CPS November 2023
The caseworker must notify relevant parties when a case is submitted for closure with any of the following case closure codes, and services will be discontinued:
- Child outside of home/no CVS.
- Child removed from home/CVS.
- Court ordered services closed.
- Risk is reduced in the family.
- Services inappropriate (all cases).
- Only child died.
- Family moved.
- Unable to locate.
The caseworker must notify all of the following people:
- Any parents or legal guardians receiving services.
- Any contractor providing services to the child or family.
- Noncustodial parents who did not receive family-based safety services.
- Relatives who have been or will be active sources of support to the family.
If the case is submitted for closure within 10 days after the FPR stage is opened, the Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) supervisor notifies the CPI caseworker, supervisor, and program director of the closure decision and justification.
12740 Case Closure Letter
CPS November 2023
Case closure letters are required for the following case closure codes and circumstances:
- Child outside of home/no CVS.
- Court ordered services closed.
- Risk is reduced in the family.
- Services inappropriate.
- Family refused/Legal impossible.
Within 15 calendar days after closing a case, FBSS must send a case closure letter to parents (including noncustodial parents) and legal guardians who were receiving family-based safety services.
12750 Determining Closure Code
CPS November 2023
It is important for FBSS staff to accurately document the reason an FBSS case is closing. This includes completing the necessary case closure documentation and using the appropriate closure code in IMPACT. The closure codes (except Administratively Closed, Services Inappropriate, and Family Refused/Legal Impossible) can apply to both a regular FBSS case and to a court-ordered services case, so the caseworker and supervisor must review the codes to determine which one to use. For example, if a court-ordered services case is successfully completed and risk is reduced, then Risk is Reduced in the Family would be the appropriate closure code. Staff use the codes for the reasons explained in the following sections, as well as in the table in 12780 Administratively Closed.
12751 Risk is Reduced in the Family
CPS February 2021
This code is used when a family has participated in services and/or the following are present, which help to enhance child safety in the home:
- Observable parental behavioral changes.
- Distinguishable differences in safety or risk concerns in the household that were initially identified for services.
Completing services as part of a service plan does not in itself warrant this closure code.
This code is also used if the FBSS case is being closed with the child residing with a parent who did not require FBSS intervention.
12752 Court Ordered Services Closed
CPS November 2023
The FBSS caseworker uses the Court Ordered Services Closed code when the court dismisses a court-ordered services case or a motion to participate case because the parents are not cooperating and no further legal action is appropriate.
This code is not used when a family completes the services and makes the necessary changes, and the court dismisses the legal case.
12753 Child Outside of Home/No CVS
CPS November 2023
This code is used when a child lives outside the physical home or physical care of the parent or legal guardian because of either of the following:
- A court order that a relative or other caregiver sought and received.
- An informal agreement between the parent or legal guardian and a relative or other caregiver.
DFPS does not have temporary managing conservatorship in these cases, and the case does not transfer to conservatorship after closure. See 3215.1 Closing a Case When the Child Remains in a Family-Initiated PCSP.
12754 Child Removed from Home/CVS
CPS November 2023
This code is used when the FBSS caseworker removes a child from the home during the FPR stage and opens the FSU and SUB stages in IMPACT, and the court grants DFPS custody of the child.
If CPI removes a child from the home before the initial joint visit or within three days after the joint visit and opens the FSU and SUB stages in IMPACT, then the FPR stage is closed using the Administratively Closed code.
See 12780 Administratively Closed.
12755 Only Child Died
CPS February 2021
This code is to be used if the only child in the family receiving FBSS has died.
12756 Family Moved
CPS February 2021
This code is used when a family relocates to an area not served by DFPS and the family’s whereabouts are known. When a family moves out of DFPS jurisdiction, the caseworker must do the following:
- Make diligent efforts to locate the family.
- Inform the child welfare and law enforcement entities in the family’s new location of the family’s whereabouts and unresolved concerns that led to the FBSS case.
This closure code is not to be used when services have been successfully completed by the family and the family relocates before case closure. That is captured in “Risk is reduced in the family.”
See 3113 Exceptions to Placing a Family on CSCAL.
12757 Unable to Locate the Family
CPS February 2021
This code is used when a family’s whereabouts are unknown and, despite diligent efforts from the FBSS worker and Special Investigator, DFPS is unable to locate the family.
This code should only be chosen after all steps in 3100 When a Child Who is With His or Her Family Cannot be Located are followed.
See:
12270 FBSS Actions When a Child or Principal Cannot Be Located
3100 When a Child Who is With His or Her Family Cannot be Located
12760 Family Refused/Legal Impossible
CPS November 2024
The Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker uses the Family Refused/Legal Impossible closure code if all of the following apply:
- The family refuses to voluntarily accept FBSS.
- The FBSS caseworker has exhausted all efforts to engage the family and has done so for at least 60 days after the FPR stage opened.
- Legal intervention is not possible.
Legal intervention is not possible if any of the following apply:
- After consulting with the program director, the caseworker submits an affidavit for legal intervention to the representing attorney, but the attorney or the court denies the request for legal intervention and this denial has been escalated through the chain of command through the program director and above.
- It is not necessary to remove a child from the home, and the family does not meet the legal standard for court-ordered services (see 5160 Requesting a Court Order to Participate in Services).
Exception to the 60-Day Time Frame
The program director may approve a case for closure with the Family Refused/Legal Impossible closure code before 60 days have passed since the FPR stage was opened if both of the following apply:
- The case meets the requirements above in this section, other than the 60-day time frame.
- For at least 21 continuous days, the family has refused to meet with the FBSS caseworker, refused to allow access to the child, or both.
In this situation, the case must have a contact in IMPACT indicating why the case is being closed before 60 days have passed. The case must be submitted to the FBSS supervisor for review and to the FBSS program director for closure.
12770 Services Inappropriate
CPS November 2023
The Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) caseworker must use the Services Inappropriate closure code if the only parent receiving FBSS services dies and legal action is not needed, or if after an initial face-to-face contact with the family is made, and the Family Strengths and Needs Assessments (FSNA) is completed, all of the following apply:
- At the time of referral to FBSS, CPI’s risk level is low or moderate.
- There are no danger indicators being addressed by a safety plan.
- FBSS did not identify the need for any services to be provided to the family through the FSNA.
The Family Plan of Service must not be created if using this closure code.
The case must have a contact in IMPACT indicating why the case is being closed Services Inappropriate. The case must be submitted to the FBSS supervisor for review and submitted to the FBSS program director for closure within 21 calendar days of the case being opened.
12780 Administratively Closed
CPS November 2023
The FBSS caseworker uses the Administratively Closed code sparingly and only if any of the following is true:
- CPI conducts a removal to ensure child safety, and a joint visit either has not occurred or occurred no more than three days prior.
- A joint visit has not occurred, and legal intervention is needed to work with the family but is unable to be obtained.
- There is no danger indicator or safety plan, there is low or moderate risk, and a joint visit has not been completed.
The FBSS caseworker does not use the Administratively Closed code if there are danger indicators present unless CPI has removed the child.
FBSS staff is available for CPI’s staffing with the attorney representing DFPS, if requested.
The case must have a contact in IMPACT indicating why the case is being closed administratively. The FBSS supervisor must submit the closure to the FBSS program director for approval within 10 calendar days of the case being opened.
If CPI completes a removal more than three days after a joint visit due to a current investigation or a new intake, the FBSS caseworker does not use the Administratively Closed code. Instead, the FBSS caseworker creates the FSU and SUB stages out of the FPR stage and uses the Child Removed from Home/CVS closure code. (See 12754 Child Removed from Home/CVS.)
The following tables show the actions that are necessary when closing an FBSS case.
| Reason for Using the Administratively Closed Closure Code |
Actions Necessary for Closure |
|---|---|
Removal is required to ensure child safety, and there was no joint visit or a joint visit occurred no more than three days prior. |
|
No joint visit has occurred, the family refuses to engage in services, and legal intervention is unable to be obtained. |
|
There is no danger indicator or safety plan, there is low or moderate risk, and no joint visit has occurred. |
|
No other code applies. |
|
| Reasons for Using the Services Inappropriate Closure Code |
Actions Necessary for Closure |
|---|---|
The only parent receiving services died, and DFPS is not seeking legal action. |
|
There is no danger indicator or safety plan, risk level at referral is low or moderate, and no services are identified on FSNA. |
|
| Closure Code |
Actions Necessary for Closure |
|---|---|
Risk is reduced in the family |
|
Court ordered services closed |
|
Child outside of home/no CVS |
|
Child removed from home/CVS |
|
Only child died |
|
Family moved |
|
Unable to locate |
|
Family refused/Legal impossible |
|
12800 Program Director Involvement in FBSS
CPS May 2021
Program directors often provide guidance and evaluate the progress of a case. Caseworkers and supervisors consult with a program director when any of the following situations occur:
- The FBSS case has been open for six consecutive months, and case closure will not happen within the current month.
- FBSS is considering any legal action.
- FBSS is considering extending a parental child safety placement past 60 days (see 3214 Extending a Family-Initiated PCSP Past 60 Days).
The supervisor or caseworker notifies the program director immediately if a legal action that the program director has approved is not acted upon or achieved.
12900 Special Circumstances in Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) Cases
12910 New Intake Received during an Open FBSS Case
CPS May 2024
Whenever the FBSS caseworker becomes aware that a principal on the Family Service Plan form is a principal in an open CPI case, a staffing between FBSS and CPI caseworkers and supervisors must occur as soon as possible. The staffing must include both the investigation and FBSS program directors when a safety concern has been identified or either stage of service is staffing for legal intervention. The staffing must occur no later than the 15th day after the intake is received.
Additionally, the FBSS or CPI supervisor may request a staffing with a child safety specialist if further review, discussion, or guidance is needed. The staffing is held within 14 days of the request to the child safety specialist.
12911 Child Trafficking (Sex and Labor Trafficking)
CPS April 2021
If a child in an open FBSS case is or is suspected to be a victim of trafficking, the FBSS caseworker must document the child’s trafficking victimization status and refer the child to appropriate services as needed. Confirmed and Suspected-Unconfirmed victims of trafficking must be referred to local Care Coordination Team (CCT), where local CCT is in operation. CCT referral is also documented in the Trafficking Service Referral Survey.
The caseworker must complete the documentation of the assessment and referral for services regardless of the type of trafficking, whether familial or non-familial.
Trafficking Service Referral Survey, services and resources can be found on the Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation page of the DFPS intranet.
42 U.S.C. 5106a(b)(2)(B)(xxiv)
Determining if a Child Is a Suspected-Unconfirmed or Confirmed Victim of Child Sex or Labor Trafficking
A trafficking event is Suspected-Unconfirmed when specific information regarding the child or youth and the surrounding circumstances creates a reasonable belief that the child or youth has been trafficked. Note: A runaway episode, in and of itself, is not equal to Suspected-Unconfirmed.
A trafficking event is Confirmed when evidence supports the conclusion that the child or youth has been trafficked. Note: The supporting evidence must be more than just an allegation or suspicion and does not have to be a direct outcry from the child or youth.
Time Frames for Notification
The caseworker must inform local law enforcement immediately, but no later than 8 hours, after the caseworker identifies that a child or youth is confirmed or suspected to be a victim of sex or labor trafficking.
The caseworker must also make a report to Statewide Intake immediately, but no later than eight hours after the caseworker becomes aware of this information.
Time Frames for Documentation
The caseworker must document efforts taken to identify and address child trafficking situations in the case narrative.
Within 48 hours of identifying a sex or labor trafficking event, the caseworker must enter the Suspected-Unconfirmed or Confirmed event as a trafficking record on the Trafficking Detail page in IMPACT.
The caseworker must document any referral for services related to trafficking on the family plan of service. CCT referral is also documented in the Trafficking Service Referral Survey.
Trafficking Service Referral Survey, services and resources can be found on the Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation page of the DFPS intranet.
See 12500 Providing Services in FBSS.
12920 When a Child Dies During an Open FBSS Case
12921 Immediate Notifications
CPS June 2019
When a child dies during an open FBSS case, the caseworker must notify the following people as soon as possible, but at least within 24 hours:
• The FBSS caseworker notifies the FBSS supervisor after learning of a child’s death in an open FBSS case.
• If the child dies while in a parental child safety placement, the caseworker notifies the parents, unless they cannot be found.
• If the open FBSS case is under a court order, the caseworker notifies all parties involved including the following people:
• Attorney ad litem for the child and parents, if appointed.
• CASA representative and child’s guardian ad litem, if appointed.
• Any legal counsel retained by the parents.
• Attorney representing DFPS in the child’s case.
• Regional attorney.
The FBSS caseworker must also make a report to Statewide Intake as soon as possible, but no later than 8 hours after learning of the child’s death, and document the Call ID in the case record. If the caseworker verifies that the child’s death has already been reported to Statewide Intake, the caseworker does not need to make a report. (See 2330 Fatality.)
12922 Joint Staffing
CPS June 2019
As soon as the investigation is assigned, the following staff must attend a joint staffing (meeting):
• CPI caseworker
• CPI supervisor
• FBSS caseworker
• FBSS supervisor
12923 Documentation
CPS June 2019
The FBSS caseworker or supervisor must make a contact entry in IMPACT immediately or within 24 hours of learning of the child’s death. The contact entry states that all documentation made after the date of this entry was made after the child’s death. Any prior documentation in IMPACT must not be altered. Any prior documentation that is incomplete must be documented after the documentation of the child death, with an explanation of the date discrepancy.