Appendix 1132.2(c): Responsibilities of DFPS, Child Welfare Board, and County
CPS 84-0
1. DFPS Responsibilities:
a. Provide staff and programs for a statewide, child protective services program according to statewide priorities, policies, program and licensing standards, and available resources.
b. Administer and supervise all program components receiving federal and state funds according to statewide priorities, policies, program and licensing standards, and available resources. Program components include, but are not limited to
(1) Receipt and investigation of reports of children alleged to be in need of protection.
(2) Services to children in their own homes to improve conditions and to prevent removal of children from their homes.
(3) Removal of children from their homes if necessary to protect them, when the court orders removal, or when parents agree to removal.
(4) Services to children in protective substitute care.
(5) Adoption services for children when parental rights are terminated (if appropriate for the child).
(6) Court-ordered social studies for adoption and disputed conservatorship petitions.
(7) Out-of-town inquiries (OTIs) related to child protection and placement. (Includes Interstate Compact on Placement of Children)
c. Plan for and administer staff policies according to the Texas Merit System provisions. Personnel policies include but are not limited to
(1) Job classifications.
(2) Salary scales.
(3) Travel allowances.
(4) State holidays.
(5) Employment and dismissal of staff.
d. Plan for and administer staff and administrative costs (travel, fringe benefits, overhead) on a regional basis, based on the availability of funds and statewide need.
e. Provide, plan for, and administer contracts based on availability of funds, statewide need, and state and federal policies regarding the use of funds for contracts.
f. Provide, plan for, and administer state and federally funded financial benefits for eligible children for protective foster care. This includes reimbursing the county for AFDC and state-paid foster care expenses.
g. Provide, plan for, and administer state and federally funded adoption subsidies.
h. Provide, plan for, and administer Medicaid and the vendor drug program for eligible children in protective foster care.
i. Provide, plan for, and administer Title IV-B funds and other funds for special projects based on the availability of the funds, statewide need, and state and federal policies regarding the use of these funds.
j. Provide, plan for, and administer staff training.
k. Receive and spend children's personal funds (SSI, SSA, child support) according to the children's needs.
2. Child Welfare Board Responsibilities:
a. Negotiate and act as a liaison between the protective services unit and the county commissioners court to secure adequate local funding for program components such as
(1) Foster care funds for children not eligible for state or federal foster care funds.
(2) Clothing and transportation needs for foster children.
(3) Medical care and examinations not covered by Medicaid.
(4) Psychiatric and psychological evaluations and treatment not covered by Medicaid.
(5) Office space, utilities, office equipment, and upkeep.
(6) Funding for staffing.
(7) Other needed services within the financial capability of the county such as homemaker services and day care.
b. Advise DFPS staff about local policies, related to expenditure of county funds.
c. Authorize spending county funds for appropriated purposes.
d. Review expenditures of protective services units to ensure that county money is spent for appropriated purposes; adequate accounting methods are adequate for county funds and DFPS, AFDC, and state-paid foster care reimbursements to the county; total AFDC and state-paid foster care reimbursement for a child is spent for the child.
e. Conduct needs assessments for the children in the county
f. Formulate with DFPS staff a plan to develop community resources to meet identified needs.
g. Interpret child protective services and needs to the community
h. Explain to DFPS staff conditions in the community and community attitudes about DFPS's policy, services, and priorities.
i. Coordinate operations and develop local agreements, as needed, with other community agencies serving children, such as juvenile probation, MHMR, school boards, hospital boards, family service and child guidance agencies, and child caring and child placing agencies.
j. Review quality of services being rendered by the protective services units.
k. In conjunction with DFPS staff, formulate goals and objectives for the Board and evaluate progress in achieving these goals and objectives.
3. County responsibilities:
a. Provide funding for a protective foster care program that meets AFDC and state-paid foster care requirements by
(1) Paying for the care of any child covered by the county child welfare program.
(2) Paying the daily rate established by DFPS.
(3) Ensuring that AFDC or state-paid foster care children do not receive less payment than other foster care children.
b. Provide funding for other protective child care programs needed by children in the community and required by the contract.
c. Periodically review the terms of the contract with DFPS and the child welfare board.
d. Authorize expenditures of county funds for appropriated purposes and ensure that fiscal records are maintained for state and federal audits.