Child Protective Services Handbook Revision December 2009
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on December 1, 2009. Summaries of new or revised items are provided below.
OAG Address Confidentiality Program
Revise Child Safety Specialist Responsibilities When Multiple Referral Involves an Open Case
Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care
OAG Address Confidentiality Program (PATS 2172)
For the purpose of investigation, CPS may obtain the physical address of a family participating in the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) administered by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). CPS must take steps to ensure that the physical address is kept confidential. A case that involves a family participating in ACP must be marked as sensitive. A child placed in foster care may remain in the program or be removed from it while in out-of-home placement. See:
2225 Requirements to Protect Locating Information of Family Violence Victims
2225.1 Families Who Participate in the Address Confidentiality Program
2225.2 Securing the Confidential Address
2225.3 Entering an OAG-Issued Substitute Post Office Box Address in IMPACT
2225.4 Obtaining the Confidential Address (Abuse and Neglect Cases Only)
2225.5 Sending Legal or Other Written Information
2225.6 When a Child Is Removed and DFPS Is Managing Conservator
2225.7 Disclosing a True Physical Address
2225.8 Youth Transitioning Out of DFPS Care
2281.11 Person Identifying and Locating Information
2245 Visits to the Home
2245.3 Documenting the Visit to the Home
2245.4 Address Confidentiality Program of the Office of the Attorney General (ACP-OAG)
Revise Child Safety Specialist Responsibilities When Multiple Referral Involves an Open Case (PATS 2837)
The items below are revised to document the requirement that Child Safety Specialists notify the program directors responsible for open FBSS/CVS cases in which a multiple referral has been indicated in IMPACT. See:
2232.5 Multiple Referral Reports
2232.51 Worker Responsibilities
2232.52 Supervisor Responsibilities
2232.53 Child Safety Specialist Responsibilities
Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care (PATS 3007)
The item below is revised to clarify existing policy regarding reviewing the CPS Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care with the child.
Policy is to include previous changes in the rights, and to also clean up some mild language. See:
6534 Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care
Correction
The November 2009 revision replaced policy in 6322.6 and its sub-items, placing it in 6322.4 and its sub-items. Section 6322.6 should have been deleted at that time, but was overlooked. This is corrected with the December release.