Child Protective Services Handbook Revision May 9, 2011
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on May 9, 2011. Summaries of new or revised items are provided below. See:
Medical Exams (Texas Health Steps Checkups)
Minimum Requirement for Transitional Living Services
Medical Exams (Texas Health Steps Checkups) (PATS 4017)
The items below are revised to reflect changes to the time frames by which children receive routine medical exams through Texas Health Steps and the STAR Health program. Texas Health Steps and STAR Health provide medical and dental services to children in DFPS conservatorship. See:
6525 Medical and Dental Services
6526 Meeting the Requirements for Medical and Dental Services
6526.1 Initial Texas Health Steps Medical Checkup
6526.2 Initial Texas Health Steps Dental Checkup
6526.3 Subsequent, Ongoing Texas Health Steps Checkups
6526.4 Psychotropic Medications
6526.5 Immunizations
6527 Service Planning
6527.1 Informing Caregivers and Medical Consenters About Health Services
6527.2 Arranging Transportation for Medical Services
6527.3 Arranging for Special Health Care Management Services
6527.4 Referring a Child to Medical Professionals and Health-Related Community Services
6528 Documenting Medical and Dental Issues in IMPACT and the Case File
6528.1 Documenting Checkups (Medical and Dental) in IMPACT and the Case File
6528.2 Documenting Other Health-Related Visits in IMPACT and the Case File
6528.3 Completing a Medical History in IMPACT
6528.4 Documenting Additional Health-Related Details for the Record
6529 Using the Health Passport to Store and Retrieve a Child's Health-Related Information
6529.1 What the Health Passport Contains
6529.2 Restrictions on Using the Health Passport
Appendix 6520-A: STAR Health – Provider for Most Children in DFPS Conservatorship
Appendix 6520-B: Texas Health Steps – Obtained Through STAR Health or Traditional Medicaid
Appendix 6520-C: Traditional Medicaid – For Children Not Eligible for STAR Health
Minimum Requirement for Transitional Living Services (PATS 2983)
The items below are revised to incorporate policy sent to staff in several policy memos. Material is being moved from Section 6000 to the new 10000 section of the handbook. See below for lists of items being added and removed from the handbook.
Policy memos already issued are:
PSI:
09-019 Federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (3rd bullet): 5/18/09
PSAs:
05-016 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Annual Plan of Operation for FY2005 (10/8/2004)
05-018 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Regional Annual Reports for FY2004 (10/14/2004)
05-039 Simplification of PAL Organization IDs for Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessments (1/7/2005)
07-025 Educational Training Voucher (ETV) Program Update: Allowable Transportation Expenses (10/23/06)
07-027 Transitional Living Services and Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Annual Plan of Operation FY 2007 (10/27/06)
07-061 Documentation of Citizenship and Identification for Aging Out Youth (12/22/06)
08-092 TLS Transition Plan Template Revised (4/8/2008)
09-005 New Statewide Minimum Standards for PAL Life Skills Training (9/2/2008)
09-010 New Statewide Minimum Requirements for PAL Life Skills Independent Study Guide (9/15/2008)
09-093 Return to Care Program
10-043 Tuition and Fee Waivers for Youth Under DFPS Conservatorship and Adopted Youth (1/4/2010)
10-051 Health Care Benefits for Former Foster Care Youth in Higher Education Programs (1/8/2010)
10-062 New Requirements Related to Issuing Personal Documents to Youth at Age 16 and at Age 18 (2/1/2010)
10-129 Medical Power of Attorney ‑ Transitioning Youth ‑ Age 18 (8/2/2010)
New Policy Items and Appendices in the 10000 Section:
10000 Services to Older Youth in Care
10100 Transitional Living Services
10110 Transitional Living Services Program
10111 Experiential Life Skills Training for Youth Age 14 and older
10120 Transition Planning for Older Youth
10121 Permanency Planning Meetings for Youth Age 16 and Older
10122 Transition Plan
10122.1 Child’s or Youth’s Plan of Service
10122.2 Transition Plan Review
10130 Documents Given to Youth Who Are Transitioning to Adulthood
10131 Personal Documents Provided to Youth at Age 16
10132 Personal Documents Provided to Youth at Age 18
10133 Guidance on Obtaining Documentation for Youth Transitioning to Adulthood
10133.1 Personal Identification Certificates or Driver’s Licenses
10133.2 Social Security Cards
10133.3 Requesting Certified Birth Certificates
10133.4 Health Passports (STAR Health), Proof of Medicaid Enrollment, and Immunization Records
10134 Youth Transition Portfolio
10134.1 Ownership of the Youth Transition Portfolio Extended Foster Care
10134.2 Documentation of the Youth Transition Portfolio
10134.3 Available Funding Sources
10140 Transition Centers for Youth
10150 Medical Services for Transitioning Youth
10151 Coordination for Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MYFCY)
10152 Healthcare Benefits for Former Foster Care Youth in Higher Education
10153 Medical Power of Attorney
10200 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)
10210 Preparation for Adult Living Program
10212 Targeted and Eligible Population for PAL
10213 PAL Eligibility for Youth Placed Into Foster Care by a County Juvenile Probation Department (CJPD)
10214 PAL Eligibility for Youth Placed in Texas From Another State
10215 PAL Staff Role for Youth Residing With the Designated Perpetrator of Abuse or Neglect
10220 Required PAL Services and Benefits
10221 Independent Living Skills Assessment
10222 Life Skills Training
10223 Life Skills Independent Study Guide
10230 Optional PAL Services
10240 PAL Transitional Living Allowance (TLA)
10241 Qualifications for PAL Transitional Living Allowance
10242 Payment Limits for the PAL Transitional Living Allowance
10243 PAL Transitional Living Allowance Payment Procedures
10244 PAL Transitional Living Allowance When a Youth Is Living With or Returning to a Parent
10245 Suspension of Payments of PAL Transitional Living Allowance
10250 PAL Aftercare Room and Board
10251 Qualifications for PAL Aftercare Room and Board
10252 Eligibility for PAL Aftercare Room and Board Services
10253 Assessment of Amount for PAL Aftercare Room and Board Payment
10254 Allowable Expenditures for PAL Aftercare Room and Board
10255 PAL Aftercare Room and Board Payment Procedures
10256 Host Home for PAL Aftercare Room and Board Payment
10260 Administration of PAL Services
10261 Regional PAL Staff
10262 PAL Data Entry
10263 PAL Responsibilities When Youth Are Placed Cross-Regionally
10263.1 PAL Services When Youth Are Placed Cross-Regionally
10263.2 PAL Payments When Youth Are Placed Cross-Regionally
10300 Services to Support Adulthood
10310 College Tuition and Fee Waiver
10311 College Tuition and Fee Waiver Information
10312 College Tuition and Fee Waiver Exemption for Foster Youth, Adopted Youth, and Youth in Permanent Managing Conservatorship (PMC)
10313 College Tuition and Fee Exemption for Youth Who Have Been Adopted
10313.1 PAL Staff Responsibilities for College Tuition and Fee Waiver
10313.2 Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialist Responsibilities for College Tuition and Fee Waiver
10320 Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program for Youth Aging Out of Care, Adopted Youth, and Youth in Permanency Care Assistance
10321 Eligibility for the ETV Program
10322 Schools That ETV Recipients May Attend
10323 How the ETV Grant Amount Is Determined and Disbursed
10324 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for a Foster Youth
10325 Staff Responsibilities for Youth in Permanency Care Assistance (PCA) to Obtain Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Funds
10326 Applying for the ETV Program
10326.1 ETV Application Process and Supporting Documentation Requirements
10326.2 ETV Appeal Rights
10326.3 Ongoing ETV Eligibility Requirements After Initial Qualification
10326.4 ETV for Youth Who Move to Another State
10326.5 Other Educational Resources
10327 Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Expenses
10327.1 Allowable ETV Expenses
10327.2 Allowable ETV Transportation Expenses
10330 Preparation for Long-Term Care or Support in Adulthood for Youth with Disabilities
10331 Planning for Long-Term Care Needs
10331.1 Researching Long-Term Care Resources
10331.2 Ensuring Funding and Eligibility for Services
10332 Appointing a Guardian
10333 Referral to DADS for Guardianship
10333.1 Steps in the Process of Referral to the DADS Guardianship Program
10333.11 DADS Referral Step 1: Preparation, Alert, and Consultation
10333.12 DADS Referral Step 2: Making the Referral
10333.13 DADS Referral Step 3: Guardianship Assessment
10333.14 DADS Referral Step 4: DADS Decision, Notification, and CPS Response
10333.2 Ensuring Timely Referrals to DADS
10334 DADS Appointed as Guardian
10334.1 Youth Leaves CPS Foster Care
10334.2 CPS Extended Foster Care to Continue
10334.3 Foster Parent Wishes to Be a Guardian
10500 Return to Care Program for Youth Age 18 or Older
10510 Determining Eligibility for Returning Youth to Foster Care
10511 Eligibility Criteria
10512 Ineligibility Based on Criminal Background
10520 Processing a Youth’s Request to Return to Foster Care
10521 Receiving the Youth’s Request
10522 Referring the Youth to Regional PAL Staff
10523 Statewide Intake as a Resource for Referral
10530 Roles and Responsibilities of Staff Returning a Youth to Care
10531 PAL Staff Prescreen Youth
10532 Statewide Intake Staff
10533 Re-Entry Staff (Regional and Unit)
10533.1 Regional Re-Entry Staff
10533.2 Unit Re-Entry Staff
10533.21 Criminal History Check by Unit Re-Entry Staff
10533.22 Discussing Placement Options Before a Youth Returns to Care
10533.3 Upon Approval
10540 Closing the Case When a Youth Is Not Eligible
10550 Special Circumstances
10551 Primary Contact for a Youth Who Returns to Care Outside of the Youth’s Legal Region
10552 When Immediate Assistance Is Needed
10553 Youth Receiving SSA Benefits
10553.1 Physically Unable to Sign
10553.2 Handling Monthly SSA Awards That Exceed the Cost of Care
10553.3 Foster Care Re-Entry Checklist
10560 Returning to Care for College Breaks and Holidays
10570 Providing Support After a Youth Returns to Care
10571 Contacts and Time Frames
10572 Revising the Transition Plan
10573 Responsibilities of Youth While in Return to Care
10574 Documenting Eligibility in IMPACT
10575 Annual Eligibility Re-Certifications
10576 Addressing Medicaid Issues and Accessing Health Care Benefits
10577 Third-Party Service Level Reviewer (Youth for Tomorrow)
10580 Discharging a Youth From the Return to Care Program
10600 Other Services to Older Children in Substitute Care
10610 Contraceptive Services
10620 Youth Who Are Pregnant
10621 Notification That Abortion Is Desired by a Youth in DFPS Conservatorship
10621.1 DFPS Requirement to Inform Parents and Caretakers About Abortion-Related Information
10621.2 When a Physician May Perform an Abortion for a Youth in Conservatorship
10621.3 DFPS Appointed as Guardian Ad Litem for Youth in Conservatorship for Judicial Bypass Proceedings
10621.4 Documenting Abortion-Related Information for Youth in Conservatorship
10630 Youth Parents in DFPS Conservatorship
10640 Situations That Require Authorizations
10641 Marriage of Youth in Conservatorship
10642 Driver’s Licenses
10643 Youth Enlisting in the Military
10644 Use of Cigarettes or Tobacco Products
Appendix 10130: Documentation for Youth Changing Placements or for Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care
Appendix 10212: Preparation for Adult Living Life Skills Training Curriculum Outline
Appendix 10333-A: Joint Staffing Process for DFPS Referrals to DADS Guardianship Services
Appendix 10333-B: Review of Guardianship Decision
Appendix 10531: Roles and Responsibilities of Staff Returning a Youth to Care
Policy Items and Appendices Removed from the 6000 Section:
6423 The Transition Plan
6550 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)
6551 Targeted and Eligible Population
6552 Required PAL Services/Benefits
6553 Transitional Living Allowance
6553.1 Qualifications for Transitional Living Allowance
6553.2 Transitional Living Allowance Payment Limits
6553.3 Transitional Living Allowance Payment Procedures
6553.4 Suspension of Transitional Living Allowance Payments
6554 Optional PAL Services
6555 Aftercare Room and Board
6555.1 Qualifications for Aftercare Room and Board
6555.2 Aftercare Room and Board Payment Procedures
6555.3 Definition and Requirements of a Host Home
6555.4 Eligibility of Youth in Foster Care
6556 Medicaid for Youth Transitioning from Foster Care
6557 Regional PAL Coordinator
6558 PAL Data Entry
6560 Other Services to Older Children in Substitute Care
6561 Contraceptive Services
6562 Minors who are Pregnant
6562.1 Notification of Abortion Desired by a Minor in DFPS Conservatorship
6562.11 DFPS Requirement to Inform Parents and Caretakers about Abortion-Related Information
6562.12 Abortion Notification by Physician for Minor in Conservatorship
6562.2 DFPS Appointed as Guardian Ad Litem for Minor in Conservatorship for Judicial Bypass Proceedings
6562.3 Documenting Abortion-Related Information for Minor in Conservatorship
6562.4 Youth Parents in DFPS Conservatorship
6563 Marriage of Youths in Conservatorship
6564 Preparation for Long Term Care or Support in Adulthood
6564.1 Planning for Long-term Care Needs
6564.11 Researching Long Term Care Resources
6564.12 Ensuring Funding and Eligibility for Services
6564.13 Appointing a Guardian
6564.2 Referral to DADS for Guardianship
6564.21 Steps in the Referral Process
6564.22 Ensuring Timely Referrals to DADS
6564.3 DADS Appointed as Guardian
6564.31 Youth Leaves CPS Foster Care
6564.32 Continuing CPS Extended Foster Care
6564.33 Foster Parent Wishes To Be a Guardian
6565 Youths Who Are 18 or Older
6565.1 Returning Young Adults to Foster Care (Support for Education)
6565.11 Determining Eligibility for Returning Young Adults to Foster Care
6565.12 Processing a Young Adult's Request to Return to Foster Care
6565.13 Returning a Young Adult to Care or Closing the Case
6565.14 Providing Support After a Young Adult Returns to Foster Care
6565.15 Returning to Care for College Breaks and Holidays
6565.16 Discharging a Young Adult From the Return to Care Program
6576 Special Approvals
6576.1 Driver's Licenses
6576.2 Youth Enlisting in the Military
6578 Use of Cigarettes or Tobacco Products
6723 Services to Youths Becoming Adults
6723.1 Education and Training Voucher Program for Youth Aging Out of Care
6883 College Tuition Waiver for Youths Who Have Been Adopted
Appendix 6225: Sample Agreement for Permanent Foster Care
Appendix 6564.2-A: Joint Staffing Process for DFPS Referrals to DADS Guardianship Services
Appendix 6564.2-B: Review of Guardianship Decision
In the items below, references have been updated that referred to policies moved from Section 6000 to Section 10000:
1124 Definition of Stages of Service
1411 Types of Cases
1554 Payment for Long-Term Care in Adulthood
1554.1 Eighteen-Year-Olds in Voluntary Foster Care: Signing over SSI and RSDI Benefits
2225.8 Youth Transitioning Out of DFPS Care
2391 Exceptions to Confidentiality of Abortion-Related Information
2394.51 Assisting the Minor in Applying for Judicial Bypass
4120 The Role of the Education Specialist in Educating Children
4710 Exemptions From College Tuition
4720 The Education and Training Voucher Program
6221.42 Alternative Family Placement with Long-Term Commitment
6221.43 Another Planned Living Arrangement with Support of a Family
6222.3 Permanency Planning for Children With Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities in Institutional Settings
6324.1 Authorized Arrangements
6437.4 Permanency Planning Meetings for Youth 16 and Over
6437.41 Circles of Support
6521 Medical Consent
6577.25 Providing Other Services to Youth in TYC Custody or on TYC Parole
6720 Services at Discharge from Substitute Care
6842 Preparing the Family and the Child for the Placement
6933 Documentation of Child’s Biographical Data
8282 Identifying Available Services
8283 Identifying Additional Services
10441 Loss of Eligibility
10443.1 DADS Guardianship
10480 When Older Youth Are Ready for Discharge
10481 Other Discharge Policies for Older Youth
Appendix 6220-B: Comparison of Permanency-Planning Goals
Appendix 8160: CPS Service Codes and Descriptions as Identified in IMPACT