Child Protective Services
Handbook Revision, January 28, 2013
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on January 28, 2013. Summaries of new or revised items are provided below.
Reorganization of CPS Handbook Section 2000 Investigations (PATS 5149)
Section 2000, Investigations, has been reorganized in preparation for updates during the overhaul stage to come.
No policies have been revised. Handbook items have been moved in their entirety with no changes other than the item numbers. Revision dates have not changed, since the policies have not changed.
Reorganized Table of Contents
Previous item numbers are shown in parentheses. Also see the Conversion Lookup Table for easier reference.
Section 2000: Intake, Investigation, and Assessment
2100 (2000) Processing Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2110 (2400) Definitions of Abuse/Neglect and Authority
2111 (2410) Definitions
2112 (2411) Primary Statutory Definitions
2113 (2411.1) Statutory Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect
2114 (2411.2) Statutory Definition of Person Responsible for Child’s Care, Custody, or Welfare
2115 (2412) Terms Used in Primary Statutory Definitions
2116 (2413) Other Definitions
2120 (2420) CPS Authority for Investigating Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2121 (2421) Reports Within CPS Authority to Investigate
2122 (2422) Reports Not Within CPS Authority to Investigate
2123 (2422.1) Children Not Yet Born or Not Born Alive
2130 (2110) The Roles of SWI and CPS During Intake
2131 (2121) Legal Requirements for Reporting Abuse or Neglect
2132 (2121 subheading) Reporting Responsibilities for DFPS Staff
2133 (2122) Special Issues Relating to Reporting Abuse or Neglect
2134 (2131) Reporting Directly to SWI About Abuse or Neglect
2135 (2132) Reports Made to Field Offices
2136 (2150) When to Notify Law Enforcement About Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2140 Screening an Intake for Investigation
2141 (2140) Screening and Prioritizing Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2142 (2141) The Allegations That CPS Accepts for Investigation and Assessment
2142.1 (2141.1) Criteria for Initiating an Investigation
2142.2 (2141.2) Applying Statutory Definitions of Abuse or Neglect to Determine if a Report Meets the Criteria for CPS Investigation
2142.3 (2141.3) Incomplete or Questionable Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2142.4 (2141.4) When Abuse or Neglect Occurs in a Foster or Adoptive Home
2142.5 (2141.5) Reports of Abuse or Neglect That Relate to Child-Care Facilities
2143 (2142) Assigning Priority to Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2144 (2143) The Role of SWI in Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2150 (2144) CPS Process of Screening Intakes for Investigations
2151 (2144.2) The CPS Supervisor’s Role in Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2152 (2144.1) Contacting Collateral Sources About Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2153 (2144.3) Formally Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect (The Role of the Investigation Screener)
2153.1 (2144.31) Criteria for Formally Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2153.2 (2144.32) CPS Staff Who Formally Screen Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2153.3 (2144.33) Determining a Report’s Eligibility for Screening
2153.4 (2144.34) Reports That Clearly Meet Investigation Guidelines
2153.5 (2144.35) Reports That Do Not Clearly Meet Investigation Guidelines
2153.6 (2144.36) Recommending a Formally Screened Report for Investigation
2153.7 (2144.37) Closing a Formally Screened Report (Not Recommending Investigation)
2153.8 (2144.38) Time Frames for Completing the Formal Screening of a Report
2153.9 (2144.39) Documenting the Formal Screening of a Report
2154 (2144.4) Notifying the Reporter When a Report Is Closed
2155 (2145) Changing the Priority of a Report About Abuse or Neglect
2156 (2146) Closing Reports of Abuse or Neglect Without Assignment for Investigation
2156.1 (2146.1) Reports of Abuse or Neglect That Require Supervisory Approval for Closure
2157 (2147) Receiving a New Report During an Open Investigation of Abuse or Neglect
2200 Overview of Investigations
2210 Casework Process
2211 (2210) Objectives and Casework Process
2212 (2211) Workers Who Perform Investigations
2213 (2212) Roles of the Worker and Supervisor
2214 (2222.5) Roles of Secondary Workers
2215 (2213) Separation of Investigatory and Service-Delivery Functions
2220 (2222) Jurisdictional Issues Involving a Child’s County of Residence
2221 (2222.1) Definition of Child’s County of Residence
2222 (2222.2) Preventing and Resolving Disagreements Among Staff Regarding Residence Designations
2223 (2222.3) County of Child’s Residence Is Unknown / Child Is Temporarily Away From Home
2224 (2222.4) Expectant Mother Residing in Texas Department of Corrections Facility or State Mental Hospital
2230 (2225) Requirements to Protect Locating Information of Family Violence Victims
2231 (2225.1) Families Who Participate in the Address Confidentiality Program
2232 (2225.2) Securing the Confidential Address
2233 (2225.3) Entering an OAG-Issued Substitute Post Office Box Address in IMPACT
2234 (2225.4) Obtaining the Confidential Address (Abuse and Neglect Cases Only)
2235 (2225.5) Sending Legal or Other Written Information
2236 (2225.6) When a Child Is Removed and DFPS Is Managing Conservator
2237 (2225.7) Disclosing a True Physical Address
2238 (2225.8) Youth Transitioning Out of DFPS Care
2240 (2500) CPS Cooperation with Law Enforcement Officials
2241 (2510) CPS Roles During Criminal and Civil Investigations
2242 (2520) Arrangements with Local Criminal Justice Officials
2243 (2521) Office of the Inspector General
2244 (2522) Law Enforcement Agencies
2245 (2523) County or District Criminal Attorney
2246 (2524) The Courts
2250 Time Frames of Investigation
2251 (2223) Time Frames for Investigations
2252 (2223.1) Time Frame for Progressing an Intake to the Investigation Stage
2253 (2223.2) Time Frames for Initiating Priority I and Priority II Investigations
2254 (2223.3) Twenty-Four Hour Documentation
2254.1 (2223.31) Documentation of Removal, Initial Placement and Medical Consenter
2255 (2223.4) Time Frame for Completing Investigation Actions
2256 (2223.5) Time Frame for Documenting the Investigation
2257 (2223.6) Time Frame for Approving the Investigation
2258 (2223.7) Extending Time Frames
2260 (2247) Overview of Transporting a Child During an Investigation
2261 (2247.1) Transporting a Child From School for an Interview
2261.1 (2247.11) Obtaining Supervisory Approval to Transport a Child
2261.2 (2247.12) Determining the Basis of Authority for Transporting a Child
2261.3 (2247.13) Informing Law Enforcement Involved in a Joint Investigation
2261.4 (2247.14) Documenting the Transporting of a Child
2262 (2247.2) Transporting a Child in Other Circumstances
2263 (2247.3) Notifying the Parents Before Transporting a Child
2263.1 (2247.31) When Speaking Directly With a Parent About Transporting a Child
2263.2 (2247.32) When Direct Contact With the Parent Cannot Be Made
2264 (2247.33) Concealing from the Parent the Location to Which a Child Is Transported
2300 Basic Steps in Investigation
2310 (2234) Assessing Safety During the Investigation
2311 (2234.1) Initial Safety Assessment
2311.1 (2234.11) Background Checks During the Initial Safety Assessment
2311.2 (2234.12) Time Frames Related to the Initial Safety Assessment
2311.3 (2234.13) Examples of Priority 1 and 2 Time Frames for Initial Safety Assessments
2312 (2234.2) Casework Process for Assessing Initial Safety
2312.1 (2234.21) Handling Safety-Related Tasks at the Beginning of the Investigation
2312.2 (2234.22) Identifying a Present Danger of Serious Harm
2312.3 (2234.23) Identifying Insufficient Protective Capacity
2312.4 (2234.24) Determining Elevated Child Vulnerability
2312.5 (2234.25) Determining Safety Criteria for Decision Making
2312.6 (2234.26) Making the Safety Decision
2312.7 (2234.27) Holding a Staffing Meeting and Obtaining Approval
2313 (2234.28) Completing the Safety Assessment Page
2314 (2234.29) Case Merge and the Safety Assessment Page
2315 (2234.3) Responding to Safety Concerns
2315.1 (2234.31) Controlling Safety Threats
2315.2 (2234.32) Assessing the Family’s Response to Child-Safety Issues
2316 (2234.5) Subsequent Safety Assessments During an Investigation
2316.1 (2234.51) Assessing Safety at the End of the Investigation
2317 (2234.6) When Safety Assessments Do Not Apply
2320 (2235) Assessing Risk
2321 (2235.1) Casework Process for Assessing Risk
2321.1 (2235.11) Time Frames for the Risk Assessment
2321.2 (2235.12) Abuse and Neglect Background Checks
2322 (2235.2) Risk Areas of Concern
2323 (2235.3) Risk Factors and Categories Within Each Area of Concern
2323.1 (2235.31) Child Vulnerability Risk Factors and Categories
2323.2 (2235.32) Caregiver Capability Risk Factors and Categories
2323.3 (2235.33) Quality of Care Risk Factors and Categories
2323.4 (2235.34) Maltreatment Pattern Risk Factors and Categories
2323.5 (2235.35) Home and Social Environment Risk Factors and Categories
2323.6 (2235.36) Documenting Domestic Violence on the Risk Assessment Tool
2323.7 (2235.37) Response to Intervention Risk Factors
2323.8 (2235.38) Protective Capacities
2324 (2235.4) Assigning a Level of Concern to Each Risk Area
2325 (2235.5) Determining Risk of Abuse or Neglect at the End of the Investigation
2325.1 (2235.51) Staffing of Dispositions, Risk, and Decision About Services
2325.2 (2235.52) When Children Are at Risk
2325.3 (2235.53) Children Are Not at Risk
2326 (2235.6) Where to Document the Risk Assessment
2327 (2235.7) Investigations in Which Risk Assessments Are Not Conducted
2330 Investigating Allegations
2331 (2231) Objectives of Investigations
2332 (2233) Investigating Allegations of Abuse or Neglect
2333 (2233.1) Investigating Alleged Perpetrators
2334 (2233.2) Investigating Allegations of Abuse or Neglect Without Naming a Perpetrator
2335 (2233.3) New Intake or Allegation Received During an Open Investigation
2336 (2233.4) Subsequent Investigations on a Family
2337 (2262) Documentary Evidence Needed for the Case Record
2337.1 (2262.2) A Child’s School Records
2340 (2232) Casework Tasks Performed When Starting an Investigation
2341 (2232.1) Abuse and Neglect Background Checks
2342 (2263) Criminal Background Checks
2343 (2232.2) Staffing a Report Assigned for Investigation
2344 (2232.3) Arranging Joint Investigations With Law Enforcement
2345 (2232.4) Contacting the Reporter Before Initiating the Investigation
2346 (2232.5) Multiple Referral Reports
2346.1 (2232.51) Worker Responsibilities
2346.2 (2232.52) Supervisor Responsibilities
2346.3 (2232.53) Child Safety Specialist Responsibilities
2347 (2232.6) Making a Contact to Initiate the Investigation
2348 (2232.7) Follow-Up When Contact Is Not Made Within Priority Time Frames
2350 (2245) Visits to the Home
2351 (2245.1) Consent to Enter a Home
2351.1 (2245.11) Worker Requests Permission to Enter a Home
2351.2 (2245.12) Who Has the Authority to Give Consent to Enter the Home
2351.3 (2245.13) Capacity to Consent
2351.4 (2245.14) Voluntary Consent
2351.5 (2245.15) Withdrawal of Consent
2351.6 (2245.16) When Parents Disagree About Consent
2351.7 (2245.17) Scope of the Consent Given by an Adult Caretaker, Child, or Occupant of the Home
2352 (2245.2) Exigent Circumstances Relating to Entry of a Home
2353 (2245.3) Documenting the Visit to the Home
2360 (2240) Investigative Interviews With Children
2361 (2241) Interviews with Alleged Victims
2361.1 (2241.1) Obtaining Consent to Interview
2361.2 (2241.2) Basic Requirements During the Interview
2361.3 (2241.3) Substitute Interviews
2361.31 (2241.31) Substitute Interviews for Alleged Victims of Sexual Abuse or Serious Physical Abuse
2362 (2246) Recording Interviews With Children on Audiotape or Videotape
2362.1 (2246.1) Unusual Situations That May Legitimately Preclude Taping Interviews
2362.2 (2246.2) Documenting in IMPACT Whether Interviews Were Taped
2362.3 (2246.3) Confidentiality of Taped Interviews
2362.4 (2246.4) Labeling, Storing, Retaining, and Purging of Taped Interviews
2363 (2242) Interviews With Other Children in the Home
2364 (2261.1) Giving Notice When Interviewing or Examining a Child for an Investigation
2364.1 (2261.2) Definitions Related to Notice of Report
2365 (2261.3) Identifying and Locating Parents and Guardians
2366 (2261.4) Time Frames Related to Notice
2366.1 (2261.41) Exceptions to Providing Notice
2367 (2261.5) Means and Content of Notice
2368 (2261.6) Documentation of Notice
2368.1 (2261.61) When Providing Notice
2368.2 (2261.62) When Withholding Notice
2368.3 (2261.63) When Delaying Notice by Request
2370 Examination
2371 (2250) Examinations of Alleged Victims and Other Children in the Home
2372 (2251) Examinations by Workers
2373 (2251.1) Visual Examinations
2374 (2251.2) Sexual Abuse Examinations
2375 (2252) Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Examinations
2376 (2253) Purchase of Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Examinations
2377 (2254) Medical and Mental Health Records
2369 (2240.1) Limited English Proficiency and Clients With Communication Disabilities
2380 (2262.1) Photographs as Evidence
2381 (2262.11) Camera-Related Requirements
2382 (2262.12) Consent and Authority to Photograph and Documentation of Witnesses
2383 (2262.13) Photographing the General Appearance of a Child
2384 (2262.14) Photographing a Child’s Injuries
2385 (2262.15) Photographing the Physical Evidence and Incident Scenes
2386 (2262.16) Photographing the Home and Living Environment
2387 (2262.17) Deleting or Altering Photographs
2388 (2262.18) Digital Storage of Digital Photographs in IMPACT
2389 (2262.19) Storing Prints of Photographs in the Paper Case File
2390 (2240) Investigative Interviews with Adults
2391 (2248) Individual and Private Interviews
2392 (2243) Interviews with Parents, Alleged Perpetrators, and Other Adults
2393 (2243.1) Interviews with Parents or Primary Caretakers
2394 (2243.2) Interviews with Alleged Perpetrators
2395 (2243.3) Interviewing Parents or Alleged Perpetrators
2396 (2243.4) Interviews with Other Adults
2397 (2244) Interviews with Collateral Sources
2400 Types of Investigations, Case Actions, Services and Conclusions
2410 (2224) Types of Investigations
2411 (2224.1) Thorough Investigations
2411.1 (2224.11) Interested Relatives and Significant Non-related Parties in Thorough Investigations
2412 (2224.2) Abbreviated Investigations
2413 (2224.3) Unable To Complete an Investigation
2413.1 (2224.31) When a Family Has Moved or Cannot Be Located
2413.2 (2224.32) When a Family Is Uncooperative
2413.3 (2224.33) Documentation in an Unable to Complete/Cannot Locate Investigation
2413.4 (2224.34) Locating a Family that Moved During an Investigation
2413.5 (2224.35) Transferring a Case to a Family’s New Location
2413.6 (2224.36) When a Subsequent Intake Is Received for a Family With a Previous Unable to Complete Investigation (Close – Family Moved/Cannot Locate)
2413.7 (2224.37) Interference With an Investigation
2413.8 (2224.38) Child Safety Check Alert List
2414 (2224.4) Preliminary Investigations (Administrative Closure)
2414.1 (2224.41) Preliminary Investigations Closed for Statutory Reasons
2414.2 (2224.42) Preliminary Investigations Closed for Programmatic Reasons
2414.3 (2224.43) Preliminary Investigations of Anonymous Reports
2420 (2234.33) Developing a Safety Plan
2421 (2234.34) Developing a Safety Plan When Removing an Alleged Perpetrator From the Home
2422 (2234.35) Developing a Safety Plan When Transferring to Family-Based Safety Services
2423 (2234.36) Initiating Safety Plans in other Stages
2430 (2234.4) Criteria for Parental Child Safety Placements
2431 (2234.41) When a Removal Is More Appropriate Than a Parental Child Safety Placement
2432 (2234.42) Considerations and Tasks to Complete Before the Parental Child Safety Placement Occurs
2433 (2234.43) Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2434 (2234.44) Conducting Abuse and Neglect Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2435 (2234.45) Developing Plans for a Parental Child Safety Placement
2436 (2234.46) Ongoing Assessment of the Parental Child Safety Placement (PSCP)
2437 (2234.47) Closing a Case Involving a Parental Child Safety Placement
2438 (2264) Expedited Background Checks For Emergency Placements
2438.1 (2264.1) Expedited DPS or IMPACT History Checks
2438.2 (2264.2) Expedited National Criminal History Checks
2438.3 (2264.21) Additional Requirement For Fingerprint Card Within Seven Days Requires a Safety Plan
2438.4 (2264.22) Consequences of Not Providing Completed Fingerprint Cards
2438.5 (2264.3) Procedure for Obtaining Expedited Background Checks
2438.6 (2264.4) Use of the Background Check Information
2438.7 (2264.5) Limitations
2440 (2237) Family Team Meetings
2441 (2237.1) Family Team Meeting (FTM) Referral Criteria
2441.1 (2237.11) Circumstances Requiring an FTM Referral
2441.2 (2237.12) Circumstances Allowing an FTM Referral
2442 (2237.2) Scheduling and Coordinating FTMs
2443 (2237.3) Family Team Meeting Participants
2444 (2237.4) Caseworker and Supervisor Roles at Family Team Meetings
2445 (2237.5) Documenting Family Team Meetings
2445.1 (2237.51) Investigation Caseworker
2445.2 (2237.52) Family Team Meeting Facilitator
2446 (2237.6) Dispute Resolution
2450 Service Referrals during an investigation
2451 (2236) Referring the Family for Community Services
2452 (2236.1) Referrals to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
2452.1 (2236.11) Investigation Stage and Findings
2452.2 (2236.12) Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) Stage
2452.3 (2236.13) Conservatorship (CVS) Stage
2452.4 (2236.14) General Referral Procedures
2460 (2238.1) Transferring a Case to Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
2461 (part of 2238.1) Overview of Transferring a Case to FBSS
2462 (part of 2238.1) Referral to FBSS
2462.1 (part of 2238.1) Preparing the FBSS Referral
2462.2 (part of 2238.1) Submitting the FBSS Referral Packet
2462.3 (part of 2238.1) Monitoring the FBSS Referral
2463 (part of 2238.1) The FBSS Family Assessment and Staffing
2464 (2238.11) Making Key Decisions About Transferring a Case to FBSS
2465 (2238.12) Maintaining Contact With the Family During the Transfer to FBSS
2466 (2238.13) Delivering Services During a Transfer to FBSS
2467 (2238.14) Requesting That the Court Order FBSS
2468 (2238.15) Documenting the Transition to FBSS
2469 (2238.16) Documenting an Investigation Without Offering FBSS
2470 (2270) Concluding the Investigation and Assessment-
2471 (2271) Definitions of Dispositions of Abuse or Neglect
2471.1 (2271.1) Determining the Overall Disposition for an Investigation
2471.2 (2430) Dispositions of Allegations of Prenatal Drug or Alcohol Exposure
2472 (2272) Definitions of Overall Roles
2472.1 (2272.1) Determining the Overall Role for a Person in an Investigation
2480 (2291) Informal Review of Complaints During Investigations
2500 (2600 & 2610) Removing a Child From the Home
2510 (2620) Evaluate the Need for Removal
2511 (2621) Removal of Certain Children with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
2511.1 (2621.1) Guiding Principles
2511.2 (2621.2) Required Actions for Children Under 11 Who Have Sexually Transmitted Diseases
2511.3 (2621.3) Required STD Testing for the Perpetrator
2512 (2630) Obtain Approval for Removal
2520 (2640) Determine the Basis of Authority for Removing a Child
2521 (2641) Types of Court Orders
2522 (2642) Definitions of Terms (Exigent Circumstances and Imminent Danger)
2530 (2650) Document the Removal of a Child
2531 (2660) Provide Notice and Gather Information Following a Removal
2532 (2661) Notification at Removal
2533 (2662) Gather Information About Child and Family
2534 (2662.1) Form 2279 Placement Summary
2535 (2662.2) Form 2626 Family Information
2536 (2662.3) Form 2625 Child Caregiver Resource
2537 (2662.4) Establish Relationships in Family Tree in IMPACT When Children Are Removed
2540 (2663) Notification to Relatives Following a Removal
2541 (2663.1) Exercising and Documenting Due Diligence After Removal of a Child
2542 (2663.2) The Contents of the Notice to Relatives Following the Removal of a Child
2543 (2663.3) The Roles of the Removal and CVS Workers After Removing a Child
2544 (2663.4) Evaluating Relatives as Caregivers After a Child Has Been Removed
2550 (2670) Provide Information to the Child, Parents, Caregiver, and Court After a Removal
2551 (2671) Information Provided to the Parents at the Time of Removal
2552 (2672) Information Provided to the Child After a Removal
2553 (2673) Information Provided to the Caregiver at the Time of Placement
2554 (2674) Information Provided to the Court After Removal
2560 Transition to Conservatorship
2561 (2680) Select a Substitute Caregiver at the Time of Removal
2562 (2238.2) Transferring a Case to Conservatorship
2563 (2238.21) Conferring Through a Post-Removal Staffing
2700 (2300) Special Intake and Investigative Activities
2710 (2310) When a Child Dies
2711 (2311) Notification When a Child Dies
2711.1 (2311.1) Law Enforcement
2711.2 (2311.2) Medical Examiner or Justice of the Peace
2711.3 (2311.3) DFPS Staff When a Child Dies
2711.4 (2311.4) The Parents and Others When a Child Dies
2712 (2312) Investigating a Death
2712.1 (2312.1) Coordinating With Law Enforcement
2712.2 (2312.2) Conducting the CPS Investigation
2712.3 (2312.3) Documenting a Child’s Death
2712.31 (2312.31) Allegation Task
2712.32 (2312.32) Maintain Person Task
2712.33 (2312.33) Ensuring Consistency in IMPACT When a Child Dies
2713 (2313) Regional Responsibility to Review Cases of Child Death
2713.1 (2313.1) Establishing a Protocol in Each Region for Reviewing Cases That Involve a Child’s Death
2713.2 (2313.2) The Regional Child Death Review Committee
2713.21 (2313.21) The Purpose of Conducting a Regional Review When a Child Dies
2713.22 (2313.22) Cases That Require Review by a Regional Child Death Review Committee
2713.23 (2313.23) The Structure of the Regional Child Death Review Committee
2713.24 (2313.24) Procedures for Conducting a Regional Review of a Child’s Death
2714 (2314) Definitions of Committees and Teams Responsible for Child Death Reviews
2715 (2315) Release of Information on a Child Fatality Investigation
2720 (2360) Baby Moses Cases
2721 (2361) Criteria for a Baby Moses Case
2722 (2361.1) A Harmed Infant
2723 (2361.2) A Designated Emergency Infant Care (DEIC) Provider
2724 (2362) Investigating Cases Under the Baby Moses Law
2724.1 (2362.1) Legal Provisions
2724.2 (2362.2) Disposition of a Baby Moses Case
2725 (2362.3) When Someone Claims to be a Parent or Relative of the Infant
2730 Prenatal Drug Exposure
2731 (2431) Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2731.1 (2431.1) Findings of Physical Abuse for Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2731.2 (2431.2) Findings of Neglectful Supervision for Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2731.3 (2431.3) Disposition Guidelines for Prenatal Use of Controlled Substances
2732 (2432) Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2732.1 (2432.1) Findings of Physical Abuse for Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2732.2 (2432.2) Findings of Neglectful Supervision for Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2732.3 (2432.3) Disposition Guidelines for Prenatal Use of Alcohol
2733 (2433) Prenatal Exposure to Methadone or Controlled Medications
2734 (2434) Prenatal Use of Alcohol or Controlled Substance: Birth Imminent
2740 (2390) Intake and Investigation Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had an Abortion Without Her Family Knowing
2741 (2391) Exceptions to Confidentiality of Abortion-Related Information
2742 (2392) Definitions Related to Abortion
2743 (2393) Intake Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had an Abortion Without Informing Her Family
2743.1 (2393.1) Statewide Intake Procedures Regarding Abortion-Related Information
2743.2 (2393.2) Regional Action on the Intake
2744 (2394) Abuse/Neglect Investigations Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had an Abortion Without Informing Her Family
2744.1 (2394.1) Reviewing the Intake
2744.2 (2394.2) Interviewing the Minor
2744.3 (2394.3) Authorizations Required for Disclosure
2744.4 (2394.4) Other Investigation Activities
2744.5 (2394.5) Concurrent Judicial Bypass Proceedings
2744.51 (2394.51) Assisting the Minor in Applying for Judicial Bypass
2745 (2395) Removal Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had Abortion Without Her Family Knowing
2750 (2800) Investigations of Personnel and Volunteers in Public and Private Schools
2751 (2810) Overview
2752 (2820) Definitions
2753 (2830) Criteria for Accepting Reports and Conducting School Investigations
2753.1 (2831) Reports Accepted for Investigation
2753.2 (2832) Reports Not Accepted for Investigation
2754 (2840) Conducting the School Investigation
2754.1 (2841) Notification to School Principal
2754.2 (2842) Basic Steps and Time Frames
2754.3 (2843) Conducting Interviews or Examinations
2755 (2850) Dispositions in School Investigations
2756 (2860) Notification of Findings in School Investigations
2756.1 (2861) Public School Investigations
2756.2 (2862) Private School Investigations
2756.3 (2863) Other Notifications
2757 (2870) Documenting the School Investigation
2790 (2370) Other Investigation Requests
2791 (2371) Casework-Related Special Requests
2791.1 (2371.1) Reclassifying a Casework-Related Special Request as an Intake
2792 (2372) Special Requests (Administrative)
2793 (2380) Out-of-State Incident and Perpetrators
2794 (2320) Investigation of Lack of Medical Care Because of Religious Beliefs
2795 (2148) When a Child is Abandoned in a DADS Facility
2796 (2330) Investigations Involving Children Who Have Special Health Care Needs
2797 (2340) Investigating Reports That Involve Disabled People
2798 (2350) Investigating Reports of Abuse or Neglect on Military Bases
2799 (2373) When a Custody Order or Abduction Suit Involves a Foreign Country
2800 Documentation, Approving Notification and Internal Due Process Requirements of an Investigation
2810 (2280) Documenting the Investigation and Assessments
2811 (2281) Documenting in the IMPACT System
2812 (2281.1) Completing the Maintain Person Task
2812.1 (2281.11) Person Identifying and Locating Information
2812.2 (2281.12) When a Person Has Died
2812.3 (2281.13) Personal Identifiers (Social Security Number, Driver’s License Number)
2812.4 (2281.14) Person Race and Ethnicity
2812.5 (2281.15) Person Language
2812.6 (2281.16) Person Characteristics
2812.7 (2281.17) Person Search and Person Merge, and Case Merge
2812.8 (2281.18) Add, Relate, or Delete Persons in the Investigation Stage of IMPACT
2812.9 (2281.19) Change Principal to Collateral
2813 (2281.2) Completing the Maintain Allegation Task
2814 (2281.3) Completing the Contacts Task
2814.1 (2281.31) Documenting Contacts Within 24 Hours
2814.2 (2281.32) Documenting the Contact That Initiates the Investigation
2814.3 (2281.33) Documenting All Other Investigation Contacts
2815 (2281.7) Completion and Documentation of Investigation Tasks
2815.1 (2281.4) Completing the Safety Assessment and Risk Assessment Tasks
2815.2 (2281.5) Completing the Services and Referrals Checklist Task
2815.3 (2281.6) Completing the Investigation Conclusion Task
2815.4 (2281.61) Completing the EA Eligibility Section
2815.41 (2281.62) Consistency Check Between the First EA Question and the Risk Finding or Safety Plan
2815.5 (2281.71) External Documentation Task
2815.6 (2281.72) Medical/Mental Assessment Task
2815.7 (2281.73) Service Authorization Task
2815.8 (2281.74) Conservatorship Removal Task
2815.9 (2281.8) Establish Relationships in Family Tree in the Investigation Stage
2816 (2282) External Documentation Required: Forms, Letters, Documents, and Photos
2816.1 (2282.1) The Worker’s Original Case Notes
2817 (2283) Children Who Have Been Previously Adopted
2817.1 (2283.1) Documenting Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Information About the Birth Family In a Subsequent Investigation
2817.2 (2283.2) Documenting Child Placement Characteristics of “Previously Adopted”
2817.3 (2283.3) Documenting Child Placement Characteristics in Dissolved Intercountry Adoptions
2820 Approvals
2821 (2284) Approving the Investigation
2822 (2284.1) Investigations That Require a Secondary Approver Before Being Closed
2830 (2285) Documenting Notification of Findings
2831 (2285.1) Accessing and Documenting Notification of Findings Letters
2832 (2285.2) Documenting Exceptions to Providing Notification of Investigation Finds Letters
2840 (2273) Notification About Investigation Results
2841 (2273.1) Notification of Investigation Findings to a Parent, Guardian, or Substitute Parent
2841.1 (2273.11) Notification of Investigation Findings to Parents or Guardians
2841.2 (2273.12) Parent or Guardian Is a Perpetrator
2841.3 (2273.13) Notification of Investigation Findings to a Substitute Parent
2842 (2273.2) Notification of Investigation Findings to Alleged Perpetrators
2842.1 (2273.21) Adult Alleged Perpetrators Who Are Not Parents, Guardians, or Substitute Parents
2842.2 (2273.22) Alleged Perpetrators Who Are Minors and Are Not Parents
2842.3 (2273.23) Any Designated Perpetrator or Ruled Out Perpetrator
2842.4 (2273.24) School Investigations
2842.5 (2273.3) Notification of Investigation Findings to Alleged Victims
2842.6 (2273.4) Notification of Investigation Findings to Reporters
2842.61 (2273.41) Reporter Lives with a Member of the Family or Household That Was Reported
2843 (2273.5) Time Frames for Providing Notification of Investigation Findings
2844 (2273.6) Special Requirements for Notification of Investigation Findings
2844.1 (2273.61) Exceptions to Providing Notification of Investigation Findings or to Time Frame
2844.2 (2273.62) Investigations Involving Children in CPS Conservatorship
2844.3 (2273.63) Releasing Investigation Findings
2844.4 (2273.64) Optional Provision of Investigation Findings to Parents of Non-Victims
2845 (2274) Removal of Alleged Perpetrator Role Information
2850 (2292) Administrative Review of Investigation Findings
2851 (2292.1) Determination and Notice of Eligibility
2851.1 (2292.11) Initial Determination of Eligibility
2851.2 (2292.12) Notice of Initial Eligibility Determination
2852 (2292.2) Conditions Allowing a Delay of the ARIF
2852.1 (2292.21) Notice of Delay of ARIF
2852.2 (2292.22) Eligibility Determination and Notice After an ARIF Has Been Delayed
2853 (2292.3) Conducting the ARIF
2853.1 (2292.31) Notification of the Time, Place, and Conduct of the ARIF
2853.2 (2292.32) ARIF Proceedings
2854 (2292.4) Final Written Decision of ARIF
2855 (2292.5) Documentation of the ARIF Decision and Change of Allegations in IMPACT
2855.1 (2292.51) Documentation and Changing Allegations in the ARIF Stage
2855.2 (2292.52) Documentation in a Closed-Stage Addendum Contact
2855.3 (2292.53) Changing Allegations Through Database Correction
2855.4 (2292.54) Changing the Type of Abuse or Neglect in a Confirmed Allegation
2855.5 (2292.55) Changing the Severity of a Confirmed Allegation to or From “Fatal”
2856 (2292.6) Notification of Results of the ARIF
2856.1 (2292.61) Notification of Written Decision to Requester
2856.2 (2292.62) Notification of Written Decision to Parent--Guardian and Reporter
2856.3 (2292.63) Accessing, Processing, and Filing Notification Letters
2857 (2292.7) ARIF During the Release-Hearing Process
2860 (2294) Reviews by the Office of Consumer Affairs
2861 (2294.1) Overview of the Review Process
2862 (2294.2) Regional Responsibilities
2870 (2293) Release Hearings
2871 (2293.1) Definitions Related to Release Hearings
2872 (2293.2) Release on a Non-Emergency or an Emergency Basis
2872.1 (2293.21) Non-Emergency Release
2872.2 (2293.22) Emergency Release
2873 (2293.3) Providing Notice to Designated Perpetrators of DFPS’s Decision to Release the Findings
2873.1 (2293.31) Notice Templates
2873.2 (2293.32) Certified Mail
2873.3 (2293.33) What the Notice Must Include
2874 (2293.4) Designated Perpetrator Does Not Request a Release Hearing
2874.1 (2293.41) Notifications
2875 (2293.5) Preparing for and Scheduling Release Hearings
2875.1 (2293.51) When DFPS May Schedule a Release Hearing
2875.2 (2293.52) After a Designated Perpetrator Requests a Release Hearing
2876 (2293.6) Release Hearing Conduct and Decisions
2876.1 (2293.61) Decisions
2876.2 (2293.62) Timing of Sending Notice Letters and Updating IMPACT
2876.3 (2293.63) Appeal of the Decision
2876.4 (2293.64) Notification of Court Decisions
2876.5 (2293.65) Regional Actions if Finding Is Sustained (Upheld)
2876.6 (2293.66) Regional Actions if Finding Is Reversed or Altered
2877 (2293.7) Designated Perpetrator Does Not Appear at the Release Hearing
APPENDIX
Appendix 2000 (Appendix 2000) Flexible Response System of Service Delivery
Appendix 2140 (Appendix 2131) Guidelines for Decision Making at Intake
Appendix 2251 (Appendix 2223) Time Frames for Investigations
Appendix 2310 (Appendix 2234): Structure of the Risk Assessment Tool
Appendix 2325 (Appendix 2234.3): Concluding Whether a Child is ‘At Risk’ and Associated Risk Findings
Appendix 2337.1 (Appendix 2262): Confidentiality of School Records
Appendix 2411 (Appendix 2224-B): Dispositions and Risk Findings Appropriate to the Types of Investigations
Appendix 2414 (Appendix 2224-A): “Seriousness” Indicators for Thorough Investigations
Appendix 2433 (Appendix 2234.43): Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
Appendix 2471 (Appendix 2271): Disposition Categories In Use Before April 1, 1999
Appendix 2472.1-A (Appendix 2271-B): Determining Overall Disposition and Overall Role
Appendix 2472.1-B (Appendix 2272-A): Definitions of Roles
Appendix 2472.1-C (Appendix 2272-B): Examples in Which the Overall Role Will Be “Unknown (Unable to Determine)”
Appendix 2813-A (Appendix 2284.12-A): Adding, Deleting, and Changing Allegations in the Investigation Stage
Appendix 2813-B (Appendix 2284.12-B): Correcting Information in Intake Allegations
Appendix 2813-C (Appendix 2284.12-C): Alleged Perpetrator Incorrectly Named in Intake Allegation (Case Scenario)
Appendix 2813-D (Appendix 2284.12-D): No Alleged Perpetrator Named in Intake Allegation (Case Scenario)
Appendix 2813-E (Appendix 2284.12-E): Child Under Age 10 Incorrectly Named as Alleged Perpetrator in Intake Allegation (Case Scenario)
Appendix 2813-F (Appendix 2284.12-F): Incorrect Type of Abuse or Neglect Alleged in Intake Allegation
Appendix 2815.1 (Appendix 2284.14): Criteria for Full and Shortened Documentation in the Structured
Appendix 2840 (Appendix 2273): Persons to be Notified at the End of the Investigation
Appendix 2871 (Appendix 2293.1): Additional Procedures for Release to Licensing Boards
Appendix 2872 (Appendix 2293.2): When to Use Templates for Release Hearing Notice Letters
Deleted Items
The items below have been deleted. See:
2100 The Intake Process for Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2120 Requirements for Reporting Abuse or Neglect
2130 The Process for Reporting Abuse or Neglect to the DFPS Statewide Intake Division (SWI)
2220 General Provisions for Investigations
2221 Assignment and Required Completion of Investigations
2230 Conducting the Investigation
2236.12 Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) Stage
2236.13 Conservatorship (CVS) Stage
2245.4 Address Confidentiality Program of the Office of the Attorney General (ACP-OAG)
2260 Other Investigation Activities
2261 Notice of Report: Allegations, Interviews and Examinations
2290 Reviews and Hearings
2700 Intake and Investigation in Facilities Under the Authority of Other State Agencies
Appendix 2620-A: Types of Reports Involving Foster and Adoptive Homes
Cross-References in CPS
Cross-references to the sections being moved were updated throughout the handbook. See:
1121 Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)
1124 Definition of Stages of Service
1226 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (P.L. 93-247)
1411 Types of Cases
1432.1 Establishing Relationships Using Family Tree in IMPACT
1463.1 Unit Staff Responsibilities
1463.2 Items Retained in the Paper Case File
1464 Administrative Closure of Cases
1473 Retaining Records for Cases That Are Closed After Investigation
1474.1 Retaining Records When the Intake Report Is Closed and the Case Is Not Assigned for Investigation
1474.2 Retaining Records When the Investigation Is Closed Administratively Without a Service Authorization
1474.4 Retaining Records for Casework-Related Special Requests
1811.1 Persons/Entities on Whom Criminal Records Checks Can be Made
1922.1 Determining Eligibility for Substance Abuse Testing Conducted by a Contracted Laboratory
1952.1 Safety Plan for a Substance-Exposed Newborn
3114 Constitutional Requirements for Family-Based Safety Services and Family Reunification Cases
3212 The Necessity of Making Face-to-Face Contact During an FBSS Transfer
3221 Constitutional Requirements for an FBSS Family Assessment
3223 Steps for Conducting a Family Assessment
3231 Deciding Whether to Transfer a Case
3233 Documenting the FPR Service Stage Type or Closing a Case Without Offering Services
3315 The Goal of Family Preservation
3331 Immediate or Short-Term Protection During an FBSS Case
3332 Parental Child Safety Placement
3333 Determining Whether to Seek a Court Order or Removal Before or During an FBSS Case
3341 Applying Family Group Conferences to an FBSS Case
3341.2 Criteria for an Optional Family Group Conference
3342 Applying Family Team Meetings to an FBSS Case
3412.2 Developing Goals, Tasks, and Services for a Family Service Plan
3421 Referral to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services
3422 Working With Children in FBSS Who Have Special Health Care Needs
3510 Purpose of FRS
3545 Holding a Removal Staffing for an IE-FRS Case
3591 Avoiding Removal After Reunification
3592 Identifying Court Protocols Before Removing a Child After Reunification
3640 When a Child Dies During an Open FBSS Case
3650 HSEGH Information for Previously Adopted Children
3660 Family-Based Safety Services Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had Abortion Without Her Family Knowing
3720 Closing an FBSS Case
3722 Closing an FBSS Case When a Child Is Still in a Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)
3723 Closing an FBSS Case for Administrative Reasons
3731 Removing a Child From the Home
4110 The Placement Process for Initial and Subsequent Placements
4134.1 Selecting a Subsequent Caregiver
4213 Residential Group-Care Facilities
4215 Emergency Shelters
4521 Identifying Potential Relative or Fictive Kin Caregivers
4521.2 Identifying Additional Relatives and Kin
4526 Complete a Risk Assessment and a Written Home Assessment of the Kinship Caregiver
5100 Overview of Court-Related Services
5110 Safeguarding the Legal Rights of Parents and Children
5123 Entering a Change in Legal Status or Legal Action Into IMPACT
5210 Protective Court Orders
5211 Ex Parte Temporary Protective Orders
5214 Court-Ordered Participation in CPS Services
5221 Types of Involuntary Removal of a Child
5231 When to Provide Written Notice About Removing a Child
5513 Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
6110 Before Removing a Child and Placing the Child in Substitute Care
6121.1 Creating FSU and SUB Stages in IMPACT
6123 Locating Relatives and Providing Notice of Removal
6123.1 When Relatives Have Been Contacted and Have Responded
6124.1 Substitute Care Services to the Parents
6124.2 Substitute Care Services to the Child
6124.3 Substitute Care Services to the Caregiver
6124.4 Substitute Care Services to Grandparents or Other Relatives
6273 Permanency Planning Meetings
6311 Contact With the Child
6413 When a Child Is Returned
6414.1 When to Complete a Family Plan of Service and Safety Plan
6511 Notifying DFPS Staff When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6931 Issues to Consider When Selecting an Adoptive Home
6951.2 Contact with the Child and Adoptive Family
8235.11 Definitions
8235.2 General Protective Child Day Care
8235.21 Determining Eligibility
8513 Medical, Dental, or Sexual Abuse Examinations
8513.1 Funding Examinations
9312 Requesting Placement With a Parent or Relative Outside of Texas
9411.2 Progressing the ICPC Intake to a SUB or ADO stage
11411 Referring a Child to Medical Professionals and Health-Related Community Services
11412 Working With Children in DFPS Conservatorship Who Have Special Health Care Needs
11751 When a Youth Is Pregnant
15111 School Readiness Programs
Appendix 1121: Documentation Requirements for Models of Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)
Appendix 3414: Americans With Disabilities Act Reasonable Accommodations in Service Planning
Appendix 6273.1: Roles and Responsibilities of Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM) Staff
Appendix 6437.31: Roles and Responsibilities of Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM) Staff