Child Protective Services
Handbook Revision, January 2013
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on January 1, 2013. Summaries of new or revised items are provided below.
International Custody Disputes
CPS Overhaul – Respect for Religious Practices
Notification to State Office of HIV Infection of Child
CPS Overhaul – Investigations Policy
Child Under the Age of 11 With an STD
Reorganization of CPS Handbook Section 3000
International Custody Disputes (PATS 5257)
The items below are added to explain how to handle cases that involve international disputes over the custody of a child.
CPS staff were informed about this policy on November 5, 2012, with the issuance of PSA 13-010.
See:
2373 When a Custody Order or Abduction Suit Involves a Foreign Country
6530 Placements Relating to a Foreign Custody Order or an Abduction Suit Filed Under the Hague Convention
CPS Overhaul – Respect for Religious Practices (PATS 5657)
The item below is updated as part of the CPS Overhaul. See:
6315.4 Respect for Religious Practices
Notification to State Office of HIV Infection of Child (PATS 5837)
The item below is revised to document that it is not required to notify state office when a child tests positive for HIV. See:
11521.2 Notification About a Child’s HIV Status
CPS Overhaul – Investigations Policy (PATS 5777)
The items below are updated as part of the CPS overhaul. See:
2300 Special Intake and Investigative Activities
2310 When a Child Dies
2311 Notification When a Child Dies
2311.1 Law Enforcement
2311.2 Medical Examiner or Justice of the Peace
2320 Investigation of Lack of Medical Care Because of Religious Beliefs
2340 Investigating Reports That Involve Persons with a Disability
Child Under the Age of 11 With an STD (PATS 5787)
The items below are revised to provide detailed steps a caseworker must take when a child under the age of 11 tests positive for an STD. CPS staff were informed of this policy with the issuance of PSA 12-075 on 4/16/2012. See:
2600 Removing a Child From the Home
2610 Overview of Removing a Child From the Home
2620 Evaluate the Need for Removal
2621 Removal of Certain Children with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
2621.1 Guiding Principles
2621.2 Required Actions for Children Under 11 Who Have Sexually Transmitted Diseases
2621.3 Required STD Testing for the Perpetrator
Reorganization of CPS Handbook Section 3000 (PATS 5332)
Section 3000 has been reorganized. Some items have been revised to accommodate this reorganization. The revision dates of these items will reflect the new publication date.
Handbook items that have been moved in their entirety with no changes other than the item numbers retain the revision dates showing the last time the policy was revised.
Items Renumbered in Section 3000
3100 Overview
3110 Philosophy, Goals, and Objectives
3111 The Role of the FBSS Caseworker
3112 (3112) The Role of the FBSS Supervisor
3113 (3113) Purpose and Criteria for Providing FBSS
3114 (3115) Constitutional Requirements for Family-Based Safety Services and Family Reunification Cases
3120 (3114) Types of Family-Based Safety Services
3121 (3310, 3311) Regular Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
3122 (3320, 3321) Moderate Family-Based Safety Services (M-FBSS)
3123 (3330, 3331) Intensive Family-Based Safety Services (I-FBSS)
3124 (3145.45) Identifying the Correct IMPACT Stage and Stage Type
3130 (3312.1) Criteria for FBSS Cases
3131 (3312.2) Cases That May Not Need FBSS
3132 (3312.4) Assigning Moderate or Intensive FBSS
3140 Determining Caseload Size
3141 (3313.1) Determining Caseload Size for Regular FBSS
3142 (3323.1) Determining Caseload Size for Moderate FBSS
3143 (3333.1) Determining Caseload Size for Intensive FBSS
3200 (3120) Transferring a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3210 (3121) Referring a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3211 (3122.3) The Investigator’s Role in an FBSS Family Assessment
3212 (3124.1) The Necessity of Making Face-to-Face Contact During an FBSS Transfer
3220 (3122) Conducting the FBSS Family Assessment
3221 (3122.1) Constitutional Requirements for an FBSS Family Assessment
3222 (3122.2) Scope and Purpose of an FBSS Family Assessment
3223 (3122.4) Steps for Conducting a Family Assessment
3230 (3123) Conducting the FBSS Staffing
3231 (3123.1) Deciding Whether to Transfer a Case
3232 (3145.1) Documenting the Transfer of a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3233 (3145.2) Documenting the FPR Service Stage Type or Closing a Case Without Offering Services
3300 The Casework Process
3310 (3301) Permanency Planning in Family-Based Safety Services
3311 (3301.1) Permanency Planning
3312 (3301.11) Definition and State Policy
3313 (3301.12) The Permanency Planning Process
3314 (3301.2) The Permanency Plan in Family-Based Safety Services
3315 (3301.21) The Goal of Family Preservation
3316 (3301.22) Steps for Achieving the Permanency Goal
3317 (3301.23) Discussion of Efforts Made to Achieve the Permanency Goal
3320 Face-to-Face Contacts in an FBSS Case
3321 (3314) Initial Face-to-Face Contact Following Stage Progression
3321.1 (3131) When to Make Initial Face-to-Face Contact in an FBSS Case
3322 (3313.2) Frequency of Face-to-Face Contacts
3323 (3333.2) Preparing for Face-to-Face Contact
3324 (originally part of 3333.2) Making Face-to-Face Contact
3324.1 (Appendix 3111)Activities and Assessment During the Face-to-Face Contact
3324.2 (3313.3) Meeting Federal Requirements
3325 (Appendix 3111) When the Assigned Caseworker Changes
3326 (3313.4) When Face-to-Face Contact Is Made By Another Worker
3327 (3132) Notifying a Supervisor When Unable to Meet the Time Frames for Face-to-Face Contact
3328 (3323.3) Changing the Frequency of Contact
3329 (3145.4) Documenting Contacts and Visits
3329.1 (3145.41) Documenting Critical Contacts
3329.2 (3145.42) Documenting Noncritical Contacts
3329.3 (3145.43) Timeframes for Documenting FBSS Contacts
3329.4 (3145.44) Recording Narratives Under the Monthly Evaluation
3330 Addressing Child Safety in FBSS
3331 (3171) Immediate or Short-Term Protection During an FBSS Case
3332 (3172) Parental Child Safety Placement
3333 (3312.3) Determining Whether to Seek a Court Order or Removal Before or During an FBSS Case
3340 (3141) Family Group Decision Making – Applying FGDM to an FBSS Case
3341 (3141.1) Applying Family Group Conferences to an FBSS Case
3341.1 (3141.11) Criteria for a Required Family Group Conference
3341.2 (3141.12) Criteria for an Optional Family Group Conference
3341.3 (3141.13) Documenting a Family Group Conference
3342 (3141.2) Applying Family Team Meetings to an FBSS Case
3400 (3140) Working With Families to Develop an FBSS Plan
3410 (3161) Purposes of the Family Service Plan
3411 (3162) Timeframes for the Initial Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case
3412 (3143) Developing the Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case
3412.1 (3143.1) Holding an Initial Discussion About the Family Service Plan
3412.2 (3143.2) Developing Goals, Tasks, and Services for a Family Service Plan
3413 (3164) Required Content of the Family Service Plan
3414 (3177) Reasonable Accommodations and Modification of Services
3415 (3165) Parental Involvement in Service Planning – Ensuring the Involvement of Fathers
3416 (3145.3) Documenting the Family Service Plan
3417 (3166) Supervisory Approval and Completion of Family Service Plans
3418 (3163) Reviewing and Updating the Family Service Plan
3419 (3167) Compliance With Family Service Plans
3420 Meeting Children's Specific Needs in the Family Service Plan
3421 (3179) Referral to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services
3422 (3336) Working With Children in FBSS Who Have Special Health Care Needs
3430 (3200) Purchased Services for Families Receiving Family-Based Safety Services
3431 (3210) Overview
3432 (3220) Services Purchased
3433 (3230) Authorizing Services
3434 (3240) Concrete Services
3434.1 (3241) Definition and Goals of Concrete Services
3434.2 (3242) Eligibility for Concrete Services
3434.3 (Appendix 3177-A) Eligible Goods and Services to Purchase With Concrete Services
3434.4 (3243) Documenting and Authorizing Concrete Services
3434.5 (3244) Reviewing and Approving a Request for Concrete Services
3460 The Family Tree in FBSS
3461 (3168) Time Frames for Establishing and Updating Relationships in Family Tree
3462 (3145.6) Documenting the Family Tree
3470 (3144) Reviewing an FBSS Case
3471 (3144.1) The Frequency for Reviewing an FBSS Case
3472 (3144.2) Strategies for Reviewing an FBSS Case
3472.1 (3144.21) Using Family Group Conferences to Review an FBSS Case
3472.2 (3144.22) Using Case Staffings to Review an FBSS Case
3473 (3315) Case Staffings for FBSS Cases
3473.1 (3315) Case Staffings for Regular FBSS (R-FBSS)
3473.2 (3325) Case Staffings for Moderate FBSS
3473.3 (3335) Case Staffings for Intensive FBSS
3480 (3145.5) Documenting Supervisor Tasks
3481 (3145.51) Documenting Significant Consultations Between the Supervisor and Worker
3482 (3145.52) Documenting Supervisor Approvals of FBSS Contacts and Evaluations
3500 (3400) Family Reunification Services (FRS)
3510 (3410) Purpose of FRS
3520 (3420) Regular Family Reunification Services (R-FRS)
3521 (3421) The Discharge Planning Meeting and Home Visits
3521.1 (3421.1) Assessing Safety and Reviewing the Family Plan
3521.2 (3421.2) Scheduling a Discharge Planning Meeting
3521.21 (3421.21) The Caseworker’s Duties at a Discharge Planning Meeting
3522 (3422) Case Staffings and Reviews
3523 (3423) Making Face-to-Face Contact
3523.1 (3423.1) Home Visits Before a Child Returns Home
3523.2 (3423.2) Home Visits After a Child Returns Home
3523.3 (3423.3) Making Contact 48-Hours After a Child Returns Home
3524 (3424) Terminating Conservatorship
3525 (3425) Closing the Case
3530 (3430) Moderate In-Home Safety Services in the Reunification Safety Services Stage
3540 (3440) Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3541 (3441) Definition and Objectives of IE-FRS
3542 (3442) Eligibility for IE-FRS
3543 (3443) Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact (IE-FRS)
3543.1 (3443.1) Determining Caseload Size (IE-FRS)
3543.2 (3443.2) Making Face-to-Face Contact (IE-FRS)
3544 (3444) Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Early Reunification Safety Services Assessment
3545 (3445) Holding a Removal Staffing for an IE-FRS Case
3545.1 (3445.1) Holding a Staffing for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.2 (3445.2) Developing the Initial Service Plan for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.3 (3445.3) Conducting Reviews for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.31 (3445.31) Conducting a 60-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.32 (3445.32) Conducting a 90-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.33 (3445.33) Conducting a 120-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3550 (3450) Intensive Family Reunification Services (I-FRS)
3551 (3451) Definition and Objectives of I-FRS
3552 (3452) Eligibility for I-FRS
3553 (3453) Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact (I-FRS)
3553.1 (3453.1) Determining Caseload Size (I-FRS)
3553.2 (3453.2) Making Face-to-Face Contact (I-FRS)
3553.3 (3453.3) Decreasing Contact (I-FRS)
3554 (3454) Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Reunification Safety Services Assessment
3590 (3153) Removing a Child From the Home After Reunification
3591 (3153.1) Avoiding Removal After Reunification
3592 (3153.2) Identifying Court Protocols Before Removing a Child After Reunification
3593 (3153.3) Providing Notification of Removal After Reunification
3594 (3153.4) Reassessing the Reunification Plan After a Child Is Reunited With the Family
3600 (3170) Special Issues
3610 (3173) Children in DFPS Conservatorship Living at Home
3620 (3174) Unmarried, School-Age Parents
3630 New Investigation Referral on an Open Case
3640 (3175) When a Child Dies During an Open FBSS Case
3650 (3176) HSEGH Information for Previously Adopted Children
3660 (3178) Family-Based Safety Services Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had Abortion Without Her Family Knowing
3700 (3150) Closing a Case, Closing a Stage, and Transferring a Case
3720 (3151) Closing an FBSS Case
3721 (3151.1) Closing an FBSS Case Because CPS Services Are No Longer Needed
3722 (3151.2) Closing an FBSS Case When a Child Is Still in a Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)
3723 (3151.3) Closing an FBSS Case for Administrative Reasons
3724 (3151.4) Closing an FBSS Case in IMPACT
3730 (3152) Closing an FBSS Stage When the Case Transfers to Substitute Care
3731 (3152.1) Removing a Child From the Home
3732 (3152.2) Documenting the Removal of a Child From His or Her Home
3733 (3152.3) Providing Substitute-Care Services
3900 (3250) Contracted Family-Based Safety Services
3910 (3251) Overview
3920 (3252) Stages of Service
3930 (3253) Assigning and Monitoring a Contracted Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case
3940 (3254) Closing a Contracted Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case
Appendix 3120 (Appendix 3114): Types of Family-Based Safety Services
Appendix 3412 (Appendix 3144-A): Community Resources
Appendix 3473 (Appendix 3144-B): Guidelines for Case Closure or Legal Intervention
Appendix 3620 (Appendix 3174): Services to Abused or Neglected, Unmarried, School-Age Parents (Practice Suggestions)
Appendix 3414 (Appendix 3213): Americans With Disabilities Act Reasonable Accommodations in Service Planning
Items Deleted From Section 3000
3124 Maintaining Contact With the Family During an FBSS Transfer
3130 Making Initial Face-to-Face Contact in an FBSS Case
3143.3 Completing and Signing the Family Service Plan
3145 Documenting an FBSS Case in IMPACT
3160 The Family Service Plan
3300 In-Home Safety Services (I-HSS)
3312 Eligibility for Regular FBSS
3313 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact
3322 Eligibility for Moderate FBSS
3322.1 Criteria for Moderate FBSS
3322.2 Cases That May Not Be Appropriate for Moderate FBSS
3322.3 Determining Whether to Seek a Court-Order or Removal for Moderate FBSS
3322.4 Assigning Intensive FBSS
3323 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact
3323.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3324 The Moderate Family-Based Safety Services (M-FBSS) Initial Face-to-Face Contact
3332 Eligibility for Intensive FBSS
3332.1 Criteria for Intensive FBSS
3332.2 Cases That May Not Be Appropriate for Intensive FBSS
3332.3 Determining Whether to Seek a Court-Order or Removal for Intensive FBSS
3333 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact
3333.3 Changing the Frequency of Contact
3334 The Intensive Family-Based Safety Services (I-FBSS) Initial Face-to-Face Contact
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
1432.1 Establishing Relationships Using Family Tree in IMPACT
1461 Phase 1: Discontinuing Services
2234.35 Developing a Safety Plan When Transferring to Family-Based Safety Services
2234.35 Developing a Safety Plan When Transferring to Family-Based Safety Services
2234.41 When a Removal Is More Appropriate Than a Parental Child Safety Placemen
2237.11 Circumstances Requiring an FTM Referral
2238.1 Transferring a Case to Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
2238.12 Maintaining Contact With the Family During the Transfer to FBSS
2238.14 Requesting That the Court Order FBSS
2311.4 The Parents and Others When a Child Dies
5214 Court-Ordered Participation in CPS Services
5233 Delivering Written Notice When Removing a Child
5300 Court-Related Services for Children in Conservatorship
6110 Before Removing a Child and Placing the Child in Substitute Care
6212.1 Family Reunification
6251 The Child’s Service Plan
6251.2 Approval and Implementation of the Child's Service Plan
6252.1 Assessing the Family
6252.2 Family Participation in Developing the Family Service Plan
6261 Reviewing the Family Service Plan
6273.1 Family Group Conferences
6412.4 Initiate the Reunification Process
6413 When a Child Is Returned
6413.1 Providing Services After a Child Is Returned
6418.5 Service Planning for the Incarcerated Parent
6490 Discharging Children from Substitute Care
6491 Services Preceding Discharge
6493 Family Reunification
6495 Supervision, Dismissal, Continuation, and Closure
8222 Identifying Available Services
8225 Handling Liaison Duties
8233.3 Referring Clients
9521 Voluntary Interstate Placements With Relative Caregivers
11260 Documenting Medical and Dental Issues in the Case File
Appendix 1121: Documentation Requirements for Models of Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)