Child Protective Services
Handbook Revision, November 15, 2015
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on November 15, 2015.
CPS wants to ensure that the general public understands what critical actions caseworkers are required to perform and why. To further this understanding, CPS has set up a policy e-mail box for the general public: CPSPolicyQuestions@dfps.texas.gov. Please feel free to contact us, via this email address, with any general questions related to policy.
For questions or concerns regarding specific cases, please contact the caseworker or supervisor, or the Office of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-720-7777.
Child Safety Check Alert List (CSCAL) (PATS 8592)
Notifications of Significant Events (PATS 8682)
Child Safety Check Alert List (CSCAL) (PATS 8592)
The items below are added to reflect changes resulting from HB 2053 (Colton’s Law), passed during the 84th regular session of the Texas Legislature in 2015. See:
3100 Actions to Take When a Child Who is With His or Her Family or Principal Cannot Be Located
3110 Conducting a Search for a Child
3111 Preliminary Search
3112 Priority 1 Investigation Cases
3113 The Twenty Day Search
3120 After a Family is Placed on CSCAL
3121 CPS Locates a Child on CSCAL
3122 Law Enforcement Locates a Child or Family on CSCAL
3123 Child or Family on CSCAL is Not Located
3130 When a Child is Safe, but a Principal Cannot Be Located
Notifications of Significant Events (PATS 8682)
This revision updates policy for notifying relevant parties of significant events that occur for a child in DFPS conservatorship. See:
5231.4 Communicating With the Child’s Attorney Ad Litem, Guardian Ad Litem Giving Notice of Hearings, Meetings, and Events That Involve the Child
5231.41 Time Frames for Sharing Event Information With the Child’s Attorney Ad Litem and Guardian Ad Litem
**********************************
6280 Notifications
6281 Who to Notify
6282 Notification Requirements and Schedule
6283 Exceptions
***********************************
6314 When a Child or Youth is Missing from Care
6314.1 Minor Child Missing from Foster Care Placement
6314.2 When a Missing Child Returns to Care
***********************************
6510 When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6511 Immediate Actions Notifying DFPS Staff When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6512 Notifying Persons Outside of DFPS When a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
***********************************
11152 Notifying Parents About Psychotropic Prescriptions and Significant Medical Conditions
11153 Notifying Parents About the Use of Psychotropic Medications
***********************************
11330 Psychotropic Medications