Child Protective Services
Handbook Revision, December 1, 2015
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on December 1, 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.
Families Unable to Obtain Mental Health Services
CPS Medicaid HCS Placements (PATS 8702)
The items below are revised and added to update policy regarding MAO and SSI eligibility for children placed in Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) homes. See:
1575 Placement in Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Homes
1575.1 SSI Coordinator and Foster Care Eligibility Specialist Responsibilities
1575.11 If the Child’s SSI Benefits are Active
1575.12 If the Child’s SSI Benefits are Suspended by SSA
1575.13 If the Child Never Had SSI Benefits or They Were Suspended
1575.2 Medical Assistance Only (MAO) Eligibility in HCS Placements
1576 Child Specific Contract Placements
Families Unable to Obtain Mental Health Services (PATS 8437)
This is a new policy that addresses the process for investigations of abuse or neglect when the child is severely emotionally disturbed and the parent is refusing to allow the child to remain in the home or return home because the parent is unable to obtain mental health services for the child. It addresses the requirements for creating a referral to a residential treatment center (RTC) bed funded by DSHS and how to proceed depending on the results of the referral. See:
2390 Families Who Are Unable to Obtain Mental Health Services for Children with Severe Emotional Disturbance
2391 Assessing the Basis for the Parent’s Refusal to Allow the Child to Remain in or Return to the Child’s Home
2392 Referring the Child for a Residential Treatment Center Bed Funded by DSHS
2392.1 Referral Criteria
2392.2 Providing Crisis Services During the Referral Process
2392.3 Responding to the Referral Process Outcome
2393 If DFPS Removal Appears Necessary
2393.1 Discussing the Option of Joint Temporary Managing Conservatorship
2393.2 Documenting Removal