Child Protective Services
Handbook Revision, July 2016
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on July 1, 2016.
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.
FAD - Waiving Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents
Parental Child Safety Placements
Child Fatality Protocol Handbook
Time Frame for Reviewing (PATS 9212)
This item is revised to state that CPS staff must review the CPS Rights with a child or youth and the caregiver no later than 72 hours from the date when the child or youth comes into foster care or a placement change is made. (Previously, the time frame was 7 days.) See:
6315 Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care
FAD - Waiving Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents (PATS 9267)
This revision modifies:
• the criteria for waiving the citizenship requirement for adoptive parents; and
• the requirements for requesting a citizenship waiver.
See:
7226.4 Criteria for Waiving the Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents
7226.5 Procedure Requirements for Requesting a Citizenship Waiver of the Citizenship Requirement for Adoptive Parents
Parental Child Safety Placements (PATS 9252)
The items below are revised to clarify how the caseworker and program director must document PCSP decisions, as well as requirements for post-placement staffing at 21, 60, and 90 days. See:
3210 Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)
3211 Evaluating the Child’s Safety Before Placement
3211.1 Assessing and Documenting Placement in a PCSP
3211.2 Criminal History Checks
3211.21 DPS Criminal History Check
3211.22 3211.1 FBI Exigent and Fingerprint Records Checks
3211.23 PCSP Household Member with Criminal History
3211.3 Abuse and Neglect History Checks
3211.31 3211.2 Household Members That Previously Lived Outside of Texas
3211.3 PCSP Household Member with Criminal History
3211.32 3211.4 PCSP Household Member with Abuse or Neglect History
3211.5 Notifying Parent or Guardian of PCSP Approval or Denial
3211.4 3211.6 Collateral Contacts
3211.5 3211.7 Staffing with Regional Attorney
3211.6 New Children Placed into an Existing PCSP
3212 Notifying Parent or Guardian of PCSP Approval or Denial
3213 3212 Program Director Documentation in Approving PCSPs Approval
3213 Documenting a PCSP Placement
3213.1 Voluntary Caregiver Manual
3213.2 New Children Placed into an Existing PCSP
3213.3 Program Director Documentation in Approving or Denying PCSPs
3214 Option to Enter Into Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relative
3214 3215 Required Contacts
3214.1 3215.1 Required Contact with Child and PCSP Caregiver
3214.2 3215.2 Required Parent Contact
3215 Re-evaluating the PCSP
3216 Extending a PCSP Past 60 Days
3216 Extending a PCSP
3217 Ending Closing a PCSP
3218 Closing a Case or Stage When the Child Remains in a PCSP with a Caregiver Who Does Not Have Legal Custody
Child Fatality Protocol Handbook
The resource guide has been updated.