Handbook Revision, September 1, 2017
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on September 1, 2017.
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.
Home and Community Based Services (PATS 10172)
Expanding policy on Home and Community Based Services and adding to 4000 Placing Children in DFPS Conservatorship. Clarifying caseworker tasks.
Renumbering surrounding sections. See:
4115 Prohibited Considerations Based on Race, Color, or National Origin
4116 Additional Requirements Based on Specific Placement Type
4117 4114.7 Specific Placement Considerations for Children Who Have Primary Medical Needs
The following two headings are not new content, but were previously unnumbered subheadings:
4117.1 Placement Considerations for Primary Medical Needs Children
4117.2 Required Meetings
4118 4114.8 Additional Actions for Placing Children with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
The following heading is not new content, but was previously an unnumbered subheading:
4118.1 Assessing the Need for Facility Placement
4118.2 Home and Community-Based Services (HCS)
The following four headings are not new content, but were previously unnumbered subheadings:
4118.3 Obtaining CPS Associate Commissioner Approval to Place a Child in a Facility
4118.4 Emergency Placement Approval Process
4118.5 Requirement to Continue Seeking Less Restrictive Setting
4118.6 Additional Requirements for Specific Facilities
4119 4117 Get Approvals Within the Required Time Frame
Transfer of Alternative Response to Investigations (PATS 10177)
Adding the following policy to the CPS Handbook:
• 2210 General Provisions—action to take when discovering that an alleged victim in an investigation in Texas is in the legal custody of another state.
• 2600 Alternative Response—same as 2210.
• 2622.4 Initial Face-to-Face Contact—adding that, when transferring AR to INV, caseworker must complete FTF contact with all alleged victims no later than 5 days from date of stage progression.
• 2635 Stage Progress to Investigation Within 24 Hours—adding that, upon deciding to transfer AR to INV, caseworker must immediately begin INV activities and stage progress to INV within 24 hours.
See:
2210 General Provisions
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2600 Alternative Response
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2622.2 Unable to Make Contact
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2622.4 Initial Face-to-Face Contact
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2630 Stage Progressing an AR Case to Traditional Investigation
2631 When a Case Must be Progressed to Investigations
2632 When a Case May be Progressed to Investigations
2633 Legal Orders to Participate in Services
2634 Parent or Caregiver Request for Reassignment
2635 Stage Progress to Investigation Within 24 Hours
Referral to Kinship Development Worker (PATS 10237)
This revision changes the timeframe for making a referral to the kinship development worker. The caseworker must make the referral within two business days, rather than seven calendar days. This brings policy in alignment with requirements stated in 6642 Services and Contact with the Kinship Caregiver. See:
4141 Make a Referral to the Kinship Development Worker
Addition of Intense Plus Service Level (PATS 10352)
This revision adds a new service level called Intense Plus to the Texas service levels system. This is a result of new items in the General Appropriations Act of the 85th Texas Legislature.
4411.2 Moderate, Specialized, Intense, or Intense Plus Service Levels
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4420 Caseworker Responsibility for Timely Determinations
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4432 Requesting a BSL That Is Higher Than the ASL
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Appendix 4320: DFPS Guidelines for Service Authorizations
Title IV-E Foster Care Eligibility (PATS 10242)
The items below are revised to update the foster care eligibility-related policy to be in line with current practice and to provide clarifications regarding Title IV-E eligibility.
See:
1510 Foster Care Assistance Maintenance Resources
1511 Foster Care Assistance and Review Policies
1511 1511.1 Applying for Foster Care Assistance
1512 1511.2 Determining Eligibility
1511.3 Review of Eligibility
1512.1 1511.4 Consistency with Income and Resources Information
1512.2 1511.5 Unknown Family Income on the Foster Care Assistance Application
1512.3 1511.6 Zero Family Income on the Foster Care Assistance Application
1513 Data Broker
1514 Annual Review of Eligibility
1515 1514 Notifications to SSA and Use of the Wire Third Party Query System
1516 1515 Foster Care Financial Eligibility Case Record
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1532.1 Judicial Determinations
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Appendix 1515: Foster Care Financial Eligibility Case Record
Appendix 1530 F: Categorical Requirements for AFDC
Appendix 1530-H: Data Broker Verification Procedures