Handbook Revision, January 3, 2018
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on January 3, 2018.
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 email 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.
PCSP Reevaluation Closure (PATS 9742)
This revision removes the requirement for review and staffing with an attorney to determine whether to seek legal intervention within 60 days of child’s initial placement in PCSP. It also adds that the caseworker must document whether the current PCSP caregiver has filed for legal custody or is unable or unwilling to seek legal custody.
See:
3215 Reevaluating the PCSP
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3218 Closing a Case or Stage When the Child Remains in a PCSP with a Caregiver Who Does Not Have Legal Custody
Safe Sleep (PATS 10467)
The items below are added or revised to add policy on safe sleep practices. Investigators, family-based safety services caseworkers, and conservatorship caseworkers are required to discuss safe sleep practices with parents or caregivers and assess a child’s environment for adherence to safe sleep practices.
See:
2251 Safe Sleep
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2281 Reaching Dispositions for the Allegations and Alleged Perpetrators
Closing a Kinship Home (PATS 10497)
The item below is revised to add that:
• when closing a kinship stage a kinship development worker (KDW) must end the service authorization for the Kinship Reimbursement Payment at the time the placement is ended; and
• during the exit interview, the KDW must explain to a caregiver receiving permanent managing conservatorship (PMC) without permanency care assistance (PCA) that the caregiver must apply for Medicaid benefits so that the child may continue medical coverage.
See:
6670 Closing a Kinship Stage Home
Kinship Reimbursement Payments (PATS 10498)
The items below are revised in compliance with House Bill 4, 85th Regular Legislative Session. Information is added about:
• the Kinship Reimbursement Payment, including eligibility criteria and documentation requirements; and
• the Post-Permanent Managing Conservatorship Annual Reimbursement Payment, including eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.
See:
6650 Financial Assistance Available to a Kinship Caregiver
6651 Explaining the Federal Financial Assistance Available to a Kinship Caregiver
6651.1 When the Caregiver Is Related to the Child
6651.2 When the Caregiver Is the Child’s Grandparent
6652 Explaining the DFPS CPS Financial Assistance Available to a Kinship Caregiver
6652.1 Day Care
6652.2 DFPS CPS Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program
6652.3 Kinship Reimbursement Payment Integration Benefit
6652.31 Eligibility Criteria
6652.32 Payment Deadline
6652.32 6652.33 Documenting in IMPACT
6652.4 Post-Permanent Managing Conservatorship Annual Reimbursement Payment Benefit (Flexible Support Payment)
6652.41 Requesting Reimbursement
6652.41 6652.42 Eligibility Criteria
6652.42 6652.43 Required Documentation
Definition of Near Fatal (PATS 10499)
This revision expands the definition of “Near Fatal” severity. See:
2281.2 Reason to Believe
ICPC Home Study Exceptions (PATS 10522)
The item below is revised to add policy that if an ICPC placement with a non-custodial parent originates in any of the counties in the Fourth Court of Appeals, the caseworker cannot initiate the ICPC home study on a parent, even if requested by the parent, unless ordered to do so by the court after the court has been informed of the ruling in the court case.
This results from a recent legal decision by the Fourth Court of Appeals, and implements instructions previously sent to the regions by State Office.
See:
4513.13 If the Caseworker Has Concerns With the Placement
CPS Records Management (PATS 10542)
This revision removes records management policy from the CPS Handbook because it is now covered in the Records Management Group (RMG) Handbook.
See:
1470 Retention and Disposal of Case Information
1471 Retention of Conservatorship or Foster Care Case Information
1472 Retention of Family Preservation Services Case Records
1473 Retaining Records for Cases That Are Closed After Investigation
1473.1 Retaining Records When Abuse and Neglect Are Ruled Out, No Risk Is Indicated, and No Service is Authorized
1473.2 Retaining Records When Abuse and Neglect Are Ruled Out, No-Risk Is Indicated, and Services Are Authorized
1473.3 Retaining Records When Abuse and Neglect Are Ruled Out and Risk is Indicated
1473.4 Retaining Records When the Disposition Is Reason to Believe, Unable to Determine, or Unable to Complete
1474 Retaining the Records for Cases That Do Not Involve Abuse, Neglect, or Conservatorship
1474.1 Retaining Records When the Intake Report Is Closed and the Case Is Not Assigned for Investigation
1474.2 Retaining Records When the Investigation Is Closed Administratively Without a Service Authorization
1474.3 Retaining Records When the Investigation Is Closed Administratively With a Service Authorization
1474.4 Retaining Records for Casework-Related Special Requests
1475 Retention of Case Records Related to Foster and Adoptive Homes
1475.1 Retention of Foster and Adoptive Case Records
1475.2 Retention of Post-Adoption Services Case Records
1476 Retention of Consummated Adoption Case Records
1477 Destruction of Case Records in Regional Storage
1478 Records Center Storage
1478.1 Retrieval of Records from the Records Center
1478.2 Destruction of Records in the Records Center
1480 Consummated Adoption Records
1481 Procedures for Accessing Consummated Adoption Records within the Central Records
1480 1490 Workload Management System
1481 1491 Case Conference and Supportive Supervision