Handbook Revision, May 1, 2019
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on May 1, 2019.
On September 1, 2017, the investigations branch of CPS became a separate division named Child Protective Investigations (CPI). Until CPI develops its own policy handbook, investigation policies and procedures will remain in the CPS handbook.
See:
Child Protective Services Revision
Child Protective Investigations Revision
CPS wants to make sure that the 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 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 about specific cases, please contact the caseworker or supervisor, or the Office of Consumer Relations at 1-800-720-7777.
Child Protective Services Revision
FBSS Risk Reassessment Policy (PATS 11298)
Family Plan of Service, Family Strengths Needs Assessment (PATS 11327)
Child’s Plan of Service (PATS 11377)
Child Protective Investigations Revision
Making a Referral to the Forensic Assessment Center Network (FACN) (PATS 11647)
FBSS Risk Reassessment Policy (PATS 11298)
This new policy describes the use of the Risk Reassessment tool in IMPACT. The policy addresses the purpose of this tool, time frames for completion, exceptions, scoring, overrides, recommended actions, and planned actions.
See:
2513 Risk Reassessment
2514 2513 Reasonable Effort to Engage Parents
2515 2514 CPS Actions When Danger to a Child is Present
2516 2515 CPS Actions When a Child or Principal Cannot Be Located
2517 2516 Uncooperative Principal in an FBSS Case
2518 2517 Transferring Stages between Counties
2519 2518 Documentation and Same Day Contact Entry
2519.1 2518.1 Same Day Contact Entry
2519.2 2518.2 Case Activities Requiring 24 Hour Documentation
2519.3 2518.3 All Other Documentation
Family Plan of Service, Family Strengths Needs Assessment (PATS 11327)
This policy revision adds more requirements for the Family Plan of Service (FPOS) and Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA). The supervisor must approve the FSNA before completing the FPOS.
See:
6242 The Family Plan of Service (FPOS)
6242.1 Family Plan of Service Types
6242.11 Initial Family Plan of Service
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6242.13 Family Reunification (FRE) Family Plan of Service
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6242.4 Developing the Family Plan of Service
6242.41 Time Frames for Developing and Approving the Family Plan of Service
6242.41 6242.42 Family Participation in Developing the Family Plan of Service
6242.42 6242.43 Refusal to Cooperate
6242.5 Content of the Family Plan of Service
6242.6 Documenting and Approving the Family Plan of Service
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6242.8 Updating the Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
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6330 The Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
Child’s Plan of Service (PATS 11377)
This policy revision improves documentation of the Child’s Plan of Service (CPOS) by adding new policy, including the following:
• The initial CPOS is completed by the 45th day after the date DFPS removes the child from the home.
• Parents’ attorneys are invited to participate in permanency planning meetings and in reviews of the child’s or youth’s CPOS when a child or youth is in substitute care.
See:
6210 Overview of Case Planning
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6241 The Child’s Plan of Service (CPOS)
6241.1 Basic Description and Content of the Child’s Service Plan of Service
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6241.21 Initial Child’s Plan of Service and Single Case Plan Meeting
6241.22 Child Plan Review of Child’s Plan of Service
6241.23 Facility’s Review Meetings to Plan Services
6241.24 Adoption Plan
6241.25 CPOS with PAL Assessment Person Characteristics in IMPACT
6241.3 Participating in Development of the Child’s Plan of Service Plan
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6241.4 Documenting and Approving the Child’s Plan of Service
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6251 Overview of Permanency Planning Meetings
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6252 Permanency Planning Meetings for Youth 14 and Over Older
6252.1 Reviewing and Documenting a Youth’s Transition Plan Plans for Transitioning to Successful Adulthood
6252.2 Documenting a Transition Plan
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6311 Participation of Parents’ Attorneys When a Child Is in Substitute Care
Making a Referral to the Forensic Assessment Center Network (FACN) (PATS 11647)
The item below is updated to state that if the medical professional who conducted the examination on the child is a certified child abuse or neglect professional, a second opinion is not needed from FACN.
See:
2137 Making a Referral to the Forensic Assessment Center Network