Handbook Revision, November 1, 2021
These revisions of the Child Protective Services Handbook were published on November 1, 2021.
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 Revisions
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
Child Protective Services Revisions
Adoption Assistance Program (PATS 12952)
This update streamlines the section of policy about the Adoption Assistance program.
See:
1700 Adoption Assistance Program
1710 Description of the Adoption Assistance Program
1710 Adoption Assistance
1711 Eligibility Requirements for Adoption Assistance Eligibility Requirements for Children Adopted Ffrom DFPS Conservatorship
1711.1 General Eligibility Requirements
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1711.3 Eligibility Requirements for Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses Medical Assistance Only (MAO) Medicaid When a Child Has Not Qualified for Adoption Assistance
1711.4 Additional Eligibility Requirements for Monthly Payments and Medicaid Coverage
1711.5 Eligibility Requirements for State-Paid Adoption Assistance
1711.6 Determining Who Is an Applicable Child
1711.7 Eligibility Requirements for Extended Adoption Assistance
1711.8 Permanent Managing Conservatorship When Adoption Assistance Is Not Available (Transferring Permanent Managing Conservatorship)
1712 Eligibility Requirements for Adoption Assistance Eligibility Requirements for Children Adopted Ffrom the Conservatorship of an LCPA
1712.1 Eligibility Requirements
1712.2 Adoption Subsidy Eligibility Case Record for Adoption Assistance
1712.3 International Adoptions
1713 Jurisdiction and Responsibility for Determining Eligibility and Activating Benefits
1713.1 Determining Which Children Are Wwithin DFPS Jurisdiction
1713.2 Determining Which Region Has Region With Responsibility for a Case
1714 Program Notification, Application Process, and Responsibility for Cases
1714.1 Informing Families of the Adoption Assistance Program
1714.2 Application Process Ffor Adoption Assistance
1714.3 Determination of Eligibility
1714.4 Responsibilities of the Eligibility Specialist in Entering Iinto the Initial Adoption Assistance Agreement
1714.5 Commencement of Benefits
1714.6 Ongoing Responsibilities of Adoption Assistance Eligibility Units for the Adoption Assistance Program
1714.7 Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Adoption Expenses of Adoption
1715 Negotiating Negotiation of Adoption Assistance Agreements and Deferred Adoption Assistance Agreements
1715.1 Responsibilities of Negotiators for Initial Adoption Assistance Agreement
1715.2 Ongoing Responsibilities of Negotiators
1715.3 Considerations Dduring Negotiations
1715.4 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments and Adoption Assistance Payments
1715.5 Determining the Payment Ceiling for Adoption Assistance Payment Ceiling
1715.6 Education Requirements
1716 Deferred Adoption Assistance Agreements
1717 Changes in Circumstances and Periodic Certification of Continued Eligibility
1717.1 Recertification of Eligibility
1717.2 Adoptive Parents Die or Their Parental Rights Are Terminated
1718 Benefits: Termination and Resumption Termination of Adoption Assistance and Recoupment of Overpayments
1718.1 Termination of Adoption Assistance Benefits
1718.2 Recouping an Recoupment of Overpayments of Adoption Assistance
1718.21 Standard Cases – Recouping an Adoption Subsidy Assistance Payment in 30 Days
1718.22 Hardship Cases – Recouping an Adoption Subsidy Assistance Payment in Any Dollar Amount More Than 30 Days (up to 12 Months)
1718.23 Extreme Hardship Cases – Recouping an Adoption Subsidy Assistance Payment in More Than 12 Months (Requires State Office Approval)
1719 Fair Hearings Regarding about Adoption Assistance Decisions Determinations
1719.1 Appealing Decisions Determinations about Adoption Assistance
1719.2 An Agreement for Adoption Assistance Agreement Was Not Signed Bbefore an the Adoption’s Consummation
1719.3 Responsibilities of the Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialist and Negotiator
1720 1730 Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1721 1731 Definition of Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1722 1732 Eligibility Requirements for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1723 1733 Proceeding Wwith Adoptive Placements in a Timely Manner
1724 1734 Approval Process for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1724.1 1734.1 Regional Approval Process
1724.2 1734.2 State Office Approval Process
1724.3 1734.3 Approvals and Notification to Family
1724.4 1734.4 Summary of Forms
1725 1735 Timing of Negotiation for Enhanced Adoption Assistance and Placement
1726 1736 Authorization of Payments for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1727 1737 Denials of Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1728 1738 Deferred Agreements for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1729 1739 Appeals and Fair Hearings for Enhanced Adoption Assistance
1730 1760 Medicaid Coverage, Tthe Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance, and Adoption Assistance
1731 1761 The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance and its Impact Effect on Adoption Assistance
1732 1762 Procedures of Tthe Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance
1733 1763 Procedures Regarding for Children Eligible for Adoption Assistance wWho Are Placed or Moved Out of State Texas
Child Protective Services Mentor Program Resource Guide (PATS 13652)
This resource guide is new and provides procedures related to the CPS Mentor Program for new caseworkers hired into FBSS and CVS caseworker positions in legacy areas.
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
Referring a Case to FBSS (PATS 13656)
This policy has been updated to reflect legislative changes from House Bill 567, 87th Legislature, Regular Session and to align policy and practice.
See:
2410 Process for Concurrent Stages – Investigation or Alternative Response and Referring a Case to Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
Alternatives to Removal (PATS 13657)
This policy has been updated to reflect legislative changes from House Bill 567, 87th Legislature, Regular Session and to align policy and practice.
See:
5100 Alternatives to Removal
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5160 Court-Ordered Services Requesting a Court Order to Participate in Services
5161 Approval to Seek a Court Order for to Participate in Services
5162 The Proof Required to Support a Court Order for Services
5162 Process for Obtaining a Court Order to Participate in Services
5163 Legal Notice and Service Requirements for Order for Services Hearing on a Court Order to Participate in Services
5163.1 Standard for Court’s Decision on Whether to Issue a Court Order to Participate in Services
5163.2 Status Review Hearings Required if a Court Order to Participate in Services is Issued
5164 Requesting Extension of a Court Order to Participate in Services