Handbook Revision, January 3, 2022
These revisions of the Child Protective Services Handbook were published on January 3, 2022.
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
RCCI Notifying CPS of Alleged Abuse or Neglect in a Foster Home (PATS 13703)
Additional policy has been added to outline what happens when a Priority None (PN) is issued for an abuse or neglect allegation in an out-of-state foster home.
See:
4221.1 RCCI Notifying CPS of Alleged Abuse or Neglect in Foster Homes
Notifying a Facility Regulated by Another State Agency of a Child's Sexual Victimization and Sexual Aggression History (PATS 13613)
This revision of the CPS Handbook updates policy to reflect that temporary placements, including psychiatric hospitals and juvenile detention facilities, must receive the child’s history of sexual victimization and sexual aggression. These facilities receive the child’s sexual history report, Attachment A, and sign Form 2279b Certification of Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse or Child Sexual Aggression Information.
See:
4231.1 Notifying a Facility Regulated by Another State Agency of a Child’s Sexual Victimization and Sexual Aggression History
New Form 2279b (PATS 13580)
This handbook revision does the following:
- Adds the new Form 2279b Certification of Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse or Sexual Aggression Information to policy.
- Updates policy about children in unauthorized or temporary placements.
See:
4133 Provide and Discuss the Placement Summary (Form 2279)
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7911 Notice of Any Associated Child Sexual Aggression, Behaviors, or Victimization to an Alternate Caregiver or Temporary Placement
Parental Rights Notification (PATS 13655)
House Bill 2926 of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, requires policy changes on the following topics:
- Notification of termination of parental rights to certain relatives of the child.
- Reinstatement of parental rights after termination.
See:
5561.3 Notice of Termination Required for Certain Relatives
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5590 Reinstatement of Parental Rights
5591 Factors to Consider in Seeking Reinstatement
5592 Approval to Seek Reinstatement of Parental Rights
5593 Process for Requesting Reinstatement of Parental Rights
5594 Notice and Service Requirements for Petition for Reinstatement and Hearing
5595 Hearing on Petition for Reinstatement
5596 Standard for Court’s Decision on Whether to Order Reinstatement
Treatment Foster Family Care (PATS 13653)
Senate Bill 1896 of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, was signed into law and requires changes to this policy. These changes include the following:
- An increase in time in Treatment Foster Family Care (TFFC) from six months to nine months.
- Requirements to prepare for the next placement within 30 days of the child being placed in TFFC.
CPS has also made the following changes to reflect best practices for TFFC:
- Removal of the memo requirements for extensions, to allow for up to 12 months of placement in TFFC.
- Changes to approvals for extensions and placement in TFFC.
Also, the policy has been corrected to reflect that the name of this program is Treatment Foster Family Care (not Treatment Family Foster Care).
See:
4260 Treatment Family Foster Family Care (TFFC) Program
4261 Treatment Family Foster Family Care (TFFC) Time Frames
4262 Eligibility for TFFC Placement
4263 Referring a Child for TFFC Placement
4263.1 Required Documentation
4263.2 Referral Process
4264 Discharge from TFFC
4265 Requesting an Extension of a TFFC Placement
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
Court Order to Participate in Services (PATS 13678)
This handbook revision aligns CPI policy with current law (House Bill 567, 87th Legislature, Regular Session). The caseworker must enter a legal action for the denial or approval of the motion to participate or court-ordered services in IMPACT.
See:
5163.1 Standard for Court’s Decision on Whether to Issue a Court Order to Participate in Services