Handbook Revision, April 1, 2022
These revisions of the Child Protective Services Handbook were published on April 1, 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
Youth Who Are Pregnant or Parenting (PATS 12207)
This policy affects a small subset of the population of children and youth in DFPS managing conservatorship who are pregnant or parenting. It is being updated to reflect the changes from House Bill 475 during the 86th Legislature (Texas Family Code §264.130).
See:
6440 When a Youth in Substitute Care Is Pregnant or Parenting
6441 When a Youth in Substitute Care Is Pregnant
6442 When a Youth in Substitute Care Is Parenting
6442.1 When DFPS Has Conservatorship of the Youth’s Child
6442.2 When DFPS Does Not Have Conservatorship of the Youth’s Child
6442.3 When the Youth’s Child Leaves Paid Foster Care – Closing Stages in IMPACT
6442.4 When the Youth Parent Is on Runaway Status
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11740 Pregnancy and Abortion
11741 If a Youth Is Pregnant
11742 Informing Parents and Caregivers Legal Guardians about Pregnancy- and Abortion-Related Information
11743 If DFPS Is Appointed as Guardian Ad Litem for a Youth Who Has Applied for Judicial Bypass
11744 Documenting Pregnancy- and Abortion-Related Information for Youth in Conservatorship
Placing a Child in Another State (PATS 13497)
This handbook revision ensures policy for children placed outside Texas is the same as for children placed in Texas. It aligns the following sections with 4142 Enter the Placement Change Information in IMPACT and 4510 Placing Children Outside of Texas.
See:
4515.1 Notifying the Receiving Other State
4515.2 Requirement that the Court Maintains Retain Jurisdiction and DFPS Maintains Custody after Making an Interstate Placement
4515.21 When Texas ICPC Receives Notification of Alleged Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of a Child Placed in Another State
4515.22 When a DFPS or SSCC Caseworker Receives Notification of Alleged Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of a Child Placed in Another State
Ongoing Duty to Provide Notice of DFPS Conservatorship (PATS 13574)
This handbook revision updates policy on notifying relatives about DFPS conservatorship of a child. Previously, DFPS notified relatives through the third degree of consanguinity. Now, DFPS notifies relatives through the fourth degree. This update is necessary to comply with HB 2926 and HB 3041 of the 87th Texas Legislature.
See:
6123 Ongoing Duty to Provide Notice of CPS DFPS Conservatorship
Transporting Children by Vehicle or Airplane (PATS 13590)
This handbook revision updates safety requirements for DFPS staff transporting children by vehicle or airplane.
See:
6472 Transporting a Child Children by Vehicle
6473 Transporting a Child Children by Airplane
Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (PATS 13612)
This handbook revision updates policy on completing the Family Strengths and Needs Assessment when the case is being closed within 21 days of the date the FPR stage was opened in IMPACT.
See:
12510 Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
Out-of-State Placement Disruptions (PATS 13634)
This new policy provides caseworkers with guidance for when a child placed outside of Texas through ICPC has a placement disruption.
See:
4515.4 Out-of- State Placement Disruptions
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9216 Out-of-State Placement Disruptions
CPS Youth with Tickets and Fines Involving Municipal or County Courts (PATS 13645)
This handbook revision updates policy to reflect changes to state law as a result of HB 80 of the 87th Texas Legislature. This allows DFPS to request community service instead of court costs or fines for youth with tickets from municipal or county courts.
See:
6821 CPS Youth with and Tickets and Fines Involving Municipal or County Courts
Legal Proceedings and Termination of Parental Rights (PATS 13723)
This handbook revision adds policy about the following:
- Courts not relying on certain kinds of evidence in a finding of removal or termination of parental rights.
- The time frame for when parental rights can be involuntarily terminated in certain circumstances.
These policy updates are necessary as a result of HB 2924 of the 87th Texas Legislative Regular Session. The Hearings and Legal Proceedings Resource Guide was also updated as part of this revision.
See:
5421 Requirements for Completing a Removal Affidavit
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5440 Aggravated Circumstances
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5564.11 Endangerment
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5565 The Child’s Best Interest in Regard to Terminating Parental Rights
Referring a Case from Investigations to Family Based Safety Services (PATS 13741)
This handbook revision updates Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) policy to be consistent with Child Protective Investigations (CPI) policy. FBSS policy now reflects that a case must be in the Investigation (INV) stage before the case can be referred to FBSS.
See:
12220 Receiving a Case in FBSS from Alternative Response or Investigations
12221 FBSS Actions When the CPI INV or AR and Family Preservation (FPR) Stages Are Open Concurrently
Community Resources (PATS 13747)
This handbook revision removes references to homemaker services, family planning clinics, and agencies, programs, and resources that DFPS no longer uses.
See:
Appendix 3412: Community Resources
Youth Applying for Driver License (PATS 13749)
This policy revision updates information about forms related to obtaining a driver license. The main changes are:
- Updated link to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Form DL-14A.
- Addition of link to DPS Form DL-14B.
- Wording changes to reflect the use of these two forms.
See:
6454.2 Eligible Youth Applying for a Driver License
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
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