Handbook Revision, January 2, 2025
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on January 2, 2025.
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
Texas Child-Centered Care (PATS 14266)
This revision adds new policy about the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System. It also moves and slightly revises the section about unauthorized living arrangements.
See:
4154 4300 Unauthorized Arrangements of Youth in DFPS Conservatorship
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4300 Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System
4310 Recommendation and Selection of a Service Package
4311 Foster Family Homes Service Packages
4311.1 Primary Service Packages
4311.11 T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services
4311.12 Substance Use Support Services
4311.13 Short-Term Assessment Support Services
4311.14 Mental and Behavioral Health Support Services
4311.15 Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Support Services
4311.16 Complex Medical Needs or Medically Fragile Support Services
4311.17 Human Trafficking Victim/Survivor Support Services
4311.18 Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD)/Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Services
4311.19 T3C Treatment Foster Family Care Support Services
4311.2 Add-On Services
4311.21 Transition Support Services for Youth and Young Adults Add-On
4311.22 Kinship Caregiver Support Services Add-On
4311.23 Pregnant and Parenting Youth or Young Adult Support Services Add-On
4312 General Residential Operations – Tier I T3C Treatment and Transition Service Packages
4312.1 Tier I: T3C Basic Child Care Operation
4312.2 Tier I: Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
4312.3 Tier I: Services to Support Community Transition for Youth and Young Adults Who Are Pregnant or Parenting
4312.4 Tier I: Substance Use Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
4312.5 Tier I: Emergency Emotional Support and Assessment Center Services
4312.6 Tier I: Complex Medical Needs Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
4312.7 Tier I: Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD)/Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
4312.8 Tier I: Human Trafficking Victim/Survivor Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
4312.9 Tier I: Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
4313 General Residential Operation – Tier II T3C Stabilization Support Service Packages
4313.1 Tier II: Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Services to Support Stabilization
4313.2 Tier II: Substance Use Services to Support Stabilization
4313.3 Tier II: Aggression/Defiant Disorder Services to Support Stabilization
4313.4 Tier II: Complex Mental Health Services to Support Stabilization
4313.5 Tier II: Complex Medical Services to Support Stabilization
4313.6 Tier II: Human Trafficking Victim/Survivor Services to Support Stabilization
T3C System (PATS 14267)
Overall, the following sections were revised and updated with information concerning the implementation of the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System and the T3C Resource Guide: 4000, 4100, 4113, 4114, 4114.11, 4114.13, 4114.2, 4114.3, 4114.5, 4117, 4121.1, and 4121.1.
While still focusing on T3C, the additional sections concern child or youth placement changes and the resources, staff, or facilities involved: 4142, 4145, 4152, 4160, 4211.1, and 4211.3.
See:
4000 Placing Children in DFPS Conservatorship
4100 The Placement Process
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4113 Gather Information and Recommendations to Select a Placement
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4114 Required Factors to Consider When Evaluating a Possible Placement
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4114.11 Placement with Noncustodial Parents
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4114.13 Placement with Former Foster Parents
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4114.2 Separating Siblings
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4114.3 Ensuring Educational Stability
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4114.5 Placing the Child Close to the Child’s Home
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4117 Specific Placement Considerations for Children or Youth Who Have Primary Medical Needs
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4121.1 Prepare the Child or Youth for the Move
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4142 Enter the Placement Change Information in IMPACT
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4145 Request an Initial Service Level or Service Level Change if Needed
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4152 Involving State Office in a Placement Search
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4160 Placements and Child Safety
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4211.1 Caseworker Notifies Regional Placement Team
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4211.3 Placement Team Confers with Providers and Communicates Options to Caseworker
Texas Administrative Code (PATS 14290)
This policy revision adds information about the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) system.
See:
1213 Texas Administrative Code
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1551.1 Rates for DFPS Foster Care Maintenance Payments
Texas Child-Centered Care and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (PATS 14307)
This edit includes language for the TC3 service package and how the CANS assessment should be conducted.
This revision adds language to support the T3C system package.
This revision adds language to include the T3C System Service Package.
See:
6241.22 Review of Child’s Plan of Service
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6430 Initial Assessment Services
6431 Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment and Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
6431.1 CANS Assessments with Children, Youth, and Young Adults who are Receiving Services under a T3C Service Package
6431.11 When to Request a CANS Assessment
6431.12 Viewing the CANS Report
6431.13 Use of the CANS Assessment to Inform T3C Service Packages
6431.2 CANS Assessments with Children, Youth, or Young Adults Who Are Not Receiving Services under a T3C Service Package
6431.21 6431.1 Timeline for CANS Assessments and FSNA
6431.22 6431.11 Placement Changes within the First 30 Days
6431.23 6431.4 Annual Updates to the CANS
6431.3 6431.2 Use of the CANS Assessment for Service Planning
6431.4 6431.3 The STAR Health Service Plan
6431.5 Court Order to Obtain a CANS Assessment
6431.6 Inpatient Hospitalization and the CANS
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6687.1 Definition of Enhanced Permanency Care Assistance
6687.2 Eligibility Requirements for Enhanced Permanency Care Assistance
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6687.9 Appeals and Fair Hearings for Enhanced Permanency Care Assistance
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
Primary Caseworker in FSU and SUB Stages (PATS 14311)
After the initial setting of the adversary hearing, the conservatorship caseworker is assigned primary and assumes responsibility for taking any other actions needed to meet the needs of the child and family.
See:
3222 Notification and Assignment of Conservatorship Caseworker