Handbook Revision, January 2, 2026

This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on January 2, 2026.

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

Previous Revisions

Child Protective Services Revisions

Types of Services (PATS 14325/00039)

This policy revision is needed due to the prior policy being outdated. The new policy includes updated procedures and includes Community-Based Care (CBC) staff.

See:

8412.1 Casework Case Management and Service Planning

8412.11 Defining Casework Case Management and Service Planning

8412.12 Maintaining a Service Plan

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8412.21 Identifying Available Services

8412.22 Determining Eligibility

8412.23 Identifying Allowable Costs

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8412.32 Determining Eligibility

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8412.34 Budgeting Identifying Allowable Costs

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8412.41 Providing Available Services

8412.42 Determining Eligibility

8412.43 Identifying Allowable Providers

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8412.5 Respite Care

8412.51 Identifying Eligible Providers

8412.52 Paying for Care

8412.53 8412.52 Defining Units of Service

8412.6 Residential Therapeutic Care

8412.61 Determining Eligibility

8412.62 Extending Eligibility

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8412.65 Identifying Allowable Providers

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8420 Duties of a Regional Post-Adoption Liaison

Documenting Health Information (PATS 14371/00053)

This handbook revision updates the type of appointments the caseworker must enter in IMPACT within seven days.

See:

6133.4 Documenting Health Information

Child Protective Investigations Revisions

Release of the School Investigation Report and Formal Notification (PATS 00157)

Policy is being updated to clarify the following:

  • Upon request, DFPS must send a copy of the completed report of the investigation.
  • When a Reason to Believe (RTB) disposition is assigned to an employee of a public or private elementary or secondary school, a formal notification must be provided.

This update also clarifies the recipients of the report and the notification described above.

See:

2327 Notification of Findings and Release of the School Investigation Report