Handbook Revision, February 2, 2026

This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on February 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

Background Check Rejected Fingerprints (PATS 14370/00086)

This handbook revision updates policy about conducting background checks on caregivers whose initial fingerprint check is rejected due to poor quality.

See:

7461 Rejected Fingerprints

Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services (PATS 14381/00072)

This handbook revision adds information about Texas Child-Centered Care to the following policy section:

8235.44 Authorizing, Reauthorizing, and Terminating Services

Children with Medical and Mental Health Issues and Medical Needs (PATS 14392/00080)

This handbook revision updates policy to allow program directors and medical staff to determine that staffings can change frequency or end due to medical or mental health issues becoming resolved or stabilized.

See:

12460 Children with Medical and Mental Health Issues and Medical Needs Staffings

Completing the HSEGH and Preparing a Child’s Records for Adoptive Parents (PATS 00169)

Revisions to CPS sections 6921 and 6926 are in regard to the caseworker preparing and completing the child’s Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) report and records for prospective adoptive parents.

See:

6921 Completing the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Report

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6926 Preparing the Child’s Records for Presentation to Prospective Adoptive Parents

Weapons, Firearms, Explosive Materials, and Projectiles (PATS 00182)

This handbook revision updates policy about requirements for foster or adoptive parents who keep weapons, firearms, explosive materials, or projectiles in the home.

See:

7644 Weapons, Firearms, Explosive Materials, and Projectiles

7644.1 Firearms

7644.2 Storage

7644.3 Usage

7644.4 Toys That Explode or Shoot

7644.5 Transporting a Child in Care in a Vehicle Where Weapons, Firearms, Explosive Materials, or Projectiles Are Present.

7644.6 Annual Evaluation

Court-Ordered End-of-Life Medical Decisions (PATS 00195)

This handbook revision rewrites policy on end-of-life medical decisions for a child in DFPS conservatorship.

See:

11720 Court Ordered End-of-Life Medical Decisions

11721 Court Order to Execute a Do- Not-Resuscitate Order

11722 Court Order to Withhold or Withdraw Life Sustaining Treatment

11721 DFPS has TMC or PMC but Parental Rights Have Not Been Terminated

11722 DFPS has TMC or PMC and Parental Rights Have Been Terminated or Parents Are Deceased

Review of Child's Plan of Service (PATS 00204)

This handbook revision adds information about Texas Child-Centered Care to a table that shows when the caseworker is required to do routine reviews of the Child Plan of Service.

See:

6241.22 Review of Child’s Plan of Service

Child Protective Investigations Revisions

Administrative Closure When an Investigation Is Longer Than 60 Days (PATS 00121)

This policy is being updated to clarify that the caseworker contacts collaterals and the supervisor determines that the case meets the criteria of an administrative closure.

See:

2315 ADMIN—Investigation Is Longer Than 60 Days

Photographs of a Child (PATS 00210)

This handbook revision updates the policy about photographing a child to:

  • Add policy stating that caseworkers must take a full body photograph showing the child from the top of their head to their feet.
  • Remove policy that stated the caseworker must take a closeup photograph of a child's face that shows clothing as a reference.

See:

2245.31 Photographs of a Child