About the Office of Community-Based Care Transition and additional resources

About CBC

Community-Based Care (CBC) is a way to provide services other than traditional foster care because it gives local communities the flexibility to draw on local strengths and resources and find innovative ways to meet the unique and individual needs of children and their families. CBC includes many of the services that Child Protective Services (CPS) normally provides. This includes foster care, case management, kinship, and reunification services.

A single contractor in each designated geographic area (community area) creates a network of services, foster homes, and other living arrangements and, when ready, provides case management for each child as well. CPS works with each contractor (Single Source Continuum Contractor or SSCC) to carefully manage the transition from traditional foster care to community care so that children are not affected negatively.

For a more detailed overview, please watch Introduction to Community-Based Care. The video provides foundational information about CBC, as it:

  • Reviews the history of Community-Based Care (CBC) and legislative decisions
  • Defines CBC
  • Explains the need for CBC
  • Follows the implementation process
  • Describes what services are provided by the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC)
  • Defines performance-based contracts and quality indicators

What's New?

March 2023

DFPS and OCBCT Release a Request for Application for Metroplex West

DFPS is pleased to announce the next expansion of Community-Based Care – the release of the Request for Application (RFA) for the next procurement. This RFA is to select the contractors that will oversee foster and kinship care placement, case management, and reunification services in the Metroplex West area (DFPS Region 3W), which includes Denton, Cooke, and Wise counties.

You can read and download the RFA Single Source Continuum Contract online, which includes the schedule of events for this procurement.

DFPS recognizes that children and youth are too often placed outside of their communities, leaving behind family, friends, schools, churches, homes, and support systems. Through Community-Based Care, DFPS seeks to:

  • Promote positive outcomes for children, youth, and families.
  • Improve the overall process and quality of care.
  • Align incentives with process and quality indicators to encourage developing services where they are needed.
  • Focus on the needs of the children in these communities with the help of each Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC).

DFPS Awards Contract for Deep East (Region 5)

The last of three contracts between the organizations, known as Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs), has just been awarded with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).

On March 15, 2023, DFPS awarded a Community-Based Care contract in Deep East (Region 5) to Family Care Network, a division of Pressley Ridge.  Pressley Ridge is accredited by the Council on Accreditation and has been a leader in implementing innovative, evidence-based programs that promote the well-being of children and families for more than 20 years.

This marks the largest single expansion of Community-Based Care (CBC) by the State of Texas.

For previous news, see the news archive.

Stay Informed

Community Readiness Meetings

The Outreach Team is here to educate and support community stakeholders as they move through the readiness process of community-based care. Fill out the CBC Outreach Request form to receive more information and stay tuned by visiting this page for updates on our town hall meetings throughout the state.

Upcoming community readiness meetings:

Region 7

Region 9

Region 10

  • June 19, 2023
    9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

    El Paso Community College Administrative Services Building Auditorium (Building A), 9050 Viscount Blvd., El Paso, TX 79925
    Register to attend the Region 10 meeting

Quarterly Meetings
Get information about upcoming or previous Public Private Partnership meetings.
Email updates
Sign up for email updates about Community-Based Care, or access your subscriber preferences here:

Current Community Areas

Area SSCC Current Status Next Step
Texas Panhandle (Region 1)
41 counties		 Saint Francis Stage II Ongoing monitoring
Big Country and Texoma (Region 2)
30 counties in North Texas		 2Ingage Stage II Ongoing monitoring
Metroplex West (Region 3b)
7 counties around Fort Worth		 OCOK Stage II Ongoing monitoring
South Central and Hill Country (Region 8b)
27 counties		 Belong Stage II Ongoing monitoring
Metroplex East (Region 3E)
9 counties		 EMPOWER Stage I Readiness Stage I Go-Live
Piney Woods (Region 4)
23 counties		 4Kids4Families Stage I Readiness Stage I Go-Live
Deep East (Region 5)
15 counties		 Family Care Network Stage I Readiness Stage I Go-Live

Community Areas Proposed for Implementation

New community areas (formerly called catchments) proposed for implementation include: Bexar County (8a), El Paso (10), Harris County (6a), Bay Area/Montgomery (6b), and the procurement of Metroplex West, which will include the additional counties, Denton, Cooke and Wise.

Map of new community areas proposed for implementation, as described above

Unsolicited Proposals

Proposals Received: none at this time

See the following for more information about proposals:

Implementation Process

DFPS is rolling out Community-Based Care (CBC) in stages by expanding to a few designated service areas at a time. Within each of these community areas, DFPS implements Community-Based Care in two stages.

  • In Stage I, the SSCC develops a network of services and provides foster care placement services. The focus in Stage I is improving the overall well-being of children in foster care and keeping them closer to home and connected to their communities and families.
  • In Stage II, the SSCC provides case management, kinship, and reunification services. Stage II expands the continuum of services to include services for families and to increase permanency outcomes for children.

In both stages, the SSCC will start by taking responsibility for new cases, while DFPS gradually transitions children with cases that are in progress to the SSCC. The timeline below shows the approximate time frame that each area will need to transition from the request for applications to full implementation.

approximate timeframes to transition: RFA to contract 4 months. Contract to Stage 1 6 months. Stage 1 to Stage 2 12 months. Stage 2 to Stage 3 18 months.

View the latest Implementation Plan for additional details.

Additional Information

CBC Reports and Plans

News Archive

February 2023

DFPS Awards Contract for Piney Woods (Region 4)

On February 22, 2023, DFPS awarded a Community-Based Care contract in Piney Woods (Region 4) to 4Kids4Familes, a division of Arrow Child and Family Ministries.

Beginning March 1, 2023, the Office of Community-Based Care Transition, along with DFPS, will begin preparations with 4Kids4Families for the transition to Community-Based Care. As the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC), 4Kids4Families plans to receive its first child placement referral in early fall of 2023.

Arrow Child and Family Ministries has a long history of providing quality services to children and families.  Arrow serves 4,000 children and families each year, using innovative programs that promote positive outcomes.  Arrow has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation since 2014 and is recognized as a leader in the implementation of innovative, evidence-based programs that promote the well-being of children and families.

Arrow looks forward to the opportunity to serve the children and families in Piney Woods (Region 4) through its subsidiary 4Kids4Families.  They are strong advocates for Community-Based Care and believe that effectively engaging community stakeholders and supporting and strengthening a committed network of private providers can produce better outcomes for children and families.

DFPS Awards Contract for Metroplex East (Region 3E)

On February 22, 2023, DFPS awarded a Community-Based Care contract in Metroplex East (Region 3E) to EMPOWER, a division of Texas Family Initiative, LLC.

Beginning March 1, 2023, the Office of Community-Based Care Transition (OCBCT), along with DFPS, will begin preparations with EMPOWER for the transition to Community-Based Care. As the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC), EMPOWER plans to receive its first child placement referral in early Fall 2023.

The Texas Family Initiative LLC EMPOWER program includes a child welfare collaborative designed to meet the unique needs of children and families in Dallas and surrounding counties.  EMPOWER’s approach is community-driven and community-owned, which strengthens the local commitment and responsibility for the children and families in the area.  EMPOWER was established to transform how children and families in the foster care system receive services.  The collaboration consists of the Texas Family Initiative LLC (a leading child welfare agency in Texas) and local providers in the Metroplex East, including CK Family Services, Jonathan’s Place, The Bair Foundation, and Pathways Youth and Family Services.  Texas Family Initiative LLC has a successful history of providing case management, adoption, residential treatment, behavioral health, and independent living services in Texas, while transforming the state’s child welfare system as an SSCC for Community-Based Care.

EMPOWER’s Community-Based Care program includes services to families that support safety, permanency, and wellbeing of children in the conservatorship of DFPS.  As the SSCC in Metroplex East (Region 3E), EMPOWER will ensure the full range of services, which includes foster and kinship care, purchased client services, case management, and reunification services.  EMPOWER will fully engage the community to help achieve positive outcomes for children.

Transitions from DFPS to SSCC

The Office of Community-Based Care Transition (OCBCT) spoke with former DFPS employees who took on new roles as Single Source Continuum Contractors (SSCCs). In this video, several SSCCs talk about their experience with the transition:

January 2023

Governor Greg Abbott appoints George Cannata as the Director of the Office of Community-Based Care Transition. Read more...

October 2022

DFPS and the Office of Community-Based Care Transition (OCBCT) are pleased to announce that they have taken the next step toward expanding Community-Based Care (CBC) by transitioning to CBC Stage II in the south central and hill country areas of Texas (Region 8b). This service area includes 27 Texas counties surrounding Bexar County.

In Stage II, Belong will provide case management, kinship, and reunification services in their community. Stage II expands the continuum of services to include services for families and to increase permanency outcomes for children. Belong is the first SSCC in Texas to move from Stage I to Stage II on the accelerated timeline of 12 months. This expedited transition was actualized through the collaboration and commitment of Belong, DFPS, and OCBCT.

August 2022

The Texas Family Code §264.157(c) authorizes the Office of Community-Based Care Transition (OCBCT) to contract on behalf of the DFPS in expanding community-based care, to, among other actions, “enable satisfactory unsolicited proposals for community-based care services to be accepted and implemented.” Texas Family Code §264.157(b) further states the Department must “accept and evaluate unsolicited proposals from entities based in this state to provide community-based care services in a geographic service area where the Department has not implemented community-based care.” For more information, visit the Single-Source Continuum Contractor Unsolicited Proposal Grants page and Grants page on the Texas Health and Human Services website.

April 2022

DFPS Seeks Contractors for New Community-Based Care Areas

DFPS is pleased to announce the next big step in the redesign of the Texas foster care system – the release of the Request for Application (RFA) for the next Community-Based Care areas. This RFA is to select the contractors that will oversee foster and kinship care placement, case management, and reunification services in the Metroplex East area (DFPS Region 3E), the Piney Woods area (Region 4), the Deep East area (Region 5), and the Permian & Concho area (Region 9). This will result in over half the state being served by Community-Based Care.

You can read and download the RFA online, which includes the procurement schedule.

DFPS recognizes that children and youth are too often placed outside of their communities, leaving behind family, friends, schools, churches, homes, and support systems. Through Community-Based Care, DFPS seeks to:

  • Promote positive outcomes for children, youth, and families.
  • Improve the overall process and quality of care.
  • Align incentives with process and quality indicators to encourage developing services where they are needed.
  • Focus on the needs of the children in these communities with the help of each Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC).

You will find more on Community-Based Care on the DFPS website. If you have any questions related to the RFA, please feel free to direct them to the procurement manager, Ross Hoffpauir.

new CBC catchment areas
New CBC Catchment areas

existing CBC catchment areas
existing CBC catchment areas

South Central and Hill Country (Region 8b) Begins Transition to CBC Stage II

DFPS and the Office of Community-Based Care Transition (OCBCT) are pleased to announce that they have taken the next step toward expanding Community-Based Care (CBC) by beginning the transition to CBC Stage II in the south central and hill country areas of Texas (Region 8b). This service area includes 27 Texas counties surrounding Bexar County.

Belong, a division of SJRC Texas, has been operating as a local key community provider in the area for 37 years. SJRC Texas is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and is known for quality services with a high standard for integrity, accountability, and innovation. Belong seeks to deliver a Community-Based Care model to abused and neglected children and youth in Region 8b by enacting systemic changes that improve safety, expedite permanency and focus on child and family well-being, normalcy, and stability, while simultaneously growing capacity for the Texas foster care system. 

March 2022

St. Francis Community Services Becomes the Third Single Source Continuum Contractor in Texas

St. Francis Community Services is the third single source continuum contractor to provide foster care case management, kinship, and family reunification services to youth and families in Texas. St. Francis Community Services entered Stage II of Community-Based Care on March 2, 2022. St. Francis Community Services, a division of St. Francis Ministries, has been providing a continuum of services in Region 1 since January 2020. Region 1 includes 41 Texas counties.

September 2021

Texas  has taken the next step toward expanding Community-Based Care (CBC) by beginning the transition to CBC Stage II in Region 1.  Region 1 includes 41 Texas counties.

St. Francis Community Services, a division of St. Francis Ministries, has been providing a continuum of services in this area since January 2020.  In Stage II, St. Francis Community Services will begin providing case management services. The Office of Community-Based Care Transition and DFPS will spend the next few months working with St. Francis Community Services as they conduct readiness activities for the transition. Based on St. Francis Community Services and DFPS readiness, St. Francis Community Services will assume responsibility for Stage II services in March 2022.

July 2021

Governor Abbott Appoints Director of the Office of Community-Based Care Transition

As part of Senate Bill 1896, relating to the regulation of child-care facilities and foster care placements and services, Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Theresa Thomas as the Director of the Office of Community-Based Care Transition. The news release is available on the governor's website. The Department of Family and Protective Services, along with the Health and Human Services Commission, will work together with the Office of Community-Based Care Transition on the implementation of Community-Based Care.

May 2021

Family Tapestry Withdraws from Region 8a Contract

Family Tapestry has given notice to terminate its single source continuum contract (SSCC) with DFPS for Region 8a, which is Bexar County. All Family Tapestry subcontracts for foster care-related services will revert to DFPS and the department will perform all services that Family Tapestry has been providing. There will be no disruption in foster care services or in payments for foster care as a result of this decision. DFPS expects a minimum of a 60-day transition period to wind down Family Tapestry operations. Family Tapestry will be fully engaged in the transition, and the state will provide the resources necessary to make this transition successful. DFPS is committed to ensuring a seamless process with no disruption to the lives of the children, youth, and families or to our providers.

April 2021

DFPS Awards Contract for Region 8b

On April 1, 2021, DFPS awarded a Community-Based Care contract in Region 8b to Belong, a division of SJRC Texas. 

SJRC Texas has been operating as a key community provider in Region 8b for almost four decades. SJRC Texas seeks to successfully expand services and program capacity based on insights gained from its experience as a child placing agency and general residential operation, as well as with community-based prevention programs.  SJRC Texas also understands the importance of authentic collaboration and integration with DFPS, community partners, stakeholders, other Texas SSCC lead agencies, and most importantly with clients. All these parties are critical to creating a provider network and a seamless continuum of care for children and their families. SJRC Texas is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and is known for quality services with a high standard for integrity, accountability, and innovation. 

Belong seeks to deliver a Community-Based Care model to abused and neglected children and youth in Region 8b by enacting systemic changes that improve safety, expedite permanency and focus on child and family well-being, normalcy, and stability, while simultaneously growing capacity for the Texas foster care system. Belong will continue to leverage SJRC Texas' experiences and successes, including longstanding community relationships, operational expertise, and growth mindset.

December 2020

DFPS releases Annual Implementation Plan for Community-Based Care

Texas Family Code, Subchapter B-1, Section 264.153 requires DFPS to develop and maintain an implementation plan for Community-Based Care that accomplishes the following:

  1. Describes the department’s expectations, goals, and approach to implementing Community-Based Care.
  2. Includes a timeline for statewide implementation, addresses limitations, and provides progressive intervention and contingency plans to provide continuity of services in the case that an SSCC contract ends prematurely.
  3. Delineates and defines case management roles and responsibilities of the department and the SSCC, as well as the duties, employees, and related funding that will be transferred to the SSCC from DFPS.
  4. Identifies training needs and ongoing training plans.
  5. Describes a plan for evaluation of the initial and ongoing procurement costs and tasks.
  6. Describes the contract monitoring approach and plan for evaluation of the performance of each SSCC and the community-based care system as a whole, including an independent evaluation of each SSCC’s processes and fiscal and qualitative outcomes.
  7. Includes transition issues resulting from implementation of Community-Based Care.

The plan also provides a high-level outline of the structures put in place and processes that must occur to implement and oversee Community-Based Care.  The plan addresses accomplishments to date and tasks to be accomplished in the coming biennium and beyond.

This plan serves as the FY 2021 annual update to the implementation plan. DFPS anticipates releasing the next update to this plan in December 2021.

The plan includes a detailed timeline by stage of implementation and catchment area demonstrating the anticipated statewide roll-out schedule. The plan includes continued implementation milestones for the five Community-Based Care catchment areas and the identification of four new areas proposed for implementation. Implementation of the plan is dependent on legislative direction and appropriation in the upcoming 87th legislative session and beyond.

View the implementation plan for the Texas Community-Based Care System.

November 2020

Read the Texas Tech Community-Based Care Process Evaluation.

September 2020

Foster Care Rates Methodology Study

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), in consultation with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), has contracted with a third-party vendor, Public Consulting Group, Inc. (PCG), to evaluate the methodology for foster care rates, pursuant to Special Provision 32 of the 2020-21 General Appropriations Act, House Bill 1, 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019 (Article II, Health and Human Services Commission).

The evaluation of the foster care rate methodology will include an opportunity for stakeholder engagement including stakeholder sessions. More information will be provided in the upcoming months. If you have specific questions regarding this study, please email PCG. 

DFPS Announces Release of Request for Application for Region 8b

DFPS has released a Request for Application (RFA) for Community-Based Care in Region 8b, which includes all counties in DFPS Region 8, excluding Bexar County. The RFA is posted on the Health and Human Services website, and the deadline to submit a response is December 1, 2020.

There will be a virtual conference for respondents at 10:00 am on September 18, 2020. To access the meeting, click the following link: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/799183741 or dial +1 (224) 501-3412 and enter access code 799-183-741.

All requests, questions, or other communication about this solicitation must be made in writing to the point of contact listed below:

Name: Ross Hoffpauir
Title: Grants Specialist
Address: 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756
Phone: (512) 406-2479
Email: Ross.Hoffpauir01@hhsc.state.tx.us

Any other communications between respondents and HHSC or DFPS staff members concerning the solicitation are strictly prohibited, unless noted elsewhere in this RFA. Failure to comply with these requirements may disqualify the respondent's solicitation response.

June 2020

2INgage - a partnership between Texas Family Initiative LLC and New Horizons Ranch and Center Inc. - became the second single source continuum contractor to provide foster care case management, kinship, and family reunification services to youth and families. 2INgage entered Stage II of Community-Based Care on June 1, 2020. 2INgage has been providing foster care placement services under Stage I implementation since December 2018 in Region 2. Read the news release.

March 2020

Texas took a major step toward expanding Community-Based Care (CBC) for children in foster care by entering a groundbreaking new phase for the initiative. On March 2, 2020, Our Community Our Kids (OCOK) – a division of ACH Child and Family Services – began providing foster care case management, kinship, and family reunification services to youth and families in Region 3b, which includes Tarrant, Palo Pinto, Parker, Johnson, Hood, Somervell, and Erath counties. This is the first area in the state to implement stage 2 of Community-Based Care.

December 2019

DFPS releases Updated Implementation Plan for Community-Based Care

Texas Family Code, chapter 264.153 requires DFPS to develop and maintain an implementation plan for Community-Based Care that accomplishes the following:

  1. Describes the department’s expectations, goals, and approach to implementing Community-Based Care.
  2. Includes a timeline for statewide implementation, addresses limitations, and provides progressive intervention and contingency plans to provide continuity of services in the case that an SSCC contract ends prematurely.
  3. Delineates and defines case management roles and responsibilities of the department and the SSCC, as well as the duties, employees, and related funding that will be transferred to the SSCC from DFPS.
  4. Identifies training needs and ongoing training plans.
  5. Describes a plan for evaluation of the initial and ongoing procurement costs and tasks.
  6. Describes the contract monitoring approach and plan for evaluation of the performance of each SSCC and the community-based care system as a whole, including an independent evaluation of each SSCC’s processes and fiscal and qualitative outcomes.
  7. Includes transition issues resulting from implementation of Community-Based Care.

The plan also provides a high-level outline of the structures put in place and processes that must occur to implement and oversee Community-Based Care. The plan addresses accomplishments to date and tasks to be accomplished in the coming biennium and beyond.

This plan serves as the FY 2020 annual update to the implementation plan. DFPS anticipates releasing the next update to this plan in December 2020.

The plan includes a detailed timeline by stage of implementation and catchment area demonstrating the anticipated statewide roll-out schedule.

Additionally this plan includes a change in the catchment area structure, as informed by the May 2019 Request for Information (RFI), consolidating 3a, 3b, and 3c into two catchment areas. The new structure will align with the DFPS regional structure of 3 east (3E) and 3 west (3W) and will be incorporated as a part of future procurement for SSCC contracts in those catchment areas.

December 2019

DFPS is pleased to announce that it’s taken the next step toward expanding Community-Based Care (CBC) by executing a contract amendment to enter CBC Stage II in Region 2.  Region 2 includes 30 Texas counties. 2INgage, a partnership between Texas Family Initiative LLC and New Horizons Ranch and Center Inc., has been providing a continuum of services in this area since December 2018. 

In Stage II, 2INgage will begin providing case management services. DFPS will spend the next few months working with 2INgage as they conduct readiness activities for the transition. Based on 2INgage and DFPS readiness, 2INgage will assume responsibility for Stage II services in June 2020

October 2019

DFPS is pleased to announce that it’s taken the next step toward expanding Community-Based Care (CBC) by executing a contract amendment to enter CBC Stage II in Region 3b. Region 3b includes Tarrant, Palo Pinto, Parker, Johnson, Hood, Somervell, and Erath counties.

Our Community Our Kids (OCOK), a division of ACH Child and Family Services, has been providing a continuum of services in this area since 2014. In Stage II, OCOK will begin providing case management services. DFPS will spend the next few months working with OCOK as they conduct readiness activities for the transition. Based on OCOK and DFPS readiness, OCOK will assume responsibility for Stage II services in March 2020.

August 2019

DFPS releases Implementation Plan for Community-Based Care

Texas Family Code, chapter 264.153 requires DFPS to develop and maintain an implementation plan for Community-Based Care that accomplishes the following:

  1. Describes the department’s expectations, goals, and approach to implementing Community-Based Care.
  2. Includes a timeline for statewide implementation, addresses limitations, and provides progressive intervention and contingency plans to provide continuity of services in the case that an SSCC contract ends prematurely.
  3. Delineates and defines case management roles and responsibilities of the department and the SSCC, as well as the duties, employees, and related funding that will be transferred to the SSCC from DFPS.
  4. Identifies training needs and ongoing training plans.
  5. Describes a plan for evaluation of the initial and ongoing procurement costs and tasks.
  6. Describes the contract monitoring approach and plan for evaluation of the performance of each SSCC and the community-based care system as a whole, including an independent evaluation of each SSCC’s processes and fiscal and qualitative outcomes.
  7. Includes transition issues resulting from implementation of Community-Based Care.

The plan also provides a high-level outline of the structures put in place and processes that must occur to implement and oversee Community-Based Care. The plan addresses accomplishments to date and tasks to be accomplished in the coming biennium and beyond.

This plan serves as the FY 2019 annual update to the implementation plan. DFPS anticipates releasing the next update to this plan in December 2019, which will include any changes to the catchment area boundaries, and/or implementation strategy informed by the May 2019 Request for Information, and the results of the initial phase of the Texas Tech Process Evaluation of start-up activities in Catchment Areas 2, 8a and Stage II in 3b. Additionally, the December 2019 plan will include a detailed timeline by stage of implementation and catchment area demonstrating the anticipated statewide roll-out schedule.

June 2019

DFPS Awards Contract for Region 1

On June 13, 2019, DFPS awarded a Community-Based Care contract in Region 1 to Saint Francis Ministries.

Saint Francis Ministries is a child and family services ministry serving more than 31,000 people in Texas and other states, as well as El Salvador and Honduras. Saint Francis’ work encompasses foster care, therapeutic foster care, adoption, family preservation, residential care, and community outreach services.

May 2019

DFPS Releases Request for Information (RFI) for Community-Based Care Geographic Catchment Areas

Today, DFPS released a Request for Information (RFI) for Community-Based Care.  The purpose of the RFI is to obtain information to further inform implementation of Community-Based Care, specifically related to the existing catchment area boundaries.

The RFI is posted on the Electronic State Business Daily website and the deadline to submit a response is June 30, 2019. All interested parties are encouraged to respond to the RFI.

All requests, questions, or other communication about this RFI must be made in writing to the point of contact listed below.

Name: Lori Ashworth
Title: Procurement Officer
Address: 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756
Phone: (512) 406-2462
Email: lori.ashworth@hhsc.state.tx.us

All communications relating to this RFI must be directed to the HHSC contact person named above.

DFPS Announces Release of Request for Application for Region 8b

Today, DFPS is announcing the release of a Request for Application (RFA) for Community-Based Care in Region 8b, which includes all counties in DFPS Region 8, excluding Bexar County.

The RFA is posted on the Electronic State Business Daily and eGrants websites and the deadline to submit a response is August 2, 2019. There will be an in-person conference for respondents at 1:00 PM on May 14, 2019 at 701 West 51st Street, Austin, TX 78751, room 500H.

All requests, questions, or other communication about this solicitation must be made in writing to the point of contact listed below.

Name: Lori Ashworth
Title: Procurement Officer
Address: 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756
Phone: (512) 406-2462
Email: lori.ashworth@hhsc.state.tx.us

All communications between respondents and HHSC or DFPS staff members concerning the solicitation are strictly prohibited, unless noted elsewhere in this RFA. Failure to comply with these requirements may disqualify the respondent's solicitation response.

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Background

A Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) is responsible for finding foster homes or other living arrangements for children in state care and providing them a full continuum of services.  DFPS began expanding the community's role to meet the challenges of serving children in foster care under Foster Care Redesign. Originally, a SSCC was responsible for:

  • Developing foster care capacity.
  • Building a network of providers.
  • Engaging the community to help.
  • Foster care placement services.
  • Coordinating and delivering services to children in foster care and their families.

In 2017, the Texas Legislature directed DFPS to expand the model to include both foster care and relative or "kinship" placements and give the SSCC sole responsibility for case management – rather than sharing that responsibility with DFPS.

As Community-Based Care expands statewide, CPS will shift its focus to providing high-quality oversight of foster care and services for children and families. The SSCC will be responsible for case management and services that move children from foster care or kinship care into a permanent home.

Community-Based Care allows a SSCC and the community more flexibility to innovate. This increased flexibility comes with greater responsibility and accountability for outcomes such as safety, permanency, and well-being. 

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Guiding Principles

The guiding principles of Community-Based Care:

  • Above all, children and youth are safe from abuse and neglect.
  • Children and youth are placed in their home communities.
  • Children and youth are appropriately served in the least restrictive environment.
  • Children and youth have stability in their placements.
  • Connections to family and others important to the child are maintained.
  • Children and youth are placed with their siblings.
  • Services respect the child's culture.
  • Children and youth are provided opportunities, experiences, and activities similar to those enjoyed by their peers who are not in foster care.
  • Youth are fully prepared for successful adulthood.
  • Youth have opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
  • Children and youth are reunified with their biological parents when possible.
  • Children and youth are placed with relative or kinship caregivers if reunification is not possible.

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Single Source Continuum Contractor Performance

The performance of a Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) is tracked quarterly and reported annually using performance dashboards. These dashboards include metrics for baselines, targets and actual performance.  The SSCC is contractually obligated to meet or exceed the established performance targets for most of the metrics in the dashboards.

Beginning in Stage III of implementation, the permanency metrics will be used to assess financial incentives or remedies for an SSCC.  Until then, DFPS will monitor permanency metrics to assess trends. The dashboard will include a metric to help ensure any improvements to permanency rates are not offset by corresponding increases in children re-entering  care.

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