Skip links menu

Skip to Main Content Skip to Top Menu Skip to Search Skip to Section Menu Skip to Footer Menu

Top menu

  • I am Dropdown Menu
    x
    • ParentParent
    • Foster or Adoptive ParentFoster or Adoptive Parent
    • Kinship CaregiverKinship Caregiver
    • Foster YouthFoster Youth
    • ElderlyElderly
    • Person with DisabilitiesPerson with Disabilities
    • Teacher or ProfessionalTeacher or Professional
    • Business and Service ProviderBusiness or Service Provider
    • VolunteerVolunteer
    • Looking for a JobLooking for a Job
    • Looking for TrainingLooking for Training
    • General PublicGeneral Public
  • Child Investigations Dropdown Menu
    • About
    • Child Protective Investigations
    • Investigations
    • Parent's Guide to Investigations
    • Child Care Investigations (CCI)
    • Texas Family First
    • Domestic Violence
    • Alternative Response
    • Special Investigations
    • Related Topics
    • Case Connection
    • Child Fatality Review
    • Citizen Review Teams
    • Human Trafficking
    • Other Information
    • Contact Us
    • File a Complaint
  • Child Services Dropdown Menu
    • About
    • Child Protective Services
    • Child & Family Services
    • Child Safety
    • Family Support
    • Children in Our Care
    • About
    • Foster Care
    • Kinship Care
    • Adoption
    • Medical Services
    • Youth & Young Adults
    • More Information
    • Attorney's Guide
    • Community-Based Care
    • Rainbow Rooms
    • Other Information
    • Contact Us
    • Case Records
    • File a Complaint
  • Adoption & Foster Care Dropdown Menu
    • About
    • Children in Our Care
    • Foster Care
    • Kinship Care
    • Adoption
    • Foster and Adoptive Parents
    • Steps
    • Requirements
    • Information Meetings
    • Get Started
    • Find a Child to Adopt
    • Search Waiting Children
    • Heart Galleries
    • Support
    • Adoption Assistance
    • Medical Services
    • Youth and Young Adults
    • Other Information
    • Contact Us
    • File a Complaint
  • Prevention Dropdown Menu
    • General Information
    • About PEI
    • Program Descriptions
    • Strategic Plan
    • Office of Child Safety
    • Texas Home Visiting
    • Reports and Publications
    • Families & Community Members
    • Find Services
    • Get Parenting Tips
    • PEI Community Toolkit
    • Partners & Grantees
    • Partners in Prevention Conference
    • Information for Grantees
    • Evidence-Based Programming
    • Other Information
    • Contact Us
    • File a Complaint
  • Adult Protection Dropdown Menu
    • About
    • Overview
    • Investigations and Services
    • APS History
    • TEAM Institute
    • Silver Star Rooms
    • APSConference.org
    • Prevent Adult Abuse
    • How to Report Abuse
    • Help Prevent Adult Abuse
    • Other Information
    • Contact Us
    • File a Complaint
  • Doing Business Dropdown Menu
    • DFPS Contracts
    • Doing Business with DFPS
    • Contracting Policies
    • Contracting Forms
    • Funding Opportunities
    • Partnering with DFPS
    • Historically Underutilized
        Business
    • Purchased Client Services
    • About PCS
    • Regional APS Contracts
    • Regional CPS Contracts
    • Residential Contracts
    • State Office Contracts
    • Community-Based Care Contracts
    • Reports & Statistics
    • Active Contracts
    • Children in DFPS Care
    • Other Information
    • Contact Us
    • File a Complaint
  • Data & Reports Dropdown Menu
    • Data & Statistics
    • Budget & Finance
    • CPS Dashboard
    • Data Book
    • Monthly Data
    • Reports & Presentations
    • Agencywide
    • APS
    • CAPTA Citizen Review Teams
    • CPS
    • Internal Audit
    • PEI
    • Rider Reports
    • Strategic Plans
    • News & Information
    • DFPS News
    • Policies and Information Requests
    • Other Information
    • Contact Us
    • File a Complaint
Coronavirus Resources | En Español

Child Care Investigations Handbook

  • DFPS Home
  • >Handbooks
  • >CCI
  • >This Page

Menu DFPS Policy Handbooks

  •   Handbook Search
  • This box searches the DFPS policy handbooks. For more options see advanced search and search tips.

  • Revision Memos
  • Most Recent Revisions
    • Child Protective Services
    • Adult Protective Services
    • Child Care Investigations
    • Statewide Intake
    • Background Checks
    • Community Engagement
    • Office of Consumer Affairs
    • Records Management Group
    • Subpoena Policy
    • Travel Claims and Services
    • Asset Management
    • Ethics Policy
    • Title IV-E Training
    • Title IV-E County
  • Handbooks
  • Child Protective Services
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Administration
    • 2000 Intake
    • 3000 Child Safety
    • 4000 Placement
    • 5000 Legal Functions
    • 6000 Substitute Care
    • 7000 FAD
    • 8000 Services
    • 9000 Interstate
    • 10000 Youth in Care
    • 11000 Health Care
    • 12000 FBSS
    • 15000 Education
    • Appendices
    • Definitions
    • Resource Guides
  • CPS Community-Based Care
    • Region 1 Joint Operations Manual
    • Region 2 Joint Operations Manual
    • Region 3b Case Management
    • Region 3b Joint Operations Manual
    • Region 8b Stage II Manual
    • Services Across Stage II Regions
  • Adult Protective Services
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 SWI & Case Assignment
    • 3000 Scope & Eligibility
    • 4000 HHSC or Other Settings
    • 5000 Complex Cases
    • 6000 Evidence
    • 7000 Guardianship
    • 8000 Investigations & Assessments
    • 9000 Case Contacts
    • 10000 Provide & Arrange Services
    • 11000 Death of Client
    • 12000 Legal Actions
    • 13000 Case Closure
    • 14000 Due Process & Release
    • 15000 Confidentiality & Records
    • Appendices
    • Definitions
  • Child Care Investigations
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Legal Basis
    • 2000 Notifications
    • 3000 Intake
    • 4000 Investigations
    • 5000 Special Topics
    • 6000
    • 7000 Reviews and Appeals
    • Appendices
    • Definitions
  • Statewide Intake
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 Reports
    • 3000 Information & Referral
    • 4000 CPI and CPS
    • 5000 APS
    • 6000 HHSC PI Facility
    • 7000 HHSC PI Community
    • 8000 DCI and DCR
    • 9000 RCCI and RCCR
  • Background Checks
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 PCS
    • 3000 Non-DFPS Staff
    • 4000 Employees
    • 5000 CASA
    • 6000 Public
    • 7000 Volunteers and Interns
    • 8000 Audit Staff
    • 9000 External Partners
    • 10000 SSCCs
    • Appendices
    • Definitions
  • Contracting Policies
  • Community Engagement
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 Resource Rooms
    • 3000 Stakeholders
    • 4000 Donations
    • 5000 Volunteers
    • 6000 Interns, Youth
    • 7000 Background Checks
    • 8000 Responsibilities
    • Appendix
  • Office of Consumer Affairs
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 Complaints
    • 3000 Legislators
    • 4000 Case Reviews
    • 5000 ARIF
  • Records Management Group
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 Safekeeping
    • 3000 Disclosure
    • 4000 Retention
    • 5000 Forms
    • 6000 Adoption Registry
    • 7000 Administration
  • Subpoena Policy
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Policy
    • 2000 Procedures
  • Travel Claims and Services
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 Policy
    • 3000 Claims
    • 4000 Unique Policies
    • 5000 Council Travel
    • 6000 eTravel
    • 7000 Exceptions
  • Asset Management
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 Responsibilities
    • 3000 Property Types
    • 4000 Acquisition
    • 5000 Inventory
    • 6000 Lost Property
    • 7000 Disposal
    • Appendices
  • Ethics Policy
    • Table of Contents
    • Standards of Conduct
    • Accepting Benefits
    • Purchasing Food
    • Group Solicitations
    • Travel
    • Conflicts of Interest
    • Referring or Endorsing Vendors
    • Contracting
    • Restrictions on Employment
    • Political Activity
    • Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
    • Using Time, Property, and Facilities
  • Title IV-E Handbooks
  • Title IV-E Training
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 Legal Basis
    • 3000 Introduction
    • 4000 Training
    • Appendices
  • Title IV-E County
    • Table of Contents
    • 1000 Overview
    • 2000 Legal Basis
    • 3000 Introduction
    • 4000 Child Welfare
    • 5000 Legal
    • 6000 County
    • Appendices
  • Helpful Links
  • Statutes
    • Statutory References
    • TX Rules of Evidence
    • TX Rules of Appellate Procedure
    • TX Code of Criminal Procedure
    • TX Rules of Civil Procedure
  • TAC Rules
  • TAC Waivers for Foster Care Redesign
  • DFPS Contracting Policies
  • Email Updates
  • Section 1000

    1000 Legal Basis, Regulated Programs, Records, and Technology

    1100 DFPS Authority to Investigate Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

    1110 Federal Laws and Requirements

    1111 The United States Constitution

    1112 The Social Security Act

    1113 The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act

    1120 State Laws Supporting Child Care Investigations

    1121 Texas Human Resources Code

    1122 Texas Family Code

    1123 Texas Administrative Code

    1124 State Laws and Rules Regulating Child Care

    1130 CCI Ethics

    1140 Child Care Operations and Activities Subject to Regulation

    1141 Types of Child Day Care Operations

    1142 Types of Residential Child Care

    1143 Types of Licensed Administrators

    1150 Investigation Jurisdiction

    1151 Referring Additional Allegations to Appropriate Agencies During an Ongoing Investigation

    1152 Determining Whether an Operation Is Subject to Regulation

    1153 Obtaining Consent to Enter an Unregulated Operation

    1154 Actions When Entry to an Unregulated Operation Is Refused

    1200 Program Organization

    1210 CCI State Office

    1220 Complex Investigations Division

    1230 Field Program Administrators

    1240 The Role of the Supervisor

    1241 Supervisor Experience and Training

    1250 The Role of the Investigator

    1251 Worker Safety

    1252 Investigator Training Curriculum

    1253 Guidelines for Average Caseloads

    1300 Working with Other Agencies, Departments, or Programs

    1310 Other DFPS Programs

    1311 CPI Special Investigators

    1311.1 Assigning a CPI Special Investigator

    1311.2 Special Investigations Assistance When Investigating Trafficking Allegations

    1311.3 Special Investigations Assistance When Investigating Death or Near-Fatal Injuries

    1312 Heightened Monitoring (Residential Child Care Only)

    1313 DFPS Residential Contracts (Residential Child Care Only)

    1313.1 Twenty-Four-Hour Awake Night Supervision (Residential Child Care Only)

    1313.2 Notifying the Contract Manager of Investigation Findings

    1314 Caseworkers for Children in DFPS Care

    1320 Law Enforcement

    1321 Notifying Law Enforcement

    1322 Conducting a Joint Investigation with Law Enforcement

    1323 Documenting Contact with Law Enforcement

    1330 HHSC Child Care Regulation

    1340 Family Advocates and Other Advocacy Organizations

    1341 Case Records

    1342 Communication

    1343 Participation in Meetings

    1344 Participation in Interviews

    1400 Technology Supporting Investigations

    1410 Use of State-Issued Equipment

    1420 Using Photos, Audio, Video, and Scanned Information as Investigative Tools

    1421 Using Audio Recordings as an Investigative Tool

    1422 Photos and Video of Children

    1422.1 Taking Sensitive Photos

    1423 Taking Photos That Present Better Evidence

    1424 Legal Requirements to Take Photos

    1430 Application Security for CLASS and IMPACT

    1431 Assigning Security Roles in CLASS

    1432 Assigning a Designee in CLASS and IMPACT

    1432.1 Maximum Number of Designees in CLASS and IMPACT

    1432.2 Time Limitations for Designees in CLASS and IMPACT

    1440 Reassigning Cases, Deactivating Accounts, and Removing Roles in CLASS and IMPACT

    1441 Reassigning Cases in CLASS and IMPACT

    1442 Deactivating CLASS Accounts for Lack of Use

    1443 Removing Rights to CLASS When an Employee Transfers Within DFPS

    1444 Removing Rights to CLASS When an Employee Voluntarily Leaves DFPS Employment

    1445 Removing Rights to CLASS and IMPACT When an Employee Is Involuntarily Terminated

    1450 Conducting a Search in CLASS

    1451 Types of Searches in CLASS

    1452 When to Conduct Searches in CLASS

    1452.1 When to Conduct an Operation Search in CLASS

    1452.2 When to Conduct a Background Check Results Search in CLASS

    1452.3 When to Conduct a Controlling Person Search in CLASS

    1452.4 When to Conduct a Global Person Search in CLASS

    1460 How to Conduct a Search in CLASS

    1461 Conducting a Search in CLASS That Yields Phonetic Search Results

    1462 Conducting a Search in CLASS That Yields Exact Search Results

    1463 Conducting a Global Person Search in CLASS to Obtain All Records on an Individual

  • Section 2000

    2000 Notifications, Records, and Requests for Information

    2100 Notifications During Investigations

    2110 Notifications Made at Beginning of Investigation

    2111 Notifying the Operation of an Investigation

    2111.1 Methods of Notifying the Operation

    2111.2 Exceptions to Notifying the Operation

    2112 Notifications of Investigations Involving a Child in DFPS Conservatorship

    2112.1 How to Notify the CPS Caseworker and Supervisor

    2112.2 Maintaining Contact With the CPS Caseworker of Alleged Victims

    2112.3 Documenting Contact With the CPS Caseworker

    2113 Notifying a School District About Allegations Against a Public School Employee

    2120 Notifying Parents, Guardians, or Managing Conservators of Interview With Child

    2121 Notifying a Parent of an Alleged Victim

    2122 Notifying a Parent of a Child Interviewed as a Collateral Source During an Abuse or Neglect Investigation

    2130 Notifying Relevant Parties of the Results of an Investigation

    2131 Notification to Parent of an Alleged Victim of the Results of an Abuse or Neglect Investigation

    2132 Special Notifications for Investigations Involving Children in DFPS Conservatorship

    2133 Notification to the Alleged Perpetrator for an Abuse or Neglect Investigation

    2133.1 For Findings of Reason to Believe

    2133.2 If the Alleged Perpetrator Is an Employee of the Operation

    2133.3 If the Alleged Perpetrator Is a Minor (10 to 17 years of age)

    2133.4 If a Due Process Hearing Is Requested

    2134 Notifying the Residential Care Operation of the Results of an Investigation

    2134.1 Documenting the Notification to the Residential Care Operation

    2134.2 Release of Necessary Information

    2135 Notifying the Reporter of Investigation Results

    2136 Notification to Child Care Licensing

    2200 Maintaining Evidence and Other Confidential Records

    2210 Licensing Records

    2211 The Content and Organization of Licensing Records

    2212 Custody of Licensing Records

    2212.1 Assigning, Reassigning, and Transferring Records

    2220 Maintaining an Investigation File

    2221 Maintaining Electronic Investigation Files

    2221.1 Electronic Documents Finalized After Investigation Approval

    2221.2 Documents Received After Investigation Closure

    2222 Managing Physical Investigation Files

    2222.1 Managing Information That Cannot Be Converted to Electronic Records

    2223 Records Retention

    2230 Documenting and Storing Digital Photographs, Audio, Video, and Scanned Information

    2231 Documenting Photographs, Audio, Video, and Scanned Information

    2232 Storage of Digital Photographs, Audio, Video, and Scanned Information

    2233 Printing or Destroying Photographs

    2240 Documenting the Investigation

    2241 Documentation of Case Notes

    2242 Confidentiality of the Reporter’s Identity

    2242.1 Responding to Requests for the Reporter’s Identity

    2243 Documentation of All Investigations

    2243.1 Additional Documentation for Abuse or Neglect Investigations

    2244 Documentation on the Investigation Conclusion Page in CLASS

    2244.1 Initiation of Investigation Field

    2244.2 Observation Made During Inspection Field

    2244.3 Contact List

    2244.4 Investigation Findings

    2244.41 Findings Involving Child Sexual Aggression

    2244.42 Findings Involving Child-on-Child Physical Abuse

    2244.43 Explanation of Disposition Based on Preponderance

    2244.44 Final Disposition and Summary of Due Process

    2244.5 Notification Dates

    2244.6 Updating the Person Detail Page

    2244.7 Extension Approval

    2300 Responding to Requests for Information

    2310 Protecting Confidential Information

    2320 Confidential Information Not for Release to the Public

    2321 Confidential Information That May Be Released In Certain Situations

    2322 How to Determine if a Person is a Prospective Adoptive Parent

    2330 Information for General Release

    2331 Providing the Minimum Standard Rules

    2332 Providing Information About Child-Care Operations

    2332.1 Providing Information About Child-Care Options

    2333 Referring Requestors to the DFPS Web Site

    2340 Responding to Requests From Parents and Managing Conservators

    2350 Responding to Requests From DFPS Staff and Other Agencies

    2351 Releasing to DFPS Staff

    2352 Releasing to Other Agencies

    2360 Releasing Information to the Media

    2361 When to Contact a Regional Public Information Officer (PIO)

    2362 Requests Beyond General Release

    2363 Other Reasons to Contact a Regional PIO

    2364 When the Regional PIO Is Unavailable

    2365 When to Contact the State Office PIO

    2370 Responding to Requests From Legislators

    2380 Responding to Requests From Disability Rights Texas

  • Section 3000

    3000 Intake and Screening

    3100 Definitions for Child Care Investigations

    3130 Allegations of Child Trafficking (Sex and Labor Trafficking)

    3131 Informing Special Investigations of Child Sex or Labor Trafficking

    3132 Informing Law Enforcement of Child Sex or Labor Trafficking

    3133 Confirmed and Suspected Victims of Child Sex or Labor Trafficking

    3140 Allegations Involving Child Sexual Aggression or Child-on-Child Physical Abuse

    3141 Documenting Child Sexual Aggression Determinations for a Child in DFPS Conservatorship

    3200 Types of Intake Reports

    3210 Merging Investigations about the Same Allegations

    3211 Merging and Linking Investigations in IMPACT and CLASS

    3220 Repeated Reports with No New Allegations

    3230 Reports of Incidents That Occurred in the Past

    3240 Incidents Reported by an Operation, Known as Self-Reports

    3250 Reports Requiring Special Handling

    3251 Processing Sensitive Intake Reports

    3252 Processing Intake Reports Receiving Media Attention

    3253 Processing Intake Reports Involving Disaster Relief

    3254 Processing Intake Reports Involving H1N1

    3300 Assessing and Processing Intake Reports

    3310 Reports Received from Statewide Intake (SWI)

    3311 SWI RCCI Screening Unit

    3311.1 RCCI Intake Reports Determined Appropriate for Priority None (PN)

    3311.2 Contacting the SWI RCCI Screening Unit Outside Regular Business Hours

    3312 Intake Reports That Do Not Require Screening

    3320 Assessing an Intake Report for Type of Investigation and Priority

    3321 Assessing an Intake Report for Type of Investigation

    3321.1 Intake Reports to Be Investigated

    3321.2 Intake Reports to Be Closed Without an Investigation

    3322 Assessing an Intake Report for Priority

    3322.1 Classifying an Intake Report as a Priority 1 Investigation

    3322.2 Classifying an Intake Report as a Priority 2 Investigation

    3322.3 Selecting the Priority of an Intake Report in CLASS

    3330 Assessing an Intake Report for Allegation Types

    3331 IMPACT Allegation Types

    3331.1 Selecting Allegations of Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation in IMPACT

    3332 CLASS Allegation Types

    3332.1 Selecting Allegations of Violations in CLASS

    3332.2 Allegation Involving a Child Under the Age of 6 (Child-Placing Agency Only)

    3340 Processing Intake Reports in IMPACT and CLASS

    3341 Investigate, Downgrade, or Close an Intake Report

    3341.1 Changing the Priority of an Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation Intake Report

    3341.2 Reclassifying an Intake Report to a Priority None (PN) Intake Report

    3341.3 Notification of Priority None (PN) Intake Reports Involving a Child in DFPS Conservatorship

    3342 IMPACT and CLASS Options for Changing the Priority, Downgrading, or Closing an Intake Report

    3342.1 IMPACT Options for Changing the Priority, Reclassifying, or Closing an Intake Report

    3342.2 CLASS Options for Closing an Intake Report

    3350 Preparing the Investigation in IMPACT and CLASS

    3351 Progressing an Intake Report to an Investigation

    3352 Progressing an Intake Report to an Investigation in IMPACT

    3353 Progressing an Intake Report to an Investigation in CLASS

  • Section 4000

    4000 Investigations

    4100 Overview of Investigations

    4110 Components of a Thorough Investigation

    4120 Supervisor Consultations During an Investigation

    4121 Investigation Assignment Conference

    4122 Interim Staffing With Supervisor

    4123 Dispositional Staffing and Determining the Findings

    4130 Protecting a Reporter’s Confidentiality During an Investigation

    4131 Identifying New Reporters During an Investigation

    4200 Preparing for the Investigation

    4210 Reviewing the Intake Report Narrative and Determining the Allegations

    4211 Writing the Allegation

    4212 Evaluating Allegations of Licensing Minimum Standards Violations During an Investigation

    4220 Preparing Equipment and Other Required Items

    4230 Background Checks on Principals

    4240 Contacting the Reporter

    4250 Risk Assessment of Regulatory History

    4251 Requesting a Risk Assessment of Regulatory History

    4252 Conducting a Risk Assessment of Regulatory History

    4253 Documenting the Risk Assessment of Regulatory History

    4300 Conducting the Investigation

    4310 Initiating the Investigation

    4311 Time Frames for Initiation

    4311.1 Time Frame for Initiating a Priority 1 (P1) Investigation

    4311.2 Time Frame for Initiating a Priority 2 (P2) Investigation

    4312 Time Frames for Face-to-Face Contact with Alleged Victims

    4313 Documenting Face-to-Face Contacts with Alleged Victims

    4313.1 Documenting Contacts with Alleged Victims in CLASS

    4313.2 Documenting Contacts with Alleged Victims in IMPACT

    4320 Collecting Evidence

    4321 Collecting Evidence Related to Interviews

    4322 Taking Photographs as Evidence

    4323 Obtaining Written Documents as Evidence

    4323.1 Obtaining Medical Records

    4323.2 Obtaining Reports From Law Enforcement

    4323.3 Reviewing Documents From CPS

    4323.4 Obtaining Documents From the Operation

    4324 Maintaining Records of Correspondence

    4400 Conducting Interviews

    4410 Recording Interviews

    4411 Testing the Recording Equipment

    4412 Authenticating the Recording

    4413 Exceptions to Recording the Interview

    4414 Documenting Whether an Interview Was Recorded

    4415 Using an Alternative Recording Device

    4420 Observing and Interviewing Children

    4421 Age and Ability Requirements for Observing and Interviewing Children

    4422 Observing and Interviewing Alleged Victims

    4422.1 Interview Takes Place Before Receipt of Intake Report

    4422.2 Contacting a Children’s Advocacy Center About Certain Allegations

    4423 Observing and Interviewing a Child Related to a Child Care Provider

    4430 Interviewing Adults

    4431 Interviewing Alleged Perpetrators

    4431.1 Before Conducting an Interview with an Alleged Perpetrator

    4431.2 During an Interview with an Alleged Perpetrator

    4431.3 Interview of an Alleged Perpetrator by Law Enforcement

    4431.4 Alleged Perpetrator Fails to Cooperate with the Investigation

    4432 Interviewing Principal and Collateral Sources

    4440 Requesting a Courtesy Interview

    4450 Interviewing Persons With Limited English Proficiency

    4451 Using an Interpreter to Conduct an Interview

    4452 Documenting the Use of Interpretation Services

    4500 Assessing the Immediate Safety of Children

    4510 Evaluating the Need for a Safety Plan

    4511 Safety Assessments

    4512 Danger Indicators

    4520 Implementing a Safety Plan

    4521 Supervisory Review of the Safety Plan

    4521.1 Restricting an Alleged Perpetrator’s Contact With Children or Role at the Operation

    4521.2 Requesting That an Operation Stop Operating

    4522 Documenting the Safety Plan

    4523 Notifying the Licensing Representative of the Safety Plan

    4524 Operation Refuses to Implement a Safety Plan

    4530 Evaluating and Ending a Safety Plan

    4531 Revising or Extending a Safety Plan

    4540 Handling Immediate Danger to Children

    4541 Emergency Release

    4550 Injunctive Relief

    4551 Temporary Restraining Order

    4552 Injunction

    4553 Following Up On an Injunction

    4600 Completing the Investigation

    4610 Time Frames for Completion of the Investigation

    4611 Extending Time Frames for Completing an Investigation

    4611.1 Criteria for Requesting Additional Time to Complete the Investigation

    4611.2 Documenting an Extension

    4611.3 Obtaining an Additional Extension

    4611.4 Time Frame for Supervisor to Approve or Reject an Extension Request

    4620 Possible Dispositions

    4621 Elements of Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

    4622 Roles of Persons Involved in the Investigation

    4623 Assigning the Severity to a Reason to Believe Disposition

    4624 Issuing a Finding of Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation When the Perpetrator Cannot Be Determined

    4625 Allegations That Merit Administrative Closure

    4625.1 Investigator Responsibilities When Recommending an Administrative Closure

    4625.2 Supervisor and Program Administrator Responsibilities When Approving an Administrative Closure

    4700 Submitting and Approving Investigations

    4710 Submitting an Investigation

    4720 Reviewing an Investigation

    4721 Investigations Requiring Secondary Approval

    4722 Submitting an Investigation for Secondary Approval

    4730 Rejecting and Resubmitting an Investigation

    4740 After an Investigation Is Approved

  • Section 5000

    5000 Special Topics

    5100 Administrators and Other Persons in Charge as Perpetrators

    5110 Repeated Allegations Involving the Same Operation or Person in Charge

    5120 Multiple Referral Investigations

    5200 Handling Obstruction of an Investigation

    5210 Obstruction by the Operation

    5220 Obstruction by the Alleged Perpetrator

    5230 Obstruction by Regulated Operations

    5240 Obstruction by Unregulated Operations

    5300 Investigating Fatal or Near Fatal Injuries

    5310 Investigation of a Child’s Death

    5311 Actions in the First 24 Hours

    5311.1 Entering Person Details in IMPACT

    5311.2 Answering the Question About the Child Fatality Allegation in IMPACT

    5311.3 Assessing the Safety of Other Children in Care

    5311.4 Notifications of a Child’s Death

    5311.41 Notifying Law Enforcement About a Child’s Death

    5311.42 Notification Regarding the Death of a Child Younger Than Age 6

    5311.43 Notifications Within DFPS

    5311.5 Entering Preliminary Findings Related to a Child’s Death

    5311.6 Completing the Preliminary Child Death Report (Form 2899e) in CLASS

    5312 Staffing an Investigation of a Child’s Death

    5313 Documenting the Investigation of a Child’s Death

    5314 Completing the Investigation of a Child’s Death

    5314.1 Documenting the Cause of a Child’s Death

    5314.2 Assigning the Severity of Allegations When a Child Dies

    5314.3 Final Medical Examiner’s Findings

    5314.4 Death Related to Restraints

    5314.5 When an Extension Is Needed for Autopsy Results or Criminal Investigation

    5315 Supervisory Approval of the Investigation of a Child’s Death

    5315.1 Completing the Confirmed Child Death Report (Form 2899e) in CLASS

    5320 Investigation of a Child’s Near Fatality

    5321 Actions in the First 24 Hours

    5322 Supervisory Approval of the Investigation of a Near Fatality

    5330 Release of Information for a Child Death or Near Fatality at a Residential Care Operation

    5400 Special Considerations for Certain Types of Reports

    5410 Conducting Surveillance (Day Care Only)

    5420 Investigations Involving DFPS Employees

  • Section 6000

    6000 (To be added in a future policy revision)

  • Section 7000

    7000 Administrative Reviews and Appeals of Investigation Findings

    7100 Administrative Reviews

    7110 The Right to an Administrative Review

    7111 When An Individual Is Entitled to an Administrative Review

    7112 Explaining the Right to an Administrative Review

    7113 Waiving the Right to an Administrative Review

    7120 Roles for Conducting an Administrative Review

    7121 Roles and Responsibilities of Child Care Investigations and Child Care Licensing Following a Request for Administrative Review

    7130 Receiving a Request for an Administrative Review

    7131 Determining Whether a Request for an Administrative Review Meets the Due Date

    7131.1 When the Request for an Administrative Review Meets the Due Date

    7131.2 When the Request for an Administrative Review Does Not Meet the Due Date

    7132 Determining Whether a Request for an Administrative Review Is Complete

    7132.1 When a Request for an Administrative Review Is Complete

    7132.2 When a Request for an Administrative Review Is Incomplete

    7133 Determining Whether the Information Missing From a Request for an Administrative Review Is Received by the Due Date

    7133.1 When the Information Missing From a Request for an Administrative Review Is Received by the Due Date

    7133.2 When the Information Missing From a Request for an Administrative Review Is Not Received by the Due Date

    7140 Initiating Contact With the Requestor of an Administrative Review

    7141 Scheduling an Administrative Review Conference

    7142 Documenting the Initial Contact With the Requestor in CLASS

    7150 Conducting an Administrative Review Conference

    7151 If the Requester Waives the Right to the Administrative Review Conference

    7160 Deciding the Outcome of an Administrative Review

    7161 Documenting the Outcome of an Administrative Review in CLASS

    7162 Documenting the Outcome of an Administrative Review in IMPACT

    7163 Amending an Action or Decision as the Result of an Administrative Review

    7170 Notifying a Requestor About the Outcome of an Administrative Review

    7171 Notifying an Individual of the Outcome of the Administrative Review

    7172 Notifying a Residential Care Operation When the Administrative Review Overturns or Changes the Investigation Finding

    7173 Notifying Child Care Licensing When the Administrative Review Overturns or Changes the Investigation Finding

    7200 Hearings Concerning Child Abuse or Neglect Findings

    7210 Due Process Hearings for Persons Investigated by Licensing

    7211 Explaining the Offer of a Due Process Hearing to Someone Whom Licensing Designated as a Perpetrator of Abuse or Neglect

    7212 Waiving the Right to a Due Process Hearing

    7220 Documenting the Results of the Due Process Hearing

    7221 Overturning or Changing a Finding of Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation

    7222 Upholding a Finding of Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation

    7223 Sustaining a Perpetrator in IMPACT

    7224 Documenting the Final Disposition for Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation Investigations in CLASS

    7231 Notifying the Perpetrator About the Outcome of a Due Process Hearing When the Finding Is Sustained

    7232 Notifying the Residential Care Operation About an Overturned or Changed Finding

    7240 Documentation and Notification of Due Process Hearings for Perpetrators Who Are Minors

    7241 Minor Does Not Request a Due Process Hearing

    7242 When a Minor Turns Eighteen

  • Appendices

    Appendices Section 1000: General Information

    Appendix 1000-1: Determining Whether a Program or Operation is Regulated by Licensing – Questions and Answers

    Appendix 1000-2: Decision Guide: Is the Care Being Provided Subject to Regulation?

    Appendix 1000-3: Security Roles and Functions in CLASS

    Appendices Section 2000: Notifications and Other Confidential Investigation Information

    Appendix 2000-1: Notification Time Frames

    Appendix 2000-2: Organizing Investigation Records

    Appendix 2000-3: Educational Materials

    Appendices Section 4000: Investigations

    Appendix 4000-1: Investigation Time Frames

    Appendix 4000-2: Supervisor and Secondary Approver Time Frames

    Appendices Section 7000: Administrative Reviews and Appeals of Investigation Findings

    Appendix 7000-1: Guidelines for Preparing Records for SOAH Hearings and Tracking

  • Definitions of Terms

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Email Updates

Footer Menu

DFPS Agency

  • About DFPS
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
  • DFPS Home
  • DFPS Offices
  • En Español
  • Find a Form
  • Jobs
  • Office Closures
  • Policies
  • Site Map
  • Training
  • Websites

Public Awareness Campaigns

  • Early Childhood Texas
  • Everyone's Business
  • Get Parenting Tips
  • Room to Breathe
  • Texas Youth Connection
  • Texas Youth Helpline
  • Watch Kids Around Water
  • Why Not Me?

Abuse / Hotlines

  • Hotlines
  • Questions and Complaints
  • Report Abuse
  • Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse
  • State Auditor’s Fraud Hotline

Budget, Data & Regulations

  • Annual Report
  • Budget and Finance
  • Data Book
  • Open Records Policy
  • Policy Handbooks
  • Cybersecurity
  • Practice Guide for CPS Attorneys
  • Rulemaking
  • Records Retention Schedule
  • Reports, Plans & Statistics
  • Statutes for APS
  • Statutes for CPS
  • Texas Administrative Code

News and Information

  • Compact with Texans
  • Coronavirus Resources
  • DFPS News
  • DFPS Public Meetings
  • Foster Care Lawsuit News
  • Financial and Budget Information
  • Help Prevent Child Abuse
  • Help Prevent Abuse of Vulnerable Adults
  • Support for Parents

Parents Involved with CPS

  • Guía para Padres Sobre el Cuidado Temporal
  • Guía para Padres Sobre las Investigaciones
  • Parent's Guide to Investigations
  • Parent's Guide to Foster Care
  • Resources for Families Involved with CPS

Business Information

  • Active DFPS Contracts
  • Doing Business with DFPS
  • Funding Opportunities at DFPS
  • Regional Children Statistics in DFPS Care
  • Texas Faith-Based & Community Initiative

Find Services

  • Background Checks
  • Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent
  • Find Your Birth Family or Biological Sibling
  • Prevention Programs in Your County
  • Request a Copy of DFPS Records
  • Services for Youth in Foster Care
  • Search for Child Care
  • Search for a Child to Adopt

How You Can Help

  • Donate
  • Volunteer
  • Internships
  • Mentorships
  • Faith-Based Program

Other Information

  • Download Help
  • State Government Information Search
  • Texas Online
  • Texas Health and Human Services
  • Texas Veterans Portal
  • U.S. Census 2020
  • Where The Money Goes