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Section 6000: Substitute Care Services
6100 Overview of Substitute Care
6111 Assumption of Parental Responsibility
6113 Objectives of Substitute Care
6114 Legal and Practical Bases
6120 Initial Caseworker Activities
6121 Complete a Post Removal Transfer Staffing
6122 Required Tasks at Conservatorship Assignment
6123 Ongoing Duty to Provide Notice of DFPS Conservatorship
6124 Case Conference and Supportive Supervision in CVS, Local Permanency, and Kinship
6130 Case Record and Workload Management
6131.2 Types of Conservatorship Stages
6131.21 Family or Parent Stages
6131.23 Casework Related Special Requests
6131.24 Foster and Adoptive Home Development
6131.26 Substitute Care Case Related Special Request: C-PB Stage
6131.27 Preparation for Adult Living
6133.1 Documentation and Communication
6133.2 Documenting Contacts in Substitute Care
6133.21 Documenting Contacts Using the Contact Details Page
6133.22 Documenting Monthly Contacts and Visits
6133.23 Required Narrative Content
6133.24 Contacts and Visits with the Child, Parent, Kinship, Relatives, and Caregiver
6133.25 CPS Contact with Collaterals, Court, and Legal Parties
6133.26 Supervisor Consultation
6133.3 Documenting Legal Activity
6133.4 Documenting Health Information
6133.5 Maintaining the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Report
6133.52 Relatives and Fictive Kin
6133.6 Documenting Information on Case Principals
6133.7 Documenting Other Actions
6133.71 Documenting Services to Parents and Caregivers
6133.72 Documenting Permanency Planning Meetings
6133.73 Maintaining Current Photograph of a Child
6133.74 Documenting Transfer and Closing Summaries
6140 General Caseworker Duties
6143 Communication with the Child, Parents, Attorneys, Courts, Relatives and Caregivers
6143.1 Child or Youth Access to Caseworker and Unit Management
6143.11 Responding to a Message from a Child or Youth
6144 Caseworkers’ Responsibilities Regarding Discipline
6151.1 Exceptions to the Notification Requirements
6151.2 Child Admitted to an Inpatient Mental Health Facility
6151.3 Notification Requirements and Schedule
6160 Caseworker's Duty to Report Abuse and Neglect in an Open Conservatorship (CVS) Case
6170 Actions Requiring Supervisor Approval
6171 Actions Requiring Child Placement Management Staff Approval
6180 Discharging Children from Substitute Care
6181 Services Preceding Discharge
6182 Services at Discharge from Substitute Care
6200 Case Planning for Positive Permanency
6210 Overview of Case Planning
6211 Requirements to Produce a Case Plan
6213 Concurrent Permanency Planning
6220 Permanency Planning Process
6230 Factors to Consider When Planning for Permanency
6231 Working with Family of Origin
6233 Selecting the Permanency Goal
6234 Prioritizing Permanency Goals
6234.11 Exceptions to Planned Reunification
6234.12 Priority of Family Reunification
6234.14 Aggravated Circumstances or Criminal Convictions
6234.16 Ruling Out Family Reunification
6234.21 Categories of Adoption
6234.23 Adoption vs. Conservatorship
6234.24 Ruling Out Family Reunification and Adoption Before Pursuing Permanency Care Assistance
6234.3 Permanent Managing Conservatorship to a Relative or Suitable Individual
6234.4 Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement
6234.41 Categories of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA)
6234.43 Identifying Support of a Family or Other Caring Adult
6234.44 Reassessing APPLA as the Permanency Goal
6235 Documenting the Permanency Plan
6236 Approving the Permanency Plan
6236.2 Presenting the Permanency Plan to the Court
6236.3 Changing or Revising the Permanency Plan
6237.1 Time Frames for Permanent Family Placements in Temporary Managing Conservatorship
6241 The Child's Plan of Service (CPOS)
6241.1 Basic Description and Content of the Child's Plan of Service
6241.2 Child Plan of Service Types and Frequency of Reviews
6241.21 Initial Child's Plan of Service
6241.22 Review of Child's Plan of Service
6241.23 Facility's Meetings to Plan Services
6241.25 Person Characteristics in IMPACT
6241.3 Participating in Development of the Child's Plan of Service
6241.31 Documenting Participation in the Development of the Child's Plan of Service
6241.32 Distributing the Approved Child's Plan of Service to Participants
6241.4 Documenting and Approving the Child's Plan of Service
6241.41 Changing or Revising the Permanency Goal
6242 The Family Plan of Service (FPOS)
6242.1 Family Plan of Service Types
6242.11 Initial Family Plan of Service
6242.12 Family Reunification Family Plan of Service
6242.13 Family Reunification (FRE) Family Plan
6242.2 The Family Plan of Service for Children Under Age Two
6242.3 Requirement for a Family Plan of Service
6242.31 Exceptions to Requirements for the Family Plan of Service
6242.4 Developing the Family Plan of Service
6242.41 Family Participation in Developing the Family Plan of Service
6242.5 Content of the Family Plan of Service
6242.6 Documenting and Approving the Family Plan of Service
6242.7 Reviewing the Family Plan of Service
6242.8 Updating the Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
6243 Services to Parents Who Live Outside of the Country
6250 Permanency Planning Meetings (PPM)
6251 Overview of Permanency Planning Meetings
6251.1 When CPS Is the Temporary Managing Conservator
6251.2 When CPS Is Permanent Managing Conservator
6251.3 Written Notice of a Permanency Planning Meeting
6251.4 Permanency Planning Meeting
6251.5 Fifth-Month Permanency Planning Meeting
6251.6 Issues to Address if DFPS Has PMC
6252 Permanency Planning Meetings for Youth 14 and Older
6252.1 Reviewing and Documenting a Youth's Plans for Transitioning to Successful Adulthood
6260 Permanency Roundtables (PRT)
6310 Services to the Child's Family When the Child Is in Substitute Care
6311 Services to the Parent and Family
6313 Participation of Parents’ Attorneys When a Child Is in Substitute Care
6314 Services to Children and Parents across Regional Lines
6314.1 Coordination Between Primary Caseworker and Courtesy Supervision Caseworker
6314.11 Responsibilities of the Courtesy Caseworker
6314.12 Responsibilities of the Primary Caseworker
6326 Following Up on Identified Needs
6330 The Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
6340 Completing the Family Plan of Service
6350 Contact with Special Populations
6360 When CPS Obtains Permanent Managing Conservatorship Without Termination of Parental Rights
6361 Assessing Parental Involvement and Participation in Service Planning
6362 Maintaining the Family Substitute Care Stage
6363 Court's Authority to Order CPS to Provide Services
6364 When to Complete a Family Plan of Service
6366 When Service Planning Has Been Discontinued or Resumed
6370 When a Mother in an Open CVS Case is Pregnant
6380 Parental Child Safety Placements in CVS Cases
6400 Services to Children in Substitute Care
6411.21 Frequency of Face-to-Face Visits
6411.22 Conducting the Monthly Visit
6411.23 Documenting the Monthly Visit
6411.24 Following Up on Identified Needs
6411.3 Contact with Children in IDD GRO, SSLC and ICF Facilities
6411.31 Responsibilities of the Developmental Disability Specialist
6411.4 Children with Primary Medical Needs and Special Health Care Needs
6411.5 Contacts with Out-of-State Placements
6412 Services to Children and Caregivers across Regional Lines
6412.1 Courtesy Supervision – Contact across Regional Lines
6412.2 Local Permanency Supervision
6412.21 Local Permanency Eligibility
6412.22 Coordination between Local Permanency and Primary Caseworker
6412.23 Responsibilities of the Local Permanency Specialist
6412.26 Local Permanency Waiver
6415 The Right to Regular Contact
6415.1 Ending Contact if the Child Is at Risk
6416 Visitation between Families and Children in Substitute Care
6417 Supervising a Child Placed in Texas From Another State
6418 The Supervision Services Expected From Another State
6420 Rights of Children and Youth in Foster Care
6421 Texas Foster Care Handbook
6422.1 Corporal Punishment is Not Permitted
6422.2 Addressing Behavior Management and Discipline Issues
6423 Respect for Religious Practices
6430 Initial Assessment Services
6431.1 Timeline for CANS and FSNA
6431.11 Placement Changes within the First 30 Days
6431.2 Use of the CANS Assessment for Service Planning
6431.3 The STAR Health Service Plan
6431.4 Annual Updates to the CANS
6431.5 Court Order to Obtain a CANS Assessment
6431.6 Inpatient Hospitalization and the CANS
6432 Assess for Developmental or Intellectual Disability
6432.1 Medicaid Long-Term Care Interest Lists and Determination of Intellectual Disability
6440 When a Youth in Substitute Care is Pregnant or Parenting
6441 When a Youth in Substitute Care is Pregnant
6442 When a Youth in Substitute Care is Parenting
6442.1 When DFPS Has Conservatorship of the Youth’s Child
6442.2 When DFPS Does Not Have Conservatorship of the Youth’s Child
6442.3 When the Youth’s Child Leaves Paid Foster Care – Closing Stages in IMPACT
6442.4 When the Youth Parent Is on Runaway Status
6452 Personal Documents Provided to Youth
6452.1 Personal Documents Provided to Youth Before Age 16
6452.2 Personal Documents Provided to Youth Before Age 18
6452.3 Documentation Requirements for Personal Documents
6453.1 Credit Reports for Youth 14 Through 17
6453.2 Credit Reports for Young Adults in Extended Foster Care
6454 Driver License and State Identification (ID) Card
6454.11 Driver License Assessment
6454.12 Driver License Approval Process
6454.14 Reassessing a Youth before or after Receipt of a Driver License
6454.15 Eligible Youth Applying for a Driver License
6454.16 Affidavit Requirements for a Driver License
6454.18 Address Changes for a Driver License
6454.19 Canceling or Withdrawing a Driver License
6454.2 State Identification (ID) Card
6454.21 Affidavit Requirements
6455 Youth Enlisting in the Military
6456 Marriage of Youth in Conservatorship
6460 When a Child or Youth is Missing from CPS Conservatorship
6461 Child or Youth Missing from Substitute Care Placement
6461.1 Notification Requirements When a Child Runs Away or is Missing
6461.3 Ongoing Efforts to Recover
6461.31 Documentation and Review
6461.4 When a Child Who Is Missing Is Recovered
6461.5 Caseworker Actions When a Missing Child Returns to Care
6461.51 Documentation and Review
6462 Confirmed or Suspected Victims of Human Trafficking
6471 Approvals Required for Travel
6471.1 In-State Travel Approval
6471.2 Out-of-State Travel Approval
6472 Transporting a Child by Vehicle
6473 Transporting a Child by Airplane
6474 When a Child Travels Outside of the U.S.
6474.1 Requesting Court Approval
6480 Email, Internet, and Social Media Use by Children and Youth in Foster Care
6481 Online Privacy Expectations of Children and Youth in Foster Care
6490 If a Child Dies While in Substitute Care
6491 Immediate Notification Requirements When a Child Dies
6492 Making Funeral Arrangements
6492.1 Inquire About Children's Funds
6492.2 Involve Biological Parents
6492.3 Involve Foster Parents and Other Significant Individuals
6492.4 Involve Community Partners
6510 Completing a Reunification Assessment Tool
6520 Starting the Reunification Process
6531 Providing Services and Ensuring Child Safety after a Child Returns Home
6540 Maintaining Contact with the Family When a Child Is Returned Home
6550 Conducting Follow-up Visits with the Family When a Child Is Returned Home
6560 Completing a Risk Reassessment Tool
6570 Closing a Case with a Child in a Parent’s Home
6571 Tasks Required before Dismissal
6572 Tasks Required before Closure
6573 Approval for Case Closure
6600 Case Planning with Relatives and Other Kinship Caregivers
6610 Identifying a Potential Relative Placement Before the Adversary Hearing
6611 Referring a Relative Who Is Interested in Caregiving
6612 Conducting Background Checks
6612.1 Conducting and Evaluating DFPS History Checks
6612.11 If No DFPS History Is Found
6612.12 If DFPS History Is Found
6612.13 If the Finding Is Overturned
6612.14 If the Finding Is Not Overturned
6612.16 Warning the Potential Caregiver
6613 Conducting a Criminal History Check
6613.1 Determining the Consequences of a Criminal History
6612.2 Considering the Totality of the Circumstances
6614 If More Than One Potential Kinship Caregiver Is Under Consideration
6614.1 Determining Whether to Proceed with Kinship Caregiver Home Assessment
6614.2 Informing Potential Kinship Caregivers of Potential Consequences of Criminal History
6615 If a Potential Kinship Caregiver Is Denied Further Consideration
6620 Contacting and Placing with a Potential Caregiver After the Removal
6621 Placing with a Relative after the Adversary Hearing
6622 Presenting a Preliminary Written Assessment
6623 Completing a Risk Assessment, and a Written Home Assessment of the Kinship Caregiver
6623.2 The Written Home Assessment
6624 Obtaining CPS Approval of the Home Assessment and Placement of a Child in a Kinship Home
6624.1 Appeal Process for Denied Home Assessment
6624. 11 Notifying the Kinship Caregiver of the Appeal Process
6624. 13 Notifying the Kinship Caregiver of the Appeal Determination
6625 Requirements for a Kinship Safety Evaluation (KSE)
6630 Requesting Special Court Action for Placement with Fictive Kin
6631 Obtaining Court Approval for a Kinship Caregiver with Criminal or CPS History
6631.1 If a Court-Ordered Placement Occurs Before a Negative Assessment
6631.2 If a Court-Ordered Placement Occurs After a Negative Assessment
6632 Referring Across Regional Lines for Kinship Home Assessments and Services
6633 Conducting a Pre-Placement Visit and Placing a Child with a Kinship Caregiver
6634 Critical Forms and Discussion Required at the Time of Placement
6634.2 Caseworker Discussion with Kinship Caregiver at the Time of Placement
6634.3 Kinship Caregiver Manual
6634.4 Kinship Caregiver Agreement
6640 The Kinship Development Caseworker
6641 Duties of the Kinship Development Worker
6642 Services and Initial Contact with the Kinship Caregiver
6643 Expectations for Face-to-Face Contact with the Kinship Caregiver
6643.2 Where Visits Must Occur
6645 Conducting the Kinship Caregiver Visit
6646 Actions after each Kinship Caregiver Visit
6650 Financial Assistance Available to a Kinship Caregiver
6651 Explaining the Federal Financial Assistance Available to a Kinship Caregiver
6651.1 When the Caregiver Is Related to the Child
6651.2 When the Caregiver Is the Child's Grandparent
6652 Explaining the DFPS Financial Assistance Available to a Kinship Caregiver
6652.2 DFPS Relative and Other Designated Caregiver Program
6652.3 Kinship Reimbursement Payment
6652.4 Post-Permanent Managing Conservatorship Annual Reimbursement Payment
6652.42 Required Documentation
6660 Kinship Caregivers Interested in Becoming Verified as Foster Parents
6661 Assisting a Kinship Caregiver Seeking Verification as a Foster Parent
6661.1 The Kinship Development Caseworker’s Role during Verification
6661.2 Explaining Eligibility for Services
6661.3 Documenting a Caregiver’s Disinterest in Verification
6662 When a Kinship Caregiver Is Verified as a Foster Parent
6662.1 Explaining the Permanency Goal
6662.2 Providing Forms 2646 and 2085kf
6662.3 Recording the Foster Placement in IMPACT
6662.5 Closing the Kinship Stage in IMPACT
6680 Permanency Care Assistance (PCA)
6681 Overview of Permanency Care Assistance
6681.2 Caregiver Ineligibility for Permanency Care Assistance
6681.3 Child Eligibility for Permanency Care Assistance
6681.4 Meeting the Conditions to Verify Eligibility for Permanency Care Assistance
6682 Adding Permanency Care Assistance to the Child's Plan of Service
6683 Ruling Out Family Reunification and Adoption Before Pursuing Permanency Care Assistance
6684 Discussing the Intent to Pursue Permanency Care Assistance
6685 Applying for Permanency Care Assistance
6685.1 Completing a Permanency Care Assistance (PCA) Application
6685.3 Reviewing the Application and Permanency Care Assistance Packet
6685.4 Negotiating the Monthly Payment
6685.41 Submitting the Permanent Managing Conservatorship Order
6685.42 Receiving the First Payment
6685.5 Signing the PCA Agreement Before Conservatorship is Granted: Court Time Frames and Processes
6686 Granting Assistance to the Sibling of a Child Who Receives PCA
6700 International and Immigration Issues
6710 Services to Children and Families Who Are Not U.S. Citizens
6711 Immigration Opportunities for Foster Children
6712 Impact of Citizenship and Immigration Status on Permanency
6713 Caseworker Responsibility for Citizenship and Immigration
6714 Contacts With the Immigration Authorities
6715 Working With the Foreign Consulate
6715.1 Giving Notice to a Foreign Consulate
6716 Transporting Undocumented Persons
6720 Staff Travel Outside of the United States
6730 Placements in a Foreign Country
6731 Home Studies in Foreign Countries
6732 Procedure for International Placement
6733 U Visa Certification Requests
6740 Temporary CPS Custody Resulting from a Foreign Custody Order or a Hague Abduction Suit
6811 Discussing the Option of Joint Temporary Managing Conservatorship
6811.1 Determination of Joint Temporary Managing Conservatorship
6811.2 Documenting the Discussion
6820 CPS Youth and Municipal or County Courts and the Juvenile and Criminal Justice Systems
6821 CPS Youth with Tickets and Fines Involving Municipal or County Courts
6822 CPS Youth and Juvenile Justice
6822.1 Detention Before an Adjudication (Court Decision) Hearing
6822.11 Documenting Living Arrangement in IMPACT
6822.12 Legal Status and Legal Action in IMPACT
6822.13 Providing Medical Care
6822.3 When a Youth Is in Juvenile Probation Department (JPD) Custody or on JPD Probation
6822.31 Medical Care for a Youth in JPD Custody or on JPD Probation
6822.32 Serving as Medical Consenter
6822.4 Coordinated Service Planning
6822.43 Juvenile Record Requests with JPDs
6822.6 Addressing Other Juvenile Probation-Related Issues
6823.1 General Procedures When Youth Are Committed to the TJJD Secure Facility Program
6823.2 Medical Care for a Youth in TJJD Custody or on TJJD Parole
6823.3 Coordinated Service Planning
6823.33 Juvenile Record Requests with TJJD
6823.41 Attendance at Permanency Hearings
6823.5 Addressing Other TJJD-Related Issues
6824 CPS Youth and Young Adults and the Adult Criminal Justice System
6825 Sealing Juvenile Records for Minor Offenses
6900 Adoption Preparation and Support Services
6910 Criteria and Types of Service
6911 Criteria for Providing Adoption Services
6920 Planning for a Child's Adoption
6921 Completing the Health, Social, Educational, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Report
6922 Completing the Adoption Readiness Summary (ARS)
6923 Assessing the Child's Readiness
6923.1 Reviewing the Case-Record and Conducting Interviews
6926 Preparing the Child's Records for Presentation to Prospective Adoptive Parents
6930 Selecting an Adoptive Family
6931 Issues to Consider When Selecting an Adoptive Home
6931.1 The Child's Best Interest
6931.2 Selecting an Adoptive Home
6931.3 Race, Color, and National Origin
6931.4 Specific Issues to Consider When Selecting an Adoptive Home
6931.41 Continued Contact with Foster Parents
6931.42 Placement with Siblings
6931.43 Child’s or Youth's Adoptive Home Preference
6931.44 Adoptive Family's Awareness
6931.45 Other Issues to Consider When Selecting an Adoptive Home
6932 Challenges of a Termination Order by Certain Relatives: 90-Day Period Following Termination
6932.2 Assessing the Relative's Family After Termination of Parental Rights
6933 Adoption by Foster Parents
6934 Adoptive Homes Located by Private Child-Placing Agencies
6935 Adoptive Homes in Other States
6936 Considering the Need for an Adoption Subsidy
6937 Adoption by Military Families Both In the United States and Outside the United States
6938 Legal Risk Adoptive Homes
6938.1 Requirements for Parents
6938.2 Requirements for Children
6938.3 Requirements for the Match
6939.1 Conducting Separate Meetings to Discuss the Child and the Potential Adoptive Families
6939.3 Meeting to Discuss the Child
6939.4 Meeting to Discuss the Potential Adoptive Families
6939.5 Confirming Approval of a Prospective Adoptive Family
6939.6 When No Prospective Adoptive Family Is Available
6940 Presenting and Placing the Child for Adoption
6941 Presenting Information About the Child
6941.2 Documenting That Prospective Adoptive Parents Have Received the HSEGH Report
6941.3 Sharing Other CPS Records With the Prospective Adoptive Parents
6941.4 Providing Adoptive Parents with Access to Research
6941.5 Refusal to Review the Child's Records
6942 Deciding Not to Proceed with a Placement
6943 Preparing the Family and the Child for the Placement
6944.1 Providing Continuing Access to the Child's Records
6944.2 Providing Written Consent to Secure Medical Services for the Child
6944.31 If the Child Is Not Receiving Social Security Benefits
6944.32 If the Child Is Receiving Social Security Benefits
6944.4 Informing the Adoptive Family of the Availability of Continuing Services
6944.5 Providing the Child's Personal Documents
6944.6 Discussing the Adoptive Placement Agreement
6944.61 Completing the Placement Summary
6944.7 Arranging to Forward the Child's Income and Reports
6944.9 Receiving Documents Back from a Canceled Placement
6945 Making Adoptive Placements in Other Regions and With Private Agency Adoptive Homes
6945.1 When CPS Places a Child Outside the Region
6945.2 Documenting Contacts in IMPACT
6945.3 Closing Adoption Cases That Cross Regional Lines
6946 Making Placements in Other States
6947 Making Placements in Other Countries
6950 Supporting and Consummating the Adoption
6951 Supporting the Adoptive Placement
6951.1 Developing an Adoption Services Plan
6951.11 Objectives of an Adoption Services Plan
6951.12 Establishing the Adoption Services Plan
6952 Resolving Problems in an Adoptive Placement
6953 Contact with the Child and Adoptive Family
6953.1 Conducting Visits With the Child and Adoptive Family
6953.11 Preparing for the Visit
6954 Consummating the Adoption
6954.1 Time Frames for Consummating the Adoption
6954.2 CPS Caseworker Tasks after the Adoption Petition Is Filed
6954.21 Preparing a Social Study
6954.22 Filing the Health, Social, Education, and Genetic History (HSEGH) Report
6954.23 Securing the Court's Consent to the Adoption
6954.24 Providing the Child's History to the Adoptive Parents
6954.25 Providing Documents to the Family's Attorney
6954.26 Providing Advice on Obtaining Postadoption Services
6954.27 Documenting the Adoption Decree and Other Actions
6954.28 Transferring a Legal Case between Jurisdictions for Adoption
6954.3 Additional Tasks Related to Adoption
6954.31 Providing Advice on Applying for a New Social Security Number or Card
6954.32 Transferring Income, Benefits, and Assets
6954.4 Adoption Assistance When DFPS Is Not Consenting to the Adoption
6954.5 Termination of DFPS's Managing Conservatorship
6954.6 Adoption Reporting Requirements
6961 Postadoption Substitute Care Services
6961.1 Circumstances Requiring Postadoption Substitute Care Services
6961.2 Procedures for Obtaining Postadoption Substitute Care Services
6961.3 How Postadoption Substitute Care Services Affect the Permanency Plan
6961.4 Postadoption Substitute Care IMPACT Procedures
6961.5 Legal Documentation of Postadoption Substitute Care
6961.6 Transitioning from Postadoption Services to Postadoption Substitute Care Services
6961.7 Adoption Subsidy Assistance
6970 Subsequent Placements in the Same Home
6980 Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE)
6981 Community Agencies That Support Child-Specific Recruitment
6982 TARE Adoption Recruitment Efforts
6982.1 Pre-TARE Regional Recruitment Efforts
6982.11 Pre-Recruitment Discussion With the Current Foster Parents
6982.12 Regional Recruitment Efforts
6982.2 National Recruitment Efforts
6983 Time Frames for Registering Children on TARE
6984 Court Orders Related to Adoption Recruitment
6984.1 Court-Ordered Recruitment for a Legal Risk Placement
6984.2 Court Orders to Cease or Suspend Recruitment Efforts
6984.3 Court Orders for Placement Only in Texas
6984.4 Challenge of Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)
6985 Maintaining TARE Registrations
6985.1 Child's Caseworker Responsibilities
6985.2 Discontinuing TARE Registrations