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 Protective Services Handbook

  • DFPS Home
  • >Handbooks
  • >CPS
  • >Menu
  • >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 10000: Services to Older Youth in Care

    10000 Services to Older Youth in Care

    10100 Overview of Transitional Living Services

    10110 Goals and Objectives

    10120 Transition Planning for Older Youth

    10130 Transition Centers for Youth

    10140 Overview of Healthcare Coverage for Youth and Young Adults Who Age Out of Foster Care

    10141 The Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) Program

    10142 The Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) Program

    10143 Informing Youth and Young Adults About the FFCC and MTFCY Healthcare Programs

    10150 Victims of Trafficking

    10200 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)

    10210 Preparation for Adult Living Program

    10211 Targeted and Eligible Population for PAL

    10211.1 Targeted Priority Population

    10211.2 Additional Eligible Population

    10212 PAL Eligibility for Youth Placed in a Title IV-E Placement by the TJJD or a CJPD

    10213 How PAL Services Should Be Provided

    10213.1 Age PAL Services Must Begin

    10213.2 Youth Under Age 16

    10213.3 PAL Services Not Affected by Permanency Goal

    10220 Required Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Services

    10221 Life Skills Assessment

    10222 Life Skills Training

    10223 Life Skills Independent Study Guide

    10224 PAL Case Management Services

    10224.1 Trafficking Awareness

    10230 Optional Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Services

    10231 Young Adults Residing With a Designated Perpetrator of Abuse or Neglect

    10232 Age-Appropriate Activities

    10240 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Transitional Living Allowance (TLA)

    10241 Qualifications for PAL Transitional Living Allowance

    10242 Payment Limits for the PAL Transitional Living Allowance

    10243 Payment Method for the PAL Transitional Living Allowance

    10244 PAL Transitional Living Allowance When a Young Adult Will Be Living With a Parent After Aging Out of Foster Care

    10245 Suspending PAL Transitional Living Allowance Payments

    10250 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Aftercare Room and Board

    10251 Qualifications for PAL Aftercare Room and Board

    10252 Limitations While Receiving ETV or in Extended Foster Care for PAL Aftercare Room and Board

    10253 Assessing the Amount for PAL Aftercare Room and Board Payment

    10254 Allowable Expenditures and Payment Limits for PAL Aftercare Room and Board

    10255 Payment Limits for PAL Aftercare Room and Board

    10256 Host Home for PAL Aftercare Room and Board Payment

    10260 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Data Entry

    10261 PAL Responsibilities When Youth or Young Adults Are Placed Cross-Regionally

    10261.1 PAL Services and Payments When Youth or Young Adults Are Placed Cross-Regionally

    10262 National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)

    10263 NYTD Independent Living Services

    10264 NYTD Survey

    10264.1 Reporting Periods and Data Due Dates

    10264.2 Outcome Reporting Status

    10264.3 Designating a National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Primary Contact

    10264.4 IMPACT Data and Information Alerts

    10264.5 Use of Diligent Search to Locate Youth in the Survey Population

    10265 Special Populations

    10300 Post-Secondary Education Programs

    10310 College Tuition and Fee Exemption Information

    10311 Issuing the College Tuition and Fee Exemption Letter

    10311.1 PAL Staff Responsibilities for College Tuition and Fee Exemption

    10311.2 Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialist Responsibilities for College Tuition and Fee Exemption

    10312 Temporary Housing Assistance Between Academic Terms

    10320 Overview of the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program

    10321 Goal of the ETV Program

    10322 Staff Responsible for the ETV Program

    10323 Verifying Eligibility

    10323.1 Citizenship and Immigration

    10323.2 Appropriate Schools and Courses

    10324 Applying for the ETV Program

    10325 Continued Eligibility Requirements After Initial ETV Qualification

    10326 Determining and Disbursing ETV Funds

    10326.1 Cost of Attendance and ETV Funds

    10326.2 Disbursing ETV Funds

    10326.3 When Students Are Paid ETV Funds

    10327 Expenses Covered by ETV

    10327.1 Expenses Covered by the Costs of Attendance (COA)

    10327.2 Expenses Not Covered by the Costs of Attendance (COA)

    10327.3 Expenses of Students in DFPS Paid Foster Care

    10328 The Right to Appeal ETV Decisions

    10330 Employment Preference for Former Foster Youth

    10340 Preparation for Long-Term Care or Support in Adulthood for Youth with Disabilities

    10341 Planning for Long-Term Care Needs

    10341.1 Researching Long-Term Care Resources

    10341.2 Ensuring Funding and Eligibility for Services

    10342 Home and Community-Based Services (HCS)

    10343 Guardianship

    10343.1 Preparing to Request Appointment of a Guardian

    10343.2 Criteria for HHSC Guardianship Referral

    10343.3 Initiating the HHSC Guardianship Referral

    10343.4 Guardianship Assessment

    10343.5 HHSC Decision, Notification and DFPS Response

    10343.51 HHSC Agrees to Become Guardian

    10343.52 HHSC Denies Request for HHSC Guardianship

    10343.6 HHSC Appointed as Guardian

    10343.61 Youth Leaves DFPS Foster Care

    10343.62 DFPS Foster Care Placement After HHSC Appointed as Guardian

    10400 Extended Foster Care for Youth Who Are Age 18 or Older

    10410 Preparation Required When a Youth Plans To Stay in Extended Foster Care

    10411 Within 90 Days Before the Youth’s 18th Birthday

    10412 As Soon as Possible After the 18th Birthday

    10420 Qualifying for Extended Foster Care

    10421 Eligibility for Extended Foster Care

    10422 Transitioning Between Education or Work Related Activities

    10422.1 Enrollment in a Higher Education Program or a Post-Secondary Vocational or Technical School

    10423 Monitoring Continued Participation and Annual Eligibility Review

    10424 Temporary Absences From Extended Foster Care

    10425 Issues Signing the VEFCA for a Young Adult with a Physical or Intellectual Disability

    10425.1 Physically Unable to Sign VEFCA

    10425.2 Mental Capacity Issues in Signing the VEFCA

    10430 Placements

    10431 Requesting Regular Foster Care Placements

    10431.1 Requesting SIL Placements

    10440 Casework Activity for Young Adults in Extended Foster Care

    10441 Casework Activity

    10442 Medical Consenter Issues and Documentation

    10443 Ownership of the Youth Transition Portfolio: Extended Foster Care

    10444 Sealed Juvenile Justice Records

    10450 If the Young Adult Goes Missing

    10460 Supervised Independent Living (SIL)

    10461 Overview and Purpose of SIL

    10462 Eligibility for Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Placements

    10463 Enhanced Case Management Services

    10464 Referral, Assessment, and Approval Process for the Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Program

    10464.1 Initial Placement Process

    10464.2 Subsequent Placement Process With the Same DFPS SIL Provider

    10465 Ongoing Caseworker Duties During SIL Placement

    10466 Discharge From the SIL Program

    10470 Discharge From Extended Foster Care

    10471 Planned Discharge From Extended Foster Care

    10472 Emergency Discharge From Extended Foster Care

    10473 Discharge to Trial Independence

    10500 Trial Independence and Return for Extended Foster Care

    10510 Trial Independence

    10520 Return for Extended Foster Care

    10521 Referring the Young Adult to Regional PAL Staff

    10522 Acceptance Criteria for Return to Extended Foster Care

    10530 Roles and Responsibilities of Staff Helping a Young Adult Return for Extended Foster Care

    10531 Roles and Responsibilities of PAL Staff

    10532 Re-Entry Liaison

    10533 Conservatorship (CVS) Caseworker

    10540 Providing Support After a Young Adult Returns to Extended Foster Care

    10541 Contacts and Time Frames

    10542 Revising the Transition Plan

    10543 Completing the Child Plan of Service

    10544 Restarting Court Reviews

    10545 Ongoing Casework Activity after Resuming Care

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
  • One Pill Kills
  • 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