Child Protective Services Handbook Revision December 2011
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on December 1, 2011. Summaries of new or revised items are provided below.
Obtaining Birth Certificates or Screen-Printing Birth Records
SSI Dedicated Savings Accounts
Management of SSI and Non-SSI Lump Sum Awards
Permanent Legal Custody Without Termination of Parental Rights
Obtaining Birth Certificates or Screen-Printing Birth Records (PATS 4057)
The items below are revised to describe the new process for requesting certified copies of birth certificates for children born in other states. This new process does not require caseworkers to pay out of pocket for the out-of-state birth certificate. In the new process, caseworkers will submit requests for certified copies of birth certificates to designated CPS eligibility staff who will process the requests online through the VitalChek.com website. See:
1541 Foster Care Assistance and Review Policies
1541.4 Obtaining Certified Birth Certificates and Screen-Printing Birth Records
1541.5 Requesting Certified Birth Certificates
1541.51 Requesting Birth Certificates for Children Born in Texas
1541.52 Requesting Birth Certificates for Children Born in Texas for Adoption Purposes
1541.53 Requesting Out-of-State Birth Certificates
1541.54 Requesting International Birth Certificates
1541.55 Request Reimbursement if Personal Funds Must Be Used to Obtain Certificate
SSI Dedicated Savings Accounts (PATS 3487)
The items below are revised to reflect the addition of a new IMPACT indicator box that notates when a child on SSI has an open dedicated account. Changes include instructions on how to use this indicator for SSI Coordinators and Children’s Income Accountants. See:
1546 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children in Foster Care
1546.1 Effect of SSI Eligibility on Title IV-E Foster Care
1546.2 Effect of SSI Eligibility on State-Paid Foster Care
1546.3 Effect of SSI Eligibility on MAO Foster Care
1546.4 SSI Applications for Youth Aging Out of Care
1546.5 Placement in Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Homes
1546.51 SSI Coordinator and Foster Care Eligibility Specialist Responsibilities
1546.6 Child Specific Contract Placements
1546.7 Establishing a Dedicated Account Using a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lump Sum
1550 Other Payment Issues
1551 Money Earned by Foster Children From Full- or Part-Time Employment
1553 Transferring Income, Benefits, and Assets When a Child is Discharged From Substitute Care
1554 Payment for Long-Term Care in Adulthood
1554.1 Youth in Voluntary Extended Foster Care: Signing Over SSI and RSDI Benefits
Management of SSI and Non-SSI Lump Sum Awards (PATS 3487)
The items below are revised to reflect new policy on the handling of SSI and Non-SSI lump sums. See:
1555 Management of a Lump Sum Award (Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Non-SSI)
1555.1 Managing a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lump Sum
1555.11 Child Is In a DFPS Paid Foster Care Placement
1555.12 Child Is Not in DFPS Paid Placement
1555.13 Child Is No Longer in DFPS Conservatorship
1555.14 Child Dies While DFPS Is Managing Conservator
1555.15 Overpayments
1555.2 Managing a Non-SSI (Supplemental Security Income) Lump Sum
1556 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Reports
1556.1 SSI Tracking Report
1556.2 17-Year-Old SSI Report
1556.3 SSA Change Reports
Appendix 1555: Appropriate Needs
Appendix 1556: Examples of Appropriate and Inappropriate Items and Services to Purchase With Lump Sum Benefits
Appendix 1557: Guide to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Tracking Report
Permanent Legal Custody Without Termination of Parental Rights (PATS 3577)
Policy is being updated to reflect that the level of face-to-face contact by a caseworker is dependant upon:
• the parent’s acknowledgement of the permanency goal; and
• the level of interest of contact with the child in DFPS care after permanent managing conservatorship (PMC) is obtained.
See:
6612 Ongoing Efforts to Achieve Permanency When DFPS Obtains Permanent Managing Conservatorship Without Termination of Parental Rights
6612.1 When to Complete a Family Plan of Service and Safety Plan
6612.2 Parental Participation
6612.3 Reassessment of Inactive Parents and Parents Unable to Provide a Safe Home
6612.4 Contact Between the Parent, the Child in Care, and the DFPS Caseworker
6612.5 Contact and Service Planning for Children Remaining in the Home