Child Protective Services

Handbook Revision, January 2013

This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on January 1, 2013. Summaries of new or revised items are provided below.

International Custody Disputes

CPS Overhaul – Respect for Religious Practices

Notification to State Office of HIV Infection of Child

CPS Overhaul – Investigations Policy

Child Under the Age of 11 With an STD

Reorganization of CPS Handbook Section 3000

International Custody Disputes (PATS 5257)

The items below are added to explain how to handle cases that involve international disputes over the custody of a child.

CPS staff were informed about this policy on November 5, 2012, with the issuance of PSA 13-010.

See:

2373 When a Custody Order or Abduction Suit Involves a Foreign Country

6530 Placements Relating to a Foreign Custody Order or an Abduction Suit Filed Under the Hague Convention

CPS Overhaul – Respect for Religious Practices (PATS 5657)

The item below is updated as part of the CPS Overhaul. See:

6315.4 Respect for Religious Practices

Notification to State Office of HIV Infection of Child (PATS 5837)

The item below is revised to document that it is not required to notify state office when a child tests positive for HIV. See:

11521.2 Notification About a Child’s HIV Status

CPS Overhaul – Investigations Policy (PATS 5777)

The items below are updated as part of the CPS overhaul. See:

2300 Special Intake and Investigative Activities

2310 When a Child Dies

2311 Notification When a Child Dies

2311.1 Law Enforcement

2311.2 Medical Examiner or Justice of the Peace

2320 Investigation of Lack of Medical Care Because of Religious Beliefs

2340 Investigating Reports That Involve Persons with a Disability

Child Under the Age of 11 With an STD (PATS 5787)

The items below are revised to provide detailed steps a caseworker must take when a child under the age of 11 tests positive for an STD. CPS staff were informed of this policy with the issuance of PSA 12-075 on 4/16/2012. See:

2600 Removing a Child From the Home

2610 Overview of Removing a Child From the Home

2620 Evaluate the Need for Removal

2621 Removal of Certain Children with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

2621.1 Guiding Principles

2621.2 Required Actions for Children Under 11 Who Have Sexually Transmitted Diseases

2621.3 Required STD Testing for the Perpetrator

Reorganization of CPS Handbook Section 3000 (PATS 5332)

Section 3000 has been reorganized. Some items have been revised to accommodate this reorganization. The revision dates of these items will reflect the new publication date.

Handbook items that have been moved in their entirety with no changes other than the item numbers retain the revision dates showing the last time the policy was revised.

Items Renumbered in Section 3000

3100 Overview

3110 Philosophy, Goals, and Objectives

3111 The Role of the FBSS Caseworker

3112 (3112) The Role of the FBSS Supervisor

3113 (3113) Purpose and Criteria for Providing FBSS

3114 (3115) Constitutional Requirements for Family-Based Safety Services and Family Reunification Cases

3120 (3114) Types of Family-Based Safety Services

3121 (3310, 3311) Regular Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)

3122 (3320, 3321) Moderate Family-Based Safety Services (M-FBSS)

3123 (3330, 3331) Intensive Family-Based Safety Services (I-FBSS)

3124 (3145.45) Identifying the Correct IMPACT Stage and Stage Type

3130 (3312.1) Criteria for FBSS Cases

3131 (3312.2) Cases That May Not Need FBSS

3132 (3312.4) Assigning Moderate or Intensive FBSS

3140 Determining Caseload Size

3141 (3313.1) Determining Caseload Size for Regular FBSS

3142 (3323.1) Determining Caseload Size for Moderate FBSS

3143 (3333.1) Determining Caseload Size for Intensive FBSS

3200 (3120) Transferring a Case From Investigation to FBSS

3210 (3121) Referring a Case From Investigation to FBSS

3211 (3122.3) The Investigator’s Role in an FBSS Family Assessment

3212 (3124.1) The Necessity of Making Face-to-Face Contact During an FBSS Transfer

3220 (3122) Conducting the FBSS Family Assessment

3221 (3122.1) Constitutional Requirements for an FBSS Family Assessment

3222 (3122.2) Scope and Purpose of an FBSS Family Assessment

3223 (3122.4) Steps for Conducting a Family Assessment

3230 (3123) Conducting the FBSS Staffing

3231 (3123.1) Deciding Whether to Transfer a Case

3232 (3145.1) Documenting the Transfer of a Case From Investigation to FBSS

3233 (3145.2) Documenting the FPR Service Stage Type or Closing a Case Without Offering Services

3300 The Casework Process

3310 (3301) Permanency Planning in Family-Based Safety Services

3311 (3301.1) Permanency Planning

3312 (3301.11) Definition and State Policy

3313 (3301.12) The Permanency Planning Process

3314 (3301.2) The Permanency Plan in Family-Based Safety Services

3315 (3301.21) The Goal of Family Preservation

3316 (3301.22) Steps for Achieving the Permanency Goal

3317 (3301.23) Discussion of Efforts Made to Achieve the Permanency Goal

3320 Face-to-Face Contacts in an FBSS Case

3321 (3314) Initial Face-to-Face Contact Following Stage Progression

3321.1 (3131) When to Make Initial Face-to-Face Contact in an FBSS Case

3322 (3313.2) Frequency of Face-to-Face Contacts

3323 (3333.2) Preparing for Face-to-Face Contact

3324 (originally part of 3333.2) Making Face-to-Face Contact

3324.1 (Appendix 3111)Activities and Assessment During the Face-to-Face Contact

3324.2 (3313.3) Meeting Federal Requirements

3325 (Appendix 3111) When the Assigned Caseworker Changes

3326 (3313.4) When Face-to-Face Contact Is Made By Another Worker

3327 (3132) Notifying a Supervisor When Unable to Meet the Time Frames for Face-to-Face Contact

3328 (3323.3) Changing the Frequency of Contact

3329 (3145.4) Documenting Contacts and Visits

3329.1 (3145.41) Documenting Critical Contacts

3329.2 (3145.42) Documenting Noncritical Contacts

3329.3 (3145.43) Timeframes for Documenting FBSS Contacts

3329.4 (3145.44) Recording Narratives Under the Monthly Evaluation

3330 Addressing Child Safety in FBSS

3331 (3171) Immediate or Short-Term Protection During an FBSS Case

3332 (3172) Parental Child Safety Placement

3333 (3312.3) Determining Whether to Seek a Court Order or Removal Before or During an FBSS Case

3340 (3141) Family Group Decision Making – Applying FGDM to an FBSS Case

3341 (3141.1) Applying Family Group Conferences to an FBSS Case

3341.1 (3141.11) Criteria for a Required Family Group Conference

3341.2 (3141.12) Criteria for an Optional Family Group Conference

3341.3 (3141.13) Documenting a Family Group Conference

3342 (3141.2) Applying Family Team Meetings to an FBSS Case

3400 (3140) Working With Families to Develop an FBSS Plan

3410 (3161) Purposes of the Family Service Plan

3411 (3162) Timeframes for the Initial Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case

3412 (3143) Developing the Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case

3412.1 (3143.1) Holding an Initial Discussion About the Family Service Plan

3412.2 (3143.2) Developing Goals, Tasks, and Services for a Family Service Plan

3413 (3164) Required Content of the Family Service Plan

3414 (3177) Reasonable Accommodations and Modification of Services

3415 (3165) Parental Involvement in Service Planning – Ensuring the Involvement of Fathers

3416 (3145.3) Documenting the Family Service Plan

3417 (3166) Supervisory Approval and Completion of Family Service Plans

3418 (3163) Reviewing and Updating the Family Service Plan

3419 (3167) Compliance With Family Service Plans

3420 Meeting Children's Specific Needs in the Family Service Plan

3421 (3179) Referral to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services

3422 (3336) Working With Children in FBSS Who Have Special Health Care Needs

3430 (3200) Purchased Services for Families Receiving Family-Based Safety Services

3431 (3210) Overview

3432 (3220) Services Purchased

3433 (3230) Authorizing Services

3434 (3240) Concrete Services

3434.1 (3241) Definition and Goals of Concrete Services

3434.2 (3242) Eligibility for Concrete Services

3434.3 (Appendix 3177-A) Eligible Goods and Services to Purchase With Concrete Services

3434.4 (3243) Documenting and Authorizing Concrete Services

3434.5 (3244) Reviewing and Approving a Request for Concrete Services

3460 The Family Tree in FBSS

3461 (3168) Time Frames for Establishing and Updating Relationships in Family Tree

3462 (3145.6) Documenting the Family Tree

3470 (3144) Reviewing an FBSS Case

3471 (3144.1) The Frequency for Reviewing an FBSS Case

3472 (3144.2) Strategies for Reviewing an FBSS Case

3472.1 (3144.21) Using Family Group Conferences to Review an FBSS Case

3472.2 (3144.22) Using Case Staffings to Review an FBSS Case

3473 (3315) Case Staffings for FBSS Cases

3473.1 (3315) Case Staffings for Regular FBSS (R-FBSS)

3473.2 (3325) Case Staffings for Moderate FBSS

3473.3 (3335) Case Staffings for Intensive FBSS

3480 (3145.5) Documenting Supervisor Tasks

3481 (3145.51) Documenting Significant Consultations Between the Supervisor and Worker

3482 (3145.52) Documenting Supervisor Approvals of FBSS Contacts and Evaluations

3500 (3400) Family Reunification Services (FRS)

3510 (3410) Purpose of FRS

3520 (3420) Regular Family Reunification Services (R-FRS)

3521 (3421) The Discharge Planning Meeting and Home Visits

3521.1 (3421.1) Assessing Safety and Reviewing the Family Plan

3521.2 (3421.2) Scheduling a Discharge Planning Meeting

3521.21 (3421.21) The Caseworker’s Duties at a Discharge Planning Meeting

3522 (3422) Case Staffings and Reviews

3523 (3423) Making Face-to-Face Contact

3523.1 (3423.1) Home Visits Before a Child Returns Home

3523.2 (3423.2) Home Visits After a Child Returns Home

3523.3 (3423.3) Making Contact 48-Hours After a Child Returns Home

3524 (3424) Terminating Conservatorship

3525 (3425) Closing the Case

3530 (3430) Moderate In-Home Safety Services in the Reunification Safety Services Stage

3540 (3440) Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)

3541 (3441) Definition and Objectives of IE-FRS

3542 (3442) Eligibility for IE-FRS

3543 (3443) Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact (IE-FRS)

3543.1 (3443.1) Determining Caseload Size (IE-FRS)

3543.2 (3443.2) Making Face-to-Face Contact (IE-FRS)

3544 (3444) Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Early Reunification Safety Services Assessment

3545 (3445) Holding a Removal Staffing for an IE-FRS Case

3545.1 (3445.1) Holding a Staffing for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)

3545.2 (3445.2) Developing the Initial Service Plan for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)

3545.3 (3445.3) Conducting Reviews for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)

3545.31 (3445.31) Conducting a 60-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)

3545.32 (3445.32) Conducting a 90-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)

3545.33 (3445.33) Conducting a 120-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)

3550 (3450) Intensive Family Reunification Services (I-FRS)

3551 (3451) Definition and Objectives of I-FRS

3552 (3452) Eligibility for I-FRS

3553 (3453) Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact (I-FRS)

3553.1 (3453.1) Determining Caseload Size (I-FRS)

3553.2 (3453.2) Making Face-to-Face Contact (I-FRS)

3553.3 (3453.3) Decreasing Contact (I-FRS)

3554 (3454) Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Reunification Safety Services Assessment

3590 (3153) Removing a Child From the Home After Reunification

3591 (3153.1) Avoiding Removal After Reunification

3592 (3153.2) Identifying Court Protocols Before Removing a Child After Reunification

3593 (3153.3) Providing Notification of Removal After Reunification

3594 (3153.4) Reassessing the Reunification Plan After a Child Is Reunited With the Family

3600 (3170) Special Issues

3610 (3173) Children in DFPS Conservatorship Living at Home

3620 (3174) Unmarried, School-Age Parents

3630 New Investigation Referral on an Open Case

3640 (3175) When a Child Dies During an Open FBSS Case

3650 (3176) HSEGH Information for Previously Adopted Children

3660 (3178) Family-Based Safety Services Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had Abortion Without Her Family Knowing

3700 (3150) Closing a Case, Closing a Stage, and Transferring a Case

3720 (3151) Closing an FBSS Case

3721 (3151.1) Closing an FBSS Case Because CPS Services Are No Longer Needed

3722 (3151.2) Closing an FBSS Case When a Child Is Still in a Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)

3723 (3151.3) Closing an FBSS Case for Administrative Reasons

3724 (3151.4) Closing an FBSS Case in IMPACT

3730 (3152) Closing an FBSS Stage When the Case Transfers to Substitute Care

3731 (3152.1) Removing a Child From the Home

3732 (3152.2) Documenting the Removal of a Child From His or Her Home

3733 (3152.3) Providing Substitute-Care Services

3900 (3250) Contracted Family-Based Safety Services

3910 (3251) Overview

3920 (3252) Stages of Service

3930 (3253) Assigning and Monitoring a Contracted Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case

3940 (3254) Closing a Contracted Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case

Appendix 3120 (Appendix 3114): Types of Family-Based Safety Services

Appendix 3412 (Appendix 3144-A): Community Resources

Appendix 3473 (Appendix 3144-B): Guidelines for Case Closure or Legal Intervention

Appendix 3620 (Appendix 3174): Services to Abused or Neglected, Unmarried, School-Age Parents (Practice Suggestions)

Appendix 3414 (Appendix 3213): Americans With Disabilities Act Reasonable Accommodations in Service Planning

Items Deleted From Section 3000

3124 Maintaining Contact With the Family During an FBSS Transfer

3130 Making Initial Face-to-Face Contact in an FBSS Case

3143.3 Completing and Signing the Family Service Plan

3145 Documenting an FBSS Case in IMPACT

3160 The Family Service Plan

3300 In-Home Safety Services (I-HSS)

3312 Eligibility for Regular FBSS

3313 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact

3322 Eligibility for Moderate FBSS

3322.1 Criteria for Moderate FBSS

3322.2 Cases That May Not Be Appropriate for Moderate FBSS

3322.3 Determining Whether to Seek a Court-Order or Removal for Moderate FBSS

3322.4 Assigning Intensive FBSS

3323 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact

3323.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact

3324 The Moderate Family-Based Safety Services (M-FBSS) Initial Face-to-Face Contact

3332 Eligibility for Intensive FBSS

3332.1 Criteria for Intensive FBSS

3332.2 Cases That May Not Be Appropriate for Intensive FBSS

3332.3 Determining Whether to Seek a Court-Order or Removal for Intensive FBSS

3333 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact

3333.3 Changing the Frequency of Contact

3334 The Intensive Family-Based Safety Services (I-FBSS) Initial Face-to-Face Contact

Cross-References in CPS

Cross-references to the sections being moved were updated throughout the handbook. See:

1121 Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)

1124 Definition of Stages of Service

1432.1 Establishing Relationships Using Family Tree in IMPACT

1461 Phase 1: Discontinuing Services

2234.35 Developing a Safety Plan When Transferring to Family-Based Safety Services

2234.35 Developing a Safety Plan When Transferring to Family-Based Safety Services

2234.41 When a Removal Is More Appropriate Than a Parental Child Safety Placemen

2237.11 Circumstances Requiring an FTM Referral

2238.1 Transferring a Case to Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)

2238.12 Maintaining Contact With the Family During the Transfer to FBSS

2238.14 Requesting That the Court Order FBSS

2311.4 The Parents and Others When a Child Dies

5214 Court-Ordered Participation in CPS Services

5233 Delivering Written Notice When Removing a Child

5300 Court-Related Services for Children in Conservatorship

6110 Before Removing a Child and Placing the Child in Substitute Care

6212.1 Family Reunification

6251 The Child’s Service Plan

6251.2 Approval and Implementation of the Child's Service Plan

6252.1 Assessing the Family

6252.2 Family Participation in Developing the Family Service Plan

6261 Reviewing the Family Service Plan

6273.1 Family Group Conferences

6412.4 Initiate the Reunification Process

6413 When a Child Is Returned

6413.1 Providing Services After a Child Is Returned

6418.5 Service Planning for the Incarcerated Parent

6490 Discharging Children from Substitute Care

6491 Services Preceding Discharge

6493 Family Reunification

6495 Supervision, Dismissal, Continuation, and Closure

8222 Identifying Available Services

8225 Handling Liaison Duties

8233.3 Referring Clients

9521 Voluntary Interstate Placements With Relative Caregivers

11260 Documenting Medical and Dental Issues in the Case File

Appendix 1121: Documentation Requirements for Models of Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM)