Child Protective Services

Handbook Revision, June 22, 2015

This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on June 22, 2015.

CPS wants to ensure that the general public understands what critical actions caseworkers are required to perform and why. To further this understanding, CPS has set up a policy e-mail box for the general public: CPSPolicyQuestions@dfps.texas.gov. Please feel free to contact us, via this email address, with any general questions related to policy.

For questions or concerns regarding specific cases, please contact the caseworker or supervisor, or the Office of Consumer Affairs at 1-800-720-7777.

Clarification of Persons Subject to CPS and Criminal History Checks

The items below are revised slightly for consistency and clarity. The phrases "over the age of 14," "age 14 and over," and "over the age of 13" have been replaced with "age 14 and older." See:

3211 Evaluating the Child’s Safety Before Placement

3215 Required Contacts

Item 3211 Evaluating the Child’s Safety Before Placement is further revised to clarify that:

  •   while all residents in the PCSP are subject to CPS history checks, only persons age 14 and older are subject to criminal history checks; and

  •   an adult subject to an FBI fingerprint check is defined as someone age 18 and older.