Child Protective Services

Handbook Revision, October 15, 2015

This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on October 15, 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.

New Alternative Response Policy (PATS 8102)

The section below is added to document the CPS Alternative Response policy. See:

2600 Alternative Response

2610 Eligibility for Alternative Response

2611 Reports or Cases Ineligible for Alternative Response

2612 New Reports on an Open Alternative Response Case

2620 Contacts

2621 Initial Contacts

2622 Initial Contact Tasks

2623 Initial Safety and Family Needs Assessment

2624 Ongoing Contacts

2625 Alternative Response Family Plan

2630 Stage Progressing an AR Case to Traditional Investigation

2640 Extension

2650 Case Closure