Child Protective Services

Handbook Revision, December 1, 2015

This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on December 1, 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.

CPS Medicaid HCS Placements

Families Unable to Obtain Mental Health Services

CPS Medicaid HCS Placements (PATS 8702)

The items below are revised and added to update policy regarding MAO and SSI eligibility for children placed in Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) homes. See:

1575 Placement in Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) Homes

1575.1 SSI Coordinator and Foster Care Eligibility Specialist Responsibilities

1575.11 If the Child’s SSI Benefits are Active

1575.12 If the Child’s SSI Benefits are Suspended by SSA

1575.13 If the Child Never Had SSI Benefits or They Were Suspended

1575.2 Medical Assistance Only (MAO) Eligibility in HCS Placements

1576 Child Specific Contract Placements

Families Unable to Obtain Mental Health Services (PATS 8437)

This is a new policy that addresses the process for investigations of abuse or neglect when the child is severely emotionally disturbed and the parent is refusing to allow the child to remain in the home or return home because the parent is unable to obtain mental health services for the child. It addresses the requirements for creating a referral to a residential treatment center (RTC) bed funded by DSHS and how to proceed depending on the results of the referral. See:

2390 Families Who Are Unable to Obtain Mental Health Services for Children with Severe Emotional Disturbance

2391 Assessing the Basis for the Parent’s Refusal to Allow the Child to Remain in or Return to the Child’s Home

2392 Referring the Child for a Residential Treatment Center Bed Funded by DSHS

2392.1 Referral Criteria

2392.2 Providing Crisis Services During the Referral Process

2392.3 Responding to the Referral Process Outcome

2393 If DFPS Removal Appears Necessary

2393.1 Discussing the Option of Joint Temporary Managing Conservatorship

2393.2 Documenting Removal