Handbook Revision, May 1, 2018
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on May 1, 2018.
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 email 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 Relations at 1-800-720-7777.
Alleged Perpetrator’s Military Status (PATS 10637)
The items below are added or revised to state that in an investigation or alternative response case the caseworker must determine if the alleged perpetrator is an active duty member of the U.S. armed forces or the spouse of an active duty member. If so, the caseworker must notify the US Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program. See:
2246.6 Determining Alleged Perpetrator’s Military Status
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1457.7 Releasing Information to Military Personnel
Notifications Regarding Missing Children
The item below is revised to add the regional director assistant to the list of people in the chart who must be notified within 24 hours when a child runs away or is missing or when a missing child returns to care. This action is already required of staff and noted in the resource guide. See:
6151.3 Notification Requirements and Schedule
Alternative Response (PATS 10732)
This revision updates policy regarding Alternative Response, including:
• Safety assessment and risk assessment.
• Extension requests.
• Administrative closures.
• Audio recordings.
• Notification of involved and absent parents.
See:
2600 Alternative Response
2610 Eligibility for Alternative Response
2611 Intakes or Cases Ineligible for Alternative Response
2611.1 Intakes Ineligible for Alternative Response
2611.2 Criteria for Routing a Case to Traditional Investigation
2612 New Intakes on an Open Alternative Response Case
2612.1 If the New Intake Meets Alternative Response Criteria
2612.2 If the New Intake Does Not Meet Alternative Response Criteria
2612.3 Completing Case Merges
2620 Contacts
2621 Documentation and Contact Entry
2621.1 Same Day Contact Entry with Alleged Victims and Other Children
2621.2 Case Activities Requiring 24 Hour Documentation
2621.3 All Other Documentation
2622 Initial Contacts
2622.1 Contact Time Frames
2622.2 Unable to Make Contact
2622.3 Unable to Locate
2622.4 First Initial Face-to-Face Contact
2622.5 Family Member Not Present
2622.6 Notifying an Involved Parent that a Child Has Been Seen
2622.7 2622.6 Family Refuses Refusal to Participate
2622.8 Determining Alleged Perpetrator’s Military Status
2623 Initial Contact Tasks
2623.1 Initial Tasks
2623.2 Contact with Collaterals
2623.3 Family Refusal to Cooperate At Any Time
2624 Ensuring Child Safety Initial Safety and Family Needs Assessment
2624.1 Completing the Safety Reassessment
2624.2 Supervisor Review of Case Actions and Safety Decisions
2624.3 Completing the Risk Assessment
2625 Ongoing Contacts
2626 Alternative Response Family Plan
2626.1 Completing the Plan
2626.2 Documenting the Plan in IMPACT
2626.3 Addressing Dangers Active Safety Threats to a Child
2630 Stage Progressing an AR Case to Traditional Investigation
2631 When a Case Must be Progressed to Investigations
2632 When a Case May be Progressed to Investigations
2633 Legal Orders to Participate in Services
2634 Parent or Caregiver Request for Reassignment
2635 Stage Progress to Investigation Within 24 Hours
2640 Extension
2641 Criteria for Extension
2642 When Not to Allow Extension
2643 Extension Approval Time Frame
2644 Closure Time Frames for Cases with Extension
2650 Case Closure
2651 Closure Time Frames
2652 Completing the Final Safety and Family Needs Assessment
2652 2653 Notifications
2653 2654 Required Actions
2654 2655 Resulting Actions
2655 2656 Administrative Closure