Handbook Revision, October 2019
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on October 1, 2019.
On September 1, 2017, the investigations branch of CPS became a separate division named Child Protective Investigations (CPI). Until CPI develops its own policy handbook, investigation policies and procedures will remain in the CPS handbook.
See:
Child Protective Services Revision
Child Protective Investigations Revision
CPS wants to make sure that the 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 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 about specific cases, please contact the caseworker or supervisor, or the Office of Consumer Relations at 1-800-720-7777.
Child Protective Services Revisions
Strengthening Sibling Visitation (PATS 11768)
Confidentiality of Adopted Child’s Name and Family Information (PATS 11917)
Foster Home History Reviews (PATS 12045)
Training in Recognizing and Reporting Sexual Abuse (PATS 12097)
This policy update is to give more specific directions on steps that need to be taken to ensure accommodations for persons with disabilities.
See:
1251 Clients with Communication Disabilities
1251.1 Definition of a Person with a Disability
1251.2 Documentation of Disabilities
1251.3 Child Safety Considerations
1251.4 Accommodations and Modifications to Services
1251.5 1251.1 Requirements for Auxiliary Aids and Services
1251.6 1251.2 Sign Language Interpreter Requirements during CPS Interventions
1251.61 Obtaining Qualified Interpreters
1251.62 Prohibition against Using Family Members, Friends, or Child Victims as Interpreters
1251.63 Certified Interpreters Required for Court Hearings
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2243.4 Conducting the Interview
2243.41 Assessing Communication Needs
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2246.1 Interviewing Parents and Alleged Perpetrators
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5241 Court Appoints Attorney Ad Litem and Guardian Ad Litem
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Appendix 3414: Americans With Disabilities Act Reasonable Accommodations in Service Planning
Strengthening Sibling Visitation (PATS 11768)
The items below are revised to state that siblings must have face-to-face visits at least weekly. Exceptions that are not court-ordered must be documented in the Child’s Plan of Serviceand also require supervisory approval. The revised policy also includes some potential strategies for accomplishing weekly visitation.
See:
6416 Visitation between Families and Children in Substitute Care
6416.1 Sibling Visitation
Confidentiality of Adopted Child’s Name and Family Information (PATS 11917)
The policy is being updated to include language about the confidentiality of adopted children’s adoptive names and adoptive families’ information.
See:
5421 Requirements for Completing a Removal Affidavit
Foster Home History Reviews (PATS 12045)
This policy revision requires CPS to review a foster home’s history after Residential Child Care Investigations (RCCI) decides to change a report of abuse or neglect to Priority None.
In Appendix 4623, this revision updates program names and removes the program administrator from the list of people whom RCCI notifies.
See:
4221 Abuse and Neglect Investigations of DFPS-Regulated Placements Regulated by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
4221.1 RCCL RCCI Notifying CPS of Alleged Abuse or Neglect
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Appendix 4623: Protocol for RCCL RCCI or CPS CPI Investigations Involving Child-on-Child Victimization in Foster Care
Training in Recognizing and Reporting Sexual Abuse (PATS 12097)
This new policy requires Foster and Adoptive Home Development (FAD) staff to make sure that all foster parents in DFPS FAD homes complete training in recognizing and reporting sexual abuse. This training is required before verification as a foster parent and annually after that.
See:
7330 Training in Recognizing and Reporting Sexual Abuse
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7520 Annual Training Requirements for Foster Homes Parents and Child Placement Staff
7521 Annual Training Requirements for Foster Parents
7522 Annual Training Requirements for Child Placement Staff
Child Protective Investigations Revision
There are no revisions in the Investigations sections of the handbook at this time.