Handbook Revision, September 1, 2022
These revisions of the Child Protective Services Handbook were published on September 1, 2022.
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 Revisions
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
Child Protective Services Revisions
None
Child Protective Investigations Revisions
Child in Conservatorship Missing (PATS 12177-INV)
This policy update reconciles discrepancies between CPS Handbook section 3115 and section 6460 (When a Child or Youth is Missing from CPS Conservatorship) regarding time frames for notification.
See:
3115 Child in DFPS Conservatorship Goes Missing
Releasing Information to Law Enforcement, Out-of-State CPS Agencies, and County or District Attorneys (PATS 13467-INV)
This handbook revision updates policy about releasing information to any of the following entities during an open investigation:
- Law enforcement
- Out-of-state child protective services agencies
- County or district attorneys
See:
1453 Releasing Information for the Safety or Protection of a Child or Family, or for Legal Processes
1453.1 Sharing Information During the Course of an Investigation
1453.2 Releasing Information to Locate Missing Parents or Children
1453.3 General Prohibition against the Release of Criminal History Records Information
1453.31 Exception Allowing Release of Information for Court and Administrative Hearings
1453.32 Exception Allowing Release of Information for Child Safety or to Carry Out Certain DFPS Functions
1453.33 Releasing Information for the Child's Safety
1453.34 Criminal History Information Policy
1453.35 Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS)
1453.4 Releasing Information to Law Enforcement Agencies, Out-of-State Child Protective Services Agencies, and County, or District, or Prosecuting Attorneys
1453.41 Sharing Information during an Open Investigation
1453.42 Sharing Information after the Investigation is Closed
1453.43 Sharing Information with Law Enforcement about Criminal Activity at Any Case Stage
Action on Submitted Investigation (PATS 13687-INV)
This handbook revision updates policy to align with current CPI practice and protocols.
A supervisor may not approve an investigation on which that supervisor has worked the case as primary, completed any substantial contact, or taken actions to address child safety. Those cases are submitted to the program director instead of the supervisor.
See:
2292 Action on a Submitted Investigation
2292.1 Roles of the Child Safety Specialist, Supervisor, and Program Director
2292.2 Child Safety Specialist Approval Required on Child Fatalities
2292.3 Requesting Legal Orders