Updated Feb 16, 2015
For the better part of the last decade, Texas has had the honor of having the most complete and comprehensive Child Protection Handbook nationwide. A handbook that family advocates from all 50 states used as a learning tool. That all changes February 15, 2015, when the Department of Family and Protective Services strips out close to 450 pages of functionality.
In 2010, Angel Eyes over Texas was founded to “Watch (CPS) while others can’t.“. They tracked all handbook changes on their blog www.aeovrt.org providing caseworkers, attorneys, advocates and other stakeholders quick easy access to the monthly changes starting in 2011. Their post reflecting the most recent changes is located here.
An effective handbook must contain both policy and procedures. It appears that a huge chuck of procedures were stripped away with this revision greatly reducing its effectiveness as a field manual. Case work is primarily field work. Field workers need to be able to work independent of direct supervision, therefore they need ready reference materials; preferably updated real time.
These changes were made with intent to simplify and improve efficiency while claiming to improve transparency and accountability have in fact done just the opposite.
A more complete article can be found on Americans Ending Abuse.
Texas strips job functions from CPS Handbook, causing ambiguity
The long awaited new polices for Investigations and Family Based Safety Services are listed below. Followed by an archived version of the old handbook.
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2200 Basic Investigation Process
2242 Interviewing Parents, Alleged Perpetrators or Other Principal Adults
2260 Adding to the Investigation
2271 Time Frame for Completing a Safety Assessment
2272 Supervisor Review of Case Actions and Safety Decisions
2281 Reaching Dispositions for the Allegations and Alleged Perpetrators
2282 Referral to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
2290 Submitting Investigations
2291 Submitting an Investigation for Approval
2292 Action on Submitted Investigations
2293 Notification of Investigation Findings
2300 Special Circumstances for Investigations
2332 Sending Notifications When a Child Dies
2333 Releasing Information About an Investigation Into the Death of a Child
2340 Situations Requiring Confidentiality
2342 OAG Address Confidentiality
2350 Abandoned or Missing Child
2352 When a Child is Abandoned at a DADS Facility
2353 Taking Possession of a Missing Child
2361 Child Under the Age of 11 With a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
2363 Dispositions Involving Drug or Alcohol Pre-Natal Exposure
2373 Custody Order or Abduction Suit Involving a Foreign Country
2400 Transferring a Case from Investigation to Family Based Safety Services (FBSS)
2500 Basic Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Process
2520 Contacting Principals That Receive Family Preservation Services
2540 Opening an Investigation While a Family Preservation Stage is Open
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Section 3000: Ensuring Child Safety
3100 Actions to Take When a Child or Principal Cannot Be Located
3200 CPS Actions When Danger to a Child is Present
3210 Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)
3211 Evaluating the Child’s Safety Before Placement
3212 Program Director Approval
3214 Option to Enter Into Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relative
3222 Making a Placement in Substitute Care
The links below reflect the same portion of the DFPS handbook from an archived version as of November 17, 2014.
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2200 Overview of Investigations
2211 Objectives and Casework Process
2212 Workers Who Perform Investigations
2213 Roles of the Worker and Supervisor
2214 Roles of Secondary Workers
2215 Separation of Investigatory and Service-Delivery Functions
2220 Jurisdictional Issues Involving a Child’s County of Residence
2221 Definition of Child’s County of Residence
2222 Preventing and Resolving Disagreements Among Staff Regarding Residence Designations
2223 County of Child’s Residence Is Unknown / Child Is Temporarily Away From Home
2224 Expectant Mother Residing in Texas Department of Corrections Facility or State Mental Hospital
2230 Requirements to Protect Locating Information of Family Violence Victims
2231 Families Who Participate in the Address Confidentiality Program
2232 Securing the Confidential Address
2233 Entering an OAG-Issued Substitute Post Office Box Address in IMPACT
2234 Obtaining the Confidential Address (Abuse and Neglect Cases Only)
2235 Sending Legal or Other Written Information
2236 When a Child Is Removed and DFPS Is Managing Conservator
2237 Disclosing a True Physical Address
2238 Youth Transitioning Out of DFPS Care
2240 CPS Cooperation with Law Enforcement Officials
2241 CPS Roles During Criminal and Civil Investigations
2242 Arrangements with Local Criminal Justice Officials
2243 Office of the Inspector General
2245 County or District Criminal Attorney
2250 Time Frames of Investigation
2251 Time Frames for Investigations
2252 Time Frame for Progressing an Intake to the Investigation Stage
2253 Time Frames for Initiating Priority I and Priority II Investigations
2254 Twenty-Four Hour Documentation
2254.1 Documentation of Removal, Initial Placement and Medical Consenter
2255 Time Frame for Completing Investigation Actions
2256 Time Frame for Documenting the Investigation
2257 Time Frame for Approving the Investigation
2260 Overview of Transporting a Child During an Investigation
2261 Transporting a Child From School for an Interview
2261.1 Obtaining Supervisory Approval to Transport a Child
2261.2 Determining the Basis of Authority for Transporting a Child
2261.3 Informing Law Enforcement Involved in a Joint Investigation
2261.4 Documenting the Transporting of a Child
2262 Transporting a Child in Other Circumstances
2263 Notifying the Parents Before Transporting a Child
2263.1 When Speaking Directly With a Parent About Transporting a Child
2263.2 When Direct Contact With the Parent Cannot Be Made
2264 Concealing from the Parent the Location to Which a Child Is Transported
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2300 Basic Steps in Investigation
2310 Assessing Safety During the Investigation
2311 Initial Safety Assessment
2311.1 Background Checks During the Initial Safety Assessment
2311.2 Time Frames Related to the Initial Safety Assessment
2311.3 Examples of Priority 1 and 2 Time Frames for Initial Safety Assessments
2312 Casework Process for Assessing Initial Safety
2312.1 Handling Safety-Related Tasks at the Beginning of the Investigation
2312.2 Identifying a Present Danger of Serious Harm
2312.3 Identifying Insufficient Protective Capacity
2312.4 Determining Elevated Child Vulnerability
2312.5 Determining Safety Criteria for Decision Making
2312.6 Making the Safety Decision
2312.7 Holding a Staffing Meeting and Obtaining Approval
2313 Completing the Safety Assessment Page
2314 Case Merge and the Safety Assessment Page
2315 Responding to Safety Concerns
2315.1 Controlling Safety Threats
2315.2 Assessing the Family’s Response to Child-Safety Issues
2316 Subsequent Safety Assessments During an Investigation
2316.1 Assessing Safety at the End of the Investigation
2317 When Safety Assessments Do Not Apply
2321 Casework Process for Assessing Risk
2321.1 Time Frames for the Risk Assessment
2321.2 Abuse and Neglect Background Checks
2323 Risk Factors and Categories Within Each Area of Concern
2323.1 Child Vulnerability Risk Factors and Categories
2323.2 Caregiver Capability Risk Factors and Categories
2323.3 Quality of Care Risk Factors and Categories
2323.4 Maltreatment Pattern Risk Factors and Categories
2323.5 Home and Social Environment Risk Factors and Categories
2323.6 Documenting Domestic Violence on the Risk Assessment Tool
2323.7 Response to Intervention Risk Factors
2324 Assigning a Level of Concern to Each Risk Area
2325 Determining Risk of Abuse or Neglect at the End of the Investigation
2325.1 Staffing of Dispositions, Risk, and Decision About Services
2325.2 When Children Are at Risk
2325.3 Children Are Not at Risk
2326 Where to Document the Risk Assessment
2327 Investigations in Which Risk Assessments Are Not Conducted
2330 Investigating Allegations
2331 Objectives of Investigations
2332 Investigating Allegations of Abuse or Neglect
2333 Investigating Alleged Perpetrators
2334 Investigating Allegations of Abuse or Neglect Without Naming a Perpetrator
2335 New Intake or Allegation Received During an Open Investigation
2336 Subsequent Investigations on a Family
2337 Documentary Evidence Needed for the Case Record
2337.1 Documentary Evidence to Support Allegation Dispositions
2337.2 Documentary Evidence to Support the Safety and Risk Assessments
2337.3 Other External Case Information
2337.4 Information Not Allowed in the External File
2337.5 Information Available in IMPACT Not Necessary for External Documentation
2337.6 Documenting External Evidence in IMPACT
2337.7 A Child’s School Records
2340 Casework Tasks Performed When Starting an Investigation
2341 Abuse and Neglect Background Checks
2342 Criminal Background Checks
2343 Staffing a Report Assigned for Investigation
2344 Arranging Joint Investigations With Law Enforcement
2345 Contacting the Reporter Before Initiating the Investigation
2346 Multiple Referral Reports
2346.1 Worker Responsibilities
2346.2 Supervisor Responsibilities
2346.3 Child Safety Specialist Responsibilities
2347 Making a Contact to Initiate the Investigation
2348 Follow-Up When Contact Is Not Made Within Priority Time Frames
2351.1 Worker Requests Permission to Enter a Home
2351.2 Who Has the Authority to Give Consent to Enter the Home
2351.21 Determining Whether a Child Has the Capacity to Give Consent
2351.22 Concerns About Child Safety
2351.6 When Parents Disagree About Consent
2351.71 Limitations of Consent Given by Law Enforcement or Military Personnel
2352 Exigent Circumstances Relating to Entry of a Home
2353 Documenting the Visit to the Home
2360 Investigative Interviews With Children
2361 Interviews with Alleged Victims
2361.1 Obtaining Consent to Interview
2361.2 Basic Requirements During the Interview
2361.31 Substitute Interviews for Alleged Victims of Sexual Abuse or Serious Physical Abuse
2362 Recording Interviews With Children
2362.1 Acceptable Methods Used to Record Interviews
2362.2 Unusual Situations That May Legitimately Preclude Recording Interviews
2362.3 Documenting in IMPACT Whether Interviews Were Recorded
2362.4 Confidentiality of Recorded Interviews
2362.5 Storing, Labeling, Retaining, and Purging of Recorded Interviews
2362.51 Storing Recorded Interviews
2362.52 Number of Recorded Interviews That Can Be Preserved on Various Media
2362.53 Labeling of Media on Which Recorded Interviews Are Stored
2362.54 Storing, Retaining, and Purging of Recorded Interviews
2363 Interviews With Other Children in the Home
2364 Giving Notice When Interviewing or Examining a Child for an Investigation
2364.1 Means and Content of Notice
2364.2 Identifying and Locating Parents and Guardians
2364.3 Time Frames Related to Notice of Interview or Examination
2364.4 Exceptions to Providing Notice of Interview or Examination
2364.5 Supervisory Approval When Withholding Notice of Interview or Examination
2364.6 Documentation Requirements Relating to Notice of Interview or Examination
2364.62 When Withholding Notice
2365 Limited English Proficiency
2371 Examinations of Alleged Victims and Other Children in the Home
2372 Examinations by Caseworkers
2373.1 Visual Examinations When the Parent or Caretaker is Present
2373.2 Precautions To Take When Examining a Child
2374 Sexual Abuse Examinations
2375 Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Examinations
2375.2 Authority for Obtaining Medical, Psychological and Psychiatric Examinations
2375.3 Documenting Consent for and Results of Examinations
2376 Purchase of Medical, Psychological, and Psychiatric Examinations
2377 Medical and Mental Health Records
2377.1 Obtaining a Parent’s Medical or Mental Health Records
2377.2 Obtaining a Child’s Medical or Mental Health Records
2381 Camera-Related Requirements
2382 Consent and Authority to Photograph and Documentation of Witnesses
2383 Photographing the General Appearance of a Child
2384 Photographing a Child’s Injuries
2385 Photographing the Physical Evidence and Incident Scenes
2386 Photographing the Home and Living Environment
2387 Deleting or Altering Photographs
2388 Digital Storage of Digital Photographs in IMPACT
2389 Storing Prints of Photographs in the Paper Case File
2390 Investigative Interviews with Adults
2391 Individual and Private Interviews
2392 Interviews with Parents, Alleged Perpetrators, and Other Adults
2393 Interviews With Parents or Primary Caretakers
2393.1 Parents or Primary Caretakers in the Home
2393.2 Referral for Domestic Violence Services
2394 Interviews With Alleged Perpetrators
2394.1 When a Child Age 10 or Older Is Also Alleged to Be a Victim
2394.2 Substitute Interview of Alleged Perpetrator
2394.3 Police Request That CPS Delay Interviewing Alleged Perpetrator
2394.4 Alleged Perpetrator in Police Custody
2394.5 Abbreviated, Unable to Complete, and Preliminary Investigations
2395 Interviewing Parents or Alleged Perpetrators
2395.1 Coordinating With Law Enforcement
2395.2 Required Content of Initial Interview With Parents or Alleged Perpetrators
2395.3 Use of Polygraphs With Parents or Alleged Perpetrators
2395.4 Family Cannot Be Located or Refuses an Interview
2395.5 Interviews With the Person Who Has Primary Legal Responsibility for the Child
2396 Interviews With Other Adults in the Home or Family
2397 Interviews With Collateral Sources
2400 Types of Investigations, Case Actions, Services and Conclusions
2411.1 Interested Relatives and Significant Non-Related Parties in Thorough Investigations
2412 Abbreviated Investigations
2413 Unable To Complete an Investigation
2413.1 When a Family Has Moved or Cannot Be Located
2413.2 When a Family Is Uncooperative
2413.3 Documentation in an Unable to Complete/Cannot Locate Investigation
2413.4 Locating a Family that Moved During an Investigation
2413.5 Transferring a Case to a Family’s New Location
2413.7 Interference With an Investigation
2413.8 Child Safety Check Alert List
2413.81 When to Place a Child on the Child Safety Check Alert List
2413.82 The Role of Law Enforcement and the Child Safety Check Alert List
2413.83 How to Place a Family on the Child Safety Check Alert List
2414 Preliminary Investigations (Administrative Closure)
2414.1 Preliminary Investigations Closed for Statutory Reasons
2414.2 Preliminary Investigations Closed for Programmatic Reasons
2414.3 Preliminary Investigations of Anonymous Reports
2421 Removing an Alleged Perpetrator From the Home and Developing a Corresponding Safety Plan
2421.1 Removal of Alleged Perpetrator From Home: In General
2421.2 Situations in Which Removal of an Alleged Perpetrator From the Home Is Required
2421.3 Requirements for Safety Plan when Alleged Perpetrator Is Removed From Home
2422 Developing a Safety Plan When Transferring to Family-Based Safety Services
2423 Initiating Safety Plans in other Stages
2430 Criteria for Parental Child Safety Placements
2431 Overview of Parental Child Safety Placements (PCSPs)
2431.1 Out-of-State Parental Child Safety Placements
2431.2 When a Parent Has Made an Out-of-State Placement Before CPS Involvement
2431.3 When a Parent Has Made an In-State Placement Before CPS Involvement
2431.4 When a PCSP Is Appropriate to Use
2431.5 No Limitation on CPS Authority to Perform Necessary Removals
2431.6 When a PCSP is Used in an Open Conservatorship Case
2432 When a Removal Is More Appropriate Than a Parental Child Safety Placement
2432.1 When a PCSP Should Not Be Made or Sustained
2433 Making the Parental Child Safety Placement
2433.1 Parental Responsibility During Transition to the Proposed Placement
2433.2 Caseworker Responsibilities
2433.21 Caseworker Responsibilities Before Placement Is Pursued or Implemented
2433.22 Caseworker Responsibilities at the Time of Placement or Immediately Before Placement
2433.23 Caseworker Responsibilities Within 24 Hours of Implementing the PCSP
2433.3 Documenting the PCSP and Caregiver Evaluation
2433.4 Informing the Parent and Proposed Caregiver Whether the PCSP Can Be Made
2533.41 Providing Information When PCSP Will Not Be Made
2434 Conducting Criminal Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2434.1 Verifying Caregivers’ and Household Members’ Identities
2434.31 Procedures for FBI Records Checks on In-State Caregivers
2434.32 Procedures for FBI Records Checks on Out-of-State Caregivers
2434.4 Assessing Criminal History and Considering the Totality of the Circumstances
2434.41 Category A: Offenses That Permanently Preclude a PCSP
2434.42 Category B: Offenses That Temporarily Preclude a PCSP
2434.43 Category C: Offenses That Preclude a PCSP Without Additional Evaluation
2434.5 History Other Than Convictions
2434.6 Informing Parents and Caregivers About Criminal History
2435 Conducting Abuse and Neglect Background Checks for Parental Child Safety Placements
2435.1 Consequences of an Abuse or Neglect History
2435.2 Informing Parents and Caregivers About Abuse or Neglect History
2435.4 Parent and Caregiver Agreement for Parental Child Safety Placement
2435.5 Re-Evaluation of the Parent and Caregiver Agreement for Parental Child Safety Placement
2435.6 Making and Supporting the PCSP
2435.62 Contact Requirements for Parental Child Safety Placements
2435.7 Out-of-Region or Out-of-County PCSPs
2435.8 Use of the Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relatives
2436 Ongoing Assessment of the Parental Child Safety Placement (PSCP)
2436.1 Extending a PCSP Past 90 Days
2436.2 Change in PCSP Caregiver Requested by the Parent
2437 Closing a Case Involving a Parental Child Safety Placement
2437.1 Returning a Child From a PCSP to the Parent’s Home
2437.2 Returning the Child to a Different Parent or Legal Guardian
2437.3 Case Closure With an Open PCSP
2437.31 Child Can Safely Return to Parent
2437.32 Child Cannot Safely Return to Parent
2438 Expedited Background Checks For Emergency Placements
2438.1 Expedited DPS or IMPACT History Checks
2438.2 Expedited National Criminal History Checks
2438.3 Additional Requirement For Fingerprint Card Within Seven Days Requires a Safety Plan
2438.4 Consequences of Not Providing Completed Fingerprint Cards
2438.5 Procedure for Obtaining Expedited Background Checks
2438.6 Use of the Background Check Information
2441 Family Team Meeting (FTM) Referral Criteria
2441.1 Circumstances Requiring an FTM Referral
2441.2 Circumstances Allowing an FTM Referral
2442 Scheduling and Coordinating FTMs
2443 Family Team Meeting Participants
2444 Caseworker and Supervisor Roles at Family Team Meetings
2445 Documenting Family Team Meetings
2445.1 Investigation Caseworker
2445.2 Family Team Meeting Facilitator
2450 Service Referrals During an investigation
2451 Referring the Family for Community Services
2452 Referrals to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
2452.1 Investigation Stage and Findings
2452.2 General Referral Procedures
2460 Transferring a Case to Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
2461 Overview of Transferring a Case to FBSS
2462.1 Preparing the FBSS Referral
2462.2 Submitting the FBSS Referral Packet
2462.3 Monitoring the FBSS Referral
2463 The FBSS Family Assessment and Staffing
2463.1 When a Family Moves to New Location Before Referral to FBSS
2463.2 When a Family Moves to New Location After the Family Assessment
2464 Making Key Decisions About Transferring a Case to FBSS
2465 Maintaining Contact With the Family During the Transfer to FBSS
2466 Delivering Services During a Transfer to FBSS
2467 Requesting That the Court Order FBSS
2468 Documenting the Transition to FBSS
2469 Documenting an Investigation Without Offering FBSS
2470 Concluding the Investigation and Assessment
2471 Definitions of Dispositions of Abuse or Neglect
2471.1 Determining the Overall Disposition for an Investigation
2471.2 Dispositions of Allegations of Prenatal Drug or Alcohol Exposure
2472 Definitions of Overall Roles
2472.1 Determining the Overall Role for a Person in an Investigation
2480 Informal Review of Complaints During Investigations
2490 When People Request Copies of Case Records
2500 Removing a Child From the Home
2510 Evaluate the Need for Removal
2511 Removal of Certain Children With Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
2511.2 Required Actions for Children Under 11 Who Have Sexually Transmitted Diseases
2511.3 Required STD Testing for the Perpetrator
2512 Obtain Approval for Removal
2520 Determine the Basis of Authority for Removing a Child
2522 Definitions of Terms (Exigent Circumstances and Imminent Danger)
2530 Document the Removal of a Child
2531 Provide Notice and Gather Information Following a Removal
2532.1 Who Gets Notice of a Removal and When
2532.2 Contents of Notice of Removal
2532.3 Delivering Notice of Removal
2533 Gather Information About Child and Family
2534 Form 2279 Placement Summary
2535 Form 2626 Family Information
2535.1 A Child Adopted From a Foreign Country
2536 Form 2625 Child Caregiver Resource
2537 Establish Relationships Using Family Tree in IMPACT When Children Are Removed
2537.2 When to Start and Finish the Family Tree in IMPACT
2540 Notification to Relatives Following a Removal
2541 Exercising and Documenting Due Diligence After Removal of a Child
2542 The Contents of the Notice to Relatives Following the Removal of a Child
2543 The Roles of the Removal and CVS Workers After Removing a Child
2544 Evaluating Relatives as Caregivers After a Child Has Been Removed
2550 Provide Information to the Child, Parents, Caregiver, and Court After a Removal
2551 Information Provided to the Parents at the Time of Removal
2552 Information Provided to the Child After a Removal
2553 Information Provided to the Caregiver at the Time of Placement
2554 Information Provided to the Court After Removal
2560 Transition to Conservatorship
2561 Select a Substitute Caregiver at the Time of Removal
2562 Transferring a Case to Conservatorship
2563 Conferring Through a Post-Removal Staffing
2700 Special Intake and Investigative Activities
2711 Sending Notifications When a Child Dies
2711.1 Notifying the Medical Examiner or Justice of the Peace When a Child Dies
2712 Releasing Information About an Investigation Into the Death of a Child
2712.1 Information Required to be Released Before the Investigation Is Complete
2712.2 Time Frame for Releasing Information If the Death Resulted From Abuse or Neglect
2712.3 Information Released If the Death Resulted From Abuse or Neglect
2712.4 Legal Review of Information to be Released
2721 Criteria for a Baby Moses Case
2721.1 When Statutory Criteria Are Not Met
2721.2 When a Child Is Abandoned After Birth in a Medical Facility
2721.3 When There Is a Presumed or Acknowledged Father
2721.4 When Application of Statutory Criteria Is Unclear
2723 A Designated Emergency Infant Care (DEIC) Provider
2724 Investigating Cases Under the Baby Moses Law
2724.2 Disposition of a Baby Moses Case
2725 Special Issues Relating to a Baby Moses Case
2731 Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2731.1 Findings of Physical Abuse for Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2731.2 Findings of Neglectful Supervision for Prenatal Exposure to Controlled Substances
2731.3 Disposition Guidelines for Prenatal Use of Controlled Substances
2732 Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2732.1 Findings of Physical Abuse for Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2732.2 Findings of Neglectful Supervision for Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol
2732.3 Disposition Guidelines for Prenatal Use of Alcohol
2733 Prenatal Exposure to Methadone or Controlled Medications
2734 Prenatal Use of Alcohol or Controlled Substance: Birth Imminent
2741 Exceptions to Confidentiality of Abortion-Related Information
2743 Intake Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had an Abortion Without Informing Her Family
2743.1 Statewide Intake Procedures Regarding Abortion-Related Information
2743.2 Regional Action on the Intake
2744.3 Authorizations Required for Disclosure
2744.4 Other Investigation Activities
2744.5 Concurrent Judicial Bypass Proceedings
2744.51 Assisting the Minor in Applying for Judicial Bypass
2745 Removal Involving a Minor Who Wants or Had Abortion Without Her Family Knowing
2750 Investigations of Personnel and Volunteers in Public and Private Schools
2753 Criteria for Accepting Reports and Conducting School Investigations
2753.1 Reports Accepted for Investigation
2753.2 Reports Not Accepted for Investigation
2754 Conducting the School Investigation
2754.1 Notification to School Principal
2754.2 Basic Steps and Time Frames
2754.3 Conducting Interviews or Examinations
2755 Dispositions in School Investigations
2756 Notification of Findings in School Investigations
2756.1 Public School Investigations
2756.2 Private School Investigations
2757 Documenting the School Investigation
2760 Investigations of New Referrals in Open Conservatorship (CVS) Cases
2763 Pre-Dispositional Staffing
2770 When a Mother in an Open Conservatorship Case is Pregnant
2771 Staffing the Case During the Pregnancy
2790 Other Investigation Requests
2791 Casework-Related Special Requests
2791.11 Required Actions for Special Requests and I&Rs
2791.12 Reclassifying a Case-Related Special Request or I&R as an Intake
2791.2 Casework-Related Special Requests
2791.22 Types of CRSRs Not Accepted by CPS
2791.23 Requests that Involve Illegal Child Care Operations
2791.24 Special Requests Made Directly To The Worker
2791.3 Administrative Special Requests
2791.4 Information and Referrals
2792 Special Requests (Administrative)
2793 Out-of-State Incident and Perpetrators
2794 Investigation of Lack of Medical Care Because of Religious Beliefs
2795 When a Child is Abandoned in a DADS Facility
2796 Investigations Involving Children Who Have Special Health Care Needs
2797 Investigating Reports That Involve Disabled People
2798 Investigating Reports of Abuse or Neglect on Military Bases
2799 When a Custody Order or Abduction Suit Involves a Foreign Country
2800 Documentation, Approving Notification and Internal Due Process Requirements of an Investigation
2810 Documenting the Investigation and Assessments
2811 Documenting in the IMPACT System
2812 Completing the Maintain Person Task
2812.1 Person Identifying and Locating Information
2812.3 Personal Identifiers (Social Security Number, Driver’s License Number)
2812.4 Person Race and Ethnicity
2812.7 Person Search and Person Merge, and Case Merge
2812.8 Add, Relate, or Delete Persons in the Investigation Stage of IMPACT
2812.9 Change Principal to Collateral
2813 Completing the Maintain Allegation Task
2813.1 Assigning a Severity Type to an Allegation Involving a Child Fatality or Near Fatality
2814 Completing the Contacts Task
2814.1 Documenting Contacts Within 24 Hours
2814.2 Documenting the Contact That Initiates the Investigation
2814.3 Documenting All Other Investigation Contacts
2815 Completion and Documentation of Investigation Tasks
2815.1 Completing the Safety Assessment and Risk Assessment Tasks
2815.2 Completing the Services and Referrals Checklist Task
2815.3 Completing the Investigation Conclusion Page
2815.4 Completing the EA Eligibility Section
2815.5 External Documentation Task
2815.6 Medical/Mental Assessment Task
2815.7 Service Authorization Task
2815.8 Conservatorship Removal Task
2815.9 Establish Relationships in Family Tree in the Investigation Stage
2816 External Documentation Required: Forms, Letters, Documents, and Photos
2816.1 The Worker’s Original Case Notes
2817 Children Who Have Been Previously Adopted
2817.2 Documenting Child Placement Characteristics of “Previously Adopted”
2817.3 Documenting Child Placement Characteristics in Dissolved Intercountry Adoptions
2818 Designating a Case as Sensitive in IMPACT
2821 Approving the Investigation
2822 Investigations That Require a Secondary Approver Before Being Closed
2830 Documenting Notification of Findings
2831 Accessing and Documenting Notification of Findings Letters
2832 Documenting Exceptions to Providing Notification of Investigation Finds Letters
2840 Notification About Investigation Results
2841 Notification of Investigation Findings to a Parent, Guardian, or Substitute Parent
2841.1 Notification of Investigation Findings to Parents or Guardians
2841.2 Parent or Guardian Is a Perpetrator
2841.3 Notification of Investigation Findings to a Substitute Parent
2842 Notification of Investigation Findings to Alleged Perpetrators
2842.1 Adult Alleged Perpetrators Who Are Not Parents, Guardians, or Substitute Parents
2842.2 Alleged Perpetrators Who Are Minors and Are Not Parents
2842.3 Any Designated Perpetrator or Ruled Out Perpetrator
2842.5 Notification of Investigation Findings to Alleged Victims
2842.6 Notification of Investigation Findings to Reporters
2842.61 Reporter Lives with a Member of the Family or Household That Was Reported
2843 Time Frames for Providing Notification of Investigation Findings
2844 Special Requirements for Notification of Investigation Findings
2844.1 Exceptions to Providing Notification of Investigation Findings or to Time Frame
2844.2 Investigations Involving Children in CPS Conservatorship
2844.3 Releasing Investigation Findings
2844.4 Optional Provision of Investigation Findings to Parents of Non-Victims
2845 Removal of Alleged Perpetrator Role Information
2850 Administrative Review of Investigation Findings
2851 Determination and Notice of Eligibility
2851.1 Initial Determination of Eligibility
2851.2 Notice of Initial Eligibility Determination
2852 Conditions Allowing a Delay of the ARIF
2852.1 Notice of Delay of ARIF
2852.2 Eligibility Determination and Notice After an ARIF Has Been Delayed
2853.1 Notification of the Time, Place, and Conduct of the ARIF
2854 Final Written Decision of ARIF
2855 Documentation of the ARIF Decision and Change of Allegations in IMPACT
2855.1 Documentation and Changing Allegations in the ARIF Stage
2855.2 Documentation in a Closed-Stage Addendum Contact
2855.3 Changing Allegations Through Database Correction
2855.4 Changing the Type of Abuse or Neglect in a Confirmed Allegation
2855.5 Changing the Severity of a Confirmed Allegation to or From “Fatal”
2856 Notification of Results of the ARIF
2856.1 Notification of Written Decision to Requester
2856.2 Notification of Written Decision to Parent/Guardian and Reporter
2856.3 Accessing, Processing, and Filing Notification Letters
2857 ARIF During the Release-Hearing Process
2860 Reviews by the Office of Consumer Affairs
2861 Overview of the Review Process
2862 Regional Responsibilities
2871 Definitions Related to Release Hearings
2872 Release on a Non-Emergency or an Emergency Basis
2873 Providing Notice to Designated Perpetrators of DFPS’s Decision to Release the Findings
2873.3 What the Notice Must Include
2874 Designated Perpetrator Does Not Request a Release Hearing
2875 Preparing for and Scheduling Release Hearings
2875.1 When DFPS May Schedule a Release Hearing
2875.2 After a Designated Perpetrator Requests a Release Hearing
2876 Release Hearing Conduct and Decisions
2876.2 Timing of Sending Notice Letters and Updating IMPACT
2876.4 Notification of Court Decisions
2876.5 Regional Actions if Finding Is Sustained (Upheld)
2876.6 Regional Actions if Finding Is Reversed or Altered
2877 Designated Perpetrator Does Not Appear at the Release Hearing
Section 3000: Family Based Safety Services3000 Family Based Safety Services
3110 Philosophy, Goals, and Objectives
3111 The Role of the FBSS Caseworker
3112 The Role of the FBSS Supervisor
3113 The Purpose and Criteria for Providing FBSS
3114 Constitutional Requirements for Family Based Safety Services and Family Reunification Cases
3120 Types of Family-Based Safety Services
3121 Regular Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)
3122 Moderate Family-Based Safety Services (M-FBSS)
3123 Intensive Family-Based Safety Services (I-FBSS)
3124 Identifying the Correct IMPACT Stage and Stage Type
3131 Cases That May Not Need FBSS
3132 Assigning Moderate or Intensive FBSS
3140 Determining Caseload Size
3141 Determining Caseload Size for Regular FBSS
3142 Determining Caseload Size for Moderate FBSS
3143 Determining Caseload Size for Intensive FBSS
3200 Transferring a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3210 Referring a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3211 The Investigator’s Role in an FBSS Family Assessment
3212 The Necessity of Making Face-to-Face Contact During an FBSS Transfer
3220 Conducting the FBSS Family Assessment
3221 Constitutional Requirements for an FBSS Family Assessment
3222 Scope and Purpose of an FBSS Family Assessment
3223 Steps for Conducting a Family Assessment
3230 Conducting the FBSS Staffing
3240 Case Transfer Across FBSS Units and Regional Lines
3231 Deciding Whether to Transfer a Case
3232 Documenting the Transfer of a Case From Investigation to FBSS
3233 Documenting the FPR Service Stage Type or Closing a Case Without Offering Services
3310 Permanency Planning in Family-Based Safety Services
3312 Definition and State Policy
3313 The Permanency Planning Process
3314 The Permanency Plan in Family-Based Safety Services
3315 The Goal of Family Preservation
3316 Steps for Achieving the Permanency Goal
3317 Discussion of Efforts Made to Achieve the Permanency Goal
3320 Face-to-Face Contacts in an FBSS Case
3321 Initial Face-to-Face Contact Following Stage Progression
3321.1 When to Make Initial Face-to-Face Contact in an FBSS Case
3322 Frequency of Face-to-Face Contacts
3323 Preparing for Face-to-Face Contact
3324 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3324.1 Activities and Assessment During the Face-to-Face Contact
3324.2 Meeting Federal Requirements
3325 When the Assigned Caseworker Changes
3326 Roles of Secondary Workers
3326 Roles of Secondary Workers
3326.1 Requesting a Secondary Caseworker
3326.2 Process for Assigning a Secondary Caseworker
3326.3 Resolving Disagreements Regarding Secondary Caseworker Assignments
3326.4 Responsibilities of a Primary Caseworker While a Secondary Caseworker Is Assigned
3326.5 Responsibilities of a Secondary Caseworker – Completing Visits
3326.6 Responsibilities of a Secondary Caseworker in Parental Child Safety Placements
3326.7 Ongoing Communication Between Primary Caseworker and Secondary Caseworker
3327 Notifying a Supervisor When Unable to Meet the Time Frames for Face-to-Face Contact
3328 Changing the Frequency of Contact
3329 Documenting Contacts and Visits
3329.1 Documentation of Contacts with Principals and Collaterals
3329.2 Timeframes for Documenting FBSS Contacts
3329.3 Documenting Critical Contacts
3329.4 Documenting Noncritical Contacts
3329.5 Completing a Monthly Evaluation/Assessment and Entering the Required Content
3329.6 Entering FBSS Contacts and Submitting Monthly Evaluations for Supervisory Approval
3330 Addressing Child Safety in FBSS
3331 Immediate or Short-Term Protection During an FBSS Case
3332 Parental Child Safety Placement
3333 Determining Whether to Seek a Court Order or Removal Before or During an FBSS Case
3340 Family Group Decision Making – Applying FGDM to an FBSS Case
3341 Applying Family Group Conferences to an FBSS Case
3341.1 Criteria for a Required Family Group Conference
3341.2 Criteria for an Optional Family Group Conference
3341.3 Documenting a Family Group Conference
3342 Applying Family Team Meetings to an FBSS Case
3400 Working With Families to Develop an FBSS Plan
3410 Purposes of the Family Service Plan
3411 Timeframes for the Initial Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case
3412 Developing the Family Service Plan for an FBSS Case
3412.1 Holding an Initial Discussion About the Family Service Plan
3412.2 Developing Goals, Tasks, and Services for a Family Service Plan
3413 Required Content of the Family Service Plan
3414 Reasonable Accommodations and Modification of Services
3415 Parental Involvement in Service Planning – Ensuring the Involvement of Fathers
3416 Documenting the Family Service Plan
3417 Supervisory Approval and Completion of Family Service Plans
3418 Reviewing and Updating the Family Service Plan
3419 Compliance With Family Service Plans
3420 Meeting Children’s Specific Needs in the Family Service Plan
3421 Referral to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services
3422 Working With Children in FBSS Who Have Special Health Care Needs
3430 Purchased Services for Families Receiving Family Based Safety Services
3434.1 Definition and Goals of Concrete Services
3434.2 Eligibility for Concrete Services
3434.3 Eligible Goods and Services to Purchase With Concrete Services
3434.4 Documenting and Authorizing Concrete Services
3434.5 Reviewing and Approving a Request for Concrete Services
3461 Time Frames for Establishing and Updating Relationships in Family Tree
3462 Documenting the Family Tree
3471 The Frequency for Reviewing an FBSS Case
3472 Strategies for Reviewing an FBSS Case
3472.1 Using Family Group Conferences to Review an FBSS Case
3472.2 Using Case Staffings to Review an FBSS Case
3473 Case Staffings for FBSS Cases
3473.1 Case Staffings for Regular FBSS (R-FBSS)
3473.2 Case Staffings for Moderate FBSS
3473.3 Case Staffings for Intensive FBSS
3480 Documenting Supervisor Tasks
3481 Documenting Significant Consultations Between the Supervisor and Worker
3500 Family Reunification Services (FRS)
3520 Regular Family Reunification Services (R-FRS)
3521 The Discharge Planning Meeting and Home Visits
3521.1 Assessing Safety and Reviewing the Family Plan
3521.2 Scheduling a Discharge Planning Meeting
3521.21 The Caseworker’s Duties at a Discharge Planning Meeting
3522 Case Staffings and Reviews
3523 Making Face-to-Face Contact
3523.1 Home Visits Before a Child Returns Home
3523.2 Home Visits After a Child Returns Home
3523.3 Making Contact 48-Hours After a Child Returns Home
3524 Terminating Conservatorship
3530 Moderate In-Home Safety Services in the Reunification Safety Services Stage
3540 Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3541 Definition and Objectives of IE-FRS
3543 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact (IE-FRS)
3543.1 Determining Caseload Size (IE-FRS)
3543.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact (IE-FRS)
3544 Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Early Reunification Safety Services Assessment
3545 Holding a Removal Staffing for an IE-FRS Case
3545.1 Holding a Staffing for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.3 Conducting Reviews for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.31 Conducting a 60-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.32 Conducting a 90-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3545.33 Conducting a 120-Day Review for Intensive Early Family Reunification Services (IE-FRS)
3550 Intensive Family Reunification Services (I-FRS)
3551 Definition and Objectives of I-FRS
3553 Caseload, Frequency, and Content of Face-to-Face Contact (I-FRS)
3553.1 Determining Caseload Size (I-FRS)
3553.2 Making Face-to-Face Contact (I-FRS)
3553.3 Decreasing Contact (I-FRS)
3554 Initial Face-to-Face Contact and Intensive Reunification Safety Services Assessment
3590 Removing a Child From the Home After Reunification
3591 Avoiding Removal After Reunification
3592 Identifying Court Protocols Before Removing a Child After Reunification
3593 Providing Notification of Removal After Reunification
3594 Reassessing the Reunification Plan After a Child Is Reunited With the Family
3610 Children in DFPS Conservatorship Living at Home
3620 Unmarried, School-Age Parents
3640 When a Child Dies During an Open FBSS Case
3650 HSEGH Information for Previously Adopted Children
3700 Closing a Case, Closing a Stage, and Transferring a Case
3721 Closing an FBSS Case Because CPS Services Are No Longer Needed
3722 Closing an FBSS Case When a Child Is Still in a Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP)
3723 Closing an FBSS Case for Administrative Reasons
3724 Closing an FBSS Case in IMPACT
3730 Closing an FBSS Stage When the Case Transfers to Substitute Care
3731 Removing a Child From the Home
3732 Documenting the Removal of a Child From His or Her Home
3733 Providing Substitute-Care Services
3900 Contracted Family Based Safety Services
3930 Assigning and Monitoring a Contracted Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case
3940 Closing a Contracted Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Case
Jim Black
savethechild2013
Yvonne Mason Sewell
How Child Protection Services Buys and Sells Our Children 
Reblogged this on The Real Mommies and Daddies of the Real America.
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unreal cps is like cancer, but cancer has no cure, but soon we will have a cure for cps
On Sun, Feb 15, 2015 at 2:41 PM, How Child Protection Services Buys and
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Reblogged this on A Broken System….
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