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1000 Agency Organization and Administration

1100 DFPS Mission and Vision

CPS September 2026

Mission

We build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive.

Vision

Safe children and adults. Strong families and communities. Stronger Texas.

1110 Family Group Decision Making (FGDM)

CPS September 2026

DFPS recognizes that the best results are obtained when the child or youth and family are involved in making decisions that affect safety, permanency, and well-being.

Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) is a collaborative approach used by DFPS for service planning and decision making. For detailed information on the FGDM model, please see the FGDM Resource Guide.

1120 Focus on Resources and Outcomes

CPS September 2026

DFPS seeks to ensure the safety of children and to promote the integrity and stability of families. To maintain this focus, DFPS identifies and matches three key elements:

  • Desired Outcomes: The specific changes in client circumstances and behaviors that will best protect the child and strengthen the family.
  • Critical Success Factors: DFPS activities that, if done well, are most likely to achieve these changes.
  • Resources: The staff and material needed to carry out these activities.

Desired outcomes, critical success factors, and necessary resources vary according to the needs of clients, and the needs of clients change over the course of receiving services. To address the changing needs of different clients, DFPS correlates resources, activities, and outcomes by stages of service.

1130 Program Organization

1131 State Office

CPS September 2026

The Child Protective Investigations (CPI) and Child Protective Services (CPS) divisions of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) develop policy and manage the CPI and CPS programs on a statewide level. The state office divisions are the points of contact for the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

1132 Regional Offices

CPS September 2026

DFPS regional directors and directors for Single Source Continuum Contractors oversee the programs on a regional level according to applicable state and federal laws and policies.

1140 Relationship with Other Agencies and Entities

CPS September 2026

DFPS uses the resources and services of public and private agencies and county governments either on a referral basis or by agreements such as memorandums of understand (MOU) and contracts with these entities. Agreements and contracts may extend to public and private agencies in other states. If DFPS does not offer the services directly, DFPS may sign purchase of service contracts with state and local agencies. The availability of purchased services is subject to DFPS funding and the existence of local providers.

Federal and state agencies provide services to clients who also receive services from DFPS. For details regarding contracts, see the DFPS Contracting Policies.

1141 Statewide Parent Collaboration Group and Regional Parent Support Group

CPS September 2026

The statewide Parent Collaboration Group (PCG) is a partnership between DFPS and parents who have been recipients of DFPS services. The PCG is a venue for gathering and incorporating parental feedback to enhance DFPS policy and practice.

The PCG provides the following:

  • Information to staff regarding what parents experience as recipients of DFPS services.
  • Recommendations for improvement.

See:

1150 DFPS Volunteer and Community Engagement

CPS September 2026

Volunteers play an important role in helping DFPS accomplish its mission. Legislators recognize the value of volunteers and have mandated the use of volunteer programs in human services agencies and in local governments that contract to deliver human services. See the Faith-Based and Community Engagement Handbook.

1160 Information Systems

1161 Information Management Protecting Adults and Children in Texas (IMPACT)

CPS September 2026

IMPACT is the automated system in which DFPS and Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) staff record casework-related activities. The system is set up like a physical case file and has separate pages and tools for the various tasks required in the different stages of service.

DFPS and SSCC staff are trained to use IMPACT during their professional development training, and most policies have a documentation component that requires DFPS and SSCC staff to document within a specific time frame.

The documentation in IMPACT that is approved by the DFPS and SSCC supervisor becomes the child’s and family’s case file. This is used for federal case reviews and could be subpoenaed for court proceedings. It is also the record of the family’s involvement with DFPS and SSCCs.

1161.1 Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry

CPS September 2026

The DFPS Central Registry is part of DFPS’s electronic case management system. It contains only the names of people designated or sustained as perpetrators of child abuse or neglect by one of the following:

  • The Child Protective Investigations program, including the Child Care Investigations division.
  • The Provider Investigation division of the Health and Human Services Commission.

See the DFPS Background Checks Handbook, 6000 Central Registry Checks for the Public.

1170 Memorandum of Understanding

CPS September 2026

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is a non-financial agreement. DFPS enters into an MOU with an external party or stakeholder when no money is exchanged and no invoices are generated.

Contract Handbook, Chapter 3, Memorandum of Understanding.

1200 Legal Foundation for Child Protective Investigations and Child Protective Services

CPS September 2026

DFPS policy and practice are governed by specific mandates in federal and state law. These laws define the authority under which the agency operates and set the requirements with which its programs, including Child Protective Investigations (CPI) and Child Protective Services (CPS), must comply. See 5000 CPS Legal Functions.

1210 Indian Child Welfare Act

CPS September 2026

The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a federal law aimed at keeping Native American children who are involved in child welfare cases with Native American families. The stated intent of the legislation is to protect the best interests of Native American children and to promote stability among Native American families. See 5000 CPS Legal Functions.

1220 General Eligibility Criteria for Child Protective Services

CPS September 2026

DFPS provides protective services to children as required by the Texas Family Code, Chapters 261 and 262, and the Texas Human Resources Code. DFPS provides services to the families of children receiving protective services under Titles IV-A, IV-B, IV-E, and XX of the Social Security Act, the Intended Use Report, and Chapter 45 of the Texas Human Resources Code.

Texas Family Code, Chapter 261

Texas Family Code, Chapter 262

Texas Human Resources Code Ch. 45

1221 Reviews of Client Complaints

CPS September 2026

Clients have the right to a review of their complaints about DFPS programs. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the complaint will either be handled by regional staff at a higher level than the caseworker or by DFPS’s Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA).

See Office of Consumer Affairs Handbook, 2000 Complaints.

1230 Clients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

CPS September 2026

Title VI of the of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires state and local governments to ensure that their programs and activities normally provided in English are accessible to persons with limited English proficiency (LEP) and that they do not discriminate on the basis of national origin.

Communicating with LEP Clients

When a client’s ability to communicate in English is limited, DFPS and SSCC staff must undertake reasonable, documented efforts to provide the client with information and services in a language that he or she can understand through the use of interpreters, translators, or other identified methods.

Efforts may include but are not limited to:

  • Recruiting and hiring bilingual workers.
  • Recruiting bilingual foster caregivers and adoptive parents.
  • Using interpreters and translators.
  • Using bilingual brochures, forms, and other printed materials.

DFPS and SSCCs must undertake reasonable efforts to ensure that LEP clients understand, as fully as possible, all significant actions at each of the following stages and points of service:

  • Investigation of allegations of child abuse or neglect.
  • Adverse actions such as removal of a child from his or her home.
  • Case planning and service delivery.
  • Judicial proceedings in which the court does not provide bilingual or interpreter services.
  • Temporary and permanent placements outside the home.
  • Appeal proceedings and administrative reviews.

Efforts to provide bilingual or interpreter services must not delay or interfere with any actions necessary to:

  • Protect a child from harm or risk of harm.
  • Comply with legal requirements.

Ensuring Comprehension of Written Material

Notwithstanding LEP status, a client may have a limited ability to understand material written in his or her own language. When communicating DFPS or SSCC purposes, goals, and services to a client, staff verbally review written material with the client and the interpreter to ensure that it is fully comprehended.

Substitute Care Placements

When DFPS removes an LEP child from his or her home, staff must consider the child’s language needs and assess the importance of placing the child with a foster family who speaks his or her own language.

The service plan of an LEP child in substitute care must address the following issues:

  • Communication between the child and the foster family if the foster family does not speak the child’s language.
  • The availability of bilingual classes and remedial English programs at the child’s school.
  • The need for and availability of counseling services in the child’s language.
  • The need for and availability of other services in the child’s language.
  • The availability of bilingual CPS staff or interpreters.

If the child is placed in an LEP foster family, the child’s service plan must also indicate how DFPS and SSCC staff will communicate with the foster family. DFPS and SSCCs must make reasonable efforts to assign bilingual workers to LEP children and LEP foster families. When it is not possible to assign a bilingual worker, staff must find other ways to communicate with the clients. Options include, but are not limited to:

  • Using other bilingual workers, staff members, or volunteers to interpret.
  • Working with outside interpreters.
  • Working with agencies that specialize in services to families of the foster child’s ethnicity.

1231 Clients with Disabilities

CPS September 2026

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and other federal laws prohibit state and local government entities, such as DFPS, from discriminating against people with disabilities. A person with a disability cannot be denied benefits or excluded from participation in a public entity’s services, programs, or activities.

See the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Scope of the ADA

The ADA covers any child or adult with a disability with whom DFPS or SSCCs interact. This includes children, parents, relatives or other caregivers, foster and adoptive parents, people seeking to become foster or adoptive parents, and others.

1231.1 Definition of a Person with a Disability

CPS September 2026

Under the ADA, a person with a disability is a person who meets one of the following criteria:

  • Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the person’s major life activities.
  • Has a record of such impairment.
  • Is regarded as having such an impairment.
1231.2 Documentation of Disabilities

CPS September 2026

When a person informs staff that he or she has a disability and needs accommodations or assistance because of it, or staff has reason to believe the person has a disability that requires an accommodation, staff must work with the person to determine what accommodations are required.

DFPS and SSCC staff document:

  • The type of disability the person has.
  • How the services being offered to the client are being modified.
  • Which services require a reasonable accommodation for the person’s disabilities in order for the service to be provided.

For more information regarding documentation, see the Working with Persons with Disabilities Resource Guide.

CPI staff must provide people with disabilities written notice of the name, address, and telephone number of the ADA compliance coordinator for DFPS. This information can be found in the Parent’s Guide booklet that is given to every parent during a DFPS investigation.

1231.3 Child Safety Considerations

CPS September 2026

When emergency circumstances require immediate action to protect a child from harm or risk of harm, DFPS and SSCC staff must not hesitate to protect the child while attempting to communicate with caregivers who have disabilities, including but not limited to hearing, vision, or speech disabilities.

Efforts to provide accommodation, including a preferred method of communication, must not delay or interfere with any actions necessary to protect a child from harm or risk of harm or to comply with legal requirements.

When emergency action must be taken to protect a child, DFPS and SSCC staff must provide auxiliary aids or services at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure that the person with a communication or cognitive disability understands as fully as possible all actions taken.

1231.4 Accommodations and Modifications to Services

CPS September 2026

Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that people with disabilities are given an equal opportunity to benefit from all state and local government programs, services, and activities. DFPS and SSCC staff must provide modifications to services as appropriate.

Staff are required to comply with the following:

  • Provide reasonable service modifications to parents with disabilities so that the services are as effective as those provided to people without disabilities in every stage of client service delivery.
  • When applicable, use the Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA) and other tools to identify needs that may require modified services for caregivers with disabilities to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect.
  • Whenever possible and applicable, address in service plans any modification of services needed to:
  • Help parents who have disabilities prevent the removal of children from their home.
  • Ensure the earliest possible return home for children in conservatorship, when safety threats have been mitigated.
  • Make reasonable efforts to coordinate with public and private agencies that provide treatment or support services to caregivers with disabilities.
  • Ensure that reasonable efforts to accommodate a parent’s disability have been made before considering termination of parental rights.
  • Collaborate with local agencies to obtain services for families with disabilities.
  • When needed, develop a plan that involves the parent identifying a caregiver for his or her children in the event that the parent’s situation deteriorates to the extent that the parent can no longer assure the safety of the child. Staff must ensure that the caregiver identified by the parent can provide a safe, healthy environment for the child.
1231.5 Requirements for Auxiliary Aids and Services

CPS September 2026

Auxiliary aids and services are devices or services that facilitate communication and access to services for a client with any type of disability. DFPS and SSCC staff must furnish auxiliary aids or services as necessary to ensure effective communication and accommodations for clients who are being served by DFPS or SSCCs. Auxiliary aids and services may be provided for people with disabilities that include but are not limited to hearing, vision, and speech disabilities.

DFPS and SSCC staff must ensure both of the following:

  • Communications with clients who have disabilities are as effective as communications with other clients.
  • Clients understand all significant actions as fully as possible at each stage of service.
1231.51 Obtaining Qualified Interpreters

CPS September 2026

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a qualified interpreter as one who is “able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary.”

DFPS and SSCC staff may contact a contracted provider to request appropriately certified interpreters. When a client requests an interpreter or other auxiliary aid or service, DFPS and SSCC staff must do the following:

  • Document the request clearly in IMPACT and the client’s case record.
  • Include the need in any service plan throughout the life of the case.

Instances requiring interpreter services include but are not limited to the following:

  • Interviews, meetings, or any contacts with the client.
  • Face-to-face contacts.
  • Supervised visitation.
  • Permanency planning meetings.
  • Family Group Conferences and Family Team Meetings.
  • Trainings and meetings involving adults who are deaf or hard of hearing and are interested in becoming foster parents.
  • Court hearings

DFPS and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) have an interagency contract that allows DFPS to work with HHSC sign language providers. DFPS staff take the following actions:

  • Arrange to use an interpreter at the highest appropriate level available certified by either:
  • The Board for Evaluation of Interpreters
  • The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
  • Choose only from among the providers who appear on the Interpreter List on the HHSC website and are located within the DFPS region where the service is needed.
  • Complete Form 2239 Request for Sign Language Interpreting Services
  • Provide the completed form to the regional liaison for the appropriate program (see Regional Liaisons for Translation Services on the DFPS intranet) to assist in service tracking.
1231.52 Prohibition against Using Family Members, Friends, or Child Victims as Interpreters

CPS September 2026

DFPS and SSCCs do not use family members or friends to interpret, translate, sign, or read for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) clients, except at the client’s specific request. Even if the client does make the request, DFPS and SSCC staff do not use family members or friends for the purposes of assessing or communicating safety or service planning.

Child victims must not be used as translators, except for brief interactions to ascertain the client’s request or arrange requested translation services. Ideally, interpreters and translators are professionally trained or DFPS or SSCC staff who are fluent in the client’s preferred language.

Victims and their family members or friends rarely meet the impartiality requirements of a qualified interpreter as defined by the ADA. DFPS and SSCC staff do not use them as interpreters unless one of the following situations applies:

  • There is an emergency involving imminent threat to the safety or welfare of a person or the public, and there is no interpreter available.
  • The person with a disability specifically requests that the accompanying adult interpret or facilitate communication, the accompanying adult agrees to provide such assistance, and relying on that adult is appropriate under the circumstances.
1231.53 Certified Interpreters Required for Court Hearings

CPS September 2026

DFPS and SSCC caseworkers are required to notify the court when interpretation services are needed. Courts are required to provide interpreter services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing during court hearings and other proceedings.

Texas Government Code, Chapter 57

Prompting the Court to Provide an Interpreter

If the court has not indicated plans to provide an interpreter with the required certification, then the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must request that the representing attorney notify the court of the requirement.

1240 Administrative Review of Investigation Findings

CPS September 2026

DFPS provides an administrative review of investigation findings (ARIF) whenever both of the following occur:

  • Child Protective Investigations (CPI) makes a finding of Reason to Believe against a person for abuse or neglect of a child.
  • This designated perpetrator requests such a review.

Texas Family Code §§261.309(c) and 261.309(d)

The DFPS rules for the ARIF process are in 40 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §707.505.

For details, please see the Office of Consumer Affairs Handbook.

1300 Case Records

1310 Security of Case Records

CPS September 2026

DFPS and SSCC staff members must make sure case records are secure in order to protect against the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, as required by the Texas Family Code, Section 261.201. Staff members must also prevent alterations to or early destruction of the case record.

In the event of unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, refer to DFPS’s internal policy on security breaches of records or personal information, OP-4103 DFPS Breaches of Confidential Case Records or Sensitive Personal Information Policy.

Custodianship of Records

The custodian of records (COR) for a case record is the person responsible for providing, authenticating, and testifying about a case record if a subpoena is served. Staff members resigning from DFPS or SSCC, or transferring to other positions, relinquish all case records and documentation to their supervisor by the end of their last working day or a subsequent date approved by the supervisor.

1320 Confidentiality of Information and Release of Records

CPS September 2026

Information about DFPS and SSCC cases or clients is confidential and may not be released, except as authorized by federal and state law, regulations and rules, court orders, or opinions of the attorney general.

If DFPS and SSCC staff receive a request for a copy of all or part of a child or family’s case record from a person outside DFPS, DFPS or SSCC staff refer the person to the Requesting a Copy of a Case Record link on the DFPS public web page.

See the Records Management Group Handbook, 3000 Disclosure of DFPS Records.

1321 Communication

CPS September 2026

DFPS or SSCC caseworkers communicate about a case with either of the following:

  • The parent or alleged perpetrator (AP).
  • The parent or AP’s attorney, if the parent or AP has one.

Verbal Communication

If an advocate is present (either in person or by phone) during communication with the parent or AP, the DFPS or SSCC caseworkers get verbal consent from the parent or AP before discussing the case in the presence of the advocate. The DFPS or SSCC caseworkers document the parent or AP’s consent or denial of consent in IMPACT.

If the parent or AP has previously provided written consent, the DFPS or SSCC caseworkers do not need to get additional verbal consent.

Written Communication

If an advocate or advocacy organization initiates communication on behalf of a parent or AP, DFPS or SSCC staff members respond directly to the parent or AP and the parent or AP’s attorney.

When communicating by email or text message, DFPS or SSCC staff members make sure only people legally entitled to receive information are included in the communication.

1322 Participation in Interviews

CPS September 2026

A parent, caregiver, or alleged perpetrator (AP) may request an advocate’s presence while DFPS or SSCC caseworker are interviewing the parent, caregiver, or AP.

If the advocate delays or obstructs the caseworker’s ability to conduct an investigation, including by interfering with or obstructing interviews, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker consults with the attorney representing DFPS to seek an order in aid of the investigation.

Texas Family Code §261.303

1330 Closing Cases in IMPACT

CPS September 2026

A CPI, (including Alternative Response), CPS, or SSCC case ends when the DFPS or SSCC caseworkers determine the investigation or ongoing services are complete. This means case management services are discontinued, and DFPS or SSCC supervisors approved the case to be submitted for closure in IMPACT. DFPS or SSCC caseworkers must complete all required documentation and terminate active service authorizations in IMPACT. The DFPS or SSCC supervisors approve the case for closure in IMPACT.

At no time should a DFPS or SSCC staff member approve a stage or case for closure for which he or she was assigned as the primary caseworker (other than to assign the case or stage in IMPACT). If a DFPS or SSCC caseworker or supervisor has been the primary caseworker on a case at any time (other than to assign a case or stage it in IMPACT), that primary caseworker or supervisor submits the case to another supervisor or program director for closure. Any DFPS or SSCC caseworker, acting as supervisor (that is, filling in as temporary supervisor) for his or her unit, must not approve a case for closure and must submit the case to a different supervisor or higher-level authority for closure.

There are two exceptions where a supervisor assigned as primary can close that case:

  • Kinship (KIN) stage that is reopened and assigned to a DFPS or SSCC supervisor to allow the supervisor to record an update in the KIN stage to ensure appropriate processing when a kinship family is adopting a child in DFPS conservatorship.
  • Adoption (ADO) stage that is reopened and assigned to a DFPS or SSCC supervisor to ensure all adoption subsidy payments are processed in an open ADO case.

1331 Preparing the External Record

CPS September 2026

Once a case is closed in IMPACT, the external record is reviewed, approved, and prepared to be submitted for retention (storage). The external record includes physical records stored in the physical file and electronic records stored in OneCase/NeuDocs.

To prepare the external record for storage, DFPS or SSCC staff members follow the procedures explained on the Records Management Group (RMG) SafetyNet page: Your guide to organizing and sending off APS & CPS closed case records.

DFPS or SSCC staff members delete or destroy all other copies of external documentation (physical or electronic) after verifying that the information was either successfully uploaded into OneCase/NeuDocs or is in the physical file.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §702.205(a)

During an active case, DFPS or SSCC staff members store forms, photos, records, memorabilia, and other case-related materials.

When the case is closed, the following items are retained as part of the external record:

  • All photos taken during the Investigation stage.
  • Original case notes taken by the caseworker during the investigation.
  • Photos taken during the Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS) and Conservatorship (CVS) stages that document the presence or absence of abuse or neglect.
  • Copies of medical, dental, and psychological records.
  • Court documents.
  • Correspondence, both sent and received.
  • Documents that require or contain signatures.
  • Supporting documents received from external sources, such as police reports.
  • Reports from caregivers.
  • Copies of original birth certificates, Social Security cards, passports, or other forms of official identification.
  • Information about family group decision-making.
  • Audio and video recordings received on a physical media storage device (CD, DVD, flash drive, and so on) or downloaded from other people or entities—for example, children’s advocacy centers. (Note: When DFPS or SSCC is granted view-only access to digital audio and video recordings by an external party, the recording does not become part of the external file and is not uploaded to OneCase. See the VidaNyx: Digital Video Evidence Tip Sheet for additional information.)
  • The child’s Health Passport.
1331.1 Items Returned to the Child When a Conservatorship Case Is Closed

CPS September 2026

Items from Physical File

The DFPS or SSCC returns the following items from the physical file and gives them to the child when a conservatorship case is closed:

  • Photos of the child and the child’s family that were used for reasons other than documenting the presence or absence of abuse or neglect.
  • Original birth certificates, Social Security cards, passports, or other forms of official identification. (Copies of these items are retained in the physical file.)
  • Original letters to and from the child.
  • Personal items, such as the following:
  • Personal property.
  • Any item that may hold special meaning to the child, such as items that represent or document life events associated with the child or the child’s family.

All Items Belonging to the Child

Items belonging to the child are given to the child when the child leaves DFPS conservatorship. This also applies to a youth who ages out of care.

This applies to items from the physical file (see “Items from Physical File” above in this section) and to other items, including objects that cannot be placed in a file.

If the child cannot be contacted, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker contacts relatives who were active in the case and asks them to assume responsibility for the child’s belongings.

Unclaimed Items

If the child or relatives cannot be contacted, DFPS or the SSCC keeps the child’s items for three years after the child leaves care. The items are stored at the local office.

At the end of the three years, DFPS or the SSCC destroys the following types of unclaimed items:

  • Toiletries and other personal hygiene items.
  • IDs that are expired or were replaced with updated ones.
  • Electronics that may contain personal information.
  • Any other items that contain personal information.

At the end of the three years, DFPS or the SSCC donates other unclaimed items, such as electronics (if they do not contain personal information), bikes, and clothing.

Before disposing of the child’s items, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker documents in a closed stage addendum, in the Substitute Care (SUB) stage, the actions taken to do the following:

  • Locate and contact the child and the child’s relatives.
  • Maintain or dispose of the child’s items.

1340 Retention and Disposition of Case Information

CPS September 2026

Retention and disposition of case records are functions of the DFPS Records Management Group (RMG). Closed case records must be sent to the unit’s assigned Records and Imaging Operations (RIO) office within 30 days of case closure.

See:

1400 Workload Management—Case Conferences and Supportive Supervision

CPS September 2026

DFPS and SSCC supervisors hold a workload management or case conference with each caseworker assigned to the unit at least 10 times each year, but regional management may require more.

The purpose of case conferences and supportive supervision is to provide time for the DFPS and SSCC caseworkers and supervisors to discuss the status of cases on the caseworker’s workload and make collaborative decisions about the next steps to achieve the following:

  • A thorough assessment of child safety, which includes the following:
  • A review of child vulnerability
  • Dangers
  • Parents’ strengths and protective actions
  • Safety decision for the case
  • The case plan outlined in the Family Plan of Service.
  • The permanency goals in the Child’s Plan of Service.
  • Case closure.

The DFPS and SSCC supervisors do as follows:

  • Provide supportive supervision.
  • Address any issues related to the caseworker’s professional skills and development.
  • Outline a plan to address any identified issues.

Before the Conference

Before each conference, the DFPS and SSCC caseworkers do as follows:

  • Update case documentation for the cases being discussed, according to relevant time frames.
  • Prepare to discuss the status of each case, including any significant changes since the last conference and any upcoming deadlines.

During the Conference

Discussion of each case includes the following topics, as they apply to the DFPS and SSCC caseworkers’ stage of service:

  • Ongoing assessment of child safety, which includes a review of child vulnerability, dangers, and parent’s strengths and protective actions.
  • Investigation documentation and case closure.
  • Progress made toward achieving the goals in the Family Plan of Service and the Child’s Plan of Service, permanency, and case closure.
  • A review of the services being offered to the child and family to determine whether any services should be discontinued or added.
  • Upcoming deadlines and court dates.
  • Additional steps to take to achieve the identified goals and case closure.
  • Identification of existing or potential obstacles to achieving the identified goals and case closure and of potential solutions to those obstacles.

The DFPS and SSCC supervisors do as follows:

  • Evaluate and discuss the caseworker’s ability to do as follows:
  • Assess child safety based on the relationship among the child, vulnerability, dangers, and parent’s strengths and protective actions.
  • Meet standards for quality of documentation.
  • Meet relevant policy and licensing standards.
  • Maintain timely case contacts.
  • Maintain timely case documentation.
  • Meet documentation requirements in a clear and meaningful way.

After the Conference

Within two weeks after the conference, the DFPS and SSCC supervisors do as follows:

  • Document and date the conference notes, including any objectives or expectations that were set for the caseworker. The supervisor may document the conference notes on a conference form or in another format approved by regional management.
  • Share the conference notes with the caseworker, either electronically or in hard copy.
  • File a copy of the conference notes in the caseworker’s personnel file.
  • Upload the caseworker’s responses and any email correspondence efforts to obtain information in the OneCase system.

1500 Criminal History Records Checks

1510 Requesting Criminal Records Check

CPS September 2026

The purpose of conducting background checks is to determine whether a person has any criminal history or abuse or neglect history that may pose a risk to the health or safety of children.

DFPS and SSCC staff members may request criminal records checks only on people listed as principals in the following categories:

  • A person 14 years old or older who is the subject of a report DFPS receives alleging that the person abused or neglected a child, as long as the person is not also alleged to be a child victim.
  • A person 14 years old or older in the home where there are allegations of abuse or neglect, and where the child victim lives.
  • A person, including an alleged perpetrator, living in the residence in which the alleged victim of the report resides.
  • A person who, at the request of the child’s parent, provides in-home care to a child who is the subject of a report alleging the child was abused or neglected.
  • A person who provides or applies to provide kinship care for a child in DFPS conservatorship. A person 14 years old or older who lives with a kinship caregiver providing or applying to provide kinship care for a child in DFPS conservatorship. A person who provides or applies to provide adoptive or foster care for a child in DFPS conservatorship. A person 14 years old or older who lives with a person providing or applying to provide adoptive or foster care for a child in DFPS conservatorship. A person who has unsupervised access to a child in the care of DFPS who is or will be receiving adoptive, foster, or in-home care.

1520 Disclosure and Release of Criminal History Records Information (CHRI)

CPS September 2026

DFPS and SSCC staff members must not disclose or release the Department of Public Safety (DPS) criminal records received from the DPS or from another Texas law enforcement agency from which DFPS received criminal history information pursuant to Texas Government Code §411.114, except as authorized. DFPS or SSCC cannot disclose, release, or share FBI criminal history record information (CHRI) under any circumstances to any person or entity, verbally or in writing, except to the person who is the subject of the check.

Texas Government Code §411.114

Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy

1521 Releasing of a Copy of the DFPS Criminal Records Check

CPS September 2026

DFPS and single source continuum contractors (SSCCs) may disclose Department of Public Safety’s (DPS’s) criminal history record information (CHRI) to specific types of people or entities, per Texas Government Code §411.114, in the following limited circumstances:

  • By court order.
  • To the person who is the subject of the DPS CHRI.
  • To another person or entity with the consent, either verbal or written, of the person who is the subject of the DPS CHRI.
  • For purposes of an administrative hearing held by DFPS concerning the person who is the subject of the CHRI.
  • A child-placing agency (CPA) that is seeking to verify or approve a foster or adoptive home under procedures authorized by federal law.
  • An adult who resides with an alleged victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child, elderly person, or person with a disability, and who also resides with the alleged perpetrator of that abuse, neglect, or exploitation, if the alleged perpetrator is the subject of the CHRI, and DFPS determines that the release of information to the adult is necessary to ensure the safety or welfare of the alleged victim or the adult.

FBI CHRI cannot be disclosed under any circumstance, except to the person who is the subject of the criminal history record information.

See 3000 Disclosure of DFPS Records 2540 Handling Criminal History Record Information.

Texas Government Code §411.085

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