4200 Foster and Licensed Facility Placements
4210 Seeking Placement Through the Placement Team
4211 Caseworker Notifies Regional Team
CPS September 2026
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must notify the DFPS or SSCC Placement Team that a placement is needed according to the appropriate time frame below:
- The same business day the caseworker receives notice of an emergency initial removal in which there is no relative or kinship placement.
- The same business day a provider gives notice requesting that a child or youth be discharged from placement (such discharge notices must be delivered to the caseworker immediately upon receipt).
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must notify the DFPS or SSCC Placement Team by emailing the regional placement team mailbox and provide all of the following:
- The appropriate common application:
- Form 2087ex Alternative Application for Placement of Children in Residential Care to provide information about a child who needs an emergency placement following initial removal from the home.
- Use Form 2087 Application for Placement for subsequent placements.
- Psychological or psychiatric assessment.
- The most recently completed Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment.
- Service level or Recommended Service Package, if under the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System.
- Information from any provider discharge notice.
- All other available information about each youth in the referral form, including:
- Discharge notices for review.
- Information about juvenile arrests.
- Psychiatric hospital admissions.
- Removal affidavits (for the first 45 days the child or youth is in care).
- Any other documents that could assist in an appropriate search for placement.
4212 Placement Team Searches for Placement Options
CPS September 2026
General Placement Search Database
The DFPS Placement Team uses the General Placement Search (GPS) database to search for licensed providers, based on the child’s needs and characteristics, to ensure the most appropriate placement.
IMPACT and CLASS History Checks
The DFPS and Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) Placement Teams use CLASS to complete a Residential Child Care Investigations (RCCI) investigation history check on all potential placements to consider compliance history. The DFPS or SSCC Placement Team also checks IMPACT for any abuse or neglect history related to the identified placement.
The DFPS or SSCC Placement Team assesses the results of the history checks and confers with the primary caseworker and supervisor, disclosing history check results to include the following:
- Pending licensing, RCCI, and CPI investigations, as applicable to placement type.
- Investigations that were closed as Reason to Believe or Unable to Determine.
- Any patterns in the investigation history that cause concern.
- History of licensing violations.
If Residential Child Care Regulation (RCCR) placed a general residential operation (GRO) or residential treatment center (RTC) on probation, neither DFPS nor an SSCC may place a youth in that GRO or RTC unless one of the following occurs:
- The CPS associate commissioner approves the placement.
- The Commissioner of DFPS or the deputy commissioner approves the placement.
- A court orders the placement.
DFPS or the SSCC must not do the following:
- Place a youth in a foster home with more than six youth, unless there is an approved 24-hour-awake supervision plan and prior approval from the DFPS State Office Placement Division in advance by emailing the DFPS Extended Capacity mailbox.
- Place a youth in an unrelated foster home or use the home for respite care, if any caregiver in the home has had a substantiated abuse or neglect finding regardless of an approved risk evaluation. The DFPS State Office Placement Division must approve any child-specific exceptions for placements in these homes prior to placement. Send requests for exceptions to the DFPS Foster Home Disallowance Requests mailbox.
- Place a youth in a foster home when the child placing agency (CPA) that verifies the home has placed the home’s verification on inactive status.
DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1311(c)
CLASS Variance Checks
The DFPS or SSCC Placement Team coordinator reviews all licensing variances, including variances related to caregiver ratio, supervision, and training when determining whether the placement can meet the child’s individual needs.
The DFPS or SSCC Placement Team reviews the variance checks and confers with the caseworker and supervisor if the variance checks return results that may affect the placement’s ability to meet the child’s individual needs.
When the DFPS or SSCC Placement Team and the caseworker and supervisor disagree, the primary case team escalates the matter to the regional director or designee for a placement decision. The regional director or designee consults with the director of placement.
DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1311(c)
4213 Placement Team Confers with Providers and Communicates Options to Caseworker
CPS September 2026
Once the DFPS or SSCC Placement Team identifies a placement option, they communicate with the potential placement provider to determine whether the provider can meet the child’s needs. If the placement provider is credentialed under the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System, the provider must also determine if they are able to meet the child’s recommended or selected service package. The placement option is then provided to the caseworker and supervisor for review, and the placement team informs them whether the potential provider is part of the T3C System.
4214 Caseworker and Supervisor Make Placement Selection
CPS September 2026
The following people work together to make the final decision for placement:
- The caseworker.
- The supervisor (and other CPS management staff as necessary).
- Legal parties, if required by local court orders or local court expectations.
A placement may not be rejected solely because the operation is on Heightened Monitoring.
Once the youth’s DFPS caseworker and supervisor select the placement, the DFPS Placement Team completes Form 2105 Placement Confirmation and provides it to the caseworker.
4215 Placements into Operations on Heightened Monitoring (HM)
CPS September 2026
When a child placing agency (CPA), general residential operation (GRO), or residential treatment center (RTC) is placed on Heightened Monitoring, each caseworker who has a youth placed in the operation receives an email from DFPS, notifying the DFPS or SSCC caseworker that the operation is now on Heightened Monitoring. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must document the email notification in the Family Substitute Care (FSU) or Child Substitute Care (SUB) stage as a Placement contact in the contact narrative.
For prospective placements, if a GRO, RTC, or CPA is on Heightened Monitoring at the time of the placement search, the DFPS or SSCC Placement Team notifies the DFPS or SSCC caseworker that the prospective placement is on Heightened Monitoring. If the caseworker accepts the prospective placement, the caseworker enters a request for approval of a placement into an operation on Heightened Monitoring. The request is entered in IMPACT via the Heightened Monitoring Placement Request tab in the Placement section of the SUB stage. This request must include a best interest statement and justification for placement that include child-specific information about why the placement is in the best interest of the child.
Before placing the youth in the placement, the Heightened Monitoring placement request must be submitted to the DFPS Heightened Monitoring regional director and must receive the DFPS Heightened Monitoring regional director’s approval in IMPACT. In the absence of the DFPS Heightened Monitoring regional director, approval from the CPS director of field or the CPS associate commissioner is required in advance. This includes placements made by SSCCs.
An approval of a Heightened Monitoring placement request is only valid for 14 calendar days. If the placement is not completed within 14 days after that approval, a new request must be submitted and approved before the youth physically goes to the placement.
The approving authority (DFPS Heightened Monitoring regional director, CPS director of field, or CPS associate commissioner) who is responsible for approval or denial of the Heightened Monitoring placement request must document the approval or denial in IMPACT. If the approving authority approves the placement, that authority must document both of the following in the Heightened Monitoring Placement Approval comment box:
- The fact that the approving authority reviewed and considered the identified operation’s history from the past five years.
- The child-specific justification for the approval of the placement.
When a youth is approved to be placed in an operation on heightened monitoring but the approving authority gives restrictions, conditions, or both, the primary caseworker must document the restrictions and conditions as a Placement contact in the child’s SUB stage. The primary caseworker must discuss the restrictions and conditions with the people providing care and case management oversight. The primary caseworker must document the discussion as a contact in the child’s SUB stage and follow up as necessary to ensure that the operation implements and adheres to the restrictions and conditions.
If the operation is also on probation (in addition to heightened monitoring), the approval of the CPS associate commissioner is also required before placement. This request must be submitted at the same time as the Heightened Monitoring placement request described above.
The table below describes documentation requirements related to Heightened Monitoring placement requests.
| Person Responsible for Documentation |
What to Document |
Where to Document |
When to Document |
|---|---|---|---|
Heightened Monitoring approving authority (CPS regional director, CPS director of field, or CPS associate commissioner) |
Approval of heightened monitoring placement request, including confirmation of review of the operation’s five-year history and child-specific justification for placement. |
Heightened Monitoring Placement Approval comment box. |
Upon the approval. |
Primary caseworker or SSCC staff |
Child-specific best interest statement and submission of the Heightened Monitoring placement request. |
Heightened Monitoring Placement Request tab. |
Upon accepting prospective placement but before physical placement of child. |
Primary caseworker |
Restrictions and conditions (if any) to placement in an operation on Heightened Monitoring. |
Contact in SUB stage. |
Upon notification of approval of Heightened Monitoring prospective placement and on an ongoing basis, as long as the restrictions and conditions are applicable. |
Primary caseworker |
Discussion and implementation of restrictions and conditions (if any) to placement in an operation on Heightened Monitoring. |
Contact in SUB stage. |
After the discussion with the caregiver and review of the implementation of each restriction or condition. (This may need to consist of multiple entries if not all completed at the same time.) |
4220 Abuse and Neglect Investigations of Placements
4221 RCCI Notifying CPS of Alleged Abuse or Neglect in Foster Homes
CPS September 2026
When Residential Child Care Investigations (RCCI) receives a report of abuse or neglect of a child in a foster home, the RCCI supervisor, Statewide Intake (SWI) RCCI screener, or designee notifies the following people:
- The DFPS or SSCC caseworker and the caseworker’s supervisor assigned to the child whom IMPACT names as the alleged victim. This notification must occur within 24 hours of RCCI’s receipt of the report.
- The DFPS or SSCC caseworkers for any other children placed in the foster home.
Primary Case Team Actions
Upon receipt of the foster home’s history review, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker and the caseworker’s supervisor must review the report and take the following steps:
- Assess whether there are any concerns for a child’s safety or well-being.
- Document the following in IMPACT as a Home History Review Staffing:
- A summary of the report.
- The assessment of safety and well-being and any decisions as a result of the staffing.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must also file the report in each child’s case record.
If the report is received outside normal business hours, the on-call worker and on-call supervisor must review the report and take the following steps:
- Assess whether there are any concerns for a child’s safety or well-being.
- Document the following in IMPACT as a Home History Review Staffing and send to the primary caseworker and supervisor:
- A summary of the report.
- The assessment of safety and well-being and any decisions made as a result of the staffing.
- For cases marked sensitive, the on-call director must document the information above in IMPACT as a Home History Review Staffing.
The immediate assessment of safety by the on-call DFPS or SSCC caseworker and on-call supervisor does not replace the requirements of the primary caseworker and the primary caseworker’s supervisor. The primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker and supervisor must also complete an assessment of safety upon receipt of the information and document any decisions made as a result of the staffing.
If there is an allegation that a child has abused or neglected another child, the primary caseworker follows the protocols in Appendix 4623: Protocol for RCCI Investigations Involving Child-on-Child Victimization in Foster Care.
If the report alleges child sexual aggression, the primary caseworker must follow the protocols in the Sexual Incident History Resource Guide.
4222 CPS Responsibility and Procedure after Receiving a Notification of Abuse or Neglect by RCCI or CPI
CPS September 2026
When the DFPS or SSCC caseworker receives an Information and Referral (I&R) in IMPACT notifying the caseworker of a report of child abuse, neglect, or exploitation, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must take the following actions:
- Review the abuse, neglect, or exploitation report in IMPACT, CLASS, or both, immediately.
- Discuss the intake with the supervisor immediately.
- Contact the RCCI or CPI investigator for additional information.
- Consult with the director about the circumstances surrounding RCCI’s or CPI’s investigation no later than 7 p.m. the next business day.
- Document an I&R A/N Notification Staffing contact type in the child’s Sub stage no later than 7 p.m. the next business day after notification of the report.
The investigator must notify the DFPS or SSCC caseworker and caseworker’s supervisor about the following investigation staffings. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker and caseworker’s supervisor must attend these staffings after they are made aware:
- Interim staffing
- Dispositional staffing
- Any subsequent staffings, if the investigation has an approved extension.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must document the following in the I&R A/N Notification Staffing contact:
- A summary of the discussion with the investigator.
- The participation of the child’s caseworker, the caseworker’s supervisor, and caseworker’s director in the staffing.
The contact documentation must include all of the following:
- A copy of the I&R.
- Discussions with the supervisor and director.
- Summary of the concern or need allegation type.
- Consideration of the child’s safety needs and any related actions.
- All follow-up safety actions identified to address each safety concern or need.
- Execution of all follow-up safety actions previously identified in the I&R A/N Notification Staffing.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must document a summary and the disposition of the RCCI or CPI investigation as a contact in IMPACT once the investigation is concluded.
If a report involves alleged child-on-child victimization, the primary caseworker must follow the protocols in Appendix 4623: Protocol for RCCI Investigations Involving Child-on-Child Victimization in Foster Care.
If the report alleges child sexual aggression, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must follow the protocols in the Sexual Incident History Resource Guide.
4223 CPS Protocol During an Investigation Involving a Child in Conservatorship
CPS September 2026
DFPS or SSCC staff must ensure the safety and well-being of the youth in DFPS conservatorship. DFPS or SSCC staff do not presume that the existence of a Residential Child Care Investigations (RCCI) or CPI safety plan means there is no additional casework to be performed as the youth’s managing conservator.
When a youth in DFPS conservatorship is the alleged victim in an abuse or neglect investigation in a foster home, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must provide the appropriate notices as soon as possible but not later than 10 days after the event.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker, the caseworker’s supervisor, and any other appropriate members of the management chain must consider any remaining casework appropriate to the situation, such as:
- Interviewing the youth about his or her well-being.
- Additional supportive services in response to any incident.
- A placement change.
If the DFPS or SSCC caseworker needs to contact the youth, the caseworker must not:
- Ask questions specific to the RCCI or CPI investigation.
- Interview the youth about the abuse or neglect allegations, as this is the role of the RCCI or CPI investigator. RCCI or CPI conducts the abuse or neglect investigation.
- Disclose details of the allegations to the caregiver under investigation by RCCI or CPI, as this is the responsibility of RCCI or CPI. (This also applies to other staff with knowledge of the investigation.)
RCCI Investigations
The RCCI investigation is a separate record that RCCI maintains. After RCCI concludes the investigation, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must print and file a copy of the completed investigation in the case file of the child or youth who was the victim.
CPI Investigations
See 2151 Notification of a Report Involving a Child in DFPS Conservatorship.
4224 Using Intermittent Alternate Care and Respite Care During an Abuse or Neglect Investigation
CPS September 2026
DFPS or the SSCC must provide prior approval if the youth is placed in respite care or intermittent alternate care (IAC). The child placing agency (CPA) must notify the youth’s caseworker as required by the Residential Child Care Contract and Minimum Standards for Child-Placing Agencies. The progress and outcome of the investigation and the youth’s safety and well-being determine the duration of IAC or respite care. DFPS retains the decision-making authority regarding the child’s placement and any changes.
Children and youth may not be placed into a respite care in a home with more than six children.
4225 How Safety Checks or Other Safety Measures are Conducted
CPS September 2026
If DFPS or the SSCC determines its staff must conduct safety checks or other actions to ensure the youth is safe, the DFPS State Office Placement Division must initiate those actions and coordinate with DFPS regional leadership or SSCC leadership.
If DFPS or the SSCC believes additional actions, such as a placement change, must be taken based on the youth’s individual needs, all of the following must occur:
- The director approves all actions in consultation with the DFPS associate director of placement services.
- DFPS or SSCC staff must follow policy when determining placement actions. Placement changes must not occur unless they are in the youth’s best interest.
- The director approves any placement change associated with an RCCI investigation.
4230 Foster Homes
CPS September 2026
A foster family home is a home that is the foster parent’s primary residence and provides care for six or fewer youth under a child placing agency’s regulation.
4231 Disallowing Placements into a Foster Home
CPS September 2026
If a DFPS or SSCC staff has a serious concern about a child’s safety or well-being, the staff or chain of command may escalate the concerns to the DFPS State Office Placement Division via the DFPS Disallowance mailbox for a disallowance review.
A disallowance review includes the following steps:
- DFPS State Office Placement Division reviews the foster home in its entirety and recommends a decision to the DFPS director of placement or designee.
- The DFPS director of placement may confer with DFPS Legal and Residential Child Care Contracts (RCCC) on a final determination to disallow further placements with the identified foster home.
- If the foster home disallowance is approved by the DFPS director of placement or designee, the approver then drafts a notification letter to the child placing agency (CPA) outlining DFPS concerns and reasoning and notifies the following entities:
- RCCC
- Community-Based Care contract administration manager (CAM),
- The SSCC
- Residential Child Care Regulation
- Once the CPA is formally notified, the DFPS director of placement or designee notifies all key DFPS and SSCC staff of the disallowance.
If the disallowed foster family home has current placements, the primary case team must evaluate the placement appropriateness to determine whether it is in each youth’s best interest to remain in the home. The primary case team must document the staffing in IMPACT and request approval from the DFPS director of field for the youth to remain in the home.
4232 Reallowing Placements into a Foster Home
CPS September 2026
If a detailed justification for changing the status of and considering placements in a foster family that is on Disallowed Placement status is presented, the justification and information must be submitted to the DFPS State Office Placement Division via the DFPS Disallowance mailbox. A reallowance request can only be submitted by a DFPS or SSCC case team or a child placing agency with whom the foster home is actively licensed with.
Once the request is received, the DFPS State Office Placement Division does the following
- Presents the detailed justification and reasons to consider reallowing placements to the DFPS director of placement or designee.
- DFPS director of placement, or designee, confers with DFPS Legal, Residential Child Care Contracts and the Community-Based Care contract administration manager on a final determination to reallow future placements with the identified foster family home.
- If reallowance is approved, the DFPS director of placement, or designee, drafts a notification letter outlining the reasons DFPS is reallowing the home.
- Once the child placing agency is formally notified, the DFPS director of placement, or designee, notifies all key DFPS and SSCC staff about the reallowance.
4240 General Residential Operations
CPS September 2026
A general residential operation (GRO) is a residential child care operation for seven or more youth. The care may include treatment and other programmatic services. GRO is a broad designation that includes many different types of facilities and settings.
4241 Restrictions on the Length of Stay in GROs Providing Emergency Care Services or Tier 1: Emergency Emotional Support & Assessment Center Services Service Package
CPS September 2026
There are several restrictions on how long youth may be served under the general residential operation (GRO) Tier 1 Emergency Emotional Support & Assessment Center Services package. For a youth in DFPS conservatorship, the restrictions are summarized as follows:
| Child’s Age |
Maximum Length of Stay |
|---|---|
Under age 1 |
Four days (96 hours), unless the infant is with a minor parent, in which case the maximum length of stay is 30 days |
Over age 1 but under age 5 |
Five workdays, unless the child is in the shelter with a sibling who is at least five years old or with a minor parent, in which case the maximum length of stay is 30 days |
Age 5 or older |
30 days |
Regardless of the maximum length of the youth’s stay, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must provide written notice of extension to the emergency shelter three days before the 15th day of the placement. If further extensions are required, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must again provide written notice three days before the 15th day of each extension.
Children and youth may not reside in a shelter for more than 90 days.
4250 Notifying a Facility Regulated by Another State Agency about a Child’s Sexual Victimization and Sexual Aggression History
CPS September 2026
When appropriate, DFPS or an SSCC may place a youth who is in DFPS’s managing conservatorship into a facility operated or regulated by one of the following:
- Texas Juvenile Justice Department
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
- Texas School for the Deaf
While a youth in DFPS managing conservatorship is placed in a facility operated or regulated by another state agency, DFPS must continue to meet the obligations of a managing conservator.
When a youth in DFPS managing conservatorship is admitted to a facility operated or regulated by another state agency, such as juvenile detention, a state supported living center, or a hospital, the primary caseworker must provide the facility with the child’s history of sexual victimization and sexual aggression.
4251 Reporting Problems to Other State Agencies
CPS September 2026
If DFPS or SSCC staff is concerned about problems or deficiencies in the care provided to a child or youth in a facility that is operated or regulated by another state agency, the staff must report their concerns to that agency. If the staff suspects that the youth (or any other youth in the facility) is being abused or neglected, the staff must report the possibility of child abuse or neglect to all of the following:
- The agency responsible for operating or regulating the facility where the abuse or neglect may have occurred.
- The DFPS or SSCC caseworker and caseworker’s supervisor.
- DFPS Statewide Intake.
4260 The Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program
CPS September 2026
The Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program (IPTP) offers short-term, therapeutic placements intended to transition a youth out of a psychiatric hospital.
For more information on IPTP, see the Foster and Licensed Facility Placements Resource Guide.
4261 IPTP 60- to 120-Day Limit
CPS September 2026
All placements in IPTP must be limited to 60 days, unless the associate commissioner of CPS grants a one-time, child-specific waiver for an additional 60 days. No placement may exceed 120 days.
4262 Eligibility for IPTP Placement
CPS September 2026
To be eligible for IPTP, a youth must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be in DFPS conservatorship.
- Have had at least one psychiatric hospitalization in the last 12 months.
- Either be ready for discharge from a psychiatric hospital or at imminent risk of a subsequent psychiatric hospitalization (that is, at risk of having a psychiatric hospitalization again soon).
- Have been determined by the associate commissioner of CPS or the associate commissioner’s designee to be in crisis and in need of acute stabilization.
4263 Referring a Youth for IPTP Placement
CPS September 2026
In preparation for requesting short-term therapeutic placement of a child through the Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program (IPTP), the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must take the following actions:
- Complete Form 2245 Referral to Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program.
- Update the Application for Placement for Residential Care in the child’s Subcare stage in IMPACT.
- Obtain the results of a psychological evaluation of the child or youth, completed within the preceding 14 months.
- Obtain the paperwork for all discharges made from psychiatric hospitals within the preceding 12 months.
- Submit the placement packet to the Placement Team
After the DFPS or SSCC Placement Team receives the placement packet from the caseworker, the process is as follows:
- The Placement Team must review the referral form and placement packet for accuracy and send it within 24 hours to the DFPS State Office placement program specialist.
- If the DFPS placement program specialist approves the referral, he or she must send it for approval within one working day to the DFPS associate director of placement services.
- The DFPS associate director of placement services notifies the placement program specialist whether he or she approved or denied the referral.
- If the DFPS associate director of placement services approves the referral, the placement program specialist must send the referral form and complete placement packet to the IPTP provider.
- The IPTP provider must respond with an admission determination to the IPTP program specialist as soon as possible but no later than two business days after receiving the referral. The placement program specialist must ensure that the provider complies with this requirement. If the IPTP provider accepts the youth for admission, the Placement Team notifies the placement program specialist and the DFPS or SSCC caseworker within one working day.
- The placement program specialist emails the IPTP approval to the Placement Team, DFPS or SSCC caseworker and supervisor, DFPS eligibility specialist, and Youth for Tomorrow (YFT) staff. If denied, the placement program specialist notifies the Placement Team.
4264 Planning for Discharge from IPTP Placement
CPS September 2026
Before discharging a youth from IPTP, it is important to prepare the youth for the transition into a less-restrictive environment. Since the program is time-limited, discharge planning must begin at the time of placement.
4264.1 Submitting the Child’s Service Level Request
CPS September 2026
No later than the 45th day of an IPTP placement, the IPTP provider sends the youth’s complete clinical record to a third-party contractor that reviews and assigns service levels.
A complete clinical record must include all of the following:
- Form 2089 Level of Care Authorization Request, in IMPACT.
- Progress notes, daily logs, case management notes, and incident reports from the youth’s previous 30 days in care.
- Assessments and evaluations made within the previous 30 days, including the youth’s admission assessment, diagnostic assessment, educational assessment, psychiatric or psychological evaluation, and medical or dental documentation.
- The youth’s current treatment or stabilization plan.
- The youth’s current education documentation.
- A list of the youth’s current medications, including the dosage, the frequency taken, and the reason that the medication was prescribed.
- Treatment records for a physical condition that is in progress and requires continuing or follow-up medical care.
- Therapy notes from the previous 30 days.
4264.2 Discharge from IPTP Placement
CPS September 2026
After determining the service level, the placement program specialist notifies the DFPS or SSCC caseworker of the following:
- New service level determined by the third-party reviewer.
- IPTP end date.
Unless an extension is being requested, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker updates the placement in IMPACT to indicate that the child has stepped down from the IPTP program to the standard residential treatment center (RTC) program.
4265 Requesting Extension of an IPTP Placement
CPS September 2026
The DFPS Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program (IPTP) is a short-term program intended to last no longer than 60 days. If the youth has not stabilized within 60 days, Youth for Tomorrow (YFT) can recommend a one-time extension of IPTP services. The IPTP program specialist ensures the youth’s treatment team, DFPS or SSCC caseworker, supervisor, and director agree to the extension.
To request an extension, the following steps are completed:
- YFT sends an authorization to the IPTP program specialist before the 60th day.
- The IPTP program specialist emails a copy of the YFT review and the extension memo to the DFPS or SSCC caseworker, supervisor, and director.
- The caseworker completes Form 2246 Intensive Psychiatric Transition Program Extension Request and sends it to the director for approval.
- If the director approves the request, the director forwards the extension request form with approval to the IPTP program specialist.
After the director grants approval, the following occurs:
- If the IPTP program specialist approves the request, the program specialist must forward it within one business day to the associate director of placement services for approval.
- If the associate director of placement services approves the extension request, the IPTP program specialist emails the new IPTP discharge dates to the youth’s treatment team, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker, supervisor, and director, the DFPS eligibility specialist, and YFT.
No IPTP placement may exceed 120 days.
4265.1 Extension Approved
CPS September 2026
If an extension of the IPTP placement is approved, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must follow the policy on discharge planning in 4264 Planning for Discharge from IPTP Placement.
4265.2 Extension Denied
CPS September 2026
If an extension is denied, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must update the placement in IMPACT to reflect the IPTP end date. If the caseworker and supervisor decide to seek a new placement for the youth, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must follow the policy on placement in 4100 The Placement Process.
4270 Intense Foster Family Care Services
CPS September 2026
Child placing agencies that have active contacts with DFPS and have verified foster family homes licensed to provide services to youth with Intense service level needs must:
- Comply with the CPS Intense Foster Family Initiative policy.
- Be referred to DFPS State Office Placement program specialist via the Intense Foster Family Care Program mailbox.
4280 Treatment Foster Family Care (TFFC) Program
CPS September 2026
The Treatment Foster Family Care program (TFFC) provides intensive, multi-disciplinary treatment services to youth in a highly structured home environment. A TFFC home provides a time-limited, individualized, and strengths-based therapeutic approach that includes wrap-around services designed to transition children to a permanent and stable placement.
4281 Treatment Foster Family Care (TFFC) Time Frames
CPS September 2026
A youth’s TFFC placement may not last more than nine months, unless the DFPS associate director of placement services grants a one-time, three-month extension.
No TFFC placement may exceed 12 months.
4282 Eligibility for TFFC Placement
CPS September 2026
To be eligible for a Treatment Foster Family Care placement, a child must meet all of the following criteria:
- The child is in DFPS conservatorship and 17 years old or younger.
- The child presents with a DSM-5 Diagnosis of an emotional, conduct, or behavioral disorder.
- The child needs structured and frequent clinical intervention and complex case management to support and manage day-to-day activities.
4283 Confirming a TFFC Placement
CPS September 2026
DFPS and SSCC Placement Teams must do the following:
- Follow all requirements as indicated in 4200 Seeking Placement Through the Placement Team.
- Notify the DFPS Treatment Foster Care mailbox once a youth is placed in a Treatment Foster Family Care placement.
4284 Discharge from TFFC
CPS September 2026
The Treatment Foster Family Care (TFFC) provider works with the primary caseworker to identify a less restrictive placement where the youth may live after discharge from the TFFC program. The primary worker and TFFC provider begin preparing and planning for the youth’s subsequent placement not later than the 30th day after the child is placed in TFFC.
Once the placement is identified, the primary caseworker ensures the new caregiver is trained appropriately and makes the decision to transition the youth to the identified caregiver’s home at the end of the youth’s time in TFFC (nine or 12 months). If a placement is not identified, then the goal is for the youth’s next placement to be a traditional foster home setting in any appropriate Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) service package besides T3C Treatment Foster Family Care Support Services.
The TFFC provider must do one of the following, as determined by their T3C credentialing status:
- Submit a service level request to the third-party contractor to assign a service level 45 days before the child is discharged
- Ensure that the youth has had a CANS 3.0 Assessment within the last 90 days.
4285 Requesting an Extension of a TFFC Placement
CPS September 2026
Treatment Foster Family Care (TFFC) placements are intended to last no longer than nine months. There is an option for a one-time extension for up to three additional months. No TFFC placement may exceed 12 months.
Before requesting an extension, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must consult with the youth’s treatment team. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker and treatment team work together to determine whether the child requires additional time to stabilize.
To request an extension, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must complete Form 1107 Treatment Foster Family Care Program Extension Request and submit the completed form to the DFPS Treatment Foster Family Care mailbox. The submission must occur at a minimum of 30 days prior to discharge after receiving approval of the DFPS regional director or SSCC equivalent.
The process for requesting a TFFC extension is as follows:
- The DFPS or SSCC caseworker submits the extension request to the DFPS regional director through either the regional chain of command or the SSCC designated process.
- The DFPS regional director or SSCC designee reviews the request and determines whether it should be forwarded to DFPS State Office Placement Division.
- If the DFPS regional director or SSCC designee does not approve the extension, the caseworker follows the appropriate discharge policy.
- If the DFPS regional director or SSCC designee approves the extension, the caseworker submits the approved request to the DFPS Treatment Foster Family Care mailbox (DFPS State Office Placement Division).
- The TFFC State Office program specialist reviews the extension request, considering whether the youth has made progress but would benefit from more time in the treatment foster family home for further services.
- If approved, the TFFC State Office program specialist forwards it within one working day to the associate director of placement services for approval.
- If denied, the TFFC State Office program specialist notifies the caseworker and the TFFC provider within one working day.
- The associate director of placement services approves or denies the extension request within one working day.
- The TFFC State Office program specialist notifies the caseworker, supervisor, director, and Placement Team of the decision.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker and other staff members contact the DFPS Treatment Foster Family Care mailbox for assistance with TFFC issues.
4290 Temporary Absence from Paid Placement
CPS September 2026
Definition of Temporary Absence
A temporary absence from a placement is when a youth in DFPS conservatorship has a planned or unplanned overnight absence from a paid placement. Examples of this may include:
- Psychiatric hospitalization.
- Medical hospitalization.
- Respite care (to allow the caregiver to rest from caregiving).
- Being held in jail, a juvenile detention center, or another locked facility.
- Short-term placement to receive services related to substance use.
- Summer camp or another similar camp.
- Trip with a church group, scout group, or other community organization.
- Youth goes missing (such as suspected runaways or abductions).
Child or Youth Without Placement (CWOP)
If a youth is without a placement and is absent from the CWOP location overnight for any of the reasons listed above, the caseworker must change the placement information to reflect the location of the youth and does not enter this as a temporary absence.
Documentation
Paid Placement – IMPACT Documentation
Any time a youth in DFPS conservatorship is temporarily absent from the current paid placement, the primary caseworker must create a Temporary Absence event in the Temporary Absence tab and document the required staffing in IMPACT via a Placement Contact.
The only exception is when a youth goes missing. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker creates a Missing Child Temporary Absence by documenting a missing child event on the Missing Child tab. This automatically generates a Missing Child Temporary Absence on the Temporary Absence Tab.
Non-Paid Placement – IMPACT Documentation
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must enter a contact (Purpose: Placement) in IMPACT to document the details of a temporary absence from a non-paid placement. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker does not change the placement or enter a Temporary Absence event. The contact must include the following:
- Date and time the youth left the placement.
- Date and time the youth is scheduled to return to the placement.
- Name of location or person the youth was with when away from the operation.
- Reason the youth is away from the placement.
- Point of contact and contact information.
- Date Attachment A was reviewed and provided to the temporary caregiver.
All Placements (Paid and Non-Paid) – Information about Sexual Victimization, Sexual Behavior Problem, Human Trafficking, or Sexual Aggression
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must ensure that the temporary caregiver for the youth has been informed about the youth’s history of sexual victimization, sexual behavior problems, human trafficking, or sexual aggression.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker or caregiver (whoever conducts the placement) has the temporary caregiver read the Attachment A and sign the Form 2279b Certification of Receipt of Child Sexual Abuse or Sexual Aggression Information.
4291 Criteria for Paying for Foster Care During a Child’s Temporary Absence
CPS September 2026
Under certain circumstances, DFPS or an SSCC must continue to make foster care payments to a provider on behalf of a youth who is no longer in that provider’s care to reserve space (bed hold) for the youth’s anticipated return to that provider in the near future.
DFPS or the SSCC must only make payments to a provider for foster care during a child’s absence if the situation meets all of the following conditions:
- DFPS or the SSCC plans to return the youth to the provider at the end of the absence.
- The provider agrees to reserve space for the youth’s return for as long as DFPS or the SSCC continues to make payments in the youth’s absence.
- DFPS or the SSCC is not making foster care payments on behalf of this same youth to any other provider during the youth’s absence.
For the provider to be eligible to receive foster care payments for children absent from the paid foster placement, the provider must be actively engaged in and provide proof of all of the following:
- Giving emotional support to the youth (via active participation in the youth’s treatment while hospitalized).
- Meeting the youth’s concrete needs (such as providing clothing and other items).
- Having frequent face-to-face contact with the youth on a regular basis (such as being physically present with the youth at the hospital as required by some medical facilities and so on).
- Facilitating family visits, as appropriate.
- Communicating with the medical facility care team regarding the child’s progress and discharge plan.
DFPS or the SSCC does not reimburse the provider for days of foster care when a youth resides in any of the following:
- Psychiatric hospital once acute care ends.
- Nursing home placement.
- Intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (ICF/IDD).
- State supported living centers.
- Placement with a non-licensed relative caregiver.
- Pre-consummated adoptive placement.
- Texas Juvenile Justice Department facility.
- Texas state hospitals.
4292 Payment Time Frames During a Youth’s Absence
4292.1 Emergency Care
CPS September 2026
DFPS or an SSCC may pay an emergency shelter or other provider contracted to provide emergency care for only five days from the start date of the youth’s temporary absence.
4292.2 Foster Care
CPS September 2026
If a youth is temporarily absent from non-emergency foster care, DFPS or an SSCC may continue to pay the foster care provider after it is staffed and approved as follows:
- The supervisor and director must approve payment for an absence of not more than 14 days.
- The primary worker’s third-line approver must approve payment for an absence between 15 and 30 days.
- The DFPS regional director and DFPS director of placement must approve payment for an absence between 31 and 90 days.
- In unusual circumstances, payments may continue for an absence of longer than 90 days with prior written approval by the DFPS associate commissioner of Child Protective Services or designee.
Each above-mentioned approval must be documented in the youth’s SUB stage in a contact (Purpose: Placement).The contact must include at a minimum the following information:
- Reason the youth is out of the placement.
- The youth’s current location.
- Plan for the youth to return to the placement.
- How the caregiver is continuing to meet all the needs of the youth.
- Name and position of the approver.
4292.3 Alternative Contracted Placements
CPS September 2026
DFPS or the SSCC may reimburse an alternative contracted placement for up to 14 days from the onset of the temporary absence at the alternative contracted rate. Once 14 days have passed, the primary case team (caseworker, supervisor, and program director), must notify the DFPS State Office Placement Division of the extended temporary absence. DFPS State Office Placement must be included in the 14-day staffing with the third-line approver.
Examples of alternative contracted placements may include:
- Youth placed through a child-specific contract.
- Youth placed through an exceptional care rate.
- Youth placed in an out-of-state psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF).
4293 The Plan or Intent for the Youth to Return to Placement
CPS September 2026
If a youth is away from their licensed paid placement, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker, with supervisory approval, must discuss the plan or intent for the youth to return to the caregiver or provider following the temporary absence.
If the DFPS or SSCC caseworker does not intend to return the youth to the placement, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must inform the provider or caregiver of the decision in writing. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must end the placement on the date the decision to not return the youth was made.
4294 When the Caregiver or Provider Does Not Agree for the Child or Youth to Return
CPS September 2026
If the caregiver or provider does not agree for the youth to return, he or she must provide written discharge notice as stipulated in the contract. Once it is determined that a youth is not returning to the placement provider and the discharge notice is received, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must submit a referral to the Placement Team to begin a placement search. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must notify the eligibility specialist no later than the following business day.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must end the placement in IMPACT on the date indicated in the discharge notice.
4300 Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System
CPS September 2026
For a detailed explanation of the Texas Child-Centered Care System and the placement process, see the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System and Placement Resource Guide.
DSM-5
The term DSM-5 (mentioned in some of the subsections of this section) refers to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association.
4310 Recommendation and Selection of a Service Package
CPS September 2026
DFPS or the SSCC conducts a Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) 3.0 Assessment (also known as an enhanced CANS Assessment) at various stages of a child’s case. DFPS or the SSCC uses this assessment to help decide which T3C service package to recommend to meet the child’s custom needs.
DFPS or the SSCC conducts CANS 3.0 Assessments for:
- Children and youth who are 3–17 years old and in DFPS conservatorship.
- Young adults who are 18–22 years old and in Extended Foster Care.
For more information about when a CANS Assessment is needed, refer to the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System and Placement Resource Guide.
See 6431 Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment.
4311 Foster Family Homes Service Packages
4311.1 Primary Foster Family Home Service Packages
4311.11 T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a basic foster family home if DFPS or the SSCC determines that the child or youth has no primary or urgent medical or mental health needs.
4311.12 Substance Use Support Services
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a foster family home that provides substance use support services if either of the following applies:
- The child presents with a DSM-5 diagnosis of a substance-related disorder.
- The child has challenges with recurring substance use and needs routine clinical intervention.
4311.13 Short-Term Assessment Support Services
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a foster family home that provides short-term assessment support services if both of the following apply:
- The child needs further assessments and evaluations to identify an appropriate service package and subsequent placement.
- The child has one of the following situations:
- New to foster care or transitioning from an unpaid placement, and more information is needed to understand the child’s custom service needs.
- Returning to foster care after an unauthorized absence or unauthorized placement.
- Transitioning based on a recent, unplanned disruption in placement.
4311.14 Mental and Behavioral Health Support Services
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a foster family home that provides mental and behavioral health support services if both of the following apply:
- The child presents with a current or pending DSM-5 diagnosis of an emotional, conduct, or behavioral disorder.
- The child needs routine clinical intervention (therapy, education, medication, or a combination of those) for the disorder.
4311.15 Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Support Services
CPS September 2026
A child is placed into a foster family home that provides Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Support Services Package if both of the following apply:
- The child presents with one or more of the following:
- Ongoing, socially and developmentally inappropriate displays of sexualized behavior.
- Sexually aggressive behavior.
- DSM-5 diagnosis of a sexual behavior disorder.
- Adjudication as a sex offender.
- The child requires routine clinical intervention and skilled caregiver support to manage day-to-day activities.
4311.16 Complex Medical Needs or Medically Fragile Support Services
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a foster family home that provides complex medical needs or medically fragile support services if either of the following applies:
- The child has a medical diagnosis that requires constant monitoring, access to skilled nursing, and other care. This care may be required 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or less often (based on eligibility).
- The child has a complex medical need (such as, but not limited to, uncontrolled diabetes), and the child’s well-being depends on the support, direction, or service of others.
4311.17 Human Trafficking Victim/Survivor Support Services
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a foster family home that provides human trafficking victim or survivor support services if both of the following apply:
- The child is a Suspected-Unconfirmed or Confirmed victim or survivor of sex trafficking, labor trafficking, or both.
- The child needs routine clinical intervention to support and manage day-to-day activities.
4311.18 Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD)/Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Services
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a foster family home that provides intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) or autism spectrum disorder support services if both of the following apply:
- The child has a current or pending DSM-5 diagnosis of IDD or autism spectrum disorder.
- The child needs routine clinical intervention and structure to support and manage day-to-day activities.
4311.19 T3C Treatment Foster Family Care Support Services
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a foster family home that provides treatment foster family care support services if both of the following apply:
- The child presents with a DSM-5 diagnosis of an emotional disorder.
- The child needs structured and frequent clinical intervention and complex case management to support and manage day-to-day activities.
In addition to the DSM-5 diagnosis of an emotional disorder, the child may demonstrate two or more of the following:
- Major self-injurious actions, such as a suicide attempt within the last 12 months.
- Difficulties that present a significant risk of harm to others, such as frequent or unpredictable physical aggression.
- An additional DSM-5 diagnosis of a substance-related disorder, addictive disorder, or both, with severe impairment.
4311.2 Add-On Foster Family Home Services Packages
4311.21 Transition Support Services for Youth and Young Adults Add-On
CPS September 2026
This service provides a trauma-informed foster home where the caregivers have enhanced training and skill in caring for youth and young adults ages 14-22, including coordinating services, assisting with completion of forms and referrals, and supporting experiential learning opportunities. This add-on service is intended to support the youth or young adult’s transition to independence and adulthood.
4311.22 Kinship Caregiver Support Services Add-On
CPS September 2026
This service is in addition to the child’s primary service package.
In this service, the child placing agency provides enhanced support services to the kinship foster family home caregivers. These support services are customized to the needs of the kinship caregivers and the child, youth, or young adult. Funding to support this add-on service reimburses the child placing agency for costs incurred to support the kinship caregivers as they complete the foster home verification process.
4311.23 Pregnant and Parenting Youth or Young Adult Support Services Add-On
CPS September 2026
This service is in addition to the youth or young adult’s primary service package.
This service provides a trauma-informed foster home where the caregivers have enhanced training and skill in caring for, mentoring, coaching, and offering support services for youth or young adults who are pregnant or actively parenting their biological children. This add-on service may be offered to child’s mother or father, if the biological child of the youth or young adult is placed with the youth or young adult in a credentialed foster home.
4312 General Residential Operations – Tier I T3C Treatment and Transition Service Packages
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a general residential operation (GRO) with a Tier I Service Package if the child needs treatment that exceeds what a foster family home can provide. This includes situations such as the following:
- The child needs structured and frequent on-site therapy and clinical intervention.
- The child needs complex care coordination.
- The child needs case management services to support and manage day-to-day activities.
- A GRO placement is necessary to keep a sibling group together.
4312.1 Tier I: T3C Basic Child Care Operation
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a general residential operation (GRO) with this service package if both of the following apply:
- A GRO placement is appropriate, as described in 4312 General Residential Operations – Tier I T3C Treatment and Transition Service Packages.
- DFPS or the SSCC determines that the child does not need any of the other Tier I Service Packages or any of the Tier II Service Packages.
4312.2 Tier I: Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a general residential operation that provides the Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Services to Support Stabilization Package if the child presents with one or more of the following:
- Ongoing, socially and developmentally inappropriate displays of sexualized behavior.
- Sexually aggressive behavior.
- DSM-5 diagnosis of a sexual behavior disorder.
- Adjudication as a sex offender.
- The child needs structured and frequent on-site clinical intervention by professionals with experience in serving this population, complex case management, and skilled and well-trained caregivers to manage day-to-day activities.
In addition, the child may also present with a DSM-5 diagnosis of an emotional disorder and two or more of the following:
- Major self-injurious actions, such as a suicide attempt within the last 12 months.
- Difficulties that present a significant risk of harm to others, such as frequent or unpredictable physical aggression.
- An additional DSM-5 diagnosis of a substance-related disorder, addictive disorder, or both, with severe impairment.
4312.3 Tier I: Services to Support Community Transition for Youth and Young Adults Who Are Pregnant or Parenting
CPS September 2026
A youth or young adult is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if both of the following apply:
- The youth or young adult is pregnant or actively parenting the youth or young adult’s own biological child or children.
- The youth or young adult needs treatment that exceeds what a foster family home can provide.
4312.4 Tier I: Substance Use Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
CPS September 2026
A child or youth is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if both of the following apply:
- The child or youth presents with or who are pending a DSM diagnosis for a substance related or addictive disorder causing severe impairment.
- The child or youth requires structured and frequent on-site clinical intervention, complex care coordination, and case management services to support and manage day-to-day activities.
4312.5 Tier I: Emergency Emotional Support and Assessment Center Services
CPS September 2026
A child or youth is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if all of the following apply:
- The child or youth needs further assessments and evaluations to identify an appropriate service package and subsequent placement.
- The child or youth has one of the following situations:
- New to care or transitioning from an unpaid placement, with a suspected but unconfirmed or a confirmed behavioral health need.
- Transitioning to foster care after a stay in a psychiatric hospital.
- Returning to foster care after an unauthorized absence or unauthorized placement, with a suspected but unconfirmed or a confirmed behavioral health need.
- Transitioning based on a recent, unplanned disruption in placement, where a suspected but unconfirmed or a confirmed behavioral health need was a factor contributing to the disruption.
- The child or youth needs frequent on-site clinical intervention, complex care coordination, and case management services to support and manage day-to-day activities.
4312.6 Tier I: Complex Medical Needs Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if either of the following applies:
- The child, youth, or young adult presents with complex medical conditions (for example, uncontrolled diabetes with a documented history of non-compliance with medication management).
- The child, youth, or young adult has a medical diagnosis and cannot live without mechanical supports or the services of others because of a life-threatening condition, such as any of the following:
- The inability to maintain an open airway without assistance.
- The inability to be fed except through a feeding tube, gastric tube, or parenteral route.
- The use of sterile techniques or specialized procedures to promote healing, prevent infection, prevent cross-infection or contamination, or prevent tissue breakdown.
- Multiple physical disabilities, including sensory impairments.
4312.7 Tier I: Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD)/Autism Spectrum Disorder Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
CPS September 2026
A child is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if both of the following apply:
- The child has a DSM-5 diagnosis of intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), autism spectrum disorder, or both, or appears likely to receive such a diagnosis.
- The child needs structured and frequent on-site therapy and clinical intervention, complex care coordination, and case management services to support and manage day-to-day activities.
Children, youth, and young adults with a DSM-5 diagnosis of intellectual or developmental disability or a DSM diagnosis for autism spectrum disorder, or both, may also have behavior that may be characterized by prominent, severe deficits and pervasive impairment in one or more of the following areas:
- Conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills, including daily living and self-care.
- Communication, cognition, or expressions of affect.
- Self-care activities or participation in social activities.
- Responding appropriately to an emergency.
- Multiple physical disabilities, including sensory impairments.
4312.8 Tier I: Human Trafficking Victim/Survivor Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
CPS September 2026
A child, youth, or young adult is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if both of the following apply:
- DFPS or the SSCC has determined that the child, youth, or young adult is a victim or survivor of sex trafficking, labor trafficking, or both.
- The child, youth, or young adult needs structured and frequent on-site therapy and clinical intervention, complex care coordination, and case management services to support and manage day-to-day activities.
A child, youth, or young adult qualifying for this service package may be determined to be a victim or survivor of trafficking based on one or more of the following criteria:
- As a result of a criminal prosecution or who is currently alleged to be a victim or survivor of trafficking in a pending criminal investigation or prosecution.
- Identified by the parent or agency that placed the child, youth, or young adult in the operation as a victim or survivor of trafficking.
- Determined by the operation to be a victim or survivor of trafficking based on reasonably reliable criteria, including one or more of the following:
- The child, youth, or young adult’s own disclosure as a victim or survivor of trafficking.
- The assessment of a counselor or other professional.
- Evidence that the child, youth, or young adult was recruited, harbored, transported, provided to another person, or obtained for the purpose of forced labor or commercial sexual activity.
4312.9 Tier I: Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment Services to Support Community Transition
CPS September 2026
A child, youth, or young adult is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if both of the following apply:
- The child, youth, or young adult presents with or has a pending DSM-5 diagnosis of an emotional, conduct, or behavioral disorder.
- The child, youth, or young adult needs structured and frequent on-site therapy and clinical intervention, complex care coordination, and case management services to support and manage day-to-day activities.
Children, youth, or young adults who have this type of DSM-5 diagnosis may also demonstrate two or more of the following:
- Major self-injurious actions, such as a suicide attempt within the last 12 months.
- Difficulties that present a significant risk of harm to others, such as frequent or unpredictable physical aggression.
- An additional DSM-5 diagnosis of a substance-related disorder, addictive disorder, or both, with severe impairment.
4313 General Residential Operation – Tier II T3C Stabilization Support Service Packages
CPS September 2026
For a child, youth, or young adult to be placed in a general residential operation with a Tier II T3C stabilization support service package, a Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment is needed to determine the necessity.
Children, youth, and young adults who qualify for these service packages need daily on-site intervention and highly complex care coordination and case management services to support their emotional stability and well-being.
4313.1 Tier II: Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Services to Support Stabilization
CPS September 2026
A child, youth, or young adult is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if both of the following apply:
- The child, youth, or young adult is experiencing challenges with a lack of impulse control. The child, youth, or young adult may have one or more of the following:
- Ongoing displays of sexualized behavior that are socially and developmentally inappropriate.
- Sexually aggressive behavior.
- DSM-5 diagnosis of a sexual behavior disorder.
- Adjudication in the juvenile justice system as a sex offender.
- Tier II intervention is necessary because one or both of the following apply:
- Other forms of specialized treatment have been tried and rendered unsuccessful.
- Treatment in a less-restrictive setting (such as a foster family home or general residential operation Tier I facility) is unsafe, inappropriate, or both, based on individual needs. Without the Tier II intervention, the child, youth, or young adult’s well-being, or that of others, may be at risk.
Children, youth, or young adults who qualify for this service package may also present with a DSM-5 diagnosis of an emotional, conduct, or behavioral disorder and two or more of the following:
- Major self-injurious actions, such as a suicide attempt within the last 12 months.
- Difficulties that present a significant risk of harm to others, such as frequent or unpredictable physical aggression.
- An additional DSM-5 diagnosis of a substance-related disorder, addictive disorder, or both, with severe impairment.
4313.2 Tier II: Substance Use Services to Support Stabilization
CPS September 2026
A child, youth, or young adult is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if both of the following apply:
- The child, youth, or young adult is experiencing challenges with a lack of impulse control.
- The child, youth, or young adult has or is pending a DSM-5 diagnosis of a substance-related disorder, addictive disorder, or both, with severe impairment.
Along with the DSM-5 diagnosis, children, youth, or young adults who qualify for this service package may also have one of the following:
- Major self-injurious actions, such as a suicide attempt within the last 12 months.
- Difficulties that present a significant risk of harm to others, such as frequent or unpredictable physical aggression.
For a child, youth, or young adult to qualify for this service package, at least one of the following must apply:
- Other forms of specialized substance use and addictive disorder treatment have been tried and rendered unsuccessful.
- Treatment in a less-restrictive setting (such as a foster family home or general residential operation Tier I facility) is unsafe, inappropriate, or both, based on individual needs. Without the Tier II intervention, the child, youth, or young adult’s well-being, or that of others, may be at risk.
4313.3 Tier II: Aggression/Defiant Disorder Services to Support Stabilization
CPS September 2026
A child, youth, or young adult is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if he or she is experiencing challenges with a lack of impulse control.
Children, youth, or young adults who qualify for this service package may present with or be pending a DSM-5 diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder or other conduct disorder.
Children, youth, or young adults who qualify for this service package may have two or more of the following:
- Severe and chronic challenges in school, with peers, in other social settings, or a combination of these.
- Severe and chronic challenges with authority and following rules (beyond what would be considered age-appropriate behavior).
- Recurring delinquent behaviors, which may have resulted in juvenile justice or law enforcement involvement.
- Major self-injurious actions, such as a suicide attempt within the last 12 months.
- Difficulties that present a significant risk of harm to others, such as frequent or unpredictable violence or physical aggression.
- An additional DSM-5 diagnosis of a substance-related disorder, addictive disorder, or both, with severe impairment.
For a child, youth, or young adult to qualify for this service package, at least one of the following must apply:
- Other forms of specialized treatment have been tried and rendered unsuccessful.
- Treatment in a less-restrictive setting (such as a foster family home or general residential operation Tier I facility) is unsafe, inappropriate, or both, based on individual needs. Without the Tier II intervention, the child, youth, or young adult’s well-being, or that of others, may be at risk.
4313.4 Tier II: Complex Mental Health Services to Support Stabilization
CPS September 2026
A child, youth, or young adult is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if both of the following apply:
- The child, youth, or young adult is experiencing challenges with a lack of impulse control.
- The child, youth, or young adult presents with or is pending multiple, co-occurring DSM-5 diagnoses of emotional, behavioral, neurological, or developmental disorders.
Children, youth, or young adults who qualify for this service package may also demonstrate two or more of the following:
- Major self-injurious actions, such as a suicide attempt within the last 12 months.
- Difficulties that present a significant risk of harm to others, such as frequent or unpredictable physical aggression.
- An additional DSM-5 diagnosis of a substance-related disorder, addictive disorder, or both, with severe impairment.
If one of the co-occurring DSM-5 diagnoses is for intellectual or developmental disability or autism spectrum disorder, the behavior of the child, youth, or young adult is characterized by prominent, severe deficits and pervasive impairment in one or more of the following areas (of development if the diagnosis is autism spectrum disorder):
- Conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills, including daily living and self-care.
- Communication, cognition, or expressions of affect.
- Self-care activities or participation in social activities.
- Responding appropriately to an emergency.
- Multiple physical disabilities, including sensory impairments.
For a child, youth, or young adult to qualify for this service package, at least one of the following must apply:
- Other forms of specialized treatment have been tried and rendered unsuccessful.
- Treatment in a less-restrictive setting (such as a foster family home or general residential operation Tier I facility) is unsafe, inappropriate, or both, based on individual needs. Without the Tier II intervention, the child, youth, or young adult’s well-being, or that of others, may be at risk.
4313.5 Tier II: Complex Medical Services to Support Stabilization
CPS September 2026
A child, youth, or young adult is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if the child has a complex medical diagnosis. A complex medical diagnosis is defined as either of the following:
- One or more diagnoses that affect multiple organ systems.
- One long-term health condition that results in functional limitations and high health care needs or utilization, that often requires the need for medical technology, and that may have a dual DSM-5 diagnosis of an emotional, behavioral, neurological, or developmental disorder (or more than one such disorder). The emotional, behavioral, neurological, or developmental disorder may include one or more of the following:
- Major self-injurious actions, such as a suicide attempt within the last 12 months.
- Difficulties that present a significant risk of harm to others, such as frequent or unpredictable physical aggression.
If the one of the DSM-5 diagnoses is for intellectual or developmental disability or autism spectrum disorder, the behavior of the child, youth, or young adult is characterized by prominent, severe deficits and pervasive impairment in one or more of the following areas (of development if the diagnosis is autism spectrum disorder):
- Conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills, including daily living and self-care.
- Communication, cognition, or expressions of affect.
- Self-care activities or participation in social activities.
- Responding appropriately to an emergency.
- Multiple physical disabilities, including sensory impairments.
Children, youth, or young adults who qualify for this service package may also have a medical diagnosis that requires the use of mechanical support or the services of others because of life-threatening conditions, such as the following:
- The inability to maintain an open airway without assistance.
- The inability to be fed except through a feeding tube, gastric tube, or parenteral route.
- The use of sterile techniques or specialized procedures to promote healing, prevent infection, prevent cross-infection or contamination, or prevent tissue breakdown.
- Multiple physical disabilities, including sensory impairments.
4313.6 Tier II: Human Trafficking Victim/Survivor Services to Support Stabilization
CPS September 2026
A child, youth, or young adult is placed in a general residential operation that provides this service package if all of the following apply:
- The child, youth, or young adult is experiencing challenges with a lack of impulse control.
- DFPS or the SSCC has determined that the child, youth, or young adult is a victim or survivor of sex trafficking, labor trafficking, or both.
- The child, youth, or young adult has a DSM-5 diagnosis of an emotional, behavioral, neurological, or developmental disorder.
A child, youth, or young adult may be determined to be a victim or survivor of trafficking based on one or more of the following criteria:
- As a result of a criminal prosecution or who is currently alleged to be a victim or survivor of trafficking in a pending criminal investigation or prosecution.
- The parent or agency that placed the child, youth, or young adult in the operation has identified the child, youth, or young adult as a victim or survivor of trafficking.
- The operation has determined that the child, youth, or young adult is a victim or survivor of trafficking based on reasonably reliable criteria, including one or more of the following:
- The child, youth, or young adult’s own disclosure of being a victim or survivor of trafficking.
- The assessment of a counselor or other professional.
- Evidence that the child, youth, or young adult was recruited, harbored, transported, provided to another person, or obtained for the purpose of forced labor or commercial sexual activity.
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