6300 Services to Families
6310 Services to the Child’s Family When the Child Is in Substitute Care
CPS September 2026
After a child is placed in substitute care, DFPS or the single source continuum contractor (SSCC) begins services to the child’s family as soon as possible. These services address parental behaviors that caused safety threats and ultimately the removal of the child or children from the home. When DFPS is the managing conservator and parental rights have not been terminated, DFPS or the SSCC continues to make sure services are available to the family, when appropriate, regardless of the permanency goal.
DFPS or the SSCC collaboratively develops a Family Plan of Service (FPOS) unless one of the exceptions in 6242.31 Exceptions to Requirements for the Family Plan of Service applies.
6311 Services to the Parent and Family
CPS September 2026
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must work with the family to reduce the risk of abuse or neglect, so that the child may return home and live safely for the foreseeable future. However, this requirement does not apply if both of the following apply:
- There is a finding of aggravated circumstances.
- The court has made a finding that reasonable efforts to make it possible for the child to return home are not required.
6312 Participation of Parents’ Attorneys When a Child Is in Substitute Care
CPS September 2026
DFPS or single source continuum contractor (SSCC) staff invites the parents’ attorneys to all formal meetings that have both of the following characteristics:
- DFPS or the SSCC is holding the meeting to address aspects of the parents’ case.
- The parents are invited to the meeting.
This includes the following, as appropriate:
- A meeting of DFPS and SSCC staff to do any of the following:
- Develop a Family Plan of Service (FPOS).
- Discuss services to the parent.
- Discuss the Child’s Plan of Service (CPOS).
- Plan for the discharge and return of the child to the parent.
- A Family Group Conference (FGC):
- A permanency conference.
- A mediation.
- Any other meeting that DFPS determines would be appropriate for the parent to attend.
This does not apply to the following:
- Any internal meeting of DFPS staff.
- Meetings between DFPS and the DFPS attorney.
If the parents’ attorney is invited but does not attend, the meeting may proceed as scheduled.
6320 Contacts and Visits with the Family
6321 Frequency of Contact and Visits
CPS September 2026
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker maintains monthly face-to-face contact with each of the child’s parents to address case planning and service needs. More frequent contact may be needed. The DFPS or single source continuum contractor (SSCC) supervisor determines the frequency with which face-to-face contacts must occur in the parent’s home, based on the circumstances and permanency plan for the case.
6330 Services to Children and Parents Across Regional Lines
CPS September 2026
When a child, youth, or family lives outside the region that holds legal jurisdiction (the “legal region”), the requirements for making monthly contact and providing services to the child and parent remain the same as those in the following policy sections:
Parent outside Legal Region
If one or more parents live outside the child’s legal region, or a child in conservatorship is placed with a parent who lives outside the child’s legal region, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker can request courtesy supervision from another region if the parent lives more than 60 miles from the caseworker’s headquarters.
The decision to request courtesy supervision is based on the individual needs of the case and what is best for the parent and child. If the DFPS or SSCC caseworker chooses to request courtesy supervision, the caseworker makes the request within two days of learning about the parent’s location.
Placement (Not with Parent) outside Legal Region
DFPS or the single source continuum contractor (SSCC) can request supervision by a local permanency specialist when a child or youth in conservatorship is placed outside the legal region but not with a parent.
6331 Coordination Between Primary Caseworker and Courtesy Supervision Caseworker
CPS September 2026
Courtesy supervision does not relieve the DFPS or SSCC caseworker of his or her responsibilities to the parent or the child.
Before the courtesy caseworker’s first visit with the parent (or the parent and child, if they live together), the DFPS or SSCC primary caseworker and the courtesy caseworker have a phone conference to discuss the following:
- The plan or plans of service
- Any specific court orders
- Family and sibling visitation
- Special issues
- The permanency plan for the child
- A communication plan
The DFPS or SSCC primary caseworker documents this phone conference according to 6133.2 Documenting Contacts in Substitute Care.
The communication plan addresses how the DFPS or SSCC caseworker and the courtesy caseworker will share information and documents. The plan specifically addresses how they will share information about the development and review of the following:
- Court reports
- Plans of service
- Appropriateness of placement
- Permanency goals
6331.1 Responsibilities of the Courtesy Caseworker
CPS September 2026
The courtesy caseworker does the following:
- Visits the parent (or the parent and child, if they live together) within 15 calendar days after being assigned as a secondary caseworker in IMPACT.
- Conducts well-planned, monthly visits to assess progress in achieving service plan goals.
- Makes sure services identified in the service plans and in any court orders are set up and provided for the parent and the child.
- Reports any unmet needs to the primary caseworker.
- Discusses the child’s permanency plan with the child and parent during every visit, to assess progress being made to achieve that goal.
- Documents any face-to-face contact with the child on the same day of the contact and enters the completed narrative no later than seven calendar days after the contact.
- Documents all other contacts as soon as possible, but no later than seven calendar days after the contact.
- Communicates at least monthly, either verbally or by email, with the primary caseworker to provide information to help in completing service plans and court reports.
- Participates in, and helps the primary caseworker with coordinating, permanency planning meetings.
6331.2 Responsibilities of the Primary Caseworker
CPS September 2026
When working with a courtesy caseworker, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker does the following:
- Maintains at least monthly contact with the parent (and the child, if living with the parent) by email, phone, or other forms of technology.
- Maintains at least monthly contact with the courtesy caseworker to make sure that all the needs of the parent and child are met, as outlined in 6400 Services to Children in Substitute Care and 6300 Services to Families, and to keep the courtesy caseworker informed of any significant changes in the case.
- Sends updated court reports to the courtesy caseworker at least five days before a court hearing, and sends any court orders to the courtesy caseworker within five business days after the court hearing, to make sure that consistent information is provided to the family.
- Follows documentation requirements, as outlined in 6133.2 Documenting Contacts in Substitute Care.
6340 The Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA)
CPS September 2026
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must complete the Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA) by the 21st day from the date of removal. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker uses the FSNA to develop the initial Family Plan of Service (FPOS).
A new FSNA must be completed and approved at least 30 days before the DFPS or SSCC caseworker completes an FPOS evaluation. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must meet with the parent before completing the FSNA.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must complete an FSNA on a parent, except in any of the following situations:
- The parent’s whereabouts are unknown.
- The court has ordered aggravated circumstances.
- The child in care meets criteria of a Baby Moses case, and the parents are unknown. See 2351 Baby Moses.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must complete an FSNA within 30 days of locating a parent whose whereabouts were previously unknown.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must send the FSNA to Star Health by the 21st day after removal following the process in the 3 in 30 Resource Guide under How to Fax the FSNA to Superior Health Plan.
See:
- 6430 Initial Assessment Services
- 6242.3 Requirement for a Family Plan of Service
- 6260 Permanency Planning Meetings (PPM)
- Family Strengths and Needs Assessment Resource Guide
6350 When DFPS Obtains Permanent Managing Conservatorship Without Termination of Parental Rights
CPS September 2026
Although DFPS may be named as the permanent managing conservator, DFPS or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) must continue efforts toward achieving positive permanency for every child and youth. Specifically, staff must:
- Ensure that any services provided following the final order comply with specific provisions of the final order and are reflected in the Family Plan of Service (FPOS). The court may, in the final order, provide for child support, visitation, possessory conservatorship or other rights, duties, and services, all of which should be reflected in the FPOS and actions in the case.
- Conduct a review of the case within 30 days of the final order and revise the FPOS within 45 days of the final order.
- Assess the parents’ involvement in the case.
- Actively pursue services until at least one of the following is true:
- DFPS is no longer permanent managing conservator.
- Parental rights are terminated.
- The determination is made that services can be discontinued in accordance with 6355 Reassessing Inactive Parents and Parents Unable to Provide a Safe 5Home When Parental Rights Have Not Been Terminated.
- Ensure contact between the parents, the child, and the primary caseworker.
See also 6200 Case Planning for Positive Permanency, 6260 Permanency Planning Meetings (PPM) and 5570 Mediation and Other Forms of Dispute Resolution.
6351 Assessing Parental Involvement and Participation in Service Planning
CPS September 2026
When DFPS is appointed as permanent managing conservator without termination of parental rights, the DFPS or single source continuum contractor (SSCC) caseworker must assess each parent’s involvement and participation in service planning. The assessment must include a discussion with each parent about the parent’s:
- Desire for family reunification with the child.
- Progress in services listed on the Family Plan of Service.
- Level of interest in maintaining contact with the child.
- Willingness to sign a relinquishment of parental rights.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must:
- Document the assessment in the monthly narrative and evaluation during the month it took place.
- Report the assessment to the court through the court report submitted for the Permanency Hearings after Final Order.
See 6340 The Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA).
6352 Maintaining the Family Substitute Care Stage
CPS September 2026
The family substitute care (FSU) stage must remain open in IMPACT when DFPS is appointed as permanent managing conservator without termination of parental rights, unless the determination is made that services can be discontinued in accordance with 6355 Reassessing Inactive Parents and Parents Unable to Provide a Safe Home When Parental Rights Have Not Been Terminated.
6353 Court’s Authority to Order CPS to Provide Services
CPS September 2026
When DFPS is named as permanent managing conservator and parental rights are not terminated, the court may order DFPS or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) to continue to provide services to the parent for up to six months.
Texas Family Code §263.5031(3)(b)
6354 When to Complete a Family Plan of Service
CPS September 2026
Service Planning for the Parents
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must continue service planning with the parents in all cases for a minimum of six months after DFPS is named as permanent managing conservator, when parental rights have not been terminated.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must conduct a review of the case within 30 days of the court naming DFPS as permanent managing conservator, and before the development of the new Family Plan of Service (FPOS). The review must include the DFPS or SSCC caseworker, supervisor, and DFPS program director or SSCC equivalent. During the review, staff must discuss:
- The appropriateness of the permanency goals.
- The caregiver’s interest or willingness to accept permanent managing conservatorship (PMC).
- Services needed to address current dangers, and the parents’ ability to provide safety over time.
- Efforts to identify, locate, and notify relatives and kinship.
- Efforts to incorporate relatives and kinship into the child’s service planning.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must update the FPOS within 45 days of the court naming DFPS as the permanent managing conservator.
After the initial six months, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must review and update the FPOS every six months, when one or more of the following apply:
- Family reunification continues to be a permanency goal.
- DFPS or the SSCC is likely to pursue termination of parental rights in the future.
- The parent requires services that are not child-specific (for example, the parent will attend therapy to learn how to appropriately manage his or her depression).
- Siblings remain in the home, and the parents request DFPS or the SSCC to provide services to those children.
When none of the above situations exists, staff may determine that an FPOS is no longer required. See 6355 Reassessing Inactive Parents and Parents Unable to Provide a Safe Home When Parental Rights Have Not Been Terminated.
6355 Reassessing Inactive Parents and Parents Unable to Provide a Safe Home When Parental Rights Have Not Been Terminated
CPS September 2026
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must reassess the case to determine whether pursuing termination of parental rights is in the best interest of the child, or if it is appropriate to discontinue service planning.
6360 When a Mother in an Open CVS Case is Pregnant
CPS September 2026
When the DFPS or SSCC caseworker learns that a mother in an open DFPS conservatorship is pregnant, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must:
- Immediately notify the supervisor.
- Staff with the DFPS or single source continuum contractor (SSCC) supervisor at least once a month to determine:
- If any safety concerns exist that require making a report to Statewide Intake once the child is born.
- What steps the primary caseworker must take after learning that the mother is in the hospital or delivered the baby.
Starting two months before the expected birth date, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must staff with the following personnel every month, until the baby is born, to determine if there are active danger indicators:
- Investigations director
- DFPS Conservatorship program director, SSCC equivalent, or the designee
- Investigations supervisor
- DFPS Conservatorship supervisor or the SSCC equivalent
- Primary caseworker
- Investigation caseworker
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker or his or her supervisor can consult the child safety specialist during these staffings and when the baby is born.
Topics of discussion at these staffings must include:
- Concerns for the unborn child
- The family’s ability to ensure the safety and well-being of the child
- Possible placement options for the newborn
- Details of the current conservatorship case
6361 After the Baby is Born
CPS September 2026
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must make face-to-face contact with the baby and mother as soon as possible, but no later than three days after the birth of the baby. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must assess if the baby is safe with the parents.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker’s supervisor provides the Keeping Children Safe Wherever You Go! document and reviews it with the parents.
The visit must include an assessment of the:
- Family’s ability to ensure the safety of the child
- Family’s home environment
- Baby’s sleeping area
If the mother and infant are not released from the hospital within three days of the infant’s birth, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must conduct a home visit to address the home and sleeping area within 48 hours of discharge.
The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must address any safety concerns immediately and develop a plan with the parents, and must staff with the DFPS or SSCC supervisor the results of this visit and safety assessment.
If the DFPS or SSCC caseworker determines that there are active safety concerns to the baby, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must:
- Call Statewide Intake to initiate a new intake.
- Notify the Investigations program director or the designee of the safety concerns.
- Staff with the DFPS or SSCC supervisor immediately to discuss the safety concerns.
During the investigation, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must work closely with the Investigations caseworker to provide information and assist as necessary. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must document the following in IMPACT:
- The contact with the baby and parents, including observations of the home environment, concerns with the baby, and the sleeping arrangements.
- Any staffing with the supervisor or the investigation team discussing safety concerns.
- Adding the baby to the Person List in all open stages of the current conservatorship case.
At least monthly, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must maintain face-to-face contact with the parents and each child who remains with the parents if any sibling is in DFPS temporary managing conservatorship (TMC). See 6321 Frequency of Contact.
6361.1 Legal Intervention
CPS September 2026
The Investigations caseworker must coordinate a legal staffing to determine if an open conservatorship (CVS) case involving a pregnant mother’s unborn child warrants a removal when the baby is born.
The following people must attend:
- The attorney representing DFPS or SSCC
- The Investigations supervisor and caseworker
- The DFSP or SSCC conservatorship caseworker and their supervisor
If there is disagreement between Investigations and CVS or SSCC staff about the appropriate course of action, the disagreement must be escalated up the chain of command and resolved.
Under no circumstances should Investigations, DFPS or SSCC conservatorship caseworker or representatives make conflicting recommendations to a court. A unified DFPS or SSCC response must be determined before any court hearing.
Removal Affidavit
To prepare for a removal:
- The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must prepare content for an affidavit that details the previous case history and the progress of the current open conservatorship case.
- The Investigations caseworker must prepare content for an affidavit that details the current investigation.
Local court procedures dictate whether single or separate affidavits must be filed for the child’s removal.
If removal is warranted, the Investigation caseworker is responsible for coordinating all placement needs of the newborn child, after consulting with the conservatorship caseworker regarding possible placement options.
6370 Parental Child Safety Placements in CVS Cases
CPS September 2026
A family-initiated, parental child safety placement (PCSP) is a temporary out-of-home placement made by a parent when it is determined that the child is not safe remaining in his or her own home. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker may offer the parents the option of placing the child out of the home as an alternative to DFPS petitioning for court-ordered removal of the child (see 3210 Safety Plan).
A PCSP may occur in a conservatorship (CVS) case in very limited circumstances. This could include when:
- A child is born to a parent who currently has children in an open CVS case, but the new child can safely be placed in a PCSP.
- It is determined after an investigation that some of the siblings can be placed in a PCSP, while the other siblings must be placed in substitute care (this should only occur in very limited situations).
- There is a current open CVS case for some siblings, while other siblings are in the home and a new investigation warrants a PCSP.
- There is currently an open CVS case for some siblings, while other siblings are simultaneously in a PCSP.
If a PCSP is considered during an investigation related to an open CVS case, both the Investigations program director and the DFPS CVS program director or single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent must approve the PCSP before it is implemented.
A PCSP initiated in the CVS stage of service will be a very rare occurrence since a PCSP can only be used for a child who is not in the conservatorship of DFPS or an SSCC. However, if it is needed, see 3212 Assessing the Child’s Safety before Implementing a Safety Plan or Family-Initiated Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP) and its subitems.
Although DFPS does not have conservatorship of the child in the PCSP, that child is a member of the family unit. As such, the child must be seen face-to-face each month and must be included in the parent’s family plan of service, just like a child who remains in the home with the parent.
See:
If the child is in a PCSP that crosses county or regional boundaries, the primary caseworker must arrange for the child and caregiver to be seen monthly by requesting courtesy supervision (see 6413.1 Courtesy Supervision – Contact across Regional Lines). If there is more than one child in a PCSP, the primary caseworker is responsible for coordinating monthly face-to-face contact for each of the children.
A PCSP automatically terminates on the 30th calendar day from the date the agreement is signed, or when the child is placed, whichever is earlier. If the family-initiated PCSP is to remain open past 30 calendar days, the primary caseworker must meet the requirements outlined in policy 3214 Extending a Family-Initiated PCSP Past 60 Days.
See also 3215 Ending a Safety Plan or Family-Initiated PCSP.
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