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6500 Family Reunification

6510 Completing a Reunification Assessment Tool

CPS September 2026

The Reunification Assessment is a tool that helps DFPS and the SSCC when making critical case management decisions for a child or children who have a goal of family reunification (see 6234.1 Family Reunification). The tool helps the DFPS or SSCC caseworker to assess the family in the areas of risk, safety, and quality of visitation. DFPS or the SSCC uses the Reunification Assessment tool to gain information that contributes to DFPS and SSCC recommendations to the court about visitation and reunification.

The Reunification Assessment tool supports the DFPS or SSCC decision to do one or more of the following:

  • Return a child to the household from which DFPS removed him or her.
  • Have the child remain in a living arrangement other than the parent’s home.
  • Consider changing the permanency goal.

When to Complete the Reunification Assessment Tool

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker is required to complete the Reunification Assessment tool at the following times:

  • Before any reunification staffing, if the last Reunification Assessment tool was completed more than 30 days before.
  • At least 30 days before a required permanency hearing, if family reunification is either the primary or concurrent goal for a child.
  • Before removing family reunification as either a primary or concurrent permanency goal.

A Reunification Assessment tool can be completed at any time, in addition to the times listed above.

A Reunification Assessment tool is not required if either of the following apply:

  • Family reunification is not the primary or concurrent goal for the child.
  • Reunification is with a parent who was not a perpetrator of abuse or neglect of the child that resulted in DFPS removing the child.

See Reunification Assessment Resource Guide.

6520 Starting the Reunification Process

CPS September 2026

When considering moving a child from substitute care back to a parent’s home, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker does as follows:

  • Completes and reviews criminal and CPS background checks of any adults living in the home, if not already completed.
  • Completes the Reunification Assessment tool.
  • Conducts a family reunification (FRE) staffing
  • Begins services to support the child and the family during the child’s transition to the parent’s home.
  • Recommends that the court authorize the child to return home.

The court must approve the child’s return to the parent before DFPS or the SSCC returns the child home. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker documents this approval and enters it in the case file.

Upon placement of the child into the parent’s home, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must review the child’s sexual history report, Attachment A, with the parent and obtain the parent’s signature. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must upload the signed document into One Case/Neudocs within three business days.

6521 Reunification Staffing

CPS September 2026

DFPS or SSCC staff members who are involved in the child’s case meet to discuss reunification.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker, DFPS or SSCC supervisor, and DFPS or SSCC program director review the following:

  • The parent’s progress in showing significant behavior changes and addressing the dangers that led to the child being removed from the home.
  • The Reunification Assessment tool.
  • Any services that the family needs to lower risk and support reunification.
  • The plan to help the child adjust to returning home.

The reunification plan requires the DFPS or SSCC program director’s approval.

6530 Returning a Child

CPS September 2026

DFPS or the SSCC is required to follow court orders, as well as the Fourth Amendment requirements about entry into the home and transportation, when DFPS or the SSCC visits the home or has any contact with a child who has returned home.

If all children in the family whose goal is reunification have returned, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker completes the following within 30 days after the last child’s return:

  • The Family Strengths and Needs Assessment (FSNA).
  • The family reunification Family Plan of Service (FPOS).

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker documents reunification services in the Family Reunification (FRE) stage in IMPACT. The only exception is when at least one child returns home and at least one child remains in substitute care. In that situation, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker documents contacts and services in the Family Substitute Care (FSU) stage.

6531 Providng Services and Ensuring Child Safety after a Child Returns Home

CPS September 2026

After a child has returned home, DFPS or the SSCC may provide up to six months of supervision to do the following:

  • Make sure that the family is safely caring for the child.
  • Offer support services.

When a child returns to his or her family from substitute care and DFPS is still the managing conservator of the child, the child’s DFPS or SSCC caseworker does the following:

  • Supervises the placement.
  • Provides support services to help the child and the family adjust to the child’s return.
  • Completes criminal and DFPS background checks on anyone who becomes part of the household or who provides care for the child when the parent is not present.
  • Completes a Safety Assessment tool if there is a change in the members of the household, such as someone new moving into the home or someone moving out of the home.
  • Completes a Risk Reassessment tool every 90 days. If the risk score is High or Very High, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker completes a new FSNA and FPOS to make sure appropriate services are in place to keep the child safe.

As soon as it is clear that the child can live safely at home without DFPS or SSCC help, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker asks the court to dismiss DFPS as conservator.

6540 Maintaining Cntact with the Family When a Child is Returned Home

6541 Initial Visit

CPS September 2026

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker visits the child no later than two working days after the child returns home.

6542 Conducting Follow-Up Visits with the Family When a Child is Returned Home

CPS September 2026

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker makes face-to-face contact with the child at least weekly for the first eight weeks after the child is returned home. However, the DFPS or SSCC supervisor or the DFPS or SSCC program director may approve and document less or more contact after reviewing the circumstances.

After the first eight weeks, DFPS or the SSCC visits each child, at a minimum, on a monthly basis in the child’s home. Ordinarily, the frequency of contact decreases after the first eight weeks as the family and child adjust to their reunification. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker visits should be well-planned and focused on issues relevant to ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of the child.

6542.1 Preparing for the Visit

CPS September 2026

To prepare for the visit with a child after the child has been returned home, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker does as follows:

  • Reviews the Family Plan of Service for expectations and progress.
  • Contacts collaterals and service providers to review progress, if appropriate.
  • Reviews any other notes or materials necessary to be familiar with the child’s current needs and the family’s progress.
  • Reviews any information that may need to be provided to the family.
6542.2 Conducting the Visit

CPS September 2026

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker talks with each child and parent separately and together. The separate conversations are important as they allow the child or parents to bring up concerns that they might not share in front of others.

During the monthly or more frequent visits, the child’s DFPS or SSCC caseworker discusses with the child and parents the progress in addressing the Family Plan of Service (FPOS) since the last visit. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker asks them about what has gone well, what problems or difficulties have occurred, and how have they handled them. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker asks them about their use of family and community support and resources, as needed. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker reviews expectations and progress in addressing the FPOS.

6542.21 During the Visit

CPS September 2026

During the Visit with the Child

During the visit with the child, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker asks about and discusses the following:

  • Child’s safety.
  • Child’s thoughts and feelings about being back with the family.
  • Child’s interactions with other children in the home.
  • Child’s school situation.
  • Child’s health, growth and development, racial and ethnic identity development.
  • Services that have been provided.

During the Visit with the Parent

During the visit with the parent, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker asks about and discusses the following:

  • Parent’s thoughts and feelings about having the child in care returned.
  • Parent’s thoughts and feelings about caring for children in the home.
  • Parent’s progress in addressing the issues and expectations in the Family Plan of Service (FPOS).
  • Parent’s use of family and kinship resources and support systems.
  • Parent’s difficulties, if any, in completing the requirements of the FPOS and any assistance or services that DFPS or the SSCC might provide that could help him or her complete the requirements.
  • Parent’s desire to make any needed changes in the FPOS.

If the DFPS or SSCC caseworker identifies a danger during the Family Reunification (FRE) stage, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker immediately takes protective action.

If the situation can be addressed immediately, then the DFPS or SSCC caseworker develops a safety plan with the family, after discussing the situation with the supervisor and the attorney representing DFPS or the SSCC.

If the situation requires the DFPS or SSCC caseworker to arrange a plan to secure safety for the child, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker contacts the DFPS or SSCC supervisor immediately for guidance.

6543 Assessing the Visit

CPS September 2026

Both during and after a visit with a child or family, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker assesses the following:

  • The parent’s ability, willingness, and effort to address the issues identified in the Family Plan of Service.
  • The safety of the children who may be in the home.
  • The parent’s interaction with any children who may be in the home.
  • The parent’s ability, willingness, and efforts to care for the children in the home and meet their needs, particularly safety needs.
  • Each child’s progress and ability to protect himself or herself.

6544 Following Up

CPS September 2026

As follow-up to a monthly visit, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker does as follows:

  • Ensures that any identified needs of the child are addressed.
  • Ensures that any identified needs of the family are addressed.
  • Revises the Family Plan of Service as needed.

6550 Completing a Risk Reassessment Tool

CPS September 2026

The purpose of the Risk Reassessment tool is to help DFPS or SSCC staff assess whether the risk to child safety has decreased enough for DFPS or the SSCC to recommend closing a case. The tool helps them see whether the family’s behaviors and actions have changed.

The Risk Reassessment tool combines items from the original Risk Assessment tool with additional items that evaluate a family’s progress toward the goals in the Family Plan of Service.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker completes a Risk Reassessment tool at least every 90 days after all children whose goal was reunification with the parent from whom they were removed have returned home.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker completes the Risk Reassessment tool sooner if the case has any of the following:

  • A court review.
  • New circumstances.
  • New information that could affect risk.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker continues to use the Reunification Assessment tool (not the Risk Reassessment tool) to assess the family if there is a plan for another child or children to return to the home.

See the Risk Reassessment Procedure and Reference Manual.

6560 Closing a Case with a Child in a Parent's Home

6561 Tasks Required before Dismissal

CPS September 2026

Before recommending that the court dismiss DFPS conservatorship, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker completes a Safety Assessment tool on the home. The completed Safety Assessment tool requires the DFPS or SSCC supervisor’s approval.

When the court dismisses DFPS as conservator, DFPS or the SSCC does the following:

  • Updates the Legal Status in IMPACT within 24 hours.
  • Notifies eligibility staff about the dismissal within seven days.
  • Enters an end date for the child’s placement in IMPACT with a reason for removing the child that is consistent with the reason for closing the case.

See Safety Assessment Resource Guide.

6562 Tasks Required before Closure

CPS September 2026

If the court dismisses DFPS conservatorship, DFPS or the SSCC does the following:

  • Files any paper documentation in the case record.
  • Completes a Closing Summary under each IMPACT stage.
  • Closes each IMPACT or SSCC data management stage.
  • Submits the IMPACT or SSCC data management stages and case record for the DFPS or SSCC supervisor’s approval.
  • Notifies contractors who are providing services to the child and family that DFPS or the SSCC is closing the case.

When the case is being closed, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker returns certain documents and items to the child’s parents, as follows (if this was not already done when the child returned home):

  • The child’s clothing and toys.
  • Photographs.
  • The child’s medication, if any. (If the prescription is nearly empty, a current refill is necessary so the family will have time to make an appointment with a physician to get it refilled.)
  • Two Texas Health Steps brochures:
  • Don’t Miss a Beat (medical and dental checkups).
  • Brush up on Healthy Habits (dental checkups and tips).
  • The DFPS or SSCC caseworker makes a copy of the following items and gives the originals to the child’s parents:
  • The child’s birth certificate.
  • The child’s Social Security card.
  • A copy of the final court order.
  • The child’s school records, including the most recent report card.
  • The child’s medical and dental reports, exams, and information in the Health Passport.
  • The child’s immunization record.
  • The child’s psychological evaluation (when appropriate).
  • The child’s Medicaid card (valid until the end of the month in which the child leaves DFPS care).

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker makes sure that the parent knows how to get Medicaid for the child or helps the parent do so, if the child qualifies for Medicaid. The caseworker also gives the family information on local reduced-cost insurance programs for children, such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), if needed.

6563 Approval for Case Closure

CPS September 2026

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker submits each closed IMPACT or SSCC data management system stage to the DFPS or SSCC supervisor for approval to close the case.

 

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