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10000 Services to Older Youth in Care or Young Adults No Longer in Care

CPS September 2026

The objective of the Transitional Living Services program is to provide a systemic and integrated approach in transition planning, services, and benefits that affect both older youth in foster care and those who have aged out of foster care.

Services include:

  • Independent Life Skills training and case management services.
  • Medicaid coverage until age 26.
  • Higher education benefits.
  • Programs to extend foster care or for youth to return to foster care.

See Transitional Living Services Resource Guide for details.

10100 Transition Planning for Older Youth

CPS September 2026

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must provide transition planning services and develop a transition plan with all youth ages 14 and older. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must update and review the plan according to the Circle of Support (COS) meeting time frames.

Texas Family Code §264.121 (a-4 and a-5)

Texas Family Code §263.4041

42 United States Code (U.S.C.) §675 (5)(H)

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1201

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1212

10110 Housing Plan

CPS September 2026

A housing plan is completed in three stages. DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff and DFPS and SSCC caseworkers must collaborate and document all actions.

42 U.S.C. §675 (5)(H)

10120 Transition Centers for Youth

CPS September 2026

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent refers current and former foster youth, ages 15 to 25, to transition centers, which provide tailored comprehensive services and case management to support their successful transition into adulthood. Transition centers provide referrals and coordinated access to various transitional living services. Each center is individually operated and partners with DFPS, SSCCs, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), and many other local, state, and federal agencies and programs.

See the DFPS website for locations and contact information for Transition Centers.

Texas Family Code §264.121(f)

42 U.S.C. §677

40 TAC §700.1603

40 TAC §700.1604

10130 Overview of Healthcare Coverage for Youth and Young Adults Who Age Out of Foster Care

CPS September 2026

Texas is required to provide Medicaid coverage to youth and young adults under age 26 who were in foster care and were receiving Medicaid when they aged out of foster care.

42 U.S.C. §1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX)

The DFPS and SSCC caseworker and DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent must provide the youth or young adult with information about the Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) and Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) healthcare programs.

Texas Family Code §264.121(a-7)

The following programs are available to former foster youth:

  • The Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) program provides healthcare coverage for young adults, age 18 through age 25, who were in Texas foster care on their 18th birthday or older, and have since aged out of foster care.
  • The Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) Program provides a young adult, ages 18 through 20 who was in DFPS foster care, but is not eligible for the FFCC program, healthcare coverage.

See Medicaid for Transitioning and Former Foster Care Youth.

Texas Human Resources Code §32.0247

10200 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)

CPS September 2026

The Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) program prepares youth for adult life when they leave foster care. The program provides benefits, resources, services, and supports to help youth become healthy, productive adults. The program makes efforts to connect youth to community resources they will need in their transition to a successful adulthood.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1601-1604

10210 Targeted Priority Population

CPS September 2026

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent must provide PAL services to:

  • Youth in DFPS paid-substitute care who are age 16 or older and likely to remain in care until age 18.
  • Young adults who have aged out of DFPS conservatorship at age 18 or have left the Extended Foster Care Program. Services can be provided up to the young adult’s 21st birthday, as long as he or she is meeting the required qualifications.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1602

10220 Additional Eligible Population

CPS September 2026

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent may provide PAL services, based upon funding availability, to eligible populations.

See 42 U.S.C. §677 (Section 477 of the Social Security Act).

10230 PAL Eligibility for Youth Placed in a Title IV-E Placement by the TJJD or a CJPD

CPS September 2026

DFPS and single source continuum contractors (SSCCs) provide Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Life Skills Training for youth who:

  • Are not in DFPS conservatorship.
  • Are placed in a Title IV-E placement by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) or a county juvenile probation department (CJPD).
  • are age 16 or older and receiving Title IV-E foster care maintenance payments (Title IV-E placement).
  • Are likely to remain in a Title IV-E placement until they turn age 18 or older.
  • Meet all other eligibility requirements.

Youth Who Age Out

DFPS and SSCCs provide Aftercare Room and Board services for youth who:

  • Are placed in a Title IV-E placement by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) or by a County Juvenile Probation Department (CJPD) and receive Title IV-E foster care maintenance payments.
  • Age out of the Title IV-E placement at age 18 or older.
  • Meet all other eligibility requirements.

See 42 U.S.C. §677 (Section 477 of the Social Security Act).

10240 Review of the Texas Foster Care Handbook

CPS September 2026

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent reviews the Texas Foster Care Handbook for Children, Youth &Young Adults with each youth on the staff member’s workload when the youth is at least age 15 and 6 months but no later than the youth’s 16th birthday. If a youth comes into foster care after turning 16, DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent reviews the Texas Foster Care Handbook with the youth within 60 days after the youth is assigned to the staff member’s workload.

The review occurs in person.

Exception: For youth who live outside the legal region, the Texas Foster Care Handbook review may be completed with the youth virtually or by phone.

DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent gives the youth a copy of the Texas Foster Care Handbook if the youth does not already have one and documents the handbook review in IMPACT.

10250 Required Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Services

CPS September 2026

A youth in DFPS-paid substitute care, who is age 16 or older, must receive a Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Independent Life Skills assessment and life skills training, unless the youth refuses to do so. DFPS PAL staff or SSCC equivalent must document efforts to encourage the youth to accept these services.

DFPS PAL staff or SSCC equivalent must inform a youth eligible to receive these services that participation in PAL Life Skills Training (for a youth able to participate in training) is a prerequisite for receiving the transitional living allowance.

For youth with disabilities, DFPS PAL staff or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent must work with the following:

  • Conservatorship caseworker
  • Education specialist
  • Developmental disability specialist
  • Local permanency specialist
  • Other equivalent SSCCs

40 TAC §700.1601-1604

10251 Life Skills Assessment

CPS September 2026

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent must ensure that a life skills assessment, appropriate to the youth’s individual needs, is conducted to assess the youth’s general readiness to live independently. DFPS and SSCC use the Casey Life Skills Assessment instrument.

DFPS PAL staff, an SSCC equivalent, or a PAL contract provider must administer the assessment according to the following time frames:

  • If DFPS obtained permanent managing conservatorship before the youth turned 14 years old, within six months after the youth’s 14th birthday.
  • If DFPS obtained permanent managing conservatorship after the youth’s 14th birthday, within six months after obtaining permanent managing conservatorship.
  • If the youth is in DFPS temporary managing conservatorship, within six months after the youth’s 16th birthday.
  • If the youth enters care at age 16 or older, within six months after the youth enters care.

DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must:

  • Ensure that an assessment is completed no later than the end of the PAL Life Skills Training for each youth.
  • Explain the life skills assessment results to the youth.
  • Must ensure the primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker receives a copy of the youth’s assessment results.

The primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker must:

  • Collaborate with PAL to include the needs of the youth, identified in the assessment, in the Child’s Plan of Service (CPOS).
  • Conduct an annual update of the independent living skills the youth learned the preceding year to ensure the youth is being prepared for a successful transition to adulthood.
  • Review the original assessment responses and document the youth’s progress and continued needs in the youth’s CPOS.

Texas Family Code §264.121

10252 Life Skills Training

CPS September 2026

A youth or young adult receives Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Life Skills Training if the youth or young adult is in DFPS conservatorship and age 16 or older, or in extended foster care. DFPS PAL staff or SSCC equivalent work with the DFPS or SSCC primary caseworker to make sure the youth or young adult receives the training.

If the youth or young adult refuses to participate, DFPS PAL staff, an SSCC equivalent, or the primary DFPS or SSCC worker must ask the youth or young adult to sign Form 2526 PAL Life Skills Training Refusal  in the Transitional Living Services Resource Guide.

DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must ensure the youth or young adult completes five of six core areas that must include financial management. The youth or young adult must receive at least five hours of training in a core area to complete it.

For youth with a developmental or intellectual disability that precludes them from participation in Life Skills Training classes, DFPS PAL staff work with the DFPS or SSCC caseworker, the DFPS education specialist, and the DFPS developmental disability specialist, and utilizes such documents as the following:

  • Admission Review Dismissal (ARD) meeting notes.
  • Individual Education Plan (IEP).
  • Individual Transition Plan (ITP).
  • Plans of service.
  • Other similar documents to record life skills training that the youth has received, in order to provide equivalent credit for completion of Life Skills Training.

The primary DFPS or SSCC caseworker makes sure the youth or young adult has the opportunity, within the youth’s placement or through other experiential activities, to use the skills learned in the training.

DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must ensure that the youth meets the training requirement and all other qualifications to be eligible for the transitional living allowance.

Texas Family Code §264.121

10253 Life Skills Independent Study Guide

CPS September 2026

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent must do all of the following:

  • Refer youth to PAL Life Skills Training classes beginning at age 16.
  • Preapprove requests for a youth to complete the PAL Life Skills Independent Study Guide instead of attending PAL Life Skills Training classes.
  • Approve credit for completing any or all of the six core curriculum areas of the guide.

Texas Family Code §264.121(a-1)(a-2)

42 U.S.C. §677 (a-3)

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1601

2009 HB 1912, Section 3(B)

10254 Trafficking Awareness

CPS September 2026

Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) case management must also include providing information to youth and young adults about the dangers of human sex trafficking and labor trafficking.

If DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent has reason to believe that a youth or young adult has been, or is at risk of being, a victim of trafficking, he or she must follow policy regarding working with confirmed or suspected victims of human trafficking.

42 U.S.C. §671

10260 Young Adults Residing with a Designated Perpetrator of Abuse or Neglect

CPS September 2026

A young adult residing with a person designated as a past or current perpetrator of abuse or neglect is not eligible for PAL services, unless DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent determines that the perpetrator poses no threat to the young adult’s health or safety. If DFPS PAL staff, an SSCC equivalent, or the DFPS or SSCC contract provider identifies a potential threat, he or she must report it to state office Transitional Living Services (TLS) staff with details for final determination before services are provided.

Texas Family Code §264.121(d)

40 TAC §700.1604

10270 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Transitional Living Allowance (TLA)

CPS September 2026

The Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Transitional Living Allowance (TLA) provides funds to assist a youth or young adult with expenses associated with transitioning to a successful adulthood. A youth or young adult may receive up to $1,000.

To meet eligibility requirements for the Transitional Living Allowance, any substitution of PAL Life Skills Training hours or variance must be approved by the DFPS PAL supervisor or SSCC equivalent. DFPS PAL staff or SSCC equivalent must document the circumstances supporting the substitution or variance, including when a youth or young adult is unable to participate in training due to the youth’s or young adult’s level of functioning.

 40 TAC §700.1603(c)

The Transitional Living Allowance (TLA) is provided as part of the young adult’s financial management skills development. See the Transitional Living Services Resource Guide for information on the maximum total allowance criteria.

 DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or an SSCC equivalent must:

  • Ensure the maximum allowance amount for eligible young adults does not exceed the established criteria.
  • Deliver the allowance to the young adult in person, unless the young adult lives outside of Texas or has a designated payee.

All payments must be made before the young adult’s 21st birthday.

DFPS PAL staff, an SSCC equivalent, or the DFPS PAL or SSCC contract provider must use the DFPS PAL Aftercare Report in IMPACT to designate how the young adult is spending the money. If during case management activities DFPS PAL or an SSCC equivalent, or the PAL contract provider determines that the funds are not being used as intended, they must suspend funding.

42 U.S.C. §677 (a-4)

40 TAC §700.1603(c)

40 TAC §700.1604

10271 PAL Transitional Living Allowance When a Young Adult Will Be Living with a Parent after Aging Out of Foster Care

CPS September 2026

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff, an SSCC equivalent, or the PAL contract provider must verify there is a written agreement between the parent and young adult that ensures the funds will be spent on transitional living costs.

Texas Family Code §264.121(d)

42 U.S.C. §677 (a-4)

10272 Suspending PAL Transitional Living Allowance Payments

CPS September 2026

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff, an SSCC equivalent, or the PAL contractor must suspend the transitional living allowance (TLA) if the young adult:

  • Is living with a designated perpetrator of abuse or neglect, and DFPS determines this person poses a threat to the health and safety of the young adult.
  • Is incarcerated.
  • Is not:
    • Employed or actively seeking employment (for those young adults who are able to work).
    • In school.
    • Receiving vocational or pre-vocational training services.
  • Refuses to provide required information.
  • Is using the allowance for illegal activities or purchasing items for other persons.

If DFPS PAL or an SSCC equivalent suspends a young adult’s allowance, then reinstates it, the last payment must take place within 12 months of the first payment before the suspension. All payments must be made within the 12-month period. If TLA payments are suspended, DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must inform young adults of the reasons for the suspension.

If any of the above situations change, and the youth or young adult is eligible, the TLA payments must be reinstated.

Texas Family Code §264.121(d)

42 U.S.C. §677 (a-4)

10280 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Aftercare Room and Board

CPS September 2026

The purpose of Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Aftercare Room and Board is to prevent or alleviate homelessness and help young adults achieve more positive outcomes in adulthood. Young adults eligible for this:

  • Have aged out of foster care but has not yet reached age 21.
  • Show a need for emergency or stabilizing assistance in the transition from foster care to successful adulthood. 42 U.S.C. §677.

For qualifications for PAL Aftercare Room and Board, see the TLS Resource Guide

DFPS PAL staff, an SSCC equivalent, or the PAL contractor must ensure the young adult meets the qualifications before authorizing PAL Aftercare Room and Board payments and case management for a young adult who:

  • Was placed in a Title IV-E by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) or a county juvenile probation department and receives Title IV-E foster care maintenance payments.
  • Aged out of care in that placement.

42 U.S.C. §677

40 TAC §700.1604

10281 Limitations While Receiving ETV or in Extended Foster Care for PAL Aftercare Room and Board

CPS September 2026

DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must determine if a young adult is in the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program or in an extended foster care placement, as this may limit the young adult’s access to PAL Aftercare Room and Board funds.

42 U.S.C. §677

40 TAC §700.1617

10282 Assessing the Amount for PAL Aftercare Room and Board Payment

CPS September 2026

Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or an SSCC equivalent must ensure the PAL contract provider (or in special circumstances, PAL staff) assesses the young adult’s current situation to determine:

  • If he or she will receive assistance.
  • The amount he or she will receive.

42 U.S.C. §677

10283 Allowable Expenditures and Payment Limits for PAL Aftercare Room and Board

CPS September 2026

DFPS PAL staff, an SSCC equivalent, or the PAL contractor must ensure only allowable expenditures are paid for.

42 U.S.C. §677

10284 Payment Limits for PAL Aftercare Room and Board

CPS September 2026

Payments must not exceed $500 per month per young adult. The regional Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) supervisor or a single source continuum contractor (SSCC) equivalent must approve exceptions to the per-month amount.

The total amount of accumulated payments for PAL Aftercare Room and Board assistance to a young adult between the ages of 18 and 21 must not exceed $3,000. Exceptions may be considered in an emergency or in special circumstances. The regional PAL supervisor or an SSCC equivalent must approve these exceptions and notify the state office PAL staff.

The PAL contractor, DFPS PAL staff, or an SSCC equivalent must maintain receipts.

The regional lead DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must approve a direct one-time emergency payment that is over $50.

42 U.S.C. §677

10290 National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)

CPS September 2026

DFPS PAL staff and an SSCC equivalent staff must ensure data is collected and reported to the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) through the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD).

DFPS PAL staff and an SSCC equivalent must enter into IMPACT the Independent Living Services received by youth and young adults within the designated times for each reporting period. See the chart of Independent Living Services in the NYTD Manual called PAL and Other IMPACT Data Mapped to an NYTD Reportable Service.

Sec. 477. [42 U.S.C. §677]

10291 NYTD Survey

CPS September 2026

The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) survey is a federal survey that states must administer to certain youth and young adults. DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must:

  • Track completion of and assist youth with taking the survey.
  • Explore all options to locate youth and young adults in the survey population.
  • Complete Form 2004 Request for “Quick Find” Records Search for each person being located.

If DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent are unsuccessful in attempting to locate youth or young adults using information provided as a result of submitting Form 2004, they must complete Form 2277 Request for Diligent Search to further search for youth or young adults by identifying possible known family members or fictive kin.

DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must enter in the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) service data for youth from a different state and survey responses for youth in a Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) placement.

Sec. 477. [42 U.S.C. §677]

10291.1 Reporting Data Due Dates

CPS September 2026

DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must have data entered and any errors corrected by May 6th and November 6th.

Sec. 477. [42 U.S.C. §677]

10291.2 Outcome Reporting Status

CPS September 2026

DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must:

  • Report why a survey was not completed for a young adult.
  • Enter a narrative under support services that describes the efforts made to complete the survey.
  • Complete one narrative listing the efforts over the 45-day period for the baseline survey population.
  • Complete at least one narrative that lists ongoing efforts to locate youth for the follow-up survey population.

DFPS PAL staff or an SSCC equivalent must enter a designated National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) contact in IMPACT for a youth who completes the survey at age 17, if the youth provides one.

Sec. 477. [42 U.S.C. §677]

10300 Post-Secondary Education Programs

10310 College Tuition and Fee Exemption Information

CPS September 2026

The college tuition and fee exemption program is a state law that exempts payment of tuition and fees at state-supported colleges or universities for eligible foster youth currently or formerly in DFPS conservatorship and for those adopted from DFPS.

Texas Education Code §54.366

Texas Education Code §54.367

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1630

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker, as well as the DFPS Preparation for Adult Living staff or SSCC equivalent, must inform youth, young adults, and child care providers, if applicable, about the college tuition and fee exemption and its purpose.

Refer to the College Tuition and Fee Waiver page for more information, including eligibility criteria.

10311 Issuing the College Tuition and Fee Exemption Letter

CPS September 2026

DFPS or SSCC staff issue the college tuition and fee exemption letter to the student. The student submits the letter to the school that he or she attends as part of the school’s application process. While DFPS or SSCC staff issues the letter, the school decides whether to grant the tuition and fee exemption.

DFPS State Office staff, DFPS regional Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or the SSCC equivalent, and the DFPS eligibility specialists must use IMPACT information to determine whether the tuition and fee exemption letter can be issued. Once designated staff determines that the youth or young adult can receive the letter, the designated staff must:

  • Complete Form 1810 Texas State College Tuition and Fee Waiver.
  • Provide the youth or young adult with the completed and signed Form 1810.
  • Document in IMPACT that the form was provided to the youth or young adult.
  • Upload the completed and signed Form 1810 into OneCase/NeuDocs

As part of a youth’s case planning, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must inform the youth of the college exemption before the youth ages out of foster care.

10311.1 DFPS PAL Staff or SSCC Equivalent Responsibilities for College Tuition and Fee Exemption

CPS September 2026

DFPS regional Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or SSCC equivalent must research and determine if the college tuition and fee exemption letter can be issued to the youth based on one of the following eligibility criteria:

  • The youth, while in DFPS’s conservatorship, is taking a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit.
  • The youth was in DFPS conservatorship at one of the following times:
    • On the day preceding his or her 18th birthday.
    • On or after the student’s 14th birthday, and the student was eligible for adoption on or after that day (refer inquiries to Adoption Assistance eligibility specialists).
    • On the day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma.
    • On the day permanent managing conservatorship of the student was granted to a person other than the student’s parent, if that date is on or after September 1, 2009.
    • At age 14 or older on or after June 1, 2016, and subsequently exited DFPS’s permanent managing conservatorship to a parent’s legal responsibility (a parent means a biological parent, an adoptive parent, or a parent whose parental rights have been terminated).
    • At age 16 or older on or after June 1, 2016, and subsequently exited DFPS’s temporary managing conservatorship to a parent’s legal responsibility (a parent means a biological parent, an adoptive parent, or a parent whose parental rights have been terminated).

Texas Education Code §54.366

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC, §700.1630

10320 The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program

CPS September 2026

The federal Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program, which DFPS administers, provides financial assistance to youth and young adults in post-secondary and vocational or technical programs. Eligible youth or young adults may receive up to $5,000 per year. 

The ETV program is federally funded, and all federal law and policy must be followed.

The goal of the Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program is to help eligible foster care students pay for education-related expenses and provide needed support to meet their educational goals while attending a public, private, or non-profit college, technical college, or certificate program.

42 U.S.C. §677

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1613

10321 Verifying Eligibility

CPS September 2026

DFPS PAL staff or the SSCC equivalent must verify the student is informed of and meets Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) general eligibility and citizenship status requirements indicated on Form 1016 Verifying Eligibility for the Education and Training Voucher Program.

42 U.S.C. §677

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1613

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1625

10330 Employment Preference for Former Foster Youth

CPS September 2026

A person who was in DFPS permanent managing conservatorship on the day before the person’s 18th birthday is entitled to a preference in employment with a state agency over other applicants for the same position who do not have a greater qualification.

Texas Government Code, Chapter 672

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff or SSCC equivalent must do the following:

  • Give Form 1013 Employment Preference Letter to eligible young adults when they reach age 18 and as requested by the young adult afterward. The DFPS regional director or program administrator or SSCC equivalent must sign the preference letter before it is provided to the young adult.
  • Provide information about the employment preference at Circle of Support meetings, Transition Planning meetings, and other transitioning youth events.
  • Provide Information about the employment preference to PAL contract providers, transition centers, and others known to be working with transitioning youth and young adults.

10400 Extended Foster Care for Young Adults

CPS September 2026

Extended Foster Care is a voluntary program that allows a young adult to reside in a paid or contracted foster care placement after DFPS legal conservatorship ends. The young adult is eligible for Extended Foster Care if he or she is at least 18 years old and participating in qualifying activities and if a placement is available. Such extended placements include:

  • Foster family homes
  • Foster group homes
  • Residential treatment centers (RTC)
  • Emergency shelters
  • Transitional living programs
  • Supervised Independent Living (SIL) placements
  • Facilities under the authority of other state agencies

Young adults in Extended Foster Care:

Young adults may also be eligible to return to Extended Foster Care. See 10500 Trial Independence and Return for Extended Foster Care.

Texas Family Code § 263.601

Texas Family Code §264.101(a-1), (a-2)

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.346

10410 Preparation Required When a Youth Plans To Stay in Extended Foster Care

10411 Within 90 Days Before the Youth’s 18th Birthday

CPS September 2026

For youth who elect to enter Extended Foster Care after turning 18 and as part of the transition planning process, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must do all of the following within 90 days before the youth’s 18th birthday:

  • Conduct a face-to-face meeting with the youth explaining the requirements the youth must meet while in Extended Foster Care and his or her continued eligibility to remain in extended foster care.
  • Discuss Form 2541 Extended Care: Rights and Responsibilities and the Extended Foster Care pamphlet (see the Extended Foster Care page for English and Spanish versions of the pamphlet).
  • Explain the Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement (VEFCA) form with the youth and have the youth sign the agreement.
  • Request that the court authorize an extension of court jurisdiction for 12 months at the last placement review hearing before the youth’s 18th birthday. See 5611 Actions Required by the Caseworker for All Youth Aging Out of DFPS Conservatorship.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.346

Texas Family Code §263.601-608

42 USC §675 (5)(H)

10412 Actions Required As Soon as Possible After the 18th Birthday

CPS September 2026

For youth who elect to stay in Extended Foster Care after turning 18, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must do all of the following as soon as possible after the young adult’s 18th birthday as part of the transition planning process:

  • File a notice of dismissal of the court’s conservatorship and update the court on the status of extended jurisdiction. See 5611 Actions Required by the Caseworker for All Youth Aging out of DFPS Conservatorship.
  • Verify the Legal Status in IMPACT to show DFPS responsibility was terminated within seven days after the youth turned 18.
  • Document the extension of court jurisdiction as discussed in Form 2050 IMPACT Documentation of Trial Independence.
  • Verify if the youth is receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). If so, the youth must sign the Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement (VEFCA) and Financial Agreement to sign over the monthly Social Security benefit to DFPS.
  • Send the foster care eligibility specialist a copy of the signed VEFCA Financial Agreement. If the SSA sends monthly benefit checks directly to the young adult, he or she must send the checks to the appropriate regional Children’s Income Account (CIA) office. Benefits are deposited into the CIA and used against the cost of care. (If the cost of care is less than the monthly payment, the remaining is conserved for the young adult’s future use.)
  • Ensure the youth’s child plan of service (CPOS) and transition plan are updated to address long-term goals while in care.
  • Complete and submit a Foster Care Review to the foster care eligibility specialist through IMPACT. The caseworker must also send the specialist documents verifying the youth meets at least one of the educational or work-related criteria for extended foster care assistance (see 10421 Eligibility for Extended Foster Care), or that the youth is unable to do so due to a documented medical condition. If the foster care eligibility specialist does not approve Extended Foster Care, the young adult’s foster care placement and the foster care eligibility ends on the last day of the month of the young adult’s 18th birthday.

Texas Family Code §263.601-608

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.346

10420 Qualifying for Extended Foster Care

CPS September 2026

Before a young adult may enter Extended Foster Care, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must verify that a placement is available, and the young adult must:

  • Have been in DFPS conservatorship the day before his or her 18th birthday.
  • Sign a Form 2540 Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement (VEFCA). If the young adult has a physical or intellectual disability.
  • Meet at least one of the education or work-related eligibility criteria or be incapable of performing all of those activities due to a documented medical condition. See the following table.

To continue to receive foster care, a young adult must be…

and...

18, 19, or 20 years old…

Meet at least one of the education or work-related eligibility criteria:

  • Regularly attending high school or a program leading to a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate (GED).
  • Regularly attending an institution of higher learning or postsecondary vocational or technical program (minimum six hours per semester).
  • Participating in a program or activity that promotes or removes barriers to employment.
  • Employed at least 80 hours a month.
  • Incapable of performing the activities described above due to a documented medical condition.

21 years old…

Regularly attending high school or a program leading to a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate (GED).

For the young adult to continue being eligible for Extended Foster Care, the caseworker must confirm annually that the young adult is meeting one or more of the education or work-related criteria. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must ensure that the young adult maintains sufficient documentation as required by the terms of the young adult’s VEFCA and provides this documentation to the caregiver or the caseworker upon request.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must inform a young adult regularly attending either high school or a high school equivalency certificate (GED) program that he or she may remain eligible until whichever of the following occurs first:

  • The young adult completes or withdraws from the program.
  • The young adult turns 22 years old, in which case eligibility ends on the last day of the month of the young adult’s birthday.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must inform a young adult in higher education or a work-related activity, or who is incapacitated, that she or he remains eligible for Extended Foster Care until whichever of the following occurs first:

  • The young adult completes or withdraws from the program.
  • The young adult turns 21 years old, in which case eligibility ends on the last day of the month of the young adult’s birthday.

Texas Family Code §264.101(a-1), (a-2)

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.346

In the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide, see the Redetermining Foster Care Eligibility at 18 section.

10421 Transitioning Between Education or Work-Related Activities

CPS September 2026

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must inform the young adult that:

  • Participation in a qualifying educational or work-related activity is required to remain eligible for Extended Foster Care.
  • If participation in the current activity ends, the young adult has up to 30 days to begin another qualifying educational or work-related activity to maintain continuous eligibility for Extended Foster Care.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must help the young adult make the necessary transitions between educational and work-related programs. The young adult must make diligent efforts to enroll and participate in a qualifying activity within the 30-day transition period. If the young adult does not begin a qualifying activity within 30 days, the young adult is no longer eligible for Extended Foster Care.

10421.1 Enrollment in a Higher Education Program or a Post-Secondary Vocational or Technical School

CPS September 2026

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must inform the young adult that he or she remains eligible for Extended Foster Care if he or she does both of the following:

  • Completes his or her high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate (GED) program and is accepted into one of the following:
    • A higher educational program.
    • A post-secondary vocational or technical program with regular terms.
    • An online distance learning program that leads to a degree or certificate.
  • Begins taking the required number of class hours in the first regular semester that begins after the young adult graduates or obtains a GED.

A young adult not enrolled in at least six hours of higher education or vocational or technical classes per semester must participate in or attend another education or work-related activity. A young adult whose eligibility is based on enrollment in higher education must be encouraged to use the time productively during summer months and between regular terms, but he or she remains eligible for Extended Foster Care as long as he or she is enrolled in at least six hours of classes in each regular term.

Texas Family Code §264.101(a-1), (a-2)

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.346

10422 Monitoring Continued Participation and Annual Eligibility Review

CPS September 2026

Once eligibility is established, the  DFPS or SSCC caseworker must conduct monthly face-to-face meetings with the young adult to ensure that he or she is continuing to meet the eligibility requirements.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must document, in the monthly contact narrative, the information obtained from the young adult that demonstrates his or her continued eligibility for extended foster care.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker also must provide annual verification to the foster care eligibility specialist ensuring that the young adult meets at least one of the educational and work-related criteria for Extended Foster Care assistance. Acceptable methods or types of verification vary by Extended Foster Care eligibility criteria. In the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide, see the Ongoing Review of Eligibility for Extended Services section for annual eligibility procedures for Extended Foster Care.

10423 Issues Signing the VEFCA for a Young Adult with a Physical or Intellectual Disability

10423.1 Physically Unable to Sign VEFCA

CPS September 2026

If the young adult understands and agrees to sign Form 2540 Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement (VEFCA) but has a physical disability making it difficult for the young adult to sign, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker may assist by marking an “X” or signing the young adult’s name before two witnesses who also sign the form. The witnesses who also sign the form must sign a statement located on the form stating that the caseworker explained the agreement and the young adult understood the agreement and agreed to mark or sign the form.

10423.2 Mental Capacity Issues in Signing the VEFCA

CPS September 2026

If the DFPS or SSCC caseworker has concerns that a youth under 18 years old may not have the mental capacity to understand the Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement (VEFCA), the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must work with the youth’s attorney ad litem (AAL) or guardian ad litem (GAL). The AAL or GAL must sign the VEFCA along with the youth to indicate agreement with the youth’s participation in Extended Foster Care.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must make every attempt to discuss the youth’s history and current intellectual capacity with the youth’s therapist, caregiver, and any other person with relevant information in order to help the AAL or GAL determine the wishes of the youth.

In addition, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must work with the DFPS regional disability specialist to determine if a referral for guardianship is appropriate.

See the HHSC Guardianship Provider Handbook, 2411 Appropriateness for HHSC Guardianship.

10430 Casework Activity for Young Adults in Extended Foster Care

10431 Casework Activity

CPS September 2026

When a young adult is in Extended Foster Care, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must continue to do the following:

  • Conduct face-to-face monthly visits, including discussions with the young adult about his or her progress on Extended Foster Care goals, eligibility requirements, and other transition plan goals.
  • If needed, request a local permanency specialist, and communicate regularly on the young adult’s progress.
  • Assist with information about other transitional living services or support services as needed.
  • Conduct quarterly face-to-face visits with the caregiver, unless more frequent contact is needed or requested.
  • Review the service plan with the young adult at least every six months. Focus on what the young adult will do to meet his or her own needs with support from the caregiver, as needed.
  • Review the young adult’s Child’s Plan of Service.
  • During monthly visits, obtain copies of required documentation for the young adult’s educational and work activities. In the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide, see Redetermining Foster Care Eligibility at 18 for types of documentation.
  • Request updates as required for service level reviews on moderate, specialized, and intense levels.
  • Request updates as required for Supervised Independent Living (SIL).
  • Request Circles of Support meetings, as appropriate, and participate if scheduled.
  • Identify caring adults in the young adult’s life.
  • Document contacts and other activities in IMPACT.
  • Prepare documents required for and participate in court reviews held every six months, as identified in 5622 Actions Required by the Caseworker for Young Adults in Extended Foster Care.
  • Request the redetermination of foster care eligibility annually in IMPACT, and send supporting documentation to the foster care eligibility specialist. The caseworker continues these reviews until the young adult is age 21 (or 22 if the young adult is in high school or a GED program). In the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide, see Ongoing Review of Eligibility for Extended Services.
  • Continue to assess for human trafficking. If a young adult is returning from trial independence or returning to care, see 10150 Victims of Trafficking.
  • File copies of all records provided by the SIL provider in the young adult’s case record, if the young adult is in a SIL program.

In the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide, see the Casework Activity for Young Adults in Extended Foster Care section.

10432 Medical Consenter Issues and Documentation

CPS September 2026

Young adults are legally entitled to make their own medical decisions at age 18, unless the Health and Human Services Commission or another person or entity is appointed by a probate court as their legal guardian. For a young adult in Extended Foster Care who is at least 18 years old, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must:

  • Not issue Form 2085-B Placement Authorization, as this form is only used for minor children in DFPS conservatorship.
  • Document that the young adult is his or her own primary medical consenter on the IMPACT Medical Consent page.
  • If applicable, document the backup medical consenter on the IMPACT Medical Consent page (this is the caregiver or CPS staff that the young adult authorized on his or her Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement to facilitate health care or access his or her Health Passport).
  • Ensure that caregivers and health care providers are aware that the young adult is his or her own medical consenter.
  • Contact the DFPS developmental disability specialist if there is a concern that the young adult may not have the capacity to consent to his or her own medical care and needs a legal guardian.

10433 Sealed Juvenile Justice Records

CPS September 2026

If the young adult has juvenile justice records that have been sealed by the court, information about those records must not be released.

Texas Family Code Chapter 58

The court automatically seals records about delinquent conduct for misdemeanor adjudications and conduct in need of supervision, if the person is at least 19 years old and meets certain other qualifications. Consult with the regional attorney or juvenile justice liaison if needed.

10440 If the Young Adult Goes Missing

CPS September 2026

Young adults are free to go where they want and can leave care at any time. If there is any reason to suspect foul play, the young adult goes missing under unusual circumstances, or the young adult has disabilities that would make him or her vulnerable, DFPS or SSCC staff must follow policy in 6460 When a Child or Youth is Missing from DFPS Conservatorship.

10450 Supervised Independent Living (SIL)

10451 Overview and Purpose of SIL

CPS September 2026

Supervised Independent Living (SIL) settings are living arrangements offered through the Extended Foster Care program. They allow young adults to reside in a less-restrictive, non-traditional foster care setting while receiving casework and support services to become independent and self-sufficient. See the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide for types of SIL settings.

Placement into SIL settings may be limited by DFPS funding, eligibility, SIL provider vacancies, and the SIL provider’s acceptance criteria.

Young adults placed in SIL settings have minimal supervision and case management from the SIL provider. This arrangement allows young adults to experience living independently, practice necessary independent living skills, and achieve self-sufficiency in a supportive environment before leaving foster care.

The young adult must be able to demonstrate a reasonable level of maturity and ability to manage the expectations required in an SIL setting with minimal supervision and case management.

Young adults with complex needs who require more case management services to successfully adjust to an SIL placement must meet the requirements outlined in 10462 Eligibility for Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Placements.

In the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide, see Rights and Responsibilities of Young Adults While in an SIL Setting.

10452 Eligibility for Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Placements

CPS September 2026

A young adult may be placed in a Supervised Independent Living (SIL) placement only when all of the following apply:

  • The young adult is eligible for Extended Foster Care.
  • DFPS or the SSCC approves the SIL placement as appropriate for the young adult’s needs and level of functioning.
  • An approved SIL placement is available.

The young adult must continue to meet Extended Foster Care eligibility requirements while residing in the SIL placement.

DFPS or the SSCC must continually assess whether the SIL placement remains appropriate and able to meet the young adult’s needs.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.347

10453 Enhanced Case Management Services

CPS September 2026

Enhanced Case Management (ECM) services may be provided to eligible young adults participating in the Supervised Independent Living (SIL) program when additional support is needed to adjust and maintain independence while residing in a SIL placement.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.348

To receive ECM services, the young adult must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Referred, assessed, and approved for the SIL program as determined by DFPS or the SSCC.
  • Placed in an apartment, non-college dorm, shared housing, or host home.
  • Does not require 24-hour supervision while in the SIL program.
  • Has basic self-care skills and the ability to follow a daily routine.
  • Has one or more of the following characteristics:
    • Frequent, but non-violent, antisocial acts.
    • Frequent or unpredictable physical aggression.
    • Depressive behaviors, including being markedly withdrawn and self-isolating.
    • Major self-injurious actions, including attempting suicide in the last 12 months.
    • Current abuse of alcohol, drugs, or other consciousness-altering substances resulting in severe impairment, with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse or dependency.
    • An intellectual or developmental disability.

ECM services include but are not limited to:

  • Assisting the young adult in scheduling, obtaining, and maintaining medical, educational, employment, or other services through community-based providers, governmental agencies, or other organizations.
  • Assisting the young adult in scheduling and arranging transportation to his or her appointments.
  • Developing and monitoring a medication management plan that helps the young adult understand, schedule, and manage his or her medication.
  • Assisting the young adult in improving his or her daily life skills, such as cooking, money management, cleaning, and shopping.

10454 Referral, Assessment, and Approval Process for the Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Program

10454.1 Initial Placement Process

CPS September 2026

To be placed in a Supervised Independent Living (SIL) setting, a young adult must be determined eligible for Extended Foster Care, approved by DFPS or the SSCC, and have an approved SIL placement available.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.347

For information on the referral, assessment, and approval process, see the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide.

Within the first 30 days following a SIL placement, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker, young adult, and SIL provider must discuss the young adult’s needs. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must incorporate identified needs into the service plan, including the young adult’s disaster and safety plan, and obtain the young adult’s signature on the printed plan.

10454.2 Subsequent SIL Placement Process

CPS September 2026

A DFPS or SSCC caseworker may approve a move to a different Supervised Independent Living (SIL) setting with the same or a different SIL provider if there is a valid reason. If the move involves a need for enhanced case management services, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must follow the referral review and approval process outlined in the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide.

10455 Ongoing Caseworker Duties During SIL Placement

CPS September 2026

While a young adult is in a Supervised Independent Living (SIL) setting, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must continue to provide case management services as described under 10441 Casework Activity.

10456 Discharge from the SIL Program

CPS September 2026

A Supervised Independent Living (SIL) placement ends when the young adult does any of the following:

  • Moves to a different SIL provider.
  • Returns to a traditional Extended Foster Care placement.
  • Begins a trial independence period or independence period, if age 21.
  • Is no longer eligible for Extended Foster Care.

All SIL discharges must be planned, with sufficient time to prepare. Unplanned discharges are considered emergency SIL discharges. The SIL provider and caseworker must take all reasonable steps to prevent emergency discharges.

For discharge procedures, see the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide.

10460 Discharge from Extended Foster Care

CPS September 2026

As a voluntary program, discharge from Extended Foster Care can occur at any of the following times:

  • When the young adult completes Extended Foster Care goals.
  • When the young adult loses Extended Foster Care eligibility.
  • At the request of DFPS, the foster caregiver, or the young adult.

All discharges are expected to be planned.

For discharge procedures, see the Extended Foster Care Resource Guide.

10461 Planned Discharge from Extended Foster Care

CPS September 2026

A planned discharge occurs when the young adult is due to complete their Extended Foster Care goals or when eligibility for Extended Foster Care is scheduled to end.

Within 90 days before the planned discharge date, DFPS or the SSCC must hold a permanency planning meeting (PPM). DFPS or the SSCC reviews the young adult’s plans for a successful transition to adulthood during the PPM.

42 USC 675(1)(H)

DFPS or the SSCC must ensure the young adult has all personal records and documents outlined in 6452.2 Additional Personal Documents Provided to Youth before Age 18.

Texas Family Code §264.121

10462 Emergency Discharge from Extended Foster Care

CPS September 2026

An emergency discharge occurs when one of the following occurs:

  • The young adult’s behavior or noncompliance results in the foster caregiver setting a discharge date, and another foster care placement cannot be found.
  • The young adult leaves the placement before the planned end date.

After receiving notification of a young adult’s placement discharge that will result in a discharge from Extended Foster Care, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must attempt to make contact with the young adult and foster caregiver within 24 hours to discuss the emergency discharge and explore alternatives.

If no alternatives can be found, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must review the Transition Plan with the young adult to the best of the caseworker’s ability in the situation.

10463 Discharge to Trial Independence

CPS September 2026

Trial independence begins when the young adult leaves the foster care placement and is not continuing in Extended Foster Care. The substitute care (SUB) stage must be left open during the trial independence period.

10500 Trial Independence and Return for Extended Foster Care

CPS September 2026

If the young adult turned 18 years old while in DFPS managing conservatorship, he or she has a trial independence period for at least six months after leaving care. The young adult may return for Extended Foster Care at any time prior to the month before the young adult’s 21st birthday, provided the young adult meets the requirements discussed above.

Texas Family Code § 263.6015

10510 Trial Independence

CPS September 2026

Trial independence (TI) allows a young adult who is at least 18 years old to voluntarily leave Extended Foster Care for up to six months (or up to 12 months with a court order) and live independently without losing foster care eligibility.

DFPS and SSCC caseworkers are not required to make contact with a young adult on TI or provide any services, unless the young adult requests assistance beyond what the Preparation for Adult Living staff can provide and the request is reasonable or necessary for the situation.

For additional information on trial independence, see the Trial Independence and Return Before Turning 21 Resource Guide.

Texas Family Code § 263.6015

10520 Return for Extended Foster Care

CPS September 2026

A young adult may return for Extended Foster Care if he or she meets the following criteria:

  • Was in DFPS managing conservatorship on his or her 18th birthday.
  • Left care after turning 18.
  • Seeks to return to care before the month preceding his or her 21st birthday.
  • Satisfies all eligibility requirements.

Young Adults with Children

DFPS or SSCC staff must create a Subcare Case Related Special Request – Public Service (SUB C-PB) stage for the young adult’s child. The DFPS foster care eligibility specialist must record eligibility for the child with a Medicaid Eligibility Type of None to ensure a referral is not sent to the Health and Human Services Commission to add foster care eligibility.

For more information, see:

Trial Independence and Return Before Turning 21 Resource Guide

Extended Foster Care Resource Guide (see Young Adult with Dependent Children)

Returning to Extended Foster Care for College Breaks and Holidays

If a young adult is attending college or a vocational or technical program and is not in Extended Foster Care, he or she is eligible to return for Extended Foster Care during semester breaks for at least one month but no more than four months.

When young adults return to the foster home or foster care facility for weekends or breaks during the semester, these are considered visits and not foster care placements.

10521 Referring the Young Adult to PAL Staff or SSCC Equivalent Staff

CPS September 2026

If a DFPS or SSCC caseworker receives an inquiry about a young adult who wants to return for Extended Foster Care, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must direct the person to the regional re-entry coordinator.

10522 Acceptance Criteria for Return to Extended Foster Care

CPS September 2026

Preparation for Adult Living staff or the SSCC equivalent must ensure that all of the following criteria are met before a young adult is accepted into Extended Foster Care:

  • The young adult is 18, 19, or 20 years old.
  • The young adult was in DFPS conservatorship the day before turning 18.
  • The young adult is able to meet at least one of the education or work-related criteria for Extended Foster Care within 30 days of placement as described in 10421 Eligibility for Extended Foster Care, or the young adult is incapable of performing those activities due to a documented medical condition.
  • The young adult, or his or her guardian, is willing to sign or re-sign the Extended Foster Care Agreement.
  • A criminal background check and Central Registry Check is performed. If criminal activity or a Reason to Believe (RTB) finding is found, this could affect the ability to find a placement.
  • There is an available placement willing to accept the young adult.

 DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.346

10530 Roles and Responsibilities of Staff Helping a Young Adult Return for Extended Foster Care

10531 Roles and Responsibilities of PAL Staff

CPS September 2026

DFPS Preparation for Adult Living staff and the SSCC equivalent must do all of the following:

  • Prescreen the young adult for eligibility for returning to Extended Foster Care.
  • Start the return to care process.
  • Refer the case to the assigned regional re-entry liaison.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.346

10532 Re-Entry Liaison

CPS September 2026

The regional re-entry liaison must do all of the following:

  • Evaluate and approve the referral for the young adult wanting to return for Extended Foster Care.
  • Verify the young adult’s legal region (region where DFPS was granted conservatorship).
  • Determine the conservatorship unit to which to assign the returning young adult.
  • Review criminal background information, if available.

Once the re-entry liaison approves the young adult’s return, the case must be assigned to a DFPS or SSCC caseworker quickly so casework activities can be assigned. Until the DFPS or SSCC caseworker is assigned, the re-entry liaison handling the return must briefly continue casework responsibilities.

Once the DFPS or SSCC caseworker is assigned, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must do all of the following:

  • Review the referral information and the situation in IMPACT.
  • Contact the referring worker for additional details.
  • Contact the child placement unit for an update if a placement has not yet been obtained.
  • Assist the young adult as needed.

The  DFPS or SSCC caseworker must also do the following:

  • Ensure that the young adult signs (or resigns) Form 2540 Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement (VEFCA) and, if applicable, Form 2540 SSA Financial Agreement.
  • Continue documentation in the open SUB REG stage if returning during a trial independence period, or casework-related special request (CRSR) case if returning after the trial independence period has ended. If a CRSR case is being used, progress the CRSR from the Intake Return to Care (INT C-RC) stage to the Subcare Return to Care (SUB C-CR) stage in IMPACT upon securing a placement.
  • Complete all pre-placement and placement activities.
  • Complete all post-placement activities and documentation and send required documentation to the foster care eligibility specialist.
  • Ensure that Form 2563 Return for Extended Foster Care Checklist is completed and filed in the young adult’s case record.

If the current caseworker of the SUB stage’s role is ending, the DFPS or SSCC supervisor must make arrangements to have the SUB REG stage transferred to the unit that will be handling the SUB REG stage going forward.

10540 Providing Support After a Young Adult Returns to Extended Foster Care

CPS September 2026

If an eligibility review based on the requirements for Extended Foster Care was done when the youth turned 18, an eligibility review is not needed until the youth turns 19 or 20. If such a review based on the requirements for extended foster care has not been done, one must be completed within 30 days of resuming care.

10541 Contacts and Time Frames

CPS September 2026

The assigned DFPS or SSCC caseworker or re-entry caseworker must contact the young adult and the caregiver according to the time frames outlined in the following table:

Time Frame

Contact Type

Within 72 hours of placement

Initial Contact with the Young Adult

Within 72 hours of the young adult’s placement in Extended Foster Care, the young adult’s caseworker must contact the young adult to schedule a meeting to review the case and discuss next steps. The meeting must be held within one week of being scheduled.

If the young adult does not have transportation to the meeting, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must arrange to meet at a location that is convenient for the young adult.

Initial Contact with the Caregiver

Within 72 hours of the young adult’s placement in Extended Foster Care, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must schedule a meeting with the young adult’s caregiver to review the plan of action that the DFPS or SSCC caseworker and young adult are developing. The meeting must be held within one week of being scheduled.

Within the first month of placement

Within the first month of the young adult’s placement in Extended Foster Care, the assigned DFPS or SSCC caseworker must meet with the young adult and his or her caregiver to review and discuss the young adult’s:

  • Reason for returning for Extended Foster Care.
  • Form 2540 Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement (VEFCA).
  • Plan for meeting Extended Foster Care requirements.
  • Plan for maintaining documents required for education, employment, or job preparation activities.
  • Transition plan, including revisions as needed.
  • Rights and responsibilities while in care.
  • Medicaid coverage or other available health coverage.
  • Additional needs.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must begin developing a service plan with the young adult.

The young adult may attend Circles of Support meetings and other meetings held to discuss the young adult’s transition plan.

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must document efforts in the open SUB REG stage or CRSR SUB C-REG stage.

10542 Revising the Transition Plan

CPS September 2026

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must assist the young adult in reviewing and revising the transition plan within 30 days of the placement and must ensure it includes all of the following:

  • A description of the activities the young adult will be participating in and other activities that will help the young adult prepare for the transition from foster care to independent living.
  • Long-term housing options, health insurance, education goals, local mentoring opportunities, employment, and continuing support services.
  • Updated personal information in the young adult’s health and education records originally provided to the young adult when leaving care.
  • The young adult’s necessary personal documents. The caseworker identifies how missing documents will be obtained.
  • Information regarding Social Security benefits, veteran or service member benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

The transition plan may be as detailed as the young adult determines. The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must conduct a face-to-face assessment with the young adult to determine if the plan is achievable and discuss areas of concern or the need for additional information.

Texas Family Code §264.121

Texas Family Code §263.4041

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1201

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1301

10543 Completing the Child Plan of Service

CPS September 2026

The DFPS or SSCC caseworker must complete a new Child Plan of Service within 45 days of placement when the youth returns or enters Extended Foster Care. The caseworker must review and update information from a previous plan.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1301

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1321

10544 Restarting Court Reviews

CPS September 2026

If a young adult returns during the trial independence period, the DFPS or SSCC caseworker must file for a foster care court review to take place within six months of the previous court review or, if a longer time has expired, within 30 days of returning to Extended Foster Care.

If a young adult returns after a trial independence period, court jurisdiction has ended and cannot be reinstated.

Texas Family Code §263.601-608

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.346 (a)(3)

10545 Ongoing Casework Activity after Resuming Care

CPS September 2026

The  DFPS or SSCC caseworker must follow the casework activity policies for Extended Foster Care. See 10440 Casework Activity for Young Adults in Extended Foster Care.

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