Presentation on House Human Services Charge #5 regarding Parental Child Safety Placements

1. Presentation on House Human Services Charge #5 regarding Parental Child Safety Placements Presented to: House Human Services Committee May 13, 2010 Audrey Deckinga, Assistant Commissioner Child Protective Services

2. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Background CPS Investigations • Investigate the reported incident. • It may be necessary to develop a plan to ensure the child’s safety. This safety plan could stipulate a temporary placement outside the home called a Parental Child Safety Placement (formerly called Voluntary Placements). • Determine whether child abuse or neglect has occurred. • Assess the risk of occurrence in the future. • Make reasonable efforts to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect without removing the child. • Refer families (when needed) to services in the community, such as individual or family therapy, parenting classes, or programs offering financial assistance for utilities/rent and childcare.

3. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Background Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) • Provide services designed to reduce the risk of future abuse or neglect while the child remains in the home or in a Parental Child Safety Placement. • Identify services needed to ensure the safety and well-being of the child and family. • Authorize services to be provided through contracts with community agencies. • Services may include essential home repairs, drug treatment, parenting classes, and homemaker services. • Work collaboratively with families on specific goals for 3-9 months.

4. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP) A PCSP is: • Used during an Investigation or Family-Based Safety Services case • Selected by a parent for their child when child safety issues are a concern in the course of a CPS case • Used as a temporary and short term out of home placement • Used to provide an opportunity or time to find out if a child is at risk • Used while safety measures needed are put in place to avoid a foster care placement

5. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services PCSP Benefits • Children stay with family or others with whom they have an established, significant relationship. • More children remain in their home communities. • More children continue to attend same school. • Child safety is ensured during the investigation or FBSS case. • Children can safely be diverted from foster care.

6. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services A PCSP is not the same as Kinship Care

7. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services A PCSP should be used appropriately

8. Parental Child Safety Placement Workgroup Recognizing the need to review policies and procedures with regard to PCSP’s, in May 2009 statewide PCSP workgroup was formed, consisting of staff from all levels and all regions. The workgroup has met regularly and was charged with: • Addressing needed improvements to PCSP's, • Developing policy to guide staff in making future PCSP’s, and • Developing a tracking system for these placements in order to obtain needed data regarding their use. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

9. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services New Developments for PCSP • The name has been changed from “Voluntary Placement” to “Parental Child Safety Placement”. • Input was obtained from the statewide Parent Collaboration Group to further strengthen practice in the use of PCSPs. • The National Resource Center (NRC) for Child Protection has provided technical assistance to strengthen FBSS and investigation policy and practices. • Regional FBSS and investigation case reviews have been conducted statewide, resulting in more recommendations to strengthen the program. • Statewide training is scheduled for Summer 2010, emphasizing safety assessment and risk assessment, for all CPS direct delivery supervisory and management staff. • Changes to the data collection system have been designed to help track and collect needed data about PCSP usage.

10. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Next Steps for PCSP • Collect and analyze data regarding PCSP use in CPS cases, scheduled to begin June 2010. • Clarify policy to provide guidance for such issues as case closure when a PCSP has been used, length of PCSP use, and more. • Implement plan for CPS managers to train front line caseworkers in PCSP use. • Address the need for improved communication between CPS and PCSP caregiver.

11. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relative • 81st Legislature enacted SB 1598 (Watson) which directed DFPS to develop a new notarized agreement called an “Authorization Agreement for Nonparent Relative”. • The agreement allows a parent to designate a child's grandparent, adult sibling, or adult aunt/uncle to make certain decisions regarding the child, including medical, educational, and public benefits decisions. • This agreement is for use by the general public; DFPS was charged with the form. • The authorization agreement form has been developed and posted on the public websites of DFPS and the Texas Education Agency.