Transcript Parental Child Safety Placement - Texas Department of Family and

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
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
A PCSP is not the same as Kinship Care
PCSP
Kinship Care
Parent selects the placement
CPS recommends the placement;
Court approves it
DFPS does not have legal
conservatorship
DFPS does have legal
conservatorship
CPS and criminal background
checks are completed
CPS and criminal background
checks are completed
Caregiver’s home is assessed for
safety
A written, formal home assessment
is completed to determine safety and
appropriateness
Time limited
Length of time is determined by the
Court
No monetary assistance
Limited monetary assistance
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Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
A PCSP should be used appropriately
Appropriate Use
Inappropriate Use
PCSP should be time limited (short
term and temporary)
PCSP is given an open-ended time
frame
Alternate Caregiver is able and
willing to provide for the child
Alternative Caregiver does not have
sufficient resources or is unwilling
to provide care for the child
Alternate Caregiver understands the
safety issues involved and is able
to be protective
Alternative Caregiver is not willing or
able to adhere to safety plan
elements needed to be protective
PCSP is ended prior to case closure
- when safety is addressed, risk
decreased
Case is closed with PCSP
unresolved
Alternate Caregiver is cooperative
with CPS services and plan
Alternate Caregiver and CPS are in
an adversarial or uncooperative
relationship
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Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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