Demystifying the Texas CPS Internal Process (Segment 1: Section 2110)

Generally everyone acknowledges that children should be protected from harm – in or out of the home. The disagreement arises in the “how.” Some CPS workers, parents, and children report being abused by the current Child Protective Service system. Overworked, faced with unrealistic expectations, and disregarded are claims that any of the involved parties could legitimately make and prove.

To help solve the detrimental gaps, we must be knowledgeable about what does work and what does not. Examining the current CPS procedure is one starting point. Then “We the People” will be able to advocate, to lobby, or to simply inform our legislature of what the great State of Texas should do to fix the system.

Here is the first of many postings taken directly from the Department of Family and Protective Services CPS Handbook, August 2009 edition, http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/handbooks/CPS/Files/CPS_pg_2000.jsp#CPS_2100. I am posting portions of the handbook to help anyone involved in Texas CPS matters or interested in the workings of the system.

Please comment or email me your experiences with the “Intake Process” that is being highlighted in this first segment. Where is this current policy working and where could it use improvement? Are you a CPS worker? Is this process working for you? Do you see shortcomings or improvements in this latest process? Are you a parent involved in a CPS matter? Were you informed of the different roles discussed in Section 2110?

2100 The Intake Process for Reports of Abuse or Neglect

2110 The Roles of SWI and CPS During Intake
CPS August 2009

Intake begins when DFPS staff receive a written or spoken report of any kind. The report may or may not contain information about child abuse or neglect. See 1124 Definition of Stages of Service.

The Role of SWI
SWI is the initial point of contact for persons who report abuse or neglect. SWI staff make the initial determination about whether a report meets the criteria for CPS investigation and assessment.

The SWI Intake Worker
The SWI intake worker who receives the initial report gathers as much information from the reporter as necessary to determine whether it appears that a child:

• has been abused or neglected and is still at risk of being abused or neglected; or
• is at risk of being abused or neglected in the foreseeable future.

Based on the information received, the SWI intake worker decides whether to refer a case to CPS for investigation and assessment.

If the SWI worker refers the case to CPS, the worker assigns an initial level of priority to recommend how quickly CPS must respond, based on the current risk to the child.

Roles of Worker and Supervisor
Once the intake worker has decided whether a report meets the guidelines for referral to CPS, the SWI supervisor, CPS supervisor, or CPS investigation screener:

• approves the intake worker's decision; or
• documents the reasons for changing the worker's decision.

See 2145 Changing the Priority of a Report.

The Role of CPS
Once CPS receives the intake from SWI, CPS:

• reviews all reports referred by SWI for possible investigation; and
• decides whether to investigate.

See:
2143 The Role of SWI in Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect
2141 The Allegations That CPS Accepts for Investigation and Assessment
2144 The Role of CPS in Screening Reports of Abuse or Neglect

See also the SWI Policy and Procedures Handbook, 2100 Assessing Reports Called Into SWI.