Texas CPS Glossary: Plain-Language Terms Parents Hear

Texas CPS cases come with a lot of special words, and they can sound scarier than they are. This page explains each term in plain language and points to the official source behind it. It gives legal information, not legal advice.

Abuse

Under the Texas Family Code, abuse is a list of acts or omissions by a person. It includes physical injury that causes substantial harm to a child, but it leaves out an accident or reasonable discipline that does not expose the child to a substantial risk of harm Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(1).

Administrative Closure

Administrative Closure is a finding used when information received after a case was assigned shows that DFPS should not keep investigating 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.495(b). One example is a person who was included in the report by mistake DFPS CPS Handbook §2281.1.

Administrative Review of Investigation Findings (ARIF)

An ARIF is an informal review for a person DFPS designated as a perpetrator or victim/perpetrator of child abuse or neglect 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.505(a). You must ask for it in writing within 45 days after you receive notice of the findings 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.505(b).

Alleged perpetrator

In a CPI investigation, an alleged perpetrator is a person who is suspected or accused of abusing or neglecting a child DFPS, A Guide to Child Protective Investigations. Being named this way is not a finding that the person did it.

Attorney ad litem

An attorney ad litem is an attorney who provides legal services to a person, including a child Tex. Fam. Code § 107.001. In some DFPS lawsuits the court must appoint one for an indigent parent who opposes the request Tex. Fam. Code §107.013(a).

Case transfer (FBSS)

When a family getting FBSS moves to another county or region, the case can be transferred so services continue there DFPS CPS Handbook §12320. The caseworker in the old county or region stays responsible until the transfer is completed DFPS CPS Handbook §12320.

Closure code (FBSS)

In an FBSS case, the closure code is the reason the caseworker records for closing the case DFPS CPS Handbook §12750. The caseworker records it in IMPACT, which DFPS describes as its case management system DFPS CPS Handbook §2281.

Closure code: Court Ordered Services Closed

This FBSS closure code is used when the court dismisses a court-ordered services case because the parents are not cooperating and no further legal action is appropriate DFPS CPS Handbook §12752. It is not used when a family completes the services and makes the needed changes DFPS CPS Handbook §12752.

Closure code: Family Refused/Legal Impossible

This FBSS closure code applies only if the family refuses to voluntarily accept FBSS, the caseworker has exhausted all efforts to engage the family, and legal intervention is not possible DFPS CPS Handbook §12760.

Closure code: Risk is Reduced in the Family

This FBSS closure code is used when the family has taken part in services and there are observable parental behavioral changes or clear differences in the safety or risk concerns first identified DFPS CPS Handbook §12751. Completing services as part of a service plan does not, by itself, earn this code DFPS CPS Handbook §12751.

Before entering a family's home, a CPS caseworker must identify themselves as a CPS caseworker and explicitly ask permission to enter, and must get consent each and every time DFPS CPS Handbook §12211. If the family withdraws consent after the caseworker is inside, the caseworker must leave the home DFPS CPS Handbook §12211.

Court-ordered services

Court-ordered services are services a judge orders a parent or other household member to take part in, after notice and a hearing, when DFPS asks for that order Tex. Fam. Code §264.203(a) Tex. Fam. Code §264.203(l). The order expires on the 180th day after it is signed unless the court extends it Tex. Fam. Code §264.203(q).

CPI (Child Protective Investigations)

CPI is the DFPS program that examines reports of child abuse or neglect to find out whether any child in the family has been abused or neglected DFPS, Child Protective Investigations (CPI).

CPS (Child Protective Services)

CPS becomes involved with children and families after they are referred by the DFPS Investigations division, which investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect DFPS, Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS also provides families services meant to help children stay safe at home DFPS, Child Protective Services (CPS).

Designated perpetrator

A designated perpetrator is a person DFPS concludes, based on a preponderance of the evidence, is responsible for abuse or neglect of a child in that person's care 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.497(b). A person with this role can ask for an administrative review (ARIF) 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.505(a).

DFPS (Department of Family and Protective Services)

DFPS is the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. In the Family Code chapter on investigations, the word "department" means DFPS Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(2).

Disposition

A disposition is the ruling DFPS makes on each allegation at the end of an investigation DFPS, Child Protective Investigations (CPI). DFPS may use five dispositions: Reason to Believe, Ruled Out, Unable to Complete, Unable to Determine, and Administrative Closure 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.495(b).

Exigent circumstances

Exigent circumstances are a narrow exception to the consent rule. Under DFPS policy they exist only when the caseworker and supervisor decide there is reasonable cause to believe a child is in imminent danger of physical or sexual abuse and the purpose of entering is to protect the child DFPS CPS Handbook § 2243.2 Exigent Circumstances. They are not present if the child would be safe during a delay to get more information or a court order DFPS CPS Handbook § 2243.2 Exigent Circumstances.

Face-to-face contact

In an FBSS case, the caseworker must make regular face-to-face contacts with each child receiving services and with the parents or caregivers DFPS CPS Handbook §12240. The minimum number each month depends on the family's risk level DFPS CPS Handbook §12240.

Family Plan of Service (FPOS)

The FPOS is a plan designed to help parents get help from sources other than CPS and build enough capacity to protect their children from abuse or neglect DFPS CPS Handbook § 12530 Creating the Initial Family Plan of Service. The caseworker must make sure each person who signs it understands their responsibilities and the potential consequences of not following it DFPS CPS Handbook §12520.

Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)

FBSS is a CPS program for families who need additional services from DFPS to keep a child safe DFPS CPS Handbook § 12000 Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS). DFPS says FBSS services are time-limited, tailored to family needs, culturally sensitive, and focused on the family's strengths DFPS CPS Handbook § 12110 Philosophy.

Guardian ad litem

A guardian ad litem is a person appointed to represent the best interests of a child Tex. Fam. Code § 107.001.

Hair strand test

A hair strand test is one of the drug test types in DFPS policy. There should be at least 105 calendar days between one hair strand test and the next unless a court orders otherwise DFPS CPS Handbook §3333.

Joint managing conservatorship

Joint managing conservatorship is a legal option, approved by a court, where you and DFPS share parenting rights and duties for your child DFPS, A Guide to Child Protective Investigations.

Medical review officer (MRO)

A medical review officer is listed on drug test results and assesses whether a medication a person takes would have resulted in a positive drug test DFPS CPS Handbook §3331. An MRO verifies all non-negative results DFPS CPS Handbook §3335.

Neglect

Under the Family Code, neglect is an act or failure to act by a person responsible for a child's care that shows blatant disregard for the consequences and results in harm or immediate danger to the child Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(4). The definition excludes a failure to provide food, clothing, or shelter that is caused primarily by financial inability, unless relief services were offered and refused Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(4).

No role

When the overall finding of an investigation is Ruled Out or Administrative Closure, everyone named in the allegations is given the role of "no role" 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.497(b).

Notification of rights

At first contact, DFPS must give a person under investigation a written summary and a verbal notice of certain rights Tex. Fam. Code §261.307(a). Caseworkers use Form 3010, Notification of Rights, and ask the person to sign it DFPS CPS Handbook §2248.11.

Oral fluid test

An oral fluid test (a swab-type drug test) is one of the drug test types in DFPS policy. It may be given multiple times per week when necessary DFPS CPS Handbook §3333.

Order in aid of investigation

This is a court order that makes a person allow a CPS caseworker to enter for an interview, examination, and investigation Tex. Fam. Code §261.303(b). DFPS policy says that if a parent or adult home member refuses to cooperate, the department shall seek a court order in aid of an investigation DFPS CPS Handbook § 2243.3 Court Order.

Parental child safety placement (PCSP)

A PCSP is a temporary, family-initiated placement that must not last longer than 30 days without an approved extension DFPS CPS Handbook § 12650 Family-Initiated Parental Child Safety Placement (PCSP). DFPS says it is when you and your family decide your child will live with a family member or friend without you in the same home, and you have the right to refuse and to consult an attorney first DFPS, A Guide to Child Protective Investigations.

Person responsible for a child's care, custody, or welfare

This is a person who traditionally is responsible for a child's care, custody, or welfare, such as a parent, guardian, conservator, or foster parent Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(5). DFPS investigates abuse or neglect by this kind of person Tex. Fam. Code §261.301(a).

Preponderance of the evidence

DFPS explains that this standard means that when all the evidence is weighed, it is more likely than not that abuse or neglect occurred DFPS, Child Protective Investigations (CPI). It is the standard for a Reason to Believe finding 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.495(b).

Principal

A principal, also called a principal source, is a person closely connected with the case DFPS CPS Handbook §2281.4.

Reason to Believe

Reason to Believe is a finding that, based on a preponderance of the evidence, abuse or neglect occurred 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.495(b). For a person to be named in that finding, DFPS policy says it must also conclude the alleged perpetrator is responsible DFPS CPS Handbook §2281.2.

Refusal to test

You have the right to refuse to submit to a drug test Tex. Fam. Code §261.307(a). If a parent refuses when testing is appropriate, DFPS policy says the caseworker documents the refusal and talks with a supervisor, who may recommend legal intervention if there is sufficient concern for a child DFPS CPS Handbook §3336.

Report

A report is a report that alleged or suspected abuse or neglect of a child has occurred or may occur Tex. Fam. Code §261.001(6).

Ruled Out

Ruled Out is a finding that, based on available information, it is reasonable to conclude the abuse or neglect did not occur 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.495(b). It can also apply when the abuse or neglect occurred but the alleged perpetrator is not responsible for it DFPS CPS Handbook §2281.3.

Safety plan

A safety plan is a written agreement used when an immediate danger to a child is identified and action is needed to keep the child safe DFPS CPS Handbook § 3210 Safety Plan. DFPS describes it as voluntary, and you have the right to consult a lawyer before agreeing to one DFPS, A Guide to Child Protective Investigations Tex. Fam. Code §261.307(a).

Temporary orders

Temporary orders are orders a court may make during a lawsuit, before the final order, for the safety and welfare of the child Tex. Fam. Code §105.001(a). Breaking one is punishable by contempt Tex. Fam. Code §105.001(f).

Unable to Complete

Unable to Complete is a finding used when DFPS could not reach a conclusion about whether abuse or neglect occurred because the family could not be located or was unwilling to cooperate 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.495(b). The caseworker must first make reasonable efforts to locate the people involved and get information from them DFPS CPS Handbook §2281.4.

Unable to Determine

Unable to Determine is a finding DFPS uses when none of the other findings fits 40 Tex. Admin. Code §707.495(b). Under DFPS policy that means there is not enough information to decide whether the abuse or neglect occurred, or enough to say it occurred but not who is responsible DFPS CPS Handbook §2281.5.

Urinalysis test

A urinalysis test is a urine drug test. DFPS policy says it occurs no more than once per week unless a court orders more often or DFPS identifies new child safety concerns DFPS CPS Handbook §3333. Caseworkers are not allowed to collect urine from any person DFPS CPS Handbook §3331.

Verification of completed services

If you finish services ordered by a court under Family Code section 264.203, you must get verification from the service provider, and DFPS must accept that verification as proof you completed them Tex. Fam. Code §264.2031(c).