The Department of Family and Protective Services' (DFPS's) Child Protective Services (CPS) Division provides reunification services to families whose children are returning home at the end of their stay in substitute care. It does not include the services that CPS provides to families over the general course of a child's stay in substitute care, even though those services are usually directed towards family reunification. The purpose of the services is to provide support to the family and the child during the child's transition from living in substitute care to living at home.
  (1) Objectives. The objectives of reunification services are to:
    (A) ensure a smooth transition by helping the family and child prepare for and adjust to the child's return;
    (B) help the parents build on family strengths and resources in order to manage the risk of abuse or neglect; and
    (C) enable the family to ensure the child's safety without CPS assistance after the case is closed.
  (2) Criteria. All of the criteria specified in subparagraphs (A) - (D) of this paragraph must be satisfied before CPS provides reunification services:
    (A) at least one child was removed from the home;
    (B) parents must have a reasonably stable living arrangement;
    (C) parents are working to complete goals listed on the family service plan; and
    (D) a target date has been set for the child's transition home or the transition is in process.

Source Note: The provisions of this §700.703 adopted to be effective May 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 3030; amended to be effective March 1, 2007, 32 TexReg 551; amended to be effective September 15, 2021, 46 TexReg 5901