(a) FCO is established by Subchapter Y of Chapter 531 of the Government Code as enacted by Senate Bill 830 (84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015) and is administratively attached to OO.
(b) FCO serves as a neutral party in assisting children and youth in the conservatorship of DFPS with complaints regarding issues within the authority of DFPS or an HHS agency.
(c) While individuals age 18 and older may continue to receive DFPS services, they are not considered part of the population served by FCO because they are no longer "in the conservatorship" of DFPS. However, if FCO receives a complaint from a youth who turns 18 during the course of FCO's investigation, the complaint will be completed.
(d) FCO is responsible for receiving and investigating inquiries and complaints from youth in the conservatorship of DFPS, including youth placed by vendors contracted to provide services on behalf of DFPS.
(e) FCO may refer youth to any DFPS or HHS program or service that can assist with the youth's inquiry. With permission from the youth, FCO may work with staff in any DFPS or HHS program to resolve a complaint.

Source Note: The provisions of this §87.303 adopted to be effective January 10, 2019, 44 TexReg 252