Tex. Fam. Code § 264.1691

Current with legislation from the 2023 Regular and Special Sessions signed by the Governor as of November 21, 2023.

Section 264.1691 - Study of Options for Implementing Family Preservation Services

(a) In this section, "family preservation service" means a time-limited, family-focused service, including:

(1) a service subject to the Family First Prevention Services Act (Title VII, Div. E, Pub. L. No. 115-123), provided to the family of a child who is:

(A) a candidate for foster care to prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child and to allow the child to remain safely with the child's family; or

(B) a pregnant or parenting foster youth;

(2) enhanced in-home support services and non-recurring financial support to promote safe and stable families; and

(3) services to promote self-sufficiency and prevent further need for interaction in the child welfare system.

(b) The department shall study and develop a comprehensive list of options for implementing family preservation services in existing catchment areas, including:

(1) contracting with single source continuum contractors to provide services; and

(2) procuring service providers through a competitive bidding process.

(c) In developing the options under Subsection (b), the department shall:

(1) examine existing department functions related to the stage of service the department describes as family-based safety services, including assessments of child safety and child removals, and make recommendations for incorporating the functions into a contracted model;

(2) consider the results from community needs assessments and capacity development plans conducted during the preceding 10 years; and

(3) consider:

(A) contingent on appropriation, including Title IV-E prevention services in the delivery of community-based family preservation services and the appropriate use of those services;

(B) the financial modeling used to determine implementation costs, including:

(i) start-up funding costs;

(ii) the cost of purchased client services;

(iii) strategies for shared financial risk; and

(iv) rate methodology;

(C) procedures for transitioning between case stages, including transitions from:

(i) investigation to family preservation; and

(ii) family preservation to foster care;

(D) ways to maximize evidence-based services and to increase the evidence base for family preservation programs in this state;

(E) requirements for complying with federal law to receive matching funds for certain prevention services;

(F) appropriate performance measures for contracted services, including associated financial remedies and incentives;

(G) ways to incorporate and to maximize existing funding methods for and programs related to behavioral health and substance use provided by the Health and Human Services Commission;

(H) appropriate contract provisions to ensure a clear distinction of money, personnel, and processes for family preservation services and foster care services;

(I) conflict resolution procedures between the department and contractors concerning:

(i) service plans;

(ii) services; and

(iii) case action for children or families served by a contractor;

(J) appropriate oversight structures to manage contract compliance, contractor performance, and child and family safety;

(K) appropriate contract provisions to ensure community engagement, including appropriate partnerships with faith-based organizations;

(L) recommendations for statutory changes necessary to support the department's implementation options; and

(M) any other information the department determines necessary for legislative direction of the department's implementation of community-based family preservation services.

(d) In developing implementation options under this section, the department shall:

(1) incorporate relevant information obtained from previous efforts and similar service models implemented in other states;

(2) collaborate with the Health and Human Services Commission as needed, including on:

(A) recommendations for the provision of behavioral health and substance use services; and

(B) appropriate rate methodology; and

(3) allow interested persons to comment on the provision of behavioral health and substance use services.

(e) The department may enter into any contracts the department determines necessary to comply with this section.

(f) This section expires August 31, 2023.

Tex. Fam. Code § 264.1691

Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 858 (S.B. 910), Sec. 1, eff. 6/16/2021.