DFPS or the Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) must designate the DFPS caseworker or supervisor or the SSCC equivalent staff member as the primary or backup medical consenter for a child in a residential facility, unless another appropriate designee can be found, such as an involved relative or a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). This includes GROs that offer emergency services (that is, emergency shelters).

Residential Facility Employees Not Eligible to Be Medical Consenters

DFPS and SSCCs must not designate employees of the following residential facilities as a child's medical consenter or backup medical consenter:

• GROs operating as residential treatment centers (RTC).
• GROs operating an emergency shelter.
• GROs offering therapeutic camp services.
• GROs offering child care services (group setting with shift staff).
• GROs offering intellectual disability or pervasive developmental disorder treatment services, or both.
• Intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability (ICF/IID), licensed by HHSC.
• Nursing homes.
• State-supported living centers (SSLCs, formerly known as state schools).
• Home and Community-based Services (HCS) placements, regardless of type.