Children and youth with disabilities must be placed in the least restrictive, most family-like setting that meets their needs. The preferred and least restrictive placement for most children and youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) is a family (birth, relative, foster, or adoptive) home.

Staff should consider a specialized placement in a facility only after ruling out all possible family-like living environments and when both the Centralized Placement Unit (CPU) and residential treatment placement coordinator (RTPC) have exhausted all other options. The CPU or RTPC must provide a list of all placement attempts to the child or youth’s primary caseworker.

If the placement search does not result in a placement in a family setting for a child or youth with an IDD, the caseworker must contact the regional developmental disability specialist (DDS) to discuss a specialized placement in a facility. The caseworker must complete the Checklist for Children with Disabilities.   

If placement in a facility is necessary, the regional DDS must first attempt to find a DFPS-licensed general residential operation (GRO) that serves children and youth with IDD. If a GRO placement is not available or appropriate, then the regional DDS must determine if a child or youth may be appropriate for a Home and Community-based Services (HCS) home or intermediate care facility operated by HHSC. Placement in a state supported living center (SSLC) should only be made if no other placement can be found.

Placement in a nursing facility should not be considered unless the child or youth’s need for specialized, ongoing nursing services prevents him or her from being placed in any other setting.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1315

While the regional DDS is searching for and facilitating placement in a facility, CPU and RTPC must use all available resources to find a less restrictive placement.

Regardless of where a child or youth with IDD or related conditions is placed, DFPS must immediately seek to place the child on all Medicaid Waiver lists for which the child is eligible.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1313(c)