When placing a child or youth in a facility, DFPS caseworkers and supervisors may authorize the Basic service level in either of the following situations:

• If they determine that the child or youth has basic needs.
• To provide foster care payment at the Basic service level when a child or youth does not have an authorized service level (ASL) from the third party contractor.

The DFPS eligibility specialist must enter into IMPACT a Basic ASL effective 12 months for children or youth who do not require an ASL higher than Basic. The end date of the Basic ASL is the first day of the month that follows the 12th month after the start date of the ASL. If the child or youth continues in care past this date and does not have a current ASL authorized by the third party contractor, the eligibility specialist must record a new Basic ASL for another 12-month period.

When initially placing a child or youth in a facility before a third party contractor has authorized service, an eligibility specialist must enter the Basic service level into IMPACT as the ASL and as the billing service level (BSL) for the system to pay the facility. If the facility is only contracted to provide higher than Basic level services, the eligibility specialist makes no ASL or BSL entries.

If the child or youth’s needs increase, the caseworker requests a higher service level from the third-party contractor. A child or youth with a Basic service level is expected to function at an age appropriate level educationally, socially, physically, medically, developmentally, and emotionally. See the Texas Service Levels Resource GuidePDF Document – Definitions of Service Levels.