Before implementing a safety plan, the caseworker must obtain the results of a DPS criminal history check and DFPS abuse and neglect history check for every safety plan monitor. If the background checks find any history, the caseworker must meet with the supervisor to discuss the results before proceeding with the safety plan or family-initiated PCSP.

If the child and parent or legal guardian will reside in the safety plan monitor’s home, background checks must be completed on anyone 14 years old or older who resides in the home.

Before implementing a family-initiated PCSP, the caseworker must obtain the results of a DPS criminal history check and DFPS abuse and neglect history check for the following people:

• Every PCSP caregiver.
• Anyone 14 years old or older who resides in the home.

The caseworker must view one of the following for all adults providing supervision:

• A driver license.
• Identification issued by the United States or a foreign government.
• A form of identification that includes a picture, such as the following:
  • Credit card
  • Library card
  • Employee badge
  • School identification

The identification must be supported with other identification documents such as rental leases or utility bills in the person’s name.

If an acceptable form of identification is not available, the caseworker must not allow that person to be a safety plan monitor or PCSP caregiver.

Completing FBI Criminal History Checks

The caseworker must review and evaluate FBI criminal history for a safety plan monitor, PCSP caregiver, or anyone 18 years old or older who resides in the home if any of the following apply:

• That person has lived out of state within the last three years.
• The caseworker learns that person may have criminal history in another state.

To verify the FBI criminal history check, the caseworker must view a valid, unexpired government-issued identification.

Within seven days of the FBI criminal history check, the person must submit to an FBI fingerprint check. If the person does not have a valid government-issued identification or refuses to submit to a fingerprint check, the safety plan or family-initiated PCSP must not be implemented.

The caseworker must not document the FBI criminal history results in IMPACT.

Safety Plan Monitor or PCSP Caregiver with Criminal History

If criminal history is found, the caseworker must evaluate whether it poses a danger to the child.

There are certain criminal offenses that are an absolute bar or require a safety evaluation and approval from a program director or regional director before a safety plan or family-initiated PCSP can be implemented. See Appendix 4525, Chart 1: Assessing Criminal History Offenses and Convictions for PCSPs.

The supervisor must document the program director or regional director’s decision in IMPACT within 24 hours.

Completing DFPS Abuse and Neglect History Checks

The caseworker must review, evaluate, and document the person’s DFPS abuse and neglect history before agreeing to a safety plan or family-initiated PCSP.

Completing Out-Of-State Abuse and Neglect History Checks

The caseworker must review, evaluate, and document any out-of-state abuse and neglect history for a safety plan monitor, PCSP caregiver, or anyone 14 years old or older who resides in the home if any of the following apply:

• That person has lived out of state within the last five years.
• The caseworker learns that person may have abuse or neglect history in another state.

Safety Plan Monitor or PCSP Caregiver with Abuse or Neglect History

If abuse or neglect history is found, the caseworker must evaluate whether it poses a danger to the child.

If a safety plan monitor or PCSP caregiver has a Reason To Believe finding for abuse or neglect in a prior case, then a safety evaluation is required. See 3212.4 Safety Evaluation.

A program director must review and approve the safety evaluation for anyone with a Reason To Believe finding for neglect. A regional director must review and approve the safety evaluation for a person with a Reason To Believefinding for abuse.

The supervisor must document the program director or regional director’s decision in IMPACT within 24 hours.