The FAD worker must ensure that prospective foster and adoptive parents meet the basic screening requirements at the time of application.

DFPS Rules, 40 TAC §700.1502

Applicants must meet these basic requirements before they can continue for verification as foster parents or approval as adoptive parents.

The FAD worker must not begin the screening process until he or she receives the following information on a prospective foster or adoptive family:

 •   an initial criminal background check (see 7441 Evaluating Criminal History Results); and

 •   a check of IMPACT abuse and neglect history (see 7442 Evaluating DFPS and Out of State Abuse or Neglect History Results).

Additional Screening for Prospective Adoptive Families

For families who wish to adopt, the FAD worker must also conduct an adoptive home screening. The FAD worker must only begin a screening on a family that plans to live in the community long enough for the screening to be completed and for a placement to be made.

See 7512 Home Screenings.