The caseworker must take additional steps before placing a child with an intellectual or developmental disability or a related condition in any of the following types of facilities:

• General residential operation (GRO) that serves primarily children with an intellectual or developmental disability.
• Home and Community-based Services (HCS) group home.
• Intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities or related conditions, including state supported living centers.
• Nursing facility.

The associate commissioner of CPS or his or her designee must approve placing a child in any of the above facilities.

Texas Government Code §531.159

More information on each of these types of facilities, including child eligibility and specific admission criteria, is available in the Foster and Licensed Facility Placements Resource Guide.

This policy and its sub-items do not apply to the following:

• Placements in a GRO, such as a residential treatment center, that does not specialize in serving children with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
• Placements for youth 18 years of age or older.