Texas Family Code

§ 264.755 — CAREGIVER ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT

FA § 264.755Title 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP · Part E. PROTECTION OF THE CHILD · Ch. 264. CHILD WELFARE SERVICES · Art. I. RELATIVE AND OTHER DESIGNATED CAREGIVER PLACEMENT PROGRAM

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(a)The department shall, subject to the availability of funds, enter into a caregiver assistance agreement with each relative or other designated caregiver to provide monetary assistance and additional support services to the caregiver. The monetary assistance and support services shall be based on a family's need, as determined by Subsection (b) and rules adopted by the executive commissioner. (a-1) When a relative or other designated caregiver enters into a caregiver assistance agreement under Subsection (a), the department shall inform the caregiver of:

(1)the option to become verified by a licensed child-placing agency to operate an agency foster home, if applicable; and

(2)the permanency care assistance program under Subchapter K.

(b)The department shall provide monetary assistance under this section to a caregiver who has a family income that is less than or equal to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Monetary assistance provided to a caregiver under this section may not exceed 50 percent of the department's daily basic foster care rate for the child. A caregiver who has a family income greater than 300 percent of the federal poverty level is not eligible for monetary assistance under this section. (b-1) The department shall disburse monetary assistance provided to a caregiver under Subsection (b) in the same manner as the department disburses payments to a foster parent. The department may not provide monetary assistance to an eligible caregiver under Subsection (b) after the first anniversary of the date the caregiver receives the first monetary assistance payment from the department under this section. The department, at its discretion and for good cause, may extend the monetary assistance payments for an additional six months. (b-2) The department shall implement a process to verify the family income of a relative or other designated caregiver for the purpose of determining eligibility to receive monetary assistance under Subsection (b).

(c)Monetary assistance and additional support services provided under this section may include:

(1)case management services and training and information about the child's needs until the caregiver is appointed permanent managing conservator;

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