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Texas Statutes (Last Updated: January 4, 2014) |
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HUMAN RESOURCES CODE |
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Title 2. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND DEPARTMENT OF PROTECTIVE AND REGULATORY SERVICES |
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Subtitle D. DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES; CHILD WELFARE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES |
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Chapter 40. DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES |
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Subchapter C. GENERAL FUNCTIONS OF DEPARTMENT |
Sec. 40.0528. COMPREHENSIVE STAFFING AND WORKLOAD DISTRIBUTION PLAN FOR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
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(a) The department shall develop and implement a staffing and workload distribution plan for the child protective services program to:
(1) reduce caseloads;
(2) enhance accountability;
(3) improve the quality of investigations;
(4) eliminate delays; and
(5) ensure the most efficient and effective use of child protective services staff and resources.
(b) In developing and implementing the plan, the department shall, subject to available funds:
(1) develop a methodology for the equitable distribution of investigative and other staff to ensure an equitable assignment of cases in each area of the state;
(2) evaluate the duties of investigators and supervisors and identify and reassign functions that may be performed more efficiently by support or other paraprofessional staff;
(3) ensure that investigative and service units contain adequate supervisory and support staff;
(4) provide incentives to recruit and retain:
(A) caseworkers and supervisors assigned to investigative units; and
(B) specialized staff with law enforcement or forensic investigation experience;
(5) ensure that caseworkers and supervisors who are not in an investigations unit are paid appropriately to increase employee retention;
(6) when appropriate, identify and use alternative work schedules;
(7) use a system of regional hiring supervisors for targeted recruitment efforts;
(8) improve staff recruitment and screening methods to promote the hiring of the most qualified candidates and improve an applicant's understanding of the job requirements;
(9) reduce the time necessary to complete a plan of service for a child and family when providing family-based safety services; and
(10) identify methods to reduce the administrative area that a manager is responsible for to increase accountability.
(c) This section does not prevent the department from contracting for special investigator services as needed.
(d) In reporting information relating to caseloads of child protective services caseworkers, in addition to reporting caseload by each individual affected by the case, the department shall report the number of cases for each caseworker on the basis of family unit.