1. Department of Family and Protective Services Investigations
Jim Sylvester, Associate Commissioner for Investigations
Kristene Blackstone, Associate Commissioner for CPS

2. Investigations Division: Background
DFPS became a stand-alone agency apart from HHS on September 1, 2017.
DFPS Commissioner reports directly to the Governor rather than to the HHS Executive Commissioner.
Created several new divisions within DFPS, including an Investigations Division.
Reinstated the DFPS Council.

3. Investigations Division: Structure
Investigative functions of CPS, CCL, RCCL, and Special Investigations joined the new DFPS Investigations Division.
Regulatory functions of Child Care Licensing and Residential Child Care Licensing moved to HHS.
The DFPS Investigations Division will continue to implement and support Alternative Response.
DFPS Investigations also will assist with the Governor’s Human Sex Trafficking Prevention program.

4. Investigations Division: State Office Leadership
Jim Sylvester – Associate Commissioner
Sherry Gomez – Director of Field (CPS Investigations)
Ashland Batiste – Director of Field (Child Care Licensing)
Vacant – Director of Special Investigations
Marsha Stone – Division Administrator for Child Safety (CPS Investigations)
Gwen Gray – Division Administrator for Investigations and Alternative Response (CPS Investigations)
Kimberley Dominguez – Division Administrator for Complex Investigations Division (CCL Investigations)

5. Investigations Division: What does it mean for CPS?
Despite organizational structure changes, the mission of CPS remains the same.
Consolidated Investigations Division allows DFPS to continue ensuring safety, permanency and well-being of children and their families but in a more focused manner.
CPS Investigators will continue to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect in the same manner.

6. Investigations Division: What does it mean for CCL?
DFPS CCL Investigators will:
Investigate allegations of abuse/neglect in child care settings (daycare and residential care)
Remain trained on Minimum Standards
Make determinations if abuse/neglect occurred in child care settings
Send information to HHSC CCL Regulatory on any possible deficiencies
DFPS will conduct Administrative Reviews of Investigative Findings if Reason to Believe findings are made.

7. Investigations Division: What does it mean for CCL?
Coordination and collaboration between HHSC CCL Regulatory Inspectors and DFPS CCL Investigators will continue.
HHSC CCL Regulatory will conduct and assessment based on information gathered and shared by the DFPS CCL Investigator and cite any deficiencies relating to the abuse/neglect investigation.
HHSC CCL will conduct non-abuse/neglect investigations and cite any deficiencies relating to the investigation.
HHSC CCL Regulatory will conduct Administrative Reviews of deficiencies cited.

8. Investigations Division: What does it mean for Special Investigators?
Increased collaboration with staff across DFPS.
Utilization of their experience to enhance training opportunities for DFPS staff in all stages of service.
Special Investigators will continue to investigate and consult on DFPS investigations involving child abuse and/or neglect.

9. Fiscal Year 2017 Accomplishments: CPS Investigations
Enhanced the skillset of investigators
Focused on collaboration
Continued to implement and embed Alternative Response practice
Enhanced agency practice involving the Child Safety Check Alert List (CSCAL)

10. Fiscal Year 2017 Accomplishments: CPS Investigations
Turnover for CPS Investigators decreased
Average daily caseloads for CPS Investigators decreased
Investigations were initiated in a more timely manner

11. Fiscal Year 2017 Accomplishments: CCL Investigations
Focused on collaboration
Strengthened the Complex Investigations Division
Enhanced skillset of daycare investigators in illegal operation investigations

12. Fiscal Year 2017 Accomplishments: Special Investigations
Restructured the SI division and job duties
Provided training to DFPS staff
Collaboration with regional stakeholders
Increased involvement with Human Trafficking
Complex investigations

13. Goal 1: Maximize Child Safety
Increase the percent of timely initial contacts
Improve Safety and Risk Assessments/Reduce recidivism
Human Trafficking prevention efforts
Collaboration between SIs and CCL Investigators

14. Goal 2: Partnership and Collaboration
Internal Partnerships:
Maintain partnership with CPS
Increase teamwork across DFPS
Enhanced training opportunities for DFPS
External Partnerships:
Maintain partnership with HHSC CCL Regulatory
Communication and education for child care providers
Collaboration with stakeholders

15. Goal 3: Ensure a Professional and Stable Workforce
Assess workforce and training needs for CCL
Ensure staff are properly screened and trained
Technology supports
Promote retention

16. Thank you!
Questions?