Reference Document

FC-T3C-01 T3C BASIC FOSTER FAMILY HOME SUPPORT SERVICES - Comprehensive Enhanced Snapshot

Refuge House, Inc.
Last updated: July 24, 2026 · Source: policies-procedures/Package-Specific/FC-T3C-01 T3C BASIC FOSTER FAMILY HOME SUPPORT SERVICES - Comprehensive Enhanced Snapshot.md

REFUGE HOUSE, INC.

FC-T3C-01 T3C BASIC FOSTER FAMILY HOME SUPPORT SERVICES

Comprehensive Enhanced Snapshot

Document Information Details
DOCUMENT NUMBER FC-T3C-01
DOCUMENT TITLE T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services — Comprehensive Enhanced Snapshot
CANONICAL This Snapshot is the canonical T3C Basic document (the former standalone Policy is superseded)
OPERATIONAL SOURCES Foundation procedures: FC-17.1 (Home Studies/Credentialing), FC3-01.1 (ISP), FC-AF-01.1 (Aftercare), FC-04.1 (Crisis), STAR Health Coordination, FC-CSR-01.1 (CSR)
ORIGINATED 05/25/2025
LAST REVISED 05/06/2026
LAST UPDATED 5/15/2026
LAST APPROVED 5/22/2026
BLUEPRINT VERSION T3C Blueprint (April 2026)
BLUEPRINT PAGES pp. 49–57 (T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services)
STATUS Active

COMPLIANCE STATEMENT

This snapshot reflects Refuge House's implementation of the T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services Package as defined in the T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 49–57. It serves as the authoritative cross-reference document for treatment team members, compliance reviewers, and system integrations. All operational requirements, timelines, and thresholds stated herein are binding for any child receiving T3C Basic services.

This is the foundation package. Every child in Refuge House foster care is served under the T3C Basic package. Specialized packages (MBH, IDD/ASD, STASS, TFFC, SU) are credentialed and delivered in addition to Basic — they do not replace it. Add-on services (KIN, PPY, YTSS) layer further on top of the applicable base package.


APPLICABLE PACKAGES AND ADD-ONS

Package / Add-On Applies
☒ T3C Basic Foster Family Home This document
☐ Mental & Behavioral Health Support Services Separate snapshot: FC-MH-01
☐ IDD / Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Services Separate snapshot: FC-IDD-01
☐ Short-Term Assessment Support Services Separate snapshot: FC-STASS-01
☐ Treatment Foster Family Care Support Services Separate snapshot: FC-TFFC-01
☐ Substance Use Support Services Separate snapshot: FC-SU-01
☒ Kinship Caregiver Support Services (Add-On) §14 of this document; FC-KIN-01
☒ Pregnant & Parenting Youth Support Services (Add-On) §14 of this document; PPY Add-On
☒ Transition Support Services for Youth & Young Adults (Add-On) §14 of this document; FC-YTSS-01

§1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This snapshot establishes the governing requirements for T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services delivered by Refuge House, Inc. under the Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) framework.

Refuge House provides T3C Basic services through credentialed, trauma-informed foster homes that operate using Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) as the agency's evidence-informed treatment model. The Basic package encompasses individualized service planning, comprehensive family and system coordination, trauma-informed daily care, crisis availability, and a structured 6-month aftercare program.

Believing a home is in the heart of every child, Refuge House strives to recruit, support, and retain a diverse group of foster parents to provide quality care for the vast needs of children awaiting placement.

Anticipated length of service: 12–18 months, customized based on the child's individual needs and Continued Stay Review (CSR) guidelines per the T3C Blueprint.

Population served: Children, youth, and young adults in Refuge House foster care whose needs are met within a community-based, family-based setting. Children requiring specialized support receive the Basic package plus the applicable specialized package.


§2 FOSTER FAMILY HOME CREDENTIALING

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 49–50; FC-17.1

2.1 Credentialing Requirement

All Foster Family Homes must be assessed and credentialed for the T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services Package before receiving a T3C placement. Standard DFPS foster home licensure alone does not satisfy T3C credentialing requirements.

Homes providing specialized packages (MBH, IDD, STASS, TFFC, SU) must hold both the T3C Basic credential and the applicable specialized package credential. Loss of either suspends service delivery until both are reinstated.

Homes providing add-on services must hold a separate credential for each add-on.

2.2 Credentialing Validity and Renewal

Requirement Standard
Initial credential validity 4 years
Annual compliance review Required each year within the 4-year cycle
Child outcome data review Annual; part of compliance review
Re-credentialing assessment At the end of each 4-year cycle

2.3 Initial Credentialing Assessment Components

2.4 Annual Compliance Review

Conducted within each year of the 4-year credentialing cycle:

Key capture: Foster Family Home Credentialing Assessment (FC-CRED-01)


§3 CANS 3.0 ASSESSMENT

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 50–51; TAC §749.1301–1335

3.1 Cadence

Youth over the age of 3 receive a CANS 3.0 Assessment annually throughout the placement. This is distinct from the Continued Stay Review cycle — the annual CANS 3.0 drives service plan updates and does not occur at every 90-day CSR.

Note for specialized packages: Children in MBH or IDD/ASD packages have an enhanced CANS 3.0 requirement (updated at every 90-day CSR). The Basic package requires annual completion only.

3.2 Assessment Implementation

3.3 Service Plan Integration and Documentation

Requirement Deadline
ISP adjustment based on CANS 3.0 findings Within required timeframes per TAC §749.1301
Program Director review of alignment with permanency plan At each review
Written confirmation child continues to meet criteria At each review
Copy of documentation to SSCC/DFPS caseworker Within 15 business days of review

Key capture: CANS 3.0 Assessment Documentation and Service Plan Integration Form


§4 INDIVIDUAL SERVICE PLANNING

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 51–52; TAC §749.1301 (HIGH WEIGHT STANDARD); FC3-01.1

4.1 Initial Service Plan

The Individual Service Plan (ISP) must be developed within 30 days of placement (TAC §749.1301 — HIGH WEIGHT STANDARD). The ISP is strength-based and individualized, incorporating CANS 3.0 findings and the child's permanency goal.

4.2 Continued Stay Review (90-Day Cycle)

The ISP is reviewed on a 90-day cycle throughout placement. At each CSR:

Review Component Requirement
Program Director written confirmation Child continues to meet criteria and is benefitting from the program; written, not verbal
Alignment with permanency plan Confirmed by Program Director
Service adjustments Documented based on review findings
SSCC/DFPS submission Within 15 business days of review

Program Director written confirmation is required at every 90-day CSR. A verbal acknowledgment does not satisfy this requirement.

4.3 Service Plan Components

The ISP must address:


§5 FOSTER FAMILY HOME SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 52–53; TAC §749.1335

Foster Family Home Caregivers provide four categories of support in accordance with court orders and the Service Plan:

5.1 Logistical Support

5.2 Transportation

5.3 Multi-System Coordination

CPA staff and Foster Family Home Caregivers maintain competency in navigating and coordinating services across:

System Coordination Scope
STAR Health Medicaid managed care (medical, dental, vision, behavioral health); authorization management
HHSC Behavioral Health Specialized mental health supports beyond STAR Health coverage
ECI Early Childhood Intervention for eligible children ages 0–3
Education system School enrollment, IEP/504 advocacy, special education coordination
Child welfare system DFPS/SSCC caseworker coordination, court involvement, permanency planning
Health care Primary care, specialty medical, dental, vision coordination; Medical Consenter collaboration

CPA staff provide training, consultation, and direct advocacy support to Foster Family Home Caregivers to build and sustain this multi-system navigation competency.

5.4 Documentation and Record Keeping

5.5 24/7 Agency Availability


§6 NORMALCY ACTIVITIES

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), p. 53; Texas Family Code §264.125; Human Resources Code §42.042; TAC §749.2605

Foster Family Home Caregivers must actively support children's participation in age-appropriate normalcy activities, including:

All normalcy decisions are made consistent with the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard (Texas Family Code §264.125). CPA staff coach and support Foster Family Home Caregivers in applying this standard, with particular sensitivity to children whose trauma histories may require individualized pacing and support.


§7 SERVICE DENIAL AND COST COVERAGE

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), p. 53

Refuge House will ensure delivery of, and cover the cost of, needed services and related supports that are denied by insurance or other funding sources when community alternatives are unavailable.

Requirement Action
Service denied by STAR Health or other payer Document in case record: date of request, service type, denial reason, appeal status
Notification to SSCC/DFPS Within 3 business days of denial
Alternative funding identification Agency conducts assessment of alternatives before direct coverage
Direct agency coverage Authorized when alternatives are insufficient or unavailable

Key capture: Service Denial Response Form (FC-SDR-01)


§8 THERAPY SERVICES

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 53–54; FC3-01.1

Children in the T3C Basic package receive regular and frequent individual and family therapy as required by the T3C Blueprint. Therapy is coordinated through STAR Health and integrated with daily caregiving.

8.1 Individual Therapy

8.2 Family Therapy

8.3 Coordination with STAR Health

Note for specialized packages: Children in MBH receive a minimum of weekly individual therapy. Children in IDD/ASD receive therapy with specific behavioral health and developmental focuses. These are MBH- and IDD-specific requirements that exceed the Basic package standard.


§9 CRISIS MANAGEMENT

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), p. 54; TAC §749.339; TAC §749.901; FC-04; FC-04.1

9.1 24/7 Crisis Availability

Requirement Standard
Staff availability 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year
On-call level Case Manager or above
Phone response ≤ 15 minutes
In-person response ≤ 1 hour if warranted by situation

9.2 Crisis Response Protocol

9.3 Post-Crisis Documentation

Within 3 business days of a crisis event:

Key references: FC-04 Crisis Management Policy; FC-04.1 Crisis Management Procedure


§10 STAR HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE COORDINATION

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), p. 54; FC-STAR-01.1

10.1 STAR Health Managed Care

All children in foster care are enrolled in STAR Health (Medicaid managed care for children in care). CPA responsibilities include:

10.2 Medical Consenter Collaboration

10.3 Health Services Not Covered by STAR Health

When needed services are not covered by STAR Health:


§11 STAFF AND FOSTER FAMILY HOME TRAINING

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), p. 55; FC-16; FC-16.1

11.1 Staff Training Requirements

Training Area Requirement
TBRI® foundational training Required for all direct service staff
T3C service delivery requirements Required for all case managers and clinical staff
Multi-system navigation (STAR Health, HHSC, ECI, education) Required for all case managers
Crisis response protocols Required for all staff with on-call responsibility
Annual continuing education Per FC-16 Staff and Caregiver Training Policy

11.2 Foster Family Home Caregiver Training

Training Area Timing
TBRI® foundations Before first T3C placement
Trauma-informed care and crisis de-escalation Before first T3C placement
Multi-system navigation basics Before first T3C placement
Normalcy and Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Before first T3C placement
Annual refresher Per credentialing cycle

Key references: FC-16 Staff and Caregiver Training Policy; FC-16.1 Staff and Caregiver Training Procedure


§12 CONTINUED STAY REVIEW — PROGRAM DIRECTOR REQUIREMENTS

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 55–56; FC-CSR-01; FC-CSR-01.1

At each 90-day Continued Stay Review, the Program Director must provide:

Confirmation Element Requirement
Child continues to meet criteria for placement Written confirmation; not verbal
Child is benefitting from the program Written confirmation based on documented progress
Alignment with permanency plan Confirmed and documented
Dual credential status (if specialized package) Verified before signing

Written confirmation is required. A verbal acknowledgment or informal notation does not satisfy this requirement. The Program Director's written confirmation must be present in the CSR documentation submitted to SSCC/DFPS.

For children on the MBH or STASS package: The T3C Blueprint requires dual Director sign-off (both Treatment Director and Program Director). See FC-MH-01 and FC-STASS-01 snapshots for those enhanced requirements.

Submission deadline: CSR documentation to SSCC/DFPS within 15 business days of review.

Key capture: Program Director Review Form (FC-PDR-01)


§13 AFTERCARE SERVICES

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 56–57; TAC §749.361; FC-AF-01; FC-AF-01.1

13.1 Duration and Structure

Aftercare services are provided for 6 months following discharge from placement. The contact cadence for T3C Basic is structured in two phases:

Phase Months Contact Frequency Mode
Intensive 1–3 Weekly Calls or in-person meetings
Continued 4–6 Twice monthly Calls or in-person meetings; flexible scheduling

Important distinction: The T3C Basic aftercare contact requirement differs from the MBH package. MBH requires twice-monthly contact throughout all 6 months (with a preference for in-person in month 1). T3C Basic requires weekly contact for months 1–3, then twice-monthly for months 4–6. Case managers must apply the correct cadence based on the child's package at discharge.

24/7 crisis availability is maintained throughout the full 6-month aftercare period.

13.2 Staffing

13.3 Aftercare Content

Months 1–3 (Weekly — Intensive):

Months 4–6 (Twice Monthly — Continued):

13.4 Documentation Requirements

Key capture: Aftercare Monthly Report (FC-AMR-01)

Key references: FC-AF-01 Aftercare Services Policy; FC-AF-01.1 Aftercare Services Procedure


§14 ADD-ON SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

Add-on services are delivered in addition to the T3C Basic package requirements. All §§1–13 of this document apply in full to children receiving any add-on. The following sections provide the Basic-level overview of each add-on. For the full add-on snapshot, see the dedicated add-on documents.

14.1 Transition Support Services for Youth & Young Adults (YTSS)

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 151–153; FC-YTSS-01

Eligibility: Youth in or transitioning out of foster care who require enhanced independence preparation support.

Staff Requirements:

Required Activities (in collaboration with SSCC/DFPS PAL staff):

ISP Requirements: Must include at minimum:

Youth notification: Youth must be informed of expectations of the Add-On Service program.

Foster Family Home credentialing: Additional assessment required beyond T3C Basic credentialing.

14.2 Kinship Caregiver Support Services (KIN)

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 156–160; FC-KIN-01

Eligibility: Children placed in kinship (relative or fictive kin) Foster Family Homes.

Staff Requirements:

Service Delivery Requirements:

Aftercare (San Antonio only): Provide or refer Kinship Caregivers to support groups; include support group information in Aftercare Services plan at discharge; track participation and outcomes.

Foster Family Home credentialing: Additional assessment required beyond T3C Basic credentialing.

14.3 Pregnant & Parenting Youth Support Services (PPY)

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 161–163; PPY Add-On

Eligibility: Pregnant and/or parenting youth and young adults in foster care.

Youth notification: Youth must be informed of expectations of the Add-On Service program.

Custom Parenting Plan must address:

Service Coordination must include support with:

Foster Family Home credentialing: Additional assessment required, including experience with infant and child care and dual-generation service needs.


§15 CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

T3C Blueprint (April 2026), p. 57; TAC §749.673; FC-T3C-01

Refuge House maintains an active CQI process for T3C Basic services including:


§15A IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE

Implementation guidance for T3C Basic enhancements — operational detail to be worked in the foundation procedures noted below (incl. build-out in Pulse), recovered from the prior procedure draft:

Enhancement Foundation procedure (home)
72-Hour Preliminary Service Plan; Casey Life Skills at age 14+ (within 45 days) Individual Service Planning Procedure (FC3-01.1)
Educational-advocacy cadence (2-day enrollment, 10-day plan, monthly monitoring) Educational Supports Procedure (FC09-01.1)
Discharge transition mechanics (90-day TBRI transition, life book, 30-day handoff) Discharge & Permanency Planning Procedure (FC14-01.1)
Documentation/QA cadence (monthly by the 5th; quarterly QA + PD remediation) Continuous Quality Improvement Procedure (FC-CQI-01.1)

§16 FORMS & CAPTURES — Implementation Guidance

Implementation guidance: these are the structured captures (forms/screens) that operationalize the package, being built into Pulse. Each row notes what it records (the build spec) and the procedure that owns it. Until a Pulse capture exists, the responsible role records the same data in the case record.

Capture (form/screen) ID What it records (build spec) Home
Foster Family Home Credentialing Assessment FC-CRED-01 DFPS license verification; TBRI® training & competency; trauma-informed experience; physical-environment appropriateness; support-system & crisis capacity; 24/7 availability; package-specific competencies FC-17.1
CANS 3.0 Documentation & Service Plan Integration Annual CANS 3.0 results & domains; integration of findings into the ISP FC3-01.1
Service Plan T3C Supplement / Continued Stay Evaluation FC3-03 CANS 3.0 reassessment results; Continued Stay Evaluation; treatment-progress indicators; crisis-incident summary; family-engagement progress FC3-01.1 / FC-CSR-01.1
Program Director Review (90-day CSR) FC-PDR-01 Written confirmation the child meets criteria & is benefitting; permanency-plan alignment; dual-credential check (specialized packages); signature & date FC-CSR-01.1
Service Denial Response FC-SDR-01 Request date; service type; payer; denial reason; appeal status; alternative-funding assessment; agency-coverage decision; SSCC notice (≤ 3 business days) §7 / Billing
Aftercare Monthly Report FC-AMR-01 All contacts & attempted contacts; referrals; case-management support; stability indicators; month/phase; submitted to SSCC/DFPS at end of each month FC-AF-01.1
Add-On Service Acknowledgment FC-ASA-01 Youth notification of add-on expectations (YTSS/PPY); youth signature & date §14 add-on procedures
Casey Life Skills Assessment CLSA Life-skills assessment for youth 14+ (within 45 days; §15A) and the YTSS add-on FC3-01.1 / YTSS
Kinship Support Assessment Kinship caregiver needs; benefits eligibility; support plan KIN add-on
Parenting Support Plan Safe sleep; childproofing; child development; substitute-caregiver selection; healthy relationships PPY add-on

§17 REGULATORY REFERENCES

Reference Topic
T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 49–57 T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services requirements
T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 151–153 Transition Support Services (YTSS)
T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 156–160 Kinship Caregiver Support Services
T3C Blueprint (April 2026), pp. 161–163 Pregnant & Parenting Youth Support Services
TAC §749.1301 30-day Service Plan Timeline — HIGH WEIGHT STANDARD
TAC §749.1301–1335 Service Planning Requirements
TAC §749.339 Crisis response and restriction of privileges
TAC §749.361 Aftercare services
TAC §749.673 Quality improvement
TAC §749.901 Emergency behavior intervention
TAC §749.2605 Normalcy activities
Texas Family Code §264.125 Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard
Human Resources Code §42.042 Normalcy activities (licensing authority)
DFPS 24-Hour RCC Requirements (FY26) Placement and service requirements; aftercare

§18 RELATED PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

Document ID Relationship
Foster Home Studies and T3C Credentialing Procedure FC-17.1 Credentialing assessment and approval
Individual Service Planning Procedure FC3-01.1 ISP development, 90-day CSR process
Admission Assessment Procedure FC2-01.1 CANS 3.0 initial assessment
Aftercare Services Policy FC-AF-01 Aftercare 6-month requirement
Aftercare Services Procedure FC-AF-01.1 Aftercare contact cadence and documentation
Crisis Management Policy FC-04 24/7 crisis policy
Crisis Management Procedure FC-04.1 Crisis response protocols and timelines
Continued Stay Review Policy FC-CSR-01 90-day CSR policy
Continued Stay Review Procedure FC-CSR-01.1 Program Director written confirmation steps
Family Connections and Engagement Procedure FC7-01.1 Family engagement and visitation
Staff and Caregiver Training Policy FC-16 Training requirements
Staff and Caregiver Training Procedure FC-16.1 Training delivery and documentation
Discharge and Permanency Planning Policy FC14-01 Discharge process
Discharge and Permanency Planning Procedure FC14-01.1 Therapeutic transition and discharge
STAR Health Coordination Procedure FC-STAR-01.1 STAR Health authorization and denial management
Universal Human Trafficking Prevention Training Policy FC-HT-01 Universal screening requirement
Kinship Caregiver Support Services Add-On FC-KIN-01 Full KIN add-on requirements
Youth Transition Support Services Add-On FC-YTSS-01 Full YTSS add-on requirements

This Comprehensive Enhanced Snapshot is the canonical T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services document. The former standalone Policy (FC-T3C-01) is superseded by this Snapshot. Operational implementation detail lives in the foundation procedures cited in §18. Implementation guidance is listed in §15A. All Blueprint page references are to the April 2026 edition.