# REFUGE HOUSE, INC.

| Policy Information | Details |
| :---- | :---- |
| **POLICY NAME** | Staff and Caregiver Training Policy |
| **POLICY NUMBER** | FC-16 |
| **ORIGINATED** | December 2025 |
| **APPROVED BY** | Board of Directors |
| **APPROVED ON** | 5/22/2026 |
| **EFFECTIVE DATE** | 5/22/2026 |
| **LAST UPDATED** | 5/15/2026 |
| **REVISION DATE** | 7/13/26 (pending approval) |
| **LAST APPROVED** | 5/22/2026 |
| **SECTION** | FC-16 |
| **PRIMARY DOMAIN** | Training |
| **ADJACENT DOMAINS** | Foster Care; HR/Personnel |
| **DATE(S) OF REVISION** | 12.09.2025.1 |

| \#\# APPLICABLE T3C PACKAGES: | \#\# APPLICABLE T3C ADD-ON SERVICES: |
| :---- | :---- |
| ☒ T3C Basic Foster Family Home | ☒ Transition Support Services for Youth & Young Adults |
| ☒ Substance Use Support Services | ☒ Kinship Caregiver Support Services |
| ☒ Short-Term Assessment | ☒ Pregnant & Parenting Youth or Young Adult |
| ☒ Mental & Behavioral Health |  |
| ☐ Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender |  |
| ☐ Complex Medical Needs or Medically Fragile |  |
| ☐ Human Trafficking Victim/Survivor |  |
| ☒ Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD)/Autism Spectrum Disorder |  |
| ☒ T3C Treatment Foster Family Care |  |

---

## PURPOSE

To establish comprehensive training requirements for all personnel involved in T3C service delivery, ensuring consistent competency across staff, foster family caregivers, and contracted treatment team members. This policy centralizes training standards to support quality service delivery, regulatory compliance, and effective implementation of Refuge House's Evidence-informed Treatment Model (TBRI®).

---

## POLICY STATEMENT

Refuge House is committed to ensuring all individuals involved in caring for children possess the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary for trauma-informed, effective service delivery. Training is not merely a compliance requirement but a foundational element of quality care that directly impacts child outcomes.

All training at Refuge House integrates Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) principles, ensuring a consistent therapeutic approach across all caregiving contexts. Training requirements are tailored to the specific responsibilities and populations served by each role and Service Package.

---

## SCOPE

This policy applies to:

**Agency Staff:**
- Executive leadership (Executive Director, Program Directors, Treatment Directors)
- Direct service staff (Case Managers, Intake/Placement Specialists)
- Clinical staff (Licensed Therapists employed by agency)
- Support staff (Administrative, Quality Assurance, Training Coordinators)

**Foster Family Home Caregivers:**
- Prospective foster parents (pre-service)
- Verified foster parents (ongoing/annual)
- Foster home staff employed by foster parents
- Respite caregivers

**Contracted Treatment Team Members:**
- Licensed Therapists (contracted through STAR Health network)
- Behavioral Support Specialists/Mentors
- Registered Nurses and nurse consultants
- Psychiatrists and psychiatric consultants
- Other specialists providing services to children in care

**Kinship Caregivers:**
- Relative caregivers
- Fictive kin caregivers

---

## PROVISIONS

### 1. TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

Refuge House training is grounded in the following principles:

**1.1 TBRI® Integration**

All training incorporates Trust-Based Relational Intervention® principles:
- **Connecting Principles**: Building trust and attachment through relationship
- **Empowering Principles**: Meeting physical and environmental needs
- **Correcting Principles**: Using proactive and responsive strategies

**1.2 Trauma-Informed Approach**

Training delivery and content acknowledge:
- Impact of trauma on child development and behavior
- Secondary traumatic stress for caregivers and staff
- Need for self-care and support systems
- Strengths-based, non-punitive approaches

**1.3 Competency-Based Learning**

Training focuses on demonstrated competency, not merely attendance:
- Knowledge acquisition verified through assessment
- Skills demonstrated through practice and observation
- Ongoing coaching and support to maintain competency

---

### 2. STAFF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

**2.1 Pre-Employment/Orientation Training**

All new staff must complete within **30 days of hire**:

| Training Component | Hours | Requirement Source |
|-------------------|-------|-------------------|
| Agency Orientation | 2 | Refuge House Policy |
| T3C System Overview | 2 | T3C Blueprint |
| TBRI® Foundations | 4 | T3C Blueprint (Treatment Model) |
| Human Trafficking Prevention | 2-3 | T3C Blueprint p.18-19 |
| Policies and Procedures Review | 2 | TAC §749.931 |
| Documentation and Radius Training | 2 | Refuge House Policy |
| **TOTAL MINIMUM** | **14-15** | |

**2.2 Position-Specific Training**

**Executive Leadership** (Program Director, Treatment Director):
- T3C Service Package requirements and compliance (4 hours)
- Quality assurance and oversight responsibilities (2 hours)
- Clinical supervision (Treatment Director) (4 hours)

**Case Managers**:
- Service planning and CANS 3.0 administration (8 hours)
- STAR Health coordination (4 hours)
- Family engagement and permanency planning (4 hours)
- Package-specific training for assigned caseloads (varies)

**Clinical Staff**:
- TBRI® clinical application (8 hours)
- T3C clinical requirements by Service Package (varies)
- Crisis intervention and safety planning (4 hours)

**2.3 Annual Staff Training**

All staff must complete **20 hours minimum** annually, including:
- TBRI® refresher/advanced application (4 hours)
- Policy and regulatory updates (2 hours)
- Human Trafficking Prevention refresher (as required)
- Position-specific continuing education (varies)
- Package-specific updates for assigned populations (varies)

---

### 3. FOSTER FAMILY CAREGIVER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

**3.1 Pre-Service Training**

Prospective foster parents must complete **35 hours minimum** before verification (TAC §749.863, §749.885):

| Training Component | Hours | Requirement Source |
|-------------------|-------|-------------------|
| RH 101 Orientation | 2 | Refuge House Policy |
| Pre-Service Curriculum | 12 | TAC §749.863, §749.885 |
| SAMA (Behavioral Management) | 16 | Refuge House Policy |
| CPR/First Aid | 2 | TAC §749.911(1) |
| Psychotropic Medications | 2 | TAC §749.911 |
| Transportation Safety | 2 | Refuge House Policy |
| Medical Consent | 1 | DFPS Requirement |
| **TOTAL** | **37** | |

**Additional Pre-Service Requirements:**
- TBRI® Foundations integrated throughout curriculum
- Human Trafficking Prevention (2-3 hours) per T3C Blueprint
- Background checks and home study completion per FC-17
- **DFPS sexual-abuse caregiver training** — Provider Portal registration and Caregiver Training Hub course completed **before providing direct care** — see Section 11.1 (DFPS 24-Hr RCC §5600)
- **Trauma-Informed Care quantum** — minimum 8 hours of TIC training completed **before serving as the only caregiver responsible for a child** — see Section 11.2 (DFPS 24-Hr RCC §5510)

**3.2 T3C Transition Training (Current Foster Parents)**

Existing verified foster parents transitioning to T3C credentialing must complete **16 hours**:

| Module | Hours | Content |
|--------|-------|---------|
| T3C Orientation & Vision | 2 | T3C transformation; what changes |
| TBRI® as Treatment Model | 4 | TBRI principles with T3C application |
| Human Trafficking Prevention | 2 | DFPS curriculum (if not current) |
| Service Planning & Documentation | 4 | Foster parent participation; outcome tracking |
| Enhanced Family Connections | 2 | Family engagement expectations |
| Add-On Services Integration | 2 | Kinship, Transition, Pregnant/Parenting overview |

**3.3 Annual Caregiver Training**

Verified foster parents must complete **30 hours minimum** annually (TAC §749.930):

| Training Category | Hours | Requirement Source |
|------------------|-------|-------------------|
| TBRI® Application/Refresher | 4 | T3C Blueprint |
| Behavior Management (SAMA refresher) | 8 | Refuge House Policy |
| Trauma-Informed Care | 2 | TAC §749.911 |
| Cultural Competency | 2 | TAC §749.911 |
| Normalcy/Prudent Parenting | 2 | TAC §749.911(13) |
| Child Development | 2 | TAC §749.911(2) |
| CPR/First Aid (maintain certification) | 2 | TAC §749.911(1) |
| Electives/Package-Specific | 8 | Various |
| **TOTAL** | **30** | |

---

### 4. PACKAGE-SPECIFIC TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

**4.1 T3C Basic Foster Family Home**

Standard pre-service and annual training as outlined in Sections 2-3.

**4.2 Mental & Behavioral Health Support Services**

Staff and caregivers serving this population must complete additional training:

| Training Component | Hours | Audience |
|-------------------|-------|----------|
| Mental & Behavioral Health package-specific training (therapeutic parenting, crisis de-escalation, safety/medication storage, treatment-team participation) | 4 | Staff and Caregivers |
| Crisis intervention, trauma & attachment, behavioral support, and mental health first aid concepts | Covered within standard pre-service curriculum (no additional hours) | Staff and Caregivers |

**4.3 IDD/Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Services**

Staff and caregivers serving this population must complete additional training:

| Training Component | Hours | Audience |
|-------------------|-------|----------|
| IDD/Autism package-specific training (autism characteristics, communication/AAC, sensory-friendly environment, behavior support, medical-care coordination) | 4 | Staff and Caregivers |
| Additional IDD/Autism competencies | Covered within standard pre-service curriculum (no additional hours) | Staff and Caregivers |

**4.4 Substance Use Support Services**

Staff and caregivers serving this population must complete additional training:

| Training Component | Hours | Audience |
|-------------------|-------|----------|
| Substance Abuse Awareness | **4** | Staff and Caregivers |
| Understanding Addiction as Disease | Included | Staff and Caregivers |
| Non-Punitive, Recovery-Supportive Approach | Included | Staff and Caregivers |
| Recognizing Signs of Use/Relapse | Included | Staff and Caregivers |
| MAT Understanding (if applicable) | Included | Staff and Caregivers |

**Annual Refresher:** 2 hours substance use topics

**4.5 Short-Term Assessment Support Services**

Staff and caregivers serving this population must complete additional training:

| Training Component | Hours | Audience |
|-------------------|-------|----------|
| Short-Term Assessment Training | **4** | Staff and Caregivers |
| Observation and Documentation | Included | Caregivers |
| Supporting Assessment Processes | Included | Caregivers |
| Transition Management | Included | Caregivers |

**4.6 T3C Treatment Foster Family Care**

**CRITICAL:** Per TAC §749.863(c), caregivers must complete **20 hours additional specialized training**:

| Training Component | Hours | Audience |
|-------------------|-------|----------|
| Managing High-Acuity Behaviors | 4 | Caregivers |
| Implementing Intensive Behavior Support Plans | 4 | Caregivers |
| Advanced Crisis Intervention/De-escalation | 4 | Caregivers |
| Supporting Concentrated Therapeutic Treatment | 4 | Caregivers |
| Recognizing Psychiatric Emergencies | 2 | Caregivers |
| Treatment Team Participation | 2 | Caregivers |
| **TOTAL** | **20** | |

**Annual Requirement:** 8 hours specialized Treatment Foster Care training

**Staff Training:** Treatment Directors and Case Managers serving TFFC must complete comparable clinical training on intensive service delivery.

---

### 5. CONTRACTED TREATMENT TEAM MEMBER REQUIREMENTS

**5.1 Verification of Qualifications**

Before engaging contracted treatment team members, Refuge House verifies:
- Current professional licensure/certification
- Required background checks per TAC Chapter 749
- Liability insurance coverage
- Experience with child welfare population

**5.2 Orientation Requirements**

All contracted treatment team members must receive orientation including:

| Component | Method | Timeline |
|-----------|--------|----------|
| Refuge House mission and values | Written materials | Before service delivery |
| TBRI® Treatment Model overview | Written materials or brief training | Before service delivery |
| T3C Service Package requirements | Written materials | Before service delivery |
| Documentation and communication expectations | Meeting with Case Manager | Before service delivery |
| Reporting requirements | Written materials | Before service delivery |

**5.3 Provider-Specific Requirements**

**Licensed Therapists (Contracted):**
- Must be credentialed with STAR Health managed care organization
- Encouraged to complete TBRI® training
- Must participate in treatment team coordination
- Annual verification of licensure and credentials

**Behavioral Support Specialists/Mentors:**
- Must meet T3C Blueprint qualifications
- TBRI® Foundations training (4 hours minimum)
- Package-specific training for populations served
- Annual competency verification

**Nursing Staff (Contracted):**
- Current RN or LVN licensure
- Orientation to T3C health coordination requirements
- TBRI® awareness training
- Trauma-informed care awareness

**5.4 Ongoing Coordination**

Contracted treatment team members receive:
- Regular communication from Case Manager regarding child progress
- Invitation to Service Planning Team meetings
- Updates on Treatment Model expectations
- Access to consultation with Treatment Director as needed

---

### 6. KINSHIP CAREGIVER TRAINING

**6.1 Modified Training Approach**

Recognizing kinship caregivers' existing relationships with children, training is adapted while maintaining safety standards:

| Training Component | Hours | Timeline |
|-------------------|-------|----------|
| Kinship-Specific Orientation | 2 | Within 14 days of placement |
| Safety and Emergency Procedures | 2 | Within 14 days of placement |
| Trauma-Informed Parenting Basics | 4 | Within 30 days |
| TBRI® Foundations (modified) | 4 | Within 60 days |
| Human Trafficking Prevention | 2 | Within 90 days |
| CPR/First Aid | 2 | Within 90 days |
| **TOTAL PRE-VERIFICATION** | **16** | |

**Kinship RCC training gates:** verified kinship caregivers complete the **two-hour DFPS Trauma-Informed Care Training within 60 days of the placement of the first child in their home** (DFPS 24-Hr RCC §5510) — see Section 11.3 — and, like all direct-care caregivers, complete the DFPS Provider Portal registration and Caregiver Training Hub child-sexual-abuse course **before providing direct care** and annually thereafter (DFPS 24-Hr RCC §5600) — see Section 11.1.

**6.2 Ongoing Kinship Training**

- Annual training requirements per TAC §749.930 (30 hours); kinship pre-verification, general, and additional training per **§749.4423, §749.4427, §749.4429** (documented per §749.4421)
- Additional support and coaching as identified
- Access to all foster parent training opportunities

---

### 7. HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION TRAINING

**Cross-Reference:** TR-HT-01 Universal Human Trafficking Prevention Training Policy

**7.1 Universal Requirement**

ALL staff, caregivers, and contracted treatment team members must complete Human Trafficking Prevention Training:

| Audience | Initial Training | Refresher |
|----------|-----------------|-----------|
| Staff | Within 30 days of hire | Every 2 years |
| Foster Caregivers | Pre-service | Every 2 years |
| Contracted Providers | Before service delivery | Every 2 years |
| Kinship Caregivers | Within 90 days | Every 2 years |

**7.2 Training Delivery**

Refuge House maintains certified trainers per DFPS Train-the-Trainer model. See TR-HT-01 and TR-HT-01.1 for complete requirements.

---

### 8. TRAINING DOCUMENTATION AND COMPLIANCE

**8.1 Documentation Requirements**

All training must be documented including:
- Training title and content
- Date(s) of completion
- Hours credited
- Trainer/provider information
- Certificate of completion (where applicable)
- Competency assessment results (where applicable)

**8.2 Record Maintenance**

Training records maintained in:
- **Staff**: Personnel files and Learning Management System (LMS)
- **Caregivers**: Licensing files in Radius and LMS
- **Contracted Providers**: Provider files with annual verification

**8.3 Compliance Monitoring**

Training Coordinator monitors:
- Pre-service completion before placement approval
- Annual training compliance by anniversary date
- Package-specific training before serving specialized populations
- Expiring certifications (CPR, etc.)

**8.4 Non-Compliance Response**

- 30-day warning for approaching non-compliance
- Placement hold for caregivers not meeting requirements
- Performance management for staff non-compliance
- Contract review for non-compliant providers

---

### 9. QUALITY ASSURANCE

**9.1 Training Effectiveness**

Training effectiveness assessed through:
- Post-training knowledge assessments
- Competency demonstrations
- Supervisor observation and feedback
- Outcome data correlation

**9.2 Continuous Improvement**

Training program improvements informed by:
- Participant evaluations
- Regulatory changes
- T3C Blueprint updates
- CQI data analysis
- Incident and complaint trends

---

### 10. 2INgage Network Training Requirements

**SSCC-2INGAGE — addition start** *(provider-specific; remove this block if the 2INgage contract ends)*

For the **2INgage** network: on an annual basis, all Refuge House personnel acknowledge being informed of the most current agency Disaster and Emergency Response Preparedness Plan (DERPP), including updates, and foster parents receive information regarding **Texas Health Steps**. *(2INgage Provider Manual Rev. 1.2026 §10, p.46)* Caregivers serving children with a sexual-behavior history complete **Child Sexual Aggression (CSA)** training. *(2INgage Provider Manual Rev. 1.2026 §2, p.13)*

**SSCC-2INGAGE — addition end**

**SSCC-EMPOWER — addition start** *(provider-specific; remove this block if the EMPOWER contract ends)*

For the **EMPOWER** network, all Refuge House personnel annually acknowledge being informed of the most current agency DERPP (including updates), and foster parents receive **Texas Health Steps** information *(EMPOWER Provider Manual Rev. 1.2026 §10, p.45)*.

**SSCC-EMPOWER — addition end**

**SSCC-OCOK — addition start** *(provider-specific; remove this block if the OCOK contract ends)*

For the **OCOK** network, personnel and caregivers are trained on and/or acknowledge the agency DERPP during pre-service and **annually** thereafter, and each foster/adoptive home develops its own DERPP *(OCOK Network Management Operations Manual Rev. 7-1-2025 §4.06, p.69)*.

**SSCC-OCOK — addition end**

**SSCC-STFRANCIS — addition start** *(provider-specific; based on the publicly-sourced July-2020 SFCS manual — confirm against the current SFCS manual; remove this block if the SFCS contract ends)*

For the **SFCS** network, required training includes **Emergency Behavior Intervention (8 hours pre-service)**, and foster parents receive **Texas Health Steps** information *(SFCS Placement Provider Manual, July 2020 §1.8, p.13)*.

**SSCC-STFRANCIS — addition end**

---

### 11. DFPS CAREGIVER TRAINING GATES (DFPS 24-Hr RCC FY26)

**11.1 DFPS Sexual Abuse Caregiver Training (RCC §5600)**

Refuge House registers **every individual who provides direct care to children in DFPS conservatorship** as a Caregiver in the DFPS **Provider Portal** before the required DFPS caregiver training can be completed. Each Caregiver must complete the required DFPS caregiver training on **child sexual abuse in the Caregiver Training Hub before providing direct care** to children in DFPS conservatorship, **and annually thereafter**. (DFPS 24-Hr RCC §5600) Completion of this training is a placement gate: no caregiver — foster parent, kinship caregiver, respite caregiver, foster-home employee, or agency employee providing direct care — provides direct care before the initial course is complete, and annual recompletion is tracked by anniversary date. Completion certificates are retained per Section 8 (Training Documentation and Compliance).

**11.2 Pre-Service Trauma-Informed Care Quantum (RCC §5510)**

Each Caregiver and employee, including Case Managers, who provides direct care must complete a **minimum of eight hours of Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) training before being the only Caregiver responsible for a child in care**. The eight hours must include **at least one of the DFPS-approved Trauma-Informed Care trainings**, a component on **Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)**, and training and resources related to **prevention and management of secondary traumatic stress (compassion fatigue)**. (DFPS 24-Hr RCC §5510)

*Reconciliation with the Section 3.1 pre-service table:* the eight TIC hours sit **inside** the existing 37-hour pre-service block, not on top of it. The DFPS-approved TIC training, the ACEs component, and the secondary-traumatic-stress component are scheduled as identified elements of the pre-service sequence; the remaining TIC hours are drawn from the trauma-informed content of the 12-hour Pre-Service Curriculum (TBRI®-based attachment, trauma, and connection modules), counted only where the training record documents the content as Trauma-Informed Care. Where an individual's documented TIC hours within the existing block fall short of eight, supplemental TIC hours are assigned before that individual serves as the sole caregiver — which may raise that individual's pre-service total above 37 hours rather than re-labeling non-TIC content. The sole-caregiver gate applies equally to agency employees who provide direct care, including Case Managers.

**11.3 Kinship Trauma-Informed Care (RCC §5510)**

Verified Kinship Caregivers complete the **two-hour DFPS Trauma-Informed Care Training within 60 days of the placement of the first child in their home** (available at https://www.dfps.texas.gov/training/trauma_informed_care/). The two-hour DFPS course counts toward the 4-hour Trauma-Informed Parenting Basics component in Section 6.1. Verified Kinship Caregivers are not required by the RCC to complete the additional six hours of TIC training unless required by Refuge House (DFPS 24-Hr RCC §5510); Refuge House's kinship training expectations in Section 6 continue to apply.

**11.4 Annual TIC Refresher and Documentation (RCC §§5520, 5530)**

The annual two-hour Trauma-Informed Care refresher required by DFPS 24-Hr RCC §5520 is satisfied through the Trauma-Informed Care component of the annual caregiver training in Section 3.3 and applies equally to employees, including Case Managers, who provide direct care. Caregivers and employees keep certifications of completed TIC training in their records per Section 8 (DFPS 24-Hr RCC §5530).

## DEFINITIONS

- **Caregiver**: Foster parent or other adult providing direct care to children in Refuge House foster homes
- **Contracted Treatment Team Member**: Licensed professional providing services to children in care through contract arrangement rather than direct employment
- **Competency**: Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in practice
- **Pre-Service Training**: Training completed before initial foster home verification or employment start
- **Annual Training**: Training completed within each 12-month period following initial training
- **Package-Specific Training**: Additional training required for personnel serving children in specialized T3C Service Packages
- **TBRI®**: Trust-Based Relational Intervention® - Refuge House's evidence-informed treatment model
- **MAT**: Medication-Assisted Treatment for substance use disorders

---

## REFERENCES

- T3C Blueprint Standards: Pages 18-19 (Human Trafficking Prevention); Treatment Model requirements throughout
- T3C Blueprint Standards: Pages 56-66 (Substance Use Support Services)
- T3C Blueprint Standards: Pages 67-75 (Short-Term Assessment Support Services)
- T3C Blueprint Standards: Pages 136-147 (T3C Treatment Foster Family Care Support Services)
- TAC Chapter 749: §749.863 (caregiver pre-service), §749.864 (employee pre-service); §749.885 (psychotropic-med training content); §749.911 (pediatric first aid/CPR); §749.930 (caregiver annual), §749.931 (employee annual), §749.935 (countable hours); §749.863(c) (Treatment Foster Care +20 hrs); §749.4421/.4423/.4427/.4429 (kinship training)
- DFPS 24-Hour RCC Requirements (FY26): §5510 (pre-service 8-hour TIC quantum; kinship 2-hour DFPS TIC within 60 days); §5520 (annual 2-hour TIC refresher); §5530 (TIC training documentation); §5600 (Provider Portal registration + Caregiver Training Hub child-sexual-abuse training before direct care and annually)
- DFPS Universal Human Trafficking Prevention Training Curriculum

---

**SSCC alignment (FY-26):** 2INgage Provider Manual Rev. 1.2026 — §10 (p.46 DERPP/THSteps); §2 (p.13 CSA). Cross-reference: FC-CQI-01 Continuous Quality Improvement Policy; FY-26 SSCC coverage tracker (`temporary-reference/fy26-sscc-joint-monitoring/sscc-alignment/`).

**SSCC alignment (FY-26) — EMPOWER:** EMPOWER Provider Manual Rev. 1.2026 — §10 (p.45 DERPP/THSteps). Cross-reference: FC-CQI-01 Continuous Quality Improvement Policy; FY-26 SSCC variance matrix.

**SSCC alignment (FY-26) — OCOK:** OCOK Network Management Operations Manual Rev. 7-1-2025 — §4.06 (p.69 DERPP annual training). Cross-reference: FC-CQI-01 Continuous Quality Improvement Policy; FY-26 SSCC variance matrix.

**SSCC alignment (FY-26) — 4Kids:** 4Kids4Families Joint Operations Manual (Dec 2025) / Subcontractor Agreement — reviewed; aligned (4Kids items here are casework/Minimum-Standards-level), no additional provider-specific provisions required in this document. Cross-reference: FC-CQI-01 Continuous Quality Improvement Policy; FY-26 SSCC variance matrix.

**SSCC alignment (FY-26) — Belong:** Belong Stage I & II Provider Manual (Aug 2025) / Provider Services Agreement — reviewed; aligned, no additional provider-specific provisions required in this document. Cross-reference: FC-CQI-01 Continuous Quality Improvement Policy; FY-26 SSCC variance matrix.

**SSCC alignment (FY-26) — SFCS:** SFCS Placement Provider Manual (July 2020, publicly-sourced — currency unconfirmed) / 2019 Affiliate Provider Agreement — Manual §1.8 (EBI 8-hr pre-service; Texas Health Steps info). Confirm against the current SFCS provider manual. Cross-reference: FC-CQI-01 Continuous Quality Improvement Policy; FY-26 SSCC variance matrix.

## RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

- FC-16.1 Staff and Caregiver Training Procedure
- FC-17 Foster Home Studies and T3C Credentialing Policy
- TR-HT-01 Universal Human Trafficking Prevention Training Policy
- TR-HT-01.1 Universal Human Trafficking Prevention Training Procedure
- FC-T3C-01 T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services Policy
- FC-SU-01 Substance Use Support Services Policy
- FC-STASS-01 Short-Term Assessment Support Services Policy
- FC-TFFC-01 T3C Treatment Foster Family Care Support Services Policy
- T3C Staff and Caregiver Training Plan (Implementation Document)
- Foster Parent Training Requirements Matrix (Reference Document)

---

## FORMS/ATTACHMENTS

- Training Requirements Checklist by Role
- Pre-Service Training Completion Verification
- Annual Training Tracking Log
- Package-Specific Training Verification
- DFPS Provider Portal Caregiver Registration Verification (RCC §5600)
- DFPS Caregiver Training Hub Child Sexual Abuse Training Certificate (RCC §5600)
- Trauma-Informed Care 8-Hour Pre-Service Verification (DFPS-approved course + ACEs + STS components) (RCC §5510)
- Contracted Provider Orientation Checklist
- Training Certificate Templates
- Competency Assessment Tools

**Package-Specific Training Checklists:**
- Substance Use Support Services Training Verification
- Short-Term Assessment Training Verification
- Treatment Foster Family Care Training Verification (20 hours per TAC §749.863(c))

---

*This policy document establishes the governing principles for Staff and Caregiver Training. The corresponding procedure document (FC-16.1) operationalizes these principles by providing specific implementation details (who, when, where, and how). While policies require Board approval and remain relatively stable, procedures may be updated by the Executive Director to adapt to regulatory changes, technological advancements, or operational improvements without requiring Board approval, provided such changes maintain alignment with the policy's intent.*