T3C Blueprint Index & Reference Guide
Official Document: 2026_04_t3c_blueprint.pdf Document Type: Texas Child-Centered Care (T3C) System Blueprint Version: April 2026 ← CURRENT AUTHORITATIVE VERSION Prior Version (archived): January 2026 CPA Edition Sections Referenced in Refuge House Policies: See below
⚠️ AI Agents: The April 2026 edition (
2026_04_t3c_blueprint.pdf) is the authoritative Blueprint. All policy page references in this repository have been updated to the April 2026 page numbers. Do not cite the January 2026 edition as current.
Markdown Conversions
Markdown parts were converted from the January 2026 edition and contain the same service package content. Page numbers below reflect the April 2026 edition (+1 shift from January 2026).
CPA Service Packages
| Service Package | Pages (April 2026) | Markdown | Credentialed |
|---|---|---|---|
| T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services | 50-58 | t3c-blueprint-basic-foster-family-home.md | Yes |
| Substance Use Support Services | 59-69 | t3c-blueprint-substance-use.md | Yes |
| Short-Term Assessment Support Services | 70-78 | t3c-blueprint-short-term-assessment.md | Yes |
| Mental & Behavioral Health Support Services | 79-89 | t3c-blueprint-mental-behavioral-health.md | Yes |
| Sexual Aggression/Sex Offender Support Services | 90-101 | Not converted | No |
| Complex Medical Needs or Medically Fragile Support Services | 102-113 | Not converted | No |
| Human Trafficking Victim/Survivor Support Services | 114-124 | Not converted | No |
| IDD/Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Services | 125-136 | t3c-blueprint-idd-autism.md | Yes |
| T3C Treatment Foster Family Care Support Services | 137-148 | t3c-blueprint-treatment-foster-family.md | Yes |
CPA Add-On Services
| Add-On Service | Pages (April 2026) | Markdown |
|---|---|---|
| Transition Support Services for Youth & Young Adults | 149-154 | t3c-blueprint-addon-transition.md |
| Kinship Caregiver Support Services | 155-158 | t3c-blueprint-addon-kinship.md |
| Pregnant & Parenting Youth or Young Adult Support Services | 159-164 | t3c-blueprint-addon-pregnant-parenting.md |
Remaining Sections (Conversion Pending)
| Section | Pages (April 2026) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Overview (Commissioner Letter, Introduction, Terms, Credentialing, Rates) | 1-49 | Pending |
| APPENDIX I: Implementation Deliverable and Timeline | 396-398 | Pending |
| APPENDIX II.A: Interim Credential Requirements | 399-430 | Pending |
| APPENDIX II.B: Service Package Dependencies for Interim Credentials | 431-463 | Pending |
| APPENDIX III.A: Full Credential Requirements | 464-488 | Pending |
| APPENDIX III.B: Service Package Dependencies for Full Credentials | 489-513 | Pending |
| APPENDIX IV: TAC Rule Waiver Reference | 514-517 | Pending |
| GRO Tier I & Tier II Service Packages | 165-395 | N/A — GRO content (CPA-irrelevant) |
Quick Navigation
T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services
- Pages 50-58 (April 2026) | Full Markdown
- Core requirements for basic foster care services
- Credentialing requirements
- CANS 3.0 assessment requirements (annual)
- Foster family support requirements
- Therapy services
- Case Manager ratio: 1:20
- Aftercare: 6-month mandatory; weekly M1-3, twice-monthly M4-6
- Referenced in: FC-T3C-01, FC3-01, FC14-01, FC-AF-01, FC7-01.1, FC10-01.1, FC10-01.2
Substance Use Support Services
- Pages 59-69 (April 2026) | Full Markdown
- Substance use assessment and treatment requirements
- Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor requirements
- Aftercare services
- Referenced in: Package-Specific documents
Short-Term Assessment Support Services
- Pages 70-78 (April 2026) | Full Markdown
- 21/30-day assessment timeline
- 4-child placement cap
- Treatment Director qualifications
- Staff ratios: 12:1 case manager, 12:1 therapist, 25:1 crisis staff
- Time-limited Length of Service (30/45 days + 15-day extension)
- Not eligible for Add-On Services
- Referenced in: Package-Specific documents
Mental & Behavioral Health Support Services
- Pages 79-89 (April 2026) | Full Markdown
- Comprehensive clinical assessment requirements
- Treatment Director requirements (Masters-level, 3+ years experience)
- Licensed Therapist services
- Behavioral Support Specialist/Mentor services (1:15 ratio)
- Crisis Management Staff requirements (1:25 ratio, 24/7 availability)
- Continued Stay Reviews every 90 days (p.86)
- Mandatory Aftercare: 6 months (p.87); twice-monthly contact throughout
- Referenced in: FC-MH-01, FC2-01, FC2-01.1, FC3-01, FC14-01, FC-AF-01, FC-04
Intellectual or Developmental Disability (IDD)/Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Services
- Pages 125-136 (April 2026) | Full Markdown
- Developmental assessment requirements
- Communication assessment (including AAC determination)
- Functional skills and sensory assessment
- Registered Nurse Consultant — required position (24/7 availability)
- Dual credential required: IDD/ASD + T3C Basic
- Continued Stay Reviews every 90 days (p.135)
- Mandatory Aftercare: 6 months (p.136); twice-monthly contact
- Referenced in: FC-IDD-01, FC2-01, FC2-01.1, FC3-01, FC14-01, FC-AF-01, FC-04
T3C Treatment Foster Family Care Support Services
- Pages 137-148 (April 2026) | Full Markdown
- DSM-5 criteria based
- 274-day time limit with 91-day extension (365 max)
- Staffing ratios: 1:6 case managers, 1:11 therapists, 1:6 behavior specialists, 1:25 crisis staff
- 60-day service plan reviews, 90-day CANS assessments
- 2-child foster home placement cap
- 6-month aftercare requirement
- Referenced in: FC14-01, FC-AF-01
Add-On Services
- Pages 149-164 (April 2026) | Full Markdown: Transition · Kinship · Pregnant & Parenting
- Transition Support Services for Youth & Young Adults (p.149-154)
- PAL Program coordination, benefits navigation, independent living skills
- Transitional Support/Mentor staff ratio: 1:20
- 6-month aftercare with weekly→twice monthly follow-up
- Referenced in: FC-T3C-01, Package-Specific documents
- Kinship Caregiver Support Services (p.155-158)
- Specialized kinship support, benefit application assistance
- Kinship Home Support staff ratio: 1:7 homes
- 24/7 support availability
- 6-month aftercare
- Referenced in: FC-T3C-01, Package-Specific documents
- Pregnant & Parenting Youth Support Services (p.159-164)
- Dual-generation support, custom parenting plan
- Service coordination for parent and child(ren)
- Parenting Support/Mentor staff ratio: 1:20
- Add-On rate covers parent's needs; Foster Care Maintenance Payments cover child(ren)'s basic living needs
- Referenced in: FC-T3C-01, Package-Specific documents
- Transition Support Services for Youth & Young Adults (p.149-154)
Credentialing Process
- Pages 33-44 (April 2026):
- Interim and Full Credential requirements
- Agency Authority
- Transition from current to T3C system
- Referenced in: FC-17 (Home Studies Policy)
Functional Components (FC) References
- FC 1.01, FC 1.02: Admission Screening — Referenced in: FC1-01.1, FC7-01.1
- FC 2.01, FC 2.02, FC 2.03, FC 2.05, FC 2.06: Admission Assessment — Referenced in: FC2-01, FC2-01.1
- FC 3.01: Individual Service Planning — Referenced in: FC3-01, FC3-01.1
- FC 18.1, FC 18.2, FC 18.3: Alternative and Substitute Care — Referenced in: FC18-01.1
Where This Document is Referenced in Refuge House Policies
Policies Referencing T3C Blueprint
FC-T3C-01 - T3C Basic Foster Family Home Support Services Policy
- References: Pages 50-58 (Basic), Pages 149-154 (Transition), Pages 155-158 (Kinship), Pages 159-164 (Pregnant & Parenting)
FC2-01 - Admission Assessment Policy
- References: FC 2.01-2.06, Pages 79-89 (Mental Health), Pages 125-136 (IDD/Autism)
FC2-01.1 - Admission Assessment Procedure
- References: FC 2.01-2.06, Pages 79-89 (Mental Health), Pages 125-136 (IDD/Autism)
FC3-01 - Individual Service Planning Policy
- References: Pages 50-58 (Basic), Pages 79-89 (Mental Health), Pages 125-136 (IDD/Autism)
FC3-01.1 - Individual Service Planning Procedure
- References: Pages 50-58, Pages 79-89, Pages 125-136
FC7-01 - Family Connections and Engagement Policy
- References: FC 1.01, FC 1.02, Pages 50-58, Pages 79-89, Pages 125-136
FC7-01.1 - Family Connections and Engagement Procedure
- References: FC 1.01, FC 1.02, Pages 50-58, Pages 79-89, Pages 125-136
FC10-01 - Physical and Mental Health Care Policy
- References: Pages 50-58, Pages 102-113
FC10-01.1 - Physical and Mental Health Care Procedure
- References: Pages 50-58, Pages 102-113
FC10-01.2 - STAR Health Coordination Procedure
- References: Pages 50-58, Pages 102-113
FC14-01 - T3C Discharge and Permanency Planning Policy
- References: Pages 50-58, Pages 137-148, Pages 79-89, Pages 125-136, Pages 149-164
FC14-01.1 - T3C Discharge and Permanency Planning Procedure
- References: Pages 50-58, Pages 137-148, Pages 79-89, Pages 125-136
FC-17 - Home Studies Policy
- References: Page 33 (Credentialing), Pages 50-58, Pages 79-89, Pages 125-136
FC-RR-01 - Recruitment and Retention of Foster Families Policy
- References: Pages 50-58, Pages 79-89, Pages 125-136, Pages 149-154, Pages 155-158, Pages 159-164
FC-04 - Crisis Management Policy and Procedure
- References: Mental & Behavioral Health (Pages 79-89), IDD/Autism (Pages 125-136)
FC-AF-01 - Aftercare Services Policy and Procedure
- References: Pages 50-58, Pages 79-89, Pages 125-136, Pages 137-148
FC-MH-01 - Mental & Behavioral Health Support Services
- References: Pages 79-89 (comprehensive)
FC-IDD-01 - IDD/Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Services
- References: Pages 125-136 (comprehensive)
FC18-01.1 - Alternative and Substitute Care Procedure
- References: FC 18.1, FC 18.2, FC 18.3
Package-Specific Documents:
- Youth Transition Support Services Add-On: Pages 149-154
- Kinship Caregiver Support Services Add-On: Pages 155-158
- Pregnant & Parenting Youth Support Services Add-On: Pages 159-164
Version History
| Version | Date | Source PDF | Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | 2026-04-xx | 2026_04_t3c_blueprint.pdf |
CURRENT. All Refuge House policy page references updated to this edition (+1 shift from January 2026). Service package content substantially unchanged; page numbers shifted throughout. | ✅ CURRENT |
| January 2026 | 2026-01-28 | 2026_01_t3c_blueprint_cpa.pdf |
CPA-applicable edition (285pp). GRO content trimmed. Service package requirements unchanged except funding clarification in Pregnant & Parenting Add-On. All policy page references updated away from this version as of May 2026. | ⬛ Prior |
| October 2025 | 2025-10-28 | archived/2025_10_t3c_blueprint.pdf |
Full edition (515pp). Includes GRO Tier I & Tier II. | ⬛ Archived |
| April 2025 | — | Not retained | Original version referenced in prior index. | ⬛ Archived |
Search Tips
- For Basic Foster Care: Search basic-foster-family-home.md or Pages 50-58
- For Mental Health: Search mental-behavioral-health.md or Pages 79-89
- For IDD/Autism: Search idd-autism.md or Pages 125-136
- For TFFC: Search treatment-foster-family.md or Pages 137-148
- For Substance Use: Search substance-use.md or Pages 59-69
- For STASS: Search short-term-assessment.md or Pages 70-78
- For Add-Ons: Search markdown files in
t3c-blueprint-parts/or Pages 149-164 - For Credentialing: Search Pages 33-44
- For Aftercare: Search relevant service package markdown files
Last Updated: May 2026 Maintained By: Refuge House Compliance Team