What are the Requirements of Local CRCGs Regarding Permanency Planning?
The 77th Legislature enacted Senate Bill 368 (SB 368), codified in Section 1, Subchapter D, Chapter 531 of the Texas Government Code added by Chapter 241, that strengthens permanency planning activities for children with developmental disabilities in Texas. The actual Bill may be accessed here. How this legislation relates to the local CRCG operation is highlighted as follows.

The above Texas Government Code defines permanency planning as a "philosophy and planning process that focuses on the outcome of family support by facilitating a permanent living arrangement with the primary feature of an enduring and nurturing parental relationship." To that end, when a child is placed in an institution, not later than the third day after the date a child is initially placed in an institution, the institution shall notify several entities including the local CRCG in the county of residence of a parent or guardian of the child.

An "institution" is defined in Senate Bill 368, 77th Legislature as:

• an ICF-MR, as defined by Section 531.002, Health and Safety Code;
  a group home operated under the authority of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, including a residential service provider under a Medicaid waiver program authorized under Section 1915(c) of the federal Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n), as amended, that provides services at a residence other than the child's home or foster home;

• a foster group home or an agency foster group home as defined by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code;
  a nursing facility;

• an institution for the mentally retarded licensed by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services; or

• another residential arrangement other than a foster home as defined by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code, that provides care to four or more children who are unrelated to each other.

The CRCG and each entity receiving notice of the initial placement of a child in an institution may contact the child's parent or guardian to ensure that the parent or guardian is aware of services and support that could provide alternatives to placement of the child in the institution, available placement options, and opportunities for permanency planning.

For additional information, please contact Charly Meismer (512) 206-5133.