DFPS Provider Portal Changes for GROs
Dear Residential Provider,
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) will release changes to the DFPS Provider Portal that will impact General Residential Operations (GRO) Providers and the requirement related to Attachment A - Child Sexual History Report which documents any history of sexual victimization, sexual aggression, sexual behavior problems, or sex trafficking for each child. Beginning January 10, 2025, GRO administrators are responsible for requiring each caregiver to acknowledge and certify the Attachment A electronically in the DFPS Provider Portal prior to each caregiver providing care for a child.
What is changing in the Provider Portal?
The Provider Portal will have new features that allow DFPS, GRO Providers, and GRO caregivers to manage the Attachment A certification process online. This online process will include email notifications and the ability for GRO caregivers to electronically review and certify the receipt of the Attachment A. This electronic process replaces using a hard copy of the Child Sexual Abuse or Sexual Aggression Information form (Form K-908-2279b) for these caregivers.
At this time, the new DFPS Provider Portal features are not applicable to non-GRO Providers, such as Child Placing Agencies, or GRO caregivers assigned to a child placed via a Child Specific Contract. Caregivers with non-GRO Providers will continue to sign a hard copy of Form K-908-2279b.
How will GRO providers receive notification that there is an Attachment A for a child which requires the caregiver review?
DFPS staff will send a document to a GRO Provider in the DFPS Provider Portal. Once a GRO administrator assigns a caregiver to a child, the system will automatically forward an email to the assigned caregiver. The caregiver’s email will have a link to access the child’s Attachment A within the DFPS Provider Portal. Detailed DFPS Provider Portal access instructions will be sent in a separate email to the Caregiver.
When will these changes be available in the Provider Portal?
DFPS will release these changes in two parts.
- Release 1 is scheduled for December 9, 2024. This release will allow GRP Providers to add an email address to a caregiver’s profile.
- Release 2 is scheduled for January 10, 2025. The Provider Portal Attachment A certification functionality will be available.
What do I need to do now?
- GRO Providers must enter an email address into the DFPS Provider Portal for each caregiver prior to January 10, 2025. Instructions can be found in the document titled Add Email Address to an Existing Caregiver Account. Caregivers cannot share the same email address.
- GRO Providers must notify caregivers of the following Attachment A certification process change and the caregivers’ required actions.
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Caregiver Account in DFPS Provider Portal: Caregivers must follow the instructions contained within an email that has been sent to them from dfpssalesforce@dfps.state.tx.us to finalize the account authentication process which will allow them the credentials required to login to the DFPS Provider Portal. This is a one-time task. (Providers please reach out to your caregivers and ensure that they have received the email and completed this task, for those that have not completed the task please maintain contact with them until it is completed as the due date is fast approaching and failure to complete this task means they will not have access or the ability to certify Attachment A’s).
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Attachment A Notifications: When there is an Attachment A for which a caregiver must read and certify, the caregiver will receive an email from dfpsattachmentaverification@dfps.texas.gov. The email will contain a link that will direct the caregiver to the DFPS Provider Portal. This process will begin on or after January 10th.
If you have any questions regarding the changes shared above, please email us at DFPSAttachmentAVerification@dfps.texas.gov.
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