3300, Abuse and Neglect Reporting

Revision 23-4; Effective Nov. 17, 2023

Grantees must obey state laws governing the reporting of suspected abuse and neglect of children, adults with disabilities, or people aged 65 years or older. The Texas Human Resources Code, Chapter 48, requires that suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an elderly person, a person with a disability or a person  receiving services from certain home and community-based providers be reported. Grantees must have an agency policy regarding abuse and neglect.

Reporting an Abuse Emergency

To report an emergency that involves the abuse or neglect of children, adults with disabilities, people aged 65 years or older, or a person receiving services from certain home and community-based providers, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 or online at TXAbuseHotline.org. For cases that pose an imminent threat or danger to the person, call 9-1-1 or any local or state law enforcement agency. 

Call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 for situations including but not limited to:

  • Serious injuries.
  • Any injury to a child 5 years or younger.
  • Immediate need for medical treatment (including suicidal thoughts).
  • Sexual abuse where the abuser has or will have access to the victim within the next 24 hours.
  • Children aged five and under who are alone or are likely to be left alone within the next 24 hours.
  • Anytime you believe your situation requires action in less than 24 hours.

Reporting a Suspicion of Abuse

For situations that do not require immediate investigation and to report suspicions of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children, adults with disabilities, people aged 65 years or older, or a person receiving services from certain home and community-based providers, use the Department of Family and Protective Services Texas Abuse Hotline.

3310 Child Abuse Reporting, Compliance and Monitoring

Revision 23-4; Effective Nov. 17, 2023

Grantees and providers must develop policies and procedures that follow the reporting guidelines and requirements in Texas Family Code, Chapter 261. Grantee must develop an internal policy to determine:

  • how child abuse reporting requirements will be implemented throughout their agency;
  • how staff will be trained; and
  • how internal monitoring will be done to ensure timely reporting.

During quality assurance (QA) monitoring, compliance with the following criteria will be evaluated:

  • The grantee's process must ensure staff is reporting abuse as required by Texas Family Code, Chapter 261. To verify compliance, QA monitors examine the grantee to assess whether the they:
    • have an internal policy which details how the grantee will determine, document, report and track instances of abuse, sexual and non-sexual, for all persons under age 18 in compliance with the Texas Family Code, Chapter 261;
    • follow their own internal policy; and
    • document staff training on child abuse reporting requirements and procedures.
  • The grantee’s internal policy must clearly describe the reporting process for child abuse.
     

Resources for child abuse reporting policy development are found at the Texas Abuse Hotline.

3320 Human Trafficking

Revision 23-4; Effective Nov. 17, 2023

HHSC requires that grantees obey state laws governing the reporting of abuse and neglect. Additionally, as part of the requirement that grantees follow applicable federal laws, family planning grantees must follow anti-trafficking laws, including the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 USC Section 7101, et seq.).

Grantees must have a written policy on human trafficking which includes the provision of annual staff training.

Resources for Human Trafficking Policy Development  

3330 Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence

Revision 23-4; Effective Nov. 17, 2023

Intimate partner violence (IPV) describes physical, sexual or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. Per Texas Human Resources Code, Chapter 51, family violence may also include emotional harm and a threat of harm. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples. IPV can exist regardless of the presence of sexual intimacy.

Grantees must have a written policy related to assessment and prevention of domestic and intimate partner violence, including the provision of annual staff training.