(a) The department shall establish a pilot program that allows the department to dispose of an investigation by referring the family of a child who is a candidate for foster care for family preservation services and allowing the child to return home instead of entering foster care or by providing services to a pregnant or parenting foster youth. The department shall implement the pilot program in two child protective services regions in this state, one urban and one rural.
(b) The pilot program must be implemented in at least one child protective services region in this state in which community-based care has been implemented under Subchapter B-1, Chapter 264.
(c) In authorizing family preservation services for a child who is a candidate for foster care, the child's safety is the primary concern. The services may be modified as necessary to accommodate the child's circumstances.
(d) In implementing the pilot program, the department shall use:
(1) Title IV-E funds to:
(A) pay for legal representation for parents in the manner provided by Section 107.015; or
(B) provide to counties a matching reimbursement for the cost of the legal representation; and
(2) funds received under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program or other department funds to provide enhanced in-home support services to families qualifying for prevention services under this subchapter to achieve the objectives in the family preservation services plan.
Official text of the Texas Family Code as published by the Texas Legislative Council.