dfps.texas.gov

In Texas, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is the state agency responsible for protecting children, elderly adults, and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. If you suspect someone is being harmed, you can report it to DFPS through its statewide hotline or online reporting system. The specific path your report takes depends on who is affected: reports involving children go to Child Protective Investigations or Child Protective Services, while reports involving adults 65 or older, or adults with disabilities, go to Adult Protective Services (APS). This guide explains how to recognize the signs, where to report, and what happens after you file.

The Three Types of Harm: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

DFPS groups the harm it investigates into three broad categories. Understanding the differences helps you describe what you're seeing when you report.

For children, DFPS also distinguishes between abuse and neglect in its investigations. For adults, APS handles all three categories, with exploitation being a common concern for elderly and disabled Texans.

Signs That May Indicate Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation

You don't need proof to make a report — reasonable suspicion is enough. These are common indicators:

Physical signs

• Unexplained bruises, burns, cuts, or injuries, especially in patterns
• Frequent injuries that don't match the explanation given
• Poor hygiene, malnutrition, or untreated medical conditions
• Sudden weight loss or dehydration

Behavioral signs

• Withdrawal, fear, or anxiety around a specific person
• Sudden changes in behavior or personality
• Flinching at touch or movement
• For children: regression, fear of going home, or age-inappropriate sexual knowledge

Financial signs (exploitation)

• Sudden changes in bank accounts or spending patterns
• Missing money or valuables
• Unpaid bills despite available funds
• A new "friend" or caregiver who isolates the person from family

Environmental signs

• Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
• Lack of food, heat, or running water
• A caregiver who appears overwhelmed, absent, or under the influence

Where to Report: Children vs. Adults

DFPS routes reports based on who is affected.

Reports involving children

• Handled by Child Protective Investigations (CPI) or Child Protective Services (CPS)
• CPI investigates allegations of abuse or neglect
• Some cases may be routed to Alternative Response, a less adversarial approach for lower-risk situations
• Child Care Investigations (CCI) handles reports involving child care facilities

Reports involving adults

• Handled by Adult Protective Services (APS)
• APS serves adults 65 or older and adults 18+ with disabilities
• APS investigates abuse, neglect, and exploitation
• APS can also provide services to help adults live safely

How to file a report

• By phone: DFPS operates a statewide abuse hotline available 24/7
• Online: DFPS provides an online reporting option through its website
• In an emergency: Call 911 first if someone is in immediate danger

When you report, try to provide:

• The name and location of the person you're concerned about
• What you observed or were told
• Any information about the alleged perpetrator
• Your contact information (optional — you can report anonymously)

What Happens After You Report

Once a report is filed, DFPS screens it to determine whether it meets the criteria for investigation.

1. Screening — DFPS evaluates whether the situation falls within its jurisdiction and meets the legal definition of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
2. Priority assignment — Reports are prioritized based on the severity of the alleged harm and the vulnerability of the person.
3. Investigation or Alternative Response — For children, this may mean a formal investigation or an Alternative Response. For adults, APS conducts an investigation.
4. Services — If harm is confirmed, DFPS may provide or arrange services such as foster care for children, or protective services and support for adults.
5. Case closure or ongoing involvement — Some cases are resolved quickly; others require ongoing monitoring.

Can You Report Anonymously? Are You Liable?

Texas law allows you to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation anonymously. You are not required to give your name.

If you report in good faith, you are generally protected from civil or criminal liability, even if the investigation doesn't confirm your concerns. The law is designed to encourage reporting without fear of retaliation.

Certain professionals — such as teachers, doctors, nurses, and child care workers — are mandatory reporters in Texas. They are legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect and may face penalties for failing to do so.

Key Takeaways

• DFPS protects children, elderly adults, and adults with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Reports involving children go to Child Protective Investigations or CPS; reports involving adults go to Adult Protective Services.
• You can report by phone through the statewide hotline or online through the DFPS website.
• Reasonable suspicion is enough — you don't need proof.
• Reports can be made anonymously, and good-faith reporters are protected from liability.
• If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 first.

For the most current reporting channels and detailed guidance, visit the DFPS website at dfps.texas.gov and navigate to the "Adult Protection" or "Child Protective Investigations" sections.

Texas DFPS handles child-related matters through three main tracks: Child Protective Investigations (CPI) for reports of suspected abuse or neglect, Child Protective Services (CPS) for ongoing safety, family support, foster care, kinship care, and adoption, and Prevention programs for broader child safety efforts. If you need to report suspected abuse or neglect, the entry point is the Texas Abuse Hotline. If you are a parent, foster or adoptive parent, kinship caregiver, or youth in care, DFPS organizes services and information by role, so you can start from the "I am" menu on its site.

Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

DFPS's core child protection function begins with a report. The agency's site lists Child Investigations and Child Services as separate top-level areas, and includes a dedicated "How to Report Abuse" entry under Adult Protection that also points to reporting pathways.

What happens after a report depends on which response track DFPS assigns:

DFPS publishes a Guide to Investigations and a Guide to Alternative Response so families can understand what to expect from each process. The site also links Case Connection, which is the mechanism for locating case-related information.

Child Protective Services: Safety, Family Support, and Children in Care

Once a case moves beyond investigation, Child Protective Services (CPS) covers the ongoing work. The DFPS site groups this under Child Services, with these sub-areas:

• Child Safety — the safety planning and monitoring function
• Child & Family Services — services delivered to the family unit
• Family Support — support aimed at keeping families intact where possible
• Children in Our Care — children removed from their homes and placed in DFPS conservatorship
• Medical Services — health-related services for children in care
• Youth & Young Adults — services for older youth and those transitioning out of care

DFPS also maintains CommunityBasedCare.org, described on the site as "Keeping foster care in local Texas communities." This reflects the shift of foster care management to local community-based care providers rather than a single statewide model.

Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption

For people who want to care for a child, DFPS separates the pathways clearly:

• Foster Care — becoming a foster parent, including Steps, Requirements, Information Meetings, and Get Started pages
• Kinship Care — care by relatives or close family friends
• Adoption — including Adoption Assistance and Medical Services for adopted children
• Find a Child to Adopt — with Search Waiting Children and Heart Galleries as the tools to view children awaiting adoption

The site also has a dedicated Foster and Adoptive Parents section and a Foster Youth entry in the "I am" menu, so each group gets its own starting point rather than a single generic page.

Prevention and Child Safety Resources

DFPS runs prevention-focused content under its Prevention menu, including:

• Office of Child Safety
• Child Drownings — safety information on drowning prevention
• Room Sharing & Safe Sleep — guidance for infant sleep safety

These sit alongside the agency's broader prevention and early intervention work. The site also references PEI Rider Reports (Prevention and Early Intervention) under Data & Reports, which document how prevention funding is used.

Records, Complaints, and Data

If you need information about a case or want to raise a concern about how DFPS handled something:

• Case Records — the entry point for requesting case records
• File a Complaint — linked from multiple sections, including Child Investigations, Child Services, and Adoption & Foster Care
• Data & Reports — includes CPS Dashboard, Data Book, Monthly Data Reports & Presentations, Citizen Review Teams, and CPS Internal Audit

DFPS also publishes Reports & Statistics covering Active Contracts and Regional Statistics, and maintains a News & Information section for agency announcements. The FY26 DFPS Annual Plan is available on the home page.

Where to Start Based on Who You Are

DFPS's "I am" menu is the fastest routing tool. It lists: Parent, Foster or Adoptive Parent, Kinship Caregiver, Foster Youth, Elderly Person, Person with Disabilities, Teacher or Professional, Business or Service Provider, Volunteer, Looking for a Job, Looking for Training, and General Public. Selecting your role takes you to the services and forms relevant to your situation instead of the full agency structure.

For employment, the site links "Come work with us. Learn about jobs with DFPS." For contracting and business relationships, the Doing Business section covers DFPS Contracts, Contracting Policies, Contracting Forms, Funding Opportunities, and Purchased Client Services.

An adoption search and reunion registry is a database where adoptees, birthparents, siblings, and other birth family members can post or search information about a past adoption in the hope of finding each other. It works best as one part of a broader search: registries help when both sides have registered or when a listing contains enough identifying detail to make a match, but they cannot open sealed adoption records or override state confidentiality laws. Use one if you are ready to be findable, willing to share what you know, and prepared for the possibility of no match or no response.

What a Registry Is — and What It Isn't

A registry is a matching service, not a records-access service. You submit what you know about an adoption (names, dates, places, agency, and any details you were given), and the registry compares your listing against others.

This is the key difference from a general people-search site. People-search tools look for a name in public data; a reunion registry is built around the adoption itself, so it can match on details like a birth date, hospital, or agency that a general search would not connect.

Who Can Register and Search

Registries are designed for both sides of an adoption, which is what makes a mutual match possible:

• Adoptees looking for birthparents or birth siblings
• Birthparents looking for a child placed for adoption
• Siblings separated by adoption, whether or not they were adopted
• Extended birth family — grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins — searching on behalf of themselves or a relative

Some registries also allow adoptive parents to register on behalf of a minor child. Rules vary, so check what a specific registry accepts before you spend time on a listing.

How to Join a Registry and Submit a Listing

1. Gather what you know before you start. Write down full names (including maiden names), birth dates, the city and hospital of birth, the adoption agency or attorney, and the approximate date of the adoption. Even partial details help.
2. Choose a registry. Find My Family Adoption Search and Reunion Registry (findmyfamily.org) is one example of a place for adoptees and birth family members to find each other and reunite. Compare a few registries, since each has its own audience and coverage.
3. Create your listing. Enter your details and, if the registry allows it, a short message to the other person. Be specific enough to be matched, but think about how much identifying information you want public.
4. Search existing listings. Look for entries that match your details. Search variations of names and spellings, and try both the adoptee and birthparent sides.
5. Set your contact preferences. Decide whether you want to be contacted directly or through the registry, and keep your contact information current so a future match can reach you.
6. Check back. New listings appear over time. A match may come months or years after you register, so re-checking matters.

Expected result: your listing is stored and searchable, and you can see whether any current listings match your details. A match is not guaranteed.

How Matches Are Confirmed

A registry match usually means two listings share enough identifying details to suggest they refer to the same adoption. That is a lead, not proof. Confirmation typically happens one of three ways:

• Direct contact and conversation between the two people, comparing details only they would know
• DNA testing through a separate service, which can confirm a biological relationship independently
• Records or agency confirmation, where the relevant state or agency allows it

Treat a registry match as the start of verification, not the end of the search.

Privacy, Consent, and Emotional Readiness

• Consent runs both ways. Registering makes you findable, but the other person may not want contact, may not have registered, or may not know they were adopted.
• Be careful with identifying details. Once a listing is public, you cannot fully take it back. Share what is needed to match, and hold back what is not.
• Prepare for any outcome. A search can end in a warm reunion, a polite decline, or silence. Deciding in advance how you will handle each outcome makes the process easier.
• Consider support. Reunion can surface strong emotions on both sides. A counselor, support group, or trusted person can help you prepare.

Limits: Sealed Records and State Rules

Registries cannot get around sealed adoption records. Access to original birth certificates and adoption files depends on the state and sometimes on the year of the adoption, and rules differ widely — some states allow adult adoptees access, others require a court order or a mutual-consent registry. Because these rules change, check your state's current process directly rather than relying on a summary. A registry can still help even when records are sealed, because it relies on both parties choosing to be found.

Deciding Whether to Use One

Use a registry if you want to be findable and are open to a mutual match. Combine it with DNA testing and, where allowed, a records request — the three approaches cover different gaps. If you are not ready for contact or not comfortable being listed, wait; a registry only works when you are prepared for someone to find you.

Adult Protective Services (APS) is a program of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) that investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly adults and adults with disabilities, and connects them with protective services. If you believe an adult is being harmed, you can report it to the DFPS Abuse Hotline; you do not need proof, and you can report even if you are not certain. This article explains who qualifies, what APS covers, how to report, what happens afterward, and how to file a complaint if you are dissatisfied.

Who Qualifies for Adult Protective Services in Texas

APS serves adults who are 65 or older, or adults with disabilities, who are being abused, neglected, or exploited. The key condition is that the person must be an elderly adult or an adult with a disability and must be at risk of harm. APS is not a general social services program for all adults — it focuses on protecting adults who are vulnerable because of age or disability.

What APS Covers: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

APS investigates three main categories of harm:

• Abuse — physical, emotional, or sexual harm, including mistreatment by a caregiver or another person.
• Neglect — failure to provide necessary care, such as food, shelter, medical care, or protection from harm, whether by a caregiver or by the adult's own inability to care for themselves.
• Exploitation — illegal or improper use of an adult's resources, such as money, property, or benefits, for someone else's profit or gain.

How to Report Adult Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation in Texas

You can report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elderly adult or an adult with a disability to DFPS. Reports can be made through the DFPS Abuse Hotline. When you report, provide as much of the following as you can:

• The adult's name, age, and address
• A description of the harm or risk you observed
• The name of the person you believe is responsible, if known
• Any immediate danger the adult faces
• Your contact information, if you are willing to provide it

You do not need to be certain that abuse occurred. If you suspect it, report it. DFPS provides guidance on how to report abuse and how to help prevent adult abuse through its Adult Protection section.

What Happens After You Make a Report

After a report is made, DFPS APS evaluates the information and determines whether an investigation is warranted. If APS investigates, the process generally includes:

1. Intake and screening — APS reviews the report to decide whether it meets the criteria for an investigation.
2. Investigation — APS looks into the allegations, which may include visiting the adult, interviewing people involved, and gathering information.
3. Services and protection — If abuse, neglect, or exploitation is confirmed, APS may arrange services to protect the adult, such as medical care, housing assistance, or legal intervention, depending on the adult's needs and willingness to accept help.

APS investigations and services are handled through regional APS offices. If you have an existing case and want to check on it, you can contact DFPS. The agency's website includes contact information and a "File a Complaint" option for each program area.

Recognizing Signs of Adult Abuse and Neglect

Signs that an elderly adult or an adult with a disability may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation include:

• Unexplained injuries, bruises, or injuries that don't match the explanation given
• Poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydration, or untreated medical conditions
• Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
• Sudden changes in finances, missing money, or unusual bank activity
• Fear, withdrawal, or reluctance to speak in front of a caregiver
• A caregiver who refuses to let others see the adult alone

If you notice these signs, report your concerns to the DFPS Abuse Hotline. DFPS also offers information on how to help prevent adult abuse.

How to File a Complaint About APS

If you are dissatisfied with how DFPS Adult Protective Services handled a report or case, you can file a complaint. DFPS provides a "File a Complaint" link under its Adult Protection section and other program areas. Filing a complaint allows you to raise concerns about the response, the investigation, or the services provided.

Key Takeaways

• APS in Texas protects adults 65 or older and adults with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Report suspected harm to the DFPS Abuse Hotline; you do not need proof or certainty.
• APS screens reports, investigates when warranted, and arranges protective services.
• You can file a complaint with DFPS if you are dissatisfied with the APS response.

For the most current reporting numbers, contact details, and program information, visit the DFPS website at dfps.texas.gov and navigate to the Adult Protection section.

Child care is the supervised care and early education of young children while parents work or study. It covers a wide range of settings—from a caregiver's home to a licensed center—and typically serves children from infancy through kindergarten. The right choice depends on your child's age, your schedule, your budget, and what you want the day to look like. This guide explains the main program types, the factors that matter most, and the questions to ask before you enroll.

Child care vs. daycare vs. preschool vs. early childhood education

These terms overlap, and many programs combine them. The differences are mostly about emphasis, not hard categories:

• Child care / daycare — Broad terms for supervised care during working hours. May include learning activities, meals, and naps. Often used for infants and toddlers.
• Preschool — Usually for ages 3–5, with a structured curriculum focused on school readiness. Often part-day or part-week.
• Early childhood education — The umbrella term for the whole field, from birth to about age six. A quality child care center is also an early childhood education program.

In practice, a single center may run infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten classrooms under one roof, so you don't have to choose between "care" and "education." For example, A Child's University describes itself as an early childhood school serving children six weeks to six years, with separate curricula for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartners.

Common types of child care

Many families mix types—for example, a center for full days plus a part-time preschool, or a nanny share to split costs.

What to look at when choosing care

Teacher-to-child ratios and group size

Lower ratios mean more individual attention, especially for infants and toddlers. Ask for the actual ratio in your child's classroom, not the program average. A Child's University states that its teacher-to-child ratios exceed state and national requirements, with more teachers per child than any program in Rhode Island—an example of the kind of specific claim you can ask a provider to document.

Curriculum and daily structure

Ask whether the program follows a written curriculum and how it aligns with state or national early learning standards. Look for hands-on activities that build creativity, critical thinking, and development—not worksheets for toddlers. A Child's University notes its curriculum aligns with national and state standards and is designed around hands-on, engaging activities.

Safety and security

Check licensing, staff background checks, secure entry, and pickup procedures. Some centers offer live web cameras so parents can view their child during the day; A Child's University lists an internet-accessible camera system among its features. Cameras are a nice-to-have, not a substitute for good supervision—ask about supervision policies directly.

Communication with parents

Daily communication matters more than most parents expect. Ask how you'll get updates: an app, photos, notes, or a conversation at pickup. A Child's University uses brightwheel for daily updates, photos, and staying connected with your child's teacher, plus digital check-in. Whatever the tool, confirm how quickly you'd be told about incidents, illness, or behavior concerns.

Staff qualifications

Ask whether lead teachers hold education degrees or coursework in early learning. A Child's University states its team has education degrees, experience, and coursework in early learning. Consistent, qualified staff reduce turnover, which matters for young children's sense of security.

Hours, calendar, and cost

Confirm opening and closing times, holiday closures, sick-day policies, and whether tuition is charged for absences. Pricing is rarely published online—request a fee schedule in writing before you commit.

Age ranges: what each stage needs

• Infants (about 6 weeks–12 months) — Low ratios, safe sleep practices, tummy time, and frequent feeding/diaper communication.
• Toddlers (about 1–3 years) — Movement, language, social play, and toilet-learning support.
• Preschool (about 3–5 years) — Structured activities, early literacy and math, and peer interaction.
• Kindergarten (about 5–6 years) — School-readiness skills and transition support.

A center with separate curricula for each stage—like the infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten tracks A Child's University lists—can keep siblings together while matching each child's development.

Questions to ask on a tour

Bring this list and write down the answers:

1. What is the teacher-to-child ratio in my child's age group, and what is the maximum group size?
2. What does a typical day look like, and how much time is active play vs. structured learning?
3. How do you communicate daily, and how soon are parents notified of incidents?
4. What are your staff qualifications and turnover rates?
5. What are the hours, holiday closures, and sick-child policies?
6. What is the full cost, including registration, meals, and late-pickup fees?
7. How do you handle transitions between classrooms and to kindergarten?
8. Can I see the security and check-in procedures?

Visit during the day, not just at an open house, so you see the program in action. Trust your observations of how teachers interact with children—that tells you more than any brochure.

Making the decision

Prioritize the factors you can't change later: location, hours, ratios, and safety. Curriculum and communication tools are easier to evaluate once you're enrolled. If a program checks your must-haves and feels right on the tour, ask about the enrollment process and waitlist. For programs with multiple campuses, like A Child's University's Smithfield and Cranston locations in Rhode Island, tour the specific site your child would attend—quality and staffing can differ between locations.