The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter,
have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) DFPS--Department of Family and Protective Services.
The state agency established by Chapter 40 of the Human Resources
Code and responsible for administration of Child Protective Services.
(2) DFPS OIA--DFPS Office of Internal Affairs. A neutral
party that reviews complaints regarding case-specific activities of
DFPS program areas to determine if policies and procedures were followed
in compliance with DFPS administrative rules at Title 40, Part 19,
Chapter 702, Subchapter I.
(3) FCO--Foster Care Ombudsman. The Ombudsman for Children
and Youth in Foster Care established by Texas Government Code Chapter
531, Subchapter Y, as enacted by Senate Bill 830 (84th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2015).
(4) Retaliation--A harmful action taken because of,
or substantially motivated by, reprisal or revenge in response to
a legally protected activity, such as making a good faith complaint.
(5) Vendor contracted to provide services on behalf
of DFPS--A vendor contracted as part of the community-based care model
established by Texas Family Code Chapter 264, Subchapter B-1, Community-Based
Care, including single source continuum contractors that provide placement
and case management services.
(6) Youth-- Children and youth in the conservatorship
of DFPS, which ends at age 18.
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