(a) Benefits under the Strengthening Families Through Enhanced In-Home Support Program are subject to Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) approval and must be used: (1) to promote family stability; (2) to accomplish one or more of the objectives that are identified in the family's Plan of Service; (3) to prevent removal of the child from the home or speed reunification of the child with the family; and (4) for one or more of the following purposes: (A) protect the safety of the child; (B) meet the child's needs; (C) relieve family stress; or (D) enhance family strengths and functioning. (b) To be eligible to receive benefits under the program, a family must: (1) be recommended by DFPS staff to receive Family Based Safety Services or Family Reunification Services and the family must agree to the services; (2) have the child living in the home or have a family service plan that recommends the child be returned to the home within 180 days; (3) have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines; (4) be the subject of a DFPS investigation in which it is determined that neglect is a primary problem for the family; (5) be a parent by blood, marriage, or adoption or a managing conservator of the child who is the victim of or at risk of neglect; (6) have an identified problem in the home environment or family that contributed to neglect and can be remedied or mitigated by benefits available under this program; and (7) have a member that meets applicable citizenship and immigration status requirements. (c) DFPS may specify in policy procedures for the provision of benefits under this program. |