Reason Parent is Unavailable |
Documentation Verifying Reason Parent is Unavailable |
Documentation Verifying Caretaker is Responsible for the Child |
Medical Incapacitation
or
In Treatment
or
Rehabilitatione |
A document from a licensed medical professional, e.g., physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist, stating the medical condition that makes the parent unable to care for his or her children.
OR
A document from a licensed professional such as a counselor or therapist is an acceptable alternative as long as the recommendation or diagnosis does not exceed the licensed professional’s authority
If the parent is in a treatment or rehabilitation center, a letter from the facility verifying admission must be signed by an authorized representative of the facility and include both the admission and anticipated release date. A
copy of the order mandating the placement will suffice.
|
A caretaker must have a notarized power of attorney or a sworn affidavit of temporary custody/guardianship of the child. |
Child Protective Services (CPS) Placement |
- A recent (within six months) CPS safety plan or CPS placement agreement;
- A court order naming the individual as the caretaker; or
- A letter from CPS that confirms the children’s placement with the caretaker is ongoing.
|
No other documentation is necessary. |
Military Deployment |
- Military orders; or
- A suitable alternative such as a confirmation by the base commander or other military official.
|
A military power of attorney appointing the caretaker as the guardian of the child.
OR
In lieu of a military power of attorney, a military family plan that gives the caretaker the authority to execute decisions on child care matters.
|
Incarcerated |
- A “commitment” order from the court;
-
Verification from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Offender Information Search database(http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/offender_information.h
tm) for offenders who are incarcerated in a TDCJ facility; or
- A letter from the sheriff’s office confirming incarceration if the parent is in a local jail.
The document must include the date of incarceration
and anticipated release date.
|
A caretaker must have a notarized power of attorney or a sworn affidavit of temporary custody/guardianship of the child. |
Other Reasons Parent or Legal Guardian is Unavailable |
A sworn affidavit of facts attesting to:
- the circumstances of how and why the caretaker assumed responsibility for the child;
- the whereabouts of the natural parent(s);
- the caretaker’s relationship to the child; and
- the length of time the child has been with the caretaker.
|
A caretaker must have a notarized power of attorney or a sworn affidavit of temporary custody/guardianship of the child.
In addition, the caretaker must
have documentation from a
verifiable source that establishes
his or her parental responsibility
for the child. The
documentation may be one of
the following:
-
the caretaker's most recent
IRS tax return listing child as
a dependent;
-
a letter from a child care
center or other independent,
non-relative, verifiable
source that can establish the
individual’s parental and
financial responsibility for
the child;
-
a letter from an independent
school district; or
-
documentation that the
caretaker is receiving
Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families benefits on
behalf of the child, or has
received benefits within the
past six months.
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