CPS Foster Care Eligibility Specialist
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.
What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck
When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.
Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:
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100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
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Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
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Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
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Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
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Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
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Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.
You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure
Functional Title: CPS Foster Care Eligibility Specialist
Job Title: CPS FC Elig Spec I
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
Department: Region 5 CPS Dir Del - FC ELG
Posting Number: 17232
Closing Date: 06/05/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support
Salary Range: $2,694.33 - $3,946.25
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-11
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 30%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: HENDERSON
Job Location Address: 700 ZEID BLVD
Other Locations: Athens; Atlanta; Beaumont; Canton; Carthage; Center; Clarksville; Coldspring; Crockett; Daingerfield; Gilmer; Hemphill; Henderson; Jacksonville; Jasper; Kirbyville; Linden; Livingston; Longview; Lufkin; Lumberton; Marshall; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Orange; Palestine; Paris; Port Arthur; Quitman; Rusk; Silsbee; Sulphur Springs; Texarkana; Trinity; Tyler; Woodville
MOS Codes: 42SX,4C0X1
Brief Job Description:
The Foster Care/Adoption Assistance Eligibility Specialist position is responsible for determining and certifying eligibility for foster care, Medical Assistance Only and Adoption Assistance in the Child Protective Services program. The position uses application forms and interprets policy to determine client's eligibility for IV-E, state paid or Medical Assistance Only foster care assistance as well as Adoption Assistance. This position provides assistance to clients and staff in the resolution of payment and Medicaid issues. The position interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services employees, SSCC employees, Medicaid providers, foster parents, and Office of Attorney General employees.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
- Determines eligibility on initial applications and re-determines eligibility and/or re-certifications on subsequent applications and reviews.
- Provides assistance to clients and staff in resolving payment issues. Reviews ALOC/BLOC.
- Researches, documents and provides assistance to foster parents, adoptive parents, staff and providers to resolve Medicaid issues.
- Researches, documents, and updates court ordered child support information for children in the Title IV-E program or state paid foster care.
- Prepares and maintains eligibility and adoption assistance files.
- Prepares training material for instructing service delivery workers or other agency staff in eligibility requirements.
- Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
- Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
- Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
- Knowledge of and experience working on IMPACT.
- Knowledge and experience working with TANF or Medicaid.
- Good communication skills and computer skills.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
N/A
Initial Screening Criteria:
- Graduation from high school or equivalent.
- Two years full-time social service, human services work, eligibility determination, or PRS experience.
- Acceptable Substitutions: Sixty semester hours from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required experience.
Additional Information:
- Knowledge and experience in CPS Program and IMPACT preferred.
- This position can be housed anywhere in Region 4 and 5.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.
Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.
State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.
As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.
DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.