How to Navigate the Texas CBC SSCC Transition as a New Foster Parent

If you have tried to start the Texas foster care licensing process and found yourself unsure whether to contact DFPS or a different office, you have run into one of the most confusing aspects of the current Texas system: the Community-Based Care (CBC) transition.

Here is the direct answer: in most of Texas's largest counties, DFPS is no longer the primary licensing contact for new foster parents. A regional Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) has taken over that function. Which SSCC covers your zip code — and exactly what that means for your application — is not explained clearly in any free public resource.

This page explains the CBC structure, what it means for new applicants in 2026, and how to find out who handles licensing in your specific region.

What Community-Based Care Is and Why It Exists

Texas Community-Based Care is a legislative initiative that shifts foster care services from DFPS — a state agency — to regional nonprofit contractors who manage everything from placement to licensing to services within a defined geographic area. The theory is that regional contractors, embedded in local communities, can build better family support networks and reduce the caseload strain on state workers.

In practice, this means the entity responsible for licensing you as a foster parent varies by county. In some Texas counties, it is still DFPS. In others, it is an SSCC. In CBC regions, if you contact DFPS first, you will often be told to contact the SSCC — after a delay that could have been avoided.

The Current CBC Map (2026)

Regions not yet converted to full CBC remain under direct DFPS licensing management, though CPAs in those regions still handle the day-to-day licensing work.

Why This Creates Problems for New Applicants

You might contact the wrong office first. Calling DFPS in a CBC region often results in a referral to the SSCC — sometimes immediately, sometimes after an extended wait while the DFPS worker figures out your region. Starting with the right office saves weeks.

The SSCC does not replace CPAs. Within CBC regions, the SSCC oversees a network of Child Placing Agencies. You still work with a CPA for your home study, training, and licensing. The SSCC is the regional coordinator, not a direct service provider. Understanding this three-tier structure (DFPS → SSCC → CPA) is important for knowing who to call about what.

EMPOWER receivership created disruption. In late 2025, one major Texas CPA operating within a CBC region entered receivership under the EMPOWER contract. Foster families and prospective applicants in Tarrant and surrounding counties experienced case transfers and supervisor changes. New applicants in that region should confirm their CPA's current operational status before beginning an application.

Training requirements and provider networks vary by region. CBC regions sometimes have different approved training providers and may use different online platforms than DFPS-direct regions. The orientation you receive from an SSCC-managed CPA may differ from DFPS orientation materials in both content and format.

Who This Is For

• Prospective foster parents in Dallas, Tarrant, Bexar, Bell, Travis, Hays, or Williamson counties trying to figure out where to start
• Applicants who have already contacted DFPS and been redirected, and want to understand the structure before making their next call
• People moving to Texas who want to understand whether their new county is CBC-covered before initiating an application
• Anyone who has read that "DFPS licenses foster parents" and is confused about why the DFPS office in their area is not answering licensing questions

Who This Is NOT For

• Foster parents already matched with an SSCC and actively progressing through the licensing process (at that point, your assigned licensing worker is the right contact)
• Residents in non-CBC regions (most of rural Texas and smaller metro areas) where DFPS still manages licensing directly
• Families pursuing independent adoption rather than foster care licensing

Step-by-Step: How to Navigate the CBC System

Step 1: Determine whether your county is in a CBC region. Use your home address zip code, not your workplace or nearest major city. The counties listed above cover the most common CBC areas. If your county is not listed, start with DFPS directly.

Step 2: If you are in a CBC region, contact the SSCC first. Do not call DFPS Region 3, 3B, 7, or 8 to start a foster care application — you will be redirected. Contact the relevant SSCC directly and ask to be connected with a licensed CPA operating in your area.

Step 3: Request a CPA list and compare options. SSCCs maintain a list of CPAs operating within their region. You have the right to choose your CPA. Compare based on training schedule flexibility, communication style, any religious affiliation, and experience with the type of placements you are considering.

Step 4: Once assigned to a CPA, confirm your licensing worker contact. If you are in the Tarrant region and are concerned about post-EMPOWER disruption, ask directly which contract your CPA operates under and confirm your assigned licensing worker is current staff.

Step 5: Proceed through standard licensing steps. Background checks, home study, pre-service training, and home inspection follow the same Chapter 749 standards regardless of whether you are in a CBC or non-CBC region.

Tradeoffs of the Current System

The CBC model, at full maturity, should provide better-coordinated regional services. In practice, 2026 is a transitional period. Some regions have mature SSCC operations with clear intake processes. Others are still establishing workflows, and applicants in those areas experience more variability in their experience.

The upside for new applicants is that SSCCs, when functioning well, provide more localized support and maintain closer relationships with CPAs than centralized DFPS operations did. The downside is that you cannot always predict which situation you will encounter until you make contact.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I live in a CBC county, does DFPS have any role in my licensing?

DFPS retains oversight and policy authority over all Texas foster care, including CBC regions. But the day-to-day licensing process — background checks, home study, training, inspection, approval — runs through the SSCC and your assigned CPA. DFPS is your resource for appeals and regulatory issues, not for routine licensing questions.

What is an SSCC and how is it different from a CPA?

An SSCC (Single Source Continuum Contractor) is the regional nonprofit that holds the CBC contract with DFPS and manages an array of foster family services in a defined geographic area. A CPA (Child Placing Agency) is the agency that directly licenses foster families — it may be one of several CPAs operating within the SSCC's network. You work day-to-day with the CPA, not the SSCC directly.

What happened with EMPOWER and should I be worried?

EMPOWER was a Texas CBC contract that entered receivership in late 2025, affecting CPAs in the Tarrant County region. Families already in the system had their cases transferred to other providers. New applicants in the affected region can still proceed — the SSCC has since reorganized its CPA network — but it is worth confirming your CPA's current contract status.

Is there a public lookup tool to find my SSCC by zip code?

Not currently. DFPS does not maintain a publicly accessible zip-code-to-SSCC tool. This is one of the primary practical gaps in free Texas foster care resources. The Texas Foster Care Licensing Guide includes a region-by-region directory organized by county that covers this.

Can I apply to a CPA in a different region if I prefer their services?

Generally, your CPA must operate in the region where you live. SSCCs manage distinct geographic areas, and CPAs are contracted within specific regions. You choose among CPAs within your SSCC's network.

Is there a free starting resource?

Yes. The Texas Foster Care Quick-Start Checklist is available at no cost and includes a first-contact checklist that identifies whether you are in a CBC region and who to contact first.

Understanding whether your county falls under CBC — and which SSCC manages it — is the single most important first step for new applicants in Texas's largest counties. The Texas Foster Care Licensing Guide includes the full regional directory and covers what to expect from each SSCC's intake process.

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