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PSTI

Protective Services Training Institute

NEW: The technology training requirment for Advanced Specialist and recertification for all programs has changed. The old policy placed a 6-hour cap on technology training (such as agency computer programs). The new policy allows unlimited technology hours, provided the technology training is applicable to your field work.

NEW CPS Specialist Requirements for Non-Investigator Positions- Click here for details

In 1991, the agency created Children's Protective Services Training Institute (renamed the Protective Services Training Institute (PSTI) in 1998). PSTI is a unique consortium with the graduate schools of social work in Texas. PSTI is funded through the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The main objectives of PSTI are to implement competency-based training and certification for DFPS staff and to facilitate other university-agency partnership activities.

PSTI has offices at: The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Houston. The UT-Arlington site manages the certification program. The Certification Office processes all certification applications, maintains the certification files and manages the overall certification programs. Marcia Sanderson, LMSW-ACP Director of PSTI and Maria Scannapieco, Ph.D., Professor and Director of Certification, lead the certification process.