TX HHS Form 2960. CCR Application for a License to Operate a Residential Child Care Facility

Form 2960 is the official application required to obtain a license to operate a Residential Child Care Facility (RCCF) or Child-Placing Agency in Texas. This document is not a simple registration form — it is the foundation of your regulatory relationship with Child Care Regulation (CCR), determining whether you are eligible to care for children in a residential setting.

Because residential care involves housing, supervising, and supporting minors, Texas law imposes very specific requirements. Form 2960 helps CCR evaluate your organization’s structure, readiness, staffing model, location, and the type of services you intend to provide.

What This Form Is Used For

Form 2960 is required for any individual, partnership, nonprofit, corporation, or government-operated program seeking a CCR license to provide 24-hour residential child care. This includes:

• General Residential Operations (GROs)
• Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs)
• Emergency Care facilities
• Transitional Living Programs
• Therapeutic camps
• Child-Placing Agencies (Foster & Adoption)

Without an approved Form 2960, a facility legally cannot house or place children in Texas.

Section-by-Section Explanation

Section 1 — About Your Operation

This section establishes the identity and physical location of the facility. CCR uses this information to verify licensing jurisdiction, schedule inspections, and confirm the facility’s governing structure.

• Operation name & phone: Must match all business filings and signage.
• Physical address: Must be the real, operating location where children will reside.
• Mailing address: Optional — but ensure consistency with IRS and state filings.
• Governing body type: Determines what documentation CCR will later require (e.g., bylaws for nonprofits, partnership agreements, etc.).
• Driving directions: Surprisingly important — CCR investigators must be able to locate your facility easily.

Common mistake: Applicants often provide a business office address instead of the facility address. CCR will reject the application if the physical location is missing or inaccurate.

Section 2 — Applicant Information

This section identifies the responsible individuals or legal entity behind the operation. For sole proprietors and partnerships, CCR evaluates the personal qualifications and background of the owners. For corporations or nonprofits, CCR evaluates the governing organization.

• Sole proprietors/partners: Must list legal names, addresses, phone numbers, and indicate whether these are home addresses.
• LPs/LLPs: Must provide the registered entity name.
• Military-related applicants: Can receive expedited processing under Texas law.
• Corporations/nonprofits/LLCs: Must list the entity’s legal name and principal business address.

Typical issue: Applicants forget to attach required pages for additional partners or members of the governing body.

Section 3 — Child Population

CCR uses this section to determine whether your facility is appropriate for the population you plan to serve. You must specify:

• male/female or mixed placement
• minimum and maximum ages
• expected number of children

This must align with your program type and staffing model. For example, a facility licensed for medical-needs children cannot simultaneously apply to serve only teenagers unless program documentation supports both.

Section 4 — Operation Type and Services

This is one of the most important sections — CCR uses it to verify whether your program complies with Texas Administrative Code Chapter 748 (Residential Child Care) or Chapter 749 (Child-Placing Agencies).

You must accurately select:

• Operation type (GRO, CPA, RTC, etc.)
• Programmatic services (Child Care, Emergency Care, Respite Care, Transitional Living, Assessment)
• Treatment services (Emotional Disorders, ASD, Intellectual Disability, Medical Needs)

Incorrect classification can delay your application for weeks. For example, selecting treatment services for a Child Care–only operation will result in rejection, because treatment programs require specialized staffing, clinical oversight, and different minimum standards.

Section 5 — Type of Application

Choose whether this is a brand-new operation or a change of ownership. A change of ownership requires additional documentation, because CCR must evaluate whether the new owner can safely continue operations.

Section 6 — Permit History

Here CCR evaluates your compliance background. If you already operate or previously attempted to open a child care facility, CCR will review your record for past violations.

Not disclosing prior permits is a serious compliance issue and may lead to denial.

Practical Recommendations

• Ensure all governing body documents match the information provided here (IRS filings, Secretary of State records, bylaws).
• Use clear, specific driving directions — avoid vague references like “near the highway.”
• Verify that your proposed services match your staffing plan and policies.
• If unsure whether treatment services apply, seek clarification before submitting.
• Attach all additional partner/member sheets — CCR often returns applications that omit these.

Real-World Examples of When This Form Is Needed

• A nonprofit organization wants to operate a residential treatment center for adolescents with emotional disorders.
• A couple starting a Child-Placing Agency to license foster homes and facilitate adoptions.
• An organization operating an emergency shelter for children removed from unsafe situations.
• A GRO planning to expand services to include therapeutic camps and needs to update its licensing classification.

Documents You May Need to Attach

• Partnership agreements or corporate formation documents
• Nonprofit bylaws and IRS determination letters
• Organizational charts
• Floor plans or fire marshal approvals (requested separately later)
• Policies and procedures related to the services selected
• Additional partner or governing body member sheets

FAQ

• Who must file Form 2960? Any person or organization seeking a license to operate a facility that houses or places children in Texas.
• Do I need this form for foster care? Yes, Child-Placing Agencies must submit Form 2960.
• How long does approval take? Review timelines vary, but applications typically take several weeks to process.
• Can I operate before receiving approval? No — operating without a license is a violation of Texas law.
• Can I modify my services later? Yes, but CCR must approve any changes in operation type or treatment population.
• What if my facility serves multiple age groups? Indicate the full age range and ensure your policies support multi-age care.
• What if I already have another child care permit? You must disclose it in Section 6.

Micro-FAQ (Short Answers)

• Purpose? To apply for a Residential Child Care Facility license.
• Who files? Individuals, partnerships, nonprofits, corporations, or agencies providing residential child care.
• Deadline? No deadline — but approval is required before operating.
• Attachments? Governing documents, partner lists, organizational info.
• Submitted to? The nearest CCR office or via email.
• Required by? Texas Health and Human Services / Child Care Regulation.
• Can I operate without it? No.
• Does it cover treatment services? Yes, if correctly selected.
• Is military status relevant? Yes — may qualify for expedited processing.
• Does a change of ownership require refiling? Yes.

Related Forms

• Form 2971 – Child Care Licensing Background Check Request
• Form 2999 – Plan of Operation for Residential Child Care
• Form 2860 – Governing Body/Administrator Information
• Form 2967 – Emergency Behavior Intervention Report

Form Details

• Form Name: Application for a License to Operate a Residential Child Care Facility
• Form Number: 2960
• Agency: Child Care Regulation (CCR), Texas Health and Human Services
• Region: State of Texas
• Revision Date: April 2025