(a) Not later than the first anniversary of the date the department commences a pilot program under this subchapter and every two years after that date, the department shall contract with an entity based in this state that is independent of the department and has demonstrated expertise in statistical, financial, logistical, and operational analysis to evaluate the implementation of the pilot program under this subchapter, assess its progress, and report its findings to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature having jurisdiction over child protective services and foster care matters. The report must include:
(1) a detailed description of the actions taken by the department to ensure the successful implementation of the pilot program;
(2) a detailed analysis of the role each of the following entities has in the pilot program:
(A) the courts;
(B) legal representatives;
(C) the investigations division of the department; and
(D) the department or other entity implementing the pilot program;
(3) an analysis of any barrier to the successful implementation of the pilot program and recommendations for overcoming those barriers;
(4) data on the performance-based outcomes described by Subsection (b) and achieved in the child protective services region in which the pilot program is implemented;
(5) a detailed comparison of outcomes achieved in the child protective services region in which the pilot program is implemented with outcomes achieved in other child protective services regions;
(6) a detailed description of the costs of the pilot program and services provided; and
(7) recommendations on whether to expand services described in this subchapter to other child protective services regions in this state based on the outcomes and performance of the pilot program.
(b) Performance-based outcomes for evaluating the pilot program must include:
(1) the number of children served;
(2) the number of families served;
(3) the percentage of children who do not have a reported finding of abuse, neglect, or exploitation;
(4) the percentage of children served who did not enter foster care at case closure;
(5) the percentage of children served who did not enter foster care within six months and one year of the date the case was closed;
(6) the number of families who received family preservation services under the pilot program for whom the department opens an investigation of abuse or neglect involving the family before the second anniversary of the date the case was closed; and
(7) the average length of time services are provided from the entry of an order for family preservation services to case dismissal.