65C-15.010. Finances

(1) Financial Ability. The child-placing agency must provide written documentation of financial ability to operate.

(a) Initial Operational Expenses. Child-placing agencies beginning operation must have the capital necessary for a six (6) month period of operation.

(b) Annual Budget. The child-placing agency must prepare a written budget annually of anticipated income and expenditures necessary to provide the services described in its statement of purpose. The child placing agency must provide the annual budget to the Department.

(c) Financial Audit. The child-placing agency must have its financial records audited annually. All audit reports must be submitted at time of license renewal and available to the Department upon request at any time during the licensing year.

1. Financial audits are required for child-placing agencies who expend equal to or in excess of the threshold, as outlined in Section 215.97, F.S. Annual audits must be conducted by an independent certified public accountant (CPA) licensed pursuant to Chapter 473, F.S.

2. Child-placing agencies that do not meet the audit threshold must provide proof of a financial review conducted by an external auditor or an independent certified public accountant (CPA) licensed pursuant to Chapter 473, F.S.

(2) Fees and Costs.

(a) When fees for services, including adoption and foster care services, are charged, the child-placing agency must have a fee schedule disclosing all fees for services. This schedule must list the specific services covered by each fee.

1. The child-placing agency must file the fee schedule with the Department at licensure and when changes are made to the fee schedule during the licensing year.

2. Adoption fees must be established based on the costs of services outlined in Section 63.097, F.S. The child-placing agencies must have the fee schedule reviewed by the Department annually and when updates are made to ensure that the schedule complies with Section 63.097, F.S., for adoption related services.

(b) This fee schedule must be given to all persons requesting services from the child-placing agency. The child-placing agency must provide individuals with the fee schedule at the time the application is made.

1. A fee agreement and any modifications to it must be executed with each applicant.

2. The fee agreement must list the fees charged and the services to be provided, including provisions for payment.

(3) Where payments are made to foster parents:

(a) The child-placing agency must have a written payment schedule and statement on payment procedures; and,

(b) The child-placing agency must provide foster parents with written notification of changes in the schedule at least 30 calendar days prior to the change.

(4) The child-placing agency must not require applicants, adoptive parents or their representatives to provide gratuities, such as money or other things of value or services, beyond the established fee.

(5) Adoption entities as defined in Section 63.032, F.S., must submit information quarterly in accordance with Section 63.097, F.S., to the Department’s electronic system located on the Department’s website.

(a) This information must be submitted no later than the 15th day of the month following the preceding quarter.

(b) An adoption entity that finalizes an adoption within a quarter must attest no later than the 15th day of the month following the preceding quarter that all finalized adoptions have been reported in the Department’s electronic system located on the Department’s website.

(c) For purposes of this subsection, the reporting quarters are:

1. Quarter 1 is January through March,

2. Quarter 2 is April through June,

3. Quarter 3 is July through September, and

4. Quarter 4 is October through December.

Rulemaking Authority 63.233, 409.175 FS. Law Implemented 63.097, 409.175 FS. History–New 12-19-90, Formerly 10M-24.019, Amended 11-14-16, 11-24-24.