65C-43.004. Training for Foster Parents of Safe Foster Homes and Staff of Safe Houses

(1) Foster parents and direct care staff of residential child-caring agencies must have completed all pre-service training, as prescribed in Section 409.145(2)(e), F.S., and Rule 65C-45.002, F.A.C., prior to the submission of the application to become a safe foster home or safe house.

(2) Foster parents and direct care staff must complete 24 hours of specialized training in commercial sexual exploitation prior to receiving certification to care for commercially sexually exploited children and young adults.

(3) Specialized intensive curriculum about commercially sexually exploited children must be approved by the Department. In determining whether a curriculum will be approved, the Department will consider whether the curriculum addresses the subjects specified in subsection (4), of this rule, and whether the instructor has met the following preferred criteria:

(a) Has a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related area of study; or a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, counseling, special education, education, human development, child development, family development, marriage and family therapy, criminal justice, adult learning or nursing; and two years of experience working with sexually exploited children, or

(b) Has a master’s degree in social work or a related area of study; or a master’s degree in psychology, sociology, counseling, special education, education, human development, child development, family development, marriage and family therapy, criminal justice, adult learning or nursing, or

(c) Has specialized knowledge in commercial sexual exploitation and child welfare.

(d) In addition, all instructors must have received training on the following topics: Human Trafficking, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Co-occurring Disorders.

(4) The specialized intensive training on commercially sexually exploited children shall include:

(a) Distinctions between sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and sexual trafficking;

(b) Language and sensitivity;

(c) Pathways to entry into sexual exploitation and sexual trafficking;

(d) Exploiters;

(e) Tactics of coercion and control;

(f) Impact of sexual exploitation;

(g) Stockholm Syndrome and trauma bonding;

(h) Identifying victims;

(i) Meeting the needs of victims;

(j) Trauma triggers;

(k) Trauma-informed care;

(l) Vicarious trauma and self-care strategies;

(m) Behavior management activities; and

(n) Intersection of labor trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.

(5) Once certified, foster parents of safe foster homes and direct care staff of safe houses must complete eight (8) hours of continuing education annually focused on human trafficking.

Rulemaking Authority 409.1678(2)(e) FS. Law Implemented 409.1678 FS. History–New 1-12-16, Amended 11-24-19.