The Department intends to amend rule 65C-28.017, F.A.C., entitled Exit Interviews, to incorporate a form and add provisions regarding the administration of the form.

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Family Safety and Preservation Program

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

65C-28.017Exit Interviews

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Department intends to amend rule 65C-28.017, F.A.C., entitled Exit Interviews, to incorporate a form and add provisions regarding the administration of the form.

SUMMARY: The amendments accomplish the following: 1) Incorporates the Child Exit Interview form; 2) Requires at least three attempts to interview 17 year old youth who are due to leave licensed out-of-home care at age 18; 3) Sets timeframe for completion of exit interview; 4) Removes unnecessary language; 5) Delineates circumstances when an exit interview is not required; and 6) Requires training on conducting exit interviews.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The SERC has not been prepared.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The Department used a checklist to conduct an economic analysis and determine if there is an adverse impact or regulatory costs associated with this rule that exceeds the criteria in section 120.541(2)(a), F.S. Based upon this analysis, the Department has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 39.012, 39.0121(13), 409.1415(3), 409.145(4), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 409.1415, 409.145, F.S.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Elizabeth Floyd. Elizabeth can be [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

65C-28.017 Exit Interviews.

(1) The child welfare professional or designee Services Worker shall conduct an exit interview with every child age five and older up until the eighteenth birthday who leaves a licensed out-of-home care placement if the child has resided in that placement for 30 thirty days or more. Attempts shall be made to conduct an exit interview with young adults who exit extended foster care.

(a) The interview shall be conducted within five business days of the child’s exit from the licensed out-of-home care placement.

(b) The child welfare professional will make and document a minimum of three attempts to interview a youth who is 17 years old before transitioning from licensed out-of-home care to adulthood. All attempts shall be documented in the CCWIS system.

(c)(b) If the child alleges abuse, neglect, or any maltreatment during the exit interview, the interviewer shall make an immediate report to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

(d)(c) If the child reports issues relating to the quality of care that do not rise to the level of abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, the interviewer shall report these issues to the licensing unit responsible for licensing the out-of-home caregiver or group care facility within three business days of completion of the exit interview and document the notification in the CCWIS system.

(2) The information gathered during the interview shall be dependent on the age of the child. The interviewer’s observations and any information to explain the child’s responses shall be recorded on the Child Exit Iinterview form, CF-FSP XXX, incorporated by reference and available at XXX.

(a)  For children ages five through eight, a response shall be requested to the following:

1. I felt happy in this foster home.

2. I was given plenty of food in this foster home.

3. I had enough clothing that fit me to wear in this foster home.

4. I was taken care of in this foster home when I was sick or had an accident.

5. When I asked, I got to call my:

a. Counselor,

b. Guardian ad Litem,

c. Others.

6. I was punished fairly when I did something that I was not supposed to do. An explanation shall be requested.

7. I was satisfied with this foster home.

8. I felt safe in this foster home.

(b) For children ages nine to eighteen a response shall be requested to the following:

1. I felt comfortable in this foster home.

2. I was treated with respect by the foster parents.

3. I was given plenty of food in this foster home.

4. I had enough clothing in my size to wear in this foster home.

5. I was taken care of in this foster home when I was sick or had an accident.

6. When I asked, I was allowed to call my:

a. Counselor,

b. Guardian ad Litem,

c. Others.

7. I was disciplined fairly when I did something that I was not supposed to do. An explanation shall be requested.

8. Overall, I was satisfied with the care that I got in this foster home.

9. Overall, I felt safe in this foster home.

(3) Prior to completing the Child Exit Interview form, the child welfare professional or designee shall inform the child of the purpose of the exit interview and how the information will be used.

(4) The child welfare professional or designee shall not be required to complete an exit interview in the following circumstances:

(a) When there has been a change in placement type to reflect adoptive placement, but no physical change in placement has occurred.

(b) If a child was on runaway status and returns to the same placement.

(c ) If the youth ages out of foster care and remains in the same home.

(d ) If the child is hospitalized for a medical or mental health reason and returns to the home.

(e) If the child is placed in the Department of Juvenile Justice detention center and returns to the home.

(5)(3) When needed as a result of safety or quality of care issues issue raised by the child, the Ddepartment or contracted service provider shall develop a corrective action plan. The type of plan can range from providing more intense supervision, support, or training for the caregiver to a more formal corrective action plan or a recommendation for revocation of the license, if appropriate.

(6)(4) When corrective action is necessary, written follow-up shall be completed due within 90 ninety days.

(7)(5) Upon completion of the child exit interview, the child welfare professional or designee shall perform the following tasks: The completed interview form, department or contracted service provider response, if any, and follow-up tasks shall be handled as follows:

(a) The completed interview form, any Ddepartment or contracted service provider response, if any, and documentation record of any follow-up shall be placed in the child’s case record;

(b) A copy of the completed interview form shall be provided to licensing staff with the community-based care lead agency and the Department’s Regional Licensing team and placed in the out-of-home caregivers’ licensing file within two business days of the interview; and

(c) A copy of the completed interview form, department or contracted service provider response, if any, and record of follow-up shall be sent to the District/Region or Zone Program Administrator or Lead Agency Executive Director; and,

(c)(d) If requested, copies of the A summary of exit interviews conducted shall be sent to the Department Department’s Office of Family Safety as requested by that office.

(8) All child welfare professionals or designees who conduct exit interviews shall receive training from the community-based care lead agency (CBC) or its contracted provider. All trainings developed by the CBC or contracted provider must include components that address appropriate methods to conduct the delivery of an exit interview and instructions regarding creating safe and private environments for the child to complete the interview.

(9) This rule will be reviewed and repealed, modified, or renewed through the rulemaking process five years from the effective date.

Rulemaking Authority 39.012, 39.0121(13), 409.1415(3), 409.145(4) 409.1676(10) FS. Law Implemented 409.1415, 409.145 409.165(1) FS. History–New 5-4-06. Amended_____

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jessica Johnson

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Shevaun L. Harris

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 4, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 28, 2021