The Department intends to create rule 65C-33.016, Trainer Program. In addition, the Department intends to remove the definition and requirement for a remedial training program for individuals retaking the pre-service training post-test.

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Family Safety and Preservation Program

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

65C-33.001Definitions

65C-33.004Pre-Service Training Post-Test Assessments

65C-33.016Child Welfare Trainer Certification

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Department intends to create Rule 65C-33.016, F.A.C., Trainer Program. In addition, the Department intends to remove the definition and requirement for a remedial training program for individuals retaking the pre-service training post-test.

SUMMARY: The Department intends to create Rule 65C-33.016, F.A.C., Trainer Program, to accomplish the following: (1) Provide a timeframe for when Child Welfare Trainers must become proficient; (2) Specify requirements of “grandfathering” in; (3) Outline the prerequisites for entry into the Trainer Program; (4) Define which Child Welfare Trainers the Trainer Program applies to; (5) Determine what requirements must be met to be deemed proficient, including content knowledge and instructional skills, as well as assessment of these components; (6) Specify requirements to maintain Proficiency, including defining the specific in-service training relevant to trainer proficiency and number of hours; and (7) Specify who is exempt from this requirement.

In addition, the Department intends to (1) Define “Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer;” (2) Define “Trainer Program;” and (3) Remove the definition and requirement for a remedial training program for individuals retaking the pre-service training post-test.

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 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: 402.40, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 402.40, FS.

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: Jodi Abramowitz. Jodi can be reached at [phone] or [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

65C-33.001 Definitions.

(1) through (20) No change.

(21) “Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer” refers to the Child Welfare Trainer who engages in instruction of any part of the Pre-Service Curriculum. “Remedial Training Plan” refers to an individualized, time-limited written contract between the trainee and his or her supervisor which shall be developed when the trainee has failed to successfully complete his or her first attempt of the post-test, and will be re-taking the post-test.

(22) through (25) No change.

(26) “Trainer Program” refers to the program approved by the Department through which Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainers are provided training, coaching, and evaluation to achieve and maintain competency in the training Pre-Service Curriculum.

(26) through (28) are renumbered (27) through (29) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 402.40 FS. Law Implemented 402.40 FS. History–New 10-14-10, Amended 12-24-15. Amended_______

 

65C-33.004 Pre-Service Training Post-Test.

(1) through (6) No change.

(7) Retaking the Post-Test. If re-taking the post-test, the re-test must be administered no later than 15 business days following the date of the initial post-test, absent special circumstances accommodated by the employing agency or the training entity.

(a) Prior to scheduling a re-take, a Remedial Training Plan shall be developed between the trainee, his or her supervisor, and a child welfare trainer, to address the trainee’s area(s) of deficiency in the pre-service training modules or on the post-test and a plan for remediation. It is the responsibility of the trainee’s supervisor to initiate development of the Remedial Training Plan, with input from the trainer and trainee.

(b) The agency-designed Remedial Training Plan must identify the roles and responsibilities of all plan participants, must address the trainee’s major area(s) of deficiency on the post-test, and must include a schedule of dates and times during which specific portions of the pre-service curriculum (as well as any other relevant training materials) will be reviewed with the trainee in an effort to ensure that the individual is provided with access to all of the resources and supports available to help increase the likelihood of successful completion of the re-take of the post-test.

Rulemaking Authority 402.40 FS. Law Implemented 402.40 FS. History–New 10-14-10, Amended 12-24-15. Amended_____

 

65C-33.016 Trainer Program

(1) Every Child Welfare Trainer hired after August 1, 2019 who engages in instruction of the Pre-Service Curriculum, herein referred to as “Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer,” must apply for the Trainer Program within three (3) months of hire into a position of Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer.   Any Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer hired prior to August 1, 2019, must apply for the Trainer Program within three (3) months of the program’s inception. If the Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer is not a Certified Florida Child Welfare Professional, he or she must pass the waiver test before applying to the Trainer Program. If the waiver test is not passed, then the Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer must follow requirements outlined in Rule 65C-33.010(3)-(4), F.A.C. 

(2) The program provider, in consultation with the Department, shall create an instrument to evaluate an applicant’s level of content knowledge and delivery skills.

(a) The instrument must assess content knowledge, including, at a minimum: comprehension of the Pre-Service curricula, as well as policies and adherence to the fidelity of the Child Welfare Practice Model as related to Pre-Service training. 

(b) The instrument must assess delivery skills, including, at a minimum: use of adult learning principles to both engage and manage content and behavior in a learning environment,

(3)  Upon application to the Trainer Program, the program provider will evaluate the applicant and categorize him or her into one of the following levels:

(a) Level 1: Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainers who require both content knowledge and delivery skills training.

(b) Level 2a: Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainers who are deemed competent for content knowledge but require training for delivery skills.

(c) Level 2b: Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainers who are deemed competent for delivery skills but require training for content knowledge.

(d) Level 3: Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainers who are deemed competent for content knowledge and delivery skills.

(4)  If the applicant is not categorized at a Level 3 after application evaluation, then the applicant will be required to complete the Trainer Program, instructed by the program provider, that addresses content knowledge and/or delivery skills as referenced in subparagraphs (2)(a)-(b) of this rule.  Until such time as the Child Welfare Pre-Service Trainer attains Level 3, the employing agency shall assess and provide necessary supports for the Child Welfare Pre-Service Trainer while engaging in duties related to instruction of the Pre-Service curricula.

(5)  At the end of the training program, the Child Welfare Pre-Service Trainer will be assessed on content knowledge and/or delivery skills using the instrument created in accordance with subsection (2) of this rule. The applicant attains Level 3 upon a satisfactory assessment by the program provider. Once a Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer attains a Level 3, he or she may apply for certification as a Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer with the Third Party Credentialing Entity in accordance with the requirements set forth in Rule 65C-33.002, F.A.C. 

(6) If after a year the Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer has not reached Level 3, a written plan must be established by the employing agency, based on input from the program provider, to address identified gaps in the trainer’s skills and abilities and to assist the trainer in attaining Level 3. 

(a)  The plan must be specific as to the steps that will be taken by both the agency and the trainer to achieve Level 3 status.

(b)The plan must be kept up-to-date by the employing agency. 

(c) If Level 3 is not achieved within six (6) months of the date of the implementation of the written plan, the trainer cannot continue instructing Pre-Service curriculum. 

(d) The Child Welfare Trainer may re-apply for the Trainer Program after six (6) months has elapsed in a non-training role.

(7) In order to maintain certification and stay at Level 3, the Child Welfare Trainer must complete a minimum of 20 hours of in-service training annually.  Hours must include at least one (1) course provided by the Trainer Program. If Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer certification lapses, the trainer must reapply for the Trainer Program.

(8) The requirements to become a certified Pre-Service Child Welfare Trainer will not apply to individuals who:

(a) Are teaching the Pre-Service curriculum as part of an academic program in which undergraduate or graduate students are enrolled in a college or university with the goal of attaining a degree; and

(b) Have an agreement with the Department in regard to incentive programs within Universities working to increase the eligible population of students with social work or behavioral health care degrees who may be interested in child welfare careers.

Rulemaking Authority 402.40 FS. Law Implemented 402.40 FS. History–New

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: MaryAnn White

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Mike Carroll

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 14, 2018

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 26, 2017; December 27, 2017