Section 409.175, F.S., requires the Department to adopt and amend licensing rules for child-placing agencies. The proposed amendments concern educational requirements for child-placing agency directors and agency staff.

 

DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Family Safety and Preservation Program

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

65C-15.017Personnel

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Section 409.175, F.S., requires the Department to adopt and amend licensing rules for child-placing agencies. The proposed amendments concern educational requirements for child-placing agency directors and agency staff.

SUMMARY: The amendments add the option of a degree in human services or juvenile justice as a requirement for child-placing agency directors and agency staff responsible for supervising or performing casework services.

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: 409.175, FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 409.175, 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-15.017 Personnel.

(1) No change.

(2) Agency staff responsible for supervision shall have a master’s degree in social work or a related area of study from an accredited college or university and at least two (2) years’ of experience in human services or child welfare programs, or a bachelor’s degree in social work or related area of study from an accredited college or university or related area of study and four (4) years’ of experience in human services or child welfare programs. A doctorate in social work or a related area of study may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Related areas of study include bachelor’s or master’s degrees in human services, criminology, juvenile justice, psychology, sociology, counseling, special education, education, human development, child development, family development, marriage and family therapy, and nursing.

(3) through (5) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 409.175 FS. Law Implemented 409.175 FS. History–New 12-19-90, Amended 10-27-93, Formerly 10M-24.027, Amended 11-14-16,_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Traci Leavine

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 10, 2017

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: May 15, 2017